By Michael Kelman Portney

For the past 50 years, American politics has mirrored the dynamics of a high-stakes football game between two formidable teams: the Republicans and the Democrats. While the GOP has embraced the competitive, zero-sum nature of this metaphor, seeing politics as a win-at-all-costs game where tactics, strategy, and aggressive play are paramount, Democrats have often approached politics more like a cooperative exercise, expecting shared rules and fair play. Consider the game Duck-Duck-Goose: less a game and more a cooperative exercise with no winner, meant to leave everybody feeling good. This difference in mindset has led to Republicans’ consistent ability to make “big plays” and shift the political field in their favor, ultimately allowing them to gain—and often keep—significant ground. This paper examines the key “plays” in this political game, evaluates how each team has moved the ball, and shows why Republicans currently hold the advantage, especially in light of Donald Trump’s 2024 victory.

1. The Game Begins: Setting the Playbook in the 1970s

Nixon’s Resignation and Watergate: In the early 1970s, Democrats scored big with the Watergate scandal, leading to Nixon’s resignation. This turnover gave Democrats the upper hand, and they gained yardage with Jimmy Carter’s win in 1976. However, while Democrats viewed these as steps toward restoring fairness, Republicans saw the field differently. They quickly regrouped, adopting a strategic, football-like approach that would serve them well for decades to come.

Score Update: Democrats 10, Republicans 3

2. The 1980s: Republicans Launch an Aggressive Offense

The Reagan Revolution (Touchdown): In 1980, Ronald Reagan’s election marked a game-changing moment. Reagan’s policies on tax cuts, deregulation, and defense spending cemented a conservative agenda that advanced the Republican team down the field. His landslide re-election in 1984 was another touchdown, solidifying conservative values and galvanizing the base.

Democrats’ Defensive Struggles: Democrats, still focused on policy nuances and fairness, struggled to counter Reagan’s momentum. They expected a back-and-forth, but Republicans treated this as an opportunity to drive downfield without slowing for negotiation.

Score Update: Democrats 10, Republicans 20

3. The 1990s: Democrats Strategize a Counterattack

Clinton’s Comeback (Touchdown): Bill Clinton’s 1992 election signaled a strategic pivot for Democrats, who moved to a centrist “Third Way” approach that helped them recover ground. Clinton’s policies on economic growth, welfare reform, and deficit reduction allowed Democrats to score but didn’t shift the field enough to dominate.

Republican Congressional Takeover (Touchdown): In 1994, Republicans made a decisive play with Newt Gingrich’s “Contract with America,” capturing Congress and controlling the legislative agenda. This move marked a clear tactical victory, showing Republicans’ understanding of the game’s zero-sum nature.

Score Update: Democrats 23, Republicans 27

4. The 2000s: A Series of Turnovers and Controversial Plays

Bush’s Narrow Win (Field Goal): The 2000 election, resolved by the Supreme Court, was a contentious but narrow win for Republicans. Bush’s presidency saw major events like 9/11 and the Iraq War, which energized their base and advanced conservative national security policies.

Democrats’ Response: After years of struggle, Democrats won the 2006 midterms, regaining control of Congress in a defensive win. However, Republicans’ ability to shape key policies in the early 2000s set the stage for lasting influence.

Obama’s Breakthrough (Touchdown): Obama’s historic 2008 win allowed Democrats to score big. With control of Congress, they passed the Affordable Care Act, a landmark healthcare reform that provided lasting policy gains for Democrats.

Score Update: Democrats 33, Republicans 37

5. The 2010s: Republicans Execute Strategic Plays and Defensive Wins

Affordable Care Act (Touchdown): Democrats achieved a major win with the ACA, symbolizing a progressive vision of healthcare reform. Yet the play faced significant resistance from Republicans, who immediately set up a defensive stance to block further Democratic gains.

Republican Midterm Gains (Field Goal): In 2010, Republicans took control of the House, limiting Obama’s agenda and creating gridlock. This demonstrated their continued focus on gaining field position, regardless of the sitting president’s party.

Trump’s 2016 Win (Touchdown): Trump’s surprise victory in 2016 exemplified the GOP’s flexibility and willingness to adopt an unconventional playbook. His win redefined Republican strategies, moving the field through populism and nationalism.

Republican Tax Cuts (Touchdown): The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was a significant conservative win, reshaping economic policy and representing a major score for the Republicans under Trump’s leadership.

Score Update: Democrats 43, Republicans 54

6. The 2020s: Democrats Advance, Then Stumble as Republicans Regain Control

Biden’s 2020 Win (Touchdown): Joe Biden’s victory in 2020 offered Democrats a chance to regain ground, with control of both Congress and the White House. However, challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic instability stalled further progress.

Republican Resilience Through the Judiciary (Touchdown): The conservative-dominated Supreme Court made significant rulings that reinforced Republican ideals, granting them enduring influence over American policy regardless of electoral outcomes.

Trump’s 2024 Return (Touchdown): Trump’s re-election in 2024 represents a substantial advance for Republicans, cementing a shift in political power and reaffirming the party’s focus on populist strategies. This score underscores Republicans’ understanding of the game’s high-stakes nature, solidifying their control.

Final Score: Democrats 53, Republicans 68

Analysis: Republicans Recognized the Game, Democrats Missed It

Republicans as Football Strategists:

Republicans have long understood that politics is a zero-sum game, treating it like football where strategic, aggressive plays are necessary to advance and where every point matters. From Gingrich’s 1994 “Contract with America” to Trump’s 2016 and 2024 victories, the GOP has shown a willingness to bend rules, control the field, and prioritize long-term goals like the judiciary to secure points that last. Their strategy focuses on building a loyal base, creating targeted messaging, and mobilizing voters with clear, values-driven plays.

Democrats Playing by the Rules:

In contrast, Democrats have often approached politics with a cooperative mindset, expecting shared rules and valuing bipartisan “fair play” over aggressive competition. While they’ve had success with landmark policies like the ACA, they’ve often struggled to control the narrative or anticipate Republicans’ aggressive maneuvers. Democrats have tended to view elections as debates rather than high-stakes games, resulting in missed opportunities for decisive plays. Their complex messaging has also cost them, making it difficult to unite and rally their base effectively.

Conclusion: Understanding the Game to Compete

As of 2024, Republicans lead with a score of 68 to Democrats' 53. Republicans’ success lies in their understanding of the political field as a competitive, high-stakes game where each point can shift the balance of power. Their approach reflects the football mindset: aggressive, strategic, and focused on long-term victories that build a robust infrastructure (e.g., judicial appointments, tax policy).

If Democrats hope to regain lost ground, they need to shift their mindset from cooperative debate to competitive engagement. Recognizing that politics is a game with winners and losers, they must adopt a strategy that balances policy goals with tactical execution and long-term planning. By embracing the playbook approach Republicans have honed, Democrats can become better equipped to rally their base, maintain momentum, and level the playing field.

In American politics, just like football, winning requires more than just good intentions—it demands a commitment to strategy, resilience, and a willingness to score, time and again, to stay ahead in the game.