“Ditch the Baggage” is a catch-phrase I think whoever emerges as the new leader of the Democratic Party should adopt if they really want to make an impression on the electorate; that means, in my humble opinion, ditching the Democratic Party structure, thinking, recent history, and apparent philosophy.
Even though Democrats may well win the House of Representatives in November, and they stand a good chance of winning the Senate as well, it will be because the vote will be anti-Trump, not pro-Democrats. I should add here that Trump seems hellbent on ruining the Republicans chances of success in the November mid-term elections, which is great news for the country. However, it is hardly a platform for the Democrats that is designed to provide them with a path to power in the future. I wrote a blog last week suggesting some ideas for a platform that might be of interest to the American electorate but, from my standpoint as a member of the general public, the Democratic Party structure doesn’t seem to have a clue as to what the electorate wants from their politicians. If, by some miracle, they actually do have a clue, they are not communicating it, and that as bad as not having one.
I wasn’t going to beat my head against the wall again this week by stating the obvious yet again, but someone has to make the case for a Democratic leader who will be a breath of fresh air in American politics, and a force for the future. It will take guts, commitment, money, good ideas and solid charisma – a tough combination, admittedly, but there has to be someone out there who can fulfill those requirements.
If I was to name names, I would suggest that the current list of possible Democratic leaders all fall short of having all of those qualities. I thought, for a while, that the Governor of Illinois, J.D. Pritzker might fit the bill, but he seems to be slowly taking a back seat; Gavin Newsom has too much of a shallow, slick Hollywood image to be a convincing and sustainable bet for the future; I’m not sure Kamala Harris has the strength to publicly ditch her past and create a new forceful campaign that looks forward, which I believe she would have to do to be successful. She might, but it would be an enormous challenge for her; Pete Buttigieg seems to have the character, integrity and the guts but I’m not sure the current state of the country is ready for a short, gay, president – a politically incorrect statement, I know, but also realistic. Everyone else is a “nobody” at this point, However, as I said, I can’t believe there is no-one out there who could rise-to-the-occasion.
I can fully understand why anyone with any sense wouldn’t go near such a challenge. You would have to be willing to give up almost everything you hold dear to embark on such a journey, including potentially laying your life on the line. So it would take a very special person. However, again, in a country of over 200 million people, it defies belief that there is no-one who can meet the criteria, and wants to do it.
In terms of such a leader emerging, he/she does have time. The critical date is the 2028 Presidential elections, not the November 2026 mid-terms.
Let me explore, for a minute, my suggested catch-phrase of “Ditch the Baggage”. I make no apologies for repeating some of what I said in the blog last week – sometimes beating people over the head is the only way to get their attention.
I am reminded here of an old British cartoon of “Andy Cap”. The vicar comes to his door and asks to see his wife. Andy turns around and yells into the house “Hey Tattyhead”. The vicar says, “Mr. Cap, you shouldn’t talk to wife like that. “I know, Vicar”, says Andy, “but first you’ve got to get their attention”.
The problem at the moment, as I see it, is that everyone is listening (everyone being the electorate), but no Democratic politician of substance is talking. The electorate is desperately hoping that someone will stand up for them, but everyone on the Democratic side who might provide an answer is MIA.
I suggested, in last week’s blog, ten ideas that I think could form the basis of a successful Democratic campaign. They are certainly not exhaustive, or rocket science, but that is what the vast majority of the electorate want. A few simple, straight-forward plans, a narrative that makes the electorate believe those plans will address the direct concerns of the people, and a convincing promise that they will actually be carried out.
Is it really that hard? Ditch the baggage, embark on a completely new approach and, for god sake, let the people know what you are doing. Communicate!!
Here endeth today’s epistle to America!, and I would love to hear your ideas.
