2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumI think I have a good understanding of why Hillary lost, but what I still don't get
is how Dems got smoked in so many Senate races and other down ticket races, especially when all Republicans are just so awful in general.
That can't all be due to gerrymandering, or Russian influence.
Was it just an off year with bad candidates?
Did Trump actually excite GOP voters far more than we really understand?
Did Hillary at the top motivate many GOP voters to vote for a GOP congress to block her?
I think part of the reason the Dems have been doing badly is the incredible power of conservative media and brainwashing, that most of us can never understand because we don't expose ourselves to it or are not wired that way.
My biggest disappointment is just seeing people vote for Republicans and forgetting history of how bad these people really are when they have power. It wasn't even that far back when we had the terrible GW Bush. Or just look at Kansas.
I keep feeling like this party-- the GOP-- shouldn't be sustainable, they are so awful, and they keep failing when in power.
Yet they still win.
Obama only won when they were fully exposed as crooks and had crashed the economy massively. Yet they have bounced back and are winning again with horrible, racist, dumb, obnoxious candidates.
How can we overcome this insane power they have?
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)is so awful and that Blacks, Hispanics, Disabled, women, LGBT, etc., are getting more than their fair share. You'll be criticized for calling "white working class" Trump supporters as racist/bigoted/greedy.
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)is that how the right still wins elections?
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)This is why it's foolish to think, "If we just had a more progressive economic message, we would win much more often."
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)Garrett78
(10,721 posts)There are people and organizations doing good work in this area, though. I'm part of a Racial Justice Organizing Committee where I live. As an organization, we go to person of color organizations and take direction from those organizations as to what they need done. It might be as simple as data entry or moving office furniture. It might be attending a rally, helping to promote legislation or campaigning for a particular candidate. We also have a study committee and invite people from the community. We study oppression theory, institutionalized racism and how to address those things.
Reverend Barber, the North Carolina NAACP President, is probably on the right track (and I say that as an atheist for whom religion does not inform my viewpoint).
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)The reason white working class voters went with Trump is because they are sick and tired of the following things:
1. Having their very REAL job and economy concerns ignored for decades in favor of focusing only on issues related to minorities or legalizing weed. They are sick of Democrats never focusing on issues that also matter to and impact EVERYONE. These people usually support minority issues too, but are fed up with their concerns never mattering and being accused or being racists/bigots or being shamed and made to feel guilty about wanting their concerns cared about too.
2. Lack of respect and being talked down to or treated like they are stupid by some Democrats. (This is what is meant by the elitism complaint.)
I see it happening here. I'm a swing voting Independent and reading some of this stuff pisses me off so deeply. Until Democrats smarten the fuck up and actually LISTEN instead of assuming they know it all they will keep on losing. There is absolutely NO reason why Democrats can't care about the economic hardships and struggle of ALL of the working class just as much as they care about issues that impact minority groups. If Dems are honestly incapable of doing BOTH then they don't deserve to win.
JTFrog
(14,274 posts)You do realize where you are posting, right?
jzodda
(2,124 posts)Look at the vote a few days ago when Dem Senators voted with Republicans to prevent cheaper Canadian drugs.
Dems should be up in arms over stuff like this. Sure it's a drop in the bucket but it's the symbolism. Dems as a party have embraced big money from Wall Street and other places to such a degree it's tainting their message.
Trump should have lost in a landslide. These white working class people should be our voters. The message of globalism that's harsh and unfair should be left to Republicans.
NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)At least one person here understands that you don't win by alienating voters based on assumptions made in order to avoid taking responsibility for the part you play in your own problems.
brush
(57,489 posts)Last edited Thu Jan 19, 2017, 08:07 PM - Edit history (1)
Hillary, the Democrat, did get nearly 3 million more votes which I'm saying not to console us but to remind us, just as in the last election cycles, Democrats get more votes than the repugs. The country favors Dem policies. The repugs just figure out how to steal elections, and this one was stolen as well, which cost us house and senate and even state-level offices.
Time to stop agonizing over our failures to appeal to WWCs who fall for repug racist dog whistles. It's time to confront reality. THEY CHEAT, HAVE BEEN CHEATING FOR FOREVER AND ALWAYS WILL TRY TO CHEAT BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN WIN (see Nixon's behind-the-back treachery over the Vietnam war negotiations just before the election; see Reagan's behind-the-back treachery over the Iranian hostages just before the election; see Katherine Harris and the Brooks Brothers riot in Florida in 2000; see Ken Blackwell in Ohio in 2004; see Rove in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. He wasn't successful in '08 and '12 but he tried mightily; and of course see Comey, Putin, vote suppression, vote count machinations, gerrymandering, et al in addition to Crosscheck in '16).
We can't look the other way anymore by trying to overcome their dirty tricks by registering more voters than they do because of our demographic advantage BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS WILL CHEAT AND WILL COME UP WITH NEW WAYS TO CHEAT — LIKE INTERSTATE CROSSCHECK in this cycle.
We need to stay alert to what they're up to, put on a concerted, sustained effort to loudly expose their cheating over and over and over to get media coverage; we need to combat in court over and over and over when needed to put a stop to it BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS WILL CHEAT.
We can't let up.
Whoever takes over at the DNC needs to create a department just for this and they need to fund it well.
NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)No...he understood not to alienate any voter who didn't sniff his asshole.
If Democrats don't get over this stupid habit of demanding 100% conformity or screw you attitude they will NEVER win again AND won't deserve to.
Every election is an uphill battle. You either adjust to those challenges and fight hard and NEVER take voters for granted or you lose. Period.
Democrats can sit back and piss and moan over how bad the GOP cheats or they can work their asses off by going after EVERY voter, not fucking attacking and alienating them.
brush
(57,489 posts)their cheating.
Did you not get that?
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)and not sure how the GOP didn't alienate voters too...
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)they need to work the media better, for sure.
NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)And as long as Democrats keep their heads stuck in the sand denying the truth they will continue to leave their asses fully exposed to getting beat by the other side.
JTFrog
(14,274 posts)guys.
Let's pretend that those racist bigoted assholes are really just "white working class" folks who really care about Democratic values but don't have anywhere to turn but to the Trumps of the world.
It's brilliant I tell ya.
NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)It would not have been even remotely close enough for GOP cheating and crap to make a difference.
JTFrog
(14,274 posts)No one is barred from agreeing with the Democratic Party platform.
You continue to drone on about Trump voters like they didn't understand they were casting their vote for one of the vilest humans on earth. They supported his racist misogynistic and hateful rhetoric yet you are all over defending them and complaining about Democrats.
Do you seriously think we should stop fighting for equal rights, safe environments for women, clean air for our children, healthcare for all, paths to citizenship, higher minimum wage, lower cost education, safe gun laws, regulations for food safety, SCIENCE, climate change mitigation and so on?
I would rather lose than cater to the haters.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)-- excuse me, "white working class" -- Trump supporters want.
NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)I am a white working class voter. I voted for Clinton. I'm an Independent, though, and although I have not voted for a Republican since Sarah Palin crawled out of whatever shit hole she emerged from...the Democrats WILL lose me if they don't start including me too. I don't want to deport anyone, have muslim, black and hispanic friends and neighbors and my family includes blacks, hispanics and LGBTs. I have stuck up for minorities my entire life, and I'm over 50.
So tell me...how long do you feel entitled to my loyal support before you give a shit about the economy and jobs that I care about and impacts me? I've supported and voted for causes for all minorities. And what happens when people like me point out that they want Democrats to work for them too? They get called a fucking racist.
It's bullshit. If you want me on your team and to support things that matter to you then you better be prepared to show me the same consideration. If you can't do that then why should I stay on your team?
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)What's also bullshit is the narrative that says Clinton lost among the working class or among those who identified the economy as their top concern.
What's also bullshit is the anti-establishment narrative following an election in which the establishment did very well.
Those narratives are verifiably false, and this has been shown over and over and over again on DU.
What's also bullshit is the notion that only a fraction of Trump supporters are racists or sexists or heterosexists. For cryin' out loud, 80% of his supporters are Birthers.
NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)Her issue in the rust belt is that they associated her with NAFTA and she, like many here, assumed and believed she was entitled to the votes there. Those voters have had their issues ignored for DECADES. They're fed up and sick of it, so they believed Trump. They'll figure out he lied soon enough and MAYBE they will come back to the Democratic Party....but they sure as fuck won't if you all keep calling them all racists.
ANYONE who throws around ugly accusations so casually without even knowing people may as well just vote for Trump in 2020 because they are helping ensure he wins again.
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)Not 8%. 80%. Birtherism, of course, is rooted in racism.
And the issue of trade wasn't what motivated Trump supporters.
You've bought into one false narrative after another.
NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)Cite your proof from a reputable source, please. I know plenty of Trump voters and not a single one of them are birthers. Stop making shit up.
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)Public Policy Polling is reputable. Link: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2015/08/trump-supporters-think-obama-is-a-muslim-born-in-another-country.html
61% believe Obama was born in another country and 18% are unsure, for a total of 79%. Only 21% believe he was born in the US. Only 12% believe Obama is a Christian.
BainsBane
(54,771 posts)Like Trump voters are associated with racism. NAFTA wasn't her policy. She is an independent person, not an appendage of her husband.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)It's never OK to stereotype. Assuming things about people you don't even know just because you don't understand why they voted a certain way is not right. You should actually ASK them why they voted as they did before labeling people.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)BainsBane
(54,771 posts)you and they attribute to her.
stonecutter357
(12,769 posts)If you voted for racists trump you are a deplorable POS just like him...
Response to Fast Walker 52 (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)
Chitown Kev
(2,197 posts)Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)
24601
(4,013 posts)Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)24601
(4,013 posts)a monolithic reason. An individual is the sole judge of their vote criteria. It can be a deep policy analysis or as shallow as not voting for anyone who parts their hair on the right.
Each down-ballot race is unique and had their own reasons - like Bayh losing Indiana because voters judged he had essentially left the state and become a DC area resident.
But for President, I saw several things that had an effect that were unrelated to Russian hacking and Hillary's emails.
The presumed inevitability of Hillary Clinton led to a high degree of complacency which in turn led many to skip voting or feel it was a safe year to cast that vote for Johnson or Stein in an effort to open up the political process to more than the two major parties. I have a relative in his early 30s who posted all kinds of shit in favor of Johnson, explaining after the election that since he knew Hillary would win anyway, he wanted Jonson to reach the thresh hold for future ballot access.
The daily dialog made a number of Trump voters go dark because they didn't want the hassle - so polls were affected.
There was a large anti-establishment vote. It not only hurt Hillary in the General Election but what allowed Trump to prevail in the Primary.
The high degree of negative ads and coverage ultimately made people tone deaf and changed the channels.
While Trump didn't release tax returns, Hillary didn't release paid speeches. It's reasonable to infer that 8 years of a Democratic Administration would have taken legal action if Trump cheated on his taxes and there is a degree of presumed government oversight. But there was no equivalent oversight for the speeches. And neither has a legal requirement for disclosure.
And don't discount Allan Lichtman's13 keys to the White House. He detested Trump but pointed out that he was headed for a win. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/09/23/trump-is-headed-for-a-win-says-professor-whos-predicted-30-years-of-presidential-outcomes-correctly/?utm_term=.84e73f36c1e2
brush
(57,489 posts)Garrett78
(10,721 posts)In the sense that Representatives have sway in who wins statewide races, and have power to commit voter suppression.
Gerrymandering is often used to lessen the impact persons of color have, and that is bound to impact statewide policy.
Buckeye_Democrat
(15,042 posts)Nationally, Democrats won 6 million more votes in Senate races. Many of those votes were "wasted" by huge wins for some candidates, much like Hillary's national votes were largely "wasted" with big victories in some states while others were barely lost.
http://www.nbcnews.com/specials/democrats-left-in-the-lurch
LisaM
(28,598 posts)I know, I live in one of them (Seattle). I can tell you that the people moving here pay attention to national races and vanish in between (we had four elections in the last year, and one had the lowest percentage turnout since the Depression). They are in a tech bubble and don't think about down-ticket races. They have liberal social values, but don't understand that the Democrats share them so don't identify with the party.
Aside from the apathetic turnout in off years (which, I think, leads to a smaller candidate pool), as long as people keep flocking to the cities, this is not going to change unless our system changes. Along with the other problems, it's becoming unrepresentative. States that are losing population are getting way more power in proportion to their size.
How do we get people to move to these places? I always think that North Carolina and Georgia are on the cusp of change, because they have liberal big cities, but it hasn't quite happened yet. I'd think that anywhere that has a reasonably livable city in a red state could flip the state in a few years. But people won't move there. I get that because life is often intolerable in rural areas, especially for POC and LGBT people, but if we continue with NYC and Seattle and San Francisco and Portland growing and growing and red states losing population, nothing will change except that it will get more lopsided. And on the state level, gerrymandering has made a huge difference.
I wish some of the tech companies would target smaller cities, though that's tricky, too, because I'm sure the people who live there don't want the high rents and other crap that comes with gentrification.
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)with demographics... and it never materializes
JI7
(90,524 posts)years .
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)sadly, we lost key states we normally win.
Berlin Vet
(95 posts)We need to have Democratic challengers ask the simple question, "What has the Republican Party done to make your life better?" Because they have done nothing for the poor and the middle class. Put that on a campaign sign with one side listing things the Democrats have done (Social Security, Medicare, etc) and on the other (Republican) side nothing. Call them out. Have debates (my Congresswoman (R) would not debate). We can do this.
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)Response to Berlin Vet (Reply #34)
JTFrog This message was self-deleted by its author.
wishstar
(5,486 posts)Repubs had a 10 million dollar advantage in ability to run ads with which they smeared the Dem so forcefully aligning with Hillary and the Dem challenger couldn't overcome that
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)thanks
senz
(11,945 posts)Dems will do better if they pay closer attention to the people.
doc03
(36,699 posts)that 1.6 million people were purged from the voting rolls by Cross Check. To start off I am white and live in redneck
eastern Ohio. If anyone says that race didn't have anything to do with Republicans winning they are full of it. Everyday
I hear the N---- word and sometimes my head is about to explode to tell these people it isn't the N---s that are the
problem in this country they are. Here is an example of how f---g crazy they are. At the coffee shop a couple days ago
this guy sees some candy that had M&Ms mixed with a Hershey Bar or something. He says the f---g liberals are pushing s--t
like that to make kids think that everything mixed together is better like whites with blacks and queers getting married, perverts
using restrooms. I kid you not, that is the stuff I hear.
joshcryer
(62,491 posts)Lack of enthusiasm.
Voter depression has been a GOP tactic since they lost hard in 2006.
Going after Dems, shitting on them, from the left, that shit didn't happen 20 years ago.