Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Democrats Seethe After Georgia Loss: ‘Our Brand Is Worse Than Trump’
 

Democrats seethed, second-guessed and sought to regroup on Wednesday after a disappointing special election defeat in Georgia, with the party’s campaign chief in the House of Representatives outlining alternative paths to taking power, and some lawmakers questioning anew the leadership and political strategy of Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic minority leader.
By fiercely contesting a congressional race in the conservative Atlanta suburbs, Democrats had hoped to make an emphatic statement about the weakness of the Republican Party under President Trump. Their candidate, Jon Ossoff, raised about $25 million, largely in small donations, and assertively courted right-of-center voters with promises of economic development and fiscal restraint.

Mr. Ossoff’s supporters showed their dismay after results came in showing Karen Handel in the lead at a viewing party at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, on Tuesday night.
Mr. Ossoff’s supporters showed their dismay after results came in showing Karen Handel in the lead at a viewing party at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, on Tuesday night.

Jon Ossoff, the Democratic candidate, was joined by his fiancée, Alisha Kramer, as he addressed his supporters after his defeat in Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District special election on Tuesday night.
Jon Ossoff, the Democratic candidate, was joined by his fiancée, Alisha Kramer, as he addressed his supporters after his defeat in Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District special election on Tuesday night. 
Some lawmakers are questioning anew the leadership and political strategy of Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic minority leader.
Some lawmakers are questioning anew the leadership and political strategy of Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic minority leader. 
Representative John Lewis spoke at the viewing party for Mr. Ossoff.
Representative John Lewis spoke at the viewing party for Mr. Ossoff.

Mr. Ossoff’s supporters showed their dismay after results came in showing Karen Handel in the lead at a viewing party at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, on Tuesday night.

But as the returns came in and Mr. Ossoff remained stubbornly behind Karen Handel, a veteran local officeholder, Democratic frustrations burst into full view. Lawmakers and strategists fretted about the party’s inchoate message, and some called the race a sign that Democrats should not bet too heavily on converting red-tinged suburbs to win a majority in the House.
Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio, who has been a vocal critic of his party’s overarching political strategy, said Democrats needed to recognize that they were “toxic” in huge parts of the country.
“Our brand is worse than Trump,” said Mr. Ryan, who urged Democrats to make forging a clear economic agenda an urgent priority. “We can’t just run against Trump.”

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