How the Right-Wing Outflanked Us—and What Democrats Must Do to Fight Back
We’re not helpless, we just need courage.
This Thanksgiving week, as many of us reflect on the state of our country and our democracy, I want to start with the timeless wisdom of the late Congressman John Lewis:
“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
These words resonate deeply as we assess where we are after this election, what went wrong, and, most importantly, how we move forward. How do we overcome right-wing disinformation? How do we grow our base and attract new voters?
Let’s start by acknowledging a hard truth: after this loss, we’re not just hurt—we’re scared. And as liberals often do, we’re pointing fingers at one another. But this is the moment to unite, not fracture.
The Democratic Party has stars—brilliant leaders who inspire hope and change. Governors like Gretchen Whitmer, J.B. Pritzker, Josh Shapiro, and Gavin Newsom. Dynamic House members like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett. We have a deep bench of effective communicators and visionaries, but we need to harness their collective power and amplify their voices.
Now, let’s look at what the far-right is doing. I study disinformation and the radical right, and one thing is crystal clear: they organize, and they do it relentlessly. Every few months, they gather their people—members of Congress, activists, and influencers—for conferences. These events, often funded by dark money groups like Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA, are streamed on platforms like Rumble, OANN, and Real America’s Voice.
Beyond the conferences, the right-wing media machine operates 24/7. Steve Bannon, Charlie Kirk, Jack Posobiec, and others pump out their messaging daily, hammering the narrative that Biden doesn’t care about the working class—despite his administration being the most pro-worker in a generation.
Their approach is systematic and unrelenting, and it works. Between Fox News, alternative streaming platforms, and daily talk shows, a significant portion of the electorate is constantly bathed in right-wing disinformation. Is it any wonder the Democratic Party and the Harris campaign struggled to break through?
Meanwhile, we’re still relying on legacy media like MSNBC and campaign strategies that kick into gear just months before elections. It’s not enough.
We’ve ceded the digital and cultural space—the very spaces where most Americans consume media—to the radical right. They’re campaigning every single day, and we must match their energy.
This isn’t just about one election. It’s about the fight of a lifetime, as John Lewis reminded us. If we’re serious about winning hearts and minds, we need to build a robust, year-round infrastructure to counter disinformation, tell the truth about our policies, and inspire voters.
This work won’t be easy, but it is necessary. And, like Lewis said, we can’t be afraid to make some noise—to cause good trouble.