Hi all,
Here's an optimistic look at last week's election. I'd say it's
well-reasoned. One point he didn't mention. Now the Democrats will be free
of the Clinton baggage.
Bob Hachey
Trump's Pyrrhic Victory Provides a BIG Silver Lining for Democrats
small/american_liberty
By Scandalous One
2016/11/09. 12:48
President Barack Obama, second from left, and Democratic presidential
candidate Hillary Clinton, left, appear on stage at a rally at Independence
Mall
in Philadelphia, Monday, Nov. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
I posted this over on my Facebook page and I'd like to share it here:
After mourning Trump's victory, I took the opportunity to think things
through and I suddenly saw a big silver lining for Democrats. Politics is
like a
game of chess. Trump's victory last night may have put the Democrats in a
stronger position going forward than if Hillary had won. Here's why I'm
saying
this:
If Hillary had become president on the heels of Obama's two terms, the
Democrats would be in a very vulnerable position in the next two major
elections:
the 2018 midterms and the 2020 general election. Democrats would likely
suffer heavy losses in the 2018 midterms due to historical precedent (the
party
that wins the White House usually does poorly in the following midterm
elections) and sheer voter fatigue. However, with Donald Trump in the White
House
the tables are turned and Republicans are the ones who will be in a
defensive position in 2018 as they now control both the White House and
Congress and
will have to give full account of their agenda and results to voters. In
this scenario, Democrats are likely to make significant gains in the 2018
midterm
elections.
Then building on that, Republicans will again be on the defensive in the
2020 general election with Trump in the White House. The core of Republican
policy
is set up to hurt the working and middle classes and benefit the rich and
powerful. Ironically, these are the same working class people who voted for
Trump.
They will inevitably feel disappointed over the next four years as they
realize that Trump can't magically solve their problems.
Going into 2020 Republicans will face die-hard opposition from Democrats, a
likely disillusioned white working class GOP base (the manufacturing jobs
are
never coming back) and an even more diverse electorate than today. All
these factors will put them in a very weak position in that election. If
Hillary
had won this year, Democrats would be the ones on the defensive.
2020 is just the year that Democrats need to win. The next US census takes
place that year and that is also when the next congressional districts will
be redrawn. Democrats can use their electoral gains in 2020 to Gerrymander
Republicans out of the House of Representatives and regain full control of
Congress,
and lock in their majority for a decade or more.
Also a Democratic President elected in 2020 is more likely to serve two
terms, than if Hillary had won this year (one of my biggest concerns with
Hillary
winning this year is that she would not be re-elected in 2020 due to voter
fatigue; it's unlikely Americans would allow one party to control the White
House for 4 terms).
With a Democratic President elected in 2020 serving two potential terms (and
a Democratic Congress behind him/her), Democrats would have wide sway to
reshape
the Supreme Court, and neutralize most of the destruction that would come
with Trump's one term in office. All this would be less likely if Democrats
had retained the White House in this election.
Sometimes the biggest disappointments in life can turn out to be the biggest
opportunity.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/11/9/1594649/-Trump-s-Pyrrhic-Victory-Pro
vides-a-BIG-Silver-Lining-for-Democrats?detail=email&link_id=1&can_id=10ed81
3cef2ed7890dbad8b9d85ab656&source=email-trumps-pyrrhic-victory-provides-a-bi
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ides-a-big-silver-lining-for-democrats
