The author is CEO of Messina Group and former campaign manager for former Barack Obama
Donald Trump's global trade war and his administration's determination to completely remake the federal government has caused instability and hit American businesses and workers. However, many are now angry at his actions, enthusiastically supporting him in the presidential election last November, mainly because Democrats don’t offer reliable economic options.
Voters trust Trump more than Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, according to the exit poll. That's why we lost. If Democrats want to regain the presidency, the House and the Senate, we need to be trusted in the economy again.
Some in the Democratic circle have been asking whether the “enrichment” agenda can release working-class voters again. Unfortunately, such a debate is not how you win the election. You win by conveying broad values to your voters clearly and concisely. Trump has been doing well and voters know his position. Democrats need to provide the same clarity.
We have a great opportunity to contrast Republicans with economic priorities, especially when the Trump administration pushes for its latest round of tax cuts, which will disproportionately harm the working class while increasing the multi-billion-dollar national deficit. Democrats should focus on four economic values and put them at the heart of our campaign.
The first is to make the economy our top priority. We heard a voice of avoidance repeatedly in the focus group - from young men, women, whites, blacks and Latino voters, blue-collar and white-collar workers all the same: "We know Trump is (insert criticism), but he cares about my wallet."
Voters have brought Trump the benefit of doubt because they believe he is focused on his own economic well-being. By contrast, they don’t know what Democrats need for the economy – they just think we are “weak and wake up” and prioritize cultural issues over economic issues.
The second value is to celebrate wealth as the American Dream. Essentially, it’s owning a home and taking care of your family. rich. However, many Democrats (some of whom are rich) are afraid to say so, and instead demonize the idea of wealth.
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego won the swing country carried by Trump and recently said one of the keys to success is talking to young people about getting rich. "These guys don't want … 'economic stability', they want to truly realize the American dream."
Americans want to succeed and pass wealth to their children. Economic success does not have to be zero and zero - One person’s success does not require another’s hardship. This is the economic value that all Democrats should accept.
Third, Democrats should be pro-business. While many on the far left of our party will reflectively reject this, it is not about a desire to return to an unregulated surplus era, but about acknowledging that businesses of all sizes are the lifeblood of our economy.
Democrats must represent a great place to make the United States a good place to run a business, with modern infrastructure, a skilled and educated workforce, wise regulation and fiscal predictability. In return, we want businesses to provide fair salary, maintain ethical practices and assume corporate responsibilities. Business is not the enemy, and people have to see that we believe it.
Fourth and finally, the Democrats should be the Economic Innovation Party. When Democrats find themselves in the political wilderness, the path to returning to relevance has always been through embracing the future. We did that and won the "Atari Democrat" victory in the 1980s and won the "New Dems" with Bill Clinton in the 1990s, and again with Barack Obama in 2008.
We have been so focused on the dangers of the future that we have become its enemies. The world is growing rapidly, and Americans know that. They know that 30 years from now on, much of the work that existed 30 years ago will not exist. Democrats must be leaders in education and training, even without a college degree, to make the next generation successful in new fields. This will lead to a simple message: We understand that the future is uncertain, but Democrats will cultivate economic innovation to ensure it benefits everyone.
Democrats can make up for many reasons before the next presidential election on November 7, 2028. But conveying these core economic values to voters is a good starting point.