“In an extraordinary political earthquake, Kansas Republicans held on to a dark red House seat in the Wichita area by just a single-digit margin on Tuesday night, throwing into question whether the GOP's majority can survive next year's midterm elections.”
So began the “Daily Kos Elections Morning Digest” today. Later in the update, Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) was described as “vulnerable” and Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) was described as “endangered.”
There’s dissonance there for me. While I would love to believe that Sen. McCaskill is vulnerable to a progressive primary challenger, of the type being sought to run in races nationwide by Justice Democrats, Brand New Congress, Our Revolution and Democracy for America, I’m betting the writer meant she’s vulnerable to a Republican challenger in the general election.
After KS-04, that’s misguided. It is the Republicans who are vulnerable and endangered, and we as progressives should start acting like it. People across the political spectrum who have been moved mostly by moral outrage are in a position to be receptive to alternatives that make clear the stark contrast between most Americans and the reactionary Republicans currently in power. They are on our side, and are thirsting for candidates who authentically speak up for them and a mainstream progressive vision.
Pure opposition proved a failure in November. We need a positive alternative, something for people to look up to and look forward to. “Resist!” as a rallying cry to defend cherished principles, rights and benefits we’ve gained over the last 100 years has helped galvanize the left and awaken the middle. However, if it wasn’t clear before, it’s clear after KS-04 that we need to go on offense with a new mindset and a new rallying cry: “Forward!”