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John Bel Edwards' win in Louisiana shows Democrats the way forward John Bel Edwards' win in Louisiana shows Democrats the way forward
(about 5 hours later)
Red-state Democrats like me, Edwards and Andy Beshear know that defeating Trump requires serious policy solutions, not pie-in-the-sky proposalsRed-state Democrats like me, Edwards and Andy Beshear know that defeating Trump requires serious policy solutions, not pie-in-the-sky proposals
The recent victories of Governor-elect Andy Beshear in Kentucky and Governor John Bel Edwards in Louisiana offer a clear path forward to defeat Donald Trump – and a warning to national Democrats.The recent victories of Governor-elect Andy Beshear in Kentucky and Governor John Bel Edwards in Louisiana offer a clear path forward to defeat Donald Trump – and a warning to national Democrats.
Democratic candidates in deep-red states campaigned and won by focusing on serious solutions to the challenges that families face every day, not pie-in-the-sky proposals: getting things done in the here and now, not promises of a revolution sometime down the road. I would argue that these candidates won despite the preoccupations of many national Democrats. If we don’t follow their lead, we risk re-electing Donald Trump and losing statehouses across the country.Democratic candidates in deep-red states campaigned and won by focusing on serious solutions to the challenges that families face every day, not pie-in-the-sky proposals: getting things done in the here and now, not promises of a revolution sometime down the road. I would argue that these candidates won despite the preoccupations of many national Democrats. If we don’t follow their lead, we risk re-electing Donald Trump and losing statehouses across the country.
In 2020, we’re all single-issue voters – and that issue is making Donald Trump a one-term president. In order to do that, the strategy is simple: Democrats have to win back the places we lost last time. These are places beyond the coasts, in states and counties that might look a lot like those that Democrats won in the last two weeks. So how did they do that?In 2020, we’re all single-issue voters – and that issue is making Donald Trump a one-term president. In order to do that, the strategy is simple: Democrats have to win back the places we lost last time. These are places beyond the coasts, in states and counties that might look a lot like those that Democrats won in the last two weeks. So how did they do that?
In Kentucky, Beshear campaigned on protecting healthcare and saving rural hospitals, not Medicare for All. He campaigned on investing in public schools and expanding opportunities for the children of his state, not cancelling loan debt and making college free.In Kentucky, Beshear campaigned on protecting healthcare and saving rural hospitals, not Medicare for All. He campaigned on investing in public schools and expanding opportunities for the children of his state, not cancelling loan debt and making college free.
In Louisiana, Edwards focused on his record of expanding health coverage and investing in public education, while his opponent clung to Trump’s divisive national agenda.In Louisiana, Edwards focused on his record of expanding health coverage and investing in public education, while his opponent clung to Trump’s divisive national agenda.
These wins outline a clear path to victory for Democrats everywhere in 2020. These candidates didn’t win by touting policies that would upend people’s health coverage or spend trillions of dollars we don’t have, they won by showing up everywhere and focusing on serious solutions to the problems that people face every day. These wins outline a clear path to victory for Democrats everywhere in 2020. These candidates didn’t win by touting policies that would upend people’s health coverage or spend trillions of dollars we don’t have; they won by showing up everywhere and focusing on serious solutions to the problems that people face every day.
After his victory on Saturday, Edwards said that his constituents’ shared love of their state is more important than partisan differences. He’s right. When we focus on our shared values, we can find common ground to not only win elections, but to get real things done.After his victory on Saturday, Edwards said that his constituents’ shared love of their state is more important than partisan differences. He’s right. When we focus on our shared values, we can find common ground to not only win elections, but to get real things done.
That’s what I did in Montana.That’s what I did in Montana.
In 2016, Donald Trump won Montana by 20 points. That same election, I won by four.In 2016, Donald Trump won Montana by 20 points. That same election, I won by four.
And I did it without sacrificing our values. Even with a majority Republican legislature, I expanded healthcare to nearly 100,000 people, made record investments in public education, froze college tuition, and kicked dark money out of our state’s elections. I stood up to efforts to undermine unions and public lands, and stopped every attack on a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decision. And I did it without sacrificing our values. Even with a majority Republican legislature, I expanded healthcare to nearly 100,000 people, made record investments in public education, froze college tuition and kicked dark money out of our state’s elections. I stood up to efforts to undermine unions and public lands, and stopped every attack on a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decision.
The fact is, most people want the same things: a roof over their head, a good job, a chance for their kids to do better than them. They aren’t looking for campaigns driven by Twitter and empty promises from Washington; they’re looking for leaders who have serious solutions to their daily challenges. When we meet people where they are, with serious plans to make their lives better, they’re going to trust us – especially when our opponents are busy talking about a border wall hundreds of miles away.The fact is, most people want the same things: a roof over their head, a good job, a chance for their kids to do better than them. They aren’t looking for campaigns driven by Twitter and empty promises from Washington; they’re looking for leaders who have serious solutions to their daily challenges. When we meet people where they are, with serious plans to make their lives better, they’re going to trust us – especially when our opponents are busy talking about a border wall hundreds of miles away.
Barack Obama said last week that Americans aren’t looking for a revolution. An alarming new poll shows almost all of the current Democratic candidates losing to Trump in key battleground states. If our nominee is running on upending the healthcare of 150 million Americans, we will lose; not just to Donald Trump, but to Republicans running for statehouses across the country.Barack Obama said last week that Americans aren’t looking for a revolution. An alarming new poll shows almost all of the current Democratic candidates losing to Trump in key battleground states. If our nominee is running on upending the healthcare of 150 million Americans, we will lose; not just to Donald Trump, but to Republicans running for statehouses across the country.
Too often, this election has forced us to choose between two untenable options: the daily erosion of our values and the comforting promises we know can never be kept.Too often, this election has forced us to choose between two untenable options: the daily erosion of our values and the comforting promises we know can never be kept.
But this moment is too big for false choices. Too many Americans are counting on us, we can’t have plans that go nowhere.But this moment is too big for false choices. Too many Americans are counting on us, we can’t have plans that go nowhere.
The victories of Beshear and Edwards have shown us a clear path to victory, and it’s up to us to take it.The victories of Beshear and Edwards have shown us a clear path to victory, and it’s up to us to take it.
Steve Bullock is the governor of Montana and a Democratic candidate for president. He is the only candidate in the Democratic field who has won a state Trump won in 2016.Steve Bullock is the governor of Montana and a Democratic candidate for president. He is the only candidate in the Democratic field who has won a state Trump won in 2016.