March 7, 2019--How to Lose In 2020

Right now, in real time, House Democrats are busy tearing themselves apart and working hard to lose the 2020 election.

The Washington Post is reporting that House Democrats erupted into a full-scale brawl Wednesday, challenging leaders over indirectly sanctioning freshman Representative Ilhan Omar for alleged anti-Semitic remarks amid an outcry over party inaction to President Trump’s divisive comments on race. 

In a closed-door session, Democrats protested plans to vote this week on a resolution condemning religious hatred, a measure prompted by Omar’s comments last week suggesting supporters of Israel have “allegiance to a foreign country.” 

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) said Wednesday there may not be a vote this week on any resolution. “We’re discussing what is the best way to address it." 

Many of those speaking out Wednesday were members of the Congressional Black Caucus, who bristled at the notion that Omar would be targeted for a rebuke--even an indirect one, as Democratic leaders had planned--while lawmakers remain silent about Republican behavior, especially that of Trump. 

“I think there’s a big rise in anti-Semitism and racism, and that’s a bigger conversation we need to be having,” said Rep. Cedric L. Richmond (D-La.). “But it starts at 1600 Pennsylvania. It doesn’t start with one member out of 435 members of Congress.” 

It is my view that also at issue is what is implied by the "indirect" rebuke to Omar in the resolution which, originally spoke only about anti-Semitism but subsequently, to broaden the criticism and take some of the onus off Omar, was redrafted to include condemnation of anti-Moslem, racist, and homophobic behavior. 

It is just this kind of identity politics that will ironically fuel the great divider's, Trump's claim that Democrats are about dividing rather than unifying people and how this exposes that Democrats will pander to any interest group in a desperate search for votes.

It also will contribute to making it more difficult for Democrats to nominate a moderate, which in turn means it will be more likely that Trump will find a way in 2020 to secure 270 Electoral votes.

We need to keep our eyes on the prize--winning in 2020. After winning, we can get back to struggling with legitimate and productive disagreements about social policy.