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Behind the Curtain: Rising Democratic MAGA movement
AXIOS ^ | Aug 19, 2025 | Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen

Posted on 08/20/2025 7:45:08 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

Democrats are tortured by what they should stand for now and heading into the 2028 elections. But a number of current trends suggest a likely answer: their own version of a populist, anti-establishment, MAGA-like makeover.

Why it matters: The debate is usually framed as liberal vs. centrist, Rahm versus AOC. But big, fast changes in AI, media habits and general public angst point to a more sweeping shift in ideas and attitude.

Four megatrends that are already shaping Democrats' efforts to remake their image and rewrite their agenda:

  1. Media: MSM is fading in its mesmerizing hold over liberals. At the same time, the emerging media of podcasts, YouTube and TikTok favor the new and edgy.
  2. Mood: You see it every day, from California Gov. Gavin Newsom's foul-mouthed declarations of redistricting wars to Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) mocking her state's Republican governor, Greg Abbott, for using a wheelchair. Dems are tired of looking and feeling like chumps. They want to brawl, politically and verbally.
  3. AI: Some level of job devastation is coming. Championing the worker will be too appealing for Dems to resist — a chance to win back the base, at a time when Rs are all-in with Big Tech, like Dems were during the rise of the internet.
  4. Attention: The attention economy favors the bold — see New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, or the democratic socialist candidate for Minneapolis mayor, State Sen. Omar Fateh.

Between the lines: Democrats say the grassroots energy is with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) — not necessarily because they agree with her on everything, but because she's so adept at communicating in this era.


(Excerpt) Read more at axios.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: California; US: Illinois; US: Minnesota; US: New York; US: Texas; US: Vermont
KEYWORDS: aoc; axios; berniesanders; california; democrats; domesticenemies; fightingoligarchy; gavinnewsom; gregabbott; illinois; jasminecrockett; jimvandehei; leftistsource; magalight; magalike; magalite; mikeallen; minneapolis; minnesota; newyork; newyorkcity; obstruction; omarfateh; pollutico; rahmemanuel; rebellion; redistricting; subversion; texas; vermont; zohranmamdani
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The bottom line: Trump's suit fits Trump uniquely. Others who try to don it can wind up looking like clowns.

In other words, Democrats don't know whether to spit or go blind.

1 posted on 08/20/2025 7:45:08 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Zohran Mamdani is not to be underestimated. A lot hinges on the momentum of his race.


2 posted on 08/20/2025 7:46:56 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
But a number of current trends suggest a likely answer: their own version of a populist, anti-establishment, MAGA-like makeover.

Except that it's MACA—Make America Crap Again— for the Democrats.

3 posted on 08/20/2025 7:51:28 PM PDT by Dahoser (Liz Cheney needs to work on her soccer skills so she fits in when she transfers to Guantanamo High)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Like the split between fascists and communists....
4 posted on 08/20/2025 7:53:59 PM PDT by gundog (The ends justify the mean tweets. )
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

from “mega trend” #2 in the article:

“. . . Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) mocking her state’s Republican governor, Greg Abbott, for using a wheelchair. Dems . . . want to brawl, politically and verbally.”

So I guess if you want to demonstrate your toughness as a brawler, it’s a good idea to start by taking on a guy for being in a wheelchair. Typical.


5 posted on 08/20/2025 7:54:44 PM PDT by Stosh
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“anti-establishment“

How can they become antiestablishment if leftists control public schools, many private schools, universities, the bar association, much of the business leadership, the medical community, big religion, the media, etc?

Center right to right only has the Executive, part of the Supreme Court and talk radio.


6 posted on 08/20/2025 7:54:58 PM PDT by packagingguy
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To: Dahoser

Correct.


7 posted on 08/20/2025 8:19:24 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

And I’ll bet he’s going to be the next mayor of New York City.


8 posted on 08/20/2025 8:20:36 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

No, Newsom is the new face of the Democrat party.

He will throw the pro Palestine faction under the bus and win, you watch.


9 posted on 08/20/2025 8:21:17 PM PDT by baclava
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To: No name given

That prospect (him becoming mayor of NYC) will define the direction of the Left for years to come and give the ‘populist’ jolt it may need.


10 posted on 08/20/2025 8:23:48 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

The Axios authors Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen.

They created Politico. Politico received $$$$$$$$ from the democRAT USAID slush fund (USAID purchased many, many annual Politico subscriptions).

Just how much of that slush fund $$$$ ended up in the pockets of Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen?


11 posted on 08/20/2025 8:35:37 PM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus III (Do, or do not, there is no try )
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Make America Gay (again?).


12 posted on 08/20/2025 8:35:55 PM PDT by rfp1234 (E Porcibus Unum)
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To: Dahoser
+1000

MACA is CACA

13 posted on 08/20/2025 8:39:50 PM PDT by lightman (Beat the Philly fraud machine the Amish did onest, ja? Nein, zweimal they did already!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Since lib dems are obviously incapable of thinking for themselves with any rational intelligence, it makes sense that they would turn to some AI resource to devise a strategy of what they need to do in order to have any chance of winning in 2026/2028.


14 posted on 08/20/2025 8:39:59 PM PDT by know.your.why
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I think the greater the contrast between MAGA and whatever the Dems decide they are - the better. So far it seems there are still enough common-sense Americans left that if they’re given a clear choice, they will choose the conservative, tranditional American candidate.

It’s when the “Republican” comes off looking like “Democrat Lite” that we get screwed. You know exactly who I’m talking about and what happens when we start thinking that a Mitt Romney type will vote the right way most of the time - - we end up with Adam Kinsinger and Liz Cheney.

It’s less about what the Dems do than how the right presents a clear and compelling case for traditional American values.


15 posted on 08/20/2025 8:42:58 PM PDT by bigbob (If thou doth eff around, thou wilt findeth out)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Someone needs the recreational drugs away from these idiots. Delusion shouldn’t be a lifestyle choice.


16 posted on 08/20/2025 8:47:29 PM PDT by thingumbob (INTUITION - is your brain trying to tell you what your mind hasn’t pieced together yet.)
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To: bigbob

article mentions “MAGA energy”, not actual MAGA ... IOW, energize their hard leftist constituency to be even harder leftist ...


17 posted on 08/20/2025 8:47:50 PM PDT by catnipman ((A Vote For The Lesser Of Two Evils Still Counts As A Vote For Evil))
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

What curtain? The Iron Curtain?


18 posted on 08/20/2025 8:52:15 PM PDT by mass55th (“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ― John Wayne)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“we got Gov. Hot Wheels down there. Come on now. And the only thing hot about him is that he is a hot ass mess, honey.”

.

Next breath...

.

“Trump—a man known for racially insensitive nicknames and mocking those with disabilities”

.

No. Cure.

.


19 posted on 08/20/2025 8:55:04 PM PDT by TLI (ITINERIS IMPENDEO VALHALLA)
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To: No name given
"And I’ll bet he’s going to be the next mayor of New York City."

Well, they already voted for a muslim in 2008, only 7 years after 9/11. Too many nitwits living in and around NY City. They'll vote for a muslim to take over the city. They've totally forgotten 9/11, and how the Palestinians they are chanting their support for today, were dancing in the streets on 9/11.

20 posted on 08/20/2025 8:55:34 PM PDT by mass55th (“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ― John Wayne)
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