The DSR Network Need to Know: There's No Time to Lose: What Dems Need to Do Right Now
Feb 19, 2026
Michael Tomasky, Editor of The New Republic and commentator on Democratic politics, lays out what Democrats must do now. He discusses picking fights and naming villains, using storytelling over policy wonkery, reclaiming working-class voters, and simple non-radical policy wins that resonate. He also covers messaging to renters, non-college workers, and younger voters.
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Make Conflict Central To Messaging
- Democrats lose traction because they avoid dramatic conflict and naming villains who harm working people.
- Michael Tomasky argues storytelling with clear heroes and villains makes policy wins visible and memorable.
Target Five Percent To Flip Outcomes
- Focus on regaining a small margin of working-class voters rather than wholesale conversion of the class.
- Win back five to seven percentage points among non-college voters with targeted, tangible fights, Tomasky says.
Unrig The System With Named Targets
- Adopt policies framed as 'unrigging' the system: tax the rich, curb monopolies, and fight corporate abuses.
- Use these fights as proof points that Democrats are on working people's side.
