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This Moment is an Opportunity For Ambitious and Brave Democrats at *Any* Level. [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-02-15
In 2004, Barack Obama was a virtually-unknown state senator. Four years later, he was President-elect of the United States.
Obama did not take advantage of any particular moment of political chaos. He just created his own opportunity, driven by sheer talent.
Eight years later, Donald Trump achieved a similar unexpected rise—with talent as well, but also by picking a moment of turmoil in the Republican Party, and a national electorate not content with the status quo.
In this way, the Democratic Party today bears a remarkable resemblance to the Republican Party of the 2012-2016 period: there are massive leadership opportunities for almost anyone who wishes to take them.
The Party is defeated, and the current leadership does not have the confidence of the base—the base is hungry for a new leader.
Even though the opposition party (Republicans) were recently victorious, the nation is strongly divided. There is opportunity for a general election victory, even for someone who today may be totally unknown.
This is the type of fertile ground that Trump used to catapult himself from outsider to President in 2015-2016. It is there now, for any Democrat, at any level, who wishes to take the reins.
Warning
Of course, there is one notable difference: personal risk.
As strong Democratic opposition figures arise, we will quickly figure out whether or not we are living in a fascist state.
Obama was not in danger of being harassed or imprisoned for daring to run. Neither was Trump.
But that reality—the reality of a democratic America—may or may not still exist. A figure who emerges as strong opposition to Trump may face legal peril at the hands of his DOJ. Or, maybe they won’t—we don’t know yet. But the possibility is clearly there.
Lawyer Up, if you are willing.
One strategy would be to do what Trump himself did (in the face of very substantive allegations, in his case, but regardless)—lawyer up, and fundraise off the legal attacks.
Willingness to Risk
Say whatever you want about Trump and MAGA, but you have to give them this—MAGA, and Trump personally, are all in. Or at least, seemingly closer to all-in than any figures that come to mind on the other side.
Whether a person is right or wrong, if they are willing to take more risks than their opposition, they stand at least a half-decent chance of victory.
I’m not telling anyone what to do. I’m simply speaking to the reality.
Becoming the Obama of 2028 will take more than talent. It will take bravery—specifically in regard to the potential for political oppression.
Something to think about?
Perhaps that is a useful thing for this community to discuss (in a moment when I have not seen a whole lot of discussion I have considered useful, of late)—how can we help protect a potential 2028 leader?
Maybe something to think about.
Bottom Line: There is historic opportunity, up for grabs, right now.
America, the world’s greatest democracy, could fall into dictatorship.
Or, maybe we won’t. Maybe a strong leader will emerge to guide us back.
There will be risk, but history shows that there are those who are willing to take those risks.
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