Democrats NEED 2020
It is Monday, December 31st, which means that as I am typing my latest work on Medium, the new year is quickly approaching. But, today also entails that 2020 is nearing faster upon our horizon—and we must begin fighting for our fundamental rights as the citizens of America.
I am a sixteen-year-old Democrat—in fact, I consider myself a proud Democrat—who believes in everything from protecting our climate to reforming the criminal justice system. Beginning in the summer of 2016, I—then a fourteen-year-old Democrat—interned for Congressman Brad Schneider where I learned the behind-the-scenes operations of how a campaign functions.
Leading up to the 2016 presidential election, I spent nearly ten hours each week calling voters, interacting with constituents face-to-face, and attending political events held throughout my community (each of the tasks I was assigned all ran in conjunction with the Hillary for America campaign). The weekly interactions I had with voters were not the prettiest; in fact, I was exposed to the bitter and biting political arena often pervaded with gratuitous name-calling and inflammatory rhetoric.
Amid the criticism that many constituents expressed towards me and the candidates I chose to support, I was optimistic about Hillary Rodham Clinton (Hillary) becoming the first woman President of the United States. I would spend my spare time scrolling through the polls on Real Clear Politics (RCP) where Hillary would lead all the polls and watching Wolf Blitzer’s show on CNN at five o’clock at night where political experts predicted Hillary would win. To me, and countless other analysts, pollsters, and American citizens, it seemed inevitable that Hillary would become the 45th President of the United States.
But, we were all mistaken come the night of November 8th where a new reality would approach Democrats and America: all three branches of the government controlled by Republicans.
Like everyone who tirelessly supported Hillary and fought for her campaign and ideals, the morning of November 9th was a somber moment for all of us. I found myself sitting in my World History, with my earbuds on, watching Hillary’s concession speech to her supporters. Watching Hillary’s concession speech from an iPad, I found myself defeated and discouraged by the loss of such a respected woman in America. I constantly thought to myself Where did I go wrong? What more could I have done? Why did Hillary lose? The audience watching Hillary’s speech in New York ran likewise with all of Hillary’s supporters across America: people were filled with tears and speechless over a stinging defeat.
Despite the obvious wretched occasion, Hillary would reassure her supporters that, as a country, in order for unity and solidarity to prevail, Democrats and Americans must try and wish the best for the Trump presidency. More importantly, Hillary reignited a fuel that was lost by many through underscoring that, as Democrats under a Trump presidency, we must fight for our values more than ever before.
On January 20th, 2017, Inauguration Day, I wished and prayed for Trump to have a smooth presidency. As the Obama’s moved out and the Trump’s moved in, I wrote an Instagram post that would reflect my mindset—and hopefully other Democrats’ mindset, too—for the years to come:
On this Inauguration Day, President Obama will leave the most respected seat in our nation, after eight years of accomplishments. It will be heartbreaking and arduous, as the Obama family’s class, intelligence, and dedication, will remand in people’s hearts, for generations to come.
The future of this country is in danger with the new administration, however, despite the difficulties ahead, Democrats won’t relinquish. The Democratic Party is a party for all, no matter one’s race, gender, religion, or social class. In the succeeding years, I, along with all other Democrats, will work tirelessly to defend Obama’s policies, knock on more doors, and work harder than ever to advocate for principled Democratic values. We will make sure the voices of our party be heard even stronger in 2020 — together.
For two years, the Trump administration has been tainted with a dark cloud with many considering Trump’s presidency a “Presidency in chaos.” From the numerous resignations and firings of senior administration officials to Robert Mueller’s Russian investigation to putting basic human rights at stake, Trump’s presidency has been a perfect medium for me to unleash a voice that advocates for the issues I am passionate about.
Trump’s daily tweets, daily rhetoric, and uninformed policy decisions do a disservice to America’s constitution and its citizens. During each occasion I would find myself disgusted by the lack of respect Trump shows to the highest office in our land, I would remind myself of my Instagram post and Hillary’s concession speech to spark my motivation for further civic engagement and advocacy. I would utilize my experience as an intern for Congressman Brad Schneider to help me unveil a newfound civic-minded identity at school. Any discouragement felt following the 2016 election was dismissed—whether it is through debating political topics with friends while I walk through the hallways at school, or I raise my voice in a class by shedding light to an issue that is often unspoken in America, I seized my Democrat consciousness.
With each day passing and the new year approaching, the discussions about 2020 candidates are becoming more relevant. The criticism showed for Trump become louder. There will be challenges against Trump on both aisles of politics. The 2020 election will be a nasty election, filled with partisanship. But, as Democrats, we must not forget that we turned a grief-stricken moment into a symbol that lit the fuel to the women’s march, flipping control of the House, supporting sexual abuse survivors, defending the unfairly prosecuted, among countless other victories.
As Democrats, we cannot afford to repeat another loss. We must unite together. We must choose a fresh and bold candidate that represents our Democratic values. But most importantly, we must take our voices to the polls in 2020, otherwise, we will see another four years of President Trump tainting our country even darker.
