And the population has changed. What may have been seen as safe and normal 20 years ago, is not even relevant today. The mainstream is a completely different animal and the media hasn't figured that out yet. Those that believe in the old lies are getting left behind. No nostalgia left for something that never was. I'm ready for this whole wonderful shift to happen. And it is happening, regardless of how the old guard wants to fight it. Corruption and greed and hate and fear just aren't all that attractive, no matter how hard they push it. Thank you for sharing this post!
Or maybe "the population" has caught up with where many of us were in the 1970s -- feminists, gay liberationists, grassroots environmentalists, etc. -- before the Reagan reaction shut it all down, or pushed it underground?
Seeds. All those efforts were not lost. And since Reagan, a lot of people have been born, immigrated, become part of the working class, been disenfranchised by the system, questioned their identity and place in the world, and hopefully registered to vote!
"Seeds" is exactly right, and isn't that the way it almost always works? None of those who started the women's suffrage movement in the 1840s lived to see the 19th Amendment ratified; none of those who saw it ratified were there at the beginning. Same goes for those who fought Jim Crow, and I'm still amazed that same-sex marriage became real in my lifetime. One way or another the torch keeps getting passed and the struggle goes on.
Really good piece. Strategy at the front doesn't take away from the hard work and policy stuff that solves the problems. Sell the spaghetti, not the recipe. Make me hungry or make me want to be with the latest and best trends and feelings patriotic and hope about enjoying the freedoms I want and other don't really realize they want as well. Slip me my escalator points as I dance and sing and get committed and just maybe have it printed in a fun font on the hat or shirt I leave with. Make me over in Our Brand.
"...and hope about enjoying the freedoms I want and other don't really realize they want as well." As Steve Jobs used to say, "People don't know what they want until you show it to them."
The shift to the right by Dems never made sense, because progressive policies - without the "liberal" label - are generally popular. Abortion is a big huge example, where ~70% of all people (including repubs) support abortion. People are also very tired of giant medical bills, but we haven't quite gotten to the point of proposing universal low-cost health care, but are much closer because Kamala is championing popular policies that also happen to be progressive. Keep going!
Some time ago when I offered unsolicited advice to Joe Biden I pointed out that he should emphasize the notion of an administration being a team, which it always has been. But now I'd urge Harris to do the same because it plays into Walz's persona. She can let him do regular locker room talks to the American people, the half-time talks, not the Trump smut and towel snapping talks. He will not overshadow her any more than Ted Lasso overshadowed Rebecca, the owner of the team. And one needs to remember that even now one of the most relatable common experiences in this country is team sports.
"Will it work?" Look at the poll numbers and how the ticket is trending upward. To this point, that's the answer.
I knew things were going to be different, and better, when I saw the first of the "Kamala HQ" releases in response to Trump or Vance statements or actions. I have been waiting for decades for the D's to play smashmouth football with the R's, and we are seeing it almost every day from the communications team. Meanwhile our candidates are having a rollicking good time at each rally, speaking and responding to packed houses.
We still have to do the work to win, but our candidates are comporting themselves as champions, and, even more importantly, comporting themselves as themselves. We don't see this kind of humanity in politics very often, especially at this level, and it is very refreshing.
I’m wearing my “Dogs for Kamala” t-shirt, pearls, and Chucks, singing aloud - don’t necessarily like the Brat Pack name, but this is definitely where we need to be.
It comes from that Gen Z pop star saying that "Kamala is brat!" As is being said to many of we Auld Phartz, "don't worry about the word, it's a Gen Z thing."
“Yes, we have a new candidate in Harris. But don’t sleep on the deeper shift. A new political style is on the rise. The Brat Pack has a plan to defeat Trump. Will it work?”
Biden, who I really appreciated, really did believe that if he improved things in America people would see for themselves that his policies worked to make things better for them and respond to objective, observable proofs. Well, a huge number of people aren't that objective and didn't have access to those proofs. Even if some aspects of life improved for some, they took the word of the press that many things were actually worse for others they didn't directly know. It was always one of my biggest frustrations with him that he never could let go of his faith that outcomes would speak for themselves and the majority of Americans could find their way to those truths even, at times and in places, without access to facts through reliable news. Harris and Walz have tired of waiting for the main stream media to present their facts un-besmirched and they are presenting them directly to the people and smaller media and if the MSM wants in they have to chase it. They've been slow so far to do so, but some of them are starting to pick up the pace.
When it comes to culture, and emotions successfully driving culture and intellect, I think of the late '60s and '70s. I see so much of that zeitgeist rising up. How many who were there don't remember how the youth movement began to shape the norms until even some of our parents (yep... cringe) began to wear flowers and beads, smoke pot and, as so often happens when the inner follows the outer, embrace the principles of sexual and racial equality and anti-war sentiment? Many people live lives circumscribed by their personal narratives. Given permission to open up a little and live freer lives without so much fear of condemnation, the needle on average interpersonal leniency will move a bit. I'm still waiting for all the protest songs, however...
In terms of going high, I think the campaign is still going high, quite often... and very effectively. Notice 45 trying to sell the lie that he didn't call for Hillary to be locked up after Harris and Walz shushed similar calls in a way that was embraced with delight by their crowd and got replayed in the media? The difference is they go high in a louder, sassier, more appealing way that sets an example but without the buzz kill of preachiness. Their high road has a twinkle while it shames by example.
"There is on the upswing a view that if you can leap from politics into the culture, always take that deal." Trust and FAITH as you fall backwards into the Mosh Pit of our cultures, knowing they will catch you or break you fall. Trust goes both ways.
Thank you, Tom, for sharing this article with us. I think we are finally approaching the time when the candidates we choose to lead us are based on 'how much they can do for America' rather than 'how much can they do for me'. After more than 40 years of ruining the Country with ME FIRST, we can begin turning to US and WE. Progress for most instead of constant regression. The trumpster/dumpster had his chance and he bloody near succeeded - now at last we can move forward into a future, which contaminated though it is, is still worth saving.
This clarifies a bunch of things for me, like why I've always voted Democratic but didn't consider myself a Democrat. I registered as a Dem after 2016 and was heavily involved with my local Dem group for 6 years, but last month I went back to being "unenrolled." The visible Dem I most admire might be Jamie Raskin, and a big reason is that he's got the passion and isn't afraid to show it. Also he was fine with going out in public with a kerchief on his head to cover his missing hair. I really, really hope that Harris & co. can bring winds of change to the DNC because they desperately need it.
P.S. But really -- "Brat Pack"?? I associate it with Frank Sinatra et al., even though they were my parents' generation, not mine.
Oh, I've never *not* been uninvolved politically and otherwise, but seldom in electoral politics. Serious work for change, especially at the grassroots level, almost always comes from outside the political parties. It seems that's what's happened here: the upper-level Democratic Party apparatchiks and the pundits got swept aside. (The old chant "Fired up and won't take it no more" comes to mind.) But it's also what happened to the GOP, with disastrous results for both the party and the country. I'm eager to see what happens after the election, with Kamala Harris as the head of the party. Without supportive structure the Brat Pack won't have staying power. But if Howard Dean's "50-state strategy" gets revived in some form? Well, then we might get somewhere -- somewhere outside the Beltway, that is!
I enjoyed very much this piece by Anand Giridharadas. It is so nice, I read it twice.
I've held an opinion for decades that the Democrats' rightward drift was the result of being accused by the right of left-wing extremism. The Left went mostly silent, leaving the corporate centrists to speak for the party. I longed to hear the Democrats begin to sound like the old Progressive Left again, and without apology. That is what seems to be happening, and I think it is a big part of why so many people are obviously happy, joyful. The Democrats have begun to act and sound like Democrats again. Instead of fearing the cries of "Socialist! Communist! Radical Left!", they promise to deliver to the true blue progressive Democrats what they want to hear. Their resulting enthusiasm will persuade the uncommitted centrist voters to get on board the progressive train. When I hear Kamala recite the litany of progressive Democratic programs aimed at the American People, it makes me cheer out loud, even if I'm alone in the room.
In addition to saying "We're not going back" we might want to mostly ignore whatever drivel the backwards party issues, and focus on looking forward to the future. As Joe said again last night, our best days are ahead of us. America has been aspirational from the very beginning, and there is no good reason to stop working toward a more perfect union. The motto of my state, Wisconsin, is "Forward". Let us look forward. We're not going back, and we're not looking back at the losers and cheaters who want to run our country. Forward with Kamala and Tim!
One hopes that “trying the weird thing” does not come back to bite us in the arse. After all, the co-leader of the brat pack used that to define the cult. Shall we say uncanny. It’s way past time for Dems to fight back. If they get the attention, hallelujah. Rupert will keep blathering (and cutting and pasting) chump’s rabid and violent slander. Hopefully, the protesters at the convention won’t accomplish what the protesters of 1968 did. Go with the times Dems, or the times will go without you.
And the population has changed. What may have been seen as safe and normal 20 years ago, is not even relevant today. The mainstream is a completely different animal and the media hasn't figured that out yet. Those that believe in the old lies are getting left behind. No nostalgia left for something that never was. I'm ready for this whole wonderful shift to happen. And it is happening, regardless of how the old guard wants to fight it. Corruption and greed and hate and fear just aren't all that attractive, no matter how hard they push it. Thank you for sharing this post!
Or maybe "the population" has caught up with where many of us were in the 1970s -- feminists, gay liberationists, grassroots environmentalists, etc. -- before the Reagan reaction shut it all down, or pushed it underground?
Seeds. All those efforts were not lost. And since Reagan, a lot of people have been born, immigrated, become part of the working class, been disenfranchised by the system, questioned their identity and place in the world, and hopefully registered to vote!
"Seeds" is exactly right, and isn't that the way it almost always works? None of those who started the women's suffrage movement in the 1840s lived to see the 19th Amendment ratified; none of those who saw it ratified were there at the beginning. Same goes for those who fought Jim Crow, and I'm still amazed that same-sex marriage became real in my lifetime. One way or another the torch keeps getting passed and the struggle goes on.
Really good piece. Strategy at the front doesn't take away from the hard work and policy stuff that solves the problems. Sell the spaghetti, not the recipe. Make me hungry or make me want to be with the latest and best trends and feelings patriotic and hope about enjoying the freedoms I want and other don't really realize they want as well. Slip me my escalator points as I dance and sing and get committed and just maybe have it printed in a fun font on the hat or shirt I leave with. Make me over in Our Brand.
"...and hope about enjoying the freedoms I want and other don't really realize they want as well." As Steve Jobs used to say, "People don't know what they want until you show it to them."
The shift to the right by Dems never made sense, because progressive policies - without the "liberal" label - are generally popular. Abortion is a big huge example, where ~70% of all people (including repubs) support abortion. People are also very tired of giant medical bills, but we haven't quite gotten to the point of proposing universal low-cost health care, but are much closer because Kamala is championing popular policies that also happen to be progressive. Keep going!
Some time ago when I offered unsolicited advice to Joe Biden I pointed out that he should emphasize the notion of an administration being a team, which it always has been. But now I'd urge Harris to do the same because it plays into Walz's persona. She can let him do regular locker room talks to the American people, the half-time talks, not the Trump smut and towel snapping talks. He will not overshadow her any more than Ted Lasso overshadowed Rebecca, the owner of the team. And one needs to remember that even now one of the most relatable common experiences in this country is team sports.
"Will it work?" Look at the poll numbers and how the ticket is trending upward. To this point, that's the answer.
I knew things were going to be different, and better, when I saw the first of the "Kamala HQ" releases in response to Trump or Vance statements or actions. I have been waiting for decades for the D's to play smashmouth football with the R's, and we are seeing it almost every day from the communications team. Meanwhile our candidates are having a rollicking good time at each rally, speaking and responding to packed houses.
We still have to do the work to win, but our candidates are comporting themselves as champions, and, even more importantly, comporting themselves as themselves. We don't see this kind of humanity in politics very often, especially at this level, and it is very refreshing.
I’m wearing my “Dogs for Kamala” t-shirt, pearls, and Chucks, singing aloud - don’t necessarily like the Brat Pack name, but this is definitely where we need to be.
It comes from that Gen Z pop star saying that "Kamala is brat!" As is being said to many of we Auld Phartz, "don't worry about the word, it's a Gen Z thing."
Yes, but like you, I’m older than the original ‘80s BP…so that’s my first thought! Sigh.
Great letter, TC! ❤️
“Yes, we have a new candidate in Harris. But don’t sleep on the deeper shift. A new political style is on the rise. The Brat Pack has a plan to defeat Trump. Will it work?”
So, so many of us are ready to make this work!
Biden, who I really appreciated, really did believe that if he improved things in America people would see for themselves that his policies worked to make things better for them and respond to objective, observable proofs. Well, a huge number of people aren't that objective and didn't have access to those proofs. Even if some aspects of life improved for some, they took the word of the press that many things were actually worse for others they didn't directly know. It was always one of my biggest frustrations with him that he never could let go of his faith that outcomes would speak for themselves and the majority of Americans could find their way to those truths even, at times and in places, without access to facts through reliable news. Harris and Walz have tired of waiting for the main stream media to present their facts un-besmirched and they are presenting them directly to the people and smaller media and if the MSM wants in they have to chase it. They've been slow so far to do so, but some of them are starting to pick up the pace.
When it comes to culture, and emotions successfully driving culture and intellect, I think of the late '60s and '70s. I see so much of that zeitgeist rising up. How many who were there don't remember how the youth movement began to shape the norms until even some of our parents (yep... cringe) began to wear flowers and beads, smoke pot and, as so often happens when the inner follows the outer, embrace the principles of sexual and racial equality and anti-war sentiment? Many people live lives circumscribed by their personal narratives. Given permission to open up a little and live freer lives without so much fear of condemnation, the needle on average interpersonal leniency will move a bit. I'm still waiting for all the protest songs, however...
In terms of going high, I think the campaign is still going high, quite often... and very effectively. Notice 45 trying to sell the lie that he didn't call for Hillary to be locked up after Harris and Walz shushed similar calls in a way that was embraced with delight by their crowd and got replayed in the media? The difference is they go high in a louder, sassier, more appealing way that sets an example but without the buzz kill of preachiness. Their high road has a twinkle while it shames by example.
Exactly correct, Yehawes.
You give the exact definition to what “go high” means. You gotta “be high” in the process.
All I know for sure is, that for me, joy is invited to be its very essence.
Salud!
🗽💜
Been waiting for the protest songs, had to listen to Pete Seeger. Love that last paragraph. Spoke volumes…shames by example
"There is on the upswing a view that if you can leap from politics into the culture, always take that deal." Trust and FAITH as you fall backwards into the Mosh Pit of our cultures, knowing they will catch you or break you fall. Trust goes both ways.
Fall backwards into the Mosh Pit. Will never be old enough to think that is a good idea, sad to say
Thank you, Tom, for sharing this article with us. I think we are finally approaching the time when the candidates we choose to lead us are based on 'how much they can do for America' rather than 'how much can they do for me'. After more than 40 years of ruining the Country with ME FIRST, we can begin turning to US and WE. Progress for most instead of constant regression. The trumpster/dumpster had his chance and he bloody near succeeded - now at last we can move forward into a future, which contaminated though it is, is still worth saving.
Fascinating analysis! Thanks for sharing!
This clarifies a bunch of things for me, like why I've always voted Democratic but didn't consider myself a Democrat. I registered as a Dem after 2016 and was heavily involved with my local Dem group for 6 years, but last month I went back to being "unenrolled." The visible Dem I most admire might be Jamie Raskin, and a big reason is that he's got the passion and isn't afraid to show it. Also he was fine with going out in public with a kerchief on his head to cover his missing hair. I really, really hope that Harris & co. can bring winds of change to the DNC because they desperately need it.
P.S. But really -- "Brat Pack"?? I associate it with Frank Sinatra et al., even though they were my parents' generation, not mine.
I hope you'll re-think and get back involved to help create this.
Oh, I've never *not* been uninvolved politically and otherwise, but seldom in electoral politics. Serious work for change, especially at the grassroots level, almost always comes from outside the political parties. It seems that's what's happened here: the upper-level Democratic Party apparatchiks and the pundits got swept aside. (The old chant "Fired up and won't take it no more" comes to mind.) But it's also what happened to the GOP, with disastrous results for both the party and the country. I'm eager to see what happens after the election, with Kamala Harris as the head of the party. Without supportive structure the Brat Pack won't have staying power. But if Howard Dean's "50-state strategy" gets revived in some form? Well, then we might get somewhere -- somewhere outside the Beltway, that is!
Brat is a new adjective these days.
FYI, 'brat' here refers to the new [in this summer of 2024] 'brat meme', not the 60s Brat Pack of Sinatra, Martin, Davis, et al. Any apparent cognitive dissonance WRT that group of crooners is NOT what this 'brat' idea is capitalizing on. For one good explanation, see https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/what-does-the-viral-brat-trend-have-to-do-with-kamala-harris-running-for-president/3497194/
There was also an entire piece about it in the NYTimes: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/14/style/what-is-a-brat-charli-xcx.html
Thanks, TC, for sharing this article.
I enjoyed very much this piece by Anand Giridharadas. It is so nice, I read it twice.
I've held an opinion for decades that the Democrats' rightward drift was the result of being accused by the right of left-wing extremism. The Left went mostly silent, leaving the corporate centrists to speak for the party. I longed to hear the Democrats begin to sound like the old Progressive Left again, and without apology. That is what seems to be happening, and I think it is a big part of why so many people are obviously happy, joyful. The Democrats have begun to act and sound like Democrats again. Instead of fearing the cries of "Socialist! Communist! Radical Left!", they promise to deliver to the true blue progressive Democrats what they want to hear. Their resulting enthusiasm will persuade the uncommitted centrist voters to get on board the progressive train. When I hear Kamala recite the litany of progressive Democratic programs aimed at the American People, it makes me cheer out loud, even if I'm alone in the room.
Thanks again for this fine article!
The right always accuses and then watchs Dems respond. Enough already.
In addition to saying "We're not going back" we might want to mostly ignore whatever drivel the backwards party issues, and focus on looking forward to the future. As Joe said again last night, our best days are ahead of us. America has been aspirational from the very beginning, and there is no good reason to stop working toward a more perfect union. The motto of my state, Wisconsin, is "Forward". Let us look forward. We're not going back, and we're not looking back at the losers and cheaters who want to run our country. Forward with Kamala and Tim!
Thanks TC. Great piece.
This is excellent, TC. Thanks for sharing.
One hopes that “trying the weird thing” does not come back to bite us in the arse. After all, the co-leader of the brat pack used that to define the cult. Shall we say uncanny. It’s way past time for Dems to fight back. If they get the attention, hallelujah. Rupert will keep blathering (and cutting and pasting) chump’s rabid and violent slander. Hopefully, the protesters at the convention won’t accomplish what the protesters of 1968 did. Go with the times Dems, or the times will go without you.
The protesters aren't a problem (so far)