Democratic leaders are not failing because they are very old. They are failing because their political strategy is obsolete.
Recently the drama of the Democratic National Committee proves this point. A few hours after DNC voted by DNC to vote for David Hog’s Vice Chairing on a procedural basis, the 26 -year -old activist announced that he would not compete in the Redo election. DNC’s move – Forcing new elections on alleged procedural violations – came after this Leaked audio DNC President Kane Martin said about the conflicts with Hog, “I don’t know if I want to do so now” and “You have essentially destroyed any opportunity that I need to show the leadership I need.”
The result reflects the problem. DNC forced Hogg to challenge the party orthodoxy – his plan to raise millions through his “leaders Hum Worthy” PACs to support young progressives against supported Democrats especially in safe seats. Party officials said that DNC officials should focus on defeating Republican, not “sowing division”. But Hog’s farewell shot captured the real issue. He Condemnation “Severe lack of vision from Democratic leaders, many of them sleep on the wheel.”
Voting confirms that voters agree with the diagnosis of Hogg. A June CNN/SSRS Poll It was found that only 16 percent of American see Democrats as strong leaders capable of “acquiring things” for Republicans as compared to 40 percent. Meanwhile, 91 percent of Democrats see Trump’s return as a threat to democracy, strengthening the need for vocal progressive leadership.
Nevertheless, democratic leaders constantly choose “unity” on effectiveness. They suppress the strategy of conflict rather than strategically channel. They draft the thoughts of thoughtful status that are buried while Republican creates displeasure that dominates the news cycles. They rely on the points done instead of speaking with authentic conviction. And they consider primary challenges as party betrayal rather than mechanisms for democratic accountability.
The irony is that Hogs were evicted to do what successful politicians do: creation of moments that draw attention that forces interactions about important issues. Their strategy for primary challenges shows that Republican has effectively used for years to reopen its party. T party primary transferred the GOP correctly, and Trump Pro Primary completed the change. These were not accidents – they were strategic uses of competitive pressure that produced media coverage and transferred public debate.
But when the Democrats try a similar strategy, the nervousness of the leadership. Consider the key leader of the Senate Chak Shumar (DN.Y.).
When the progressives demand accountability through primary, the party’s clans are concerned about “division” instead of taking advantage of coverage to carry forward democratic goals. And when activists create controversy, they are expelled instead of strategically deployed.
It is not about changing experienced leaders with younger people. In fact, there are democrats with non -political political strategies during the age limit. Sena Berney Sanders (I-VT.), 83, commands one of the largest political digital platforms in the US. Rape. Alexandria is a master in using social media to pursue the Oceseo-Cortage (DN.Y.), 34, progressive policies. Sen Chris Murphy (D-Con.), 51, Launched a PAC Traditional funds were designed for direct ground levels rather than raising. Age does not determine strategic knowledge – results.
The unexpected result of Democratic Mayerl Primary in New York City confirms the pattern – and resistance to change. A 33 -year -old state Vidhansabhaman, Zoharan Mamdani defeated former village Andrew Kuomo, who is a favorite despite supporting Qoomo despite the delegation of most Democratic House in the city. Victory Came with financial assistance Hog’s “leaders we deserve” from PAC. Still the party’s response Was estimatedly cautious: Praising Mamdani’s organizing effectiveness, data such as House Minority Leader Hakim Jeffrees avoided support, and some Democrats immediately removed themselves from the winner – in fact such institutional timing that limits democratic effectiveness.
Democratic strategy must be updated to match the current realities – and what actually works. Modern political battles are publicly, in real time, fought through narrative competition. The party that focuses on controls results. This means making political moments that forward democratic goals instead of avoiding conflict. This means that competitive primary behave as a tool to generate beneficial coverage, not the threat to institutional stability.
Republican discovered this year ago. He has mastered creating controversies that produce coverage. These coverage shapes the narratives and narratives that determine the policy results. Democrats have seen that it happens repeatedly that responds with carefully prepared things that ignore the audience.
Democrats can either optimize or lose winable fights. The DNC decision suggests that they are selecting the latter. Hog may be out, but strategic problems made their criticism necessary. As long as the Democratic leaders update their obsolete playbook, they will be excluded by the Republican, who understand that the story requires a desire to create news to control the story.
Late rape. John Lewis (D-Ga.) Urged Americans to create “good trouble, necessary troubles” in search of justice. Democrats face an alternative today: Lewis embraces the kind of strategic disruption that Lewis had champions, or continued to play with the old rules, while Republican dominates the battlefield.
The DNC reaction to a cautious reaction to the unexpected primary victory of Hogg and Democratic leadership suggests that they are choosing institutional comfort on strategic effectiveness. This is not just bad politics – it is a betrayal of the tradition of productive conflict that created a modern Democratic party.
Dana Dool George Mason teaches public policy at the University.
