Judging by what I'm reading, I don't think they're catching on to the problem yet.
What do Democrats need to do to start winning? Democratic strategists and grassroots leaders say their party has appeared stunned since President Donald Trump won the White House again. Not helping: the party’s limited ability to push back on his policies, since Republicans also control both chambers of Congress.
But Democrats also have a base eager to fight against Trump. They have done well in recent special elections, including in conservative places, and Democratic voters are packing town halls, saying they don’t think their leaders in Washington get the urgency of the moment.
I think I can safely assume the WaPo columnist, Amber Phillips, could be described as a liberal of the progressive persuasion. A quick glance at her now inactive X account has a pinned farewell post saying 'This site is whacked,' and her last few Xweets before exiting the platform are 2023 fangurling over Fani Willis.
I dunno about you, but to me, that's a pretty safe bet right there that I'm reading someone who will be preaching to the choir.
What do Ms Phillips and the experts on party resurrection in her circle think needs to happen for this fried Phoenix to fly again?
Their first suggestion is to stop 'treating Trump like a popular president' and start working towards rebuilding relationships with the working class.
Then Phillips starts a little laundry list of 'whats' with how-tos.
Democrats say they need to elevate younger leaders
Okay. I can go along with that. Everyone who is an established 'name' in the Democratic party is a doddering octogenarian.
...Amanda Litman heads Run for Something, a group that supports young, liberal candidates. She said she’s seen an extraordinary amount of interest since Trump’s victory in November, with people across the country wanting to run for office to talk about the high cost of housing, the high cost of child care and ways to improve health care — an issue that includes protecting reproductive rights, solving the opioid crisis and creating better access to mental health care.
Um...what about that is groundbreaking? Except, I guess, from a Democratic perspective, they weren't talking about it as much this past cycle because they were responsible for every last problem on that list.
Then there are 'younger leaders' who certainly have name recognition and already have tremendous appeal to that younger swath of radical, progressive Democrats. But are they the ones to 'elevate'?
Ooo, they're so feisty, though!
Ilhan Omar says that no one should show Trump any “dignity”.pic.twitter.com/2jGYI3GLJX
— Community Notes & Violations (@CNviolations) April 8, 2025
The Oligarchy Fighter is another great example and, no doubt, the most popular of the 'younger leaders.'
AOC
— Al (@AlBeachGuy) April 7, 2025
“Battling inequality one mimosa at a time” 😬 pic.twitter.com/nAOD8PpcB5
Stephen A. breaks down AOC's and Bernie's 'socialistic thinking' as:
Stephen A. Smith Throws Shade at Bernie & AOC’s ‘Socialistic Thinking’
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) April 9, 2025
“We’re supposed to leave it to Bernie Sanders and AOC? We're supposed to leave it with individuals that will tell you that it's perfectly okay to tax 70% of your money?” pic.twitter.com/zWK6d8NksO
'...You okay with going to work and makin' a hundred dollars and walkin' home with thirty? You sure about that?...'
That will resonate like a dull thud with the working-class Democrats are so desperate to lure back to the blue fold.
It's a brilliant plan so far.
KEEP TALKING
Be daring to capture the public’s attention
I like where she's going with this.
...Litman, with Run for Something, said the party needs to create tension to get back in the headlines: “There is so much in the news that is dangerous that it is easy for people to tune out,” she said. “So we’ve got to cause some conflict. Sometimes that might mean slowing the Senate to a halt, that might mean protests, spectacle. But we need to generate conflict, otherwise you don’t have a story.”
Admittedly, I'm looking at them with jaundiced eyes, but I think Dems of all ages've got the 'spectacle' part nailed.
The young leaders certainly have been doing their part. Some more than others have taken to the spotlight as if they were born for it.
Wow. @JasmineForUS says she wants illegals to pick cotton for her. That means that she wants slave wage workers who can’t complain about mistreatment because they’re illegal.
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) April 8, 2025
Democrats like Jasmine Crockett essentially support a new form of slavery. Evil.pic.twitter.com/wePbnqStsZ
She is a spectacle, and we all know her name.
The blue-haired blue protest warblers weren't going to be left behind. The flocks arrived with the Trump inauguration and have been protest-chirping for months now.
From the hallowed halls of Congress to the steps of federal buildings in downtown D.C., disgruntled Dems have been serenading unsuspecting and undeserving, innocent passersby with caterwauling of epic proportions and excruciating lyrical license.
The crazy cat lady chorus sings for waste, fraud and abuse.
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) February 13, 2025
Dems may never win an election again….https://t.co/hnjwCx25gi pic.twitter.com/EcTfgjNSQl
Protests and spectacle - covered.
Do you know what Democrat catches it in this primer for winners?
Newsom, for his podcast and talking to the wrong people (Kirk, Bannon, etc.) on it.
...“You got to respect people you disagree with,” Newsom responded in a recent podcast.
“These are bad guys, though,” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democrats’ most recent vice-presidential nominee, countered to Newsom on the podcast.
Democrats all want a Rogan but only as long as he only talks 'Democrat.'
I really like where this is going.
KEEP TALKING, GIRLFRIEND
I can't wait to read what Phillips's last brilliant insight is...OMG
She dih-int.
Oh, yes, she did.
Above all else, Democrats say: Take on the billionaires
LAUGHS IN SOROS
You had no problem accepting a campaign donation from George Soros. https://t.co/3aDzenc1xS pic.twitter.com/1HvBS98VRy
— Meara (@MillennialOther) April 8, 2025
HIGH FIVES IN HYATT HEFFALUMP
Illinois Governor J.B Pritzker claims that DOGE finding waste, fraud, and abuse is about “cruelty.”
— Media Lies (@MediasLies) March 19, 2025
Lies. It’s about saving Americans money.
DOGE has saved taxpayers 115 billion dollars.
That’s about $714 saved per taxpayer. pic.twitter.com/LW6xN5xSGC
Billionaires are basically a Democratic internal organ at this point.
There's such irony in AOC and Bernie's anti-oligarch performance art tour. For every billionaire who backed Trump, Kamala Harris had 2. 65% of rich Americans are Democrats. 75% of hedge fund managers—you guessed it!—Democrats! Every accusation from the Democrats is a confession. pic.twitter.com/BBstFVTJCT
— Batya Ungar-Sargon (@bungarsargon) March 21, 2025
But Ms Phillips marches on, gamely talking to her resurrection experts.
...Democratic strategists say there’s a real opportunity to tap into the anti-billionaire sentiment that appears to be raging nationally.
...“I do think the billionaire class has gotten away with too much,” he said. “They’re way too wealthy and way too powerful. You can earn a good life where you live: That should be our economic north star.”
Yeah. That anti-billionaire thing is totally groundbreaking territory for Democrats, too.
No one's never, EH-VAH heard it from them before.
When we talk about divisions in this country, we're not talking about Republicans versus Democrats. It is the billionaire class versus everybody else. pic.twitter.com/MariOvaemZ
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 4, 2023
So, that's it.
That's the game plan for Dems to regain their mojo. To reclaim the brass ring.
The big plan seems to be doing exactly what got them booted out of office to start with and is now keeping them in the wilderness for the foreseeable future.
WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO
I wouldn't lose any more sleep over it, Dems.
Phillips has done the work for you here, down to the last crossed 't' - no need to thank her for her wicked good insights.
It's what political insiders do. Glean from their vast experience and that of their peeps, and all for the good of the party.
It's gonna be great.
