Stop Polishing Turds
It’s been a tough week for MAGA… but our side is still peddling some steaming piles of sh*t in the process. Let’s take a look beyond the big headlines and break it all down.
🙄 Democratic déjà vu
ICYMI: A group of Democratic elitists launched Project 2029 to turn the ship around, and Jon Stewart tore them a new one. He hits the nail on the head... this is a consultant’s fast pass to pad their salary until the next big race, and hold on tight to the strategies that delivered massive losses for us in 2024. Listen to Jon’s 3-minute breakdown here:
🗳️ Presidential hopefuls
The 2028 race has already started, whether we want to accept it or not… Several contenders have been seen across the country – from South Carolina to Iowa – holding events and townhalls to test their messages and raise name ID.
Here’s the concerning thing about the advice they’re receiving: former DNC chair Jamie Harrison is saying Democrats need to be more aware of their ‘nonverbal’ communication to break through, as voters are craving a fighter and a candidate who stands up to Trump. In reality, the data shows voters more than ever crave and respond the most to candidates with actual messaging on policy and themes with real-world impact in their daily lives.
This is what real “fighters” should do for us:
Lead with a signature, kitchen‑table proposal. They lean into something voters can repeat to their neighbor in one sentence. “Day‑one executive order to cap insulin at $35.” (Thanks Joe!)
Hammer a unifying theme that stitches it together: dignity in work, freedom from hate, an economy that taxes billionaires, not working families.
Show receipts. Name the bill you wrote, the budget you balanced, the strike line you walked. Authenticity is measurable. (Jeff Jackson does this excellently)
Use every stage to teach and listen. Campaigns that educate voters win loyalty that glossy ads can’t buy. And when you’re in front of those crowds, you have the opportunity for a conversation that can’t happen anywhere else.
That’s how you punch through MAGA noise: by proving you’ll change people’s day‑to‑day lives, not by perfecting your handshake grip.
With all due respect to the former chair, it’s time he enjoys his retirement and lets the next generation of campaigns run on policy, proof, and unapologetic Democratic values. Jamie’s “watch-your-handshake” masterclass gets a hearty 💩💩💩💩 / 5 on the Shitty‑Takes‑O‑Meter.
Remember this: Democrats won’t beat Trump by curating vibes… we’ll beat him by fixing what’s broken and daring voters to hold us accountable.
🏜️ Arizona keeps fighting
Unlike some out-of-touch journalists, I was glad to see Adelita Grijalva’s victory last week in AZ-7’s special election! It’s a sign that progressive values are prevailing. And even in a competitive primary with corrupt values, we can elect Democrats with values that truly represent the people.
While Grijalva’s district is a safe win for us, we can’t forget about Arizona. Republicans in the state are actively introducing new anti-choice legislation to roll back protections passed last year. If you can, consider joining the Arizona Democrats to register more voters from home!
💸 The king says: pay up!
The Department of Education (which still exists… for now!) confirmed it will reject nearly a third of backlog applications from Biden’s low‑payment SAVE Plan as Trump‑friendly courts froze it in June. This will lead to almost half a million Americans scrambling with a higher-than-expected bill on their plate. And while this is devastating news for many, some are hoping for a Hail Mary from Pam Bondi’s desk:
Until next time, keep the pressure on, keep the receipts handy, and never let the elite convince you that “vibes” count as a plan. We’ll be back soon with more fire—and more ways to win.
In fight,
David Austin
Executive Director, Forward Blue