Exactly right, Liz. No more playing nice. And make everything as hard as possible for the incoming coup. No one should quit their government job in disgust. Stay and delay—including Chris Wray (he has two years left).
It is about time there was a clarion call for some serious bad assness from the left. I come from a long line of union and civil rights activist and it is time to remember their energy. Resurrect the teachings of activists like Saul Alinsky for a start. Tap into the feminist, racialized groups and LGBTQ+ communities to channel their rage into political action. Yes we need the youth but demographics tell us we are missing a huge population of 60's idealists who have not turned to the dark side. Bring on the Raging Grannies. Let's kick some ass lefties!
"The left doesn’t just need its Joe Rogan—it needs an entire new media ecosystem. "
Absolutely nailed it Liz. We absolutely need to figure out a way to solve the issue of marketing and communicating Democratic branding, policy and governance to the majority of Americans in a way that reflects the actual reality of what Dems do to help most Americans. I don't pretend to know what all the solutions are but I'd bet it probably starts with sending our most talented (telegenic) folks over to places where persuadable voters are (like Rogan but that doesn't mean going to The Daily Caller) when the opportunity presents. AOC/Jasmine Crockett/Pete immediately come to mind.
I think it's also sometimes thinking about the most effective messenger for some of those spaces/demos. Perhaps it's a bit too trope-ish but as a "semi enlightened dude-bro" (my term!) I've been thinking about how someone like a Dave Bautista neutralizes much of the bravado and masculine cliches that exist in Rogan-esque spaces. If you saw his Kimmel skit pre-election, you know what I'm getting at.
This is not to say that messengers who don't fit into that tidy little box should avoid those spaces (in fact I think it's essential that they do NOT avoid so as to change perception among consumers of those media spaces) but I do think we should ask the questions, "How do we communicate Dem policy/governance to people we haven't been reaching and who are some of the most effective groups of messengers we can utilize in those spaces?" It's not either/or when it comes to the specific messengers, it's AND.
And then of course, we also should stop taking it on the chin and push (punch) back metaphorically instead of being rolled over. 💪
I love this ruthless vibe. We all need to change our tactics, and looking to Mexico, surprisingly for inspiration, will help. Sheinbaum is fascinating so far.
All these narrative flipping actions are powerful, but I can't see Biden doing any of this, since he's always been an anti-abortion, Catholic Republican. Even if he were coherent enough to do all these, I just don't think he would want to.
The problem here, is the Democratic Establishment. We DESPERATELY need more populist Leftists taking public office; Progressive politicians who will stand up against the Donor Class, and fight to pass laws that benefit working people and the Lower Class - and they have to be prepared to play dirty, like Liz pointed out. Unfortunately, with they way our campaign finance system is structured, it's nearly impossible to get anywhere in the political sphere without corporate backing. It's very frustrating. But I do agree that we need better organized Leftist media, too. Not necessarily a Joe Rogan analog, but more solidarity among Progressive media figures would help. That's been my biggest complaint about our side; we don't stick together, like they do. Our communities constantly tear each other down, with all of our "War of Ideas" garbage.
Totally aligned with the sentiment (the left needs to be bold!) but they also need to uphold liberal values. Pardoning your son for criminal wrongdoings is not respecting the justice system. Trust in American institutions is already so low, by acting outside of them leaders only denigrate them further. Would love to see creative proposals floated by the dems that are bold, but respect the underlying values central to democracy.
Exactly right, Liz. No more playing nice. And make everything as hard as possible for the incoming coup. No one should quit their government job in disgust. Stay and delay—including Chris Wray (he has two years left).
“not very demure nor very mindful” should be the dems 2025 slogan
what would you like to see the left do next?
Love the blanket pardon for all-things-abortion idea! Citizens deserve and need to be fought for like this.
it was from jessica valenti’s substack a must follow!!
It is about time there was a clarion call for some serious bad assness from the left. I come from a long line of union and civil rights activist and it is time to remember their energy. Resurrect the teachings of activists like Saul Alinsky for a start. Tap into the feminist, racialized groups and LGBTQ+ communities to channel their rage into political action. Yes we need the youth but demographics tell us we are missing a huge population of 60's idealists who have not turned to the dark side. Bring on the Raging Grannies. Let's kick some ass lefties!
Abortion free for everyone...as many as you want, no apologies needed. Trans rights no matter what! Bodily autonomy is a fn line in the sand for me.
"The left doesn’t just need its Joe Rogan—it needs an entire new media ecosystem. "
Absolutely nailed it Liz. We absolutely need to figure out a way to solve the issue of marketing and communicating Democratic branding, policy and governance to the majority of Americans in a way that reflects the actual reality of what Dems do to help most Americans. I don't pretend to know what all the solutions are but I'd bet it probably starts with sending our most talented (telegenic) folks over to places where persuadable voters are (like Rogan but that doesn't mean going to The Daily Caller) when the opportunity presents. AOC/Jasmine Crockett/Pete immediately come to mind.
I think it's also sometimes thinking about the most effective messenger for some of those spaces/demos. Perhaps it's a bit too trope-ish but as a "semi enlightened dude-bro" (my term!) I've been thinking about how someone like a Dave Bautista neutralizes much of the bravado and masculine cliches that exist in Rogan-esque spaces. If you saw his Kimmel skit pre-election, you know what I'm getting at.
This is not to say that messengers who don't fit into that tidy little box should avoid those spaces (in fact I think it's essential that they do NOT avoid so as to change perception among consumers of those media spaces) but I do think we should ask the questions, "How do we communicate Dem policy/governance to people we haven't been reaching and who are some of the most effective groups of messengers we can utilize in those spaces?" It's not either/or when it comes to the specific messengers, it's AND.
And then of course, we also should stop taking it on the chin and push (punch) back metaphorically instead of being rolled over. 💪
Liz for prez!
Liz Plank you have a diabolical mind! I like it!
Absolute genius, Liz. Time for Biden to go full double birds to the incoming administration.
I love this ruthless vibe. We all need to change our tactics, and looking to Mexico, surprisingly for inspiration, will help. Sheinbaum is fascinating so far.
All these narrative flipping actions are powerful, but I can't see Biden doing any of this, since he's always been an anti-abortion, Catholic Republican. Even if he were coherent enough to do all these, I just don't think he would want to.
The problem here, is the Democratic Establishment. We DESPERATELY need more populist Leftists taking public office; Progressive politicians who will stand up against the Donor Class, and fight to pass laws that benefit working people and the Lower Class - and they have to be prepared to play dirty, like Liz pointed out. Unfortunately, with they way our campaign finance system is structured, it's nearly impossible to get anywhere in the political sphere without corporate backing. It's very frustrating. But I do agree that we need better organized Leftist media, too. Not necessarily a Joe Rogan analog, but more solidarity among Progressive media figures would help. That's been my biggest complaint about our side; we don't stick together, like they do. Our communities constantly tear each other down, with all of our "War of Ideas" garbage.
Totally aligned with the sentiment (the left needs to be bold!) but they also need to uphold liberal values. Pardoning your son for criminal wrongdoings is not respecting the justice system. Trust in American institutions is already so low, by acting outside of them leaders only denigrate them further. Would love to see creative proposals floated by the dems that are bold, but respect the underlying values central to democracy.