Liberal activists and reporters showed their frustration and anger on social media after losing two more special congressional elections on Tuesday night.
Republicans prevailed in special elections in Georgia's sixth congressional district and South Carolina's fifth congressional district. In South Carolina, Republican Ralph Norman defeated Democrat Archie Parnell. Norman won by garnering 51.1 percent of the vote to his opponent's 47.9 percent, a 3.2 percent margin of victory. In Georgia, Republican Karen Handel defeated Democrat Jon Ossoff. Handel outperformed polls and beat Ossoff by 3.8 percentage points—51.9 percent to 48.1 percent—in the most expensive House race in history.
The Democratic Party appeared to be energized by grassroots activists with their numerous marches against President Donald Trump. But the energized base has yet to translate into electoral victories for Democratic candidates. Democrats have now lost four special congressional elections in Montana, Kansas, South Carolina, and Georgia since the 2016 presidential race.
The Georgia election was a top target for Democrats, who spent over $30 million hoping that Ossoff would pull off an upset. Before Tuesday night, polls showed a close race. When precincts began reporting the results, Democrats became discouraged. Hollywood celebrity and Ossoff supporter Alyssa Milano did not stop believing until the end, though.
Believe in believing. The impossible is possible. (Say it with me.)
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) June 21, 2017
Other liberal activists and Democratic Party officials took to social media to express their frustration at the lack of victories.
Dear Democrats. Can we talk? Georgia on my mind... pic.twitter.com/iokFp9cyEr
— RoseAnn DeMoro (@RoseAnnDeMoro) June 21, 2017
To take back the House, we need lean GOP voters who disapprove of Trump to vote for a Dem. This is hard, but very doable over 18 months
— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) June 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/ParkerMolloy/status/877339598434689024
what if instead of milquetoast better-than-the-alternatives dems went w/ ppl who stood for stuff like single payer healthcare as a right
— inverted vibe curve: burgertown must be defended (@PatBlanchfield) June 21, 2017
Ossoff comes across as an intelligent, compassionate, great guy
Handel comes across as a woman who would complain over expired Kohl's Cash
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) June 21, 2017
How many more races do we need to lose before we realize, being against @realDonaldTrump isn't enough? Natl party brand must change.
— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) June 21, 2017
Best thing that could come out of the #GA06 results is for Democratic Party to finally give up its self-destructive obsession with centrism
— Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) June 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/mvain/status/877355697641373697
Some liberals tried to explain how losing the election was really a victory for Democrats. Failed Missouri Senate candidate Jason Kander insisted that the momentum is with Democrats and that Republicans are losing.
GOP will say this means the storm has passed, but Jon over preformed every D #GA06 candidate ever.
We aren't fooled. Momentum is with us!
— Jason Kander (@JasonKander) June 21, 2017
Republicans gained literally nothing in #GA06 election. They are losing tons of voters in every special election and calling them wins. Sad!
— Jason Kander (@JasonKander) June 21, 2017
There were a few others who agreed with Kander's optimistic outlook.
https://twitter.com/cmclymer/status/877352474813894656
Definitely disappointing. But remember, the race should have been an easy win for Rs. That it was even close is a big deal. https://t.co/dlpUAJk1t2
— Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) June 21, 2017
Former Hillary Clinton adviser Neena Tanden took one important lesson from Ossoff's loss.
https://twitter.com/neeratanden/status/877360871311196160
Vox writer Matthew Yglesias questioned whether Democrats should consider removing House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) from leadership.
https://twitter.com/mattyglesias/status/877352053449871361
Former Barack Obama adviser Dan Pfeiffer and Mike Casca, communications director for New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio and former Bernie Sanders campaign worker, argued on Twitter about the future of the Democratic Party.
everybody knows democrats need a long-term strategy to stay in power. what this tweet presupposes is maybe we don't? https://t.co/etfz9N7owa
— mike casca (@cascamike) June 21, 2017
dan – where am i saying that? if you want to argue, let's argue. but don't make shit up.
— mike casca (@cascamike) June 21, 2017
my point is simple: we can fire up voters who sat out 2016 and get the voters you're talking about.
— mike casca (@cascamike) June 21, 2017
i mean, you're on the front lines of this every day. you see how broken the system is, right? https://t.co/cdhSZ6ymsY
— mike casca (@cascamike) June 21, 2017
Democrats were not the only ones who seemed unhappy with the results. People on Twitter noticed the sour faces of reporters on CNN.
https://twitter.com/TexasJew/status/877348096270716929