The Republican ground game was improved, but, not with women and minorities. That is not surprising, the GOP does not speak to the electorate in their needs and/or political focus. Basically, the GOP widened it's numbers in their traditional base. The GOP remains out of touch with the majority of Americans. The Democrats were defeated because of third party candidates and poor turnout of their base voters. For Democrats, it was a standard turnout in off year elections.
The Democrats need to learn to develop a message for white men.
November 5, 2014
By Maeve Reston
...The more troubling picture for Republicans (click here) as they look ahead to the presidential race in 2016 is this: Although they won in what some are calling a red tsunami, the long-standing rules about midterm elections held true. They won largely because the voters who turn out tend to be more white and more conservative than those who turn out in presidential years.
The race on Tuesday proves Democrats are having larger turnouts than 2010, but, still remain stranded in off year elections. The Democrats are still the party of choice for their usual supporters, but, they can't seem to solve the problem they have with white men. The Democrats can't just keep their fingers crossed that women and minorities will solve their turnout issue.
...By contrast, voters younger than 30 — who favor Democrats — handed in 13% of the ballots cast, compared with 12% in 2010. In 2012, they made up nearly 19% of the electorate.
Turnout was abysmally low across the board in states such as California and Texas.
The difference in the parties is based in 'specialist' messages and focus. The sad reality of Texas is the reality of 'voter specialty' messaging. They raise the fear level, ie: Perry's National Guard at the border, and drive white men to the polls albeit in small numbers. Texas is an extremist incubator. In studying Texas politics most voters are spectators because they don't relate and are predisposed to be disinterested.
Texas' social environment results in the highest teenage pregnancy rate while it closes abortion clinics. Texas is a very hostile environment for many potential voters. The politics is so one sided those most needed to vote to turn Texas blue hasn't seen hope for change for at least two decades. Those within the political circle of Texas has limited in demographics.
The Democratic Party lead by Wendy Davis has to continue empowerment of their base and a better ground game. The Democrats have to develop the message of hope. If the turnout to elections don't change in Texas those most oppressed will remain oppressed and disenfranchised. Town hall meetings in open air forums inviting all citizens to address their needs should become a vehicle of success in Texas. People don't believe their government cares.
The Democrats should be frustrated by the large number of disenfranchised populations. Women and their partners/spouses became involved when the abortion issue came to the floor and a champion for their case sincerely wanted them to find empowerment in the Democratic Party. That has to grow.
There has to be some improvement in the state wide quality of life. Referendum issues can drive interest in voters currently disinterested. Seeking to change numbers of voters in political races to favor the disenfranchised is not working. The legislative process is too lengthy to provide incentives to increase the Democrats electorate. However, referendums to bring those voters to the polls will be more IMMEDIATELY empowering. Referendums are actually the place for issues of social injustice to prove how powerful an electorate can be. People have to see 'the worth' of their efforts in voting. If rewards are not evident an increase in voters won't occur. Basically, the majority of women and minorities in Texas haven't seen favorable change for a long time if ever.
Texas, historically a low turnout state, stayed true to form Tuesday as Democratic efforts to hasten the state's shift from red to blue came up well short. Even with celebrity Democrat Wendy Davis topping the ticket and close to $40 million in her campaign bank account, fewer than 30% of eligible Texans cast ballots in the marquee race.
I find it a strange set of circumstances in the highly divided demographics of the two parties. Democrats estrange white men to the point where they feel threatened to their status and Republicans estrange women and minorities. Democrats have to bring 'the entire family' of voters to their elections.
One of the greatest strengths for Democrats was identified in the global economic recession beginning in 2007 and peaked in 2008. Men were out of work in large numbers across the country nearly overnight. The fact women were still employed after the economic collapse should be a victory for the Democrats and one most men can relate to. 2008 is a example of the failed economic strategy of Republicans. Men should be identifying with their spouses and partners in relationship to economic strength.
When an economy can't keep all the electorate working in good paying jobs than the people in power are not their friends. Local economies sustain regardless of a larger economic collapse. Small businesses carried the USA in 2008 and was the place where economic growth first began and grew past their previous numbers before any Wall Street company. The return of economic stability of local small businesses can't be ignored and deterioration of their success cannot occur. Local economies, small businesses and a sustainable base economy is vital to any state and local political candidates. The Democrats have to bring the American Dream to a greater number of Middle Class, Lower Middle Class and Poor regardless of the state, but, especially in Texas. Empower White Men and don't estrange them.
If the USA is a melting pot the idea Caucasian men are a part of that melting pot hasn't occurred yet. The country is still living in segregation as defined by gender and race. Why?
The majority of households (60%) in the USA are single women with and without children. There is something profoundly wrong in that segregation that even defines the commitment to the traditional family. White men have a problem only they don't see it. In that blind spot Democrats should have a message that succeeds.
The Democrats need to learn to develop a message for white men.
November 5, 2014
By Maeve Reston
...The more troubling picture for Republicans (click here) as they look ahead to the presidential race in 2016 is this: Although they won in what some are calling a red tsunami, the long-standing rules about midterm elections held true. They won largely because the voters who turn out tend to be more white and more conservative than those who turn out in presidential years.
A Wednesday analysis of exit poll data by the Pew Research Center found that men and older Americans were central to the GOP gains, and that there was little evidence that the party made progress closing its deficits among women or young voters.
Exit polls showed that men cast their ballots for Republicans by a 16-percentage-point margin and women favored Democrats by a 4-percentage-point margin, similar to margins in the 2010 midterm election. Republicans also held a 16-percentage-point lead over their Democratic opponents among voters who were 65 and older, who made up 22% of the 2014 electorate compared with just 16% in 2012....
The race on Tuesday proves Democrats are having larger turnouts than 2010, but, still remain stranded in off year elections. The Democrats are still the party of choice for their usual supporters, but, they can't seem to solve the problem they have with white men. The Democrats can't just keep their fingers crossed that women and minorities will solve their turnout issue.
...By contrast, voters younger than 30 — who favor Democrats — handed in 13% of the ballots cast, compared with 12% in 2010. In 2012, they made up nearly 19% of the electorate.
Turnout was abysmally low across the board in states such as California and Texas.
Texas' social environment results in the highest teenage pregnancy rate while it closes abortion clinics. Texas is a very hostile environment for many potential voters. The politics is so one sided those most needed to vote to turn Texas blue hasn't seen hope for change for at least two decades. Those within the political circle of Texas has limited in demographics.
The Democratic Party lead by Wendy Davis has to continue empowerment of their base and a better ground game. The Democrats have to develop the message of hope. If the turnout to elections don't change in Texas those most oppressed will remain oppressed and disenfranchised. Town hall meetings in open air forums inviting all citizens to address their needs should become a vehicle of success in Texas. People don't believe their government cares.
The Democrats should be frustrated by the large number of disenfranchised populations. Women and their partners/spouses became involved when the abortion issue came to the floor and a champion for their case sincerely wanted them to find empowerment in the Democratic Party. That has to grow.
There has to be some improvement in the state wide quality of life. Referendum issues can drive interest in voters currently disinterested. Seeking to change numbers of voters in political races to favor the disenfranchised is not working. The legislative process is too lengthy to provide incentives to increase the Democrats electorate. However, referendums to bring those voters to the polls will be more IMMEDIATELY empowering. Referendums are actually the place for issues of social injustice to prove how powerful an electorate can be. People have to see 'the worth' of their efforts in voting. If rewards are not evident an increase in voters won't occur. Basically, the majority of women and minorities in Texas haven't seen favorable change for a long time if ever.
Texas, historically a low turnout state, stayed true to form Tuesday as Democratic efforts to hasten the state's shift from red to blue came up well short. Even with celebrity Democrat Wendy Davis topping the ticket and close to $40 million in her campaign bank account, fewer than 30% of eligible Texans cast ballots in the marquee race.
One of the greatest strengths for Democrats was identified in the global economic recession beginning in 2007 and peaked in 2008. Men were out of work in large numbers across the country nearly overnight. The fact women were still employed after the economic collapse should be a victory for the Democrats and one most men can relate to. 2008 is a example of the failed economic strategy of Republicans. Men should be identifying with their spouses and partners in relationship to economic strength.
When an economy can't keep all the electorate working in good paying jobs than the people in power are not their friends. Local economies sustain regardless of a larger economic collapse. Small businesses carried the USA in 2008 and was the place where economic growth first began and grew past their previous numbers before any Wall Street company. The return of economic stability of local small businesses can't be ignored and deterioration of their success cannot occur. Local economies, small businesses and a sustainable base economy is vital to any state and local political candidates. The Democrats have to bring the American Dream to a greater number of Middle Class, Lower Middle Class and Poor regardless of the state, but, especially in Texas. Empower White Men and don't estrange them.
If the USA is a melting pot the idea Caucasian men are a part of that melting pot hasn't occurred yet. The country is still living in segregation as defined by gender and race. Why?
The majority of households (60%) in the USA are single women with and without children. There is something profoundly wrong in that segregation that even defines the commitment to the traditional family. White men have a problem only they don't see it. In that blind spot Democrats should have a message that succeeds.
