Don’t look now, but the Democrats just accomplished a significant feat. In the midst of right-wing advances on taxes and fracking, the center-left took a long-overdue step of their own. They seized the political narrative.

The Senate honchos thought their budget a political game changer. It delivered almost the whole teacher raise of Democratic dreams, in one fell swoop. Quite a few observers–myself included–feared that this gambit would send Democrats scrambling. But that party’s newfound suppleness turned the dynamic on its head.

When the budget came out, Democrats swiftly regrouped. It worked; instead of teacher raises, budgetary debate now focuses on the document’s deep cuts. Just look at the N&O’s “most read list.” Day after day, readers hear about Republicans kicking people off Medicaid, whacking seniors’ services, laying off thousands of TA’s. Instead of Saviors of Schools, Senate Republicans look like Demolishers of Decency. It’s fair to say Dems are in a stronger position now than they were before the Senate budget came out.

As a work of political jiu jitsu, this was an impressive move. Faced with an opponent that had the power to crush their message, Democrats countered the parry with a forceful thrust. They neutralized the majority’s talking point and leveraged the situation to strengthen their own hand. In honor of the Stanley Cup Finals, let’s just say Democrats’ best defense was a good offense.

So far this session, Democrats have displayed a focus and resourcefulness that will serve them well this fall. They won a debate that could have devastated them. Keep it up.

Alexander H. Jones

Alexander Jones is an original contributor to PoliticsNC.