2016 Postmortem
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Democrats face turnout problem, dissatisfaction in ranks leading to midterms
Plouffe, who was Obama’s campaign manager in 2008 and oversaw the reelection bid as White House senior adviser, put the onus back on the Democrats. Democrats didn’t lose the special election because the Republicans had an insurmountable advantage in the district. They lost because they couldn’t get enough voters — the ones who backed Obama in 2012 — to the polls. Plouffe called the loss a “screaming siren” for the fall. As he put it, “We have a turnout issue.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democrats-face-turnout-problem-dissatisfaction-in-ranks-leading-to-november-elections/2014/03/18/5133e28e-aeb2-11e3-b8b3-44b1d1cd4c1f_story.html?wpisrc=nl_pmpol
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demwing
(16,916 posts)"Why do Dems have a mid-term turnout problem?"
Answer that, and solve the problem.
earthside
(6,960 posts)... throw red meat to their own base to inspire and motivate them to turn out.
Democratic politicians generally are afraid of their own base.
The first hopeful sign in this election cycle will be if Pres. Obama nixes the Keystone XL pipeline -- that will invigorate a big chunk of the liberal/progressive base.
A lot of folks here on DU don't like to hear it, but a big part of motivating the base rests with Barack Obama -- and as we saw in 2010, he isn't necessarily very good at this strategy.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,412 posts)He is the only elected Democrat in the country who can do and be.........everything to everybody. I definitely plan to blame him if we don't at least hold the Senate. 
polichick
(37,152 posts)Proud Liberal Dem
(24,412 posts)however, what I was responding to was how responsible President Obama will be for whatever happens in November.
MindMover
(5,016 posts)
TheKentuckian
(25,024 posts)They are actually the head of the party for one thing. They command the spotlight not unlike a quarterback does in football. They are the only nationally elected office so they generate more emotion than far off folks one never sees on a ballot, they just kinda become part of the collective "Congress".
One can hardly consider themselves to be a pragmatist and be trying to avoid this long lived reality of perception.
The quarterback gets grilled for missing a receiver in the fourth quarter and the 45 points given up, the running back that got held to no yardage, the 6 sacks allowed, and the 3 fumbled kick returns somehow fade to the background. That is human psychology not a political misunderstanding.
Larkspur
(12,804 posts)but also the consultant and staffer ranks.
JoeyT
(6,785 posts)they sneer at their base. They're afraid of their corporate masters who will turn off the tap if they look too liberal.
JayhawkSD
(3,163 posts)RBInMaine
(13,570 posts)VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)craigmatic
(4,510 posts)promote Obamacare harder, push the minimum wage issue, and get more democrats on the same talking points- "We support the president because he's protecting America's interests and keeping us safe". How hard is that? Most of that is just rhetoric anyway but people still like to hear it.
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)countries bordering Russia. Jobs, minimum wage, the economy for the 99% would be my guess for pulling in voters.
People are still hurting, and want to work, and to make enough money to survive by working.
As to the ACA? Well, Dems own it, so running away from it now is a lousy strategy. They have to push the anecdotal success stories.
craigmatic
(4,510 posts)doing anything so the democrats have to actually seem like they're trying to do something-anything it doesn't matter. It's beginning to feel like we're just drifting in no particular direction and that's an opportunity for leadership. Whoever can seize this moment wins in November.
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)The legislative branch is hosed as long as party control is split.
All we can do is make plain what we actually support, and ask voters who agree with us to come to the polls. If we don't proudly support Democratic ideals, we're not giving them any reason to choose our guys. We need the base more than anything in off-year elections, and (as noted above y another commenter) the President is currently the only one who can 'do' anything to throw red meat to the base to increase GOTV. Senatorial and Representative candidates can only use rhetoric, and tell voters what they'll do IF we can retake both Houses of the legislature. At least incumbents can sponsor legislation - Dems should be pushing minimum wage increases hard. Even if they can't get it through, it looks good and gives more momentum to state and local minimum wage increase attempts.
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)"Learn to eat your peas!"
polichick
(37,152 posts)They keep getting "public servants" who serve corporations instead of protecting the people, the country and the planet.
(At least that's what I'm hearing from young people I worked with on the Obama campaign, who say they want nothing to do with politics after being burned. I tell them to vote anyway; they say no thanks.)
Scuba
(53,475 posts)... more progressive than our President, and very disappointed in him.
polichick
(37,152 posts)These kids (mid-twenties) tell me they're not interested in playing a rigged game and really don't plan on voting.
I get what they're saying but so far voting lesser of evil seems better than letting the worst happen. Although they might be right that the worst is keeping this sick system going at all.
Truth is, even I'm not sure I could pull the lever for another Third Way type.
demwing
(16,916 posts)Why didn't voters feel conned in those years?
Maybe its easier to get fired up over a charismatic leader than for a group of unrecognizable faces?
Maybe we are missing the big picture...
Instead of scolding voters (not that you did), why not wage a national campaign every mid-term, with a "Big Issue" on the table?
Take a tip from Newt Gingrich, and offer voters a list of 5-10 issues, then promise America that the Dems will get those issues solved in the first 100 days if you hand us the keys to Congress.
polichick
(37,152 posts)Far from "scolding" voters, they should be listened to carefully - that is, IF the party is actually interested in serving the people anymore. I wouldn't bet on that one.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)that will likely happen if Republicans keep the House and/or take the Senate.
Academic research indicates that people are far more moved to act to prevent a loss, than to achieve a gain.
IOWs, "If Republicans win majorities in the House and Senate in 2014, they will move to cut SS and Medicare" will have a greater affect on getting people to vote; than "If I am elected, I will expand SS and have Medicare for all."
There is a reason that there is so much negative campaign advertising ... It works to get the vote out.
But us Democrats are bigger than that!
BlueDemKev
(3,003 posts)"...I will stop the Republicans in Congress from putting you and your family back at the mercy of the insurance companies."
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)But then, I have no problem with a "Not the Wacky Republican" campaign!
demwing
(16,916 posts)It's hard to drive 535 individual races (or whatever might be the number of total seats up for a vote in a mid-term election).
If Dems are smart, we highlight a set of national issues (or a single, overwhelmingly pertinent issue), and then sell Democratic control of Congress as a way to resolve the issue/s.
We have to find a way to inspire people to think nationally and act locally.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)I think the national narrative has already been established: "republicans only actions have been to hurt the working class and give to the 1%, while blocking every piece of legislation that would have helped the working class, the middle class and veterans. If we don't vote them out, it'll be more of the same, or worse."
demwing
(16,916 posts)(See my post 32) - it's the "vote for me" part.
If our individual candidates are not inspiring (and let's face it, some are very meh), then the national party has to find a way get out the vote.
Make mid-terms about issues, not individual candidates.
Don't say "Vote for me and I'll..."
Say "Stop Republicans from (insert atrocity). In 2014, vote for democracy, and send Democrat (insert candidate) to Washington."
There's a shit load of atrocities that can be highlighted, I think we'll get the most mileage from the Republican shutdown.
If we don't beat that issue to death we don't deserve to win.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Gotcha!
You're talking about what the Party can do, independently of the individual candidate(s).
demwing
(16,916 posts)
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)"...I will work to take insurance agencies who provide no actual health care entirely out from between you and your health care practitioners."
People don't actually want 'health insurance', they want 'health care'.
As long as the insurance companies are in the loop, they're spending time finding loopholes.
demwing
(16,916 posts)creates greater urgency, but without losing the "think nationally, act locally" mindset.
JayhawkSD
(3,163 posts)VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)Most are not Far Left....they don't all care about the things you do. You are not representative of the average Democratic voter....(a few young people you have spoken to do not average make)
polichick
(37,152 posts)VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)it just is...that's called reality.
polichick
(37,152 posts)There's a growing number of voters (all ages) who aren't going to be manipulated into voting for corporate servants anymore - who aren't going to respond to the usual fear mongering. If the Democratic Party wants to win, it needs to support principled candidates who are there for the people.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)You are welcome to throw your hat in the race....don't just demand better candidates...BE ONE!
polichick
(37,152 posts)VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)is that the punishment you demand? Because just beating up Democrats accomplishes SOOOO much. Great "stratergizing" you got going there....giving up ALL the ground we did manage to eke out against all the obstruction accomplishes sooooo much doesn't it?
So are you running in November?
polichick
(37,152 posts)Great "stratergizing" running RepubliCons and calling them Dems - that ain't gonna work anymore.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)You are saying the Affordable Care Act is not worth defending? Because that is what is at risk...
Do you agree that most of the Democrats (especially on DU) ARE Liberal or Progressive?
If not when are you running to make all these changes in the Democratic party?
polichick
(37,152 posts)That's how far the party has fallen.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)when are YOU running to get us the Public Option and or Medicare for all and Single Payer to boot...
When? When? When?
polichick
(37,152 posts)If the party no longer fights for Democratic policies, it's irrelevant and people will vote accordingly.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)AND it is the ONLY path to Single Payer or Medicare for all....its demise will not make those easier to accomplish...it will make those impossible.
So you can stop praying for its demise unless that is your welcomed outcome....
Now when are you running to make all the necessary improvements you demand in the party
polichick
(37,152 posts)Democratic policies would get a shitload of people to the polls. Get it yet?
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)did the Heritage Foundation plan include no lifetime caps? Did it include free wellness checkups? Did it include capping the Overhead of these Insurance plans at 20%? Did theirs include making sure you are only paying less than 10% of your salary....did it include no more pre-existing conditions? Did it protect women from being charged twice as much as men for the same insurance? Did it include allowing your children to stay on your plan until they are 26? Did theirs include women's family planning coverage?
Well did it?
No it didn't and therefore this is NOT the Republcan plan now is it?
It is ours...we own it...and we SHALL run on it....BET on that!
Go GO GO Affordable Care Act!
Now when are you running for office again?
polichick
(37,152 posts)VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)
msongs
(67,401 posts)
iandhr
(6,852 posts)demwing
(16,916 posts)Actually, your post is worse, because you mock the victims....
iandhr
(6,852 posts)People who can't tell the difference between Democrats and Republicans aren't victims.
They are people of the land, the common clay of the west you know morons.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)... to regulatory and other positions.
iandhr
(6,852 posts)I would thought choice marriage equality and statements about legitimate rape and Paul Ryan "lazy people in the intercity" would be enough to make people see a clear difference. Apparently not.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)iandhr
(6,852 posts)Scuba
(53,475 posts)No, not because I didn't vote Democratic, but because the party failed to inspire enough other voters to get to the polls.
demwing
(16,916 posts)Last edited Wed Mar 19, 2014, 10:22 PM - Edit history (1)
And so we have ZERO basis for comparison....
Forgive me for forgetting the fucking tag 
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)It's wonderful that you, I, and various people here in this site care about those issues.
But to win elections, you also need to appeal to the people who don't really care about them.
To follow politics of the last half century, 'It's the economy.'
We need Dems to differentiate themselves in ways that economically impact voters for the good in order to get enough votes to win more races. Increasing minimum wages. Strengthening labour. Actually creating jobs, and working to move long term unemployed people into those jobs. Taxing away obscene and ridiculously high giveaways to executives. Actually closing the wealth gap, so that one family (Waltons) isn't worth as much as 40% of the country. Stopping foreclosures, helping more people keep roofs over their heads, food in their bellies, clothes on their backs.
Help everyone survive, and more of them will then start having the luxury of caring about other people's rights and issues.
demwing
(16,916 posts)and then mock them for their assumed stupidity.
I believe some don't care, and some deserve to be mocked, but not the majority. Maybe not even a plurality.
It's convenient, and ever so easy to just pretend all of our detractors are simply too stupid to grok how morally, ethically, intellectually, and politically awesome we are.
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)but if you want to think that TPP and KXL and Heritage Care and Arne Duncan and "bipartisanship" are great motivators for indies & undecideds, go for it!
The Repukes get their voters out because they actually serve them. The Dems straddle and "reach across the aisle" and basically get done either nothing or republican ideas, then complain about voter apathy. They're either hopelessly stupid, or don't really want liberals to vote.
polichick
(37,152 posts)which serves a certain constituency very well.
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)However, it is up to us to GOTV. It's also called motivation.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)
seabeckind
(1,957 posts)I'm sure the local dem party will line up some phone lines and rent some space
...along about mid october.
Then call me the Friday before election day and beg me to do some calling.
I'm sure they'll have the name of somebody running against the gop by then.
polichick
(37,152 posts)seabeckind
(1,957 posts)You won what you thought was the war a few years ago.
That was just a battle and you got so happy thinking it was your victory that you forgot to keep your promises.
RBInMaine
(13,570 posts)Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)That is their go-to strategy. Enacting TPP would be an excellent motivational ploy
phleshdef
(11,936 posts)...but I think we need someone else at this point. Honestly I'd rather see someone like Plouffe as head of the DNC. He is no Howard Dean, but he knows how to get this shit done. The person at the head of the DNC is probably the most important figure within party politics, even more than the President in a lot of ways. We need someone that has it in them to take on this gerrymandered bullshit and work around it. It probably would mean a return of the blue dogs, but shit, at least with that the country could still function without a bunch of political stunts that only make it all worse.
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)According to the Fan Club, Liebermann and the rest of the blue dogs did NOT make the government functional. Plouffe knew how to sell the president as a supporter of a Public Option, unions, the environment, public schools, and other progressive issues. That jig is up, and all of those hopeful voters from 2008 aren't going to be conned this time.
phleshdef
(11,936 posts)There were no government shutdowns. No debt ceiling threats. Major reform bills were passed. And I guarantee we could easily get a decent infrastructure/jobs bill and immigration reform passed if we had that same congress now.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)They break it down per district and customize the methods.
The 'require photo ID' is now law in Texas. I went to register my car and they have "photo ID required to vote", huge posters everywhere. That alone will take away a lot, a percent of some districts regular voters.
even the 'free' "electionID" (if one doesn't have the accepted photoIDs) requires as worded 'proof of citizenship' http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/driverlicense/electionid.htm
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetforms/forms/DL-14C.pdf
craigmatic
(4,510 posts)doesn't work. That's mainly because there is no overarching consistent ideology in the democratic party. Our leaders have to be everything to everyone to get elected and re-elected and in the end when they get unpopular and can't help anyone because there's no message to state what they stand for. Republicans have message and consistent ideas they talk about everyday even if they suck and they have a news channel. That's why I believe people like Obama and Bill but it doesn't seem like anybody actually follows them the way they followed that idiot bush.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)feel if the repugs take the Senate and keep the House. Totally screwed.
polichick
(37,152 posts)and more and more RepubliCons posing as Dems. So we get RepubliCons if we win and if we lose.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)then. And I am from a poor family so I am deathly afraid that the repugs will take over again. Many of us cannot survive that. Watching your great grandchildren go hungry because the food stamps are cut is more than I can handle.
polichick
(37,152 posts)but automatically accepting whatever candidate the party serves up has watered down Democracy (big D) so much that it's losing meaning.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)candidates stand for. I hate primaries were no one is challenging the favorite candidate. That is one reason that I am thrilled to hear the Bernie Saunders and Robert Reich are both thinking about running. Hillary if chosen needs to tell us exactly where she stands on the issues. I for one am tired of voting for anyone who thinks it is their turn to wear the crown.
polichick
(37,152 posts)jwirr
(39,215 posts)and House with them because without a good majority in both they to would face the obstructionists. I am hoping.