The only way we lose is if we don’t fight. I understand the angst that people are feeling since Donald Trump was elected President, but that angst does not need to turn into outright fear and apathy. Of course, people have plenty to worry about with this new administration, but it’s nothing we haven’t beat before or stared down in the past. The challenge will be greater as the challenges we are about to be presented with under a Trump presidency will be the most we have faced at once. Republicans are now in control of Washington, and there is a good chance that this will be a case of “be careful what you wish for” scenario for Republicans.
Over the past week, we have already witnessed the backtracking of many Trump proposals such as the wall, infrastructure spending, and Obamacare repeal. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be on the lookout for these proposals popping back up, but they understand that these proposals are DOA to many in Washington, including many Republicans. We are now having to turn our attention to Paul Ryan as it seems that he will be the one who will be steering the legislative ship, no surprise there.
We have been fighting against Paul Ryan for nearly a decade now, and we must keep up the same playbook. Wunderkind Paul does not like to be challenged on the facts of his proposals and often doubles down while also losing the argument. I know, I know, he is the Speaker, did we defeat him in the past? Yes. And we will do it again. We are already hearing pushback on his plans to repeal Obamacare as he is running into resistance from many Republicans who have to face the electorate next year, in what will probably be the most unfriendly electorate than they have faced since 2008. That’s real. We have a real fight with Medicare privatization, but we must make sure that we get our parents, grandparents, and friends to make phone calls and let representatives know that this is a political deal-breaker. If there is one thing Republican elected officials love more than inflicting pain on the vulnerable, it’s the possibility of losing re-election.
We will have our work cut out for us regarding pushing back against the wave of Republican legislation, but I don’t fear what we are about to face. Instead, I am fired up and ready to go. Why the confidence? Hillary is winning the popular vote by a wide margin and what that means is that this election was truly decided by “Blue Wall Overconfidence” that saw team blue lose Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania by a combined 107k votes. Also, Donald Trump, according to Gallup, has a 42-55 approval/favorability rating. This will be 4-5 points lower than his vote share. In comparison, President Obama had a +47 rating, and W. had a +23 rating, even after the 2000 debacle. There is a good chance that this will be a high water mark for Trump. This was no mandate, and if Republicans act as it was in Washington, there is a good chance for a giant blowback in 2018. Remember, Republicans were “dead” in 2008 but went on to win elections that no one ever thought was possible. We can do the same. We just need to stay organized and get up off the mat, and that must start soon.
We have elections coming up in New Jersey and Virginia with governorships on the line. New Jersey SHOULD be a pickup with Virginia being a toss-up. But, what a way to flip the narrative that Democrats are dead than keeping Virginia and flipping New Jersey. This could give us the confidence and organize that we need going into 2018 with so many governorships on the line, many of which have Republicans in strong blue states. While some of the governors may be popular at the moment, don’t dismiss the electorate’s ability to tie ALL Republicans to Trump and unpopular legislation. Even the best go down when faced with impossible odds. (See Hillary Clinton).
So my point is to keep fighting. Keep organizing. Keep believing. We can only lose if we give up and I know that I am not about to give up. We are Democrats, and we continue to fight because we believe in a better America. I am not afraid of Trump and Republicans in Congress, and the only way I ever will be is if everyone gives up.
Oh, and yes, there will be elections in 2018, 2020, 2022, etc..