We Democrats have a lot of problems!

The polarization between the extremes within our party is a major problem. The issue is not our diversity of opinion, but rather, our failed process to reach agreement. Agreement must be reached sufficiently prior to the election to allow time for proper messaging, campaigning, and media, all of which should present a clear and unified point of view–without the extremes complaining they didn’t get all they wanted. This failure occurs repeatedly by Democrats–inability to reach a consensus. Differences are often aired from our own extremes, and this has the likelihood of drawing off voters, especially independent voters, from trusting the wisdom of the party in terms of the precise legislation which is brought to the floor. Take the examples of Manchin and Sinema in the latest round of negotiations. We can’t be airing our own grievances right up to the ballot box. We claim we want unification? Demonstrate it yourselves, our Democratic representatives!

It’s one thing to stand on principal, but at the end, the alternative is loss of the legislation, and/or living with the Republican proposal, likely far worse.

Joe Biden. He’s a great President, especially for these times. bi-partisan, centrist, politically experienced, honorable, with high integrity. However, he’s also a burden to the Democratic Party. He’s old, sometimes stumbles verbally. He’s unpopular because he’s up against a high level of inflation, partly inflicted by his own legislation, and exacerbated by global issues beyond any President’s control. Let’s face it, even we Democrats yearn for a younger John Kennedy type who could rally people equally with Trump–or better.

Messaging is another problem for Democrats. Take the border. Yes, we are allowing more people to cross the border, seeking asylum. Republicans focus totally on the illegality, the dangers of crime, etc. We Democrats should be messaging the plight of specific families. We should be messaging the need for immigrant workers. We should be illustrating why and how we can accommodate more immigrants. We should be making specific proposals for streamlining our legal immigration process. We should be preaching Christian charity to Republicans, who claim to be highly religious. We should be arguing that Republicans just don’t care about the needs of our factories and farmers, and about the desperate needs of our black and brown immigrants, vast majority of whom are obeying all laws, working, paying taxes, and contributing mightily to our great nation. We seem paralyzed by the Republican issue–just whether we have enough control of the border.

And, do we demonstrate what we preach when we have the authority to do so? Take housing policy. In the 18 states in which Democrats control all three seats of government, do we actually manage to create affordable housing? In California, we do not. We are locked in nimby-ism here. Furthermore, we don’t have the most progressive taxing systems in those Democratic controlled states. Some Republican controlled states are more progressive than we are in California or Washington. Third, we allow school funding by districts, resulting in the kids with the greater needs having the least resources. There are other examples.

All this said, how about the Republican Party? Wow, the comparison would astound a cosmic visitor. Mistakes and shortcomings for the “liberal” party of the US pale by comparison to those of the “conservative” party. There was absolutely nothing of significant positive value to the nation contributed by Donald Trump Presidency. There is nothing of value contributed by Trump continuing to wield power over the Republican Party. That is, except for the benefit to the Democratic Party, as voters examine Trump’s weak candidate endorsements in the upcoming midterms, and his mounting legal troubles. Yes, all of this is likely to deny Republicans control of both Houses of Congress in the midterms, now only 60 days away.

So, Democrats need to get-it-together. Lots of mistakes. But Republicans are caught in a suicide pact with Donald Trump

If it comes down to two old guys in 2024, the same two, I’ll take our guy. He’s head and shoulders above and beyond Trump, and even a good case of dementia would not change that ranking.