Democrats Seethe After Georgia Loss: ‘Our Brand Is Worse Than Trump’
New York Times ^ | June 21, 2017 | By ALEXANDER BURNS and JONATHAN MARTIN
Posted on 6/21/2017, 3:39:49 PM by Oldeconomybuyer
Democrats scrambled to regroup on Wednesday after a disappointing special election defeat in Georgia, with lawmakers, activists and labor leaders speaking out in public and private to demand a more forceful economic message heading into the 2018 elections.
Among Democrats in Washington, the setback in Georgia revived or deepened a host of existing grievances about the party, accentuating tensions between moderate lawmakers and liberal activists and prompting some Democrats to question the leadership and political strategy of Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader.
But the overarching theme among Democrats was a sense of sharp urgency about crafting a positive agenda around kitchen-table issues. Congressional Democrats have already been meeting in private to shape a core list of economic policies, but their work did not reach any conclusive point during a long season of special elections.
Representative Seth Moulton, Democrat of Massachusetts, said the defeat was “frustrating” and urged a shake-up at the top of the party.
“Our leadership owes us an explanation,” said Mr. Moulton, who voted against Ms. Pelosi in the last leadership election. “Personally, I think it’s time for new leadership in the party.”
D. Taylor, an influential labor leader who is president of Unite Here, the hospitality workers’ union, said the Democratic Party was “out of excuses on its electoral performance.”
“In red states or blue states, Democrats should be able to compete — and win,” Mr. Taylor said in a statement. “Millions of Americans are desperate to be led by political leaders who stand for something, are willing to take risks, and are willing to tell the truth and engage Americans where they live. That just isn’t happening.”
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