Democrats aren't worried enough about losing elections the old-fashioned way


President Biden's terrible August has given way to a miserable September. The Des Moines Register reports today that just 31 percent of Iowans approve of his job performance, down from a high of 47 percent in March. Iowa isn't quite the swing state it used to be — its voters supported Donald Trump the last two elections — but the results are consistent with a national downward trend in the president's poll numbers. Biden just isn't very popular right now.
Which raises a question: What happens if the GOP actually, legitimately wins the next presidential election?
Democrats have not prepared themselves for that possibility — which is understandable given the GOP's election machinations. We're still learning new details about Trump's efforts to sidestep the Constitution and stay in the White House after last November's loss, which his party is still contesting. Republicans nationwide are making unfounded accusations of voter fraud a standard tool in their campaign toolboxes. GOP-controlled state legislatures have cited baseless worries about "election security" while passing a host of new election laws intended to erase Democratic advantages in voter turnout. Democrats have responded by labeling the new laws "Jim Crow in the 21st century," but probably won't be able to pass federal voter rights legislation without filibuster reform. Meanwhile, Republicans have won a plurality of the presidential popular vote just once since 1992. Taken together, these trends have understandably created a lot of alarmed commentary that the GOP might steal the 2024 election through some combination of voter suppression, lies, and legal shenanigans.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Biden's sinking poll numbers suggest another possibility. Voters might look at his presidency and simply decide to give Republicans — whether it's Donald Trump or some other candidate — another chance at the White House.
Would Democrats actually accept such a result? Possibly not — the events and commentary of recent months may have primed them to believe the GOP can win the White House only by manipulating the electoral process. Republicans already believe the same thing about Democratic victories. The problem, of course, is that you can't really have a democracy if neither side believes its rival can fairly win an election. Graceful losing is a necessary part of the process. Without it, American democracy will be fragile even when it works.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
Princess cake: 'sexy' Swedish dessert has a moment
The Week Recommends The retro layered cake is selling fast in bakeries and hip restaurants around the world
-
Pros and cons of a wealth tax
Pros and Cons Raising revenue and tackling inequality vs. the risk of capital flight and reduced competitiveness
-
The best film prequels of all time
The Week Recommends Balancing new information with what the audience already knows is a perilous tightrope
-
The Supreme Court and Congress have Planned Parenthood in their crosshairs
Talking Points Trump's budget bill and the court's ruling threaten abortion access
-
Zohran Mamdani: the young progressive likely to be New York City's next mayor
In The Spotlight The policies and experience that led to his meteoric rise
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
Some mainstream Democrats struggle with Zohran Mamdani's surprise win
TALKING POINT To embrace or not embrace? A party in transition grapples with a rising star ready to buck political norms and energize a new generation.
-
How Zohran Mamdani's NYC mayoral run will change the Democratic Party
Talking Points The candidate poses a challenge to the party's 'dinosaur wing'
-
DNC rocked by high-profile departures as future is in question
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Generational shifts, ambiguous priorities, and the intensifying dangers of the Trump administration have pushed the organization into uncertain territory
-
Trump tells ICE to hit blue cities, spare farms, hotels
Speed Read Trump has targeted New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles among other cities
-
Is Trump's military parade 'just a parade'?
Talking Point Critics see an 'echo of authoritarianism'