As we head into 2026 and Democrats strive to determine the right way to regain energy, their New Yr’s decision ought to be easy: Handle egos higher.
Lately, they appear to have forgotten the time-tested necessity of placating folks. In different phrases, doing the identical fundamental drudgery the remainder of us depend on to get by means of this chaotic world.
This effort can not merely be directed towards voters, as necessary as they’re. It should additionally embrace elite stakeholders, a few of whom would possibly (rightly) be thought of kooks, weirdos and in any other case high-maintenance eccentrics.
Lest you suppose Dems ought to merely shrug off these of us and say “good riddance,” think about this: Each Trump phrases might need been prevented if Democrats had been extra prepared to nurture the nuts in years passed by.
Let’s begin with their remedy of America’s high crank: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
As journalist Michael Scherer, who profiled RFK Jr. for The Atlantic, told Alex Wagner of “Pod Save America”: As soon as Kennedy’s personal 2024 presidential marketing campaign began to flounder, he and his marketing campaign supervisor started “to make form of outreach to Democrats … to see if they will open a dialog with Biden to form of commerce one thing.”
Sadly, “the Democratic response [was] silence.” They wouldn’t meet with him, they wouldn’t discuss to him.
Later, as Scherer recounts: “A buddy of [Kennedy’s] connects him with Tucker Carlson who connects him with Donald Trump. And that evening, simply hours later, they’re speaking, and Trump at that time desires to make a deal.”
The remainder is historical past.
Now, I do know what you’re considering. “However Kennedy is a nut! Why ought to Democrats have humored him?”
How about this: As a result of Trump narrowly received the presidency in 2024 by forming a disparate coalition held collectively by duct tape, resentment and (presumably) a cursed amulet.
This motley crew included extra distinguished Dems than simply RFK Jr. Bear in mind when Biden mainly ghosted Elon Musk for that large 2021 White Home electric vehicle summit? Even Kamala Harris — who fortunately agreed with Biden on nearly all the pieces besides her personal polling numbers — referred to as {that a} huge mistake.
Then once more, Harris dedicated her personal expensive slight when she determined towards occurring Joe Rogan’s podcast.
For a complete decade now, Democrats have persistently alienated allies — with devastating outcomes. I’m speaking concerning the snubs that may have prevented Trump’s first presidential run fully.
Not simply the well-known humiliation of Trump on the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Right here’s the extra tragic prequel: Former “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd told the Bulwark’s Tim Miller that earlier than Trump went full birther, he really referred to as the Obama White Home providing “concepts on the right way to enhance the state dinner.”
That’s proper. Donald J. Trump — future chief of the free world — simply wished to speak about higher events. Shrimp trays. Tablecloths. Perhaps a chocolate fountain.
Simply because the world would have been higher had the Washington Senators signed Fidel Castro to an enormous baseball contract earlier than he received too taken with politics, America might need been higher if Obama had made Trump the White Home state dinner czar.
However as Todd put it, “The very last thing the Obama White Home was going to do was placate a man like Donald Trump.”
Comprehensible — till you think about that the choice to humoring him was, you understand … President Trump. Twice.
Look, I completely perceive why a U.S. president would possibly suppose she or he shouldn’t should stoop to kissing some crank’s ring or placating some gilded, phony billionaire. However let’s be sincere: It’s a part of the job.
As a substitute of performing this form of ego cultivation, Democrats — whether or not due to snobbery, elite gatekeeping, geriatric aloofness or a disciplined disdain for “time burglars” — have repeatedly alienated potential allies (or at the very least impartial events). Then they act shocked when these identical folks drift into the MAGA photo voltaic system like area particles.
If Trump is really an existential risk — and Democrats say this roughly 87 occasions every week — then perhaps, simply perhaps, they need to Return. A. Cellphone. Name.
In any other case, Donald Trump will. In all probability at 3 a.m., whereas consuming a Massive Mac.
So grovel for those who should. Faux curiosity. Smile such as you’re not dying inside. Do the essential humiliations the remainder of us carry out day by day to get employed, get promoted or get a date.
It’s the least you are able to do. So make it your New Yr’s decision and honor it.
However for those who suppose you’re too good to carry out the essential glad-handing and ego-stroking, even for the nuttiest eccentrics, unhealthy issues will occur.
Belief me — I’ve seen this film. And we’re solely a yr into his second time period.
Matt Okay. Lewis is the creator of “Filthy Rich Politicians” and “Too Dumb to Fail.”
