Dana Milbank: It's a decisive moment for American democracy

Washington • This is not the time to be away.

Stacey Abrams: Get up and be counted. "I do not want to sit in the Senate," says the ex-popular popular vote candidate for the Democratic Governor of Georgia.

Steve Bullock: Get up and be counted. "My talents are best suited" to an executive role, says Montana's beloved Democratic governor.

Beto O. Rourke: Get up and be counted. "It would not be enough" to sit in the Senate, says the talented former Democratic Congressman of Texas.

Sorry, but what is not "good enough" are these answers. The three candidates could make all the difference in the Democrats' tough quest to win the Senate next year. Instead, they choose to conduct vanity campaigns for the president (or in the case of Abrams, to wait for a sign of vice president) or to go online for a cabinet post . Usually, I would respect their wish to do what satisfies them or works best for their families or positions them for future success.

But these are not ordinary times. This is a privileged moment, not only for the Democrats, but for the American democracy. If the anti-Trump majority does not prevail next year and repudiates hate, isolation and drift towards autocracy, no matter what will happen later. Abrams, Bullock and O 'Rourke are facing the country to end the reign of President Trump's facilitators in the Senate.

It is easy to understand why they would rather not appear in the Senate. The Senate has become a toxic workplace and the service is not very rewarding. This is largely thanks to the amorality of Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. The majority leader and his caucus could have resisted Trump's indecency. Instead, he and they pursued the power without any principle: to break the rules of the Senate, to allow Russian interference in US elections, to refuse to consider legislation that could stop the shootings that terrorize American children. . They showed that they are too cowardly and too interested to control Trump's abuse.

But that's all the more reason to run. If Trump prevails one way or another next year, it is crucial that he does not have a Senate headed by McConnell to endorse his ruinous practices. And if Trump is to be defeated next year, it will be because the most capable people have mobilized to challenge him – at all levels. Trumpism must be defeated in a resounding manner, implying that Republicans who have failed to follow their conscience are held accountable.

Even now, with strong job numbers, polls show that Trump's Democrat challengers are beating him. If the economy recedes before the elections (it's only a matter of time because of the damage Trump has added to national finances, its politicization of monetary policy and its destabilization of the economy. international trade), there is a risk of Trump's devastating repudiation – but only if Trump's opposition goes all-in.

This is not only about Abrams, Bullock and O & # 39; Rourke; Democrats need to mount fierce challenges everywhere in the event that an election wave comes. Democrats, like-minded independents and disillusioned Republicans should make their small contribution possible to candidates, parties and voting efforts, and volunteer to knock on the door or make a call or perform other necessary tasks.

And this is not just about the Democrats. Public servants should remain in office, no matter how unpleasant work it has done to prevent further damage to federal agencies. The judges should postpone retirement rather than let Trump fill the judicial system incompetent. And exhausted journalists and watch groups must continue to monitor the administration relentlessly.

Some glowing soldiers have already dropped the case, discouraging Democrats from running for Senate in states such as Iowa and North Carolina, where Joni Ernst and Thom Tillis, Trump's facilitators, wish to be re-elected . But none of these prospects has the potential to transform breeds in the same way as Bullock, Abrams and perhaps O. Rourke.

There is still hope that Bullock and O 'Rourke, despite their disavowal of interest, will run for the Senate after getting into trouble with their presidential problems. The case of Abrams is more confusing. She said that it would be "arrogant" to think that she is the only Democrat to be able to win a Senate seat in Georgia. Still, it seems that she is running for a nomination to the vice presidency. "I would be honored," she told WBUR's "On Point" on Tuesday.

Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., Who retired, will retire next year. And the best candidate of the Democrats will not show up either? It's a gift to Trump's facilitators.

Why? For "the honor" of an appointment to the vice presidency? I hope Abrams reconsiders. History will not be nice to those who have fled at the moment of the needs of democracy.

Follow Dana Milbank on Twitter, @Milbank.