Former Republican strategist Mark McKinnon said the election was a “deep dive” for Democrats and argued it may be the wake-up call they needed.
“I think the only good news about this election for Democrats is probably that it was such a thorough election…There shouldn't be a debate about 'was this or was that?'” It was everything,” McKinnon said on CNN on Monday. Highlighted by Mediaite.
Mr. McKinnon worked for former President George W. Bush and supported Vice President Harris' campaign. He said he knows from experience that if you “spend enough time in the desert,” water will find you.
“Democrats are now in the desert. They're going to have to figure out how to find water again,” he said. “Bill Clinton did it with the New Democratic administration after the Reagan era. George W. Bush did it with benevolent conservatism. Donald Trump did it with 'Make America Great Again.' It is. ”
As Democrats begin to blame and take issue after their brutal election loss, many are wondering why they lost so many floating and split-ticket voters. They are left wondering what went wrong in their message to the working class.
“The clear message to Democrats is that we have to rethink everything, especially when Donald Trump has stolen the Democratic Party, the very coalition that was the bedrock of America's working class,” McKinnon said. said.
McKinnon said key voters once seen as easy for Democrats to reach, such as black and Latino voters and young people, have turned to Trump in this election.
“Again, this is not about one or the other. It's all about it,” he said. “Democrats have to start from scratch and have a lot of work to do.”
