One has to wonder WHEN Democrat elected officials [and the DNC] will wise up and ignore the obvious deflection and chaos Trump tries to produce in order to steer attention from his illegal and morally indefensible conduct. The cloud hanging over Trump regarding his knowledge of and likely participation in sex abuse and sex trafficking of minors is something he needs to deflect attention from at any cost. He has been able to rely upon surrogates like Netanyahu, whose brutal and criminal genocide in Gaza has captured media attention. But even that heinous activity has not been enough to entirely distract media attention.
Seriously, his attacks on UNESCO, USAID, DOE, FEMA, Federal Reserve Chairman, NPR, Washington Commanders name change, PGA/LIV dispute, and the host of other controversies he is addressing are all important "issues," but are they truly the PRIORITY issues for the president of the USA? And does precipitating chaos while resolving NOTHING do anything to advance the interests of Americans?
In my view, at least two things should happen. First, try to ignore the almost daily distractions and focus on "bread and butter" or "paycheck" issues and continue to hammer on them DAILY without regard to Trump's chaotic daily moves to divert attention. For example, give specific documented examples of how tariffs are causing loss of jobs and consumer product price increases [or shortages]. Give specific documented examples of how Trump's immigration crackdown is not only endangering communities but harming specific flesh and blood citizens and properly documented immigrants with NO criminal history. Reports of the critically ill child who is a citizen and was deported without due process, the grandfather who was kidnapped, "disappeared," and whose family was told he had died, will resonate. PUBLISH and REPEAT stories like these. "One and done" reporting plays to the short attention span of the news cycle. Focus on a strategy that builds cumulative MOMENTUM. The media cannot be relied upon to do the groundwork and use editorial integrity to publish grounded and reliable stories to inform the public. So, they must be fed reliable information to counterbalance the sensationalist fluff and bluster that appeals to their laziness and attention seeking proclivities.A second suggestion is twofold. Large law firms willing to sacrifice millions in billable hours for free to appease Trump should agree to donate similar resources for a national network to prepare and file lawsuits to attack and enjoin Trump executive orders in EVERY state. This is not unprecedented, as Democrat presidential campaigns have regularly assembled networks of lawyers covering every state to volunteer pro bono services to address campaign and voting rights issues. In this case, the primary issues would be voting rights and due process. Large donors like Soros and PAC funds should also support this effort to create a kind of legal "national specialized guard" so that petitions for injunctions can be filed the same day that any Trump fiat is issued.
The third suggestion is twofold. Local and grassroot organizations, aided by PAC funding, should focus on recruitment of articulate and properly vetted candidates on the local and state level. The goal is not just to replace and incumbent, but to UPGRADE representation with candidates who respect the needs and voices of constituents. These candidates should be supported with documentation indicated above of instances in which incumbent GOP members of Congress have supported measures that directly hurt constituents. Funds should be used to buy persistent attack ads while the developing candidates build grassroots support and campaign infrastructures.
Finally, I reluctantly tend to agree with the principle espoused by California Gov. Newson regarding retaliatory gerrymandering. While manipulating voting districts to favor or disadvantage certain groups is detrimental to "free and fair" elections, when one side is rigging the electoral maps to make voting UNFAIR, some measures to balance the process may be necessary. We KNOW that the current Supreme Court cannot be relied upon to strike down biased and discriminatory redistricting. So, it is incumbent upon Blue State legislatures to redraw their maps to counter unfair measures undertaken in Red states like Texas. In short, Democrats need to be prepared to take the struggle directly to the GOP and to fight with bare knuckles when necessary. Until now, Democrats have been like the proverbial pugilist trying to fight under the Marquis of Queensbury Rules, only to be assaulted by a kick in the groin by an opponent who respects no rules. If "fighting dirty" means fighting on a level playing field, so be it.
