#WalkAway

There is a movement that may or may not be significant.  Brandon Straka, a man who claims that he is a liberal, has left the Democratic Party because he retains his liberal beliefs and thinks the party has abandoned them.  Between Facebook and YouTube, he's had about 2 million views.  As a good chunk of those are probably Republicans who are giddy to see erosion to the Democrats' support, this may be more hype than trend.  However, since it has been clearly shown that Bernie was cheated by the DNC during the primaries and that 12% of his voters went to Trump instead of Hillary, maybe this is serious.  The more shrill the Democrats get regarding Trump and Republicans, the more they may drive away the moderate Democrats and Independents.  Whether it is much ado about nothing or a major political shift will be determined in the midterm elections.  Blue Wave = it was nothing, Status Quo = concern for Democrats, Red Wave = panic for Democrats.  Of course, four months is an eternity in a campaign and what is happening now may be little more than a footnote come November.

 

To make matters worse, the rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez the Democratic Socialist as a party rock star moves the party further left.  Socialism may seduce young voters who don't know better but older voters remember the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and have seen the impact of socialism on Venezuela.  Promising handouts and free college is not the best of platforms during a good economy.

 

History is on the Democrats' side.  Typically, the out of power party makes gains in the off year election but the polling has tightened considerably and off year elections tend to have lower turnout, which benefits Republicans.  It is almost certain that Republicans will add to their majority in the Senate (Democrats have more senate seats up for grabs this year) but the House is certainly in play.