I want to make clear that this is not a rhetorical question. I am honestly interested in how people feel about this. True, I’ve got some niggling doubts going on, but at the same time I would be the first to say how well “the resistance” has worked to draw people into political engagement on our side.
There are endless examples of this, but LOL I figured we were doing something right when after Oshoff’s loss Chuck Todd was right out there saying “seems the Democrats don’t have much to show for their resistance.” At that moment I wanted to give that phrase the biggest hug ever. I could go on about what a careless, narrow, pundititis sort of comment that was, but why waste time on Chuck Todd?
Still, having nothing to do with Todd, I’ve been wondering lately. As I noted, there is no doubt that “the resistance” has been successful. From that unexpected glorious day after the inauguration when it seemed the whole world was wearing pink hats, to other marches and efforts since.
And best thing about it IMO, it took the republicans a relatively long time to begin to answer to it, but which they are now more and more, no surprise there. Sure, they’re doing everything they can to demonize that position and paint us as obstructionists, despite their whole hearted 8 year embrace of obstructionism under Obama. To this, really, these days you can’t afford to do more than shrug at the outrageous hypocrisy or your blood pressure will punish you. And if blood pressure isn’t a problem for you, living in constant anger is not pleasant and tends to make one want to withdraw, eventually.
I am thinking of the many, many comments from people here as well as writers and thinkers everywhere that the Democrats need a message that is not based on being Anti-Trump. In other words, a positive message about what Democrats have to offer.
Well, that gets as complex as a Rubik Cube real fast without some discipline. The great thing about “the resistance” is that it’s short and to the point and everyone gets it. But it is STILL all about Trump.
While I think “the resistance” has its place, yes I am re-thinking if it should be our major message going forward, as it now absolutely is.
So let me throw something out there, and it might not be the right thing but will serve as an example of what I’m thinking about.
What if phase 2, so to speak, switches to the positive: RISE UP.
Rise up for the middle class.
Rise up for medicare for all.
Rise up for reasonable immigration laws.
Rise up for equal rights.
Rise up for voter equity.
Rise up for a great infrastructure plan.
Rise up to be a world leader, once again.
Rise up and fight to protect our environment.
The difference may seem subtle, but the idea here is to be able to make a positive statement---rise up is positive, resist is negative--- AND attach it to OUR policies, rather than against Trump’s policies. Because in a way, every time we frame our major message as resistance, we give more air time to Trump and the GOP’s policies, and less leadership to our own policies.
Rise up, stand up, give voice to OUR POLICIES, instead of underlining every shitty Trump policy by being forced into the “NO” category. Is there a way we can claim the “YES” category?
I think it’s something important to think about.