Democrats need to make 2024 a referendum on 'Republican extremism': strategist

10 November 2023

Despite President Joe Biden's low approval ratings, Election Night 2023 brought Democrats plenty of victories — from centrist Gov. Andy Beshear's reelection in deep red Kentucky to Democrats winning full control of the Virginia State Legislature.

Democratic Judge Dan McCaffery defeated his GOP opponent, Judge Carolyn Carluccio, in a race for a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court — which will have a 5-2 Democratic majority. And in Ohio, a measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution won by double digits.

In Philadelphia, Democratic Mayor-Elect Cherelle Parker's landslide victory wasn't especially surprising; Democrats have a 7-1 registration advantage in a deep-blue city that hasn't had a Republican mayor since Bernard Samuel left office in the early 1950s. But it was historic, as Parker will be the first female mayor in Philly history.

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One issue that worked extremely well for Democrats on Election Night 2023 was abortion. Democratic strategist Tom Bonier, in an essay/op-ed published by the New York Times on November 10, argues that Democrats need to make the 2024 elections a referendum on abortion rights and "Republican extremism" in general.

"With two election cycles after the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization under our belts," Bonier emphasizes, "it cannot be denied: Abortion rights are the dominant issue in American politics. And when supporters of abortion rights — a clear majority of Americans — see a connection between their votes and protecting what was once guaranteed by Roe v. Wade, they are more likely to vote."

Bonier continues, "With a second Trump term possibly hanging in the balance in next November's election, these are lessons Democrats must seize. Abortion rights won big on Tuesday night."

The Democratic strategist argues that Biden can overcome "Mr. Trump's narrow lead in recent polls" if he makes a concerted effort to connect with "women and younger voters" — and prioritizing reproductive rights should play a key role in that effort.

"Democrats exceeded expectations and precedent in key races in 2022 and 2023 by putting abortion rights and Republican extremism front and center," Bonier observes. "In 2024, all voters must understand that their votes will decide the future of abortion rights, everywhere."

Tom Bonier's full essay/op-ed for the New York Times is available at this link (subscription required).

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