One for Action, One for Resources. Both to Help America
Shades of 1992
Anyone remember 1992? A small state governor named Bill Clinton surprised a lot of people that year. Having won a bruising primaries battle, he became the Democratic Presidential nominee, and he won. A lot of factors were at work in that election, but one cornerstone was that Clinton set himself up as a “New Democrat,” focusing on centrist politics connected with Democratic values, inclusiveness, and good governance. The theme scratched an itch in America and the man won.
He was surely helped by the fact that George Bush was not that great a campaigner and Ross Perot picked up a lot of votes. Still, the core message Clinton offered rang true enough to bring in the win.
Who Speaks for the Democrats Now?
Well, nobody and everybody. There is no coordinated central voice (something we talked about some last week in this space). That is always a problem for a party out of power, but it’s a shortfall that is too expensive to carry on now.
How about something that draws on the Clinton model, but updated for today?
Team Democrat
Not an easy thing to pull together, but how about this scenario?
- Develop a catchy title or theme that captures the imagination and addresses our national worries. For Clinton, it was It’s the Economy, Stupid. That was an inside line for his team, but it got out and people liked it. Here I am proposing a unique team to take the lead, so perhaps something like A Bridge to America, or something like that, as an example.
- As I look around the political terrain, I see the best and most talented among Democrat leaders are governors, although there is some good talent in DC as well. I would love to see a team of governors that span the country and can speak convincingly of good governance and compassion for a better America. Here is the list I would love to see come together and speak as a common voice.
- Every one of these, of course, has problems or issues, but they are impressive. Every one of them is also considering running for president, so being on this team might be seen by them as a good thing or a bad thing.
Given the choice, I would recruit the Governors of:
PA- Josh Shapiro – Excellent communicator, good record of governance, a leading Jewish personality on the national scene.
MD – Wes Moore – Off to a terrific start in every way. And (forgive my prejudice) a former 82ndAirborne Divion paratrooper.
KY – Andy Beshear – In a deep red state, his ratings get ever better. The man knows how to stand by his principles AND work with others when possible.
IL – JB Pritzker – Maybe the best speaker of the group and one who has taken on Trump aggressively since 2016. Fine record as a governor.
MI – Gretchen Whitmire – Proven leader under all kinds of pressure, a person with presence.
ME – Janet Mills. That rare person who called out Trump to his face, in the White House.
MN- Tim Walz – Most of the country loved him in 2024 and a good record as governor. Is on the speaking circuit a lot right now.
CA- Gavin Newsom- Problematic for some but has run one of the largest economies in the world and managed a lot of crisis level problems. Articulate.
?? – Who else should be considered? Who have I left out that should be on this list?
I would love to see this bunch stand up as a team, spanning America with their governorships, talking up what is possible and right for America. If they can define a movement, they could coordinate closely with the DNC and invite a few carefully selected Washington figures to join the movement. Several good possibilities come to mind.
The focus would be on a few issues that we know people are worried about (Musk’s buzz saw damage, threats to Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans, Social Security, education, corruption and abuse by the rich sounds about right to me).
Another Team Dealing with Abuse of Power
Trump has shut down Voice of America and allied assets that was reaching over 350 million people worldwide, to the chagrin of Putin and others. Now silent, a gift from Donald. Universities are threatened with millions of dollars loss unless they give over academic freedom to the government. As usual, NPR is under the budget axe, On and on it goes.
Enter Team Integrity
What if a group of good billionaires (they do exist – I can think of a few right off hand), formed a team and pooled resources with the following message:
“We are taking government financial blackmail off the table. We have created a financial pool that will cover the funds cut for any educational institution suffering budget cuts unless they surrender academic freedom to the government. The same is being done for NPR; we are prepared to do the same for other institutions, especially those doing vital research, for the life of this Administration.
In addition, we have financed a foundation that seeks to buy newspapers and electronic media outlets, with an oversight team of world-class journalists to administer the fund. We pledge the donors will remain hands off all editorial functions. Our first offer is to Jeff Bezos- we offer to buy the Washington Post at a handsome profit over what you originally paid. Let’s get a great paper back on track.”
Two teams that could overwhelm the evil doers and give America hope. Wouldn’t that be great!
See you next week. Heads up – a complete change of focus next week! Should be fun.
Bill Clontz
If you find this blog worthy of your time and curiosity, I invite you to do three things:
(1) Join the conversation. Your voice counts here. If you wish to share COMMENTS anonymously, make the last word in your comment “PRIVATE.” I will assure your privacy via anonymity.
(2) Share the word about this post with friends and colleagues. Share a link in your emails and social media posts (https://agentsofreason.com).
(3) You are welcome to share this post with anyone. It is easy to pass on via email, of course, but also on Facebook, BlueSky, or Reddit; simply click on the links for these services at the end of this article.
Let’s grow our circle.
Well said! Hopefully, something like this will happen
John Steinbeck is attributed with the quote “If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.” (I’m sure credit to him is debatable). The point is the far right has lived by that, we are very far behind. Not just from a standpoint of a centralized voice, also in the self imposed decorum that seems to limit the messaging. I think the idea of these talented and articulate governors taking up the fight is outstanding. The messenger in some cases is just as important as the message as well. There are talented, younger, capable members in D.C. such as Jasmine Crockett, Maxwell Frost, Sara Jacobs, and even Jamie Raskin. I have heard a more pointed message from these people and they are not taking the high road. I’m certainly not suggesting to match the level of carnival performance that is our current administration, nor using selective truth as is their current strategy. I am ,however, saying we must use a much sharper edge, and a more relatable message, and a more average joe type delivery of that message. Less is more in a lot of cases.
He’s not currently a governor, but how could you leave Roy Cooper off this list? He’s actually got the time for it right now.
He is excellent. Sure would like to see him run for the seat Tillis currently holds. That would be quite an upgrade.
For all on the list but I am not a fan of Newsom, having just left CA. I understand his appeal but my experience in CA gives me doubts about his objectivity. He speaks well, looks good but people are leaving CA by the droves because of the economic challenges there.
I get that. As I noted in the posting, everyone of these has something less than desirable, but as a team, they would be impressive.
Where does Bernie Sanders factor into the equation of outspoken Democrats defending democracy?
Good point to raise. For one guy’s opinion: I admire the energy and connections he and AOC are making – big crowds. People clearly want action and leadership. But I do think he is too old and both are too far left to lead a fight that gets the majority back. I could be wrong!