So for the last month, I have been for knocking for a group contracted to the MN House Democratic Caucus. We knocked mostly swing voters and occasional voters for about a dozen targeted House races. We won all but 2. Here’s some of my thoughts on the state of the electorate:
-> The ACA has a long way to go. Even in a state where things have gone relatively smoothly, this law is far from a clean win. The Democrats need to find the people who are having to deal with disruptions or pay more and listen to their stories.
-> Keep running on the economy and start talking about wages. Many people are ready to listen to a frank discussion of the cost of living. The President has built some language and Senator Warren has built a lot. People need to hear it more, though, because it makes sense to them when they do.
-> There is a dangerous level of cynicism and disenchantment in the electorate. Everything Booman says about the news media is true, but I also fault the President some here. He has turned out to be not much different than other politicians, and no one said as much to me, but I think there has been a real disappointment on the part of some bourgeois white folk about this.
-> National legislation on Marijuana Reform would be a winner. Way more people are ready for it than you think.
-> The biggest challenge we face is overcoming our own party and the media wall on Civil Liberties. Right now people don’t trust politicians at all, and most hardly even know the right issues. The conflicting voices from within the Democratic Party and the unwillingness of the media to present a real critique of our current situation is a Gordian Knot that must be attacked and attacked until a sea change happens. Right now, nobody knows what the Democrats stand for on this issue, and it’s a shame, but I think that includes many office-holders. If we’re going to regain the trust of the electorate, this is going to have to be a big part of it.
Anyway, hope you find that helpful. Cheers.
