"Establishment" Dems Don't Seem To Understand The Mood Of Voters This Year

The Democrats in Michigan have made their choice in the race for the United States Senate. They have chosen Abdul El-Sayed in a close vote over Haley Stevens.

That was not the outcome that "establishment" Democrats had wanted. They were afraid that the voting public, especially Independents, would view El-Sayed as too left-wing and opt for his Republican opponent. In fact, they pumped tens of millions of dollars into the Stevens campaign to defeat El-Sayed - so much money that El-Sayed was outspent by about an eleven to one ratio.

My personal view is that the DNC and other establishment Democratic groups should not have done that. They should not have sided with one Democrat over another in a primary. The Democrats in Michigan (and in other states) are not idiots - and they are not children who must be told by party leaders how to vote. 

But even more important, the interference in a state primary race tells me the establishment Democratic groups don't really understand where the voting public stands in this election year. Michigan Democrats did not choose El-Sayed because he was a leftist. In fact, he and Stevens are probably very close on most issues facing the country. They chose him because they viewed him as a fighter - someone who would fight hard for ordinary Americans, and not give in to Trump or his corporate buddies when crunch time arrived.

And sadly, that is not how the party's elected officials are currently viewed. They are viewed by the public as being weak and ineffectual - unable or unwilling to fight hard against Trump, the GOP, or the billionaire oligarchs. Note the chart below:

Note that most Democrats don't think their current congressional leaders fight hard enough - and pluralities of Independent, registered voters, and adults agree with them.

The voters are not really worrying about left and right in this election. They want leaders who will fight hard to make life more affordable for ordinary Americans, and will fight hard to protect the rights and freedoms of ordinary Americans. This is true of both Democrats and Independents. They don't want someone who will return things to "normal". Normal was already bad - even before Trump made it worse. They want real fighters who will make things better.

Instead of worrying about how left-wing El-Sayed (and others) are, the establishment Democrats should be thankful for them. They are infusing a fighting spirit into the party - one that is badly needed! They need to stop trying to make the party more "centrist", and join the voters in fighting for a more equal economy and a government that protects the rights of everyone.

Democratic and Independent voters are looking for centrists or moderates. They are looking for FIGHTERS!