Veteran strategist Nina Smith has recently sounded the alarm, warning that the Democratic Party is failing at the most basic level. In a recent article for The Intercept, Smith emphasizes the urgent need for Democrats to wake up and start focusing on the fundamentals. With the 2020 presidential election approaching, it is crucial that the party makes some major changes to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Smith, who worked on both of Barack Obama’s successful presidential campaigns, knows a thing or two about winning elections. In her article, she points out that, despite having a chance to take back the White House in 2016, Democrats failed to capitalize on key opportunities and ended up losing to Donald Trump. Now, with the current political climate and the stakes being higher than ever, she believes the party cannot afford to make the same mistakes again.
So, what are these basic principles that the Democrats seem to be neglecting? Smith argues that it all comes down to a lack of organization and strategy, and a failure to communicate a clear and cohesive message. As she puts it, “The fundamentals of politics often seem dull and unsexy, but they are the building blocks for any successful campaign.”
Firstly, organization is key. In order to win an election, a party needs to be organized at every level, from the grassroots to the national level. This means having a strong and effective ground game, with well-trained staff and volunteers working tirelessly to register voters and get them to the polls. Smith points out that Democrats have fallen behind in this area, and it has cost them dearly in past elections.
But it’s not just about organization; it’s also about strategy. According to Smith, the Democrats have been lacking a clear and effective strategy for far too long. Instead of focusing on core issues that resonate with voters, the party has been too preoccupied with trying to appease various interest groups and playing “identity politics.” This has left many voters feeling disconnected and unsure of what the party stands for.
In addition, the Democrats have failed to communicate a clear message that appeals to a broad range of voters. As Smith notes, “Too often, Democrats get bogged down in wonky policy details that don’t resonate with the average voter. What they need to do is tell a compelling story that speaks to people’s hopes and values.”
It’s time for the Democrats to start playing smart and stop missing the easy shots. With Trump’s approval ratings consistently low and many Americans dissatisfied with the current state of the country, the party has a golden opportunity to gain back the support of the American people. But in order to do so, they must start focusing on these basics that Smith has highlighted.
So what can the Democrats do to turn things around? According to Smith, it’s all about going back to the basics. This means investing in organizing at the grassroots level, creating a clear and effective strategy, and communicating a strong and relatable message to voters. It also means putting aside petty differences and coming together as a united front.
Luckily, there are already some signs of progress. The recent victories of Democrats in states like Virginia and Alabama are proof that when they focus on the fundamentals, they can win. But there is still a lot of work to be done. With the 2020 election fast approaching, the Democrats must act fast and act smart in order to have a chance at taking back the White House.
In conclusion, Nina Smith’s warning should serve as a wake-up call to the Democratic Party. As she puts it, “If we don’t start paying attention to the basics, we are dooming ourselves and our country.” The party must take heed of this warning and start focusing on what truly matters in order to come out victorious in the upcoming election and beyond.
