Dems should make the GA runoffs a referendum on a specific dollar amount of Covid relief
Democrats can win by making the Georgia runoffs a referendum on a specific dollar amount of individual (or household) new Covid relief that the House passes in the next few weeks — and a referendum on its obstruction by GOP incumbents Loeffler and Perdue. Turnout for Ossoff/Warnock will soar if voters have high certainty that they’ll receive a specific relief sum if both win, and know how much they will forfeit if their opponents win. Georgians who voted for Biden can be motivated to vote again (not a given) to win this relief. Some of Georgia’s voters who are skeptical of Democrats might vote for Ossoff/Warnock if credibly promised these benefits.
A 51 vote Democratic Senate majority can use the Budget Reconciliation process to pass parts of the pandemic relief similar to what House Democrats already passed in the Heroes Act. Only 51 votes are needed, just as Biden and Schumer intended with a slight Senate majority.
Imagine this scenario:
Within the next few weeks, Pelosi calls the House back in Session to pass a bill that consists of relief of, for example, $500 per person, per month, retroactive to May when the House first passed the Heroes Act. (It could be any significant amount, and it could include family size or income limits, subject to Georgia polling.) It would also include State and Local Aid for schools, police, transit, etc as passed. Ossoff and Warnock could be present with cameras rolling. (If Biden is agreeable, he could confer with Ossoff and Warnock before the Session begins, cameras rolling, and perhaps accompany them into the House Chamber where he asks the House to pass “Phase I of the Build Back Better Plan.” Cameras rolling.)
The next day House Democrats, accompanied by Warnock, Ossoff, and any Democratic Senators who wish to join them, walk together to the Senate to deliver the bill and demand a vote on it. Schumer commits to put it to a vote if Democrats have the majority — if Ossoff and Warnock win— on January 21 (the day after Harris becomes the 51st vote). Cameras rolling. McConnell will refuse to bring it to a vote, as he has since May.
The campaign in Georgia then becomes about the $4,500 per person pandemic relief ($500 per month May to January plus ongoing assistance until the economy recovers) denied to Georgians by a GOP Senate majority. If Loeffler or Perdue win, Georgians won’t get this relief. If Warnock and Ossoff both win, they do. With a specific dollar amount and Democrats agressively pressing for this on film, the campaign can reach potential voters with a tangible decision. Do they want this $4,500 aid? Again, it could be any significant amount and with limitations based on Georgia polling.
The film imagery is key because most potential voters have only a vague notion of how bills pass — or don’t pass. They mistrust politicians and blame them for “bickering” instead of discerning which party is fighting for them and which is obstructing. And face it, few potential voters could tell you what Democrats stand for. Imagery of Democrats walking together communicates exactly what they’re fighting for and shows the courage of their convictions. Their determination and united action packs an emotional punch, inspires, and motivates; it’s exactly what’s needed to bring voters to the polls.
It’s significant to note that the GOP’s main pitch to defeat Warnock and Ossoff is that voters should deny Democrats the power of unified governance. To voters skeptical of government and especially those skeptical of Democrats, the GOP argument wins. Democratic arguments for “bi-partisanship” or “independence” accept the GOP’s premise that divided governance is best. The best hope to motivate potential supporters to vote is to lean into the benefit of unified governance with a specific financial benefit.
Imagine further a campaign that includes Barack and Michelle Obama; Stacey Abrams; Joe Biden; and Kamala Harris (and hubby) in Georgia. And canvassing, texting, and phone banks, all asking voters: “Will you be voting for the $4500 pandemic relief, or against it? Will you be voting for Warnock and Ossoff to deliver it, or for the GOP to continue to obstruct it?” The aid to states and local governments can win over those not facing personal financial hardship, but want functioning hospitals, police, schools, and health departments, and want local businesses to survive.
To those concerned about GOP and pundit attacks on Democrats for “trying to buy off Georgia voters,” consider that the GOP just spent $60 billion on additional farm subsidies. There were no attacks that mattered. Any attacks would only draw more attention to the Democrats’ promise of financial benefits. And would Loeffler or Perdue campaign against financial relief for Georgians? It’s certain that vast numbers of potential Democratic voters will stay home without a clear and tangible benefit to again risking their health by standing in line, or again going through the hassles of filling out absentee paperwork.
This isn’t a new idea. FDR understood that people vote for the party that helps them. Democrats passed Social Security, unemployment benefits, and a major stimulus during the worst financial crisis in US history and won elections for decades because of it.
We can win this.
Kraig Peck has been a community and union organizer, negotiator, and political director for over 40 years. He helped to flip the Washington State Senate to Democratic control in a 2017 Special Election. Twitter: @peck_kraig
