Maybe that is what the Democratic party in South Dakota needs, to hit almost rock bottom before coming alive again. They lost 4 legislative seats this year and are now down to 16 (which could easily turn into 15 depending on the outcome of Nesiba’s case).
This afternoon the local Democrats had a public meeting at the downtown Sioux Falls library (we hope to have video in a couple of days). Many great ideas were thrown around, and a lot of finger pointing was also done.
Here’s some things that the Dems realized they may have lost on;
• While supporting education funding is good, it was probably a major mistake to vote for a Republican governor’s plan (that will probably be repealed or gutted this session). They should have voted it down and presented their own plan.
• While gay rights, abortion and teacher pay are important issues, they don’t resonate with a lot of South Dakotans, especially conservative voters. The message coming from Dems should not always be an ‘elitist’ or ‘special interest’ message, but one that resonates with all, like worker rights (all workers), wages and fair taxes.
• In light of Measure 22 passing, it is evident that Dems need to also focus more on ethics and corruption the one-party system has inflicted on us.
What is the solution to fixing the party’s brand in South Dakota?
• The resounding consensus at the meeting was having a unified message that resonates with ALL voters. And having actual solutions to those problems, like corruption and low wages and regressive taxes.
Not sure what that message will look like, but the message so far isn’t working for the party. Legislative candidate Michael Saba said it best, “We have to stop letting the Republican Party in this state brand us! We need to brand ourselves!”
Something that happened at the beginning of the meeting really had me thinking, and I even blurted out someones name. One major complaint is where are the past Democrats with high profiles these days? Only one was mentioned, Tim Johnson, who gave $20,000 towards 20 different candidates from his PAC. But the bigger question was where were Herseth, Johnson (both of them) Daschle and Hildebrand during the campaign? Why are they not assisting in rebuilding the party? I even blurted out Mayor Huether. That’s a good question no one had an answer to. It goes back to the elitism that exists in the party. I especially find it ironic that the Mayor leaned on the SDDP to get him elected, and organized labor, and now he is no where to be found. He even convinced the SDDP to help out the city council campaign of a Republican, De Knudson. On second thought, maybe we don’t want his help.
There also seemed to be this desire to control the message of the media. Folks, not going to happen. First off, that is not how the Fourth Estate is supposed to function, and secondly we don’t even have a very good functioning media in this town. Our TV stations are more concerned about sick kids at the Sanford Castle and the weekly work out routine then they are about real news. And our local newspaper has been flailing and flopping like a fish out of water for several years now.
As was determined in the meeting, come up with a solid message, solutions, and hammer it home, day after day, and the media will start to take notice. Trump won because he had a message, you may not agree with it, I certainly don’t, but he repeated it over and over.
The Dems can pull out of this, and they must do it now, especially with Trump haters who are very angry right now and want some relief. Start with them, and work your way out.