It's time for Democrats to focus on issues rather than Trump

[Tom Rinaldo]

And that is true for both Democratic activists as well as politicians. Anger at Trump is already red hot among the percentage of the electorate that is not sympathetic to him. That anger will continue to glow bright through the night until Election Day even if we don't shine our spotlight on him. Even "Never Trump" Republicans have maxed out in their disdain toward him and their alarm about him. A rejection of who Trump is, is already baked into the electorate who can be swayed by their feelings toward him.

Anger at Trump will continue to motivate and drive Democratic voters to turn out in November. Trump himself makes sure of that all by himself. The media will continue to broadcast his tweets and insults. That job is already taken care of. Trump haters will vote in November, period. Democrats need to focus now on those for whom attitudes toward Trump are not the decisive factor in how they will vote in the mid terms, or on whether they will vote at all. We need to focus on the real life repercussions for Americans of total Republican control of Washington. We need to highlight how Republicans in Congress are screwing with the lives of the vast majority of voters. That means talking about issues and policies more and Trump's unfitness for office less. The latter is crowding out the former. for public attention.

I am writing this to myself more than to anyone else. My Trump hatred is almost all consuming, to the point of being addictive. But flipping Congress in 2018 will require reaching large numbers voters who don't share that passion with me.

[jrthin]

1. Can't we do both? nt

[Tom Rinaldo]

6. The only question is whether we can manage enough juice to keep a focus on issues.

Trump hatred is a given. If I am even remotely representative of how many Democrats feel, I can not keep myself from staring at what Trump the man is doing and seething over it. I will continue to click on every thread that offers updates on the Russia probe. I will continue to vent with all my friends and most of my associates regarding the vile nature of Trump and his presidency. It takes a conscious effort for me to also dig in the weeds to highlight potent issue based arguments for voting Democratic that voters who are not as negatively obsessed with Trump might relate to. That's the part that requires focusing on my part, and I think for others also.

[kentuck]

11. Democrats usually have many irons in the fire at one time.

Unlike Republicans, who usually have 2 or 3 issues which they beat to death.

Of course, Democrats should continue to inform voters about Trump. They have a moral obligation. But they should also talk about the huge transfer of wealth to the top 1% with the Republican tax cut.

They should talk about how the Republicans have taken healthcare from millions of people.

They should explain to people that if they get a small tax break, they can lose it all to higher gasoline prices and smaller tax returns. Republicans put it in one pocket and take it out of the other. Most folks are smart enough to see thru their scheme to buy support for taxcuts for the wealthy.

Democrats should beware of getting in too deep into the social issues. These are issues for them to address once they are in power. The goal is to get back in power.

[LAS14]

46. Many days the only iron in the DU fire is Trump. nt

[UCmeNdc]

54. Trump's incompetent leadership is an issue

[Proud Liberal Dem]

52. My question exactly

I feel like Trump is harming himself quite fine without us, but we need to keep from allowing him to just "be Trump". We have to at least point out the extreme/absurd/unconstitutional/un-American things to keep them from being normalized IMHO.

But yeah, issues are important too.

[Iliyah]

2. Dem politicans are focus on what's important to Americans

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

3. We can walk and chew gum at the same time... but, the Traitor-in-Chief IS the MAIN issue!

[Tom Rinaldo]

7. Yes he is. And yes we can.

But if Trump is the gum, I'm just saying that although I can walk while chewing over him, sometimes it takes a conscious effort on my part to remember to continue to do so.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

43. Good point... hoping the Dems will come up with a pre-2018 midterm "to-do" list.

[treestar]

4. Will the media leave any room for that?

[kentuck]

5. I am torn on this question.

I tend to agree that the anger toward Trump will continue whether or not we talk about it?

However, my concern is that there are Republicans who will think "everything must be OK" since Democrats are not talking about it anymore?

And there is no issue that stirs Democrats to vote like the issue of "Donald Trump". None.

But, in this case, I think Aristotle may have had the right formula: Moderation in all things. Which means, we should not stop talking about other issues, also.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. Democrats spent 2 years "focusing on issues"

People know the platform.

The bigger thing that needs to happen is get people out to vote for Democrats - and not just at the federal level, but at the state or local levels. All politics is local and some of the Democratic platform "issues" are not really "issues" at all in some localities.

What IS the "issue" is motivation to actually show up and vote. And if being suppressed from voting, to get the help TO vote however best one can and THEN get people in place who promise to make it easier for them to vote in the future. It's gonna be like a bootstrap thing here to get access to voting opened up by having a massive assistance system to get those able to vote, to vote, so that changes can happen to make it easier for others to vote.

[Tom Rinaldo]

12. I am with you all the way on the importance of countering voter suppression

And I've been thinking a lot on ways to push voter turn out more as also. (I wrote an OP "Campaign I would like to see: "This year we all vote." about that the other day here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210217785 ).

But I was on record during the 2016 campaign saying that we were counting too much on voter revulsion toward Trump to win, and I said that when Hillary was at her peak in the polls.

[BumRushDaShow]

25. I think there was still a lot of voter revulsion regarding him from our side

but in addition to the Russian interference, there were ALSO voters who had never voted before who came out from under the rocks and crawled out of the slime pits because THEY saw someone THEY "liked" better... and moreso due to THEIR revulsion to anything "Obama" and anything "Clinton".

At this point, the question is whether those "extra" first time voters intend to vote in off-year elections too and I expect not so much. And indies may end up sitting it out given some buyer's remorse - notably the "newly independents" who were once GOPers.

Voting is a "habit" and it's a hard one for some to keep doing on a consistent basis. This doesn't mean our side neglects pushing our voters to be engaged with EVERY election. But you see a sort of desperation from the other side to keep their first-timers stoked with as much vitriol and crazy stuff as they can muster.

[global1]

9. We Can't Make The Mistake That I Believe We Made In 2016....

and that is running against Trump and making this election about Trump. The Repugs have retained cover under Trump. We need to focus most of our efforts in Nov. to running against the Repugs and their negative policies. With the help of the MSM's focus on Trump 24/7 a lot of what they have wanted they are getting. We need to make sure that the American People know that we have to take power back from the Repugs - if we want to save this Democracy.

The question we need to answer is: Is Trump influencing the Repugs or are the Repugs influencing Trump?

Remember the Repugs like to elect a president that will just sign anything they put up. I don't think that Trump is politically astute that he is guiding them. I think it is the other way around. So we need to point that out to the American People and make this Nov election about how the Repugs are ruining this country.

[hlthe2b]

10. NOT "RATHER THAN".... In ADDITION TO.

If Dems follow your advice we are SURE to lose.

[Tom Rinaldo]

15. Democrats are endlessly invited to react to Trump by the media

That won't stop, nor should it. Trump is not going to fade as an issue, but we have to consciously work at keeping other issues in the public mind. That is especially important during mid term Congressional elections, where individual Republican candidates can artificially position themselves as being at odds with Trump in some regards.

To what extent can be debated, but Trump's favorability rating has risen at least several points over the last month or so. That's not because Trump has become more likable or desirable as a person. Some people waver for other reasons.

[hlthe2b]

16. It is ALL about turnout and the one factor we have going for us is ANTI-TRUMP motivated voters

Give them something to vote FOR, but continue to motivate them to SHOW UP.

[Tom Rinaldo]

17. I think we agree on this. Thanks n/t

[Fluke a Snooker]

13. Let's be clear: It's the entire party, in fact the entire concept of the US that is divisive!

We must change the United States from a white supremacist-nationalist construct whose premise was predicated on the ultimate exclusionist concept: "American exceptionalism"...and transform it into the progressive, globalist catalyst that will remove wealth from whites and redistribute it to non-whites, eliminate national borders, eliminate white supremacy by instituting needed restrictions on capitalism (preferably eliminating it), completely banning all fossil fuels, religious indoctrination (particularly judeo-christian oppressive values, but promoting muslim- and eastern-based progressive faiths), eliminating hate speech, all weapons, and controlling all aspects of human life from conception to ensuring that immortality is guaranteed for everyone, not just the privileged well-off. This is imperative to surviving as a species.

[jberryhill]

31. Do you think you're fooling anyone?

[FSogol]

38. Aw, if he had only used "running-dog capitalists", I could have yelled BINGO!

[jberryhill]

39. I often wonder what site they run off to...

...in order to report "Oh, look at this one - 'controlling all aspects of human life from conception to ensuring that immortality is guaranteed for everyone'"

But I just don't get the point of that particular hobby.

[Nictuku]

14. This should be the D's motto: Truth Matters

Every Democrat should begin every speech and put it on bumper stickers and pound the message: Truth Matters

It could be our only hope.

[Wounded Bear]

18. All politics is local...

Every candidate must determine whether local issues will outweigh Trump hate in their district. We need both, but from the interviews I've heard from VA and AL, running on local issues is what wins elections.

Remember, much of the Trump vote was simply based on a feeling of 'not being heard' by the politicians. That's what we need to tap into. One of the things we really need to do is get those un-interested voters to care enough to get off their butts and vote. The women's movement is helping immensely there and that is a wave that we should be able to ride all the way to flipping the House, at least, and possibly making some inroads in the Senate.

[Tom Rinaldo]

20. Well said. I see it much the same. n/t

[NightWatcher]

19. I think we should/can tie everything to trump

Shitty economy, trump's fault. Vote for any & every Dem.
Healthcare cuts. It's trump's fault. Vote for any & every Dem.

You show me a problem and I'll tie it to trump.

[dembotoz]

21. there are plenty issues out there to pick from more every day

[leftstreet]

22. Where are the 17 Senators who endorsed Medicare For All?

Back in August was it? Have more signed on? Any House members?

[bigtree]

23. dude, the republic is on fire

...there is no regular order.

Trump is dismantling our democracy in a direct assault against millions of Americans. Any abandonment of this fight is tantamount to surrender.

This is touch and go. We are literally at a precipice. Divert and distract from this fight at our peril.

[Tom Rinaldo]

26. Those who see the flames will not be diverted. Neither will Mueller

Those who don't see flames by now aren't going to suddenly be enlightened by another expose on Trump - short of a damning verdict from Mueller's probe. I tried to speak from my personal standpoint above. Honestly reporting, my reflections on the crisis facing America right now tend to come in at about two to one in favor of focusing on the horror of Trump vs focusing on the horror of the Republican agenda. It would take every last fiber of my self control to move that closer to 50/50. I can't ignore Trump if I tried, but politically I think 50/50 would be a more potent and ultimately effective mix.

[bigtree]

40. politics doesn't work this way

...the focus isn't static. It gathers information in flashes like light blinking through holes in a revolving shade.

Repetition is an essential tool of advocacy. People's interest ebbs in and out, depending on events and other influences. It's a mistake to assume that Americans share our verdict, for instance, on Trump, or that those impressions they have now are permanent and inviolable.

Of course, politics isn't a mere funnel to what we want. It's a coalition of concerns in which we have the opportunity to rally support for our particular or individual causes among folks with like interests and values. Keeping our hand in promoting Democratic policy and initiatives, prospects for success however bleak, is a smart strategy for the party.

Problem is, it's hard to promote this sort of shadow government, or future government Dems offer voters without pointing out the utter ruthlessness of the majority in subverting and upending the political process to not only stifle Democratic voices, but suppress Democratic voters' voices.

The corruption is the issue. It's what's keeping Americans from the things they say they want. Continuing Russian interference and meddling may well keep Democrats from realizing their full potential in the next election cycle. The solution to all of that is manifest in the Mueller investigation and prosecution. It's hard to see how any of what we want comes before that.

Indeed, if we fail to prosecute Trump, he could actually succeed in making our government even more autocratic and kleptocratic than it presently is. I'd like to see the policy discussion that outweighs that prospect.

[Tom Rinaldo]

50. I don't disagree with anything you wrote

It's not so much some individuals who play multi-dimensional chess, politics itself IS multi-dimensional chess. I knew when I chose the subject line for this OP that it pulled a thread out of a woven tapestry seemingly to the exclusion of another. It's hard to do nuance in a subject line and still have a thread actually clicked on, but I was trying to emphasize a perspective that IMO is not getting as much attention across the board as it needs to.

Clearly all of us, from 18 year olds registering for the first time with little prior political interest, to our national congressional leadership, have to do all that is humanly possible to defend Meuller's probe from being shut down or neutered in any way at any time. I agree that our continuing democracy may rest on the integrity and the thoroughness of that investigation. So I am more than happy that Democrats like Peter Schiff and others do not allow any and all efforts to hinder Mueller escape a fierce rebuttal. Investigative journalists as well must not take their eyes off of the Russia investigation ball and all of the related corruption that goes with it. And all of us must keep the anger against Trump, and the reasons for that anger, stoked among those who are open to feeling it - it is a powerful driving force for our get out the vote efforts come November.

I strongly agree with all of your paragraph that begins: "Problem is, it's hard to promote this sort of shadow government..." And yes, corruption is the issue. But many eyes glaze over at the mention of it, some out of a sense of ingrained cynicism that "all of them do it". It does take forceful high level repetition to break through and grab people by the neck to look at specific instances of corruption to become motivated enough to do something about it. Scandals have plagued the Trump government from day one (before that actually) and there is no reason for any sane person to expect that not to continue to be the case. If anything there is an overload of scandals that makes it hard for many people to let the impact of any one of them truly sink in.

Mueller indictments have the power to actually break through and reach people, but the timing of those is mostly dictated by his investigation itself and not by politics. The media is already on 24/7 coverage of Presidential corruption to an extent that I have not seen since Watergate. All of this has had a strong impact and will continue to do so, but at this point it is hard to think of any silver bullet outside of dramatic Mueller findings that will significantly further alter opinions regarding Trump's behavior, short of him shooting someone in Times Square - if that.

When Democrats control a branch of Congress a lot of that can change. Constant Republican hearings on Benghazi under the political guidance of partisan actors did shift some opinions on Hillary Clinton in a negative direction. The same would happen if Democrats chaired at least some of the committees with governmental oversight. But for that to happen we have to first take back one or both houses of Congress. There is something of a chicken/egg circle quality to this. My major point is that the moving piece to this puzzle that remains a bit too much in the shadows is the political agenda of Republicans in Congress, above and beyond the specific grave threats posed by Trump. With Congressional elections looming, given the political mostly truism that "all politics is local" and the fact that many people give their incumbent Congressional Representatives the benefit of the doubt when it comes to giving them their vote, we need to more sharply attack the entire Republican Party.

[bigtree]

56. I was in D.C. for the Women's March

I've lived there or close by for most of my life and I attend major rallies pretty regularly. I've never seen that many people in D.C. for anything, and I attended the Million Man March.

Think about what motivated that outpouring of humanity into the streets that day, besides the support for emerging and existing avenues of power and influence for women.

It was opposition to Trump. I daresay, you can't generate that kind of outpouring of support for policy alone, no matter who's advocating it. We need to capitalize on that negative feeling folks have about the republican party, and Trump has been more than obliging in presenting the worst of that. We should remind voters that Trump = republicans and nationalize the elections.

Remember, midterm voters are more motivated to vote against something or someone, than they're inclined to show up at the polls to register satisfaction or approval, especially if their party is already in power. There's a potential for a historically strong 'anti' vote in the upcoming election, and Dems hold the strongest opposition card with Dem voters anxious for another crack at reversing their 2016 losses.

[emulatorloo]

30. Dems only talk about Russia or Trump is a false talking point

It simply isn’t true. All Dems running recent in special elections talked policy policy policy. That’s how the won. Our folks in congress focus on policy as well

Welcome to DU! Hope you like it here

[emulatorloo]

36. Russia ate my homework meme came from GoPers and Putin water carriers like Greenwald.

Those folks have an agenda, and they falsely insist that there was “no Russia interference”.

My welcome was very sincere, folks can have different opinions and still have lots in common.

I am always glad to see new members!

Also enjoyed the southern version of FU: “well bless your heart!” Got a huge kick out of I, I grew up in the South.

Again welcome and have a great afternoon

[librechik]

27. my impression of the situation is that issues can fucking wait.

Nobody can or should do ANYTHING with Trump in charge. He has to go NOW or we are all complicit with crimes like the TAX BILL.

We have to stop and go to war against the Russians. NOW.
As long as their Viceroy Trump is in charge we will never win that battle.

If we don't do something before the elections, you can kiss this country goodbye.

[samnsara]

28. Tump isnt a person hes a threat and a danger to our Democracy...

...hes is the enemy and we cant not take our eyes off of him for one minute

[awesomerwb1]

29. Both.

And we should all start putting a little $$ aside to contribute and help Dems get elected in November.

Vote and bring some friends with you.

[emulatorloo]

32. I understand what you are saying, however Dems are talking issues. See recent special elections

Etc

[Tom Rinaldo]

35. I just took note of your post above. It's an excellent one

Democrats who are winning are getting the blend right. I fully agree, and it is an important lesson. I recently attended a Democratic debate between 6 candidates hoping to win the Democratic nomination for Congress in our District. Some did speak rather extensively about issues, other's put greater focus on the threat Trump faces to our nation. Of course this was a debate in front of Democratic activists, so that no doubt influenced where candidates chose to focus.

The national media pretty much forces Democratic leaders to respond to Trump's initiatives, and they get little air time for anything else other than to condemn him for what he is personally up to. Trump of course must be forcibly responded to, but we also have to make sure that the Democratic narrative is broader than just that.

[emulatorloo]

37. That is a very good point about national media.

We definitely saw that in 2016 too. No matter how much our candidate spoke about issues and policy, media just focused on melodrama.

[Thekaspervote]

41. Absolutely! Great post

[msongs]

42. agreed. issues with emotion n moral emphasis. all repub policies not just trump n

IMO most people do not know or can identify dems values —-> policy to implement those values. who made social security...dems. who made medicare...dems. who pushed thru voting and civil rights...dems. equality..dems. and dems need to brag on these

[boston bean]

44. If there is one person in this country who doesnt believe that

putting dems in control in congress is what is important than they can fuck off and deal with the consequences.

I’m sorry but this type of post basically saying dems aren’t the best and we need more is losing sight of what is important.

Right now our fucking country and democracy is at stake.

Speak it. Yell it. Constantly.

Losers who can’t see that are not people we can reach.

[LAS14]

45. I couldn't agree more!!!!!! K & R

Trump wins when the news is dominated by his idiocies. I was SO GLAD to see his reaction to the Nunes memo reported on the bottom corner of a page in the 20's of the Sunday Times. Just 2 columns - 6 or 7 inches.

[customerserviceguy]

47. That's the one way that he's thrown us off our game

What's all the discussion right now? It's about some expectation that Trump will mealy-mouth some words about domestic violence, when he has absolutely no intention of doing so. Hardly anybody is talking about the DACA issue that should be front and center of any nightly news broadcast. But NBC is obsessed with Porter and the Winter Olympics, and that's the only TV station I can get here without cable.

Rehashing the 2016 election is not going to get us pointed squarely at 2018 or 2020. All Trump has to do is bash Hillary, and he controls another media cycle.

[LAS14]

48. I'm constantly disappointed by my inability to get a response....

.... to posts about the NDRC (National Democratic Redistricting Committee). This was started by Holder and Obama and is focussing on anti-gerrymandering legislation. One strategy is to try to change the makeup of state houses, where new district lines will next be drawn.

I find this really, really exciting. But it's not getting much attention here on DU or much press coverage.

[kentuck]

49. Elections are about choices...

People can vote to save our country or vote to see it go down the shit hole...

[lark]

51. There won't be a real election if drumpf facilitates russia hacking the votes in all states.

Just like 2016 wasn't a real election, only 10x worse now that the so-called president has the means to ensure nothing happens to effectively stop Putin.

Russia/drumpf are an existential threat to our country, focusing on anything else won't stop the killing of our democracy.

[UCmeNdc]

53. Trump is an issue!

Trump's incompetent leadership is a major issue.

[mvd]

57. I agree to a point

I don't think we should ever forget how abnormal and dangerous Trump is. But the economy and health care are always on people's minds. They want to hear our plans.

[Tom Rinaldo]

58. I agree with myself to the same point that you do :) n/t

[grantcart]

59. You are 100% correct, unfortunately the fever has to run its course

People think that Trump is an idiot, incompetent and without a message.

Unfortunately that is not true. His lack of concern for policy, his inability to attract competent people and his draconian tax reduction all reinforce the same message: The government doesn't matter.

Even if he isn't competent enough to organize a White House picnic most people's lives remain unchanged. Ironically the one thing that would have affected the most people at the same time, repeal of the ACA didn't happen.

What we are seeing now is degradation of the government by incremental reduction, food stamps here, eliminating weather forecasting there, every day making the government less effective is the plan. At which point they can justify the tax give away to the rich by selling the government doesn't do anything, see we took all this away and everybody still gets up, goes to work, goes to school.

Your point is that we have to counter sell the policy provisions that make the system work, consumer protection, universal health care, sensible immigration and refugee policies to counter the subliminal message of Trump which is "we can elect an idiot like Trump because the government doesn't matter and is a waste of money".

The problem is that Trump keeps lighting himself on fire every day and it is impossible to turn away.

[Tom Rinaldo]

60. Excellent summary of a threat that is usually difficult to articulate, let alone grasp

Thank you grantcart.