A new national survey for The Economist conducted just after the passage of President Trump’s big bad budget-busting bill indicates the new law has landed with a loud thud on the doorsteps of the American people. Republicans have hurt themselves with the sour public reaction to Trump’s bill. Because of MAGA missteps, Democrats now have the tools to build a new foundation for the Democratic Party.
Only one out of every three Americans supports the legislation, whereas more than half oppose the new law. It is 10 percentage points less popular than it was in April and only one out of every four people believe it will help the average American.
Trump’s net approval rating is 11 percentage points underwater and his job rating on the economy is a net negative 14 percent. There are twice as many Americans who strongly disapprove of his overall performance as there are who strongly approve of it.
What’s next on the agenda for Trump after his pyrrhic victory and for his Democratic opposition?
Trump’s intense effort to pass his big bad bill into law is proof positive that he doesn’t care a flying fig about winning over any swing voters. Now that the deadly deed has been done, he will continue his campaign to light a fire under his diehard MAGA supporters so he’s confident they vote in what Trump hopes is a low turnout midterm election.
Sadly, there will be a surge in the MAGA culture wars as Trump desperately tries to distract the public away from his epic failure to bring prices down. Now that Immigration and Customs Enforcement got a big budget bump, expect to see more staged Los Angeles-style crackdowns on immigrants in large American cities with Democratic mayors. Watch for fresh attacks on transgendered athletes. Anyone weak and vulnerable will bear the brunt of Trump’s desire to impress MAGA diehards and create an opportunity for a weak man to project a powerful presidential image.
Democratic strategists, like successful National Football League coaches, need to think at least three plays ahead to win. To stay ahead of the curve, Democrats need to do more than react to every Trump outrage without a real message for the long haul. Entrepreneur Mark Cuban said, the only Democratic message is “Trump sucks.” That’s not enough for Democrats to prosper. We must be ready with innovative solutions to the problems that the GOP creates and not simply try to return to the status quo that voters despise.
Inflation is still issue No. 1 for Americans. Trump’s campaign promise to reduce prices has turned into a joke on consumers. Don’t get distracted by what’s right in front of you — keep your eye on the endgame. Democrats must look ahead to the lay of the land with 15 months still ahead until midterm elections.
The secret sauce for being a strong opposition party and building a vibrant Democratic majority is to use Trump outrages to blister him for his failure to keep his campaign promise to bring down high prices on the first day of his second administration. Medicaid cuts will increase health care costs especially in rural areas. Deportations of hard-working immigrant farmers and construction workers will swell food and housing costs. High tariffs will cause retail shoppers to pay through the nose.
Democrats should counter Trump with a bold economic agenda that fights his failed policies. We could use a little good old populist trust busting. Smash the price hiking grocery chain cartels. Follow that with a proposal for a tax system that rewards the hard work of working families, wait staff and Social Security recipients instead of the greed of plutocrats and aristocrats.
We should also call for clean energy programs that create jobs and innovate our economy. We need sensible immigration reform that will allow freedom lovers to avoid political persecution, let hard working newcomers contribute to the nation’s economic opportunities and permit “Dreamers,” brought here as youth to stay to contribute their considerable talents to society.
To advance, Democrats must stay one step ahead of Trump. The party needs to do more than react piecemeal to his latest most outrageous actions. We need innovative policies and programs that fix the problems that Trump is creating.
Brad Bannon is a national Democratic strategist and CEO of Bannon Communications Research which polls for Democrats, labor unions and progressive issue groups. He hosts the popular progressive podcast on power, politics and policy, Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon.
