Over and Over, Democrats Have Been Outmaneuvered and Out-Strategized

By Robert Reich, Robert Reich's Facebook Page

15 July 18

nly 27 percent of Americans identify themselves as Republican. Most Americans – in particular, young people and people of color – hold basically liberal views. Two-thirds want to preserve a woman’s right to choose (Roe v. Wade); two-thirds want to preserve gay marriage; the vast majority are in favor of civil right and voting rights; most want a more inclusive society.

Yet Republicans -- who want none of these things -- are on the brink of controlling all three branches of the federal government. They already control two-thirds of state governments. How can this be? Because for the last 40 years, Democrats have paid little or no attention to the institutional bases of power in America. They let union membership whither. They allowed the working class to become less and less secure. They stood by in 2000 as the Supreme Court, under Chief Justice William Rehnquist, halted the Florida recount and allowed the election of a Republican President who lost the popular vote. They subsequently did nothing to reform the Electoral College. They permitted Senate Republicans to ride roughshod over Senate precedent, which would have allowed a vote on Obama’s Supreme Court nomination of Merrick Garland.

Again and again, over the last 4 decades, Democrats have been outmaneuvered and out-strategized. And now they – and we – are paying the price.

What do you think?