Quote (ThatAlex @ 12 Jun 2018 02:46)
Most polls are showing a dwindling Democratic lead for the 2018 Congressional elections. It was up to a 12-13 point lead nation-wide a few months ago, but now it's down to about 6-8 points.
What do y'all make of this? Strong economy? Poor Democratic messaging? Trump fatigue? Bad polling? Statistical noise? All of the above?
I don't know what to make of it. But the "Blue Wave" that's being predicted by many in the 2018 midterms is certainly no sure thing. People actually have to come out and vote. That didn't happen in 2016, despite the high stakes.
poor democratic messaging? how about NO democratic messaging? what do they have to offer, i mean seriously? all they have is 'not trump', but what do they stand FOR?
they had an opportunity to be strong on daca, to be principled on healthcare, to really push on the gun issue, to make the blatant disregard for environmental protection a topic - those are all issues that are incredibly popular amongst americans across party lines. corporate democrats, however, are pushovers. they let trump dictate the narratives and when push comes to shove they rather give in and do what their donors want them to, rather than what their (potential) voters support.
that massive flaw in the whole system is also the reason why democrats are currently 'cannibalising each other' - more and more people, especially on the left, realise how toxic money in politics is (also a topic most americans generally agree on, even though the right forgot about that after trump just abandoned his swamp promise and went in the exact opposite direction).
a whole new movement was introduced into the democratic party, relying on private donations only, and trying to fight the establishment candidates. the system, however, is obviously set up to combat that - and since most people just don't follow politics that closely, campaign funds (to buy ads to increase name recognition and make empty promises, and to finance oppo research) beat things like integrity, track record, and actual support for popular policies.
of course the booming economy helps as well. the fact that it's
- merely continuing the trend established under obama
- 'financed' with a massive and unprecedented deficit and other extremely short term 'solutions'
- again 'supported' by an utter disregard for the environment and long term consequences that a different president will have to address
doesn't matter to most people who don't care too much about politics, let alone those who are already firm in the emperor's camp no matter what he does - because 'MURICA!' and 'DURKA DUR!'
so yeah, i'm also expecting rather underwhelming results for democrats in 2018 - but at the same time i don't think it's worth it to compromise and abandon principles for those who still have them, just to beat trump. if americans want politicians to represent their voters, and not the corporations paying their campaigns and then some, they have to act now, even if it 'hurts' their party - because investing into politicians to buy policies is just getting worse, and the current administration sure understands how to deflect from that and give its base plenty of other issues to focus on (like the drug smuggling, lazy, welfare abusing, rapey mexicans; evil terrorist muslims; nefarious trade partners who are taking advantage of poor america; deep state, rinos, fbi, fake news media and democrats attacking a poor innocent president who didn't do anything wrong...).