The chart above is from Chris Cilizza’s Washington Post post. It illustrates the change in fortunes of the Democratic Party during the Obama Era. Mr. Cilizza notes:
Placed in the context of the last eight years of elections, 2016 looks more like the rule than the exception. The rise of President Obama obscured the fact that the Democratic Party he represented was struggling in virtually every other way in which a party’s health is judged. Clinton’s loss should make that fact plain to Democrats: The country, judging by down-ballot election results nationwide, is center-right — and holding. And the Democratic bench is woefully devoid of major rising stars, itself a function of the party’s down-ballot struggles over the last eight years.
Some Democrats may take solace in Hillary Clinton’s apparently having received more votes albeit concentrated in fewer districts than Donald Trump did. They shouldn’t. Democratic candidates received three million fewer votes than Republicans did in House races.
I think that Democrats are on the horns of a dilemma. They can maintain their focus on social issues which underpins their present coalition of ethnic and racial minorities and young people. Or they can turn to the economy and security which runs the risk of alienating their present coalition.
Now they’re on the brink of re-electing the leadership that has brought them to their present diminished circumstances, their worst in 80 years. Does that sound like they’ve come to terms with their problems to you?
All those Republicans and we still have discontent. Wonder why people think electing more of them will make things better?
Steve
If the Ds want to win state houses, governors and the Congress, they need to put the old FDR coalition back together. However, as long as being classist is acceptable, they can’t.
“All those Republicans and we still have discontent. Wonder why people think electing more of them will make things better?”
One could say the same about Democrats. I think what we are seeing is a large amount of discontent with both parties but we have a political system where the two parties are the only real choices for most people.
“One could say the same about Democrats.”
Was commenting upon the last election. The gOP already controlled everything but POTUS, and polls indicated Americans thought we were on the wrong track. We reacted by giving the GOP even more control.
Steve
“You’re doing a heckuva job, Bammy.”
Over emphasis on the office of president plus allowing the president to exercise excessive power serves the members of Congress. The media are complicit in this, too, possibly through ignorance.
People can hardly be blamed for believing what they’re being told 24/7, 365 days a year.