I’ve been listening to Kagro in the Morning, David Waldman talking with Greg Dworkin, about how 2018 is looking to be a Democratic “wave election” because more and more voters are becoming fed up with Donald Trump and blaming the Republicans for standing with him. That seems evident to me, but I hope the Democratic candidates and strategists don’t rely only on that to drive their voters to the polls next November 6.
Because — what if Donald Trump isn’t there? What if he is forced to resign (or even, as unlikely as that seems, is impeached and convicted)? Neither will probably happen, but either could (especially resignation), and counting on his remaining in office to do their work for them is a risky strategy that probably won’t but possibly could backfire on them.
Democratic candidates need a positive message in addition to stoking anti-Trump (and therefore anti-Republican) anger. They have lots of issues and messages to choose from, and even if Trump doesn’t go anywhere, the more arrows they have in their quivers, the better.
And they really need to start preparing, NOW, for that just in case. Because November 6 is more than eleven months away, and as the cliche has it (with good reason) that’s a LONG time in politics.
Trump resigning could be the best thing for Republicans next November. It probably won’t happen, but Democrats should plan for the election as if he’s not going to be a factor. It will help them, regardless of what Trump does.