I've complained for years that Democrats just aren't tough enough to beat the Republicans. They are the class nerds while Republicans are the schoolyard bullies. The nerds need to learn martial arts, work together, press their advantage when they have it etc.
I think Democrats equate being tough with being mean and underhanded. I don't. I think you can be tough while remaining moral and ethical. A lot of the techniques Republicans used to gain power were just Politics 101. But Democrats just stick to the same-old/same-old.
For example, Republicans figured out a long time ago that the best way to win is by turning out Republican voters, not wasting resources on those in the middle. Democrats still believe that elections are won in the middle, spend enormous effort chasing moderates, centrists etc.
Democrats should study Sun Tzu. classics.mit.edu/Tzu/artwar.html
