How do we win congress?

[RobertEarl]

There has been a lot of talk about how we regain control of congress, That is a great concern... This is my avenue of thinking,

Bernie gets elected to office is the first step. Without that, forget it.

We have a good chance of taking the senate back this year so that will certainly help Bernie.

After Bernie is situated for a year and he gets change rolling, the People recognize that he is worth fighting with. So give him a year.

At that time, in 2018, we begin recruiting candidates that are Bernie type people. They run, we get out the vote, and in 2019 a new congress is seated and we begin making real progress.

If none of this happens.... forget about it. As it stands the 1% is going to lower the curtains; the fake scenery will be gone and we'll all be staring at the brick wall.

Getting Bernie elected is just the first step. We're on it, Join us?

[Skwmom]

1. If you don't take that first step, you will never begin your journey. It's also the quality of the

people he will attract to un-elected positions that will do a lot of good.

[valerief]

2. If enough people come out to vote, they'll vote for Dem Congress members, too. nt

[RobertEarl]

5. This year is tough ... 2018 is the next big target date

Most races for 2016 are already set

Money is still a huge problem. Next year, after we see how our mass small contributions worked, and we can identify say 300 house races, we can spread our $27 each to those candidates.

The reality is this is a many step progress. One, two years at a time.

Right now there are many who are not sure about where this is headed. By this time next year almost all the country will be quite aware of the revolution. And join.

[valerief]

17. So it's up to the next president to use his bully pulpit to tell voters

come out in droves for 2018.

[HereSince1628]

25. It depends on the movement growing from one guy's campaign into the major Dem caucus

I would expect that as president Sanders would be a major cultivator for that growth.

But the movement has to grow, it can't rest until the next presidential primary cycle.

There are -many- people who have political aspirations. Some will certainly choose to run as progressive/social democrats if Sanders gets elected because that would stand as evidence that's where the strength in the democratic base is at.

[SheenaR]

19. This^

I've said it a thousand times. If Bernie got the nomination, that means that the people did come out. And they WOULD come out in November. And they will vote down ballot for the Democrat because that is the side that Bernie is on. It's fairly simple math. But we are supposed to be scared because the Republicans won't be nice

[Lorien]

3. This:

https://newrepublic.com/article/129047/bernies-army-running-congress

[earthshine]

4. I can tell you how we lost Congress

In my opinion, the 2010 midterm elections were a disaster because after us rallying behind Obama in 2008, he proved to be a big disappointment.

The man ran as a progressive and governed as a corporatist. Every chance he got, he tried to compromise with Republicans about something. He seemed naïve and foolish, but it was really us who were fooled.

He blew the tremendous political capital we bestowed upon him. (Note that he didn't have enough capital leftover to spend on passing his darling TPP.)

I totally agree that electing Bernie is a necessary (but not sufficient) condition for taking back the three branches of our government. We will need to continue the fight well after he is elected. How nice it will be to have such a worthy and decent leader.

There is another branch, now often referred to as the "deep state." It is the primary source of our nationalized wars and individualized invasions of our privacy. The NSA is but the tip of this world-destroying iceberg.

[bettyellen]

12. So you took your ball and went home in 2010 but you all won't again?

This is counter to what I have observed in human nature. I know lots of great people who have stayed involved as progressive activists for 20- 25 years, and they won't stop. Right now some would be vilified ad "establishment" by people who could not be chuffed to care for 2 years straight.

[earthshine]

13. Oh, spare me.

I voted in 2010, but I understand why others stayed home.

[Armstead]

20. It's not about the activists

It's about whether the (majority) who aren't political junkies see any stakes in elections. IF in "off years" the Democrats aren't offering a distinct reason to vote, they won't. -- i.e. a clear agenda and alternative to the GFOP --

[bettyellen]

26. I get it. But I'm going to be honest and say I don't see a lot of people who understand what a long

commitment it is to bring about this change. Does the future matter to them enough to do this work even if Trump gets elected? It would be even more important. It is just as important if Hillary wins. A better congress would mitigate any damage, right? Does Bernie need to be there or else everyone gives up?

[earthshine]

48. I really don't understand you. Good night. nt

[BlueStateLib]

46. 6 million voted a split ticket in 2012

Obama 65,915,796
Dem Congress 59,645,531

I don't think those votes came from the left

[RobertEarl]

6. The problem in some detail

In this post on another thread, is a small explanation of getting from here to there:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1220011
___________________________________________
Speaking to Amy Goodman:

"REP. GREGORY MEEKS: I just wanted to say one thing, and I think that we agree on this, because the problem with the money that got in the system is not because of the members. If you look at Citizens United, who put all of the money in the game. And everybody, in the Congressional Black Caucus or the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, would love to get the money out of the game. That’s why this election is important. Three Supreme Court justices are on the line. And how you get the money out of the game is ending Citizens United. "

______________________________________________

Meeks is caught up in the game. Not his fault, Nothing he can but play by the rules. His solution is over turn Citizens United via the Scotus. A plan that plays by the established rules.

What we are doing is introducing a new way of campaign financing the way Bernie is being financed, To Meeks, et al, this is a new way of raising campaign money, and I'm sure they are all quite astounded, but they have to see results before they buy-in. That's the best thing about the Bernie campaign: New rules being written.

Two years from now, with Bernie in the WH, and our small mass contributions flowing in, some congress folks can push the big money out of the game.

[RobertEarl]

7. Push anything hard enough, it will fall over

The reality is that we are on a playing field of incrementalism.

The reality is that It will be a year before Bernie is in office. That's a sure sign of incremental.

However, with Bernie in office, something will have fallen, and in due course, with our continued pushing, congress will fall.

This is a long term process. Rome was not built in a day, or even a year.

[fwiff]

8. One way is to keep some of the volunteers and campaign structure

We lost 2010 because the grassroots foundation was immediately dismantled

As soon as Obama and Rahm got in there, they dismantled Obama for America, (he asked us to keep his feet to the fire, remember?) and Dean, then an actual Democrat, who had put together the excellent 50 state strategy, put in his resignation as DNC chair.

We need that 50 state strategy again.

[jfern]

9. Step 1. Don't have "We suck less' DWS in charge of the DNC

The fact that she hasn't been fired shows that the Democratic establishment is epic fail and needs to be thrown out. I wanted her fired long before she rigged the primary against Bernie.

[RobertEarl]

10. Bernie will take care of that problem

But he has to win first.

[bettyellen]

11. Thanks RE, is late now- will read in the AM.

[terrencebone]

14. The campaign must not stop on election day

One thing I don't see very clearly spelled out or discussed in the media is exactly what Bernie means by a "political revolution." I saw one Washington Post article that asked, "What is this political revolution Sanders is talking about?" and answered this was a name he had given to his policy proposals (sort of like "New Deal" or "Great Society&quot . Then I read Bernie's "Outsider in the White House" about the long process of turning Vermont from one of the most Republican states in the union to one that routinely re-elects a socialist by lopsided majorities, and got a better idea.

I think Bernie means that we start with a campaign that draws in many discouraged voters who feel that the system doesn't listen to them or is too corrupt for their vote to matter, and turn this into an ongoing mass movement leading to a qualitatively higher level of citizen involvement and activism. We've seen how much enthusiasm and involvement Bernie has already generated, how his campaign can generate contributions from record breaking numbers of donors overnight. It needs to institutionalize itself and be able to generate record breaking numbers of letters and phone calls, attendees at congressional town halls, state and local political clubs.

The problem is that we are too focused on short term thinking in this country. Our corporate executives don't look beyond the next quarterly report, and those of us who would like to take political power away from them are too easily discouraged by defeats or too cheaply satisfied by early victories. So the enthusiasts go home while the capitalists and their lobbyists, ALEC and ACCE, go about subverting the political process as part of their daily bread. And we wind up with State Legislatures that create districts so Democrats must win 55% of the popular vote to control the House of Representatives. And thus we have the paradox of a government with the form of a democracy, but in which the political process supports the interests of the 1% over the 99%.

[RobertEarl]

16. Yep

You got it dead on about where Bernie is coming from.

The second part about the realities of participation is problematic. How do you get people to stay involved"

Speaking for myself, an activist for many years, I can honestly say it was because I could afford the time and had passion.

I have seen many others come and go. Saw it with Obama and OWS, and other fields.

One problem is that one must have a vision of the outcome. And an expectation of results. Winning an election fulfills both of those, so elections are 'easy'.

It is the long term investments that are most difficult, an investment such as this revolution is long term. What we're gonna need to do is set steps to be climbed and then provide for people a clear realization that each step made is a result of their action. I think Bernie knows how to do that and he can keep people feeling good about participating. I feel good already.

[bettyellen]

27. "What we're gonna need to do is set steps to be climbed and then provide for people a clear...

realization that each step made is a result of their action. I think Bernie knows how to do that and he can keep people feeling good about participating. I feel good already. "

That's pretty much what I am wondering about now. I'm not as optimistic as you (my human nature is cynical) so I am really needing an outline of steps. Right now I am curious as to what we think can happen with the use of executive orders. And where money can be freed up for some programs- the military maybe?

[RobertEarl]

29. Good to wonder

So many others have just shut down their minds to the possibilities.

The Revolution, should the people be so wise to embrace it, will give answers to all our questions.

[bettyellen]

31. Thank you for giving me the benefit of the doubt. I have a mixed bag of friends and we are talking-

and as much as I love and respect the Bernie supporters, this is where the conversation stalls. Instead I get a repetition of his stump speech, and it feels like time we need to go beyond that.

And here on DU- well you know how it goes here. I am pledging to work very hard for Bernie of Hillary in the fall, so the bullshit accusations are not wise, nor welcome. I appreciate all your fair replies- and food for thought.

[joshcryer]

15. Run more John Bel Edwards in states that want them.

Easy formula. Dean proved that much to the distaste of Rahm Emanuel.

Bring Dean back or at least have him in an advisory role. It works.

[Punkingal]

18. Bernie's coattails will help win Congress.

[libtodeath]

21. We elect Bernie and then join him in the fight

Let the repukes shoot down all the good that can be done for the people.
They declared that they were going to make President Obama a one term president so I say we vow to make them all one last term congress people.

[RobertEarl]

30. People don't like congress

When Bernie is in office we shall see even more reason for that as the republicans crank up their stupidity. Have no doubt, Bernie will drive them even crazier.

[libtodeath]

33. I think the mistake President Obama made was in not realizing the rw hatred of all that is good

so he did not push as hard as he could have.
His graciousness was met with a slap in his face and it allowed them to lie without response for months.
Bernie will not do that,he will look them in the eye and show them for the enemies of the people they are.

[basselope]

23. Obama lost congress with a single move.

In 2010 he had the option to fight for the Public Option in the ACA. It COULD have passed via reconciliation over the screams and cries of the GOP. Bernie Sanders was leading the charge to do it. BUT, the White House took the public option off the table and so began disappointment after disappointment. This led to the 2010 loss of the house. We held onto the Senate only b/c they put up SUCH crazy candidates we couldn't lose.

2012 was really telling 13 million less people showed up the to the polls... 10 million of those who didn't show up were Obama voters. 10 million less people voting in congressional elections. Democrats STILL won the raw congressional vote count by close to 1 million.. but lost congress b/c of gerrymandering. What happens if those other 7 million votes come in (I am putting all 13 million back into the mix, which gives the democrats a +7) Even WITH the gerrymandered districts, the democrats win back the house.

You want to get ANYTHING done, it starts with turnout.

There is only one candidate capable of delivering that turnout and it ain't Hillary Clinton.

[MineralMan]

24. We do it by showing up in force for every election.

Even mid-term elections. But we don't, so we have a Republican Congress. We can fix that, if we want to.

[bettyellen]

32. I am wondering why there seems to be little drive to fix that with or without Bernie.

Whoever makes it in the WH, it remains the only path to win long term.

[MineralMan]

34. I don't understand it, either.

Perhaps people don't understand that our government is driven by legislative action, both at the state and federal level. It is far more important to have majority control in legislatures than to have the executive without the legislatures.

We don't bother to turn out in mid-term elections, but flock to the polls during presidential election years. Just the reverse should be true. Until we're ready to do that, we will never have a progressive government.

It is puzzling beyond understanding to me.

[bettyellen]

36. Talking about the long term commitment is not sexy, but I have met a few people who think

they can press a lever and go to college free next year. I don't want to dampen their enthusiasm, but....

[MineralMan]

37. They will be disappointed if they expect that.

Bernie can't do that. Not without Congress. Nobody can.

We're collectively stupid, it seems.

[Ron Green]

38. So can the collective stupidity (I agree with this) be turned around if we elect

more of the same? I suggest we need a TRANSFORMATIVE President as Step 1, of many steps, if we are to build a smarter electorate and a better political economy.

[MineralMan]

39. Frankly, I doubt we can turn that around in any case.

Our history says we can't. I have little confidence that we can behave any differently.

More's the pity.

[Ron Green]

40. Have we ever had a President who uses the word "oligarchy?"

It's worth a try, I think, to have some serious, unvarnished truth from the White House.

And if it doesn't work, if Americans are really too far gone to regain self-governance, we can go back to regular bought politicians.

[bettyellen]

43. Maybe the electorate will find out just how powerless a POTUS can be- but if they did not realize

it after the last six years of congress... I don't know. But Bernie seems to have a good way of breaking git down for people.
I don;t know.

[Recursion]

28. Except mid-term elections are always a backlash against the party in the White House

I can't think of a time that hasn't been true. Even Democrats, who famously don't show up for mid-terms, tend to rebuke GOP Presidents during mid-terms.

[MineralMan]

35. We behave foolishly, then.

I know it's true, but it simply makes no sense whatsoever.

We could have made far more progress had we focused on legislative majorities than on the presidency.

Oh, well. I'm old and tired and stupid, I guess.

[RobertEarl]

42. I will not argue your point, since it may be true, I guess

What I will say is that you should be cognizant that what you are belaboring is exactly why Bernie says we need a revolution.

[Recursion]

44. Americans? Foolish? I must be misreading you

That's nearly unimaginable!

[moondust]

41. Invent a time machine.

Then go back to 2010 and 2014 and mount the intensive GOTV campaigns that Tim Kaine and DWS didn't. At least I don't remember them. That would prevent some of the gerrymandering and voter suppression that have hopelessly rigged the system in favor of Republicans and voila!

[kstewart33]

45. You're whistling Dixie.

It will be Obama redux. Sky high optimism in January 2009, but after the Republicans attacked him relentlessly, and a tough battle to get Obamacare passed with Dem control in both houses, we lost the Senate and many Dem seats in the House in 2010.

Two years, lost momentum. The optimism was gone within 2 years. The Repubs hit him again and again and again, and it paid off. And again, that's with a Dem-majority in the House and Senate.

Bernie will face a completely Repub-controlled Congress. What progress will he make with his ambitious agenda? Nothing. They will attack him as they did Obama.

After two years in this environment, why and how will this Revolution happen? Voters have very short memories. They will remember that Bernie, promising the moon, has done nothing. Frustration will mount. It's human nature.

Give me one example in our entire American history where a revolution occurred in a re-election campaign year that upended both houses in Congress and power transferred to the other party.

There is not one example. There are actually lessons to be learned from history.

[H2O Man]

47. Good question.

I think we make good use of the Sanders campaign's model. Telling the truth seems to work. Also, combining the strengths of the Democratic Party and Democratic Left gives us majorities in many, if not most, places.