I could recite all the truisms about how losing somehow makes one better or stronger, but the fact is it hurts. Maybe it will make Democrats more focused on winning next election. Maybe, it will give office seekers some courage. I have lots of disjointed thoughts about last night's defeat. I write from a state that might show us how to win the next time. Much more below the fold.
As a Minnesotan, I am proud that my party mostly won last night. Our state re-elected both the Democratic governor and Democratic senator, did any other state do that? Rhode Island maybe. Further, we elected all Democrats for statewide office and re-elected all five of our Democratic House members. Democrats lost the state House, which was a surprise to me, but I was equally surprised that Rick Nolan got elected in the now-swingy 8th District.
Why did Minnesota Democrats do so comparatively well? Liberals Dayton and Franken were true to their beliefs, as was Nolan. They campaigned hard, raised plenty of money, and faced down perhaps a "B" team of statewide Republican candidates. We are most of the way out of the "Great Recession" here in Minny, so Dayton could point out how much the state economy has improved under his watch. Turnout in Minnesota was 55%, great for much of the nation in a midterm, but 15% below our presidential turnout. I believe the comparatively low turnout cost the lower chamber to the Republicans.
Nationally, what did we learn? I will throw out a few thoughts. One, money wins. Perhaps I should put this in all caps. In a state where the Democrats won almost all the statewide races, I saw and heard far more ads for the 'pubs. I had the "privilege" to catch Iowa commercials and Ernst and Branstad easily outspent their Democratic opponents. The first thought from Democratic chairman in Minnesota was that "dark money" came in late to win several close races. Second, bad candidates can blow perfectly good opportunities. Grimes someday might be a great candidate, she isn't now. Hagan, I think, tried to hold a narrow lead rather than being aggressive in the last week. Fitzgerald had a chance, but imploded. What should have been close races in Montana and Michigan were tossed away. I can go on, but won't.
Third, you have to stand for something. Democrats can't be Republicans-lite and sometimes they become this, mostly because in order to get money (see pt. #1), the Democrats have to court special interests.
Specifically, Obama hurt the brand greatly. I am a bit disappointed in his performance, but I don't think he has been afforded the respect a president deserves. The Republican strategy of oppose, oppose, howl in protest and make stuff up worked. Obama didn't handle the intense opposition well and the fruits of it showed in 2010 and this year.
Turnout! Democrats need to get their constituencies in the voting booth in off-year elections. Figuring a 2-1 edge for the Democrats among the presidential year-only voters, a bunch of elections would have turned out differently if Democrats would have turned out. Of course, there has to be a motivation and I think that motivation was lacking and will be until Democrats fully identify themselves as progressives.