Since everyone else is doing their autopsy and audit of the 2024 election, allow me to use this space to invite guests to give their critiques to save, reform, and strengthen our beleaguered democracy.
An establishment talking point that is shared by Fareed Zakaria, DC pundits, corporate Democratic donors, and “moderate” Democrats is that Kamala Harris lost by indulging in “identity politics” and being too woke. (Meanwhile, there’s no mention of Trump’s appeal to white rage and grievance.)
That comment is laughable considering Harris campaigned with Liz Cheney, never mentioned words like “Latinx,” “woke,” or “they/them” pronouns, talked about owning a gun, and ran on being strong on the border. It’s a bad-faith MAGA attack that is now mainstreamed thanks to lazy, intellectual hand-wringing by people who are comfortable with the status quo. It also fails to take into account the power of right-wing media, disinformation, the bias against Harris due to racism and misogyny, and the fact that nearly all incumbents around the world lost for the first time in 140 years.
Another sobering reality is that a lot of voters stayed home. Unfortunately, they weren’t inspired in a consequential election between a competent Black Indian woman and a criminal who quotes Hitler. But voters are emotional and you have to meet them where they are. Specifically, many Democratic voters are anti-war and open to popular progressive policies that challenge the establishment. (A majority of GOP voters when blindly presented with Democratic policies find them favorable.) There was an overlap between AOC voters and Trump voters. Folks want change and feel like the institutions aren’t helping them but are instead rigged for the 1%.
Do the Democrats have an opportunity to latch on to a winning message and progressive economic policies that can inspire and galvanize a diverse base for future elections?
I invited progressive writer and commentator Francesca Fiorentini, host of The Bitchuation Room Podcast, to unpack how progressives can help save The Democratic Party and propel them to victory in 2028 and beyond.
Grab a chai and give us a listen!
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