must engage in a party-wide effort, from the president on down, to make the case for democracy reform and raise alarms about Republican intentions to subvert democracy. It means real pressure on Manchin and Sinema and a very public push to eliminate the filibuster. Democrats cannot make the case that they will protect democracy if they haven’t clearly fought like hell to do so.
Moreover
We must also clearly and specifically call out the Republicans. Because if Democrats don’t, we can be damn sure the media won’t do it for us. You lose 100 percent of the arguments you don’t make and not enough Democrats are making the argument that Republicans are a danger to democracy.
As luck would have it, the Democratic President had a great opportunity the day before to try this approach. In prepared remarks Saturday on the weekend's tornados which had hit several states, Joe Biden emphasized
whatever is needed, it’s within the authority of the President of the United States and the federal government to provide that help. And we’re going to provide whatever is needed....
Whatever is needed — whatever is needed, the federal
government is going to find a way to supply it.
Yet the Democratic President wouldn't say that only the government will provide this help. States are not calling on large corporations to rescue them; they are calling on government. The President could have noted that when assistance is needed most, when tragedies strike, it is the people of the United States of American- through the federal government- which steps in. And Republicans stand in the way.
Digby recommends that Democrats recognize the "negative partisanship (which) is the zeitgeist of the In so doing, Democrats should undermine GOP sacred cows. One is sainted ex-President Ronald(6) Wilson(6) Reagan(6), who once stated "I think you all know that I've always felt the nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help'."
The President could have helped. He might have recalled those words and noted they are terrifying only to Republicans such as Rand Paul who consistently try to block federal aid to states in other natural disasters. Such obstructionism, Biden should stress, is inconsistent with the values of the American people, who through their government help those most in need, especially when they are most in need.
For better and for worse, Democrats are recognized by voters as the party of government. It's time that, led by the President, they explain that there are things the private sector is unable to do. When times are most difficult, it's government alone which can step in and lead the nation.
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