Why Did We Lose And How Can We Win?

[VOX]

39. Critical, as 25 states are now under top-to-bottom Republican control.

This article from the NYT, 2/11/17, lays it out in black-and-white:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/11/us/state-republican-leaders-move-swiftly.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share
State G.O.P. Leaders Move Swiftly as Party Bickers in Congress
<snip>
Republicans have gained power rapidly in the states since the 2008 presidential election, winning 33 governorships and in many instances entrenching themselves in power through legislative redistricting.
Riding to office on a wave of discontent with the Obama administration, headstrong governors in states like Wisconsin and Ohio embarked on a ferocious quest to transform their states, repeatedly battling powerful unions and popular backlash. Sidelining Democratic lawmakers and grinding down liberal interest groups, these Republicans may have helped pave the way for Mr. Trump’s victories in a string of traditionally blue Midwestern states last year.
Acting fastest at the moment, though, are four states where Republicans won total control of the government only in November. In addition to Kentucky, Missouri and New Hampshire became one-party states with the election of Republican governors, and Republicans in Iowa snatched away the State Senate, where Democrats had held their last grip on power.
In all four states, Republicans are racing to strip back the influence of labor unions, a key Democratic constituency.
<snip>