How Democrats should take on MAGA for the next four years
These are the times that try Democratic souls. Don’t be a winter warrior by giving up the fight against Donald Trump. Block out the frustration. Take a deep breath and follow my list of Democratic do’s and don’ts to engage MAGA.
First, don’t underestimate Trump the way Democrats did to Ronald Reagan back in the day. Reagan had a lasting impact on American society after we dismissed him as a has been B-list actor. He was the granddaddy of trickle-down economics which proved deadly for the middle-class families who elected him.
Give the devil his due. Trump is more than a colorful buffoon; he is an evil genius, who with the help of a compliant Congress and Supreme Court, is in as strong a position to finish the work the Gipper started that will terminate the New Deal and the Great Society.
Second, create a Democratic truth squad. Now that Meta has eliminated fact checking and the corporate owners of prominent news sites have capitulated to Trump, it will be even more important for Democrats to have a tech savvy truth squad to call out Trump’s outrageous lies and grave errors. The group should include young officials who will provide a vivid contrast to Trump’s increasingly erratic behavior. Age will be as big a problem for Trump as it was for President Biden.
Candidates for the squad might be newly elected Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.). House members who would fit the bill would be Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) who has originated innovative proposals to revitalize and modernize the economy, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), the founder of the original “Squad,” and Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), the youngest member of Congress.
There must be representation outside of the Beltway. Democratic Govs. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Maura Healy of Massachusetts would be good options. Both governors served their states as attorneys general so they are experienced in the court cases that will arise in challenges to Trump’s inevitable egregious abuses of presidential power. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), a young and vibrant state chief executive, would be an admirable addition to the group.
The Truth Squad should be prepared to step into the fray anytime Trump screws up which will keep them busy. Trump has already floundered, even before being inaugurated.
He has made the same mistake that haunted Biden and Vice President Harris. During the 2024 campaign, Democrats failed to adequately address public concerns about grocery prices and Trump leapt into the void.
The president-elect has backed off his promise to reduce food inflation saying it’s hard to do. Instead, he has floated an imperial diversion with his suggestion that he might use military force to occupy Greenland and the Panama Canal. The health of the American economy is much more important to our national security than an escapist military escapade.
Third, Democrats must hit high and hit hard against Trump’s corporate overlords. A little old-fashioned fire and brimstone populism would go a long way to help today’s Democrats. We should follow the advice of “Sockless” Jerry Simpson, the Kansas Populist Party icon who urged farmers to “raise less corn and more hell.”
It’s way past time for Democrats to make arguments that are more emotional and less nuanced. To paraphrase the “All in the Family” theme song, we need a man like FDR again.
Most Americans vote with their hearts while we send messages for their heads. It’s vital we take on Trump and his corporate cronies.
Every persuasive narrative needs a tough hero and a despicable villain. Trump demonized “radical leftists” with great effect. It’s time for us to have our own compelling story. The corporate cartels, who make exorbitant profits while working families struggle to make ends meet, make for great bad guys.
Corporate titans have been making the pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago since Election Day to pay fealty to The Donald. Trump’s proposals to cut taxes for bankers and billionaires provide Democrats with rich opportunities to make political hay.
Pre-eminent in bending the knee to the new king is Elon Musk. It would be wise of Democrats to elevate Musk as the real power beyond the throne and exacerbate a split between the two men. Trump is made of Teflon but Musk and other corporate executives have feet of clay.
The grocery cartels make an especially good target for Democrats. Trump’s obsession with Greenland and his lack of concern with grocery prices is a great opportunity for us to score big points with middle class families who are suffering financially.
And please don’t ridicule public concerns about the price of eggs. People struggle to feed their families and there’s nothing funny or wrong with their priorities. It’s difficult to worry about the future of democracy when you can’t pay your bills every month. The best way to preserve freedom is to provide the public with affordable necessities that will give them the luxury of worrying about the future of democracy.
Brad Bannon is a national Democratic strategist and CEO of Bannon Communications Research which polls for Democrats, labor unions and progressive issue groups. He hosts the popular progressive podcast on power, politics and policy, Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon.