The Indefatigable are Fatigued

Frustrated with the Democrats? You’re not alone!

The following article, by Grassroots Connector Susan Wagner, is reprinted from Robert Hubbell’s Substack. Since publication last Saturday, July 26, the article has generated 429 “likes” and 146 comments. Susan seems to have struck a nerve. We invite your comments below.

By Susan D. Wagner

Raise your hand if the following describes you anytime over the past eight years:

You are indefatigable, always ready to dig deeper because so much is at stake. A human Eveready Battery.

When Trump was inaugurated in 2017 and again in 2025, you brought energy and tenacity to the fight.

You helped create a grassroots group, or you joined and became an active member.

You are always looking for opportunities to support collective actions to resist the MAGA agenda. But when you join those actions, you discover that party officials and consultants expect you to supply the legwork, organization, leadership, and fighting spirit necessary for those actions to succeed. You quickly learn that grassroots organizers and volunteers are taken for granted—even when their efforts are the difference between defeat and victory.

You have responded generously when elected officials send fundraising emails saying the sky is falling, even though their actions are not commensurate with the threats they say we are facing.

As grassroots activists, we invest our time and energy because we believe we can make a difference. But when we succeed, the media and the party often overlook or minimize our contributions.

I find all of the above confusing, demotivating, and politically disastrous.

Here are a few ways the inaction by our elected officials feeds burnout and leads to disengagement:

Unconditional surrender is not a strategy

As a minority party, it is hard to accomplish much, but all too often, we have seen Democrats cave without extracting any concessions or accommodations. True, we are dealing with a bully who knows how to bully his own people. But we have yet to see congressional Democrats call that bully’s bluff and raise the stakes.

A recent example is congressional democrats being sucker punched on the budget agreement by after-the-fact rescissions of previous appropriations. See NPR, Congress rolls back $9 billion in public media funding aid. How can congressional Democrats possibly believe anything Republicans say, given that Trump is a liar with no bounds? Fool me once, comes to mind. And House Democrats did not even attempt to obstruct the rescission bill by using the Minority Leader’s ability to hold the floor indefinitely, running out the allotted time to pass the rescission bill? Even if that strategy had only delayed the passage of the bill, at least Democrats would have demonstrated that they are ready to up the ante.

Energy Exploitation

The grassroots is alternately treated like a tool to Get Out the Vote and like a parent with infinite resources to bankroll expenses. In most districts and campaigns, activists are shut out of conversations about strategy. Accumulated wisdom from thousands of hours talking with voters is left untapped.

We have workable models for partnerships between candidates and the grassroots. For example, Rep Suozzi (NY-03) is a Democrat who won in a district that voted for Trump. He credits the grassroots with being a significant factor in his victory.

Tom Suozzi’s victory is a testament to a team approach that included a coordinator dedicated to working with grassroots groups. The coordinator should be a person with experience in the district and connections to grassroots groups. You can’t parachute in a candidate, and you shouldn’t parachute in an inexperienced person unfamiliar with the district to serve as the coordinator with grassroots groups.

It is also important for the coordinator to have a direct line of communication to the candidate. This position could even be held by a volunteer. These past eight years have taught the grassroots movement an enormous amount about the issues surrounding this level of teamwork. Grassroots leaders understand the sensitivities necessary for successful coordination between the candidate and grassroots organizations

Paralyzed by caution

While Republicans advance their agenda with relentless determination, Democrats often appear paralyzed by caution. Staying in office seems to be the biggest motivator. We have seen cautious political calculations and performative gestures instead of meaningful action by our elected officials.

Conversations I have had with elected officials about the frustrations of their most committed volunteers go this way: “I am serving my constituents.” What service is their inaction providing? Or the other usual excuse, “We are a large tent and it is difficult to herd cats.”

Elected officials and party leaders must get over thinking that those are acceptable responses. The threat posed by Trump to our democracy seems to be a secondary concern. Given the attacks on every American’s rights, the Constitution, and the rule of law, those answers are simply unacceptable.

Pollsters and Pundits

Democratic politicians and party leaders seem to pay more attention to pollsters and pundits than to their committed constituents. The reliance on pollsters who got it so wrong the last time is just baffling. I read the pundits who were so positive about our chances in 2024 and now ask, "Why would anyone think they are getting it right this time?”

Politicians should quit talking to the pundits who got it wrong last time and call a meeting where they listen to grassroots group leaders.

The Antidote to Burnout – Action

Without visible allies, even the most dedicated organizers begin to question why we are giving so much of ourselves. We are not asking for miracles, we are asking for comrades in the fight. True leaders know how to meet the moment. The unprecedented attacks on our country require unapologetic boots on the ground, clarity, and even theatrics (when appropriate). We need real action rather than performative politics.

Congress has taken an early vacation (and don't get me started on what if any moves Dems could have made to at least not have allowed this early dismissal to be a walk in the park for Johnson and the Republicans). With their calendars freed up, members of Congress should organize a trip to Alligator Alcatraz with all the elected Dems holding up signs protesting this atrocity. How about Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries holding up both ends of a banner that says, “This Is Not Permitted In The United States Of America.” Or, This Is Not What Makes America Great?”

Seeing collective action to expose atrocities at inhumane detention facilities would energize the base. The congressional recess is the perfect time to take bold steps outside of Washington, to take command with actions designed to insist on justice, equality, and democracy.

To keep up our determination, we in the grassroots need to see our party leaders develop a strategy and take action designed to stop the Republicans in their tracks.

Rekindling the Fire

We see our rights and privileges being taken from us every day. At this point, enough of the platitudes, we need to see bold actions. We call on public servants to meet the moment with vigilance, energy, and resilience. Every candidate claims to have those traits when they are running. Yet, if the current behavior of our elected officials is any indication, that “oomph” seems to have been parked outside the doors of Congress.

To re-energize volunteers’ spirits, leaders must demonstrate their commitment to action that is commensurate with the attacks on the foundational rights guaranteed by our Constitution. This is not a cry in the dark; just ask the prisoners in the work camps popping up across the country.

We have long since left the notion of potential threat; we are now solidly in erosion territory. We in the grassroots are currently fighting our fatigue, constantly giving each other support and encouragement, but that will soon have diminishing returns.

All of us, party officials, representatives, and candidates, need to stay in the fight because every time someone chooses to do so, it tips the balance in favor of democracy.

Susan Wagner is a tireless activist whose many accomplishments include helping found Markers for Democracy and “The Grassroots Connector.” She is also the host of the Substack Live “It Needs to be Said” on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. One of her key issues is advocating for the grassroots “to have a seat at the table.”