Al From: If Democrats Stand For the Right Ideas, They'll Build Diversity Better Than by Making Promises to Each Group

Monday on the RealClearPolitics podcast, Democratic Leadership Council co-founder Al From and RCP's Tom Bevan discussed what Democrats can learn from 2024 and From's piece about how the party rebuilt after three consecutive defeats in the 1980s.

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"After the 1988 election, which most people thought we would win, we did a hard-nosed analysis of why we lost. I called it 'reality therapy.' We no longer had the excuse of the 'great talent' of Ronald Reagan. We decided that we were out of touch with the American people on the economy, security, and values," From said. "Walter Mondale’s defeat signaled that the old Democratic Party, the New Deal era party, was over. It was time for new faces."


"We organized a group in the House led by Dick Gephardt and Tim Wirth. Another group, including Al Gore, was part of that. We approached Democratic governors like Chuck Robb, Bruce Babbitt, and Bill Clinton. We also had new senators like Joe Biden and Sam Nunn," he said. "We stayed away from day-to-day fights and focused on defining ideas, including national service, which is now Americorps, welfare reform, the earned income tax credit, charter schools, community policing, and reinventing government."

"Essentially, we took a bunch of wannabes who probably couldn’t fill a firehouse on their own, but together they became a new force, a defining force, a critical mass within the new Democratic Party."

RCP's Tom Bevan asked: "Do you see any of the same reflection or introspection happening now? And do you see anyone on the Democratic stage who could make those changes credibly to the American people?"

"It’s still early," From said. "Right now, we're still reacting. There's a lot of finger-pointing, but that will fade in the coming months. We’re not at rock bottom like we were in 1984 and 1988, but there are trends. If we continue losing working-class voters, Hispanic working-class voters, and more Black male working-class voters, we'll be back into the wilderness."

"Democrats need to do three things. First, those in Congress and state governors need to organize well enough to stop the worst things Trump wants to do," he said. "We need a good solid opposition."

"Second, we do need a DLC-like operation. Governors, in particular, could lead this effort to redefine the party in a way that is consistent with our values and what people want to support."

"Third, we need to figure out how to use social media and new communication means," he said. "It's clear that traditional knocking on doors is no match for Trump and the Republicans' ability to use social media."

"I could go through half a dozen governors who I think are terrific," he said. "Gavin Newsom of California and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan are term-limited and could have great national appeal. But you've also got younger governors, Andy Beshear, Josh Shapiro, Wes Moore, Jared Polis."

"I've always believed identity politics has grave limitations," From said. "It’s arrogant to assume people will vote a certain way because of their race, ethnicity, gender, or whatever. I believe in diversity, but the way to rally a diverse coalition is by planting a flag on the right ideas, to get people of all races, genders, and ethnic groups to rally around a common purpose."

"The Democratic Party always faces another challenge. There are two ways to build unity. One is to go around and ask everybody what they want, and add them all up. That's usually a losing formula. The other way is to create a sense of national purpose that attracts people from all the groups who want to be part of it. What you stand for matters. If you plant the flag on the right ideas, you’ll build as diverse a coalition as you would by making promises to each group separately," he said.