Democrats need a wake up call.
Sure, GOP put up roadblocks and had a huge propaganda machine to disillusion voters, especially the poor and working poor. But let's face it: The poor and working poor are not motivated to vote for a Party that cannot field a unified message directed at them.
Democrats nationally let much of their message be sidetracked by a myriad of social issues. Meanwhile, most of the public [other than activists] could see little reason to get excited about voting for a range of Democratic candidates - especially Blue Dogs.
One issue that could have motivated the working poor is raising of the minimum wage. Yes, President Obama ran with this message and but it got weak and scattered support from the Party nationally. Yet raising the minimum wage in four Red States. Democrats lost in these States.
Why does this happen? Because the Democratic Party nationally has almost no discipline, no idea how put forth a unified message and allows itself to kowtow to Blue Dogs in Red States.
The social issues are important, but it's court decisions and referenda that drive much of these changes - if anything, the concentration on these issues HARMS Blue Dogs.
But there's not many Blue Dogs left now, are there?
Democrats need to have a full throated and consistent message that REJECTS Reaganomics. Democrats need to stop running away from liberal and progressive ideals and policies, and stop providing cover for Democratic candidates in Red States. Yes, social issues are important to motivate activists, but it's bread and butter economics is what gets the rest of the folks to vote.
And do you ever notice how Republicans don't provide cover nationally for their 'moderates' in Blue States. Do they.
It's past time to jettison the fear of McGovern's losses, Dukakis' losses and move the Democratic Party to fully represent the legacy of FDR and JFK. If Democrats cannot, they will suffer further at the polls. Because while the working poor who make up a HUGE percentage of the electorate in this country may overwhelmingly IDENTIFY as Democrats ..
.. THEY DON'T VOTE.
Give them something to vote for, and they will.
They will overcome what ever crap Republicans throw in their way and they will vote.