It’s the midterm elections, stupid

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The continuing fight over who should be chair of the California Democratic Party is a case in point. There was an election and the candidate favored by so-called moderate Democrats won. Narrowly. The candidate who lost, narrowly, representing the so-called progressive wing of the party, is continuing to protest. I don’t know either of these candidates and truthfully at this point of despair at what is happening to our country I don’t care. I want change and the only way it’s going to happen is to change Congress. It’s the midterm elections, stupid. The continued back and forth over party chair will weaken the best chance we have to defeat incumbent republicans in California, those who are most vulnerable like Darrell Issa.

Of the 61 Republicans Democrats are looking to unseat nationwide, seven are Californians: Jeff Denham, R-Turlock; David Valadao, R-Hanford; Steve Knight, R-Palmdale; Ed Royce, R-Fullerton; Mimi Walters, R-Irvine; Dana Rohrabacher, R-Costa Mesa; and Darrell Issa, R-Vista.

Doesn’t it make more sense for California Democrats to spend time and energy supporting candidates who can beat these incumbents rather than wasting time fighting each other? It’s the midterms, stupid.

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Even if Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller finds out what we already know and more that we don’t - how President Donald Trump’s people conspired with the Russians to defeat Hillary Clinton, how financial ties between Trump and his associates with Russian tycoons have driven the president’s agenda, the full how and why of the James Comey firing - nothing will happen in a Republican-controlled Congress. It will not be a rerun of Watergate. There will be no impeachment hearings. Nothing much will change. There will be more fake news, more tweets, more scandals, more changes in the West Wing and more violations of basic human rights. There will be more insults to the U.S. Constitution, more mongering, more weakening of our country at home and abroad.

There will be more deregulation of important safeguards to Americans’ health and welfare. Already on the chopping block: the Environmental Protection Agency would lose nearly half its research funding ($239 million) for studies of air pollutants, water contaminants, drinking water safety and more; the Energy Department would see a 12 percent cut in funding which would harm studies on renewable energy. Nothing will happen to stop these and other harmful cuts until we change the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018. It’s the mid-terms, stupid.

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It won’t be easy. Despite the horror of the last 200 days, 75 percent of Republicans still support Trump. Republican-gerrymandered districts mean most Republican congressional members feel safe unless they have a challenge from the right. While most Americans are sickened by the events of last week, the president’s base likes what he says and feels empowered.

Let’s not forget that it is easier to protest, post on Facebook, or tweet than do the hard work necessary to elect a new Congress. Another warning sign for Democrats: finger pointing since Trump’s election have left the DNC far behind in fundraising for the first half of 2017. The DNC raised $38.2 million in the first half of the year, compared with the Republican National Committee’s $75.4 million haul during that period - a $37.2 million difference. As of June 30, the RNC has almost $45 million in the bank, while the DNC has just under $7.5 million, along with $3 million in debt.

To regain the House, the Democrats need to act together and stay on message. It’s the midterms, stupid.

Sue Lempert is the former mayor of San Mateo. Her column runs every Monday. She can be reached at sue@smdailyjournal.com.