Opinion | Building a better Democratic Party – UI The Daily Iowan
Iowa Democrats need to revamp their election strategy.
If the Iowa Democratic Party is going to be competitive again, it must adopt an electoral strategy that combines popular progressive policy positions with a robust voter outreach program.
One of the big lessons Iowa politicos learned over the past decade was that Iowa Democrats are really bad at winning state elections. Despite the fact that Iowa is still technically considered a swing state, the Democratic Party has not held any sort of power since the Tea party wave election in 2010 primarily because Democrats have not made an effort to connect with Iowa voters.
In the 2020 election, Iowa Republicans mobilized their election corps. GOP volunteers reached out to voters by door knocking while political operatives were planning meet and greets for Republican candidates. Democrats, on the other hand, did none of those things. Instead, citing the pandemic, they chose to expand their online presence.
The decision not to hold any type of in-person events ended up costing Democrats dearly as most voters who tend to be considered middle aged or older did not bother to learn about the Democratic Party platform. This essentially allowed Republicans to characterize the Democratic Party as socialists looking to restrict the freedoms of Iowans. Democrats cannot repeat the mistakes of 2020.
They must build a robust apparatus of operatives and volunteers who will meet with any prospective voter and advertise Democrats ideas.
In addition, Iowa, like most upper-Midwest states, has become redder as manufacturing jobs have left the state. The GOP underformer President Donald Trump has manipulated the racial resentments of these blue-collar workers to win elections. As a result, Democrats have had a harder time winning elections as they have lost their base.
This makes door knocking and canvassing even more important.
Next, Iowa Democrats need to organize their platform around the median voter theorem. Derived from economics, the median voter theorem contends that if you were to line up voters on a left to right axis, the voter that will decide an election will be the one that holds the most middle-of-the-ground views. In other words, if Democrats and Republicans want to win an election, they must capture moderate voters. Now, that does not mean Democrats should adopt so-called centrist policies.
Rather, they must campaign on a few progressive policies that are popular with moderate Iowa voters. Some of these popular policies could include raising the minimum wage and providing high speed internet to rural populations.
A strategy based on the median voter theorem has been met with some pushback from left-leaning pundits. They are often quick to point out that former President Donald Trump, who styled himself as a right-wing populist, won the 2016 presidential election by not catering to the so-called median voterexcept he did.
Even if it was inadvertent, voters saw Trumps campaign proposals such as promising not to cut social security benefits as more moderate than his opponent at the time, Hillary Clinton, thus vindicating the median voter theorem. Furthermore, these pundits have also attacked public polling the main method operatives use for finding popular issues as inaccurate. Instead, they point to the polling in the 2020 election as being off.
Its much more nuanced than that.
After conducting a post-mortem of the 2020 election, the election guru Nate Silver argued that while 2020 was a mediocre year for polling, 80 percent of polls were able to correctly pick the winner of the election. Finally, the premiere polling institution in America, the Pew Research Center, has argued that pollsters should take steps to improve their polling methodology to get more representative samples of American voters.
The current electoral strategy used by Iowa Democrats has left the party in shambles. However, if the party can do a better job of reaching out to voters and remember the guiding principles of the median voter theorem, they can build back better.
Columns reflect the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board, The Daily Iowan, or other organizations in which the author may be involved.
Follow this link:
Opinion | Building a better Democratic Party - UI The Daily Iowan
- Miss Carbon County Hosts Sold-Out Winter Wonderland Tea Party - ETV News - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump arrives at the White House to attend a tea party with Biden - - - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Boston Tea Party to close one of their Bristol cafes - Bristol24/7 - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- 'Road to Revolution' Series Shares Womens Perspectives on the Boston Tea Party - National Archives | - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- What's Utica's Connection to The Boston Tea Party? - WKTV - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- Deseret News archives: Boston Tea Party in 1773 triggered war with England - Deseret News - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- Have a tea party while touring Houston on a bright pink bus - Houston Chronicle - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- This Day in History on December 16: The Boston Tea Party - RiverBender.com - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- Moss Bluff library travels back in time for tea party - KPLC - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- When was the Boston Tea Party? What to know about the infamous Boston Harbor protest - The Patriot Ledger - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- Boston Tea Party Museum offering free tours in honor of 251 anniversary - Boston 25 News - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Celebrates 251st Anniversary - WBZ NewsRadio 1030 - News Audio - iHeartRadio - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- Women's Club of Gulfport hosts 7th annual Tea Party - WLOX - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- Today in History: December 16, the Boston Tea Party - Beloit Daily News - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- The Mandarin Oriental 2024-2025 Winter Tea Party by Julien Dugourd - Sortiraparis - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- MVA boycotts tea party ahead of winter session - Hindustan Times - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- On this day: The Boston Tea Party happens in 1773 - in-cyprus - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- MVA boycotts CMs tea party over Beed, Parbhani law & order situation - The Times of India - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- 250th Anniversary Celebration of the Georgetown Tea Party takes place Thursday - Georgetown And Beyond News - December 4th, 2024 [December 4th, 2024]
- Join a ghostly tea party featuring the Pokmon GO debuts of Sinistea and Polteageist! - Pokmon GO - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Young ballerinas prepare for performance with a traditional tea party - Rochester Post Bulletin - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Join a ghostly tea party featuring the Pokmon GO debuts of Sinistea and Polteageist - GoNintendo - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Longmont-area events for Sunday, Nov. 24: Sugar Plum Tea Party at Longmont Museum - Longmont Times-Call - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Viral tea party between worlds tallest and shortest women takes over internet - Daily Jang - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Berks Ballet Theatre tea party inspires young dancers for Nutcracker performance - 69News WFMZ-TV - November 17th, 2024 [November 17th, 2024]
- The Innovators Tea Party shines light on successful women in STEM - Pilbara News - November 17th, 2024 [November 17th, 2024]
- From Tea Party darling to secretary of state? Rubios climb has always been to the top - Miami Herald - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- PHOTOS: Jaffrey Public Library hosts stuffie tea party for DINOvember - Monadnock Ledger Transcript - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Welcome to Dinovember! Join the T-Rex Tea Party Nov. 16 - The Cullman Tribune - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- We're obsessed with this WeHo hotel's Wicked tea party - NBC Los Angeles - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Par-tea time! November events mark the 250th anniversary of the Yorktown Tea Party. - The Virginian-Pilot - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Colonial Tea Ball at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown to Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Yorktown Tea Party - WYDaily - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Celebrate the Commemoration of the 250 Anniversary of the Yorktown Tea Party 1774 - November 7, 2024 - Williamsburg Families - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- What became of Sarah Palin, Trumps Tea Party predecessor who sought to return to politics in 2022 - AS USA - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Falkirk couple celebrate diamond anniversary with special tea party to mark occasion - Falkirk Herald - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Families connect with nature at Deep River County Parks Woodland Tea Party - NWI.Life - October 23rd, 2024 [October 23rd, 2024]
- PICTURES: All smiles at the fundraising tea party in Thomastown - Kilkenny Live - October 23rd, 2024 [October 23rd, 2024]
- Halloween Tea Party - CTV News Winnipeg - October 23rd, 2024 [October 23rd, 2024]
- Rudy Giuliani appears in Georgia with Tea Party Patriots leader and claims there will be "frauds" to try to take the election from Trump -... - October 23rd, 2024 [October 23rd, 2024]
- News - Bloomsbury to host Halloween tea party for content-creators - The Bookseller - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Virginia had its own 'tea party.' This year marks the 250th anniversary of the one in Yorktown. - Cardinal News - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Mission First hosts a Princess Tea Party fundraiser - WLBT - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Coachman Ghost Returns to Haunted Mansion Tea Party Scene - WDW News Today - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- All the Stars Who Showed Out for the 2024 BAFTA NYC Tea Party - Cosmopolitan - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Thespian Tea Party This Saturday For Local Youth - FortScott.Biz - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Here's What To Know About BAFTA's Inaugural NYC Tea Party, Which Brought Out Colman Domingo, Jharrel Jerome And More - Blavity News - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Group to host Mad Hatter's Tea Party to support families facing brain disorders - Davidson Local - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- 'Beyond the Veil' | Learn about Victorian-era funeral practices at this afternoon tea party - WQAD Moline - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Celebrating a century with the Kane Garden Club's 100th Anniversary Tea Party - Kane Republican - October 7th, 2024 [October 7th, 2024]
- Pink tea party with Estela Casas happening this weekend - KTSM 9 News - October 7th, 2024 [October 7th, 2024]
- Tea party raises over 1,000 for the Seaton Hospice at Home - Midweek Herald - October 7th, 2024 [October 7th, 2024]
- Councillor hosts community tea party in Watford - Yahoo News UK - October 3rd, 2024 [October 3rd, 2024]
- Private Tea Party Experience with The Queens Tea Party - Atlanta News First - September 28th, 2024 [September 28th, 2024]
- Channel Your Inner Witch at The Westgate Hotel Hocus Pocus Tea Party - There San Diego - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Teddy Bear Tea Party with Paddington at the Robinson Film Center - KTALnews.com - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- The BAFTA TV Tea Party 2024 See Photos of Every Attendee - Just Jared - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Its the Mad Hatters Tea Party with a hip-hop twist - The Voice Online - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Borderlands Tiny Tina's Robot Tea Party review --- A party worth joining, even if it does begin to get a bit dull after a few play sessions - Gaming... - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Grand Island Public Library holds 22nd Annual Victorian Tea Party at Hargis House - KSNB - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Columbia Parks and Rec to Host TuTu Tea Party for Young Princesses - Maury County Source - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Annapolis Tea Party 250th Anniversary Commemoration (October 19, 2024) - Eye On Annapolis - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Inside the Emmy Parties: BAFTA Tea Party on Saturday and HBO Max After Party Sunday [PHOTOS] - WWD - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- BAFTA Brings Back Tea Party To LA After 4-Years To Honour TV Talents Of The Year | WATCH | N18G - News18 - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Tea parties are trending. Heres how to host your own - The Globe and Mail - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Forsyth County Tea Party, GOP rally for Trump in wake of shooting - Appen Media - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- King and Queen join tea party in St Helier - Indiana Gazette - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- King and Queen join tea party in St Helier - Putnam County Sentinel - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- King and Queen join tea party in St Helier - Citizentribune - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- King and Queen join tea party in St Helier - Conway Daily Sun - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- King and Queen join tea party in St Helier - Watauga Democrat - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- King and Queen join tea party in St Helier - 69News WFMZ-TV - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- Edenton to hold 'one heck of a tea party' thanks to $40K America 250 grant - The Daily Advance - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- King and Queen join tea party in St Helier - The Central Virginian - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- Bridgerton-themed event by Revolution Red highlights fight against period poverty - WLTX.com - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- King and Queen join tea party in St Helier - lincolnnewsnow.com - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- How to Host a Tea Party, According to Experts - POPSUGAR - June 25th, 2024 [June 25th, 2024]
- Community Heroes celebrated at Chairman's tea party - Horsham District Council - June 25th, 2024 [June 25th, 2024]
- Voodoo Ranger Hardcharged Tea Wreaks Havoc with Outrageous Stunt and Campaign | LBBOnline - Little Black Book - June 24th, 2024 [June 24th, 2024]
- LIVE REVIEW: The Tea Party - Perth Concert Hall - TRIPtych 25 - The Rockpit - June 24th, 2024 [June 24th, 2024]
- "Tea's Party: From Boston to Salem and Back Again" Author Talk at Salem Maritime National Historic Site - Destination Salem - June 16th, 2024 [June 16th, 2024]