Brian Stryker, a Democratic pollster, didn’t work for Terry McAuliffe’s campaign in the Virginia governor’s race. But Mr. McAuliffe’s narrow defeat in a liberal-leaning state alarmed him and most every Democratic political professional. That defeat also prompted a centrist group, Third Way, to have Mr. Stryker convene focus groups to […] Read more »
Democrats’ Struggles Have Little To Do With Legislation
One might think that the thunderbolt of election results last Tuesday would convince Democrats that they have some serious problems. Apparently not. A cadre of Democrats seem to believe their losses stemmed from the internal—yet very public—party dysfunction over getting the infrastructure and reconciliation bills through Congress. Now, they hope, […] Read more »
It’s Competence, Not “Wokeness” That’s Hurting Democrats
In the wake of last week’s defeat of Democratic candidates across the country, an elite consensus has formed that blames Democrats’ failures at the ballot box on their “wokeness.” In attempting to address structural racial injustice, they argue, Democrats have become as inflexible and judgmental as those they are fighting […] Read more »
Democrats can’t blame ‘huge bummer’ in Virginia on turnout
It seems like everybody has a theory for Glenn Youngkin’s big win in Virginia last week. Why and how did he win? Who deserves the credit or the blame for the Democrats’ losses? Many of the explanations, whether from politicians, cable news pundits, consultants or columnists, seem to reflect their […] Read more »
Election 2021 aftermath: How big was that swing?
A few brave souls have tried to argue that last Tuesday was a good night for Democrats. That’s a very difficult assertion to defend. But take the analysis much deeper and you’ll find evidence for a variety of contradictory propositions in the data from Virginia. CONTINUED Mark Mellman (Mellman Group), […] Read more »
The fight for the political mainstream is on
Popular New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu’s decision not to run for the Senate, even in light of his party’s dominant showing in last week’s elections, should serve as a wake-up call to overly exuberant Republicans. The battle for the political mainstream—and control of the Senate—is still up for grabs despite […] Read more »