Democrats Look for Answers After Surprising Losses

morningconsult.com ^ | 11/4/15 | Reid Wilson

[cotton1706]

Startling election losses on Tuesday have given new urgency to top Democrats in Washington planning to coordinate campaign resources, according to people involved in behind-the-scenes conversations.

The discussions, which involve members of Congress, the Democratic National Committee, and party organs like the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, center on how to better coordinate political planning ahead of next year’s elections, when Democrats hope to climb out of a deep hole created by midterm and off-year elections.

At the same time, interviews with top party officials from across the country and across the ideological spectrum reveal fears that Democrats are struggling to compete in races they once dominated.

“There have been some family discussions, with different members of the family, about greater coordination and investments at all levels, and we need to accelerate those conversations,” said Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. “We just have to develop a targeted infrastructure of overlapping state legislative, House, Senate and gubernatorial races. The Republicans have done it successfully in the past, and we need to beat them at their own game.”

Interviews with more than a dozen Democratic insiders reveal a deep and pervasive concern, exacerbated by Tuesday’s elections in which Democrats lost control of Kentucky’s governorship and failed to gain seats in Virginia’s state Senate, that while the party is capable of cobbling together a sufficient coalition to win high-turnout presidential years, its struggles outside those years will hinder its ability to wrest back control of other levers of government at both the state and federal level.

“Last night, I think, was a wakeup call,” Israel said. “We need to begin to demonstrate action.”

The problem, in some Democrats’ minds, is that the Democratic message simply doesn’t resonate beyond its base.

[cotton1706]

“We live in a world, like it or not, where there are more conservatives than there are liberals,” said Delaware Gov. Jack Markell. “The idea that we can win elections just by turning out our base, to me, doesn’t make a lot of sense. We have to win elections by having an agenda that’s compelling not only to Democrats, but to independents and even a few Republicans.”

[cotton1706]

When did FreeRepublic start turning quotes into other symbols? Very annoying!

[Paladin2]

Time for the ‘Rats to move to Venezuela to fix it. Yheb! too.

[I want the USA back]

No democrat will ever get my vote, ever.

[Paladin2]

Some type of recent "update" to the FR software.

(It's a feature)

[Billthedrill]

I’ll look forward to this story about this time next year.

[SaveFerris]

[Startling election losses on Tuesday]

I love good news. I guess I missed the threads with the details!

[Tenacious 1]

The problem, in some Democrats’ minds, is that the Democratic message simply doesn’t resonate beyond its base.,p> They have known that for 40 years. They committed to "growing" their base through welfare, racebaiting, immigration and voter fraud. "There, I said it!"

[Tenacious 1]

Some type of recent "update" to the FR software. (It's a feature)

I been telling you all! FReepers are transitioning to coded dialogue in order avoid the snooping eye of our oppressive government. These symbols and characters are the first step in all of us learning how to communicate amongst conservatives. Don't tell anyone. But learn quick or you'll be labelled a liberal.

[Red Badger]

I’ll take “We just don’t like you!” for $1000, Alex................

[Billthedrill]

It’s OK. So long as nobody knows what ’€™â€œ means we can get the message through to...well, to Them. I shall say no more.

[MeganC]

The thing the Democrats don’t want to recognize is that THEY are the reason why there are more conservatives than there are liberals.

For certain the GOP had nothing to do with that.

[Ken H]

They should stop playing around and use a strong encryption program that will make life difficult for the NSA => http://www.wordplays.com/pig-latin

[soycd]

Things have changed ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9EKqQWPjyo

[FreeAtlanta]

If you use chrome, I wrote a temporary extension that cleans it up. Search for free republic helper chrome extension.

I am on my phone, or I would post the link.

[FreeAtlanta]

Obama really hurt the Democrats and their allies in the Republican party.

[Blood of Tyrants]

“We called the Republicans racists, bigots, homophobes, and terrorists. We vowed higher taxes and more government control. We vowed to nationalize the healthcare system so it runs like the VA. We promised to make guns harder to get for law abiding citizens. We played blacks against whites, poor against rich, illegal aliens against patriots, and men against women. And we STILL lost!”, whined Liberal Larry.

[eddie willers]

If you use chrome, I wrote a temporary extension that cleans it up. Search for free republic helper chrome extension.

I searched it, found it, added it and it seemed to help.

Thanks.

[Blood of Tyrants]

“the Democratic message simply doesn’t resonate beyond its base.”

If more DemocRats paid attention to what the ruling class liberals platform was, they wouldn’t be DemocRats.

[rrrod]

Good parent would NEVER allow their children to play with children of registered Democrats......