Last week, I promised to write about the Democrats, so here we are.  As is often the case for the party out of power, there is no clear messenger.  Unfortunately, I am not sure if the Democrats have a message either.  Other than, “we are not as bad as they are,” I fear this lack of trying to install decency and basic human dignity in the face of the Trump assaults is due to a total lack of understanding that what is most disliked about Trump is his behavior.  That should be the message.

Unfortunately, instead, we see a tug of war between factions in the party.  Bad ideas, like abolishing ICE or Medicare for all, become litmus tests. Instead of talking about how the culture of ICE needs to change and universal health insurance is possible, Democrats have picked up slogans that are really not that different than Republican talking points about tax cuts and border security.

I believe the Democrats need different leaders.  Perhaps anyone under 65 would be a good first step. Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden both need to understand that running for President is a disservice to their party and their country.  Both would enter office at the same age as Ronald Reagan when he left office. There are many qualified candidates looking at 2020.  It is important that voices that are not shrill be heard and have a chance to succeed.

I think the Democrats will win the House.  If they do, they need to do something other than investigating the President.  They need to fix the ACA, pass a comprehensive immigration bill, let committees work, let members offer amendments.  In short, they need to return to the type of governance that we used to have. They also need to invite the Republicans to the dance on major issues and try to pass things with votes from both sides even if one wing of the party doesn’t get all they want.  The leader who can put that together should be the next Speaker.

One final note.  The Speaker of the House doesn’t need to be a Member of the House.  Think of the possibilities…