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| 'I'm not ready to say the tide has turned': readers react to Democrats' election wins | 'I'm not ready to say the tide has turned': readers react to Democrats' election wins |
| (11 days later) | |
| Democrats won big in electoral races across the US on Tuesday, marking the party’s first major victory since the election of Donald Trump a year ago. The results were viewed as a backlash to Trump and a shift in American politics. We asked Guardian readers for their reaction – below is a selection of responses. | Democrats won big in electoral races across the US on Tuesday, marking the party’s first major victory since the election of Donald Trump a year ago. The results were viewed as a backlash to Trump and a shift in American politics. We asked Guardian readers for their reaction – below is a selection of responses. |
| ‘This should be a wake-up call for Democrats as well as Republicans’ | ‘This should be a wake-up call for Democrats as well as Republicans’ |
| In Virginia, I believe the results were more about a negative reaction to hostile campaigns, and less about a big shift in parties. Ralph Northam and Fairfax ran much more civilized campaigns than their opponents and there was a general buildup of a mood against Donald Trump rather than the Republican party. | In Virginia, I believe the results were more about a negative reaction to hostile campaigns, and less about a big shift in parties. Ralph Northam and Fairfax ran much more civilized campaigns than their opponents and there was a general buildup of a mood against Donald Trump rather than the Republican party. |
| Voting against a Republican was seen as sending Trump and Congress a message to ramp it back. This should be a wake-up call for Democrats as well as Republicans. If Democrats run the same tired old faces rather than the faces of minorities, women or LGBT candidates, they will lose any progress they made. | Voting against a Republican was seen as sending Trump and Congress a message to ramp it back. This should be a wake-up call for Democrats as well as Republicans. If Democrats run the same tired old faces rather than the faces of minorities, women or LGBT candidates, they will lose any progress they made. |
| Democrats need to understand they have an advantage right now of being the party of the white, educated suburban as well as black and Hispanic voters. They need to run candidates that can fire these people up. Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden among others cannot fire up a crowd like Obama – and do not seem to have a vision of something new. The Republicans are stuck with their actions this year in healthcare, taxes, inaction on jobs, obsession with immigration and Muslims that have alienated too many people. They should see they need to abandon these directions and abandon Trump to recover next year. John Williams, 60, executive, James City County, Virginia | Democrats need to understand they have an advantage right now of being the party of the white, educated suburban as well as black and Hispanic voters. They need to run candidates that can fire these people up. Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden among others cannot fire up a crowd like Obama – and do not seem to have a vision of something new. The Republicans are stuck with their actions this year in healthcare, taxes, inaction on jobs, obsession with immigration and Muslims that have alienated too many people. They should see they need to abandon these directions and abandon Trump to recover next year. John Williams, 60, executive, James City County, Virginia |
| ‘Only time will tell the impact of Virginia’ | ‘Only time will tell the impact of Virginia’ |
| In my area (affluent white college grads) we saw a continuing gradual switch from Republican to Democratic victories, but while our ballot had some important posts, none were so publicly critical as a governor or Congress seat. | In my area (affluent white college grads) we saw a continuing gradual switch from Republican to Democratic victories, but while our ballot had some important posts, none were so publicly critical as a governor or Congress seat. |
| As for the more “important” election in Virginia, the most apparent conclusion in this off-year election is that the message about Trump is energizing voters. But that conclusion is the most important still tentative issue. We assume Trump supporters do not resonate to the dismay of anti-Trump Americans in part because they do not expose themselves to the CNN, MSNBC, the New York Times, the Washington Post – but rely on Fox News and similar outlets. Whatever the reason, his support from that group is not waning. So the critical issue is if those who are aware of the harm he is doing to the country – the world – break through voter apathy and summon the commitment to vote. | As for the more “important” election in Virginia, the most apparent conclusion in this off-year election is that the message about Trump is energizing voters. But that conclusion is the most important still tentative issue. We assume Trump supporters do not resonate to the dismay of anti-Trump Americans in part because they do not expose themselves to the CNN, MSNBC, the New York Times, the Washington Post – but rely on Fox News and similar outlets. Whatever the reason, his support from that group is not waning. So the critical issue is if those who are aware of the harm he is doing to the country – the world – break through voter apathy and summon the commitment to vote. |
| The Virginia experience suggests that did happen and may continue, but I think much of this passionate prognostication is based on too small a sample and only time will tell. My best guess is that the Independent movement in the US will finally become a critical factor in future elections. Lois, retired academic, Pennsylvania | The Virginia experience suggests that did happen and may continue, but I think much of this passionate prognostication is based on too small a sample and only time will tell. My best guess is that the Independent movement in the US will finally become a critical factor in future elections. Lois, retired academic, Pennsylvania |
| ‘We cannot just be against Trump. People need to know what we are for’ | ‘We cannot just be against Trump. People need to know what we are for’ |
| We saw a major push from local grassroots activists getting progressives elected. If we can sustain and build on this, we will be in good fighting form for the midterm and state elections next year. It’s going to matter a lot for the lives of working people in Virginia to have Democrats in power working on their behalf. It has been said that this was a backlash against Trump, however, I am hoping that the scale of the swing is going to be maintained. | We saw a major push from local grassroots activists getting progressives elected. If we can sustain and build on this, we will be in good fighting form for the midterm and state elections next year. It’s going to matter a lot for the lives of working people in Virginia to have Democrats in power working on their behalf. It has been said that this was a backlash against Trump, however, I am hoping that the scale of the swing is going to be maintained. |
| The Democratic party has been reminded that it can win running campaigns that speak to the needs of everyday people. But we cannot just be against Trump, people need to know what we are for as well, so we can’t necessarily read this as an endorsement of the party establishment. | The Democratic party has been reminded that it can win running campaigns that speak to the needs of everyday people. But we cannot just be against Trump, people need to know what we are for as well, so we can’t necessarily read this as an endorsement of the party establishment. |
| For Republicans, last night was a warning. Ed Gillespie in Virginia was not a Trumpite by any means, and was unequivocal in his condemnation of white supremacists in the aftermath of Charlottesville. This was not enough to save him. Trump is becoming a millstone which can be tied around the neck of the entire party, even those critical of the president. James Varble, security guard, Modesto, California | For Republicans, last night was a warning. Ed Gillespie in Virginia was not a Trumpite by any means, and was unequivocal in his condemnation of white supremacists in the aftermath of Charlottesville. This was not enough to save him. Trump is becoming a millstone which can be tied around the neck of the entire party, even those critical of the president. James Varble, security guard, Modesto, California |
| ‘I am not ready to say the tide has turned’ | ‘I am not ready to say the tide has turned’ |
| The most progressive candidate for mayor won in my town, even though there were four Democrats and only one Republican in the race. I’m happy, though I’m not sure she will be a great mayor, better as an advocate. Of course Santa Barbara is about 70% Democrat, and Hillary Clinton won 82% of the vote last fall (in the city, not the county). | The most progressive candidate for mayor won in my town, even though there were four Democrats and only one Republican in the race. I’m happy, though I’m not sure she will be a great mayor, better as an advocate. Of course Santa Barbara is about 70% Democrat, and Hillary Clinton won 82% of the vote last fall (in the city, not the county). |
| I’m very happy that such a diverse and progressive (mostly) bunch of people were elected nationally, but the Trump phenomenon is so bizarre and he is so unpredictable, so I am not ready to say the tide has turned. | I’m very happy that such a diverse and progressive (mostly) bunch of people were elected nationally, but the Trump phenomenon is so bizarre and he is so unpredictable, so I am not ready to say the tide has turned. |
| I think until there is serious campaign reform, and Citizens United is “repealed” – of course it isn’t a law, so there would need to be a law passed that rejected its argument or else a new case brought to the supreme court – candidates of both parties are going to be slaves to donors, and campaigns are going to be full of lies and viciousness. It’s pretty sickening, but the self-righteousness that often accompanies attempts to make third parties viable is just as bad. | I think until there is serious campaign reform, and Citizens United is “repealed” – of course it isn’t a law, so there would need to be a law passed that rejected its argument or else a new case brought to the supreme court – candidates of both parties are going to be slaves to donors, and campaigns are going to be full of lies and viciousness. It’s pretty sickening, but the self-righteousness that often accompanies attempts to make third parties viable is just as bad. |
| If the Democratic party leadership turns a bit left, it will probably just be an opportunistic move, not motivated by values. If the Republicans turn in either direction, it will be the same same, just opportunistic. Voters need to forget the parties and focus on the individual candidates who share their values. Shelley, 68, California | If the Democratic party leadership turns a bit left, it will probably just be an opportunistic move, not motivated by values. If the Republicans turn in either direction, it will be the same same, just opportunistic. Voters need to forget the parties and focus on the individual candidates who share their values. Shelley, 68, California |
| ‘The left is winning in the Democratic party’ | ‘The left is winning in the Democratic party’ |
| On the whole I think last night was a resounding success for socialism. As of last night with wins by people like Lee Carter, a Democrat but also a member of Democratic Socialists of America, there are around 30,000 Socialists in about 30 seats nationwide. This is a big win. | On the whole I think last night was a resounding success for socialism. As of last night with wins by people like Lee Carter, a Democrat but also a member of Democratic Socialists of America, there are around 30,000 Socialists in about 30 seats nationwide. This is a big win. |
| Nationally, it means people are sick and tired of Republican governments hell bent on holding them back. The man who drafted the offensive transgender bathroom bill was unseated by a trans woman. This is a message heard around the world – that the progressive movement is ascendant. There were some protesting, from the left, the new Democratic governor in Virginia, so yes, his win is important, but there is a new left wing forming, and I believe this side is winning in the Democratic party. Jack Bouman, 20, student, Delaware, Ohio (co-chair of Ohio Wesleyan Young Democratic Socialists) | Nationally, it means people are sick and tired of Republican governments hell bent on holding them back. The man who drafted the offensive transgender bathroom bill was unseated by a trans woman. This is a message heard around the world – that the progressive movement is ascendant. There were some protesting, from the left, the new Democratic governor in Virginia, so yes, his win is important, but there is a new left wing forming, and I believe this side is winning in the Democratic party. Jack Bouman, 20, student, Delaware, Ohio (co-chair of Ohio Wesleyan Young Democratic Socialists) |
| ‘I enjoy seeing Democratic voters asserting themselves against Christie and Trump’ | ‘I enjoy seeing Democratic voters asserting themselves against Christie and Trump’ |
| Even though I’m a registered Republican, I enjoy seeing Democratic voters asserting themselves against Chris Christie and Donald Trump. I did not vote for Donald Trump, I could not, since I can see a PT Barnum and incompetent miles away. And this is what Donald Trump has turned out to be. Yesterday, I voted for Republicans on the state level, but I did this because I was sure the Democrats would win. | Even though I’m a registered Republican, I enjoy seeing Democratic voters asserting themselves against Chris Christie and Donald Trump. I did not vote for Donald Trump, I could not, since I can see a PT Barnum and incompetent miles away. And this is what Donald Trump has turned out to be. Yesterday, I voted for Republicans on the state level, but I did this because I was sure the Democrats would win. |
| Nationally, the resurgence of the center (now in the guise of the Democrats) matters a lot – the GOP in Congress and elsewhere will reconsider their strategies and position as result. The GOP is an especially broken and dysfunctional party right now, but the Democrats have to find their voice and message too, given recent GOP “success”. The real test for Trump and the GOP in Congress will come in the midterms a year from now. As it goes, if it takes a takeover of Congress by the Democrats to disavow and bring down Donald Trump, I’d be for it. Donald Lindeman, 65, New Jersey | Nationally, the resurgence of the center (now in the guise of the Democrats) matters a lot – the GOP in Congress and elsewhere will reconsider their strategies and position as result. The GOP is an especially broken and dysfunctional party right now, but the Democrats have to find their voice and message too, given recent GOP “success”. The real test for Trump and the GOP in Congress will come in the midterms a year from now. As it goes, if it takes a takeover of Congress by the Democrats to disavow and bring down Donald Trump, I’d be for it. Donald Lindeman, 65, New Jersey |
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