It also shows the marginalization of progressive voices. Even though the Progressive caucus has 102 members, only six of them ultimately voted against the plan in the House. All six opposers come from "safe" urban seats, which are almost guaranteed for Democrats. Prior to the November elections, many more had vowed to vote against the infrastructure bill if it was not paired with the vote on the Build Back Better plan - the budget bill that includes the social and climate components. This illustrates that the upcoming midterms are already entering into political calculations.
The Democrats are badly positioned in the House - a trend accentuated by the current redrawing of district maps. Their chances for the Senate are much better. Of the 33 seats at stake, two-thirds are currently held by Republicans. None of these seats concern a state where Trump won by a wide margin over Biden. Another possible advantage is that some of the candidates that Donald Trump endorsed could turn off voters. The same happened in 2010, when overly extreme Republican candidates lost states that had been "won" by the Republican Party.
Polls indicate the mobilization capacity of the Trumpist Republican Party, while highlighting the potential harm of some progressive slogans, such as "Defund the Police". At the same time, there is high public approval of the social and budgetary proposals of the Biden plan. How will the Democratic strategy adapt to this dilemma?
Beyond all quarrels, the program of the Democratic party is taking shape, one stone at a time.
Copyright: Drew Angerer / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
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