There is no shortage of crises for Democrats to tackle, from a planet on fire to vast inequality. The most dire threat facing Democrats, however, is the threat to American democracy itself.
And that, ironically, means Democrats need to focus on fixing the Republican Party.
The reason is simple: at some point, the Republicans will be in charge. They have already taken over the House of Representatives and, before long, they could control the Senate or the White House (or both). The swing of the pendulum of American politics is inevitable. I don’t know if there will be a Republican inauguration in 2024, 2028, or 2032. I don’t know if it will be because the Democrats are overstepping the mark or if Democratic voters, like in 2016, run out of enthusiasm.
Democratic leaders should strive to reach popular compromises with moderate Republicans. We must make it clear that moderate Republicans are the ones who can achieve real results for voters.
But it will happen. And the current iteration of the Republican Party would do away with American democracy. He has proven incapable of ruling and has betrayed a dangerous admiration for authoritarianism.
That is why Democrats must do everything we can to ensure that a more moderate and saner version of the Republican Party is in place when it is the GOP’s turn to govern.
First, we need to stop glorifying extremists in the Republican primary by promoting them in ads. Yes, it paid off electorally in 2022: the Democrats won a number of seats they might otherwise have lost; it was easier for Democratic candidates to beat conspiracy-promoting MAGA extremists than competent moderates. However, the price was losing the type of leaders who could balance the “ploverhead caucus.” We finished the career of the former Michigan representative. Peter Meijer, who voted to impeach Donald Trump; reduced the prospects of congressional candidate George Hansel, a 36-year-old moderate mayor who served on the board of New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility; and provided a national platform for dangerous candidates like Doug Mastriano, Donald Bolduc and Dan Cox.
Second, we need to stop obsessing over every absurd, offensive, or just plain stupid thing that people like Representatives Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, or Lauren Boebert say and do. The democratic approach is what gives these extremists their strength. They may be loved by the Republican base precisely because they are hated by the Democrat. They can get media coverage so easily because they goad the Democrats. The higher their profile, the more they can set the republican agenda.
We better take a page from The Simpsons and «just don’t look, just don’t look.”
Third, we need to control our itchy Twitter fingers. Yes, it can be tempting to leave a «sick burn» on someone on the other end. But it’s worth taking a moment to understand who you are «burning». Is it someone who deserves it? Is he someone who is likely to hold the GOP more or less accountable? And is it someone the attack will harm politically, or is it someone who, thanks to Twitter? biased engagement algorithmsWill you only get more attention for your insult?
If you get the wrong answer (meaning one that could promote far-right politicians and talking points) to any of those questions, hang up the phone.
Finally, Democratic leaders must strive to reach popular compromises with moderate Republicans. We must make it clear that moderate Republicans are the ones who can get real results for voters; after all, bipartisanship it is overwhelmingly popular. Empowering moderate Republicans to “bring the bacon home,” like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and the CHIPS Act, allows them to show that their approach is more effective for voters and gets them on TV for the right reasons.
American democracy has yet to have its most important test. We rejected Trump in 2020 and we rejected election deniers in 2022, but those were mere pop quizzes.
To be clear, the Republicans have the ultimate responsibility for becoming a ruling party. Like William F. Buckley once drove the John Birch Society and the outspoken racists of the party, people who care about politics and understand the issues must fight against the rudder of the proudly ignorant, the undemocratic and the walking specimens of the Dunning Kruger effect.
Ultimately, Republicans will decide whether the future of their party is someone like Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher or Greene. While Gallagher has been criticized for voting not to impeach Trump following the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, he has said that the former president is responsible for the violence of his supporters that day, and voted in favor certify the 2020 elections. Critically, he is committed to governance, not show business; he is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus whom even Democrats respect for his knowledge of Chinese politics and the Chinese Communist Party extensive human rights abuses. He can lead a sane Republican Party. Greene, on the other hand, is a rabid election denier who recently «joked» about January 6th and physically threatened Democratic members of the House.
The Democrats cannot force the Republicans to follow Gallagher instead of Greene. But at least we can help strengthen the Mike Gallaghers of the world.
American democracy has yet to have its most important test. We rejected Trump in 2020 and we rejected election deniers in 2022, but those were mere pop quizzes. The real test will come when a Republican Party, of which 30% believe political violence is necessary to “save” America, according to a 2021 Public Religion Research Institute survey, returns to power. Will that Republican Party abide by American law and American democracy?
Democracy will only survive if Democrats have done our part to create a responsible Republican Party. Or, at least, if we’ve saved a sarcastic Twitter comment or two to ourselves.
