Democrats have failed to focus on "down-ballot races" in Congress and state legislatures while concentrating on winning the White House, according to a surprising report from a Democratic National Committee task force.
The preliminary report also attacked the party for overlooking the core values that appeal to voters and instead coming up with a series of "disjointed policy recommendations,"
The Wall Street Journal reported.
While revealing the draft recommendation in Washington D.C., Kentucky Democrat Gov. Steve Beshear said: "We need a cohesive, values-based narrative that quickly and succinctly defines our beliefs and helps voters identify with who we are and how we best represent them.' "
The investigation followed the resounding thrashing that Democrats suffered during the 2014 midterm elections, which resulted in the GOP retaining the House with a greater majority, taking back the Senate, winning gubernatorial races, and capturing most state legislatures.
According to the Journal, the total losses since 2008 consist of 69 House seats, 13 Senate seats, 910 state legislative seats, 30 state legislative chambers and 11 governorships.
The 11-member task force, including Beshear, recommended that the party forms a "National Narrative Project" to work with party leaders, activists, and "messaging and narrative experts" to create a "strong values-based national narrative that will engage, inspire and motivate voters to identify with and support Democrats."
The report said that Democrats must find strong candidates over the next three elections to win back state legislatures so that the party can have a greater say in redrawing districts after the next Census, the Journal said.
The draft also urged national leaders to build more ties with state parties to guarantee success in local and state elections.
And the inquiry took the DNC to task for concentrating its efforts on winning presidential contests, instead of also widening its focus on capturing seats in congressional, gubernatorial and state legislative races.
"We need to build our bench," said Beshear said. "We can and we must aim for wins at all levels."
The task force plans to release its final recommendations later this year.
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