If Democrats don’t figure out a way to match the passion & fervor of Trump’s MAGA movement with their own passionate and action-driven movement, things could get very ugly for next year’s elections…
Long article. I “got it” in the first few paragraphs. Scrolled to the end for concrete suggestions to create the movement that you convinced me needs to happen. Didn’t find any.
So here are some of mine.
1. We need the equivalent of Fox-not-the-News. We need the equivalent of the thousands of radio stations spewing hate. We need a cohesive online presence. SubStack is good but random.
How this happens, I don’t know. Someone with time/money/expertise. But without it, everything else will be harder.
2. We do need charismatic leadership. The chances that some one person will emerge in the next few months are slim to none and Slim has left town. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the Presidential candidate . It could be a combination of people, speaking the same message in their own passionate way. Obama, Sanders, Newsom, Whitmer, etc.
3. And we need a message. Something positive, not just anti-Trump.
4. And the movement needs a name. I like For Democracy but others can craft something else.
5. The movement has to be grass roots. We need a spark, a catalyst, to get people to vote blue and bring a hundred of their friends with them. Again, not my area of expertise. Women’s health rights will do it for some. Income inequality should do it for many. Climate should do it for everyone.
6. Maybe have a National March for Democracy like the Women’s March and the March for Science, happening in towns and cities across the country.
That is all I have at this point off the top of my head. I know there are hundreds of thousands of people like me who want to do something and be part of something but are floundering around looking for...........?
Short of writing postcards (do those really do anything?), sending money to targeted candidates out of state, and voting, I am at a loss to know how to help.
I would love to get comments (be nice) from others with better ideas than mine.
Well, our local Democrat groups sent out hand written postcards, and voter turnout increased measurably. And we won. And, I think Women will spearhead the movement once more. We have a lot to lose!
Thank you for this feedback. I live in a blue state so I am in a group that writes to people in other states. I never know if it helps. This is encouraging. Thank you!
And yes, women have a lot to lose; our autonomy over our bodies, our autonomy over our life choices, our equality before the law, literally all the freedoms we now enjoy.
Postcards/letters increase voter turnout by 2-4% (see VoteFoward, Sister District, Postcards to Voters). In a tight race, that means everything. We used a robust program of postcards, texting, programmatic ads (delivered where people are browsing like gaming/shopping sites), billboards, and targeted social media posts and ads. We helped flip a MAGA district blue. The Dem won by 1.346 votes. Everything counts. Our last postcard campaigns were for school board elections in a deep red town. Our candidates didn't win, but we reduced the margin of loss--the first step toward building for a win next time. https://www.bluecd2nm.com/
Check out Courier Newsroom. They have a totally different model of news/info delivery designed to reach those (an estimated 30-40% of the electorate) who get their information through social media.
I'm prepared to continue thinking seriously about the kind of movement that can lead to Democrat victory. [Currently, our major impediment: our support of Israel--which appears as suplying them with the ability to get ammunition with which they bomb, kill, and slaughter all Palestinians--is leading many to forsake Biden and any support they once accorded him. Netanyahu's vehemence is causing many everywhere to despise Jews. Bibi is the same as Trump--if he is stopped, he will be jailed, so he has to destroy Palestine, and ruin any chance for peace.] There is a rumor that Biden has given all of this rope to Bibi intentionally, but that he's ready to make further aid only with "conditions."
I commented below about the snuffing-out of attempts at alternative media voices. MSNBC seems to stand alone. Even in San Francisco market, I can't find a frequency that carries Thom, and other attempts to broadcast non-fascist content long gone. In my fantasies, a million-woman march escorting Kate Cox out of Texas, all proclaiming: I'm enabling her, arrest me! In my fantasies.
In antediluvian time, I took a course on literary criticism, where we had to analyze Hamlet every time we came to class using a different method. E.G. An historical view. An Aristotelian view. A Freudian view. Among the stuff covered were comparisons to political figures. other plays, etc. The center of all stories are archetypes.
As Thom says "The closest to movement politics we have at the moment are the millions of American women (and their male allies) who want control of their bodies and are outraged at GOP attempts to return them to the status of men’s servants and playthings, from the boardroom to the bedroom."
Taylor swift is not a politician and I don't want her to become one. I think she is the modern archetypal hero for Gen Z. She outsells anybody else. She made a market in album and even in ticket sales. And she is able to develop the myth we need. 40% of the electorate will be GenZ. Person of the Year. Personable. Charitable. Beloved by a majority of the demographic we need. And she was so sophisticated that she took on an entire industry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odYlgsKlOP4
Gen Z followers support Taylor Swift's marketing by staying connected through social media, buying her merchandise and talking about her on social media. Taylor Swift doesn't necessarily need to always market herself because so much of her audience does it for her.
She supports abortion rights. She has identified as a feminist and advocated for LGBTQ rights and gun control. She's been critical of police brutality, racism and white supremacy. She has used her influence and social media power to spotlight issues within the industry and society at large, such as fostering reforms to Spotify, Apple Music, Ticketmaster, recording and distribution contracts, and drawing attention to artists' rights, masters, intellectual property, corporate greed, sexism and racism, while being a subject of scrutiny and controversy herself. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_impact_of_Taylor_Swift#:~:text=With%20a%20strong%20political%20and,to%20artists'%20rights%2C%20masters%2C
How far will she go to support Biden and the Dems do you think? Is anyone talking to her about it?
I think you are right that she could have a strong positive influence on a key demographic group.
Maybe she could put out a group of songs (do they still call them albums/cds?) addressing the positive aspects of our current life in this country and how voting blue would move things forward even more. I am not stating this well. I am concerned that so many of our fellow citizens are pessimistic to hopeless. Some for good reason, others for lack of understanding.
Hi Thom--new subscriber here. I enjoy listening to your posts and I've learned a lot from them. Today's post was quite unsettling and I'm wondering if you've never heard of where's-the-red-wave Simon Rosenberg, Tom Bonier, Anat Shenker Osorio, The Lincoln Project, Ben Meiselas and brothers, Robert Hubbell (Today's Edition substack), Heather Cox Richardson, Joyce Vance, Jessica Craven, Ben Wikler, Olivia Juliana, Courier Newsroom in 8 swing states, Field Team 6 (registered millions of new Democrats since 2018, going stronger than ever for '24), The Civics Center, Indivisible's 6000 local chapters across the country, and innumerable on-the-ground grassroots organizations all working (and sacrificing, though not in the theatrical public ways you seem to suggest are the only ways that matter...) to create, nuture and build the pro-democracy coalition that will wipe the floor with MAGA in '24. The national press and apparently even you, Thom, do not understand at all how furious women are at losing full personhood according to the corrupt, billionaire-owned Supreme Court (#1 on the fix-it list when we get to a 55% win in '24). There are millions of quiet patriots working with passion, fervor, devotion, skill and intelligence to save our democracy. Please use your platform to push back against the media myopia that ignores/eclipses these efforts. Help get the word out! I agree with the comment below that we do NOT need charismatic leadership. We are living in an age of democratization of everything. No one is coming to save us--we have to do that ourselves--and I, personally, am skeptical of heroes of any stripe. I'm lucky to work with a very small group (12 on the steering committee) of ordinary folks who got together determined to flip our MAGA district blue in '22, and we did it. To amplify good economic news from the big bills passed by Dems, we created an interactive map on our website and a podcast to do the very thing you quote Jen Psaki talking about this morning--tell the stories of how Dem policies impact the people in our district. More info about us here: https://www.bluecd2nm.com/ Soon we'll be generating and disseminating original material in Spanish. Groups like ours have formed in and are impacting school board elections, county commissions, city councils, state houses and congressional districts across the country. Please shine a light on these efforts. Yes, we face the frightening, nauseating reality of a resurgence of authoritarianism and hate. But we are NOT helpless against it, and together we will prevail. Some links: https://asocommunications.com/https://substack.com/@simonwdchttps://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/https://roberthubbell.substack.com/https://joycevance.substack.com/https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/https://couriernewsroom.com/https://indivisible.org/https://thedirtroaddemocrat.com/ There are many, many more, but that's a glimpse into media resources/ordinary patriots/effective messaging/what the grassroots are up to! And thank you for sharing your deep experience and knowledge of political history.
Thank you for these links. I read many of the people you mentioned. I would add Jay Kuo of Status Kuo to your list. This is the type of grass roots organization that we must foster.
Thank you.
I feel like I am drowningin information but don’t know where to go to find a way to connect and get involved.
Do you envision an online clearinghouse that one could go to in order to find local/state/national organizers/organizations to participate in? Something that is kept up to date? I am thinking of something a long the lines of the list of companies doing business in Russia as the Ukraine War unfolded. It would be a lot of work for some group to take on, I know.
You are right but…Hate to break it to you but FDR didn’t build the movement—our parents in the labor movement which was led by (horrors) socialists and communists did it. FDR told them to keep pushing. One leader knocked on the White House door on Inauguration Day (look it up, he could do that then) to demand unemployment insurance. Obama disbanded the movement that elected him out of fear of left populism and this absence of a left opposition to MAGA is the result today. He’s still the power in the DP and he’s made no move to mobilize such a movement. Look to Working Families , Black Voters Matter and the young people who brought it home last time. But they are now the ones demonstrating against Israel’s attacks on Gaza and not too happy with Biden.
Jessica. If the black voters and young people aren't too happy with Biden, They will drop a load when their unhappiness gives them Dictator, racist anti Muslim, anti Arab, misogynistic Trump
Of course. But we are not about apportioning blame. Those young today are suffering from Obama and DP’s decisions and are recklessly angry. But my point was that presidents don’t create social movements and the political forces that made it possible for FDR to do what he did have been eviscerated by decades of anti-communist rhetoric directed at everybody but the queen who might want to do something for the people, as Truman pointed out long ago. Look at how the so-called liberal media treated Bernie—whose proposals would put us roughly on a par with Germany under Merkel. The “class that lives in luxury” has succeeded in taking over most of the Democratic Party and media to our detriment.
No, many democrats...me included... knew that Bernie wouldn’t stand a chance of winning that November. Because of one stupid word: Socialism. Older voters react to that word as if it were a snake. They were subjected to decades of right wing propaganda and believed it all.
Thom, instead of telling us we need a movement, why don't you build and lead it! You've got the guts and the fire to do that. Are you willing to take the risk? That's the critical question, isn't it? I'm an expat living in another country so I can't do it. And I'm too old, LOL! And I lack charisma even though I play a mean fiddle ;-)
Brilliant Thom, and sadly all I keep getting from the Democratic Party are endless appeals for more money. That may place candidates before the public but it doesn't inspire anyone.
But this whole concept of appealing to a movement was well said a century and a half ago:
“Nothing else in the world…not all the armies…is so powerful as an idea whose time has come.” – Victor Hugo, The Future of Man
The problem of course is that while such ideas can lead to paradise, they can also lead to hell.
There are plenty of emotional and passionate people currently in the Congress who could spearhead such a movement. You, Thom, and the other Grand Old Statesmen (like Robert Reich and Hesther Cox Richardson, and of course Bernie Sanders) should be the Voices of Elder Wisdom behind it. Let the Squad, and activist politicians like them, who represent the New Generation, become the face of the movement. Stacy Abrams. Raphael Warnock. And get Faith Leaders involved as well. There are millions of faithful Christians, for example who repudiate "Christian" Nationalism in its entirety. And bring in Jewish and Muslim and other religious leaders as well. People are spiritual, and they seek after righteousness. They seek a path to get involved. The Movement you seek should stay away from "Woke" identity politics, and focus on our common humanity, our American aspiration to be a melting pot of nations with liberty and justice for all, regardless of who they are or how they identify. It should not shy away from using the words of scripture, though not exclusively Judeo-Christian scripture, to show what the TRUE values are that we need to be pursuing. For example, Thom, you have written recently on the words of Jesus about who would be with him in heaven: "I was naked and ye clothed me, I was in prison and ye visited me, I was sick and ye comforted me...etc." The exact opposite of the "Christian" Nationalist agenda. And THAT needs to be stated unequivocally as well. This is exactly what some of the greatest movement leaders you mentioned: John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, were not afraid or ashamed to do. JFK quoted Isaiah in his Inaugural Address and concluded with: "With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own." It seems to me that a great conference of progressive faith and secular leaders could be convened, and the platform for our times, to save democracy, freedom and justice for all, politically, economically and spiritually, can be determined. And not just to save democracy as we know it or have accepted it until now, but to propel it forward to realize its grand potential for ALL people, restoring a semblance of balance to our society, an economic vision that offers economic independence to as many people as possible and bars the acquisition of abominable fortunes, and an urgency about preserving the beauty of our land and the purity of our environment. And then, to spread that message in every town hall, every megaphone at every protest against injustice and tyranny, every union meeting, in every pulpit, every synagogue and every minbar in every mosque in America that has not been taken over by the false prophets of the MAGA Movement. Through the members of congress and other elected officials who attend and sign on, it can be made into the very voice of the Democratic Party. And we can call people into the streets in support of this righteous agenda, and the BLM and MeToo movements and marches will shrink by comparison. And, believing as I do that many MAGA members are seekers of the Right but have been deluded, we can bring the light to many of them as well. An American Revival to counter Michael Flynn's sham. All it would take is a couple of visionaries with some national recognition and influence to call it together, publicize it on Social and mainstream media, and get it going.
Very comprehensive report, Thom, of times past. I am looking at the upcoming "pressure point" that the MAGA Hatters have focused on...and used to their advantage over the past 30 years--the Electoral College. The stats I heard say that although Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by almost 3 million votes, Trump got the Electoral College by about 80,000 votes in six swing states. Although Joe Biden in the 2020 election won by some 7 million votes, he got the Electoral College by a mere 45,000 votes in six swing states. A further comment I heard said three of these six swing states have been trending more "red'...and therefore it's quite possible Trump will capture the Electoral College in 2024. So our problem concerning "democracy"--which I grant is THE ITEM on the line in 2024-- is more structural.....not so much political. Since overhauling (or simply dumping) the Electoral College system involves changing the Constitution--and that avenue is currently a dead-end--I see a cataclysmic event occurring IF Trump does "win" the Electoral College in 2024 while the great majority of voters all across the country vote for Joe Biden. What do we, The People, do then? I don't think we need a "charismatic leader" to get through such a debacle. I think we would need something like the "Orange Revolution" that whichever Eastern Europe country had that eventually overthrew their autocratic government. We would need to encircle the White House, Congress, etc. in a peaceful revolution until the popular vote of the American people is recognized and the rightful recipient of the most votes is declared the winner....and enters the White House on 1-20-2025. Such a debacle would energize and coalesce enough Americans to produce a leaderless mass movement to take back our real democracy. Neither Abe Lincoln nor FDR needed slogans to deal with their 4th Turning Crises....and I don't think Joe Biden needs one either. The crisis will arise....and it will simply be a matter of whether or not we, the people, arise to meet it--and save our Democracy.
Thom Hartmann just took a subject on par with the complexities of quantum mechanics and thoroughly communicated its message to any audience capable of disseminating an average news piece. How truly fortunate we are to have "the what we can do about it" distilled to an easily comprehended writing.
And that fact reinforces the main idea within: Democracy will not prevail if its ideals emanate most exclusively through an intellectual realm of policy wrangling and academia. Democracy is given life through its demonstration - not theory, or the study thereof. Democracy is a practice, a way of life - a necessary sacrifice of comfort at times from the very people of which it is comprised.
I firmly believe the biggest movement of our time is democracy itself. The form(s) this movement will manifest through, as well as those who will lead it, are as of now unknown.
What is known is that democracy will once again be made heathy only by those willing to be inconvenienced through acts of speaking out and standing up in every instance it is needed.
Taking Back Democracy cannot be left TBD - it must be now - through our determination.
So, there was "Current TV," recruiting Olbermann, and a radio channel that made Rachel Maddow a star. Play taps. In the San Francisco market, for heaven's sake, the last non-fascist talk radio channel died a year or two ago. Anybody tell me how to get Hartmann on the air? I tried. Is it just corporate buyouts that so successfully whackamole any alternate "voice" that tries to make the slightest inroad? I just want to give a shout-out to Medea Benjamin and "Code Pink." That lady has showed up and showed up......
Spot on Thom, I am reminded that Senator Sanders would have beaten Trump and nominated 3 pro choice Justices but the Democratic Machine couldn’t have him or should I say DWS, Hillary and Podeska.
To do the calculators justice, Hillary looked good on paper. First woman, deep resume', Sanders too easily dismissed as crackpot..... You are going to hate me, but the lady has no charm, and charm, in the mysterious chemistry of projection through media, is real, or not. What I dread is that Kamala Harris makes Hillary look charming. Sorry.
Great movements require loud, articulate, angry, and practiced rebels. I associate the SDS with a pamphlet with the title, “Student as N*****” (the N word). They started, I have always believed, with protests of the abuses, repression, and indoctrination in schools. Maybe I got confused about that.
In any case, schools have refined their methods. They are great pacification institutions. Students learn that it is futile to take on the system or protest too loudly. They recognize that even the teachers and parents have no autonomy and no power. The Supreme Court has repeatedly reaffirmed that school authorities and the officials who back them up define what is acceptable speech, dialogue, behavior, dress, and attitude. If they can find some obscure expression of individuality that doesn’t threaten the school administration or local politicians, then they may be allowed to speak quietly and respectfully.
It takes a certain mindset and experience to become a movement leader. The “establishment” has done a very good job of conditioning students to doubt their own veracity and power. Everyone around them is behavior modified and programmed to discourage their more passionate expression or even rage. We have all learned our lessons. We all know you cannot win against the establishment and the way things are now.
Personally I don't want the equivalent of an Orange Jesus. We have Greta, Barack, Bernie, and others with their own areas of expertise. None of them are "selling" themselves or salvation. They want us to realize it is in OUR hands.
Democracy or not, eventually the dam will break. It almost did for China in 1989, and now they have put a phone in every hand. That government is very, very afraid of its people. They have figured out just how much to push them....so far.
Occupy was meant to be done through facilitators and consensus. It became way more complicated here; simply put, folks organized it to death. I hated to see that, but as it withered, my friends and I carried on for many years. Movements may teach and then fade, but that emotion, the memories, and knowledge remains. I use every bit of it and pass it on. That energy may change, but it is not lost.
I would like to know more about your experience with Occupy. I remember viewing a camp in a park in Salt Lake City; seems so long ago; and feeling inspiration and hope. I think there were some successes with home evictions?
Quick note on our version of Occupy, Mmerose. Our area is only 27,000 people. It's also a red county in a blue state. Occupy meetings here discussed educating folks about wealth disparity, Move-to-Amend, and helping the homeless. There was no physical occupation other than the street demos we did for years. Tourists passing through here would stop and talk. Some of them were doing the same thing in their home-towns.
There is a current attempt at this by a relatively new organization, ‘People Power’.
They are trying to initiate a movement but are victims of the ‘stunned Democrats’ resulting from amazement that the absolutely terrible and insanity ridden Trump movement is clearly working for Trump.
I think the fear that has been mongered by Trump and his supporters has been effective in backing off the Democrats into ‘policy only’ facts.
Which clearly lacks the impact of emotional connection.
I believe Democrats need to step
Out of their control bunkers and start acting on the fear they keep trying to avoid .
It’s here and we all ought to be pissed off at what Trump is doing and threatening to do .
Some of the statements by Democrats in recent years have not been helpful. For instance “ they go low and we go high”.
It’s a Great theory but not when you’re dealing with people that think they’ve been victimized by our going ‘high .’
In fact they’ve been victimized by the wealthiest corporations that pay politicians to do their bidding.
And they’ve been blinded by the BS that’s flying all around the chaos of the Republican Party.
These people are buying the crap that’s being dished out on a regular basis by individuals like Speaker Mike Johnson who has never cited a truth in his political life.
But truly projects some of his most “out there” alleged Christian beliefs. He doesn’t believe this and if he does they ought to lock him up.
Unfortunately , Joe Biden’
I think most of his stories have been compassionate truthful
Accounts of life and death which is truly heroic , but he’s not making up fantastic skewered lies which are popular rt now w Magats.
They call us ‘ Woke’ which we’ve taken as they intend it as a slur.
We need to be proud to be ‘ Woke’ as it depicts reality and reasonability by human beings . It welcomes diversity instead of attacking it.
Democrats , whether they know it or not , are pissed .
And we should be. The threats being made against an our Country and our Constitution are vicious.
Magats are vicious and freaking proud to be.
If we showed the truth about our reactions to some of this B S , that is regular fare for Trump and his toadies , we might actually get some “Reality to our Movement “.
Patricia, is People Power a political movement that will put up their own candidate? If so, then like No labels, the Greens, other third parties, all they will be doing is electing Trump, but that is really the goal of third parties. To make Trump dictator and end democracy for Plutocratic theocracy.
William. I get so pissed off when I hear this shit about 3rd Party's. Bernie started out as a 3rd party and I believe he could have won if the STUPID Dems had moved a bit more left. I also do not know why the DNC even exists? I thought people voted for who they wanted not who the DNC decided was the best.
Problem is with 'movements' is they have to go a long time before the get momentum.
Frankly for years and years the American public (mostly)have NOT given a 'flying f...' with regard to politics. Now it's here and all you can say is do not vote for a 3rd party!
You have no integrity if you really believe that voting for someone other than Biden is wrong. My integrity is in good shape and I would vote for someone I have respect for otherwise I would lose my soul!
The DNC is staffed by old tired Corporate hags, worn out old horses, that drink from the Masters Trough.
I saw this back in 1964, the last year I voted until Trump came down the elevator, then I rushed to register.
I have always seen the two parties as both sides of the same coin, as Humpty and Dumpty, they persecute and run off progressives, they have always been Republican lite, and still are, the only thing uniting them now is Trump and his white Christian nationalist, misogynistic cult.
Bu they are not new, they have always been there. The difference is now they have their avatar, their lord and savior and he has given them license to come out of the closet.
The stupid Democrats still believe that it is all about the economy, but it isn't it is about identity politics and the culture war.
But the DNC is enslaved to donor cash, and hates progressives as vehemently as Trump's cult
Jenny I agree with you about the DNC, but the DNC is stuck in the past, when in their imagination politics as honorable and a game, but the DNC doesn't exist without donor cash, and in their mind that is the corporations and billionaires, though Bernie out raised Hillary without donor cash, with contributions from folks like me..
The DNC put their thumb on the scale in S.C. for Hillary, because Hillary is a client of the money powers, and Bernie would have upset the apple cart
BTW, your integrity is irrelevant to our elections, you live in France, and are not an American.
"Like" for one line: "Magats are vicious and freaking proud to be." How do kinder instincts stand up against the two-tiered viciousness: the hateful bully leader, and the compensating, weak, vicariously empowered followers?
Long article. I “got it” in the first few paragraphs. Scrolled to the end for concrete suggestions to create the movement that you convinced me needs to happen. Didn’t find any.
So here are some of mine.
1. We need the equivalent of Fox-not-the-News. We need the equivalent of the thousands of radio stations spewing hate. We need a cohesive online presence. SubStack is good but random.
How this happens, I don’t know. Someone with time/money/expertise. But without it, everything else will be harder.
2. We do need charismatic leadership. The chances that some one person will emerge in the next few months are slim to none and Slim has left town. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the Presidential candidate . It could be a combination of people, speaking the same message in their own passionate way. Obama, Sanders, Newsom, Whitmer, etc.
3. And we need a message. Something positive, not just anti-Trump.
4. And the movement needs a name. I like For Democracy but others can craft something else.
5. The movement has to be grass roots. We need a spark, a catalyst, to get people to vote blue and bring a hundred of their friends with them. Again, not my area of expertise. Women’s health rights will do it for some. Income inequality should do it for many. Climate should do it for everyone.
6. Maybe have a National March for Democracy like the Women’s March and the March for Science, happening in towns and cities across the country.
That is all I have at this point off the top of my head. I know there are hundreds of thousands of people like me who want to do something and be part of something but are floundering around looking for...........?
Short of writing postcards (do those really do anything?), sending money to targeted candidates out of state, and voting, I am at a loss to know how to help.
I would love to get comments (be nice) from others with better ideas than mine.
Well, our local Democrat groups sent out hand written postcards, and voter turnout increased measurably. And we won. And, I think Women will spearhead the movement once more. We have a lot to lose!
Thank you for this feedback. I live in a blue state so I am in a group that writes to people in other states. I never know if it helps. This is encouraging. Thank you!
And yes, women have a lot to lose; our autonomy over our bodies, our autonomy over our life choices, our equality before the law, literally all the freedoms we now enjoy.
So we have to step up.
Postcards/letters increase voter turnout by 2-4% (see VoteFoward, Sister District, Postcards to Voters). In a tight race, that means everything. We used a robust program of postcards, texting, programmatic ads (delivered where people are browsing like gaming/shopping sites), billboards, and targeted social media posts and ads. We helped flip a MAGA district blue. The Dem won by 1.346 votes. Everything counts. Our last postcard campaigns were for school board elections in a deep red town. Our candidates didn't win, but we reduced the margin of loss--the first step toward building for a win next time. https://www.bluecd2nm.com/
We did the same. Good work!
Statistically most people get their news and are greatly influenced by social media. We have a window of opportunity. See below.
Check out Courier Newsroom. They have a totally different model of news/info delivery designed to reach those (an estimated 30-40% of the electorate) who get their information through social media.
I've done Vote Forward letters for at least 3 campaigns (2020, 2022, and for Janet P's WI Supreme Court) and already have 400 stamps for 2024.
Thank you. Again I appreciate the feedback. I too will be writing postcards. And feeling much more positive about it.
Thank you for this encouragement to keep on keeping on writing post cards. I do draw the line at cold calls tho, because I personally hate them.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
I'm prepared to continue thinking seriously about the kind of movement that can lead to Democrat victory. [Currently, our major impediment: our support of Israel--which appears as suplying them with the ability to get ammunition with which they bomb, kill, and slaughter all Palestinians--is leading many to forsake Biden and any support they once accorded him. Netanyahu's vehemence is causing many everywhere to despise Jews. Bibi is the same as Trump--if he is stopped, he will be jailed, so he has to destroy Palestine, and ruin any chance for peace.] There is a rumor that Biden has given all of this rope to Bibi intentionally, but that he's ready to make further aid only with "conditions."
I commented below about the snuffing-out of attempts at alternative media voices. MSNBC seems to stand alone. Even in San Francisco market, I can't find a frequency that carries Thom, and other attempts to broadcast non-fascist content long gone. In my fantasies, a million-woman march escorting Kate Cox out of Texas, all proclaiming: I'm enabling her, arrest me! In my fantasies.
I like that fantasy. Wouldn’t that be a kick in the pants for Paxton?!! I will look for your post.
I'm not kidding when I say channel Taylor Swift.
In antediluvian time, I took a course on literary criticism, where we had to analyze Hamlet every time we came to class using a different method. E.G. An historical view. An Aristotelian view. A Freudian view. Among the stuff covered were comparisons to political figures. other plays, etc. The center of all stories are archetypes.
As Thom says "The closest to movement politics we have at the moment are the millions of American women (and their male allies) who want control of their bodies and are outraged at GOP attempts to return them to the status of men’s servants and playthings, from the boardroom to the bedroom."
Taylor swift is not a politician and I don't want her to become one. I think she is the modern archetypal hero for Gen Z. She outsells anybody else. She made a market in album and even in ticket sales. And she is able to develop the myth we need. 40% of the electorate will be GenZ. Person of the Year. Personable. Charitable. Beloved by a majority of the demographic we need. And she was so sophisticated that she took on an entire industry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odYlgsKlOP4
Gen Z followers support Taylor Swift's marketing by staying connected through social media, buying her merchandise and talking about her on social media. Taylor Swift doesn't necessarily need to always market herself because so much of her audience does it for her.
She supports abortion rights. She has identified as a feminist and advocated for LGBTQ rights and gun control. She's been critical of police brutality, racism and white supremacy. She has used her influence and social media power to spotlight issues within the industry and society at large, such as fostering reforms to Spotify, Apple Music, Ticketmaster, recording and distribution contracts, and drawing attention to artists' rights, masters, intellectual property, corporate greed, sexism and racism, while being a subject of scrutiny and controversy herself. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_impact_of_Taylor_Swift#:~:text=With%20a%20strong%20political%20and,to%20artists'%20rights%2C%20masters%2C
She has supported Biden, and hopefully she will have the same effect on his campaign as she has had on ancillary products she supports. https://www.marketingdive.com/news/taylor-swift-era-marketing-ads-numbers-statistics/695775/
Do you think she would support redistribution via higher taxes on the ultra wealthy?
How far will she go to support Biden and the Dems do you think? Is anyone talking to her about it?
I think you are right that she could have a strong positive influence on a key demographic group.
Maybe she could put out a group of songs (do they still call them albums/cds?) addressing the positive aspects of our current life in this country and how voting blue would move things forward even more. I am not stating this well. I am concerned that so many of our fellow citizens are pessimistic to hopeless. Some for good reason, others for lack of understanding.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/13/business/media/tiktok-politicians.html
Hi Thom--new subscriber here. I enjoy listening to your posts and I've learned a lot from them. Today's post was quite unsettling and I'm wondering if you've never heard of where's-the-red-wave Simon Rosenberg, Tom Bonier, Anat Shenker Osorio, The Lincoln Project, Ben Meiselas and brothers, Robert Hubbell (Today's Edition substack), Heather Cox Richardson, Joyce Vance, Jessica Craven, Ben Wikler, Olivia Juliana, Courier Newsroom in 8 swing states, Field Team 6 (registered millions of new Democrats since 2018, going stronger than ever for '24), The Civics Center, Indivisible's 6000 local chapters across the country, and innumerable on-the-ground grassroots organizations all working (and sacrificing, though not in the theatrical public ways you seem to suggest are the only ways that matter...) to create, nuture and build the pro-democracy coalition that will wipe the floor with MAGA in '24. The national press and apparently even you, Thom, do not understand at all how furious women are at losing full personhood according to the corrupt, billionaire-owned Supreme Court (#1 on the fix-it list when we get to a 55% win in '24). There are millions of quiet patriots working with passion, fervor, devotion, skill and intelligence to save our democracy. Please use your platform to push back against the media myopia that ignores/eclipses these efforts. Help get the word out! I agree with the comment below that we do NOT need charismatic leadership. We are living in an age of democratization of everything. No one is coming to save us--we have to do that ourselves--and I, personally, am skeptical of heroes of any stripe. I'm lucky to work with a very small group (12 on the steering committee) of ordinary folks who got together determined to flip our MAGA district blue in '22, and we did it. To amplify good economic news from the big bills passed by Dems, we created an interactive map on our website and a podcast to do the very thing you quote Jen Psaki talking about this morning--tell the stories of how Dem policies impact the people in our district. More info about us here: https://www.bluecd2nm.com/ Soon we'll be generating and disseminating original material in Spanish. Groups like ours have formed in and are impacting school board elections, county commissions, city councils, state houses and congressional districts across the country. Please shine a light on these efforts. Yes, we face the frightening, nauseating reality of a resurgence of authoritarianism and hate. But we are NOT helpless against it, and together we will prevail. Some links: https://asocommunications.com/ https://substack.com/@simonwdc https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/ https://roberthubbell.substack.com/ https://joycevance.substack.com/ https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/ https://couriernewsroom.com/ https://indivisible.org/ https://thedirtroaddemocrat.com/ There are many, many more, but that's a glimpse into media resources/ordinary patriots/effective messaging/what the grassroots are up to! And thank you for sharing your deep experience and knowledge of political history.
Thank you for these links. I read many of the people you mentioned. I would add Jay Kuo of Status Kuo to your list. This is the type of grass roots organization that we must foster.
Thank you.
I feel like I am drowningin information but don’t know where to go to find a way to connect and get involved.
Do you envision an online clearinghouse that one could go to in order to find local/state/national organizers/organizations to participate in? Something that is kept up to date? I am thinking of something a long the lines of the list of companies doing business in Russia as the Ukraine War unfolded. It would be a lot of work for some group to take on, I know.
That's such a great idea!
WOMEN UNITE! PUSH BACK!
Our health is under ATTACK!
You are right but…Hate to break it to you but FDR didn’t build the movement—our parents in the labor movement which was led by (horrors) socialists and communists did it. FDR told them to keep pushing. One leader knocked on the White House door on Inauguration Day (look it up, he could do that then) to demand unemployment insurance. Obama disbanded the movement that elected him out of fear of left populism and this absence of a left opposition to MAGA is the result today. He’s still the power in the DP and he’s made no move to mobilize such a movement. Look to Working Families , Black Voters Matter and the young people who brought it home last time. But they are now the ones demonstrating against Israel’s attacks on Gaza and not too happy with Biden.
Jessica. If the black voters and young people aren't too happy with Biden, They will drop a load when their unhappiness gives them Dictator, racist anti Muslim, anti Arab, misogynistic Trump
Of course. But we are not about apportioning blame. Those young today are suffering from Obama and DP’s decisions and are recklessly angry. But my point was that presidents don’t create social movements and the political forces that made it possible for FDR to do what he did have been eviscerated by decades of anti-communist rhetoric directed at everybody but the queen who might want to do something for the people, as Truman pointed out long ago. Look at how the so-called liberal media treated Bernie—whose proposals would put us roughly on a par with Germany under Merkel. The “class that lives in luxury” has succeeded in taking over most of the Democratic Party and media to our detriment.
No, many democrats...me included... knew that Bernie wouldn’t stand a chance of winning that November. Because of one stupid word: Socialism. Older voters react to that word as if it were a snake. They were subjected to decades of right wing propaganda and believed it all.
True, oh so true. I am 84 and was conditioned by the media, TV, movies and professors.
I saw the light, and realized what a fool I had been, I am not that person anymore.
That was my thought exactly about Bernie.
Thom, instead of telling us we need a movement, why don't you build and lead it! You've got the guts and the fire to do that. Are you willing to take the risk? That's the critical question, isn't it? I'm an expat living in another country so I can't do it. And I'm too old, LOL! And I lack charisma even though I play a mean fiddle ;-)
Brilliant Thom, and sadly all I keep getting from the Democratic Party are endless appeals for more money. That may place candidates before the public but it doesn't inspire anyone.
But this whole concept of appealing to a movement was well said a century and a half ago:
“Nothing else in the world…not all the armies…is so powerful as an idea whose time has come.” – Victor Hugo, The Future of Man
The problem of course is that while such ideas can lead to paradise, they can also lead to hell.
Work locally. It reaches people where they live
There are plenty of emotional and passionate people currently in the Congress who could spearhead such a movement. You, Thom, and the other Grand Old Statesmen (like Robert Reich and Hesther Cox Richardson, and of course Bernie Sanders) should be the Voices of Elder Wisdom behind it. Let the Squad, and activist politicians like them, who represent the New Generation, become the face of the movement. Stacy Abrams. Raphael Warnock. And get Faith Leaders involved as well. There are millions of faithful Christians, for example who repudiate "Christian" Nationalism in its entirety. And bring in Jewish and Muslim and other religious leaders as well. People are spiritual, and they seek after righteousness. They seek a path to get involved. The Movement you seek should stay away from "Woke" identity politics, and focus on our common humanity, our American aspiration to be a melting pot of nations with liberty and justice for all, regardless of who they are or how they identify. It should not shy away from using the words of scripture, though not exclusively Judeo-Christian scripture, to show what the TRUE values are that we need to be pursuing. For example, Thom, you have written recently on the words of Jesus about who would be with him in heaven: "I was naked and ye clothed me, I was in prison and ye visited me, I was sick and ye comforted me...etc." The exact opposite of the "Christian" Nationalist agenda. And THAT needs to be stated unequivocally as well. This is exactly what some of the greatest movement leaders you mentioned: John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, were not afraid or ashamed to do. JFK quoted Isaiah in his Inaugural Address and concluded with: "With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own." It seems to me that a great conference of progressive faith and secular leaders could be convened, and the platform for our times, to save democracy, freedom and justice for all, politically, economically and spiritually, can be determined. And not just to save democracy as we know it or have accepted it until now, but to propel it forward to realize its grand potential for ALL people, restoring a semblance of balance to our society, an economic vision that offers economic independence to as many people as possible and bars the acquisition of abominable fortunes, and an urgency about preserving the beauty of our land and the purity of our environment. And then, to spread that message in every town hall, every megaphone at every protest against injustice and tyranny, every union meeting, in every pulpit, every synagogue and every minbar in every mosque in America that has not been taken over by the false prophets of the MAGA Movement. Through the members of congress and other elected officials who attend and sign on, it can be made into the very voice of the Democratic Party. And we can call people into the streets in support of this righteous agenda, and the BLM and MeToo movements and marches will shrink by comparison. And, believing as I do that many MAGA members are seekers of the Right but have been deluded, we can bring the light to many of them as well. An American Revival to counter Michael Flynn's sham. All it would take is a couple of visionaries with some national recognition and influence to call it together, publicize it on Social and mainstream media, and get it going.
Very comprehensive report, Thom, of times past. I am looking at the upcoming "pressure point" that the MAGA Hatters have focused on...and used to their advantage over the past 30 years--the Electoral College. The stats I heard say that although Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by almost 3 million votes, Trump got the Electoral College by about 80,000 votes in six swing states. Although Joe Biden in the 2020 election won by some 7 million votes, he got the Electoral College by a mere 45,000 votes in six swing states. A further comment I heard said three of these six swing states have been trending more "red'...and therefore it's quite possible Trump will capture the Electoral College in 2024. So our problem concerning "democracy"--which I grant is THE ITEM on the line in 2024-- is more structural.....not so much political. Since overhauling (or simply dumping) the Electoral College system involves changing the Constitution--and that avenue is currently a dead-end--I see a cataclysmic event occurring IF Trump does "win" the Electoral College in 2024 while the great majority of voters all across the country vote for Joe Biden. What do we, The People, do then? I don't think we need a "charismatic leader" to get through such a debacle. I think we would need something like the "Orange Revolution" that whichever Eastern Europe country had that eventually overthrew their autocratic government. We would need to encircle the White House, Congress, etc. in a peaceful revolution until the popular vote of the American people is recognized and the rightful recipient of the most votes is declared the winner....and enters the White House on 1-20-2025. Such a debacle would energize and coalesce enough Americans to produce a leaderless mass movement to take back our real democracy. Neither Abe Lincoln nor FDR needed slogans to deal with their 4th Turning Crises....and I don't think Joe Biden needs one either. The crisis will arise....and it will simply be a matter of whether or not we, the people, arise to meet it--and save our Democracy.
Thom Hartmann just took a subject on par with the complexities of quantum mechanics and thoroughly communicated its message to any audience capable of disseminating an average news piece. How truly fortunate we are to have "the what we can do about it" distilled to an easily comprehended writing.
And that fact reinforces the main idea within: Democracy will not prevail if its ideals emanate most exclusively through an intellectual realm of policy wrangling and academia. Democracy is given life through its demonstration - not theory, or the study thereof. Democracy is a practice, a way of life - a necessary sacrifice of comfort at times from the very people of which it is comprised.
I firmly believe the biggest movement of our time is democracy itself. The form(s) this movement will manifest through, as well as those who will lead it, are as of now unknown.
What is known is that democracy will once again be made heathy only by those willing to be inconvenienced through acts of speaking out and standing up in every instance it is needed.
Taking Back Democracy cannot be left TBD - it must be now - through our determination.
So, there was "Current TV," recruiting Olbermann, and a radio channel that made Rachel Maddow a star. Play taps. In the San Francisco market, for heaven's sake, the last non-fascist talk radio channel died a year or two ago. Anybody tell me how to get Hartmann on the air? I tried. Is it just corporate buyouts that so successfully whackamole any alternate "voice" that tries to make the slightest inroad? I just want to give a shout-out to Medea Benjamin and "Code Pink." That lady has showed up and showed up......
Spot on Thom, I am reminded that Senator Sanders would have beaten Trump and nominated 3 pro choice Justices but the Democratic Machine couldn’t have him or should I say DWS, Hillary and Podeska.
To do the calculators justice, Hillary looked good on paper. First woman, deep resume', Sanders too easily dismissed as crackpot..... You are going to hate me, but the lady has no charm, and charm, in the mysterious chemistry of projection through media, is real, or not. What I dread is that Kamala Harris makes Hillary look charming. Sorry.
Haven’t you heard? America isn’t a Democracy. Never was, according to the new right wing playbook. 😵💫
More tunnels?? Good grief. The fascists are turning into moles!
Great movements require loud, articulate, angry, and practiced rebels. I associate the SDS with a pamphlet with the title, “Student as N*****” (the N word). They started, I have always believed, with protests of the abuses, repression, and indoctrination in schools. Maybe I got confused about that.
In any case, schools have refined their methods. They are great pacification institutions. Students learn that it is futile to take on the system or protest too loudly. They recognize that even the teachers and parents have no autonomy and no power. The Supreme Court has repeatedly reaffirmed that school authorities and the officials who back them up define what is acceptable speech, dialogue, behavior, dress, and attitude. If they can find some obscure expression of individuality that doesn’t threaten the school administration or local politicians, then they may be allowed to speak quietly and respectfully.
It takes a certain mindset and experience to become a movement leader. The “establishment” has done a very good job of conditioning students to doubt their own veracity and power. Everyone around them is behavior modified and programmed to discourage their more passionate expression or even rage. We have all learned our lessons. We all know you cannot win against the establishment and the way things are now.
Emotion=memory.....that is how we are wired.
Personally I don't want the equivalent of an Orange Jesus. We have Greta, Barack, Bernie, and others with their own areas of expertise. None of them are "selling" themselves or salvation. They want us to realize it is in OUR hands.
Democracy or not, eventually the dam will break. It almost did for China in 1989, and now they have put a phone in every hand. That government is very, very afraid of its people. They have figured out just how much to push them....so far.
Occupy was meant to be done through facilitators and consensus. It became way more complicated here; simply put, folks organized it to death. I hated to see that, but as it withered, my friends and I carried on for many years. Movements may teach and then fade, but that emotion, the memories, and knowledge remains. I use every bit of it and pass it on. That energy may change, but it is not lost.
I would like to know more about your experience with Occupy. I remember viewing a camp in a park in Salt Lake City; seems so long ago; and feeling inspiration and hope. I think there were some successes with home evictions?
Quick note on our version of Occupy, Mmerose. Our area is only 27,000 people. It's also a red county in a blue state. Occupy meetings here discussed educating folks about wealth disparity, Move-to-Amend, and helping the homeless. There was no physical occupation other than the street demos we did for years. Tourists passing through here would stop and talk. Some of them were doing the same thing in their home-towns.
Thanks for asking---good memories.
There is a current attempt at this by a relatively new organization, ‘People Power’.
They are trying to initiate a movement but are victims of the ‘stunned Democrats’ resulting from amazement that the absolutely terrible and insanity ridden Trump movement is clearly working for Trump.
I think the fear that has been mongered by Trump and his supporters has been effective in backing off the Democrats into ‘policy only’ facts.
Which clearly lacks the impact of emotional connection.
I believe Democrats need to step
Out of their control bunkers and start acting on the fear they keep trying to avoid .
It’s here and we all ought to be pissed off at what Trump is doing and threatening to do .
Some of the statements by Democrats in recent years have not been helpful. For instance “ they go low and we go high”.
It’s a Great theory but not when you’re dealing with people that think they’ve been victimized by our going ‘high .’
In fact they’ve been victimized by the wealthiest corporations that pay politicians to do their bidding.
And they’ve been blinded by the BS that’s flying all around the chaos of the Republican Party.
These people are buying the crap that’s being dished out on a regular basis by individuals like Speaker Mike Johnson who has never cited a truth in his political life.
But truly projects some of his most “out there” alleged Christian beliefs. He doesn’t believe this and if he does they ought to lock him up.
Unfortunately , Joe Biden’
I think most of his stories have been compassionate truthful
Accounts of life and death which is truly heroic , but he’s not making up fantastic skewered lies which are popular rt now w Magats.
They call us ‘ Woke’ which we’ve taken as they intend it as a slur.
We need to be proud to be ‘ Woke’ as it depicts reality and reasonability by human beings . It welcomes diversity instead of attacking it.
Democrats , whether they know it or not , are pissed .
And we should be. The threats being made against an our Country and our Constitution are vicious.
Magats are vicious and freaking proud to be.
If we showed the truth about our reactions to some of this B S , that is regular fare for Trump and his toadies , we might actually get some “Reality to our Movement “.
Patricia, is People Power a political movement that will put up their own candidate? If so, then like No labels, the Greens, other third parties, all they will be doing is electing Trump, but that is really the goal of third parties. To make Trump dictator and end democracy for Plutocratic theocracy.
William. I get so pissed off when I hear this shit about 3rd Party's. Bernie started out as a 3rd party and I believe he could have won if the STUPID Dems had moved a bit more left. I also do not know why the DNC even exists? I thought people voted for who they wanted not who the DNC decided was the best.
Problem is with 'movements' is they have to go a long time before the get momentum.
Frankly for years and years the American public (mostly)have NOT given a 'flying f...' with regard to politics. Now it's here and all you can say is do not vote for a 3rd party!
You have no integrity if you really believe that voting for someone other than Biden is wrong. My integrity is in good shape and I would vote for someone I have respect for otherwise I would lose my soul!
The DNC is staffed by old tired Corporate hags, worn out old horses, that drink from the Masters Trough.
I saw this back in 1964, the last year I voted until Trump came down the elevator, then I rushed to register.
I have always seen the two parties as both sides of the same coin, as Humpty and Dumpty, they persecute and run off progressives, they have always been Republican lite, and still are, the only thing uniting them now is Trump and his white Christian nationalist, misogynistic cult.
Bu they are not new, they have always been there. The difference is now they have their avatar, their lord and savior and he has given them license to come out of the closet.
The stupid Democrats still believe that it is all about the economy, but it isn't it is about identity politics and the culture war.
But the DNC is enslaved to donor cash, and hates progressives as vehemently as Trump's cult
Jenny I agree with you about the DNC, but the DNC is stuck in the past, when in their imagination politics as honorable and a game, but the DNC doesn't exist without donor cash, and in their mind that is the corporations and billionaires, though Bernie out raised Hillary without donor cash, with contributions from folks like me..
The DNC put their thumb on the scale in S.C. for Hillary, because Hillary is a client of the money powers, and Bernie would have upset the apple cart
BTW, your integrity is irrelevant to our elections, you live in France, and are not an American.
Wherever anyone lives if people do not vote with integrity then we are lost.
Integrity means acting as you believe, voting as you believe. The Trump scum have integrity they are true to their beliefs..
In teg rit y has over two syllables William. The Trump supporters don't have a clue as to what it's meaning is.
"Like" for one line: "Magats are vicious and freaking proud to be." How do kinder instincts stand up against the two-tiered viciousness: the hateful bully leader, and the compensating, weak, vicariously empowered followers?