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Dear Editor:
I write this on 2022 Election Eve morning when shortly we Democrats will learn the people’s will here in Indiana and around our Union.
Professional political organizations that win most of the time learn lessons and debate among themselves the best strategy forward to win more offices in the next election cycle.
As a successful political operative for many cycles in Kansas and Michigan in the 1990s and early 2000s, it is difficult to self-analyze a losing strategy in real time during the course of a campaign that could have produced a General Election victory. However, this skill is necessary to win.
Sadly, it appears evident the Indiana Democratic Party is not able or willing to effectively analyze our shortcomings.
Look at this year: our U.S. Senate nominee Tom McDermott is publicly complaining D.C. wrote him off. There are many progressives who were shocked at the way TWO ladies of color were treated in February as they were booted from the primary ballot. One is a write-in Senatorial candidate!
We Democrats appear to be controlled opposition, not competitive opposition.
In Johnson County, Democrats handed over most of the countywide seats to the opposition. I voted Saturday and had two township candidates and a State Senate candidate to choose, but that was it.
Congressmen Mrvan and Carson are our only federal office holders with the other seven Congressional seats given up to the opposition.
Who is doing the polling for the state party? Who thought making abortion the crux issue instead of inflation and the economic crisis we all are experiencing the KEY concern for Hoosier voters?
If we Democrats would have taken time to perceive the 2022 political reality instead of finding our strategies in the echo chamber of constant losing positions and ideas, we could be competitive statewide and in some Congressional districts outside of the blue bubbles which are the bones thrown to us by the powerful decision makers for our state.
I love what the Democratic Party SHOULD stand for: the economic security and advancement of the working and retired middle class of this country.
Sadly, all we regular folks have these days is a choice between a red or blue private corporation that cares more about Wall Street and K Street lobbyists than they give a hoot about you and me on Main Street, USA.
I’m still hoping for a change, and at 63, my hope is stronger than ever; however, my disappointments are too. We must do better.
Rev. Mark J Powell, M.Div.
Whiteland