Now is the time to test the soul of the Democratic Party. Don't give up the fight against Donald Trump and become a winter warrior. Block your frustration. Take a deep breath and follow my list of things Democrats should and shouldn't do to tackle MAGA.
First, don't underestimate Trump, as Democrats did with Ronald Reagan back then. President Reagan had a lasting impact on American society long after we eliminated him as a B-list actor. He was the grandfather of trickle-down economics, which proved fatal to the middle-class families who elected him.
Give the devil his due. Trump is more than just a colorful clown. He is an evil genius, and with the help of a submissive Congress and Supreme Court, he is in just as strong a position as the Gipper to finish the job started by ending the New Deal and the Great Society.
Second, create a Democratic truth team. Now that Meta has abolished fact-checking and the owners of prominent news sites have capitulated to Trump, Democrats need a tech-savvy truth squad to point out Trump's outrageous lies and grave mistakes. It will become even more important. This group would include young officials who would provide a sharp contrast to President Trump's increasingly erratic behavior. Age will be a big issue for President Trump and President Biden alike.
The team's candidates could be newly elected Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.). Representatives who fit the bill include Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who originated innovative proposals to revitalize and modernize the economy, and Alexandria O., founder of the original “Squad.” Probably Congressman Casio Cortez (New York). ” said the youngest member of Congress, Maxwell Frost (D-Florida).
There must be representation outside the ring road. Democratic governors Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Maura Healey of Massachusetts would be good options. Both governors have served as attorneys general in their respective states, giving them experience in the courts that will inevitably challenge President Trump's gross abuses of executive power. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), a young and dynamic state chief executive, would be a great addition to this group.
The Truth Commission must be ready to intervene at any time if President Trump fails. Trump was already struggling before he took office.
He made the same mistakes that plagued Biden and Vice President Harris. During the 2024 campaign, Democrats failed to adequately address public concerns about food prices, and Trump jumped into the vacant seat.
The president-elect reversed his promise of cuts. food inflation They say it's difficult. Instead, he imperial appropriation It also hinted that it might use military force to seize Greenland and the Panama Canal. The health of the U.S. economy is far more important to national security than escapist military escapades.
Third, Democrats must take a strong attack on President Trump's corporate overlords. A little old-fashioned fire-and-brimstone populism would go a long way toward helping the Democratic Party today. We must follow the advice of “Sockless” Jerry Simpson, the Kansas Populist Party icon who urged farmers to “produce less corn and more hell.”
It is long past time for Democrats to have a more emotional and less nuanced debate. To paraphrase the “All in the Family” theme song, we need a man like FDR again.
Most Americans vote with their hearts, but we send messages to their heads. It is vitally important that we stand up to Trump and his corporate cronies.
Every compelling story needs a tough hero and a dastardly villain. President Trump has demonized the “radical left” to great effect. It's time to have a compelling story of our own. Corporate cartels that make exorbitant profits while working families struggle to make ends meet are the real bad guys.
Big businesses have been making pilgrimages to Mar-a-Lago since Election Day to show their allegiance to Donald. President Trump's proposal to cut taxes for bankers and billionaires offers Democrats a rich opportunity for political gain.
The person who stands out for kneeling to the new king is Elon Musk. For the Democratic Party, it would be wise to elevate Mr. Musk to the position of real power, surpassing the throne. make the division worse between two men. President Trump is made of Teflon, but Musk and other corporate executives have feet of clay.
Grocery cartels are a particularly easy target for Democrats. Mr. Trump's obsession with Greenland and indifference to food prices is an opportunity to score big points for economically struggling middle-class families.
And don't scoff at public concerns about egg prices. People are struggling to feed their families, and there is nothing strange or wrong with their priorities. It's hard to worry about the future of our democracy if we can't pay our monthly bills. The best way to preserve freedom is to provide our people with affordable necessities that give them the leeway to worry about the future of their democracy.
brad bannon He is a national Democratic strategist and CEO of Bannon Communications Research, which conducts polling for Democrats, labor unions, and progressive issues groups. He hosts a popular progressive podcast about power, politics, and policy. Deadline DC with Brad Bannon.
