How do Democrats increase midterm turnout?

[angus]

Bring up marijuana.  Bring up internet censorship.  Bring up police brutality.

I thought we were trying to help the Dems.  You sound more like you're trying to get out the Libertarians.

[angus]

Bring up marijuana.  Bring up internet censorship.  Bring up police brutality.

I thought we were trying to help the Dems.  You sound more like you're trying to get out the Libertarians.

Well, I've heard 3 things-

- Push to the center to win back older, whiter voters in places like Missouri, Ohio and Indiana
- Keep trying to improve turnout
- Try to reach out to voters we haven't yet but might be interested by pushing in a more libertarian direction.

All jokes aside, if I were a Democrat and wanted Democrats to win, I'd push forward with the chicken in every pot agenda.  I'd talk about government revenues and streets and schools and hospitals and roads.  I'd talk about workers and their dreams and desires and also about their hardships.  I'd also give a nod to the "Great American Middle Class" and I'd do so unflinchingly.  I'd stay far away from homo marriage and pregnancy termination and marijuana legalization.  Avoid those like the plague.

If I were a Republican and wanted Republicans to win, I'd talk about ISIS, ISIL, the free market, and I'd emphasize personal responsibility.  I'd talk about the state of public schools and of the public infrastructure.  Of course, I'd also give a not do the "Great American Middle Class" and I'd do so unflinchingly.  I'd stay far away from homo marriage and pregnancy termination and weed legalization.  Avoid those issues like the plague.

What I wouldn't do, in either party, is talk about how hard the other ones suck.  This only serves to depress voter participation.  If I were President Obama I'd talk about how much I want to work with the Republican congress.  If I were the House majority leader, I'd talk about how much I want to work with Obama.  I'd start now, and I'd make sure in my speech to note that some will try to use my words against me in future campaigns, and I'd make sure that the news medium records this bit too, the part where I'm saying that those who edit my speech have more interest in their own futures than in the people of the United States.  

If I were a Republican I'd say that Barack Obama is my President and I will do all that is in my power to help him succeed, because if he succeeds then the American people succeed.  If I were a Democrat I'd say that the Republican leadership in congress is my leadership and that I will do all that is in my power to help them succeed because if they succeed then the American people succeed.  I'd say that I want to increase turnout, but not only among those who support me but also among those who oppose me because that is the best way to ensure that the will of the people is represented at the polls.  I'd look deeply into the camera, and therefore into the eyes of the American people, and clearly state my agenda and admit that I might be biased and that I want to hear from those whose priorities differ from mine.  I'd also attempt to start a dialogue on peace in the Middle East, deteriorating infrastructure, education, terrorism, immigration, and caring for an aging population.  I'd do that by reminding them of our common goals including full employment and a contented population.  I'd ask for reasonable and mature debate on all issues affecting us.  

This is how you get more Democrats to support you.  This is how you get more Republicans to support you.  This is how you get more Americans to support you.
 

[angus]

social issues shouldn't be avoided like the plague, as one poster put it.

I assume that you are talking about this poster, and it is a clear misrepresentation.  I'll thank you not to put words into my mouth.  Or, as it were, onto my fingertips.

I did not use the phrase "social issues" for a number of reasons upon which I don't feel the need to expound now, as I have explained repeatedly in the past why the phrase is misleading.  I did say that things marijuana legalization and pregnancy termination should be avoided ("like the plague").  People get too hung up on things like that, and about things like same-sex marriage as well.

Anyway, I like to hear about sound economic policy.  I assume that other voters do as well.  I also like politicians that are willing to work, to negotiate if necessary.  I assume that other voters do as well.  In fact, I know that they do.  A Democrat who says that he'll work with the Republicans is being pragmatic, and suggests to me that he has good judgment and values reasonable debate and negotiated policy.  I say the same about Republicans who say that they'll work with Democrats.

IceSpear makes a good point about primaries.  Those aren't attended by reasonable people, by and large, but by partisans.  Reasonable candidates are often ousted in the primary elections of both parties, unfortunately.  It's part of the problem really, and probably deserves mention in this thread.  But that's a little off-topic, since this thread only asks about increasing turnout among Democrats.  Democrats will turn out if they are inspired to do so, and I think that reasonable candidates who have plans to solve the pressing problems of the day can inspire them.