Democrats need to heal their broken bones or find a new candidate from Hope.

“Peeling”

That’s how President Barack Obama addressed the midterm election results on November 2, 2010, two years after winning the White House. Obama and the Democrats were completely defeated. with the Republicans regaining control of the House of Representatives. (the largest turnover in number of seats since 1948) competed for a number of Senate seats. Add half a dozen governor’s seats. and won many other categories.

Such a major defeat is embarrassing for the elected leader. Even a president who is as cool and confident as he is. with Obama

DNC FUNDRAISER ROASTS PARTY’S ‘Illusion’ about KAMALA HARRIS’s political comeback: ‘It’s not what America wants’

But Obama accepted the loss with sensitivity and sober reflection.

Democrats are unwilling to concede that Vice President Kamala Harris is a bad candidate. File: Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Atlanta Civic Center. On Saturday 1 Nov. 2 Nov. 2024 (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin)

“This is something I think every president has to get through,” Obama observed the day after his defeat, “[B]ecause the responsibility of this office is so enormous and the people It depends on what we do. and during the rush of activities Sometimes we forget how we connect to the people who brought us here in the first place.”

“(N)I am not suggesting to all future presidents that they use force the way they did. Just like I did last night,” Obama added with a wry sense of humor. “I’m sure there’s an easier way to learn these lessons. But I think this is a process of growth and evolution.”

The American process of learning to accept defeat begins early. of the founding fathers and continued within the tense framework of the civil war. and move forward amidst the driving forces of the modern era

For decades, voters in the United States have Walking back and forth between the two remaining major factions. By rewarding them with victories and punishing them with defeats, it gradually created a corrective balance of pragmatism, philosophy, and unity that saw both sides share and exchange power.

So, for both Democrats and Republicans. Maintaining strength and influence in the long term therefore does not depend on maintaining power permanently. But it depends on disciplined self-examination after electoral failure. Evaluating errors and making changes to policies and presentations “The process of growth,” as Obama puts it. It is considered a key component of the American experiment.

Obama’s “regression” George W. Bush’s “recession” in the 2006 midterms “reinforced” Richard Nixon’s narrow but decisive loss to J.A. FK in 1960, these were classic warnings from U.S. citizens. To the chastened leader

“(O)One of the unique characteristics of America is that We have a political rivalry,” Nixon said when he conceded in 1960. “[T]hey fought very, very hard. Because this person fought hard. And when you have decided We unite behind the elected.” Nixon, of course, returned to run for president in 1968.

Even Ronald Reagan, the all-time Republican darling. It also failed the 1982 midterms. “You haven’t seen anything yet,” he said after winning re-election in 1984 and securing his place in history as party leader.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Democrat from New York, is one of the bright lights for his party. FILE: Torres speaks during Messari summit. Mainnet in New York On Friday, September 9, September 22, 2023. (Michael Nagel/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Politics is not a beanbag. And elections have a huge impact. both to the loser personally and to the party that lost throughout the country Expect a little licking of the wound and finger pointing.

But nearly all political comebacks on both sides have three distinctive elements: honest assessments of the parties’ shortcomings; From the nominee down Respect for the winner no matter how fierce the competition. and a strong plan for generating new ideas. Attract new voters Restoring the confidence of the base and the broader electorate. and guaranteed internal changes

For the Democratic Party in 2024, this basic recovery process will not be easy.

First of all, many Democrats are still in Trump syndrome. Derangement syndrome, which makes reflection and respite impossible One week after the election President Joe Biden welcomed the incoming POTUS for a chat and a photo op. But for some people at the party Tolerating deep resentment and accusations is a non-starter.

Second, the Democratic Party has spent years in denial. This is a difficult habit to break.

Biden’s teasing has lost none of its intense intensity. And doing your best to cover up, contradict, intimidate, and gaslight is not only exhausting; But it also instills knee-jerk defensiveness and hatred in everyone involved.

Moreover, the refusal to recognize Vice President Kamala Harris is not a strong presidential candidate. It also hinders the recovery process of the Democrat Party.

Top aides and party leaders insist Harris is an excellent candidate who ran a “flawless” campaign, offering credit for the fundraising. (rather than squandering) $1.5 billion in campaign donations and encourage her to consider returning to the presidential stage in 2028.

A flawless campaign is not a loss. This was despite a strong debut in a few weeks in August. But the vice president never dared outline her vision for the Harris administration. Never risk Sister Soljah’s time. And it has never dared to forge its own path separate from Biden’s troubled tenure. “There is nothing on my mind,” she famously told the ladies on “The View” when asked “if anything” she would do “differently than President Biden over the last four years.” Easy An opportunity to define herself on her own terms.

That makes matters worse for Democrats. Dissatisfied factions formed and became more stable. Some blame Biden. (For applying again Applying now for resignation for not resigning sooner), and few blame Harris personally. (for dishonest acts, for poor work ethic, for usurping nominees, for letting the party go) turns sour But it’s quiet and quiet that doesn’t serve anyone.

Some Democrats also focused on broadly unpopular election issues, such as broad support for transgender rights. and open border policy

in the previous round Democrats in distress receive support from some major media outlets, including MSNBC, CNN and the New York Times, but those outlets which has been damaged by its own concealment and complicity. and the struggle to maintain rank and power Unable to provide much assistance any longer.

Moreover, the refusal to recognize Vice President Kamala Harris is not a strong presidential candidate. It also hinders the recovery process of the Democrat Party.

The 2024 elections reveal the depth of the party’s divisions. If there is no consistent and unified theory in this case, It is now difficult for Democrats to choose a path or promote increased talent. But they were mired in resentment and internal conflict. They throw out accusations that their friends are too woke or too conservative. or wrong stance on foreign and domestic policy At the same time, it clings to a careless culture of slander, cancellation, and hypocrisy.

Democrats have some bright spots. Rising stars like Rep. Ro Khanna of California and Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York have been candid about the realities and lessons of 2024. They are clear about how Democrats have changed course. But he is also optimistic and constructive about the party’s future.

Torres was particularly critical of his party’s socializing: “Donald Trump has no greater friend than the far left. which can eliminate historically large numbers of Latinos, blacks, Asians, and Jews from the Democratic Party with nonsense like ‘Defund the police’ or ‘from the river to the sea’ or ‘Latinx,’” Torres posted on Twitch and TikTok more than the real world Not buying the ivory tower nonsense that the far left sells.”

Khanna argued that Democrats must venture beyond their comfort zones and reach new heights. “I am confident that we will rebuild in 2026 and we will win back the White House in 2028,” he said. “We have to listen.”

File: President Bill Clinton talks with Queen Elizabeth II of England during an official group photo before dinner at the Capitol on June 4. World leaders head to D-Day commemorations here. (Reuters/Kevin Coombs)

There are also deeper signs that some Dems recognize the need for a more flexible approach. Even a lightning rod as stubborn as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (who recently lost a bid to lead the House Oversight Committee) is still reading the tea leaves.

AOC removed her pronouns from her social media handles. This indicates a pullback from performance signals. Older leaders like Sens. Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer, not to mention Joe Biden, will soon make way for a younger generation. Some people will attract attention, whether good or bad. But at least it will present a new story and a different perspective.

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Indeed, in America, it is for every party and every citizen. There is always a place for hope.

In 1992, the man from Hope himself, Bill Clinton, decided to challenge incumbent Republican President George H. W. Bush. His first term came after a successful 8-year run as Reagan’s vice president.

Of course, the 1992 campaign was a complicated affair, with free agent Ross Perot throwing his Stetson into the game. Meanwhile, Bush faces backlash within his party and is haunted by his promises. “Read my lips: No new taxes.”

But Clinton, with his sense of both history and the pulse of the American electorate, has driven his campaign along a middle ground, embracing the most popular classic Democratic values ​​at the same time. also deliberately breaks party lines on important issues (death penalty), welfare reform (Right to Work Act, etc.) He seizes his own Sister Souljah moment — with the original Sister Souljah herself. He made it clear that he would be a president for all Americans. It’s not just Democrats or those who agree with him or those who line up. For all conflicts Clinton paints a winning picture of competence, patriotism, and optimism. and unity

Bill Clinton was certainly a political and political genius who was so confident in his own strength, talent, and legacy that he could withstand a barrage of scandals. Beating the incumbent and eccentric billionaire, walking through fire, and winning in the Oval Office for eight dazzling years.

Even Ronald Reagan, the all-time Republican darling. It also failed the 1982 midterms. “You haven’t seen anything yet,” he said after winning re-election in 1984 and securing his place in history as party leader.

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So that’s a history lesson for Democrats: All you need to do is find a once-in-a-generation politician who’s as talented as he is. together as policy makers and political candidates That can be said about the owl coming down from the tree. Selected Victory Points and confront the Trump Empire and the MAGA monolith.

In addition to historical discoveries The Democrat Party will have a difficult comeback. They can wait for the pendulum to swing back. Or the opposition that is brave enough to speak the truth wherever it is? Be honest enough to talk about past failures. And those with enough vision to look to the future can start doing what Kamala Harris calls hard work.

Click here to read more from Mark Halperin.