Vast majority of citizens who voted today voted Democratic. 7-8 pp more people will only translate into 20 or so more seats in the house. Once again Republicans will hold the senate with a minority of voters. And, of course, President Trump lost pop vote too.
Senate map was really hard: Democrats entered tonight with just 23 seats to Republican 42. Note that 6 seats we counted as safe were in tough states from 2016: OH, PA, WI, MI, MN, MN. And, we still have MT, AZ, and NV to finish counting. 46 or 47 is not ideal, but OK considering.
Democratic house ran into gerrymandering wall and could not get over. Looks like Democrats will take just 3 seats that were not in my 33 toss-up races. Despite 7+ pp victory they won where expected (which, fyi, were a bunch of Republican held districts).
Hot-takes (1) Democrats should run in all 435 districts & 50 states, and they should run on a positive progressive message. It literally pays (fundraising) to be authentic. It builds brand, economy of scales, leads to action when elected. (2) Voting rights need to be a priority.
Republicans cannot win without voter suppression and gerrymandering. We literally do not have a democracy unless Democrats work at all levels to secure it (3) Democratic house needs to step up with both model and practical legislation.
They need to pass a path to universal healthcare. This will allow voters to trust they are serious. But, they also can push for immigration and voting reform that could squeak through senate. Sure President Trump may veto, but worth it.
(4) Oversight should be relentless. The corruption and rot of the Trump administration is absurd, and Democrats are now the charged with protecting US from it: Muslim travel ban, family separation, corruption in cabinet, security clearances for family, Puerto Rico, trade wars ...
whatever Jared is doing with Saudi Arabia, Trump's $500 million tax fraud, sabotage of healthcare markets: the list is endless and Democrats should not be shy to pursue investigations as any one of them would be biggest scandal for previous administrations.
(5) Finally, I am going to sleep better tonight than I have in exactly 2 years. On January 3, 2019 there will be people who care about our democracy, lives, safety, well-being (i.e., not Republicans) overseeing President Trump. Oversight is not just about investigation the past..
The house will have the ability to call immediate hearings and take action when events unfold. We will have a check and balance again, just like our Constitution intended. With that, I bid you good night. Job well done.
