General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: We need a new Democratic Party, that much is clear [View all]merrily
(45,251 posts)running on issues that appeal to everyone or a systematic top down plan for registering more voters (RIP ACORN) or a hundred other ways they could improve turnout?
And if Dem turnout on off years is so bad, why have I been told every election how superior the Dem GOTV game is? Schumer said it on one of the Sunday shows a few weeks ago--that we should add several points to Dems in polls just because the GOTV is that good.
Besides, I don't know if I agree with the flip flop being the route to election. In Massachusetts yesterday, as best I could tell, results just about lined up with TV ad buys. Off year or not. Maybe that's even worse news for us since Republicans outspent us by so much this time. Also, if there are more of us and the Presidential turnout is so great, we should never lose a Presidential.
Another thing: vote suppression was rampant this time. Remember all those IRS hearings? I watched some on C-Span. The organizations complaining about IRS treatment were GOTV republican organizations. They testified about all they were doing to educate voters, register them, etc. They testified about weekly nationwide phone calls to share experiences and tips, etc.
Democrats heard this testimony. What counter measures have they been working on since?
Blaming voters doesn't work. Time to come up with some strategies that might.