Our candidates need to explain how their agenda can be implemented without the Senate.

[LonePirate]

Last edited Wed May 1, 2019, 11:22 AM - Edit history (1)

With Abrams and Axne both refusing to run for the Senate in 2020, any hopes of us retaking the Senate are very, very slim. Without the Senate, we will be unable to fix the long list of problems in this country. Sure, we can slow the bleeding but we cannot repair the damage.

As such, we need our candidates to tell us what they can implement without the Senate (and without the courts as McConnell will not approve a single Dem appointed judge). How will our candidates implement their agenda as a Republican Senate will not cooperate or make deals?

Also, what are our candidates doing to help win the Senate? O’Rourke and Hickenlooper are wasting their time running for President (where they have ZERO chance to win) when they have a much better chance at winning Senate races.

Yes, replacing 45 with a Dem President is our #1 goal; but without a Dem House and Dem Senate, almost everything we need and want to happen simply is not possible.

[Funtatlaguy]

1. I'll give Schumer credit on Abrams. He begged her to run.

[Demsrule86]

4. Ostoff is running.

[Funtatlaguy]

5. He couldn't beat Karen Handel. He's boring.

[saidsimplesimon]

9. Boring is not a character trait

that would disqualify any candidate I would vote for. Of course, any candidate needs the support of his/her base doing the heavy lifting. imo

[Demsrule86]

11. He came damn close. This is statewide so he is a good candidate and

gerrymandering won't be an issue.

[Funtatlaguy]

12. Much rather have an African American face Cornyn.

[Celerity]

21. there was a lot of shady shit in that 2017 special election, especially in Dekalb County(strong Dem)

with voter suppression (quelle surprise).

[Blue_true]

39. I think the question about his residency in the district hurt him down

the stretch. When Handel faced someone who didn't have that issue, Handel was defeated, it did help that the person that defeated Handel is a wonderful person who moms on both sides of politics could relate to.

[Celerity]

40. I agree, but (although Abrams would have been a better candidate) Ossoff can win statewide

especially IF it is a Biden/Abrams national POTUS/VPOTUS ticket.

Ossoff would be a BRILLIANT Senator. I do not find him 'boring' at all. He is one of many who exemplifies the new Democratic Party.

[Blue_true]

42. I don't disagree on any counts. nt

[Demsrule86]

53. Agree ...disagree. Stacy won't run. He is our only shot so we get behind him and

Get him elected. This is Georgia.

[JI7]

41. He ran kind of early on in the Trump Administration, and he isn't boring

[lostnfound]

2. That would be helpful to get the question out there

And focus listeners on obstructionist Senate republicans

[Demsrule86]

3. It can't be implemented without the Senate...so we need the Senate. This

Is why we need to run a 50 state Senate campaign and keep Senators like Manchin. Run on healthcare and win with moderates in red and purple states.

[Indygram]

6. Democrats could easily take the Senate IF they nominate the candidate with a PROVEN ability to

Increase the youth vote by 500%.

Only a charismatic candidate with the ability to inspire and motivate young people to volunteer and get out and vote while also running on a message of unity can do that. Down ballot wins would be phenomenal.

That candidate also has a pretty great specific Climate Change Plan too.

https://betoorourke.com/climate-change/

[NYMinute]

8. I agree nt

[Demsrule86]

13. There is no evidence of that.

The state electoral maps show a different situation...big tent.

[Indygram]

43. So the proven ability to actually increase the youth vote by 500% wouldn't impact downticket races?

Is that what you are saying there is no evidence of? Beto flipped two reliably Republican House of Representative seats in Texas blue, helping Democrats take control of the House. He helped elect 17 black women as judges in Texas. How is that not evidence? He also already has volunteers on the ground in 48 out of 50 states AND American Samoa out canvassing. On top of that...he has a massive grassroots ARMY of volunteers in Texas he can mobilize. If Democrats take Texas then Trump loses even if he were to sweep the rust belt.

Beto is also the best all around candidate. Progressives would not have to sacrifice the policies they want while still having a candidate who appeals to moderates. Beto is young, more energy than a fully wound up Energizer Bunny and he has MORE charisma than anyone else, including Trump. He has proven he has impressive policy chops with his Climate Change Plan, too. Beto is a safe choice without compromise.

Biden is my number two and he was my number one until I began listening to Beto answer questions and he won me over and convinced me that he's the real deal. Winning is most important, absolutely...and I am 100% convinced that Beto can win even more decisively than Biden could...and I think the debates will show that.

[Demsrule86]

47. He is going nowhere in the polls. You have to win a primary.

Texas is a long shot...the blue wall is doable.

[Indygram]

57. The only reason for that is because the media is butt hurt he wasn't doing interviews

And created a fake narrative where they keep minimizing him. Watching how people react to him when he does all those town halls shows a vastly different story.

[treestar]

19. You mean the candidates for Senate

Or do those elections mean next to nothing and are only about coattails.

[Indygram]

44. I mean that I think Beto would drastically increase youth turnout like he did in Texas

And the by-product of that is that those new voters would also vote for down-ticket Democrats. He increased the youth vote by 500%. That's nothing to sneeze at. If he could do that nationally it would help elect Democrats all over the country. That could mean Democrats taking the Senate as well as many state Reps, governors and judges which would help fix the gerrymandering nightmare in many parts of the country. That 500% is not just new registered voters...that is the increase of actual votes. Do you think youth voters are going to be inspired to get out there and vote for someone who opposes legalizing marijuana? I don't. This is why I think Beto is actually a smarter choice. Beto is what you would have if you took what's best about both Biden and Sanders and left out what's not so great about them.

[Demsrule86]

48. We need the Senate but presidential elections are statewide like Senate elections

thus the map holds for both. I don't know if some here have looked at the electoral college map. We are so screwed if we don't bring back the blue wall. We will not be able to win the presidency without it. This is not a 20 issue but will haunt us going forward. Sure we might get Texas, Arizona and Georgia...possibly North Carolina. But when? With the exception of NC (2008), we haven't won any of the other states in decades. I posted an electoral map...go to the website and play around with it. This is our reality.

[NYMinute]

7. Some candidates' supporters

think that their candidate will magically blow pixie dust and turn McConnell into a committed unicorn.

[Amimnoch]

10. Retaking the senate is possible with the right candidate at the head of our ticket.

Even though it's listed as a battleground, I think Alabama is going to be a looooong shot, unless we get another Roy Moore type break.

Pretty good chance for pick-ups in Colorado and Arizona. This brings us to +1

Maine has a decent chance of bringing us up to +2

At this point we'd be at 49 of 50.

Georgia and NC would be 2 other potential gains, but as you just pointed out without Abrams Georgia becomes a longer shot.

However, consider..

If we put in Beto on our ticket, combined with the gaining steam of Jaoquin Castro's senate bid in Texas, Texas could be in play for both that 1x critical Senate seat AND for the Presidency.

To me, the strongest contest we could run would be a Beto/Abrams ticket.. puts 2x states (Texas AND Georgia) into the battleground columns for President and for 2x potential senate seats.

[Demsrule86]

14. I disagree. Biden can win the presidency. Beto isn't doing well.

A Biden/ Castro ticket would be helpful.

[Amimnoch]

16. Any of our candidates "can" win the presidency.

Any of our candidates can lose it as well.

In this early part of the season, and riding his most recent announcement, Biden most definitely has the most steam, and highest polling without argument.

Beto is doing exactly what he said he'd do. He's travelling the country and holding multiple rallies every single day to listen to what Americans from all over the map hold most important. Until he starts going on TV again, he'll remain low in the polls. I've seen him work this in Texas where he was virtually unknown while he travelled all 254 Texas counties.. he developed his narrative on what he heard from the people themselves. Then he kicked his campaign into high gear and became a national sensation almost ousting an incumbent Republican.

This presidential election cycle will be like all others.. the vast majority of states are already known outcomes.. California/New York/Illinois etc.. WILL be blue. Most of the heartland states, and southern states WILL be red. The battlegrounds are going to be Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, and Florida as the most prominent "in play".

A Biden ticket neither takes away or adds to the possibilities. Beto does. Moreover, Beto puts into play the ONLY state that, alone, could completely flip the election results. Biden must take at least 2 or 3 of those battleground states to hit that 270 mark.

[hurl]

27. Castro is out

He won't run against Cornyn this cycle. But in good news, MJ Hegar, that Texan with the cool campaign videos is running for Cornyn's seat!

https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2019-05-01/democratic-rep-joaquin-castro-passes-on-senate-run-in-texas

[Cha]

46. Good to know..

Thanks!

[Indygram]

45. I actually think that would be a great ticket too... Beto/Abrams

I also like Beto/Klobuchar. I want Kamala Harris to be Attorney General.

[Demsrule86]

49. So the Senate is a long shot. We have a way better chance of knocking off

Collins.

[Amimnoch]

58. Would be better to go after both imo.

neither is "in the bag" by any stretch.

If we can keep our seats, gain the battlegrounds (except for Alabama, I'm realistic enough to write that one off), then we still need one that is in the "leans Repbulican" block for the 50/50 split, which is a loss if Cheeto does win, or a win if one of our candidates wins since VP will cast the deciding vote, and "majority leader" will be determined by the party of the VP.

We also need to be fighting really hard in NC and GA, as either of those could be that magical number to get 50/50.. if we take any 2 of these we have the Senate.

Abrams in the Presidential ticket gives us a great shot at GA moving it from leans republican to "tossup", Beto moves Texas out of "likely Republican" into "lean Republican".

Other than BS, whom I will not support, all my energy is focused on who will get us the best chance of getting the Presidency and the Senate. Right now, it does look like VP Biden has the best momentum and numbers behind him, but neither He nor BS have much room to grow with the "unknown" or "no opinion" swath in the polls. Letting Beto do his tour and information gathering tour, it did work very well for him for the senate run, but if he doesn't turn his numbers around as the season goes on,I'll be switching. I'm hoping he does, because I only see good in getting Texas into the real "battleground" territory for 2020.

[Demsrule86]

59. We should go for everyone. But it doesn't look great. Thus the presidency

Is crucial for us if for no other reason than to stop judges.

[Amimnoch]

60. right with you there my sister!

We've got to stop the appointments!

[Demsrule86]

61. Sister but I am with you.

[Amimnoch]

62. My apologies for the pronoun gaff!

I've edited and corrected.

[Demsrule86]

63. No apology needed!!!

[loyalsister]

15. I don't think an authoritarian strategy is helpful

A list of executive orders is not a Democratic platform I want to see.

[Demsrule86]

50. Me either.

[redstatebluegirl]

17. No kidding. It is easy to promise things, but promise what you can do without the Senate.

I think it is going to be nearly impossible to take the Senate next time.

[Demsrule86]

51. There is nothing you can do without the Senate except stopping Republicans.

Last edited Thu May 2, 2019, 11:07 AM - Edit history (1)

They have packed the courts so any EA'S will be shot down. I don't believe in government by EA'S. The most important thing is if we have the presidency, no more Gop judges will be confirmed.

[Celerity]

18. Bullock and Hickenlooper are refusing to run as well. Not good. Very disappointed.

[treestar]

20. That's always the case.

And the Senate would not get anything either.

[Skya Rhen]

22. If this is the case, nothing much will get done - must take the Presidency to stop further damage

[marylandblue]

23. Whoever our candidate is should make the case that he needs the Senate.

And campaign with Senate candidates instates where R Senators are vulnerable. In high stakes, high turnout election, taking back the Senate is doable.

ME, NC, CO are good pickup opportunities. Those three with no losses, or lose Alabama and pick up one of several 2nd tier states, and we get the Senate back.

[Hortensis]

24. What?! Our nominee's coattails will help win a senate majority.

That's basic.

So none of our candidates will be wasting their time imagining what they'd do if they, our party, and our electorate failed to secure the senate.

Nor will they be running on what they'd do if they lost the presidency and found themselves out of work. "I've always wanted to start a vegetable garden, and if I lose I'll finally have the time."

[LonePirate]

25. Your post leaves me wondering if you do or do not understand the 2020 Senate map.

[drray23]

26. is not that map more favorable than last cycle ?

I though there were 20 or so GOP senators up for reelection for 2020. In 2018, it was the other way around.

[LonePirate]

28. It's more favorable in that Repubs must defend more seats than Dems. However ...

In states deemed the most likely to flip from red to blue, we are struggling to field candidates with any sort of name recognition or hopes at dethroning incumbent Republicans, this turning a favorable map into a neutral map.

[Hortensis]

30. You post makes me wonder if you are interested in how

leaders lead and victors win. Any candidate who admitted to planning for failure at this point would not be the nominee.

Anyway, at this point the senate is ours to win. McConnell is promising, if he's still speaker, to obstruct a Democratic president with everything he has. If he's still speaker, his words.

[LonePirate]

31. Ah, the dream big now and deal with the disaster and disappointment afterwards approach.

Throwing pragmatism out the window is one way to campaign I suppose. Recruiting top tier candidates to win Congressional races is another. It’s too bad our presidential candidates have not realized that yet.

What do think is going to happen when all of these grandiose promises are offered and none of them are kept?

[Hortensis]

35. Oh, they and their staffs are completely free to

have plans B, C, and D, one even expects all the competent ones would. Most have extensive experience in governing as best they can from the minority party after all.

It's the nonsense about "reassuring" us with all those fallback plans that is not just ridiculous but strange for ignoring the immediate backlash it would create. No one admires losers.

[LonePirate]

36. Senate reality, much like climate change, should not be denied but you do you.

Some of us simply prefer truth and realism from our candidates.

[Hortensis]

37. Well, imagine they'd love it over in the cave.

If that place still exists.

[TwilightZone]

29. The math doesn't work.

A Senate win in 2020 is highly improbable. It's certainly not a given, if we win the presidency. The math just isn't there.

We need to hold on to Jones' seat in AL (plus the other 46), plus pick up three more seats from mostly red states, just to get to 50/50. Jones loses (which is likely) and we need four. Many of our best potential candidates (like Abrams) have already declined running.

https://www.apnews.com/d27f1e7817c54f21a3bb4bce68903c18

[Hortensis]

38. We'll see. McConnell isn't so confident.

They also have Trump and 18 months to screw up big time, and a lot of billionaire string pullers who have been proven willing to sacrifice them.

[Honeycombe8]

32. Has Stacey Abrams said she's not going to run for the Senate?

When I saw her on The View, she left that question unanswered. Hmmmm.....

[Demsrule86]

52. Yes she did.

[Honeycombe8]

33. We need the Senate to implement anything but a bipartisan budget. nt

[crazytown]

34. Declare war on Canada

[watoos]

54. Facts are what they are,

I'm not being a Debbie Downer but it will be an uphill battle for us to retake the Senate.

Maybe if we bash Bernie some more we can alienate millennial and younger voters? Maybe if we bash Biden we can alienate women voters?

[Raven123]

55. It is important for the candidates to emphasize the need to be the majority in both House and Senate

[beachbum bob]

56. there is NO implementation of any democratic agenda if GOP controls the senate, no

explanation is needed....by any candidate

up to democratic voters to get off their asses and get democratic senators elected, we saw the result in 2016 when they didn't