Arizona Democrats Falling Behind

Recent days have seen reports showing Democrats are being washed away as if the monsoons have created a downhill stream landsliding everything Democrat.

I realize the Democratic party is not overrun with rich corporation heads, or wealthy hedge fund managers soaking up profits from tax collection loopholes given as gifts from the GOP state and national legislative and congressional leaders.  Maybe I should not say gifts, but put it in clearer and what could be better described as "payback" for their financial contributions to GOP election victories.

Report #1
Republicans out raised Democrats more than two to one.  Latest financial reports show the Republican coffers grew at an outstanding rate as Democrat lagged badly behind.

Republicans raised $942,000 to Democrats $406,000 during the last reporting period.  It is said, "Money is the Mother's Milk of politics". While over the years Democrats and Democratic causes have trailed the GOP money raising machines they have made up for it in people power.

Report #2
Republicans have increased their voter registration advantage by several thousand. Voter registration in Arizona shows 34% prefer the Republican label over the Democrats 28%.

But wait, 36% turned down both political parties and registered to vote Independent or "other".   Since Independent is not a political party with a party platform or statement of values, why did a majority of voters register Independent?

Report #3
Democrats elected not ONE statewide Democrat to office in 2014. Arizona's election results could only be described as dismal also losing one Congressional seat in one of the worse elections ever for the party.

<It was NOT the candidates!  The Democratic slate of candidates were well qualified and in many cases far superior choices to their Republican opponents.>

Report #4
In February the Democratic National Committee released a report saying the Democrats lacked a "cohesive narrative" in the just then completed 2014 election.

What does that mean?  Did the Republicans offer a better more sound program of governing?  Was it more voters agreed with them on core values and Democrats were out of step with the majority opinion of voters?  That was certainly not the case according to every public opinion poll or sampling of voters as they left the polling stations in 2014.

By a wide margin the majority of Americans agree with the positions and values of the Democratic party across the board.  It is presently and definitely over the past several years the problem of messaging.  It is not the Democrats core values and beliefs but the inability of delivering the narrative to the voters.

Governor Howard Dean as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee for the 2008 election had it right on the mark with his "50-state strategy".   Since then the coalition of Democrats nationwide has fallen apart with almost everyone running in circles not able to put winning tactics together.

To quote a person of noted participation in the political process, author and syndicated columnist, Arianna Huffington, "Ever wonder how the radical right has been able to convince the average Americans to repeatedly vote against their own interests?  It's the framing, stupid!"

She was following up on a book by California Professor George Lakoff, "don't think of an elephant!"  Lakoff states, "Know your values and frame the debate."   Democrats have failed miserably in conveying their message.

I do not believe the Democrats are less passionate in their principals, but haven't mastered the way to promote and connect their candidates and their goals and aspirations in a meaningful way.  Nationally and in Arizona Democrats have lost their way to deliver their message to voters in a concise way.  No vision and convincing talk with voters has taken place.

DEMOCRATS Beware of 2020  The election before nationwide Congressional and Legislative REDISTRICTING.  How goes the drawing of political lines so goes the battles over future legislation.  Spending Priorities are on the block!

Watching the financial powers behind the Republican takeovers of so many statehouses, legislative and congressional seats in 2010 should have been a lesson.  It was well planned.

Liberals and Progressives better brush up on tactics to sway voters to the Democratic party again.  Attacks on Voting Rights with attempts to discourage and hamper voting must be beaten back.  Don't let anyone let the air out of the footballs.  We aren't looking for unfair advantages just a level playing field.

Democrats need to look at voters who register Independent.  If those voters wanted to join the ranks of the GOP they could have easily done it. Democrats need to put meaningful recruitment into place, show Independents solid reasons to JOIN...REDO...CHANGE their voter registration.  

Remember humans are creatures of HABIT, just like large retail stores who get folks in their store with giant grand opening sales, special events knowing they will be back with the store or brand often. Democrats need to seek commitment and then keep faith with their followers with action. Promises made, values of fairness, equality and opportunity delivered.

Democrats need to learn to deliver their message that resonates with voters.  Narrow down the issues and talking points to attract voters, campaign hard for registration in the Democrat ranks using bread and butter economic issues and offers of a vision of future opportunity.

Democrats need to exercise evangelical zeal in reaching out to Independent voters. Each and every  advocate of Democratic values and progressive principles must become a tireless worker to bring these voters into the fold.  It actually should be an easy task finding agreement on issues, the difficulty of course is to find common ground and then prepare them to change their voter registration and request being put on the Permanent Early Voting list.  

The act of filling out and signing the request form is a great time to suggest they designate Democrat on the registration form.  No effort can be more important other than getting them to the ballot box for the election.  Just the act of registering Democrat is planting the seed of election day action.  

While registering Democrat is not a 100% guarantee they will vote or mark their ballots for all the Democratic candidates,  When they get down the ballot in some of the lesser know races at least they can identify with Democrat candidates.  Just think if we could have had 200 more votes in the Congressional District lost in 2014.

It is well worth the effort!