I run a Democratic club in south Orange County, CA and I have to say that our clubs are largely the reason that there is only one Republican congressperson left in CA and we have elected a lot of Dems to local seats. I also think that our membership is probably a bit to the left of our electeds. I have been involved formally with the county party for 8 years now and while I have criticisms, they almost never are the caricatures of national Dems. It's very enlightening to be involved with the party. Also, to people who think the Democrats are irredeemable and we should just found a new party, if you all got involved with your local party, it would start to look a lot like what you want it to be, but it does take time and commitment.
The party is undergoing a transformation. I’m willing to wait until the dust settles. What needs to be addressed is the constant barrage of pleas for donations. I get upward of 8 per day. Some candidates across the country send requests several times a week, even the day after I donated. It was higher during the election season. I understand that elections are expensive, but there has to be a better way
Exactly. Still asking for money, but they haven't yet announced or demonstrated any effort to change tactics. The old game is over, so leadership needs to change strategies, make bold moves, and prepare to play a NEW game. Not turning my back yet, but wary as all get out.
Your comment directs anger at the leaders of the Party. There were tens of thousands of us Democrats who are part of the party and who canvassed, phonebanked, wrote postcards, and/or donated and tried to win the election with all our hearts. When you say "fuck them all," are you including us?
The idea that we need a new party is not realistic given how the U.S. electoral system works. Any new party that starts to win votes is going to take those votes away from the Democrats, not the Republicans. That will result in MAGA dominance for the foreseeable future, meaning decades of a fascist government that just might do away with elections altogether. Did you notice what happened when Nader ran in purple states in 2000?
It's easy to walk away from the Democratic Party. It is much harder to do the grassroots organizing that will be necessary to rebuild it from the ground up so it functions effectively as the voice and muscle of the non-rich in this country. Do you want to talk about something that won't happen or would you like to participate in building a party that can resist fascism effectively?
This is a great idea and I agree 100%. Practically speaking, where do you start? Is it possible to donate to a local Democratic party that is only, or primarily, used to support local politicians? For example, we are in Northern Virginia - Fairfax County. Has anyone developed a “how to” guide or know of a good resource to contact as a starting point?
I'm not aware of any "how to" guide yet. I am working with others to help local organizers in CA CD-22, a very low-income majority Latino district in the Central Valley of CA. I will be writing an article for The Grassroots Connector about how we approached helping out there fairly soon. As to a How To Guide, that's a good idea. I'll think about whether it is feasible to do something like that, too.
We can start by supporting Abigail Spanberger for Governor, but the donation page was messy and I don't know if my donation went through. As for DNC, the best spokesperson I have witnessed is Bernie Sanders with his Stop Oligarchy speech. I saw DNC chair Ken Martin interviewed. He did not inspire passion or urgency. That's what we need, with lots of surrogates.
Halitics, you are discouraging people from supporting a Democratic candidate who will support voting rights, healthcare, reproductive rights and other progressive issues because you don't like some of her views. The alternative to Spanberger is Youngkin, who will be much worse on virtually every issue. Your profound negatively is not constructive, it only helps the fascists by discouraging people from supporting Democrats who are a far better alternative than their Republican opponents. If we elect Spanberger, we have a chance for a trifecta in Virginia that will allow progressive legislation to go through. Her election will also prevent bad legislation if the Republicans retake the VA legislature. Consider helping, rather than sniping, as better way to be politically involved.
Thank you Steve Schear for making the point. Haltics, thank you for your message. The alternatives to Spanberger are former Lt Governor Winsome Earle-sears, an accomplished politician, but one who has promoted a total ban on abortion or a six week ban; opposition to marriage equality, and promotion of funneling tax dollars to unaccountable private, religious or charter schools. Her competition is Dave LaRock and Amanda Chase, both of whom support Elon Musk and DOGE. The latter called herself a 'Trump in Heels' and promotes the conspiracy that the 2020 election was stolen. As for Spanberger, I don't know what makes her 'pro-war,' but recall that economic stability is good for many college and retirement accounts which are managed by investment companies who trade in Wall Street index and mutual funds. Is that bad? Agreed, Wall Street and Big-Pharma have a lot of greed to answer for, but currently Big-Pharma is working on an oral vaccine against different strains of covid, for those who are shot-phobic, and a vaccine for Bird Flu. Research is also underway for a vaccine against E-bola. DOGE may have already cancelled these projects.
'Big-Pharma's' research may also be hobbled by the Health Secretary, whose anti-measles campaign has so far seen 146 cases and one death. So, there is a pretty clear choice emerging. If we are to win our democracy back, we need left leaning conservatives, liberals and progressives that can find common ground against the dissolution of our democracy. Support for Spanberger may help galvanize VA from purple to blue. Don't throw the baby our with the bathwater when the alternative is so stark and devastating.
Progressives who prefer rhetoric to the boring reality of how change happens bear as much responsibility for Trump’s election as the Rightwing propaganda machine does. The Democratic Party has brought us literally every single good government program that we have. Critiques are fine, improved leadership would be nice. But 30 years of shrugging off the phenomenal things Dems have accomplished and telling people that Dems are “corrupt” just because they understand what does and does not have a chance to pass has handed power to the fascists, who are willing to cheer incremental progress toward Rightwing goals and refrain from pretending that”both sides are the same.” Progressives, if you want to know why voters are disengaged, look in the mirror.
I don't agree that progressives are as responsible for our election losses as the right wing propaganda machine. The elected progressive wing of the party, AOC et al, supported the party's agenda and election work and maintained legislative unity throughout 2023 and 2024.
While it is true that we did not receive active support from the progressive base, and that contributed to our loss, the primary factor by far was the right wing propaganda machine. I canvassed in six states, including Montana. We did not lose Tester's race because progressives were not there supporting his candidacy, we lost because the Democratic brand has been so damaged by the RWPM that people just don't want to vote for Democrats.
And that was true in most of the country, since the Republicans made advances almost everywhere. Blaming the progressives is taking our eyes off of what needs to be done. We need to stay united and learn how to better communicate directly with voters to show them how they are being lied to by billionaires who are feeding them lies through Fox, social media, etc.
Re Halitics reply, I don't agree with that either. We need to rebuild the Democratic party and its reputation so that it seen as the voice and muscle of the non-rich, as it was in the 1930's. Throwing shade on the party is easy to do, but it doesn't help us get rid of the fascists.
I am suggesting that we embrace the Democratic Party of Jim Clyburn, Pete Buttigieg, Gretchen Whitmer, Kamala Harris, Lauren Underwood, Bennie Thompson, Hakeem Jeffries, Jim McGovern, Maxine Waters, Karen Bass, Chris Murphy, Angela Alsobrooks, Cory Booker, Andy Beshear, Josh Shapiro, Adam Schiff, Elaine Lauria, Jamie Raskin, Ruben Gallego, Janet Mills, Tammy Baldwin, Sarah McBride, Tammy Duckworth, Maggie Hassan, John Hickenlooper, Lucy McBath, Lisa Blunt Rochester…. I have heard too many progressives characterizing “The Democratic Party” as spineless or useless or corrupt. This is neither true nor helpful. Particularly since one reason progress is slow is that literally every 2 years Republicans are handed more power by voters who stay home because “Democrats aren’t bold enough.” Speaking truth to power does not entail refusing to praise those in power who do a good but imperfect job.
Helping people learn the most effective framework for telling the story of who is really to blame (spoiler alert, it's not Black & brown people, immigrants or trans people) I've seen in my 37 years of political involvement and activism, the race-class-gender narrative framework (RCGN), will certainly help with this effort.
The next iteration of the Freedom Over Fascism Movement Briefings is on March 6th at 4p EDT where you will get a taste of the ongoing research behind the latest RCGN messaging content.
Please message me here or on Mastodon or Threads if you'd like to sit in on the session.
Steven, the Democratic Party is awfully quiet about the real threat, which is the elections being taken over by the GOP's willingness to steal the elections. Purged voters, and numerous other ways they rigged this election. Vigilante Inc. Documentary by Greg Palest, tells the story of challenged ballots. I understand the reluctance to bring up the subject, because of the last time people claimed that the election was stolen, keeping them from shouting from the rooftops that this one actually was stolen. Also, I was vey upset when Bernie was basically shut out of the race in favor of more right wing Biden, who has funded the genocide in Palestine, when Harris would not break with this horror show, I could not vote for the party's choice to run for President,
Don’t you dare demand that the Democrats you threw out of office last November step up and save your sorry, bigoted bu++s from the Republicans you elected.
You elected the problem. It’s YOUR responsibility to fix it.
That goes double for non-voters and third-party voters.
The Democratic Party is a dead end. It is a bought and paid for part of the corporatocracy. Even those few who gain a measure of power with good intentions within it - AOC, et al. - are transformed by it rather than the converse.
Progressives must lead the charge to an emerging party that is not beholden to the billionaire class. The Green Party would seem the only likely option.
I would suggest that you get involved with Rise Up to Action, https://ruta.political-action.org/. I've only recently discovered them, but they seem like a well-organized and dedicated group of Bay Area activists.
I run a Democratic club in south Orange County, CA and I have to say that our clubs are largely the reason that there is only one Republican congressperson left in CA and we have elected a lot of Dems to local seats. I also think that our membership is probably a bit to the left of our electeds. I have been involved formally with the county party for 8 years now and while I have criticisms, they almost never are the caricatures of national Dems. It's very enlightening to be involved with the party. Also, to people who think the Democrats are irredeemable and we should just found a new party, if you all got involved with your local party, it would start to look a lot like what you want it to be, but it does take time and commitment.
The party is undergoing a transformation. I’m willing to wait until the dust settles. What needs to be addressed is the constant barrage of pleas for donations. I get upward of 8 per day. Some candidates across the country send requests several times a week, even the day after I donated. It was higher during the election season. I understand that elections are expensive, but there has to be a better way
Exactly. Still asking for money, but they haven't yet announced or demonstrated any effort to change tactics. The old game is over, so leadership needs to change strategies, make bold moves, and prepare to play a NEW game. Not turning my back yet, but wary as all get out.
You write, in part,
It is wrong to blame the Democratic Party in its entirety because of the failures or problems of its leadership.
Bullshit.
If the Damn Octagenerians won’t get out the way
If the leadership won’t fire the consultants
If the party’s electeds are too chicken shit to confront Trump MAGA Nazis
Then fuck them all
We need a new party
Hi, Susan,
Your comment directs anger at the leaders of the Party. There were tens of thousands of us Democrats who are part of the party and who canvassed, phonebanked, wrote postcards, and/or donated and tried to win the election with all our hearts. When you say "fuck them all," are you including us?
The idea that we need a new party is not realistic given how the U.S. electoral system works. Any new party that starts to win votes is going to take those votes away from the Democrats, not the Republicans. That will result in MAGA dominance for the foreseeable future, meaning decades of a fascist government that just might do away with elections altogether. Did you notice what happened when Nader ran in purple states in 2000?
It's easy to walk away from the Democratic Party. It is much harder to do the grassroots organizing that will be necessary to rebuild it from the ground up so it functions effectively as the voice and muscle of the non-rich in this country. Do you want to talk about something that won't happen or would you like to participate in building a party that can resist fascism effectively?
Steve
This is a great idea and I agree 100%. Practically speaking, where do you start? Is it possible to donate to a local Democratic party that is only, or primarily, used to support local politicians? For example, we are in Northern Virginia - Fairfax County. Has anyone developed a “how to” guide or know of a good resource to contact as a starting point?
Hi, Ted,
I'm not aware of any "how to" guide yet. I am working with others to help local organizers in CA CD-22, a very low-income majority Latino district in the Central Valley of CA. I will be writing an article for The Grassroots Connector about how we approached helping out there fairly soon. As to a How To Guide, that's a good idea. I'll think about whether it is feasible to do something like that, too.
Run for Something is great! Sister District too
We can start by supporting Abigail Spanberger for Governor, but the donation page was messy and I don't know if my donation went through. As for DNC, the best spokesperson I have witnessed is Bernie Sanders with his Stop Oligarchy speech. I saw DNC chair Ken Martin interviewed. He did not inspire passion or urgency. That's what we need, with lots of surrogates.
Spanberger is pro-war, pro-Wall Street, pro-Pharma. In my view, she is the wrong answer to a very serious problem.
Halitics, you are discouraging people from supporting a Democratic candidate who will support voting rights, healthcare, reproductive rights and other progressive issues because you don't like some of her views. The alternative to Spanberger is Youngkin, who will be much worse on virtually every issue. Your profound negatively is not constructive, it only helps the fascists by discouraging people from supporting Democrats who are a far better alternative than their Republican opponents. If we elect Spanberger, we have a chance for a trifecta in Virginia that will allow progressive legislation to go through. Her election will also prevent bad legislation if the Republicans retake the VA legislature. Consider helping, rather than sniping, as better way to be politically involved.
Thank you Steve Schear for making the point. Haltics, thank you for your message. The alternatives to Spanberger are former Lt Governor Winsome Earle-sears, an accomplished politician, but one who has promoted a total ban on abortion or a six week ban; opposition to marriage equality, and promotion of funneling tax dollars to unaccountable private, religious or charter schools. Her competition is Dave LaRock and Amanda Chase, both of whom support Elon Musk and DOGE. The latter called herself a 'Trump in Heels' and promotes the conspiracy that the 2020 election was stolen. As for Spanberger, I don't know what makes her 'pro-war,' but recall that economic stability is good for many college and retirement accounts which are managed by investment companies who trade in Wall Street index and mutual funds. Is that bad? Agreed, Wall Street and Big-Pharma have a lot of greed to answer for, but currently Big-Pharma is working on an oral vaccine against different strains of covid, for those who are shot-phobic, and a vaccine for Bird Flu. Research is also underway for a vaccine against E-bola. DOGE may have already cancelled these projects.
'Big-Pharma's' research may also be hobbled by the Health Secretary, whose anti-measles campaign has so far seen 146 cases and one death. So, there is a pretty clear choice emerging. If we are to win our democracy back, we need left leaning conservatives, liberals and progressives that can find common ground against the dissolution of our democracy. Support for Spanberger may help galvanize VA from purple to blue. Don't throw the baby our with the bathwater when the alternative is so stark and devastating.
Progressives who prefer rhetoric to the boring reality of how change happens bear as much responsibility for Trump’s election as the Rightwing propaganda machine does. The Democratic Party has brought us literally every single good government program that we have. Critiques are fine, improved leadership would be nice. But 30 years of shrugging off the phenomenal things Dems have accomplished and telling people that Dems are “corrupt” just because they understand what does and does not have a chance to pass has handed power to the fascists, who are willing to cheer incremental progress toward Rightwing goals and refrain from pretending that”both sides are the same.” Progressives, if you want to know why voters are disengaged, look in the mirror.
The Democratic Party of the 1930s and 1960s is gone like the buffalo. Continuing to embrace it is akin to hoping for the return of the dodo bird.
I don't agree that progressives are as responsible for our election losses as the right wing propaganda machine. The elected progressive wing of the party, AOC et al, supported the party's agenda and election work and maintained legislative unity throughout 2023 and 2024.
While it is true that we did not receive active support from the progressive base, and that contributed to our loss, the primary factor by far was the right wing propaganda machine. I canvassed in six states, including Montana. We did not lose Tester's race because progressives were not there supporting his candidacy, we lost because the Democratic brand has been so damaged by the RWPM that people just don't want to vote for Democrats.
And that was true in most of the country, since the Republicans made advances almost everywhere. Blaming the progressives is taking our eyes off of what needs to be done. We need to stay united and learn how to better communicate directly with voters to show them how they are being lied to by billionaires who are feeding them lies through Fox, social media, etc.
Re Halitics reply, I don't agree with that either. We need to rebuild the Democratic party and its reputation so that it seen as the voice and muscle of the non-rich, as it was in the 1930's. Throwing shade on the party is easy to do, but it doesn't help us get rid of the fascists.
I am suggesting that we embrace the Democratic Party of Jim Clyburn, Pete Buttigieg, Gretchen Whitmer, Kamala Harris, Lauren Underwood, Bennie Thompson, Hakeem Jeffries, Jim McGovern, Maxine Waters, Karen Bass, Chris Murphy, Angela Alsobrooks, Cory Booker, Andy Beshear, Josh Shapiro, Adam Schiff, Elaine Lauria, Jamie Raskin, Ruben Gallego, Janet Mills, Tammy Baldwin, Sarah McBride, Tammy Duckworth, Maggie Hassan, John Hickenlooper, Lucy McBath, Lisa Blunt Rochester…. I have heard too many progressives characterizing “The Democratic Party” as spineless or useless or corrupt. This is neither true nor helpful. Particularly since one reason progress is slow is that literally every 2 years Republicans are handed more power by voters who stay home because “Democrats aren’t bold enough.” Speaking truth to power does not entail refusing to praise those in power who do a good but imperfect job.
Helping people learn the most effective framework for telling the story of who is really to blame (spoiler alert, it's not Black & brown people, immigrants or trans people) I've seen in my 37 years of political involvement and activism, the race-class-gender narrative framework (RCGN), will certainly help with this effort.
The next iteration of the Freedom Over Fascism Movement Briefings is on March 6th at 4p EDT where you will get a taste of the ongoing research behind the latest RCGN messaging content.
Please message me here or on Mastodon or Threads if you'd like to sit in on the session.
If you want to learn more about RCGN, please check out the links in my pinned posts on Mastodon at https://mstdn.social/@joeinwynnewood/109690775778351004.
Thank you!!!!!! Marc Elias says the same thing. So many friends hate the Dems and they don't understand why I haven't abandoned it.
Steven, the Democratic Party is awfully quiet about the real threat, which is the elections being taken over by the GOP's willingness to steal the elections. Purged voters, and numerous other ways they rigged this election. Vigilante Inc. Documentary by Greg Palest, tells the story of challenged ballots. I understand the reluctance to bring up the subject, because of the last time people claimed that the election was stolen, keeping them from shouting from the rooftops that this one actually was stolen. Also, I was vey upset when Bernie was basically shut out of the race in favor of more right wing Biden, who has funded the genocide in Palestine, when Harris would not break with this horror show, I could not vote for the party's choice to run for President,
Don’t you dare demand that the Democrats you threw out of office last November step up and save your sorry, bigoted bu++s from the Republicans you elected.
You elected the problem. It’s YOUR responsibility to fix it.
That goes double for non-voters and third-party voters.
The Democratic Party is a dead end. It is a bought and paid for part of the corporatocracy. Even those few who gain a measure of power with good intentions within it - AOC, et al. - are transformed by it rather than the converse.
Progressives must lead the charge to an emerging party that is not beholden to the billionaire class. The Green Party would seem the only likely option.
See my response to Susan, above.
What would you recommend for engaging in San Francisco? Many Democrats here are too ideological to be effective.
Hi, Julie,
I would suggest that you get involved with Rise Up to Action, https://ruta.political-action.org/. I've only recently discovered them, but they seem like a well-organized and dedicated group of Bay Area activists.
Thank you