red wave This situation, which powered Donald Trump’s return to the White House, upset the Senate and led to downvotes in many Republican races, prompted Democrats to form a circular firing squad.

Democrats were quick to point the finger at President Joe Biden. Some said it was meant to be stepped aside it’s too early to allow a traditional primary to be played. Others said Biden should do this stayed rather than bowing to pressure from big donors like the actor. George Clooney et al elite.

Others divided Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign has been shortened. Some have argued that he should choose a running mate from a blue-wall state, such as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro or Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, rather than progressive Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Some said Harris should do this he distanced himself He came earlier than Biden because voters wanted change. Still others questioned his motive campaigned with former conservative Rep. Liz Cheney rather than playing more to the progressive base.

blame game It is easy. But Democrats need to figure out where to go from here.

Trump is not an aberration. For almost a decade, he dominated the political scene even when he was not in power. Democrats lost to him twice and barely beat him a third time; This was largely thanks to him. fatal mismanagement of the epidemic.

” READ MORE: A tumultuous election is coming to an end and voters are choosing Trump’s terrifying vision of discord and revenge | Editorial

Trump, 78, won again on Tuesday criminal convictionA. sexual abuse finding one financial fraud decision, other three criminal indictmentsand refueling deadly uprising At the US Capitol.

Any of these blemishes could have ended the political careers of others. But Trump did it expand voter base Despite lifelong racism and a plan to deport immigrants, they are mostly white men, including Black and Latino men.

Clearly Democrats have some work to do to understand why they keep losing to such a despicable character.

Ground zero of any rebuilding effort must begin in Philadelphia. The city is the key to winning Pennsylvania. And winning the state is the key to winning the White House.

But voter turnout in Philadelphia keeps fallingEven though Democrats have a 7-1 registration advantage. Harris took fewer votes more in the city than Biden earned in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Philadelphia is also the starting point for intra-party conflicts. Bob Brady is the city’s longtime Democratic boss. was accused The Harris campaign claimed he showed no “respect” and failed to raise enough “street money” to pay committee members to vote.

“I’ve never talked to the lady, and she’s a candidate,” Brady said, Archie Bunker style.

The Harris campaign responded by posting a photo of Brady standing next to Harris. Brendan McPhillips, a senior adviser to Harris’ campaign in Pennsylvania, blamed Brady.

The vice president’s team “knocked on more than two million doors the weekend leading up to Election Day, which is two million more doors than Bob Brady’s organization can claim to have knocked on during his tenure as party chairman,” McPhillips said.

Both sides may share some blame. In fact, participation problems have spread throughout Pennsylvania and the country.

But Philadelphia needs new blood, and it can’t come soon enough. Brady, 79, has been the party’s boss since 1986. Attendance continues to decline as the party becomes calcified and lacks innovative ideas to increase registration and participation.

Beyond field operations, Democrats need to rethink how they can win back voters. working class whites and Latinos.

Democrats must do more to address kitchen table and quality of life issues that Republicans have effectively addressed exploited. High cost of living, including taxes and housing, in many blue states to move To red states like Florida and Texas. population change expected Giving these states additional electoral votes and political power after the 2030 Census.

” READ MORE: Trump Threat: The risk of a second Donald Trump presidency | Editorial Series

At the same time factionalism The conflict between progressives and moderates needs to be put aside for the greater good. The same goes for the generation gap. exposed Because of the war in Gaza.

While Democrats have long said they advocate for fairness, justice and equality, some party loyalists and independents are uncomfortable with the focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and gender espoused by the GOP. effectively politicized labeling them all “woke.”

Democrats should find a balance Among efforts to be inclusive without alienating core constituents. Better explain to voters how issues like systemic racism undermine democracy.

Democrats should too Take a page from Republican strategist Karl Rove and focus on the growth of state legislatures across the country. Republican control at the state level gerrymander congressional districts And restrict access to voting.

Certainly, independently drawn maps And open primaries is the best option, but until the rules change, Democrats need to compete better.

Many voters are understandably despondent and distressed about another four years of Trump. But the best way forward is to solve the problems to help attract and motivate more voters.

As the late Senator Ted Kennedy said in his excitement concession speech After failing to secure the Democratic presidential nomination in 1980, he said, “(T)he work continues, the cause continues, the hope still lives and the dream will never die.”