Mediaboss Marketing

Ignore at your own peril

Houston, we have a problem.

According to voter registration data analyzed by the Associated Press, more than 1 million voters across 43 states, many of them suburban swing voters, have switched their registration to Republican in the past 12 months.

The previously unreported number reflects a phenomenon that is playing out in virtually every region of the country Democratic and Republican states along with cities and small towns in the period since President Joe Biden replaced former President Donald Trump.

But nowhere is the shift more pronounced and dangerous for Democrats than in the suburbs, where well-educated swing voters who turned against Trumps Republican Party in recent years appear to be swinging back.

The AP examined a sample of 1.7 million voters who switched party affiliation in the run up to the 2020 election, and saw that nearly 2/3rds have changed their party affiliation to GOP just 12 months later, vs 630,000 who switched to Democrat during that same period. Seeing that many more voters switching registration to Republican is a red flag that must not be ignored.

While we dont yet know what impact, if any, the Supreme Courts recent rulings may have on this trend, Democrats have to address this.

Roughly four months before Election Day, Democrats have no clear strategy to address Bidens weak popularity and voters overwhelming fear that the country is headed in the wrong direction with their party in charge. And while Republicans have offered few policy solutions of their own, the GOP has been working effectively to capitalize on the Democrats shortcomings. [emphasis mine]

The biggest shortcoming I see is Democrats leadership is gutless. They simply dont know how to fight an opponent who dwells in the gutter and is more than willing to shatter every norm and sacrifice all in the name of retaining power. I appreciate Senate leadership feels hamstrung by Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, and no Republican senator will vote for anything that benefits Democrats. Under Mitch McConnells leadership, theyre all about obstruction and getting nothing done.

But that shouldnt stop Democrats from showing the American public what Democrats stand for, and as importantly, WHAT DEMOCRATS ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR!!! Bring every piece of legislation that is popular with the electorate from gun control and codifying a right to safe, legal abortion, to immigration reform and voting rights, to the Senate floor for a vote. MAKE EACH SENATOR DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN ALIKE, GO ON RECORD WHERE THEY STAND. Even if the votes fall short of cloture, at least we can than use these votes for messaging, to show people Democrats are fighting for the things that matter to them most. Or better yet, at this point, nuke the filibuster. Even if Manchin and Sinema torpedo that effort, the public will see Dems trying to do something. Right now, were not seeing a lot. Just look at the less-than-pathetic response by Democrats to the Supreme Courts overturning Roe. Given a two month heads up to prepare, and the best you can do are some tepid statements of condemnation and a sing-along on the steps of the Capitol?

Democratic leadership apparently doesnt see it, but the literal fight for America has begun. If these voter registration trends are an indication, we/Democrats/Progressives are losing that fight. Time is running out. We and the officials weve elected have to up our collective game now and start aggressively fighting with legislation and votes that give people a reason to believe our policies will improve their lives and that Democrats have the stones and fight to make it happen.

(just listen to the first 1:30. If this doesnt get your blood boiling and ready for battle, nothing will!)

Go here to read the rest:
HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM: More than 1 million voters switch to GOP - Daily Kos