Democrats' new 2018 strategy targeting Trump's 'culture of corruption' is a missed opportunity

NBC "News" ^ | June 5, 2018 | by Dean Obeidallah

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Democratic leaders recently rolled out a new theme they hope will prove successful this November: President Donald Trump’s "culture of corruption." As Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer put it when announcing the new strategy in May, “The swamp has never been more foul or more feted than under this president.” Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in the House, added: “Instead of delivering on his promise to drain the swamp, President Trump has become the swamp."

It’s a pretty good strategy. With Democrats hoping to take the House back and maybe even the Senate, a progressive national platform in 2018 that champions things like Medicare for all and free college may not play as well in the more centrist or red-leaning states and congressional districts Democrats need to win. And hammering Trump’s “culture of corruption” could be an effective way to remind the public of the many, many scandals that have broken this year - from alleged Russian collusion to Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen reportedly selling access to Trump for big bucks to congressional Democrats’ claims that Trump is personally profiting from being president.

Democrats must find a way to inspire voters who don’t usually vote. If the majority of Americans believe hatred is a real and pressing problem, rhetoric that appeals to this belief could resonate across partisan borders.

Framing the November election as a referendum on Trump’s corruption isn’t a bad strategy necessarily, but it does seem to be a missed opportunity. Making this election about something as personal as combatting hate is better politics, and it’s ultimately better for America.

[Vigilanteman]

A septic tank, like a swamp, always stinks the most when the pumping starts. And, short term, even more when the swamp or septic tank is empty. But once the lid is back on, the stench dissipates quickly.

[kaehurowing]

I have Fake News Fatigue!

[kanawa]

Dem slogan...

Why tell the truth when a lie gets better polling numbers?

[Oratam]

When will they run on “Lock Her Up!”

[Boomer]

Culture of corruption? Talk about projection. Corruption is the left’s middle name. There is no corruption by Trump; only an unraveling of the disaster that was the obama error.

The talk should be about giving him a medal and the Nobel Peace Prize; not any fantasy corruption.

[exDemMom]

Every one of these supposed elements of “corruption” is a media fabrication. There is nothing of any substance there.

[Fedora]

By all means, let’s put corruption front-and-center in the campaign, so we can focus on the Clinton Foundation, Valerie Jarrett’s Chicago scams, the Awan Brothers investigation, Robert Mueller’s protection of Whitey Bulger. . .

[trebb]

Yep - the Party that sweeps so much corruption under the rug that all their rugs are mounded high (some with moldering bodies underneath), wants to call corruption on Trump even though a couple years of investigations and attempts to set him up has turned up zero....