Thanks, Aaron, for this well-reasoned essay. The Establishment Dems don't get it and will trash progressives even if it means continuing to be a losing strategy.
One tactic is to link the deleterious effects on communities which are being starved of water and electricity by the growth of data centers to the broader issue of climate change. This becomes a link to the overall issues of oligarchy, wealth inequality and destruction of a people-oriented economy. It's notable, for example, that Gates (now very much a part of the tech bro AI pushers and Trump enablers) has gone public about backing off of climate change. Interweaving connections in a clear way is a key to winning mass support. Bernie is popular because he's a master of this.
Keep up your clear and thoughtful advocacy. We need it now, more than ever.
Couldn’t agree more with Sirota’s third point and your conclusion! I’m hopeful that voters understand and agree as well. It would behoove the party to highlight those who actually have a belief system, rather than those who want to win just to win and don’t understand what’s wrong with the status quo. Many of today’s elections and the 2026 primaries are shaping up to put the status quo in the past.
I agree with the basic message which suggests emphasizing economics, prioritizing the interests of ordinary Americans rather than those of the corporations and the wealthy. And it seems to properly suggest downplaying ethnic identity politics to which I'd add reduce hostility to policing and serious border controls.
The Democratic establishment does sometimes undermine progressives (e.g. Mamdani) but too many progressives abandoned Clinton in November 2016 and Harris last year, even in the face of the Trump threat, which by now should be clear is dangerous enough so we really need the D coalition to stick together. (I am influenced by living in North Providence dominated by more conservative Democrats voters, but we still need them to win competitive statewide elections even in RI.)
So centrist and progressive wings should try stick together, and indeed their actual voting records and governing policies are not all that different. So I celebrate both the wins of progressives Mamdani, Wu, and the centrists wins in VA, NJ
A candidate like Joe Manchin is why the Democrats are losing. Joe left the party because he knew he couldn't get reelected in WV. People in his state of WV elected Bernie when he ran, and when they gave us Hillary instead, the Democrats lost the state. Go left young man, go left!
Considering that more and more people who are delving deeper into it are saying that centering climate justice in our economic development programs iis critical f we want proserous commuities, it seems tjat polling firm has lost its marbles. The only ratioal solution to our problems is all in on cliamte in a way that makes economic justice more likely. More democracy and stronger regulations on polluters make this possible.
Thanks, Aaron, for this well-reasoned essay. The Establishment Dems don't get it and will trash progressives even if it means continuing to be a losing strategy.
One tactic is to link the deleterious effects on communities which are being starved of water and electricity by the growth of data centers to the broader issue of climate change. This becomes a link to the overall issues of oligarchy, wealth inequality and destruction of a people-oriented economy. It's notable, for example, that Gates (now very much a part of the tech bro AI pushers and Trump enablers) has gone public about backing off of climate change. Interweaving connections in a clear way is a key to winning mass support. Bernie is popular because he's a master of this.
Keep up your clear and thoughtful advocacy. We need it now, more than ever.
Couldn’t agree more with Sirota’s third point and your conclusion! I’m hopeful that voters understand and agree as well. It would behoove the party to highlight those who actually have a belief system, rather than those who want to win just to win and don’t understand what’s wrong with the status quo. Many of today’s elections and the 2026 primaries are shaping up to put the status quo in the past.
The Democratic Party and the Republican Party are different cheeks of the same ass. Guess my opinions on political 'centerists'?
Maga is Treason. And dumb.
MAGA is a fungus that grew out of thirty years of political rot. Confusing the symptom for the disease creates lazy and ineffective treatments
Maga is AIDS.
I agree with the basic message which suggests emphasizing economics, prioritizing the interests of ordinary Americans rather than those of the corporations and the wealthy. And it seems to properly suggest downplaying ethnic identity politics to which I'd add reduce hostility to policing and serious border controls.
The Democratic establishment does sometimes undermine progressives (e.g. Mamdani) but too many progressives abandoned Clinton in November 2016 and Harris last year, even in the face of the Trump threat, which by now should be clear is dangerous enough so we really need the D coalition to stick together. (I am influenced by living in North Providence dominated by more conservative Democrats voters, but we still need them to win competitive statewide elections even in RI.)
So centrist and progressive wings should try stick together, and indeed their actual voting records and governing policies are not all that different. So I celebrate both the wins of progressives Mamdani, Wu, and the centrists wins in VA, NJ
A candidate like Joe Manchin is why the Democrats are losing. Joe left the party because he knew he couldn't get reelected in WV. People in his state of WV elected Bernie when he ran, and when they gave us Hillary instead, the Democrats lost the state. Go left young man, go left!
Considering that more and more people who are delving deeper into it are saying that centering climate justice in our economic development programs iis critical f we want proserous commuities, it seems tjat polling firm has lost its marbles. The only ratioal solution to our problems is all in on cliamte in a way that makes economic justice more likely. More democracy and stronger regulations on polluters make this possible.