Democrats have a choice: continue as the loyal opposition in a political order defined primarily by the populist right, or mobilize a transformative ideological vision and distinctive set of policies capable of defining the political order itself.
The Democrat base didn’t have the numbers to beat Trump on its own. They needed centrists, people who only vote periodically, and never-Trumpers to show up in sufficient numbers to make up the difference. Trump’s threat is so obvious to the base that they assumed those groups would see the same and show up to vote against Trump. They underestimated how much disinformation and ignorance would dull the threat and make both sides seem the same.
The Democratic base didn’t show up in sufficient numbers to beat Trump. Harris’ base showed up, but her base all has the last name Cheney.
The Democrat base didn’t have the numbers to beat Trump on its own. They needed centrists, people who only vote periodically, and never-Trumpers to show up in sufficient numbers to make up the difference. Trump’s threat is so obvious to the base that they assumed those groups would see the same and show up to vote against Trump. They underestimated how much disinformation and ignorance would dull the threat and make both sides seem the same.
Whatever lies you need to tell yourself in order to justify moving even further to the right next time.