President Trump and congressional Republicans keep on rolling, although they stumble at times and occasionally expose holes in their defenses. But Democrats mostly miss the mark, and it’s raising awkward questions.
Say what you want, but the host of “The Apprentice” knows how to stage a show. The GOP dominates by action, distraction, controversy, pomp and ceremony. Even when Mr. Trump missteps—accepting a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar with reported plans to transfer ownership to his presidential library after leaving office—he is diminished but not tamed. Democrats haven’t yet found a way to confront him effectively. Even their attacks on congressional Republicans inflict limited damage.
How did Democrats get in such bad shape? Those looking to find out should listen to the May 8 episode of the podcast “Next Up With Mark Halperin.” Mr. Halperin offers questions he’s heard from frustrated Democrats that are important for any serious pol in the party to consider.
Some are backward-looking: What is Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appeal, and why did Democrats force him out of the party for challenging Joe Biden? Why did Democrats let controversies over trans athletes and the border fester? What were Kamala Harris’s shortcomings as a candidate? Why were Democrats unable to keep a cognitively challenged Mr. Biden from running again?
Mr. Halperin also raises questions about challenges facing the party. Are they too dependent for their information on the blue bubble of left-leaning media—the New York Times, National Public Radio and the three national networks? Can Democrats keep rejecting traditional sex roles, alienating male voters? Are Democrats too quick to label dissenting voices as hateful? Why are they so quick to exclude groups? Big Tech, for instance, was essential to previous Democratic victories.
Most important, why don’t Democrats try to understand why Mr. Trump is popular? When combined with young and working-class voters, the growing number of Hispanics in the U.S. was supposed to guarantee Democratic dominance for decades. Instead, these three groups played a big role in handing the White House to Republicans last year.
These are all vital questions, especially after an emotionally crippling loss. But introspection is only the first step.
Each party eventually resets after losing the presidency. Republicans narrowly lost in 1960 and then flamed out in 1964. But with the help of the negative reaction to Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society and an increasingly unpopular war, Republicans made a major recovery in the 1966 midterms in the Senate (gaining three seats), House (adding 47) and governorships (securing eight more). Two years later the GOP won the White House.
After Democrats took drubbings in 1980, 1984 and 1988, it took a major course correction in 1992 to regain the presidency. A young Southern governor ran as a “new Democrat” promising to “end welfare as we know it.”
Whether Democrats will confront Mr. Halperin’s questions in time for the midterms isn’t clear. But the path to escape the wilderness is. Both parties have trod similar routes before.
Politics isn’t only prose but poetry too. A policy laundry list won’t do it. The party out of power needs a better story line—an agenda of vision and values that resets its image.
That winning message is never found on a party’s fringe. Instead, look at the major issues voters care about and confront the party’s failure to address them. Parties won’t lecture people into seeing things their way. Convince Americans you can meet their needs. Don’t dismiss them.
The opposition party’s supporters aren’t all lost causes. Don’t be content with your existing coalition. Welcome converts. Don’t assume a new coat of paint can hide structural weaknesses. Do things that strike voters as unconventional for your side.
