Florida democrats need new fight tactics. Here are some suggestions | Opinion

Donald Trump won the 2024 Presidential election. He will be the 47th President of the United States and the 45th as well. There is no argument to be had. It is a fact.

As a 36-year retired law enforcement official, I found what occurred on Jan. 6, 2021 unforgivable and inexcusable. I voted for democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

But I sincerely hope the nation can move forward as one people and leave the fractures in the rear-view mirror. A bit too optimistic? Naive perhaps?

Personally, I am leaving the national political stage and focusing on a lower altitude, that is the state of Florida, where I live.

Florida is a red state for sure. But let us peel back some layers and get a better look at what is happening in a state where Trump took 56% of the vote in the November presidential election.

I am a proud moderate Democrat who firmly believes if we don’t stop catering to the far left we will never win a national election again.

So the question is, how does the Democratic Party regain a footing in Florida? I have some advice.

To do so, let me resort to boxing metaphors: Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard could fight as well, backing up as they could move forward.

But the Florida Democratic Party is none of these three pugilistic icons. Therefore, a counter-punching strategy, in the political realm has not and will not work. It has been proven time and time again, it is a fool’s folly.

What the Florida Democratic Party needs to do is go on the offense and dictate the pace of the fight. The question is: how can they do that when they had their clocks cleaned in the recent elections and probably straight-line down-ballot picks?

Here’s how: Each championship match must be considered as 12 separate little wars, or rounds. If you are backing up constantly and have no power to speak of, why would you be waiting to knock your opponent out. You consistently lose, as the party has done.

Instead, they should focus on taking round after round and building a big enough lead whereby the opponent must score a knockout to win. And that is when you will find that opponent most vulnerable.

The next question must be then, how does one win a round, let alone many rounds, when it seems that Democrats cannot seem to get out of their own way?

Answer: By jabbing, throwing a few combinations, employing a good defense, and showing ring generalship.

Here’s another tactic: Messaging. Have a message and drive it home endlessly. But do not wait until the last few rounds to do so, as the Democratic party has often done in Florida.

Messaging begins with the opening bell. If I were a fight cornerman, I would advise the Florida Democratic Party to have one solid message.

Returning to the earlier statement: What is the issue that touches every Floridian regardless of party affiliation? I think it’s insurance. The ability to have affordable insurance for your home is a common issue for millions of Floridians. What is the message, then, that can go out to people of a state that voted heavily Republican?

Blame the party in control for the insurance crisis. The Florida Senate has held a Republican majority in Tallahassee since 1995; the House has held it since 1997. There has been a Republican governor since 1999.

And why hasn’t the Democratic party peppered this reality in the Republican Party’s face via endless messaging, like an Ali jab?

It’s time they started.

David Magnusson lives in Coral Gables and is a retired police chief with 36 years of law enforcement experience having spent 30 years with Miami police, where he rose to assistant chief. He was also the chief of police in El Portal and in Havelock, North Carolina. Magnusson is part of a podcast called “Vets and Badges” It can be found on www.vetsandbadges.com @magnusson32 Substack: Magnusson32.Substack.com

This story was originally published December 12, 2024 at 3:13 AM.