If the Democrats are to win a decisive victory in 2018, they are going to have to pick off a large number of votes from people who voted for Trump in 2016. Here is how it lays out relative to the GOP factions:
- CDs: Given Trump’s record, they should be easy pickings. Just try to avoid sounding too enthusiastic about abortion.
- CLs: Don’t bother. Your view of the role of government is too different from theirs to make it work.
- PBPs: Talk about the irrationality and danger of Trump’s trade wars and promise to keep his incompetence and corruption in check. Don’t advocate a complete rollback of the tax cut.
- Reactionaries: Make your sympathy for traditional rural values clear. Advocate true populism and denounce Trump’s faux brand as a sellout to Wall Street.
There is an obvious tension between #3 and #4; you will have to choose one or the other. Your decision will be dictated by the makeup of the electorate in your district.