Democrats do not have an identity crisis. We have a leadership crisis!

Listen to the base!!

Corporate media is filled with stories discussing the Democrats so-called “identity crisis” from cable news segments to articles with headlines like, “The 10 theories driving Dems' identity crisis.” CNN on Tuesday ran an article on the Democratic party’s “image problem” while this past Saturday, the NY Times published an editorial about the Democrats “identity crisis” titled, “The Democrats Are in Denial About 2024.”

But here is what the corporate media doesn’t get. The Democratic base does not have an identity crisis. We know exactly who we are, what our values are and what we want from our Democratic officials. The “crisis” is the lack of Democratic leadership. Here we are nearly three months into Donald Trump’s fascist regime yet Democratic leaders are still not on the same page with one unified message! That is beyond disappointing—it’s maddening!

True, there are some amazing fighters in the Democratic ranks--but there are many others who are silent, want to find common ground with the fascist Trump or are pivoting to the middle to help themselves politically.

If Democrats want to win in the future, here is the simple solution: Listen to the Democratic base—not high paid consultants and big donors.

So what does the Democratic base want to see from our so-called leader? Overall, they want fighters. People who will “punch Trump in the face” every day—and by that I mean taking the fight to him on the issues and grabbing headlines from him. I know this because for months that is what caller after caller to my SiriusXM show have been demanding. Not one Democrat called to advocate Democrats moving to the left or center on issues as those in corporate media would have you believe. Rather it’s the same mantra: “We want fighters!”

That is why at a recent town hall one constituent told Rep. Gil Cisneros, a Democrat of California: “I wish you’d be angry!” At an another event in Minnesota featuring a panel of Democratic attorneys general, an activist urged the leaders to “get fucking angry, man!”

That is backed up by a new CBS poll released Sunday that found 70% of Democratic voters want Democrats in Congress to “oppose Trump as much as possible,” up from 64% just a month ago. And of the Democrats polled, a whopping 86% say Democrats could be doing more to take on Trump. In other words: “Fight Trump!”

That is where the base is. We have no identity crisis. We want Democratic officials to take on Trump daily—not found common ground. As one listener to my show summed up well in her message to the Democratic leaders: “You can either find common ground with Trump or with us. Not both!”

Now, there are some who have rightfully pointed out that our party needs to stand for more than simply opposing Trump. That is true. And again, the Democratic base is telling our leaders what those issues are.

Here in a nutshell is what the Democratic base wants: Go bold or go home.

We want you to champion policies that send an inspiring message that you are truly fighting for us and not your wealthy donors. And the best part is that the issues that the Democratic base passionately supports—per polling— are also supported in big numbers by our fellow Americans.

Here are a few examples:

1. Getting big money out of politics. We don’t like Elon Musk buying elections and the right hates George Soros “buying” elections. (Okay, I know Soros isn’t buying elections!) Polls consistently find 70 to 80 plus percent of Americans want big money out of politics. In fact, an October 2024 poll found 82% of registered voters view the influence of money in politics as a threat to American democracy. In that same poll, 77% support a constitutional amendment to allow states and Congress to reasonably limit money in elections. This is supported overwhelmingly by Democrats and even a solid majority of Republicans. Democrats should be taking on big money to make the case they are the ones who are about taking the power back from the oligarchs and giving it back to the people.

2. Expanding Medicare to finally cover dental, vision and hearing. This was part of Pres. Biden’s “Build Back Better” bill and polling showed nearly 84% of Americans supported this Democratic initiative as the legislation was being debated. This would be life changing for millions of Americans who in their golden years still can’t afford dental work, hearing aids and new glasses. Our seniors deserve far better! Democrats should lean into this!

3. Universal Pre-K. This was also in “Build Back Better” and was supported by nearly 70% of Americans—and an overwhelming percentage of Democrats. The program would provide federally funded Pre-K for 3 and 4-year-olds nationwide. Studies have shown when children go to pre-K, they see much more success in school later and to be blunt in life. Plus this provides parents with free childcare while the child is at school. This is great policy and great politics. It sets apart from the GOP that is gutting programs that help people.

4. Ensuring the oligarchs pay their fair share of taxes. If Democrats really want to really lean into to a populist agenda, then they can also push to enact legislation that mandates the wealthy finally pay their fair share of taxes. This is supported by more than 80% of Democrats and 63% of all Americans per a recent Pew poll.

There are of course other populist economic ideas Democrats can lean into from Medicare for All to paid family leave that poll well. Laser focusing on these issues can define our party going forward in an inspirational way. But right now the GOP defines us anyway they want given they stay on message and have countless vehicles to sell their BS—from Fox News to podcasts. This is part of why only 27 percent of Americans now have a favorable view of the Democratic Party.

Democratic officials championing a populist agenda would not only paint a stark contrast from the GOP, it gives Democrats the mantle of being fighters. First, fighters against Trump who is coming for our freedoms, democracy and vitally important programs from the VA to Social Security. And secondly, as fighters for all Americans who aren’t obscenely rich. In other words, as fighters for the people.

Again, the Democratic base knows what it wants. It’s time the Democratic leaders finally listen.

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