Democrats see backlash over Republicans tax bill as a key to winning in the suburbs

Democrats see backlash over Republicans’ tax bill as a key to winning in the suburbs
By David Weigel November 19 at 11:32 AM

HOLLIS, N.H. — For decades, the battle lines in New England’s most politically conservative state were clear. Republicans ran on tax cuts. Democrats ran on targeted tax credits. Both parties kept New Hampshire free of a state income or sales tax, blurring some distinctions for suburban voters.

Then came the Republican tax plan in Congress.

“Do you think it’s right to raise taxes on millions of hard-working Americans?” asked Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) at a Friday night Democratic fundraiser. “Do you want to risk a $25 billion yearly cut to Medicare to give the wealthiest few a tax cut?”

The crowd of about 600 Democrats bellowed “no,” still shocked by the party’s recent political gains. Coming off Election Day wins from Seattle to Long Island, Democrats are starting to see the shape of a new majority, built on a potential suburban backlash to changes in the tax code.

“It’s incredible,” said Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), a vice chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee who has helped the party recruit candidates in suburban west coast districts. “I don’t understand why they think raising taxes on the middle class to benefit the rich would be better for them electorally than doing nothing at all.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/democrats-see-backlash-over-republicans-tax-bill-as-a-key-to-winning-in-the-suburbs/2017/11/19/37e9f2a6-cc4e-11e7-b0cf-7689a9f2d84e_story.html