Democrats’ strategy to defeat Republicans in two years: Work with Republicans now

Democrats have plans to take back power in Washington from Republicans within two years. Let’s work with Republicans now.

Democrats, who were ousted from power in Washington last month and are already planning a comeback, oppose President-elect Donald Trump and his allies when values ​​clash, but on a range of issues, including immigration. He says he is ready to cooperate. , Federal Expenditures and Rights.

The strategy marks a shift from 2017, when “resistance” to Trump was the Democratic Party’s rallying cry. But some lawmakers and operatives said it also presents a bipartisan challenge for Republicans, with the narrow Republican majority in Congress likely to mandate some cooperation.

“People want to see government work, and we’re going to hold Republicans accountable for whether they’re willing to work together to move things forward for the American people. So if they If not, it will absolutely impact Republicans at the ‘ballot box,”’ said Susan, a Washington Democrat who led House Democrats’ campaign arm this year and plans to do so again in the 2026 midterm elections. Congressman DelBene said.

“I think we’re telling them we’re here to govern,” DelBene added. “And I think the question is, are they serious about governing?”

When Republicans take office next month, they are putting together an aggressive agenda that includes extending Trump-era tax cuts and implementing stricter border measures. The effort could be split into two bills or combined into one, but Republicans’ intention is to pass the bill in a way that doesn’t require meeting the 60-vote Senate filibuster rule.

However, for the remainder of the upcoming 119th Congress, once the vacancies are filled, Republicans will have a 220-215 majority in the House of Representatives, but with just 53 seats in the Senate, they will be able to control most legislation. It lacks the 60 seats needed to pass the bill.

Democrats are already proposing potential areas for cooperation, even as they lick their wounds from a disappointing election and find President Trump anathema to many of their core beliefs.

“To win in 2026 and beyond, Democrats must focus on building an economic message that centers on high-wage jobs and revitalizing manufacturing,” said California Representative Ro Khanna. Ta. “But we have a responsibility now to try to find common ground where we can serve the American people. That is by strongly opposing cuts to programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, while I believe it starts with cutting the defense budget.”

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, president of the Democratic Governors Association, added: “We are very willing to work with the Trump administration.” “But definitely, if they ever force us to do something that we think is wrong or legal or anything like that, we’re going to draw the line.”

That stance would leave some leverage with Democrats, especially in purple states and districts, either to enact the legislation they say they plan or to criticize Republican stubbornness. said the operatives.

It’s entirely possible that Democrats in battleground districts will accept bipartisan offers or be forced to accept offers themselves. There are also a number of moderate Republicans in both chambers, including Reps. Mike Lawler of New York and David Valadao of California, and Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. .

But there are some Republican hardliners in each chamber who see bipartisanship as a four-letter word and a sign that the bill is not conservative enough.

“Either way, this is what Democrats look like in battleground states, but it’s going to come in the form of, ‘Take me up on this offer, and here we go.'” If not, then, ‘Okay, I can help with that. ”’ said one Democratic strategist working on House races. “For Democrats in battleground states, I think that’s a win-win approach. They could potentially work on bills and legislation that they can say, ‘I introduced,’ and they can create a receipt and take it back to voters and say, ‘I introduced it.’ It’s possible.” I kept trying. ”

But some Democrats warned that the party must balance attacks with even just offering cooperation.

The base still despises President Trump and similarly branded Republicans in Congress, and the outcome in 2026 will largely depend on voters’ attitudes toward Republican control of Washington.

In 2018, Democrats took back the House of Representatives largely by stoking anti-Trump sentiment among voters. Tapping into that frustration could be key again, strategists told ABC News.

Dan Sena, who served as executive director of the House Democratic Campaign Office in 2018, said, “The opportunity to work in a bipartisan manner and enhance your own bipartisan credentials will be very important. I think that’s important overall.” Look at the fact that ultimately, two years from now, the Republican trio will get the yes or no from the country, and that will ultimately make the decision. Who controls the House? ”

“If I were a Democrat overall, I would be pretty aggressive in holding the Republican Party and the Trump administration accountable,” Sena added.

Still, nearly all Democrats agree that the party should develop a two-pronged strategy that includes both cooperation and criticism, and that Democrats either have a majority in Congress next month or must make a deal with a Republican president. In such cases, they agreed to pursue their respective strategies in parallel. When they lead the state as governors.

“I think the openness to working with them is less about actual collaboration and more about people trying to gain some credibility in other areas to disagree with what they’re doing. ” he said. A former Democratic House aide. “If you are someone who is open-minded to working with them, and they have strong rights and you raise your voice, it carries more weight and legitimacy.”

In any case, the Democratic Party is poised to launch a fierce attack in 2026, when both houses of Congress and 36 state gubernatorial races will be at stake.

“In politics, reaching out is always the right thing to do,” said Jared Leopold, a Democratic strategist and former General Services staffer. “And if someone chooses to slap you in the face instead, they better catch it on camera.”