Maybe try defiance
We are all breathing a sigh of relief this morning that France did not fall into the hands of an anti-immigrant, far-right nationalist with ties to Vladimir Putin. The U.S. has been there. We are still in recovery. I think.
President Emmanuel Macron’s victory over Marine Le Pen was decisive, if not as overwhelming as his performance against her in 2017. Still, the growing strength of the far right across Europe is unnerving. E.J. Dionne this morning suggests Macron “saved Europe from political catastrophe.”
Charlie Pierce got there first. I cry every time. Every time.
Macron’s party faces another challenge in French legislative elections in June.
Now, let’s look at how the world has reacted to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, clearly the underdog against Putin’s far larger, more heavily equipped Russian army. Much of Europe, the U.S. and NATO have rallied behind stalwart Ukraine. We are inspired by its will to defend its homeland. We are inspired by a comedian who would be president who has risen to the moment like Victor Laszlo as a symbol of Ukrainian resistance. Vladimir Putin expected to overrun Ukraine and to erase it from the map in a matter of days. Two months of Russian war crimes and massive Russian losses later, Ukraine has not fallen. If there is a Ukrainian “La Marseillaise,” I’d like to learn it.
So I’d like to propose a radical idea for Democrats facing long odds this fall. Nancy, Chuck, maybe instead of putting the best face on unfavorable electoral weather, play the underdog in 2022. That goes against all conventional wisdom, I know. Conventional wisdom is to put a happy face on negative news and polling. Standard procedure is to buck up the base and keep spirits high; tell Democrats they can win if they will just do the work and turn out the vote. Optimism above all.
But is conventional wisdom, is playing it safe, the right move here? Comfortable, familiar, yes. But is it strategic? Perhaps defiance is a better motivator than happy talk.
Americans fought a revolution against the British Empire and won the war they should have lost. Since its founding, we’ve pulled for other underdogs with heart and long odds. Maybe sell that instead of false confidence everyone sees through.
I keep repeating:
How many Rocky movies did Stallone make? And they’re all the same movie. So why do people keep going? Because so many Americans themselves feel like underdogs. We want to root for the little guy with heart. Facing insurmountable odds. Risking it all. We want to feel the thrill up our spines and in the tops of our heads when Bill Conti’s trumpet fanfare introduces the training sequence. We want to hear that. Wait for it. Cheer for it. Pay for it. Over and over and over.
Hell, my roommate must have seen the original four or more times. He did not start off his mornings singing “La Marseillaise,” but he started eating raw eggs before his morning run to emulate Rocky. He was inspired.
Nancy, Chuck, Jaime, maybe be honest with your base this time. Instead of pep talks, consider being frank. Talk to them like adults. Explain what the world and the United States will look like if Republicans gain control again. Inspire them to fight, not to think good thoughts.
I don’t know how it would work. I don’t know if it would work. But I’m pretty sure “the usual” won’t.
Update: And whatever you do, Democrats, do not listen to Mark Penn.
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