Let's get some perspective on Sinema.

[wnylib]

Our goal remains the same. Instead of razor thin margins, we need enough Dems in the Senate to make "wafflers" insignificant. So instead of wringing our hands over Sinema's decision to go Independent, we need to gain even more people in the Senate.

Our chances of gaining the House back in 24 could be good, but only if we work at it.

I know that there are people on DU who can remember when we had solid majorities in Congress. That's still a worthy goal. Look at what Biden has accomplished in two years. Imagine what he could do with solid majorities in both chambers of Congress.

[Demsrule86]

1. The Senate is a real problem in 24...where will these new Senators come from?

When Manchin retires or loses a GOP will replace him for a generation...both the Montana seat and WVA seat are up in 24 and if Sinema runs as an independent, she could cost us the election.

[Demsrule86]

2. We won in red states back then...I remember when Mary Landrieu lost and Senator 'Walmart'

some DUers were pleased...this was in 10 then we didn't even compete in those places anymore. It was foolish. We are going to have difficulty holding the Senate.

[Paladin]

3. God forbid anything should be easy. (nt)

[Demsrule86]

4. In order to win New York and California need to get off their butts and redistrict. We need to

gerrymander in our states as long as the GOP does it.

[inthewind21]

10. Gerrymandering

Is irrelevant in senate races.

[Demsrule86]

16. I am talking about the House...we lost in New York.

[former9thward]

14. The state Constitutions of both NY and CA would have to be changed.

That is not going to happen. Redistricting is once every 10 years anyway. Next would be the 2032 elections.

[Demsrule86]

15. Then change it or we won't get the house back.

[2naSalit]

5. So heads up...

There is ONE Democrat in DC representing the overly represented state of Montana and he is up for re-elaction in two years. Our current House traitor and the new House traitor are both licking their chops.

Montana is in need of some attention for this Senate seat! Start now.

[bronxiteforever]

6. +100 Absolutely

[blm]

8. ✔️

[edhopper]

7. Twice as many Dems are up in 24

as Repukes. Enlarging the majority will be very, very, very difficult.

[Chainfire]

9. I guess that we are moving to a time where campaigning is endless.

While we are focused on the election two or four years down the road we accept gridlock or worse in our governing bodies. I wonder if, like some other nations in the world, we have lost the ability to run a Democracy. While we struggle, day to day, big business and big money continue to use the chaos to roll over us at will.

The perfect government for business is one that is evenly balanced and constantly involved in open cultural warfare.

We get the government we deserve.

[wnylib]

11. Yes, we are continuously campaigning,

Last edited Fri Dec 9, 2022, 02:50 PM - Edit history (1)

but not necessarily on a campaign trail.

Every time we succeed in passing bills and establishing programs that benefit the nation and the people in it, we are providing fuel for our next campaigns. Every time we publicize our accomplishments, we are creating images of ourselves in the minds of voters.

In other words, walk the walk, talk the talk, and lead by example every single day, not just at election time. Win people over by listening to them and delivering for them. And during actual campaigns, donate, do phone banking or door to door.

If we don't intend to fight the tough battles to win, then what in hell do we even exist for?

[Chainfire]

12. I agree with you to a point, but I believe we are trying to play the game with a marked deck,

where you can't even afford the ante. Our government leaders are bought by the highest bidder on the open market. We can not have an effective Democracy as long as it cost a quarter of a billion dollars to win a senate seat. The whole system is manipulated in such a way to assure that we have a nearly balanced and totally impotent government that only serves the needs and desires of a very few. The system is insane. I dug deep to send Warnock a hundred bucks for his campaign, it amounted to pissing in the ocean of campaign money and pretending like I made the sea level rise.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/06/us/politics/georgia-runoff-election-cost-funding.html


This year, Gov. Brian Kemp and his Democratic challenger, Stacey Abrams, along with outside groups backing them, raised upward of $250 million. And so far, data from the nonprofit group OpenSecrets shows that nearly $401 million has been spent on the race between Mr. Warnock and his Republican opponent, Herschel Walker, which will be decided in a runoff election on Tuesday.

No campaign finance reform; no Democracy.

[wnylib]

13. I get what you are saying. The deck is

stacked against us, financially and in the corporate media as well. Representatives and Senators are bought by corporations in order to advance their interests.

But we do manage to pull off upsets from time to time. Stacy Abrams and her volunteers got 2 Dem Senators elected in Georgia of all places. Arizona now has a Dem governor.

Volunteers can accomplish things with hard work and old-fashioned methods when they are determined and organized. Door to door boots on the ground. Mailings that identify who voted how on individual bills and how that affects the people.

This nation got its start against all the odds, fighting the British Empire with rag tag militias, a non existent Navy, and a regular army that sometimes didn't get paid or have food and blankets.

I like what Joe Biden often reminds us of. "We are Americans. We can do anything if we put our minds to it."

Not easy. But not impossible unless we give up and say it is.