A former Republican strategist lays out what the Dems must do if they win back the House next year, including defunding the entire executive branch and nationalizing SpaceX.
I'm sick of playing nice. The Democrats need to make war plans. They need the spirit of revolutionaries. I want warriors. I want the Democrats to get their hands dirty. I want them to go into battle in my name like Vikings ready to berserk while reciting the Constitution and the Federalist Papers. I want the Democrats to be haunted by the voices of the disappeared, not inconvenienced by them. I want them to move on the Right like they are defending their homes and children from an angry mob with pitchforks and AK-47s. I want them to defend my rights, my neighbors rights, and my grandchildren's country, not sit back wringing their hands at what someone else has wrought. Get up and freaking FIGHT. Stuart's plan is EXCELLENT, start there, and don't stop EVER. CHANGE THIS COUNTRY, FOREVER. There should be NO MORE OPPORTUNITY for fascism to take hold NONE.
Yes. WOW. That's right! It has to be in your face politics. Roll up your shelves, plant your feet, have your facts straight and let loose with no apologies. The sports analogy is perfect. When dealing with the base you have to be basic.
Spot on. Why is it that I have no faith that this will happen. Democratic leadership is both feckless and corrupt. They could not bring themselves to back a Democrat who won the primary to the election of NYC"s mayorship. Shameful. I fear there is no way forward with Jefferies and Schumer. They are simply Republican light and beholden to their oligarch masters.
Damn! Powerful and righteous strategies outlined. Glad you are a "former" Republican strategist and left the "dark" side and encouraging the Democrats to stop clutching their pearls.
A democratic candidate for NYC mayor, who started out with 1% name recognition, beat a 2 term NY governor by 13 points can’t even get endorsed by Democratic Party leadership. The Democratic Party candidate for mayor is Minneapolis had his endorsement revoked. David Hogg, who held an unpaid DNC position, was kicked out of his position. Still waiting for any Democratic politician call GAZA a Genocide. Senator Gillibrand is spreading lies about Mamdani on something he NEVER SAID. There is no evidence that the Democratic Party will change course. They care about fundraising and self-enrichment.
Why does the supposed Left keep platforming supposed rehabilitated GOP operatives?
Do these GOP operatives really offer insights that we on the Left could never have dreamed up in a million years?
Stevens was the shitbag behind Clint's Empty Chair speech (which, admittedly, even he was embarrassed by). That's just a single example. Though now that he's irrelevant to the Monster Machine that he helped build, we should welcome him as some prophet to lead us forward. Steve Schmidt, Nicole Wallace, pretty much the entirety of The Bulwark (we really need more of Bill Kristol's insights to help us along, BTW), The Lincoln Project, etc. built the infrastructure that overshot slightly to yield Trumpworld. Let us now, belatedly, reward them for their misguided actions (the kindest characterization I can muster at this point).
Similar to Newsom covering his lack of policy with Trump-like memes and shitposts, the Dems will again fall for the Consultant Class bullshit and elect someone based on the popularity of their popularity rather than the potential of their policies.
But yeah, let's let vacuous opportunists like Stevens lead us into the future.
I should have just added my views on why there are no Dem voices going hard against the GOP.
It’s because the Dems, especially those in Leadership roles make concerted efforts to weed out voices advocating more aggressive approaches. Either they do it by squashing primary opponents against the status quo or simply defunding “problematic” progressives and allowing moderate or right wing candidates to prevail.
Regarding the Stevens recommendations…
So… suppose we think these are a great idea and rush them, personally, to Shrugmaster Hakeem and Schumer.
How far would they move in implementation.?
Witness the current attempts by Dem Leadership to submarine Mamdani, despite overwhelming popular support by actual Dem voters (though, unfortunately, not the donor class…).
Claiming that Dem problems can be resolved simply by messaging and legal/procedural maneuvers and (frankly) propaganda misses the point that policy should lead.
They don’t need clever if they’ve got real policy. Genuine Healthcare, Education, Wealth Inequality, (and maybe not supporting the slaughter of non-combatants with our weapons and diplomatic cover) would speak for itself.
Biden-ing again, only HARDER, is just going to lead to whatever more severe Right regime will follow the Dem moderate, regardless how clever the maneuvers.
Thank you for this. When I made phone calls for Rashida Tlaib I talked to people who were despondent over Gaza. They were simply not going to vote. She didn't let Palestinians speak at the Convention, and didn't say a word about Gaza or Palestinians. These were not Lesser of Two Evils people. You have to give people someone to vote for.
In contrast, I made phone calls for Mamdani. On the call were equal numbers of Jews and Muslims. That made my heart sing. (Yes, I looked at the participants list for surnames.)
The problem is looking to the Democrats, the 'good cops,' to the GOP 'bad cops,' of our system. Once you see that both parties are responsible for where we are, one has to look elsewhere for solutions.
1. It is completely useless to try to appeal to the Democrats to do anything that goes further left than status-quo America. Democrat party leadership would rather never win an election again than do most of these things, and they’d use their corrupt power over the party to ensure they never happen. The only ones they’d like are the ones that are extremely bad ideas (More cops? Seriously?). All of the decent ideas go against the party’s demonstrated ideology. If you want them, you’d need either a third party, a hostile takeover of the DNC, or a regime change.
2. The implication that the Biden admin had “good policy” but lost in 2024 anyway because they failed to inspire “passion” is just absurd. This isn’t rocket science: the Dems lost in 2024 primarily because they knowingly alienated their base by committing a genocide, and secondarily because they allowed corporations to continue raising prices despite the pandemic ending, making the “great economy” meaningless to most people. They’re corrupt and compromised to the point of being useless at best and monstrous at worst, and people aren’t interested in enabling it anymore.
As if the Democrats could do anything of the sort, being, as they are, bought and paid for by their own section of the elite, donor class. If the Democrats were the opposition party, this author seems be claiming, we would never have gotten to this stage in the first place. We are where we are because of both parties. What we have are the true results of bipartisanship within the existing system.
The entire electoral system would have to be changed to public financing, only. The Fairness Doctrine would need to be restored, so that no PACs, no issue ads from complicit dark money groups, and the like could air without a counter position being aired as well. That won't happen because those currently benefiting from the system we have now, and who control how our system works, wouldn't allow it.
My thumbs are sore from sending this to every non MAGAt I know. This is exactly what the Dems need to do. My request to all the readers here: please forward this to every sane person you know and have some real conversations about it. Remember, avoiding conversations about politics is being complicit.
I agree with everything except increasing budget for the police. That reallocation needs to go back to school/education, social services, and infrastructure.
Edit: in an ideal world the budget reallocation would go to universal healthcare, combatting the climate crisis, science, helping marginalized communities, social justice programs, RCV along with election reform to make it more accessible.
Also, I live in one of the poorest states and we made undergrad free. So the whole country could do it. Just saying what we all know, it’s not about cost.
This is fantastic! I think we have some Democratic governors who are ready to lead. Once members of the party see their success, most will fall in line. They should be tired of losing by now and would be energized by someone (actually many) who has the guts to do this.
Brilliant blueprint. Stuart Stevens and Elie Mystal should be co-chairs of the DNC, with Mehdi on speed dial. Memo to Ken Martin: THIS!
Lol!
I'm sick of playing nice. The Democrats need to make war plans. They need the spirit of revolutionaries. I want warriors. I want the Democrats to get their hands dirty. I want them to go into battle in my name like Vikings ready to berserk while reciting the Constitution and the Federalist Papers. I want the Democrats to be haunted by the voices of the disappeared, not inconvenienced by them. I want them to move on the Right like they are defending their homes and children from an angry mob with pitchforks and AK-47s. I want them to defend my rights, my neighbors rights, and my grandchildren's country, not sit back wringing their hands at what someone else has wrought. Get up and freaking FIGHT. Stuart's plan is EXCELLENT, start there, and don't stop EVER. CHANGE THIS COUNTRY, FOREVER. There should be NO MORE OPPORTUNITY for fascism to take hold NONE.
Yes. WOW. That's right! It has to be in your face politics. Roll up your shelves, plant your feet, have your facts straight and let loose with no apologies. The sports analogy is perfect. When dealing with the base you have to be basic.
Spot on. Why is it that I have no faith that this will happen. Democratic leadership is both feckless and corrupt. They could not bring themselves to back a Democrat who won the primary to the election of NYC"s mayorship. Shameful. I fear there is no way forward with Jefferies and Schumer. They are simply Republican light and beholden to their oligarch masters.
This is exactly what i've been screaming for
They should have hung jeffrey epstein around donald trump's neck every single day of the campaign
Damn! Powerful and righteous strategies outlined. Glad you are a "former" Republican strategist and left the "dark" side and encouraging the Democrats to stop clutching their pearls.
A democratic candidate for NYC mayor, who started out with 1% name recognition, beat a 2 term NY governor by 13 points can’t even get endorsed by Democratic Party leadership. The Democratic Party candidate for mayor is Minneapolis had his endorsement revoked. David Hogg, who held an unpaid DNC position, was kicked out of his position. Still waiting for any Democratic politician call GAZA a Genocide. Senator Gillibrand is spreading lies about Mamdani on something he NEVER SAID. There is no evidence that the Democratic Party will change course. They care about fundraising and self-enrichment.
Why does the supposed Left keep platforming supposed rehabilitated GOP operatives?
Do these GOP operatives really offer insights that we on the Left could never have dreamed up in a million years?
Stevens was the shitbag behind Clint's Empty Chair speech (which, admittedly, even he was embarrassed by). That's just a single example. Though now that he's irrelevant to the Monster Machine that he helped build, we should welcome him as some prophet to lead us forward. Steve Schmidt, Nicole Wallace, pretty much the entirety of The Bulwark (we really need more of Bill Kristol's insights to help us along, BTW), The Lincoln Project, etc. built the infrastructure that overshot slightly to yield Trumpworld. Let us now, belatedly, reward them for their misguided actions (the kindest characterization I can muster at this point).
Similar to Newsom covering his lack of policy with Trump-like memes and shitposts, the Dems will again fall for the Consultant Class bullshit and elect someone based on the popularity of their popularity rather than the potential of their policies.
But yeah, let's let vacuous opportunists like Stevens lead us into the future.
I'm sure it will work out better this time.
I should have just added my views on why there are no Dem voices going hard against the GOP.
It’s because the Dems, especially those in Leadership roles make concerted efforts to weed out voices advocating more aggressive approaches. Either they do it by squashing primary opponents against the status quo or simply defunding “problematic” progressives and allowing moderate or right wing candidates to prevail.
Regarding the Stevens recommendations…
So… suppose we think these are a great idea and rush them, personally, to Shrugmaster Hakeem and Schumer.
How far would they move in implementation.?
Witness the current attempts by Dem Leadership to submarine Mamdani, despite overwhelming popular support by actual Dem voters (though, unfortunately, not the donor class…).
Claiming that Dem problems can be resolved simply by messaging and legal/procedural maneuvers and (frankly) propaganda misses the point that policy should lead.
They don’t need clever if they’ve got real policy. Genuine Healthcare, Education, Wealth Inequality, (and maybe not supporting the slaughter of non-combatants with our weapons and diplomatic cover) would speak for itself.
Biden-ing again, only HARDER, is just going to lead to whatever more severe Right regime will follow the Dem moderate, regardless how clever the maneuvers.
Hope that doesn’t come across as just blather.
Thanks for your question.
All the best.
Thank you for this. When I made phone calls for Rashida Tlaib I talked to people who were despondent over Gaza. They were simply not going to vote. She didn't let Palestinians speak at the Convention, and didn't say a word about Gaza or Palestinians. These were not Lesser of Two Evils people. You have to give people someone to vote for.
In contrast, I made phone calls for Mamdani. On the call were equal numbers of Jews and Muslims. That made my heart sing. (Yes, I looked at the participants list for surnames.)
You have a point, but where/who are the Democrats who speak with the same vigor against Trump and his policies?
The problem is looking to the Democrats, the 'good cops,' to the GOP 'bad cops,' of our system. Once you see that both parties are responsible for where we are, one has to look elsewhere for solutions.
No suggestions for how to deal with Israel? Interesting.
1. It is completely useless to try to appeal to the Democrats to do anything that goes further left than status-quo America. Democrat party leadership would rather never win an election again than do most of these things, and they’d use their corrupt power over the party to ensure they never happen. The only ones they’d like are the ones that are extremely bad ideas (More cops? Seriously?). All of the decent ideas go against the party’s demonstrated ideology. If you want them, you’d need either a third party, a hostile takeover of the DNC, or a regime change.
2. The implication that the Biden admin had “good policy” but lost in 2024 anyway because they failed to inspire “passion” is just absurd. This isn’t rocket science: the Dems lost in 2024 primarily because they knowingly alienated their base by committing a genocide, and secondarily because they allowed corporations to continue raising prices despite the pandemic ending, making the “great economy” meaningless to most people. They’re corrupt and compromised to the point of being useless at best and monstrous at worst, and people aren’t interested in enabling it anymore.
As if the Democrats could do anything of the sort, being, as they are, bought and paid for by their own section of the elite, donor class. If the Democrats were the opposition party, this author seems be claiming, we would never have gotten to this stage in the first place. We are where we are because of both parties. What we have are the true results of bipartisanship within the existing system.
The entire electoral system would have to be changed to public financing, only. The Fairness Doctrine would need to be restored, so that no PACs, no issue ads from complicit dark money groups, and the like could air without a counter position being aired as well. That won't happen because those currently benefiting from the system we have now, and who control how our system works, wouldn't allow it.
My thumbs are sore from sending this to every non MAGAt I know. This is exactly what the Dems need to do. My request to all the readers here: please forward this to every sane person you know and have some real conversations about it. Remember, avoiding conversations about politics is being complicit.
I agree with everything except increasing budget for the police. That reallocation needs to go back to school/education, social services, and infrastructure.
Edit: in an ideal world the budget reallocation would go to universal healthcare, combatting the climate crisis, science, helping marginalized communities, social justice programs, RCV along with election reform to make it more accessible.
Also, I live in one of the poorest states and we made undergrad free. So the whole country could do it. Just saying what we all know, it’s not about cost.
Free Falasteen!
This is fantastic! I think we have some Democratic governors who are ready to lead. Once members of the party see their success, most will fall in line. They should be tired of losing by now and would be energized by someone (actually many) who has the guts to do this.
Some great Day 1 ideas. But he left out Defund Israel.
This list of ideas from a former Republican is a better platform that many leading Democrats.
Can he send this to Schumer and Jeffries?