Quo Vadis, Democrats?

[Syt]

After the 2020 election we started the "Quo Vadis, GOP?" thread. Well, the question has been resoundingly answered, I guess. Further into Trumpland.

So what's next for Democrats? It seems several red states voted in favor of liberal policies (e.g. abortion rights) last week, so it seems some policies might be popular even if the party isn't.

What's next for the Dems? And who can be the next figure to gather the party's support for the elections 2028 (if they still happen )?

[HVC]

Add another minority bingo characteristic to the candidate. Paraplegic African American Lady. Eventually they'll please everyone

Too early to tell if they'll learn anything, but they didn't apparently learn since 2016 so who knows if another Trump term will teach them. They're just as likely to think it's a purely Trump based phenomenon and then lose to Vance in 4 years.

[Barrister]

So back in 2012 the GOP was convinced that Mitt Romney was going to win.  Fun fact - he didn't.

So they responded with the "Growth and Opportunity Project" (aka the RNC Autopsy) to study what the GOP should do differently.

It largely looked at the growth of minority, in particular Latino, voters, and called on the party to moderate it's language and positions with respect to immigration.

Trump famously went in the opposite direction and won 4 years later.

Trump did in the end wind up doing what the 2012 autopsy said Republicans should do - attract more Latino voters - but in an entirely different way than was suggested.

So when it comes to the Democrats, the basic answer is fairly obvious - they need to win back votes from non-college educated whites.  In particular males.  The question is how to do it.

Bernie (of course) says the Dems just need to double and triple down on his brand of socialism.  That to me feels like it's the equivalent to the GOP 2012 report - the party needs to do what the donor base wants it to do anyways.

[Valmy]

the party needs to do what the donor base wants it to do anyways.

Pretty sure the party already does that 

But seriously, what did you mean by this?

[Valmy]

I think the lesson that the Democrats should learn from this is: run full primaries and just let the voters decide who they think should run. Even if it seems like a terrible idea. The Republicans were freaking out about Trump but clearly their voters knew the sort of candidate they should have.

Trying to anoint people doesn't work so great. And I understand the anxiety because Democratic voters are scary with their wacky opinions and all, but it may work out.

But then that was my opinion all along, so not too surprising I think the lesson is something I already think.

[Barrister]

the party needs to do what the donor base wants it to do anyways.

Pretty sure the party already does that 

But seriously, what did you mean by this?

Double down on the culture war, double down on more government spending, and keep lecturing working class whites about what's best for them.

Now I want to admit that my prescription for the Democrats is basically what I personally would want them to do also - dial back on the "wokeism", not spend so much money.  I also thought the GOP 2012 autopsy was heading in the right direction, so clearly I'm no oracle.

[Josephus]

Add another minority bingo characteristic to the candidate. Paraplegic African American Lady. Eventually they'll please everyone

I know you were only joking, but I'd say to that--au contraire; go for as white a guy as possible. That seems to be whom Americans want. But knowing the Dems they will go with that, or even better paraplegic African American non-binary

[Valmy]

Add another minority bingo characteristic to the candidate. Paraplegic African American Lady. Eventually they'll please everyone

I know you were only joking, but I'd say to that--au contraire; go for as white a guy as possible. That seems to be whom Americans want. But knowing the Dems they will go with that, or even better paraplegic African American non-binary

I think they should run a Primary election and let the voters decide. Last time they did that, they got a white guy.

[Admiral Yi]

Double down on the culture war, double down on more government spending, and keep lecturing working class whites about what's best for them.

Do you really think this is what the *donor base* wants?  Sounds more like what the primary voting, volunteering, noisy on the internet base wants.

Valmy: I think the Democrats have already learned the lesson about geriatric mushy brained office holders with speech issues.

[Valmy]

the party needs to do what the donor base wants it to do anyways.

Pretty sure the party already does that 

But seriously, what did you mean by this?

Double down on the culture war, double down on more government spending, and keep lecturing working class whites about what's best for them.

Now I want to admit that my prescription for the Democrats is basically what I personally would want them to do also - dial back on the "wokeism", not spend so much money.  I also thought the GOP 2012 autopsy was heading in the right direction, so clearly I'm no oracle.

I don't understand what you mean here. What does the Democrat's donor base want it to do exactly?

[Valmy]

Valmy: I think the Democrats have already learned the lesson about geriatric mushy brained office holders with speech issues.

Hey, if it is what the people want!

[Valmy]

I think one the main things they should do is come up with an actual position on immigration. Guest worker program or whatever. Just whatever it is, have it be coherent and address the concerns people have on this issue.

Trump's policies, if enacted, would be disastrous so be ready to come out with an alternative.

[Admiral Yi]

Amen

[Admiral Yi]

Maybe some thought should be given to free speech.  And humor.

[HVC]

Maybe some thought should be given to free speech.  And humor.

Comedian canceling seems to have passed the peak. Even the guy that mocked PR didn't suffer backlash for long.