 Joe Honick |
There is little question that Donald Trump has been one of the longest running political jokes in history. BUT if the people making the jokes are not offering much on what is usually called “the other hand,” it may be time for them to regroup.
As I offered when the announcement came of the Republican health legislation failure, Democrats failed to take the huge gift that provided them the political, public relations and quite legitimate chance to stand up straight and offer to arbitrate the differences among the Republican majority to help come up with acceptable compromises.
Of course, the Trumpsters would have rejected the offer so early in the new administration, but the Dems could have demonstrated a sense of bipartisanship instead of just the expected political resistance.
That was only a few months ago. In the meantime, amid confusing policies, insults to other nations we certainly don’t need in this crazy world and the shrill threats of potential conflict, where has the Democratic leadership been? They just might’ve been able to catch the interest of Americans who somehow elected Donald Trump in a rigged or unrigged election.
Every sitting president is the target of comedians. They are easy prey, and it might be that our POTUS right now has helped those folks. But reality and imperative needs of the nation and the world demand what a frustrated Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” finally shouted after many “on the one hand and on the other hand” recitations: “there is no other hand!”
It is also understandable that the Democrats operate under a numerical minority situation in the Congress, but that excuse has its own limits. It is also a challenge to whoever in the PR field is counseling the Democratic party and its decision makers.
In 2016, the American people represented by the disgracefully few 54% who even showed up to vote were confronted with what I called the most vulgar campaign in a long time. In fact, both parties are still obligated to apologize to the people who participated in the multi-billion dollar democratic(?) process.
That said, Democrats are also obligated to produce specific bills of their own in the health field instead of just screaming that the Republicans are devils for taking on the Affordable Care Act…or Obamacare, if that makes readers feel better. Even President Trump acknowledged there are positive elements in the very program he, as campaigner, called a “disaster” that had to be cleansed from the health care scene.
The Dems also seem almost impotent in dealing with important trade relationships Mr. Trump has assaulted, little realizing the countries for whom he is making life difficult do know how to make other connections instead of us. It was no accident that the huge Saudi touring “dealmakers” of more than 1500, led by that nation’s king just negotiated a reported $65 billion deal with China….you know, the country candidate Trump accused of “raping” our economy!
So what should the Democratic outsiders do to prove they are still in the game?
First, they have to prove they have specific and easy to understand alternatives to what the administration has been working the public with. Second, they have to move to the positive side of the ledger with words and actions that speak loudly and clearly for steps beyond health care so Americans can see they don’t just oppose. Third, the party strategists must find better communicators for any positive direction they really have.
In the 2016 election, we know that many voters simply opposed Hillary Clinton even if they did not really like Donald Trump. Yet no one even appears to be getting groomed for leadership that can be effective in the next Congressional election campaign in 2018…a campaign that will surely help frame public opinion for 2020.
The Dems must also find a way to get as many of the 56% of missing voters in 2016 not only to get off their duffs in 2016 and 2020 but to demonstrate they have a positive and powerful alternative approach that is sensitive to their needs and the needs of all Americans.
It certainly couldn’t hurt!
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Joseph J. Honick is an international consultant to business and government and writes for many publications. He can be reached at [email protected]
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At a moment in history when there are so many conflicts among peoples here and abroad, let us put our differences aside and celebrate this wonderful season in a spirit of togetherness.
The news announcing the death of Henry Kissinger, the last of the prevaricating politicians and so-called statesmen who stole my future and that of thousands of other young Americans, got me thinking about Walter Cronkite.
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