OMG! Stuart Stevens just now on MSNOW left everyone gasping

[senseandsensibility]

Last edited Fri May 1, 2026, 04:08 PM - Edit history (2)

The discussion was about whether Dems can just ride the anti-trump wave through the midterms without offering an agenda of their own. Stuart thinks the sentiment is strong enough that they can.

Here's what he said to back that assertion up: Dems need an agenda the way strip clubs need buffets. Sure it would be nice, but that's not the reason people are drawn to them.

Kind of a stunned silence and then laughter when he said that. And you know what? I kind of agree with that. The anti-trump feeling is our kryptonite. Nothing wrong with acknowledging that and taking advantage of it. As Stuart also pointed out, trump has never run a positive ad. Ever.

I am updating this post because I need to clarify a few things. I am not endorsing Stuart Steven's statement, nor do I think he meant it literally. It was an amusing way to illustrate how strong our hand is when it comes to how unpopular trump is. No one who is sentinent thinks the Dems don't have an agenda. If anything they are famous for overdoing that aspect with white papers about everything under the sun. No, Dems should have an agenda, a simplified one. And they do. The purpose of this statement by Stevens is to embrace the anti trump sentiment whole heartedly and take advantage of it without reservation. That's the interesting part about his :joke", and something I think Dems could learn from.

[CoopersDad]

1. Speaker of the California Assembly, Rob Rivas, disagrees.

On more than one occasion, Assemblymember Rivas has stressed that we need to become much more than the anti-trump party.

We need to stand on traditional core Democratic principles:
Unions, voting rights, public services, jobs, higher taxes on wealth, education, etc.

We ought not let them define us, we can refer to him by how much better we are. His awfulness speaks for itself.

[senseandsensibility]

2. That opinion is widely held among Dems

In fact, it's conventional wisdom and what Dems always try to do. The reason Stuart Steven's "joke, not a joke" is funny is because it takes that on in an amusing way. I'm not saying he's right, necessarily, but it is interesting to hear from a former R. Some of them could teach our party a thing or two about trench warfare.

[BaronChocula]

56. It seems Democrats just can't win

When republicans actually run on attacking trans rights (for example) and Democrats as defenders of rights speak out against those attacks it becomes "Democrats are going to far to the left running on trans issues." When Democrats run on kitchen table issues and win like they have been since 2024 it becomes "Dems need an agenda."

When self-identifying Democrats or Democratic-adjacent people say that crap to me I tell them the fox news talking points have rubbed off on them. They don't like that very much.

I do appreciate Stevens's comment. And it's actually okay to express confidence with a little humor. Unfortunately, there are some who throw accusations of complacency around (or "complaicance" as someone recently responded to me) when you make light of republican chaos and failure. But I'll keep doing it dammit!

[senseandsensibility]

59. Yes, the Dems are constantly being accused of not having an agenda

when the opposite is true. Kamala, for instance, had much more detailed plans than trump but only she was scolded by the press for not saying what she would do. It was a blantant double standard. Dems ALWAYS have plans. I thought everyone on DU knew that, but it seems like something was lost in the translation. Sometimes sarcasm or irony is hard to convey.

[TBF]

17. Rec for visibility - because it's important

We absolutely need an agenda, and it needs to be simplified to a 4th grade level.

Heck, Bernie Sanders could write it. No, we won't get everything we ask for - but we've got to start somewhere. And for the love of all that is holy please focus on economics.

[Wiz Imp]

20. If that were true, then why are Democrats destroying Republicans in genric ballot polls without a detailed party agenda?

[Cirsium]

55. Low bar

Democrats destroying Republicans in generic ballot polls because of how bad the Republicans are.

[Wiz Imp]

60. Um, that was exactly Stevens point

[Cirsium]

61. recap

First poster: "We absolutely need an agenda."

You: "If that were true, then why are Democrats destroying Republicans in generic ballot polls without a detailed party agenda?"

Me: "Low bar. Democrats are destroying Republicans in generic ballot polls because of how bad the Republicans are."

Steven's point is that we don't need an agenda because we are winning without one.

The "agenda" - a platform, positions, purposes - is the whole point. Otherwise, why should anyone care about politics at all? People caring about politics is the path to winning, so the idea that winning and having an agenda are separate and discrete is just not accurate. It is just cover for playing it safe and hoping victory falls into our hands. The problem with that strategy - depending upon the Republicans being so bad, and they rarely disappoint on that score, that victory falls into our hands - is that the Republicans do real and lasting damage to the country with each cycle and the task of restoration becomes more and more difficult.

Ultimately, yes, you do need to take a stand to win in any meaningful way. Playing it safe may win kin the short term, but it loses in the long term, catastrophically.

On edit - I guess I need smilies...

[Cha]

52. Yes, it is important, and Perhaps Why

Dems have been winning all over the Country. In Red States and Red Districts,

Flipping Red Seats to Blue.

Who says Dems don't have an Agenda, anyway?

TY

[Wiz Imp]

19. And what makes Rob Rivas opinion better than Stuart Stevens?

I'd venture to guess less than 0.1% of the population outside of California have ever heard of Rivas. The fact is, if the elction were held today, the Democrats would destroy the Republicans. (and that is without a detailed agenda)

[TBF]

33. Certainly in California -

We have a little harder time in Texas. But I think you bring up a good point - it may depend upon perspective. And I don't think it has to be necessarily detailed. I would actually keep it simpler because it seems that is what folks respond to.

[standingtall]

21. All this stuff for the most part of Democrats for decades

and yet ever election campaign the media keeps asking that stupid question on rather we have an agenda or not. We got to stop being so polite with the media when they try to portray us as not having one. His was right to respond that way, but should've been more forceful. He should've said we've already told you what are agenda is many times and if you haven't got it by now you never will. So yes we have an agenda, but no we don't need one.

[vanlassie]

37. Exactly. It's a cheap talking point for lazy media.

Find me a sentient voter who doesn’t know the DEM agenda. If they are wrong, it’s because they refuse to hear it.

[misanthrope]

30. If Democrats get the upper hand

They need to address SCOTUS corruption and stopping neo-Jim Crow first, while simultaneously making it obvious to Americans they are finding solutions to the citizens' economic woes. At some point in uprighting the economy, Democrats need plainly state that they can only have a limited affect regarding relief as long the corruption in the White House hampers it. Show Trump as an impediment to the needed repair. "We can't help you as long as he is gumming up the works and stuffing his own pockets."

Then that is when you bring up impeachment.

[Wednesdays]

3. Having an agenda as well couldn't hurt.

It'd be a win-win for us.

[travelingthrulife]

27. Really, we can do both.

[homegirl]

36. Let's go with the GOP...

Convention platform of 1956, as follows:
The 1956 Republican Party platform, supporting Dwight D. Eisenhower’s re-election, emphasized a moderate "Modern Republicanism" that accepted many New Deal programs while pushing for fiscal conservatism. Key planks included extending Social Security and unemployment benefits, fostering civil rights, expanding minimum wage protections, and supporting labor unions, alongside promises of balanced budgets, reduced debt, and robust military strength.

Key Aspects of the 1956 Platform:
Social & Economic Policy: Pledged to extend Social Security to millions more workers and expand the minimum wage. It promoted the Rural Development Program for low-income farmers and endorsed equal pay for equal work regardless of sex.

Labor:The platform strongly supported the right of workers to organize into unions and bargain collectively.

Government Operations: Favored fiscal responsibility, aiming for a balanced budget and reduction of the national debt. It advocated for decreased government spending based on the Hoover Commission recommendations.

Civil Rights: Highlighted, as stated in, that the Eisenhower Administration registered the "greatest advance for the rights of racial minorities since the Emancipation Proclamation."Foreign Policy & Defense: Stood for a "strong national defense" as a deterrent, supporting NATO and the United Nations, while aiming for global peace, particularly in contrast to the Cold War, as noted on the Miller Center site.


Modernizing Infrastructure: Prioritized federal action on highways, water supply, health, and housing to address a growing, urbanized population.The 1956 platform was designed to show that "Government must have a heart as well as a head," balancing social responsibility with private enterprise and fiscal conservative principles

[TheProle]

4. A party without an agenda is a disservice to its members

[OldBaldy1701E]

14. And... that is about as well as I can put it, so Hear Hear! (n/t)

[pat_k]

49. A party that fails to make the case and build the political will for things like Universal Health Care is a disservice.

For too long the "conventional wisdom" of the beltway bubble Democratic Party consultant class is "can't win, so STFU" about so-called "impossible" reforms.

The big goals remain out of reach because too few Democratic electeds and candidates are out there making the case and building the political will for the big shit, like universal health care, or a one time 20% levy on billionaires. They poll for some tepid agenda that is acceptable to the broadest audience, and that is deemed "doable," but that is so watered down it inspires no one.

And add that to a failure of many in our party to apply cognitive science, more unified messaging, and effective anti-MAGA, anti-Christian Nationalism, pro-American values and patriotic themes repeated again, and again, and again.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221212156

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. A differing perspective:

[SonOfNebanaube]

6. They need at codify schedule three cannabis...

Let the science play out.

[Prairie_Seagull]

7. The risk is just to damn high.

Need the droves to vote and the agendas involved are miriad. Way to much on the line to not have an idea of a platform. Better yet would be a unified message.

[Azathoth1]

8. People prefer bad leadership to no leadership

I think that has been proven over and over again. And I think that's especially true for moderates and centrists.

Yes, it's possible to ride a wave of "throw the bums out" as the Other option on the ballot. But if you don't demonstrate leadership and at least act like you have a real agenda, then that wave evaporates the day after the election.

[JoseBalow]

18. First post, 23 year old account

I'm impressed!

Welcome, I guess?

[Soul_of_Wit]

34. First-time poster, long-time lurker

I see you joined DU back when the US was still a noob at endless wars.

[homegirl]

35. Every American needs an

education in the Power of the Vote! Why do the Scandinavian Social Democracies have the happiest, healthiest, best educated citizens? Very simple- voter participation is HIGH! Ninety four percent of eligible voters-VOTE.

Want Universal Health Care
Free and subsidized higher education
Day care
Family leave
Four to six weeks paid vacation
Hot school lunches

Be informed and VOTE!

[Cha]

53. Good thing we Dems have Good Leadership..

Dems have been winning all over the Country. In Red States and Red Districts, Flipping Red Seats to Blue.

State Democrats Have Flipped 30 Seats Since Trump's Election

snip****

WASHINGTON — State legislative Democrats have been unstoppable in elections since Trump’s election – flipping 30 seats to Republicans’ zero. That includes general elections last year, where Democrats overperformed by 4.5 points on average, and special elections, where Democrats have consistently flipped districts Trump won by double digits. From Florida to Arkansas to Texas to Virginia, Democrats are making inroads everywhere and building momentum for a historic November.

Here’s what state legislative flips mean for the midterms: The DLCC is on offense and already working to deliver resources and infrastructure across the country after launching our most expansive target map to date across 42 chambers in 27 states. Our data shows more than 650 seats in play this year, and we are targeting the most important races where majorities and supermajorities are on the line. Our 2026 wins down-ballot could transform the landscape for redistricting and the path to power for the presidency and Congress.

Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:

“The data tells a pretty damning story for state Republicans heading into the midterms as they lose support in districts that went for Trump by double-digits. State Democrats’ 30 flips this cycle haven’t been by chance – it’s a product of the DLCC’s work to build strong campaigns across every corner of the country. Our candidates are embedded in their communities and focused on addressing soaring costs, and it’s resonating with voters across red, battleground, and blue territory. The DLCC is full steam ahead as we recruit and support candidates everywhere and carry our winning strategy to target more than 600 seats this year.”

https://www.dlcc.org/news/press/state-democrats-have-flipped-30-seats-since-trumps-election/

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221127082

'A trend that can't be ignored': Dems have made up ground in nearly every election since Trump took office

snip****

In some other year, Analilia Mejia’s 20-point win in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District might have been a stunning result.

But the progressive organizer’s romp on Thursday elicited little shock, despite the margin in a district former Vice President Kamala Harris had carried by just 8 points.

It was the latest in a long string of Democratic overperformances in elections since President Donald Trump took office last year, and nowhere near the biggest.

A POLITICO analysis of 229 state and federal elections since Trump’s inauguration shows Democratic candidates outperformed Harris in 193 of them. On average, Democratic candidates overperformed Harris by 5 points. In a handful of special elections, they have pulled more than 20 points to the left.

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/18/democrats-special-election-results-analysis-00879021

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221183667

[durablend]

9. A party without an agenda will be back in the minority in 2 years

[underpants]

10. Legs and eggs

A local strip club once had a promotion for breakfast service aaaand…. Strippers

[cer7711]

11. That %$!! quote encapsulates everything that is wrong with the Democratic party.

Enraging. Pathetic. Contemptible.
'Nuff said.

[flashman13]

24. Agreed. The country is not only ready for, but is demanding a new New Deal that puts the needs of We the People

ahead of the wants of the wealthy elites. Now, thanks to Trump, the opportunity is here. It is very possibly the last time this opportunity will be possible.

I do think the up and coming party leaders are going to force the issue whether the establishment (read beholding to big money donors and PACs) Democratic leaders like it or not.

[DBoon]

32. FDR didn't run on the New Deal in 1932

To the extent he had a public platform, it was ending prohibition.

The New Deal was revealed and implemented after his election. The proven results generated the 1936 landslide. In

[Amaryllis]

12. Which show? Which anchor if we want to find it?

[senseandsensibility]

15. Katy Tur

Yes, I was watching Tur. She's improved lately.

[vanlassie]

38. Katy Tur is a lazy media person.

[Escape]

13. I think we can walk and chew gum...

The FUCK TRUMP platform is great but it should be balanced with a massive restructuring of our economic system that corrects the bizarre financial inequality that is the basis of the Republican Party.

Make Bernie Sanders and his ilk the architects of that change.

[senseandsensibility]

16. Thanks for getting it

[Maru Kitteh]

22. Yeah, LOL! Misogyny is hilarious.

Also: NOT communicating an effective message that genuinely connects with voters IS HOW WE GOT TRUMP IN THE FIRST PLACE. Let’s NOT do that, pursue that, or excuse that, any more.

Editing to add: THANKFULLY - Democrats by and large DO have a genuine message that is starting to connect with voters again. Let’s encourage THAT trend, rather than the “Hey! Doesn’t he suck? Vote for us.” kind of approach.

[Beaverhausen]

23. I disagree

I think some people, such as those who have a libertarian bent or those who are not paying much attention to what is going on, still need to be convinced to vote Dem and not just vote against republicans. They would need to know what Dems will do if put in charge.

We can not be complacent. This is our country and it is being destroyed.

[misanthrope]

25. That stong hand is likely to get strengthen as the summer wears on

Gas prices will elevate with the summer blend. That continues to ripple through the economy.

As summer's heat increases, people will become more irritable.

Hurricane season is approaching and this administration's monkeying with FEMA could get exposed as a genuine clusterf#ck. Bush43's mishandling of Katrina was so egregious that it likely would have cost him re-election had it occurred 12 months earlier.

Add to the hurricanes the likelihood of wildfires from prolonged drought. Lake Mead is evaporating away at a historical rate, which would bite into the quality of life in Las Vegas. Is Karen Evans up to the task? An alarm sounded by officials earlier this year say she isn't.
https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2026/02/officials-warn-disaster-response-risk-former-and-current-fema-leaders-clash-court-over-mass-staff-cuts/411734/

By the time mid-September rolls around, Trump's deep trouble could very well be metastasizing to the rest of the GOP.

[Sanity Claws]

26. We need an agenda!

Even if we don't need it to win, we will need it to lead and have focus after the win.

[spooky3]

28. I don't see why it's either/or. It should be easy to provide a message

like this: "Opposed to Trump's war in Iran? So are we. We will end it. Lower gas prices will soon follow."

[paleotn]

29. We'll pick up way more seats if we provide a rational alternative.

I'm not a magat asshole by itself isn't a rational alternative.

[Soul_of_Wit]

31. Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS)

1. Democrats create more jobs, decade after decade
2. Democrats will work to lower and not increase the cost of living
3. Democrats respect all work, and especially those who give back to their country

The implied message of all three is that Republicans (and specifically Donald) do not

[vanlassie]

40. Biden did those things you mentioned.

And SO much more.

[Soul_of_Wit]

54. True, but doing is not messaging

Take inflation, for example. Doing better than other countries did not matter to the average voter. Explaining the cause of the inflation did not matter to the average voter. Lowering the inflation rate over time did not matter to the average voter. Folks hate inflation. The messaging has to be better.

[vanlassie]

64. I think there's a difference between and agenda

and good PR after the fact. Two different things. I just don’t agree “the Democrats have “No Agenda!”
I was always frustrated that MAGA never had the slightest idea what Biden did for them.

[pat_k]

46. It takes more effective framing than that.

Effective anti-MAGA, anti-Christian Nationalism, pro-American values and patriotism themes repeated again, and again, and again.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221212156

[Haru]

39. We do need a agenda to make democracy stronger

Need to to put forth an agenda laying out things to strengthen our democracy, such as: No lifetime positions in the federal gov.
No Pardons (judicial process only)
Independent agencies such as federal reserve
DOJ not subject presidential demands
No limit of taxes for social security or Medicare

[standingtall]

48. The no lifetime positions in the federal Government sounds good on paper

in practice however it's fantasy. That requires a constitutional amendment. Politics is transactional so you not getting 2/3rds of the congress and 3/4ths of the States to ratify it, Politicians benefiting from it aren't going to willing vote to give that up and neither will the voters that support them.

Taking pardon power away from Presidents would also require constitutional amendment

If we ever had that type of political will then we might as well go for the whole 9 yards and eliminate the electoral college too.


Raising the cap on social security tax is probably the only thing in your list of issues that's actually doable without a constitutional amendment. We need to do what we can to actually help people not waste our time trying to do the impossible.

[F-18_AMO]

41. A Chicken in Every Pot

A car in every garage. Who can afford a chicken pot or gas for a car. Gas is up $1.40 per gal on base since last week.

[NoSheep]

42. Anti-corruption, Pro working people. That's not too radical is it?

[pat_k]

43. Agenda is irrelevant without effective communication.

Democrats need to heed lessons from cognitive science and people like Anat Shenker-Osario about effective framing and repetition.

Messaging for the Destruction of the Voting Rights Act: Latest addition to the Freedom Over Fascism Toolkit
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221212156

[nikatnyte]

44. The "agenda" is as obvious as it could possibly be

I see democrats, at every opportunity, hammer out our "agenda" again and again. How can people miss it?

We want everyone to be able to vote
We want everyone to be able to afford food and housing
We want everyone to have health care
We want effective gun control legislation
We want no foreign wars or regime changes
We want to codify a woman's right to choose
We want billionaires to pay their far share of taxes
We want less influence of money in politics
We want pedophiles and rapists to be held accountable for their crimes
We want people to be able to express themselves without fear of retribution
We want public spaces (including schools) to be free from religious indoctrination
We want immigration to be controlled humanely and sensibly

I could go on, but maybe the problem is we have TOO MUCH of an agenda. Why not use a simple term to describe what it is? A representative democracy.

[BidenRocks]

45. Being unserious for a sec.

I want to be Green Kryptonite. This rock causes physical and mental pain.

Red Kryptonite will cause physical changes. I think he's already exposed to this.

Finally, GOLD Kryptonite. How appropriate that this one takes all his powers and leaves him a mortal.

[W_HAMILTON]

47. It's true.

And Democrats do have an agenda, but there are a multitude of ways of going about implementing that agenda, and that leads to in-fighting among the left. But one thing that unites us is our dislike of Trump and his MAGA Republicans.

Republicans have no agenda other than pass tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations and yet they get elected on the backs of people who wouldn't benefit from that one bit because they focus them on UNITING IN THEIR HATRED OF ALL THINGS DEMOCRAT(IC).

[wiggs]

50. yes it will be enough, however it is an incorrect RW and MSM meme that dems don't have anything else to offer. There

are tons of policy corrections and thoughts that dems talk about, including in their campaigns and on their websites. We are all about policy, and the policies are popular.

Dems shouldn't agree we don't have ideas and platform policies.

[senseandsensibility]

51. I made both of those points in my OP

but they are good points.

[SpankMe]

57. Trump is unpopular in polling

The hard part is getting that unpopularity to show up in actual voting.

With all of the election tampering the administration is doing, the recent SOCTUS ruling and possible movement on the SAVE Act - plus the general stpidity, camplacency and apathy among many Americans - I am not hopeful that we can get a critical mass of blue voting large enough to reverse course.

[senseandsensibility]

58. I am trying to be optimistic

because I honestly think that makes a difference. Optimism is contagious and can spread among the Dem base to the Independents and spur voter turnout. The last thing we need is a defeatist attitude. There are already well funded groups out there trying to depress turnout. All of that being said, you're right that we face real challenges and I sometimes feel overwhelmed as well.

[DoBW]

62. bullsh/t

he's talking about gravy with no meat

[boston bean]

63. They better have a plan to ensure that things change once they are in office.