A couple of days ago, an ultra-super-secret Democratic memo found its way into the hands of the press:
House Dems hope to "create dilemmas" for Republicans, internal memo shows http://t.co/4Cdf6VSj3M #VAGov pic.twitter.com/2iQZDZ88r7
— Markus Schmidt (@MSchmidtRTD) December 29, 2014
Like good undergrads, most folks focused on the highlighted section, where House Democrats intend to use the fantastically crafty strategy (copied, no doubt, from cave paintings in France) of forcing “dilemmas” upon their Republican colleagues, or at least those in “targeted seats.”
Not news and not even passable talking points. The slightly more interesting information comes in the “Possible Major Themes” section, where at the top of the list, we find “Increase the Minimum Wage.”
The economics are terrible, but the politics? Excellent, miles ahead of the rest of the list.
Backing a minimum wage hike has the advantage of giving Democrats the opportunity to paint Republicans as anti-poor — something they half-heartedly tried to do with Medicaid expansion.
Combine this with a renewed push for Medicaid expansion, though, and they might have something. It’s deeply cynical and utterly emotional, but it could make for a series of great appeals to the Democratic base.
What is the official GOP response to all of this?
Leaked @VAHouseDems memo crystalizes clear differences between Republicans and Democrats. We're solving problems, they're playing politics.
— William J. Howell (@SpeakerHowell) December 31, 2014
Um, yeah.
The GOP needs to get its policy boffins working right now on a message that counters the likely Democratic one-two. Of course, none of what the Dems propose will pass. Everyone knows that. But Republican officeholders who are not prepared to address both the real and perceived fears of low wage workers are setting themselves up for a fall.
For those interested in what minimum wages are around the country, go here.