https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/Politics-Voices/2014/1114/Politics-ain-t-beanbag

Wake Up Democratic Party; Don’t be a Victim

Donald Trump won. He improved in many demographic segments. The Republican Party won. The Democratic policies, politicians and messages lost. Democrats seems to be in denial.

Most are blaming someone or something: Biden’s late withdrawal, Kamala’s tight link with unpopular Joe, American sexism, Trump’s magnetic hold on the country, the media’s unwillingness to hold Trump and Republicans accountable for lies, plainly inaccurate or misleading claims, an uninspiring centrist platform, too many far-left positions that can be exploited by the opposition, billionaire dark money, Trump’s undermining of any normal frame of reference for character or policies through his years of speaking and acting that would have never been accepted before him, the thumb of the Supreme Court on political activities that benefit Republicans, Trump’s reassembly of the Republican Party into a personality cult where no opposition exists to provide options, discussion or pressures, the Republican news media’s amazing power to shape beliefs of Republicans, independents and Democrats, the undercutting of all institutional frames of reference (media, universities, FBI, DOJ, courts, churches, intellectuals, movies, civic organizations, business, schools, government), Republican manipulation of the state election systems to create a built-in advantages, the lack of a charismatic Democratic leader, polarized politics turns out politicians and their party every 4 years, a lack of belief in any politician or political party, a “what have you done for me lately” transactional politics from many voting blocs, the transition of minority groups from being solidly Democratic to better reflecting a normal distribution of left to right views, the global embrace of populism in a post Western, capitalist, democratic, human rights, global trade and development consensus, the inherent disadvantage of progressive parties who must deliver on their promises rather than oppose and check the misguided, unrealistic opposition. The list is unlimited.

There may be important content in many of these explanations. But, overall, they fail to focus on the two core issues. What policies, politicians and messages COULD be attractive to persuadable voters, either from the base or the middle? How does the Democratic Party reestablish itself as a credible voice to be considered?

The Center or the Edge?

This election once again confirmed that the US is an individualistic, capitalist, local, independent, freedom loving, patriotic, culturally moderate society. Economics and culture both matter. A supermajority of Americans wants moderate policies. They don’t really want revolution. This is a real problem for the idealistic wing of the Democratic Party which has grown from 5% to 20% of the country and 10% to 35% of the party. The national American electorate does not support policies that can be framed or challenged as extreme, costly, risky, uncertain, elite, cosmopolitan, global, socialist, irrational, idealist, utopian, etc. Whenever these more progressive policy options are promoted, the Republican Party wins at the national level. To have a chance of winning, the Democratic Party needs to have the discipline to frame policy options that deflect Republican counterattacks yet motivate the base to support the party goals. This is difficult, requiring creative development and communications.

Politics is the “Art of the Possible”

Art of the Possible

First, take a firm stand as a center-left party and consistently reject “far left”, “new left”, “socialist”, “green”, and “postmodernist” policies that are so easily defeated. Second, focus on pragmatic policies that clearly benefit middle Americans economically. Focus on equal opportunity, rather than redistribution. Focus on basic economic fairness rather than demonizing the rich, the billionaires, the bankers, Wall Street, the 1%. See my RESPECT proposals. Focus on the middle class, not “the poor”. This strategy maximizes consideration from the persuadable voters at all income levels, in all locations.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T-2

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

The Paradox of Great Wealth in a Democracy

Serve the American People

What Do Citizens Really Expect from Politicians? Not Much.

There was a time when Americans required presidential candidates to meet high standards. Goldwater was thrashed because he was considered unstable by many. McGovern could not recover from his association with “acid, amnesty and abortion”. His running mate Eagleton’s mental health history was a big issue. Muskie could not recover from his public crying about one of Nixon’s dirty tricks and withdrew from the campaign. Bush Sr’s broken “no taxes” promise was fatal. Dukakis could not overcome the “Willy Horton” released prisoner crimes or the comic picture of him in a tank as a military leader. Kerry could not overcome the “swift boat” attack on his military career. Most importantly, Bill Clinton was elected because he convinced Americans that “I feel your pain”. His impeachment raised questions about presidential character that still resonate today. Democrats argued that personal matters are not all that important. This opened the door for Newt Gingrich and a purely “ends justify the means” approach to politics.

In a “postmodern” world, we’ve lost objective knowledge, truth or morality. We are wrestling with the loss of this agreed upon reality among our citizens and leaders. The 1960’s opened the door for a radically “relative” world view. The shift was jarring. As commentators noted about the Clinton campaigns in 1992, 1996 and 2016 we were still arguing about the 1960’s cultural revolution and the politics of the Vietnam War. The bottom line is that many citizens, left, right and center, no longer believe in a fixed, objective world defined by science, religion or natural law.

Hence, our expectations of politicians are very low. Solid truth, honesty, and objectivity are no longer required. I think what we see from Trump is that “authenticity” has been elevated to become the premier value. “I don’t agree with him but at least he is authentic. He does what he says. He is not a phony”.

The Ethics of Authenticity / The Malaise of Modernity (1991) – Charles Taylor

What Should Citizens Expect from Politicians?

We may be at a place where all we can expect is for them to keep “most” of their “largest” promises.

Political Grey Zone

We have a complicated situation regarding political ethics. We either believe there are core objective ethical values or not. In general, I see most Democrats of both left and center perspectives as ethical idealists. There is an ethical standard. We know what it is. We ought to follow it. I agree with respect to personal decisions. I’m not sure this is the best practical rule for politicians and political parties. I think that there is an element of “the end justifies the means” that applies to real world politics. We see the same tension between idealistic and pragmatic politics at the international level (real politic). I think that pragmatism must compete with idealism in real world politics.

One Very Important Hillary Clinton Debate Question

I’ll never forget when Hillary Clinton was asked what was either a “softball” or a “gotcha” question in a 2016 debate. “As president or secretary of state, are there times when you must lie or ‘manage the truth’?” Hillary gave the George Washington response, “I can never tell a lie”. I screamed at the television. Really? As Secretary of State? Our chief international negotiator? As a leader? As a motivator? As a communicator? As a politician? Trying to appeal to diverse coalition partners? As a presidential candidate, trying to engage both the base and the undecideds? As president, trying to lead the whole country? I think that my “in-authenticity” button was pressed.

I thought about salespeople, negotiators, purchasers, supply chain managers, account managers, marketers, persuaders, speakers …. The whole capitalist system is driven by these kinds of communications that blend facts, history, relations, cultures, promises, implied threats, incentives, short-term and long-term, risks and rewards, opportunities, possibilities. It’s complicated. That’s why we collectively invest so much in managing these relationships.

Politics is the same. International politics is the same. Why do we want to claim that our politics are perfect, pure, above board? They are not. They cannot be. They should not be. When political leaders pretend to be “holier than thou”, they lose credibility with a majority of the electorate.

We’re stuck in a moral grey area. We want to think of ourselves as ethical. But, to achieve our desired ends for society we cannot be perfectly ethical. I don’t have an answer as to where the line is, or the exact tradeoffs, or a perfect example of what to do. I am sure that there is a need to consider ethical ideals and political reality when making political decisions.

Don’t Compromise on Core Values

Don’t hold the country hostage to approve an increase in the deficit ceiling.

Don’t manipulate the election process to win.

Don’t embrace special interest groups to attract funding and votes.

Don’t use the judicial and administrative regimes to win political battles.

A party that can establish credibility here will possess a major asset.

Political Parties Must Deliver on Their Promises

LBJ as senator and president is exhibit #1. Whatever it takes.

Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see how they are made.

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/otto_von_bismarck_161318

Ideals are “nice”, but I elected you to deliver. In a pragmatic, transactional world, results matter more than ever.

Some “Delivering Results” Examples

Inflation was growing rapidly in 2021. Biden needed to address it. Lower government spending. Pressure the Federal Reserve Board to raise interest rates. Apply “bully pulpit” pressure on corporations to not raise prices. Implement excess prices or excess profits controls under emergency presidential authority.

Immigrant volumes increased after Biden took office. Engage the military and national guard to “secure the borders”. Reallocate federal appropriations to “solve the problem”. Use the finances and political power of the US to intercept immigrants at the southern Mexican border.

Aggressive antitrust reviews and enforcement, given expressed Republican support.

Consolidate all welfare spending into a single bill to increase benefits while “solving” the problems of earned benefits and equity. Invest in “welfare fraud” investigators together with IRS agent funding.

Make a $15/hour minimum wage bill a top priority. Organize strikes to support it. Engage corporate supporters. Fine-tune the details to deal with teenager and agriculture exceptions.

Israeli PM Netanyahu wishes to wage war in Gaza and expand West Bank settlements. Provide a clear set of support and limits. Enforce the limits up to complete withdrawal of military support.

Create a “blue ribbon commission” on Social Security funding structured to ensure that the compromise recommendations will be approved.

Engage with Republicans to support policy proposals that benefit middle Americans.

Serve the American People

Biden followed this “deliver results” strategy to cancel many varieties of student loan debt. A majority of Americans opposed this. it is only effective if most Americans agree. Delivering for the base or individual constituencies is inherently suspect.

Rapidly deliver visible “pilot project” results from the 2 large infrastructure bills that were passed.

Resolve the “temporary” status of the 2 federal home mortgage guarantee agencies.

Determine a long-term solution for the US Postal Service that provides some local mail delivery and reduced costs and employment.

The key to providing credibility is proactively finding solutions that meet the needs of the general public even when party supporters must incur some of the costs or risks of the solutions.

Summary

Democrats need to take a hard look in the mirror. They have lost the support of the American people. To recover, they need to refocus their policies on the economic opportunity needs of “middle America”. They must convince “middle America” that they have no extreme economic or cultural policy agendas. They need to deliver results that match their promises. There are no “moral victories” in politics. Parties must win elections in order to deliver results. When in power they must use all of the levers of power. Pragmatic means for progressive ends.