The chairman of the Democratic National Committee on Sunday declared “democracy is on the ballot” in the upcoming midterm elections, arguing that it could determine the future of the U.S. healthcare and education systems.
“The world is upside down and our democracy is indeed on the ballot,” Tom Perez told CBS News.
Perez outlined what could be the top policy focus for Democrats should they retake control of the House, Senate, or both, accusing the Trump administration of not doing enough to lower prescription drug costs and favoring wealthier Americans instead of boosting wages for lower income workers.
He also repeatedly cited the threats to healthcare and protections to individuals with pre-existing conditions. Nationwide, Democrats are campaigning on the GOP’s attempts to overhaul Obamacare, a stark reversal from prior elections when Republicans successfully used former President Barack Obama’s key domestic legislative accomplishment to drive support among the political base.
But as Democrats aim for a so-called “blue wave” in the midterms, the divisions within the party have taken center stage since Democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez unseated House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley in his New York primary. Asked whether her values and policies represent the future of the Democratic platform, Perez hedged.
“We have a party that reflects in every ZIP code,” he said.
Perez said Democrats are “working our tails off” to win in the November elections. Asked about her confidence that the GOP could retain control of the Republican National Committee chairman Ronna McDaniel said there is a 50-50 chance.
“We’ve had an unprecedented amount of retirement and that has made it harder in some of these swing districts,” she told CBS News. “Candidates who think that they are in safe districts, they are going to have to give everything.”
One concern among Republicans is whether the White House’s trade skirmishes with China and U.S. allies like the European Union, Canada, and Mexico will deter more mainstream GOP voters.
McDaniel argued that Trump is “negotiating from a position of strength” and cited his support for traditional GOP values like cutting taxes and regulation.
