This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
As the 2018 House Democratic takeover in Orange County, California, marked a significant shift in the region's politics, Democrats are now focused on protecting their gains in 2020. On Saturday night, at an annual political dinner, three victorious Democrats were honored, but a new challenge was on everyone's minds: how to sell voters on the impeachment inquiry of President Trump.
Representative Harley Rouda warned Democrats not to 'sit on our laurels,' while Representative Mike Levin emphasized that 'the times have found us.' Representative Gil Cisneros, who recently came out in support of the inquiry, used the occasion to ask for donations and noted that 'the Republicans are coming after me now.'
As House Democrats return to their districts for a two-week recess, they face a crucial challenge in framing a coast-to-coast debate over impeachment and the nation's priorities. Even as surveys show more Americans embracing an impeachment investigation, voters are focused on issues like health care and the economy.
At town hall meetings and party gatherings, House Democrats are highlighting their policy accomplishments and goals while attempting to shape public opinion on impeachment and prepare voters for coming G.O.P. attacks. This messaging challenge came into sharp relief during interviews with voters like Donna Artukovic, a retired teacher who expressed nervousness about what an impeachment battle could mean for Democratic candidates.
Representative Andy Kim of New Jersey, who ousted a Republican incumbent in 2018 by focusing on issues like health insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions, held a town hall-style meeting in his district on Saturday where only one voter asked about impeachment. In an interview afterward, Mr. Kim noted the paucity of questions on a topic that has engulfed Washington.
Referring to his constituents, he said: 'They don't want us to stop working on lower prescription drug costs and health care costs; they want us to move forward on infrastructure and jobs.'
As committed as he is on those goals, Mr. Kim said he will also seek to draw on his experience as a former National Security Council member to explain his views to voters on a matter like President Trump's phone conversation this summer with the president of Ukraine.
That's hopefully what they'll judge me on,' he said, 'whether or not I was able to do this with a level of professionalism that's distant from the partisanship they so badly despise.'
