The conventional wisdom is that the Democrats are going to do poorly in the 2022 midterm elections given history and Biden’s poor poll numbers. This would be a tragedy and dangerous for the future of our democratic republic should this occur. However, I do not think this is inevitable provided that Biden and the Democrats are aggressively proactive. Here are some actions I believe would help them considerably:
1. PRICE CONTROLS – The biggest thing hurting Biden right now is inflation. Though the Biden Administration has been very successful in helping the economy to recover and getting people back to work, the public is rightly upset at rising prices. Much of the problem is due to corporate greed. Biden should blast greedy corporations and freeze prices on essential commodities and gasoline. This will do two things. First, it will give people some relief economically. Second, it will redirect people’s anger where it belongs, at the greedy capitalists who are exploiting the public during these difficult times.
In addition, it is likely that Republicans will condemn such measures. Good! Let them defend price gouging and high prices. Price controls are the most important thing Biden can and should do in the near future.
2. LIFT COVID RESTRICTIONS – This is happening already, but the sooner things get back to normal, the more the public will credit the Biden Administration for getting us there. Democrats should continually remind voters that the Biden Administration was hugely successful in getting most of the country vaccinated and the people who are primarily getting ill and dying are the unvaccinated. And then they should always add something like: “It’s because the unvaccinated have been listening to Republicans and Fox News.”
3. STUDENT DEBT RELIEF – Young people are much more progressive that the older generations. The problem is getting them out to vote, particularly in non-presidential years. One big way to incentivize them is to help them financially by relieving some or all of their student loan debt. It is my understanding that there is much that the Biden Administration could do unilaterally. They should do it and then point out how the Republicans are opposed to these actions and will rescind them if they get the power to do so, that is unless they get out and vote!
4. BUILD BACK BETTER – Sadly, due to Joe Manchin and Kristen Sinema, BBB will be at best much less than it should be. If at all possible, they need to pass two things. First, they should renew the Child Tax Credit, which assists almost everyone with kids and then slam Republicans who oppose giving the aid. Two, they should also find a way to help seniors with the costs of medications. Again, let the Republicans defend being opposed to that.
5. JANUARY 6th – It is my hope and belief that what is going to be revealed will be dramatic and upsetting to the general public. Unlike Glenn Youngkin, the fraud who was just elected Governor of Virginia, most of the Republican candidates in 2022 are blatant Trumpists. Make them defend the rioters and insurrectionists. “So, you are for people who beat up and assault police officers?” To motivate the Democratic base, we need to scare them into thinking Trump and Trumpism is returning. That tactic was unsuccessful with Youngkin because of certain factors, but can be successful for candidates who have been campaigning as being the most pro-Trump. And of course, every Republican running should have to answer the question, “Do you think that January 6th was “legitimate political discourse?”
There are, of course, other things that should be done. For all those Republicans who opposed the infrastructure bill but are now taking credit for it, an ad should be run showing their hypocrisy.
The bottom line is getting our base to turn out. Primarily this can done by showing that we are doing positive things for the country that have immediate effect (ie. price controls) - and also by scaring our voters about what the Republicans will do if they get back in power.