Summary
Overview
A live recording from Crooked Con featuring two panel discussions examining the Democratic Party's identity crisis and path forward. The first panel explores whether Democrats are seen as 'pious and scolding,' featuring diverse perspectives on how to balance progressive values with electoral success. The second features Senator Chris Murphy discussing the ongoing government shutdown, election strategy, and the fight against authoritarianism.
Democrats' Brand Problem and the Need for Authenticity
The panel opens with a stark assessment: Democrats are widely reviled as 'woke, weak, and out of touch,' yet voters still chose Democrats in many 2024 races, suggesting people will support candidates despite disliking the party brand. Tim Miller argues Democrats have become 'kind of annoying' and that the party failed to reflect on underlying problems during the Biden years when things seemed to be going well. The discussion centers on how Trump and Republicans dominate apolitical media spaces while Democrats struggle to find authentic voices who can go anywhere and connect with voters.
- A survey of working class voters described Democrats as 'woke, weak, and out of touch'
- Exit polls showed voters think Democrats 'stink' but voted for 'as many Democrats as possible'
- Tim Miller acknowledges 'you guys are kind of annoying' and says Democrats need to accept and think about this reality
- Democrats didn't reflect enough during Biden's win in 2020 and lack of red wave in 2022, missing underlying problems
" You guys are kind of annoying. And it is something that we're dealing with. And I think that it's important to just accept it and think about it. "
" The brand is boned. People voted for Democrats anyway. So to me, that says people are willing to support candidates even if they think your brand is shitty. "
The Challenge of Defending Values Without Being Seen as Scolds
Simone Sanders tackles the difficult balance of defending marginalized groups against Trump's attacks without falling into the trap of appearing to focus only on identity politics. Using the example of John Ewing's successful mayoral race in Omaha, she argues that Democrats must directly answer Republican attacks rather than ignoring them, while keeping the focus on kitchen-table issues like potholes. The key lesson: don't let your opponent define you, and make clear what you're for and against rather than running away from confrontation.
- John Ewing, a black Democrat, unseated a three-term Republican mayor in Omaha by directly answering attacks on trans issues while focusing on potholes
- Ewing's response to bathroom attacks: 'she's doing this because she don't want to talk about the potholes'
- In 2024, the 'they/them' ad was seen everywhere with no counter from Democrats, and people believed it
- Democrats need candidates close to issues in their districts rather than focusing on rehabilitating the party brand
" You cannot allow your opponent to make you believe that you're for an issue that you've never taken up. I don't know what the hesitancy is from some of the campaigns and the strategists over the last couple of cycles to just not be clear about what folks are for and what they're not for. "
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