Will leftist national Democrats impact the party in Utah?
Pignanelli and Webb
Political pundits have noted the national Democratic Party is tilting left. This is especially evident in the liberal policies pushed by some of its presidential candidates. Further, the impeachment proceedings are a mixed bag for some Democrats in swing states. All of this is creating cracks within the world’s oldest political party. We review the national and local implications.
Former President Barack Obama recently counseled Democratic presidential candidates not to “tear down the system.” He said many people “just don’t want to see crazy stuff,” implying some archliberal candidates are not aligned with mainstream Americans. Meanwhile, additional centrist Democratic candidates are getting into the race. And moderate Democrats have won recent gubernatorial elections. What do these internal struggles mean for the party and how will it impact Utah’s elections next year?
Pignanelli: “In politics, manipulating reality can take precedence over finding reality.” —George Soros
A talented ballet performer turned politician has crystallized the angst Americans are suffering while watching the coddling of left-wing extremists by presidential candidates. Former Congressman and Chief of Staff to President Obama Rahm Emanuel recently reminded everyone the traditional value system of Democrats (including Social Security and Medicare funded by payroll taxes, Earned Income Tax Credit, etc.) is based on respecting the value of work, shared responsibility and equal access to opportunity. He then declared, “The fact is, promises of free income, free college, guaranteed health care is walking away from the traditional value system of Democrats … from Roosevelt backwards.”
Emanuel’s statements highlight a subterranean struggle occurring between moderates and progressives. A correction to the leftist trajectory must occur in order for Democrats to remain competitive across the country and in Utah, to deflect the expected, and likely impactful, attacks from the GOP declaring them members of a party out of touch. But the champions of this cause are not fully developed. So, no solid predictions as to the ultimate outcome.
The interesting feature is a dance-trained big city mayor is the articulate mouthpiece of mainstream Democrats and centrist Americans.
Webb: Given President Trump’s weakness, Democrats really ought to be able to crush him and take total control of government. But Republicans can express gratitude this Thanksgiving for extremist Democratic leaders who are even more out-of-touch with mainstream Americans than Trump is.
Even a lot of Democrats are terrified that Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders can’t defeat a wounded Trump. The archliberal wing of the party controls the nomination process, pushing all the candidates to the left.
In Utah, these dynamics will hurt Democrats if Republicans can nationalize the election and tie Utah Democratic candidates to leftist plans and policies and highlight the Democratic obsession with impeachment instead of letting voters choose.
Utah Democrats will need to distance themselves from the “crazy stuff” Obama alluded to — like forced Medicare (whether you want it or not), the multitrillion-dollar Green New Deal, free college (even for the rich), open borders, higher taxes, free health care for illegal immigrants, and on and on.
Trump could be an albatross for some Utah Republican candidates, but he also energizes the base.
National Republicans are spending $250,000 in ads targeting Utah Democratic Congressman Ben McAdams for his support of the impeachment inquiry and his association with liberal congressional personalities (i.e. Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez). Will the ad campaign influence McAdams’ eventual vote on impeachment and how will it impact his reelection?
Pignanelli: These commercials accentuate that McAdams needs a strong personal message on impeachment that appeals to center right voters, the majority in his district. This requirement is especially emphasized as he has no control over the eventual public perception on impeachment, as it will be determined by external factors. So, a clear strategy towards the progressive faction is an imperative.
Webb: Utahns don’t appreciate outside interest groups injecting themselves into Utah politics. So the ad campaign will probably help McAdams more than hurt him.
But McAdams is in a delicate spot with an impeachment vote pending. It will test his political skills. His liberal constituents will be very angry if he doesn’t vote to toss Trump out of office. But a majority of his constituents likely believe Trump’s behavior was highly inappropriate, but doesn’t rise to the level of impeachment, especially less than a year before voters will determine his fate. That position would be a good spot for McAdams to land.
Bernie Sanders captured almost 85% of the Utah primary caucus vote in 2016. Does a moderate have a chance to attract Utah Democrats in the 2020 presidential primary?
Pignanelli: The leftists will be organized again to deliver a similar return next year. But they will be split between Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Thus, Pete Buttigieg may have a chance to walk through the division and score a win.
Webb: Utah has some moderate Democrats, but the party base is as liberal as any place in the country. So Utah Democrats are likely to give their primary votes to an archliberal, rather than to a moderate like Joe Biden or Amy Klobuchar.