A few comments:
1) I can’t put the blame for the losses on my fellow people of color. But I bet that there were many thousands of folk who stayed home with the notion that “my vote doesn’t matter.” But Abrams got 48.6% of the vote, Gillum got 49.0%, Beto got 48.3%. I will always feel that in those 3 states, if more Black and Latin voters came out, the Democrat would have won.
Of course, more turn-out from white voters would have helped the Republicans. But we people of color can’t control what white voters do. We can only control what we do. The minority turn-out was probably at historic levels for a recent mid-term election, but they weren’t historic enough.
We need to take from this that, we only win when we all turn-out. 99 and a half percent won’t do.
2) Looking at the Gov maps for GA and FL, and the TX Senate, it’s clear: white rural voters will absolutely not vote for progressives. This election has demonstrated that the Dems can and will be a force in the urban South. But white voters outside the cities and suburbs are rock solid for the GOP. I don’t know how the Democrats break that nut, but if it isn’t cracked, realignment in that section will be tough.
3) What the Dems need to do is work really hard at the local level. If Abrams, Gillum and Beto can get 48%+ of the vote, the state houses in those states should be 48%+ Democratic. The Party needs to get busy, and build on those solid numbers to get Blue people in the state legislature.
Contributors need to be ready with their $3-35 gives so that the state party in GA, FL, and TX is ready and able to put forward competitive slates in local and state races.
Folks, despite the losses, REAL PROGRESS was made in those states. The motto needs to be, “Don’t be part of the missing 1%.” An incremental improvement can bring big gains. But the work must be done, starting NOW.
4) I gave $3 to Democrat Lucy McBath in GA-06. She is leading in the race with 50.3% of the vote. I guess they’re waiting to count provisional or other ballots. But if McBath wins, I’ll feel my $3 was well spent.
5) Also: folks don’t fall asleep on NC. They are supposed to be redrawing their congressional districts after successful anti-gerrymandering litigation. Get ready to rumble folks! Could be a pick-up of at least 2 seats in 2020.