Are the Dems on a roll? Alabama and Virginia are quite different–Alabama a hard core, deep red state and Virginia purple, trending blue– but the results show some common trends, which are all good news for Democrats. Here are my takeaways:
- Yes, Trump is really bad, and a large majority of the country has pretty much figured it out. There is no question that a significant number of voters in both states (predominately women) cast their votes against what they see happening in the White House and in the Republican Party. The good news here is that people are realizing what a disaster the Republicans are creating. The word of caution is that registering a protest vote is not enough by itself to carry the Democrats to victory in 2018 or 2020. And it is also took a Roy Moore to move Alabama from red to (barely) blue. Democrats aren’t likely to get that lucky again.
- Besides the I’ve-had-enough vote, there were four things that in my view made a big difference:
- In both states the Democrats ran a center-left candidate, without glamor or charisma, but with tangible decency. This I believe is really important in determining the kind of candidates that can win in purple and light red states and congressional districts.
- In both states—but especially Alabama– turnout from African Americans and other minorities made a huge difference. As many African Americans voted in 2017 in Alabama as they did in 2008 and 2012 when Obama was on the ballot. In Virginia they also played a big role. Voter turnout of minorities is important—especially in states and districts where the minority population is high. Democrats had a strong get-out-the-vote effort in Alabama targeting black voters, and it worked.
- We could well be entering what might be the political era of the woman. More women vote than men, and they are, frankly, more open minded, tolerant and repulsed by male chauvinism and sexual harassment (which unfortunately is not limited to Republicans). Many believe the #me too movement is ushering in a sea change. A huge percentage of women voted for Jones over Moore, including white women living in suburban neighborhoods that historically voted Republican. This also will be a factor in selecting candidates in 2018 and 2020. The number of women expressing an interest in running for office is skyrocketing.
- The other key voting group are the Millennials, people born between (roughly) 1980 and 2000. They are now the largest voting cohort in U.S. elections and lean Democratic. Again voter turnout of this Demographic group will be extremely important in 2018.
- There has been much discussion over the revolt of the white working class in the 2016 presidential election. The results of the Virginia and Alabama elections suggest that the Democrats did not make any significant inroads with this voting block. In these two states, Trump’s hard core base seems to have stuck with the Republican candidate. What this shows is that the Democrats can win without this demographic group if the party nominates strong candidates not too far to the left, allowing Democrats to capture more of the huge suburban vote—especially moderate Republican woman voters and independents.
This does not mean that Democrats should write off the white working class vote . Democrats should have a message of reconciliation, job and wage growth and economic fairness and propose policies which benefit this group. The party does not have to and should not dumb down its message or pursue social policies which appeal more to them.
In summary, these two elections are reason for optimism for Democrats like me, but we have our work cut out for us. It is not clear how the tax act will fit into the picture, but I do not see how it can help the Republicans. The big takeaways from the two recent elections are strong, authentic candidates, not too far to the left, and voter turnout, voter turnout, and voter turnout.
Joe, the African American women got us through this one. Yes, white women in the large cities voted for Jones but once again the African American voters saved our asses!
Nice one, Joe.
I don’t know enough about Virginia politics to comment, but Alabama is a mere sixteen miles away. To me the recent election there shows on thing and one thing only. Some carrion is so foul that even the buzzards turn up their noses. As you note, it took a Roy Moore to give the Dems that win, by a whopping 49.9%-48.4% with another 1.7% write ins. Not exactly a landslide. Turnout was just north of 22%. From what I read going in to the election, white women that had voted for Trump were saying that as bad as Moore was, they still had to vote Republican, or, I suspect, stay home. To me this election and Roy Moore are outliers that mean nothing going forward.
As a human being Trump continues to be a complete embarrassment to me because you and I and he are all of the same species; and that’s just too close for my comfort. But is it possible that there is a method in his madness? His mercurial nature must present our adversaries with real problems in trying to determine how best to posture against him. If the current North Korean hereditary monarch is “Little Rocket Man,” then Trump to them might be Big Rocket Man. How does one handle a porcupine? Best leave it alone. Also, with the tax overhaul (note the absence of the word “reform.”) essentially a done deal, a lot of voters will see their take home pay go up next year leading into the mid term elections. So both parties can use the legislative process to buy votes.
Thus far I’ve been saying that Trump could not possibly be re-elected, but I could be wrong. I certainly was in 2016.
Defacto
Tangible decency. I like it, and we need more of it on both sides of the Atlantic!
Thanks Joe. We all need to harken to this message! Your counsel and your friendship is one of my life’s greatest blessings.
Mike