Nobel laureate Paul Krugman distills the GOP strategy into 3 simple concepts — Deception, Distraction and Disenfranchisement. He playfully calls it the GOP 3-D strategy. We can call it the three deadly D’s.
This strategy is nothing new for the GOP; they have been doing it for decades, although they have sharpened their claws over time. They are a minority party, firmly in the grip of its wealthy donors; they will never win a fair election. Hence, they will keep doubling down on this strategy and get even more virulent — use RW and social media to spread Deception and Distraction and use state legislatures to inflict Disenfranchisement.
I would add another D — Division; the religious and culture wars fit neatly into that category.
However, the strategy can be defeated, as we did in this recent election cycle. But, the beast is hardly slain. Deception, Distraction and Disenfranchisement are powerful tools, that's how a minority party manages to win elections. We have to learn our lessons and adapt our strategies as we go forward.
What do you think we should do to counteract the GOP offensive?
- What strategies have worked well in the last and which new ones will work best in the future?
- How can we make technology a positive and constructive tool in our mission?
- How can we immunize the electorate against the virus of Deception and Distraction?
- How can we make (most) corporations be better stewards of the economy and of their communities?
- How can the new House be effective in making progress on some of the Democratic priorities, given that the Senate and the WH are under GOP control? What should these priorities be?
- How can we undo the damage done by the GOP strategy of disenfranchisement and gerrymandering?
- How can we maintain and build our majority in Congress and in state legislatures, given that many of the races were won with razor thin margins?
- How can we attract more voters to the party, keep them engaged and channel their energy and creativity towards the Democratic vision?