I think it would be a big mistake if the DNC got rid of David Hogg.

[kentuck]

I think he is a very important part in re-building the Democratic Party. We have to get the young vote. We need younger leaders, in my opinion.

[malaise]

1. That is an understatement

Rec

[MWLib]

129. Agreed.

It will cause more people to lose faith in the party.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

151. 100+

[lostnfound]

184. Another unforced error by the DNC

Whether you think Hogg should go or you think he should stay, this is all on the DNC leadership. They put him in that role, and now they are trying to remove him.

I’m old as dirt and i strongly believe that we need young voices. I respect what that group of young people accomplished in getting attention on gun control.

The DNC doesn’t have a good track record, they selected tulsi gabbard and kept her for FOUR years.

[lark]

2. I agree! nt

[spanone]

3. K&R

[Emile]

4. Totally agree 👍

[bucolic_frolic]

5. He's a talent.

He just has to be taught the art of working within the system.

[murielm99]

15. We need numbers.

He should be working with other Democrats to get rid of republicans, not incumbent Dems. He will weaken our party. This is not the time to primary any Democrats.

[krkaufman]

17. Coincidentally ...

… the mantra of the feckless incumbent.

[murielm99]

20. I stand by what I said.

Go find some republicans to primary.

[stopdiggin]

65. AND people who know something about politics and winning elections

little things like control of EITHER chamber in congress.
So, there is that ...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nothing in particular against David Hogg. DO have some problems with facile statement ... - - - - - - - -

[dflprincess]

34. I agree to a point

We do need to concentrate on flipping seats first.

On the other hand, Ken Martin needs to learn to work with people who don't see eye to eye with him. I know people who got pushed out of DFL positions because they clashed with him. In those cases it was volunteer positions in local party units.

[PufPuf23]

163. Democratic Party can flip seats and replaces ineffective incumbents.

Counter-productive not to do both/

[JustAnotherGen]

41. Yep - hands off the CBC

We are over here minding our own Black business. . . he can focus on white districts. The CBC has always been the gold standard bearers for the Democratic Party.

Go into majority white districts and play this this game.

You want a revolt?

Watch the GOP put up Black female candidates to go up against the dudes.

I know my sister would vote for the Black women regardless of affiliation out of spite. She would do it. I've never known her to say something she didn't mean. And she has said it. She cannot be reasoned with. And she's been a registered Democratic active voter, gotv'er, registration drive faithful for 37 years.

As for President - she's like me - a White Male with a big mouth needs to be the candidate in 2028. She has five granddaughters and one grandson - mixtures of Black American, Latina/o and African immigrant. She's not giving an inch when it comes to her grands being sent back to 1919. And I believe she's right . . .

I don't think the average young white American male (30 and under) really understands what is at stake for the non-white children in America. They don't get it, because they don't have the intergenerational trauma to overcome.

[littlemissmartypants]

60. Democrats run against Democrats ALL The Time. ..

Have you looked at his interviews? Read exactly what he's proposing? Sound bites and the uninformed baseless opinions of the masses can't be trusted when making decisions.

If you are fully informed, please share where you got the information you're using for your decision making so we can all take a look. Thanks.



❤️

[stopdiggin]

71. this is about using 'party' apparatus (and funding)

to primary Democrats. There is not, and has never been, any prohibition against primary challenge. Nor against outside funding and backing for same. (if you can line it up)

[littlemissmartypants]

76. Looks like some straight up bickering. ...

The party needs to find its footing somewhere, somehow and fast.

[FarPoint]

63. Incumbent democrats that are empty suits...

Last edited Tue May 13, 2025, 04:51 PM - Edit history (1)

If our current congressional rep is just a placeholder ....then time to be replaced is this concept by David Hogg that I support.

Our failure to prevent a second term tRump is evidence.

[V850i]

109. Selective districts

Their strategy is to only primary democrats that are not productive and not fighting and are in non-competitive districts. I totally agree with that strategy. And I agree with you that we shouldn’t weaken incumbents in competitive districts with primary opponents.

[Pisces]

159. He is only proposing running against incumbents is safe districts. I agree 100%. If you are not fighting for the

people you need to go.

[onlyadream]

183. Agree 100%

Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand need to go. Schumer is ineffective and I’ll never forgive Gillibrand for what she did to Al Franken.

[DownriverDem]

140. Totally agree

Hogg gets a great job as VP of the DNC. Then he announces that he will use money to get rid of incumbent Dems. Hogg has his own organization that is working to get rid of incumbent Dems. If that is what he wants to do, he should resign or be fired. He can't serve 2 masters,

[PufPuf23]

161. We hear that every election.

Look how weak the Democratic Party is at present.

Past time to get better candidates.

DNC does not have a spotless history.

[TBF]

106. Because that works so well ... nt

[Shipwack]

130. It did when AOC primaried a useless incumbent.

Of course, the party apparatus fought her all the way, even after she won the primary.

[TBF]

189. That was my point -

sorry should have included sarcasm tag.

And they'll do it to her again if she tries to primary Schumer. She is a threat to their power structure. Yes, the republicans are worse in many ways, but we do have folks on the democratic side who cling to old structures too. My assessment is it is mainly due to campaign finance issues. We have some very powerful donors at the top who may be more liberal on social issues but have little interest in fighting capitalism as a system.

[Shipwack]

192. Oh, ok... :) nt

[usaf-vet]

112. I hope he teaches the old system new tricks. Because the old has had it chance.

And what we got from the old is two Trump's in the WH as a grifter with no shame or constraints from fellow RNC cowards.

[TBF]

194. I think that's the piece folks are missing -

Earl G did a really good OP after the election about how we are in vacuums in this country in terms of media.

We have the old school dems using older methods that worked for many years. Carville was a star for Bill Clinton, but folks I was in my 20's when we were all in Washington - and now I'm almost 60. It was decades ago.

The republicans with their billionaire budgets (literally) have taken over mainstream media and created a cult of supporters for Trump. Breaking through that will not be easy - esp. when you factor in their cheating - but it definitely won't be done by folks using old methods.

We need folks like David Hogg and others (no matter their age) - who see clearly what has happened and support new methods. I have mentioned before that I back Meidas. I'm not really a podcast person but I downloaded it on my phone and subscribed to their network. They won't be perfect, but they are getting the views - they are young enough (esp. Brett & Jordy) to get their message out to all ages. With Ben doing his more traditional talks and the younger brothers getting it out on Tik tok etc - democrats can get through. If a third of the potential voters didn't even make it to the polls - we need to find them and get them there!

[Maru Kitteh]

6. Agree. Railroading him out would be incredibly stupid.

[Ponietz]

7. Another own goal! Go team!

Almost a daily occurrence, now.

Realistically, it looks like there’s going to be a split either way. Will they can Hogg now for the benefit of the old guard or allow Hogg to proceed with plans to reinvigorate the Party?

You’re right and I also prefer renewal, but will big money follow his lead?

[bottomofthehill]

27. Yes, David running Democrats against Democrats is an own goal

Time to run Democrats against Republicans. Maybe that is the path back to the Majority, using resources to beat Republicans.

[Ponietz]

30. It's an own goal either way get it?

[lees1975]

56. Why put old school Democrats back in who want to compromise and self-preserve?

We need boldness and some risk taking, not "do it as usual." Stop bringing a knife to a gunfight.

So do this and get the old school thinkers out.

[bottomofthehill]

58. Very simple, that is not the way to take back anything

Not the House, Clearly not the Senate and not the Whitehouse. This is a great plan to stay in the minority with no power or ability to affect change or to protect those in need. The Humphrey Moral Test of Government.

The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children;

those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly;

and those who are in shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.

Hubert H. Humphrey

[stopdiggin]

74. that is the mantra. problem is, as often as it is repeated - it's not very convincing

to many - and particularly those that have some experience and perspective.

[lees1975]

148. Ah, baloney.

Trump is back in office because Democratic politicians wanted to play old school politics instead of seeing things for what they were. A couple of bold, risky moves, like packing the Supreme Court, and Trump has no pathway back to the White House. Makes me think they are more interested into hanging on to their seats and traditions than serving the people. Sure looks that way.

People are tired of this gridlock, and change is one of the reasons Trump even stands a chance at all. WE need educated change, not stupid change.

Keep it up David. You've got my support, and you have every dime of my regular contribution to Democratic candidates, for whatever it is worth. Stand up stand firm and get this done, it's time to dump the garbage and win some elections.

[stopdiggin]

150. again - a nice speech. "change!" "bold moves" "gridlock" "hanging on to their seats"

You hit all the high points. Trouble is - and again - I don't think there's a single element of it that I truly agree with.

[Gimpyknee]

167. Exactly!

It’s time for term limits. Both Democrats and Republicans are primarily concerned in keeping their seats.

[MadameButterfly]

177. Term limits is the DOGE approach to firing people:

firing people across the board whether they deserve it or not. Lets fire the ones who deserve to be fired, and keep the ones who don't.

Should we have term limited Tip O'Neill? Nancy Pelosi? John Lewis? Bernie Sanders? Would we have the best and the brightest, people who want to legislate instead of parlay their experience into a cushy lobbying job?
I'm for term limiting executives and letting legislators become experts.

Terms limits doesn't solve the problem of the DNC wanting to put their thumb on the scale of primaries one way or the other.

[Cirsium]

193. Term limits?

Term limits only help Republicans. They can put any random seat warmer in office and just tell them how to vote.

[KPN]

75. Lol. That's what we've been doing, no?

[Cuthbert Allgood]

131. It's called a primary and it happens all the time.

[timms139]

72. Big money donors

have their pet monkeys in the congress on both sides that they can buy and they aren't going to get rid of the ones who play the money game . Their pets do their bidding while having the ability to persuade the public that they are being helped while they are actually being screwed .

[Karadeniz]

8. Agree !!!!

[Easterncedar]

9. Agree

And primarying DO-Nothing Dems in Congress seems likelier to improve the brand than otherwise. It’s the business as usual thing that is causing the falling approval ratings, IMO. The fighters are popular.

[EmmaLee E]

57. Exactly!

AOC is a great example.

[Fla Dem]

10. He is the future and the OLD GUYS and GALs need to start realizing they have to start working with them.

I'm not saying all the older Democratic Reps and Senators need to resign or not run for re-election although some should, but they need to work diligently with the under 50 Dems and give then voice and responsibility. THEY ARE OUR FUTURE!

BTW I am in the older than 75 crowd.

[bottomofthehill]

29. If he is the future, let him put his name on the ballot in Florida

And take down a Republican incumbent.

[JustAnotherGen]

42. Agreed - and don't forget - Malcom Kenyatta

the North Philadelphia PA House Member is at risk in this re-vote too.

IE- Kenyatta knows how to run - and win.

[bottomofthehill]

43. Absolutely, he has put his name on the ballot

He has run in a purple state.

[LisaM]

49. Or start with races like school boards where he would be a good fit.

I like the guy and he's wise beyond his years in a lot of ways. But we need to unify the party, not fracture it.

Look, the Democratic party is not the only workplace where people are not giving as much value to age and experience as we used to. We live in a disruptive time marred by inorganic change, which is frightening to a lot of people. I like a mix of age and experience with youth and energy in almost every environment. That's why guilds and then unions worked. People started as apprentices, then became journeyman, and so on, carefully training as they moved up.

Now the model seems to be taking shortcuts and jumping the line. That's a broad brush example, I know. Some people don't even want to move up in the line and some people obviously have the talent to get ahead faster.

I agree with trying to flip districts instead of primarying people in safe districts. Among other things, people who have been in office longer have formed alliances we probably don't even know of, and have learned a lot of the unspoken rules.

I am firmly against term limits in Congress. We like people in other professions to have experience. I don't know how to strike the correct balance but I don't think it's helpful to get rid of all the seasoned pols.

[bottomofthehill]

51. Totally agree

And there are term limits in Congress every 2 years in the House and every 6 in the Senate.

[Arazi]

61. He hasn't lived in FL for many years

Forcing him back into a district where he experienced terrible violence seems cruel unless he’s ready to go.

It feels like this suggestion always comes up when Hogg gets mentioned without anyone acknowledging he’s never gone back there to live after he graduated. I’m guessing there’s a reason for that (ptsd) and making this some kind of litmus test for his credibility or commitment to Dems feels… off

[bottomofthehill]

64. OK, I am with you, Trauma is real

PTSD is real, it is frightening to go back to where the trauma occurred.
Let him take his money and go someplace other than Florida and run for office. Take on a Republican in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, there are plenty of republicans out there

[Arazi]

79. Do we like carpetbaggers now?

He’s been living in DC since he graduated from university.

This demand that Hogg run for a seat “somewhere” to prove himself a “good” Dem is altogether wrong imo.

Plenty of effective Dems (Shannon Watts, George Takei, Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, Chasten Buttigieg, Mark Cuban - hell even George Soros ) never run for office and demanding that someone run “somewhere” is really shortsighted. He’s been fairly effective and focused on gun control - if he never runs for office and continues pursing that along with being a Dem booster it would be enough imo

[bottomofthehill]

86. So we think it a good idea to follow a 25 year old

With no experience and a spotty record of use of money in political activities because…….

I don’t think so, I would rather follow someone who has some experience.

If David wants to challenge Democrats, he should do it with out the blessings and tools of the Democratic Party.

[Arazi]

88. I think he's proposing new ideas

And challenging stale representatives to get in the fight.

I think a lot of young (and old) people agree with that and we diss that sentiment at our peril.

We don’t need to castigate him or make unreasonable demands of him that we don’t impose on any other Dem non-office-holder. AOC was 27 when she first started out and look at her now. She decided to jump in without any experience either as have many other new faces.

You seem to be imposing some kind of arbitrary age/experience requirement of our youngest Dems. That stinks

[bottomofthehill]

89. What I am actually saying is that

Officials of the Democratic National Committee should not be advocating running against Democrats. I am blaming that on his youth and inexperience. I also feel that his plan flies against the rules of the post he holds.

[Arazi]

95. I think the current moment demands new strategy

I’m for all ideas that motivate and energize Dems to fight this fascism.

Sorry but sternly worded letters (for ex) are not going to cut it. Waiting for Trump and the GOP to shoot themselves in the foot (Carville and other establishment Democrats’ idea) is also a terrible idea.

I’d be thrilled if Schumer and other Dems were challenged tbh. I’m not alone. Throwing out young Dems who are thinking out of the box is a massive turnoff (as is demanding they be held to an impossible standard like “go back to FL and turn it blue before we listen to you”).

[Bettie]

99. Yeah, you tell those youngsters to get

off the lawn and out of your party.

Tell the younger people that they are not wanted. I'm sure that's the perfect way to win elections.

[Walleye]

67. Exactly. I'd rather have an old-school Democrat than a young woman that's all mouth and no action.

[Linda ladeewolf]

40. The older ones need to start training

And endorsing younger ones to take their places. Schumer is just getting too old, he doesn’t want to rock the boat and boat needs some water in it to scare the rowers so they row a bit harder for shore. We need fighters. Young fighters.

[uponit7771]

101. only one member in their 20s

[3Hotdogs]

11. I'm 82. I hope AOC runs against Schumer. Hogg says he doesn't want to run for public office.

I hope he changes his mind.

[bottomofthehill]

46. You may like the idea of it but

There is a lot of New York that is not New York City, hell the city is getting ready to elect a more moderate candidate. AOC in up state NY…. Not a given. We have seen what the pursuit of liberal perfection has cost us in the past.

[tishaLA]

142. OK, Dan Goldman then

He's sufficiently moderate and has some guts. He'd also be great on the judiciary committee

[bottomofthehill]

145. I love that you think of Dan Goldman as a moderate.

That falls into one of those " tell me you are from New York with out telling me you are from New York" lines.

[Ol Janx Spirit]

12. Yet, they probably will. They do not seem to have a long-term strategy to win; just a short term...

...strategy to protect their oldest members. That's not going to save us from this fascism....

[IronLionZion]

13. At some point those who oppose gun violence will outnumber NRA nuts

So demographics should be on our side for gun regulations and reforms. Hogg can get that constituency to turn out and vote for Dems.

[krkaufman]

18. Would have thought the same re: Choice

nt

[IronLionZion]

24. More young people turn 18 every day. Lots of potential new voters

Choice might be more important to them I would hope.

[Walleye]

69. Demographics are on our side now. Doesn't really do us any good.

[Puppyjive]

14. I agree

The oldy moldy career politicians are not cutting the mustard for the democrats. Voters desire change. They always desire change. We need some new folks who are willing to take a stand. We need young people who will fight for the American dream that has been ripped away from them. Housing reform would be at the top of the list if I was young. There is no affordable rent in this country. I deeply impacts our younger voters.

[sboatcar]

39. I agree, and with the low approval rating of current democrats, its time for some changes

We need some fresh faces, people with new ideas, and people who are willing to stand up and speak out against all the nonsense the maga movement is doing. I'm not seeing nearly enough of that, and its not a good look for the status quo democrats that say nothing publicly, and just hope that whatever backroom deals they're working on have some effect. We need more activists, more people who'll advocate for the real values on the democratic party, and not so much for the powers that be.
There's been a steady march rightward with a lot of establishment democrats over the past 25 years or so, and we need to reverse that.

[ancianita]

16. Totally agree. He's a bridge to the youth vote, no matter how he presents his views.

His Leaders We Deserve PAC has been instrumental in getting a few young legislators into statehouses.

[Oopsie Daisy]

19. Hard pass.

My understanding of 'rebuilding' may differ from yours or that of others. Personally, I find it challenging to align myself with any type of 'destroy-to-rebuild' philosophy (or similar) which are advocated by the 'Justice Democrats' or the approach taken by the 'Our Revolution' movement. While I acknowledge that these perspectives resonate with many, I personally find the idea of discarding everything in pursuit of change to be too extreme for my preferences. Tossing the baby out with the bathwater is never a good idea.

[JI7]

21. He is part of a group already that raised millions

before and plans to do it again . He can show how good he is through that group. Or run himself.

So far he just says to target democrats in places that vote mostly democratic. I guess getting different democrats in democratic areas is what is supposed to result in people in red areas voting democratic. He also hasn't named who he wants to target.

[Oopsie Daisy]

113. Someone needs to tell him that the object is to replace Republicans with Democrats!!

Someone needs to tell him that the object is to replace Republicans with Democrats!! His plan of replace a Democrat with a Democrat is a zero-sum game that does absolutely NOTHING to give us control of either house of congress.

This is why experience is important. Cooler heads prevail, thoughtful planning is best, but making hasty or emotionally driven decisions does not always benefit the party.

[betsuni]

170. Like hiring an exterminator for a rat problem and they think the job is to exterminate YOU!

Not the job!

[Blue Full Moon]

22. I seen this post earlier.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-saudi-arabia-trip_n_68230b0be4b0205e6886a866

Democratic Party leadership needs to be cleared of 3rd way. Time to go forward without the republican apologists.

[idahoblue]

23. Everyone needs to contact the DNC

We all need to blast the DNC with our support.

[Gingermolly]

25. I used to agree with this sentiment

But I've read a lot about David Hogg that leaves me troubled. No question, he lived through a horrific event which has shaped his world view and his approach. But I've also read that he is brash, full of himself, shallow, and a bit of a grifter (raised $11 million for some cause, but they only received $3 million). Not willing to hitch my wagon to that falling star just yet.

[stopdiggin]

80. "brash, full of himself, shallow, and a bit of a grifter .. "

gosh - now where have I heard words similar - in describing ...

[Arazi]

98. James Carville? Bernie? Gavin Newsom? Bill Clinton?

Hell I’ve even heard those comments about AOC…

🙄

[stopdiggin]

127. So - no cause for concern then? Gotcha!

Of course - you couldn't PAY me to enter into any sort of business relationship with an individual I judged as such.
But, hey - 'long as we're just talkin' politics ...

[Arazi]

133. Certainly cause for concern but anyone playing political games is "brash"

And definitely self-centered etc etc.

I object to your insinuations that David Hogg is similar to Traitor. That’s bullshit.

[travelingthrulife]

26. Agree. It shows they are not capable of negotiating a positive outcome.

[JustAnotherGen]

28. I think we need to give Kalyn Free a chance to be heard

It also puts Malcom Kenyatta at risk - and he's a man who has actually RAN and WON. IE - he knows what it takes as a YOUNG Dem to run and get elected. He's successfully transferred ideas to helping people in North Philadelphia be heard in Scranton.

The challenge by Oklahoma Democratic Committeewoman Kalyn Free, who unsuccessfully ran against Hogg and Kenyatta in the February race for vice chair, is not related to the ongoing tension between Hogg and the national party over his push to support primary challenges against incumbent Democrats.

Instead, it was based off Free's claim that the handling of the vice-chair vote gave the two men an unfair advantage amid the national party's requirements that its executive committee achieve gender balance.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/dnc-panel-recommends-redo-vote-david-hogg-malcolm-kenyatta-rcna206337

Her argument

In her complaint, shared with Semafor by a Democratic source, Free argued that she lost a “fatally flawed election that violated the DNC Charter and discriminated against three women of color candidates,” and asks for “two new vice chair elections.” In February, after several rounds of voting, the race came down to five candidates – Kenyatta, Hogg, Free, and two other women. Kenyatta and Hogg claimed the open spots.

“By aggregating votes across ballots and failing to distinguish between gender categories in a meaningful way, the DNC’s process violated its own Charter and Bylaws, undermining both fairness and gender diversity,” argued Free, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation.

Free filed her challenge on Feb. 28, and committee members were informed yesterday that it would be taken up on May 12. Attorneys for Hogg argued in a response to the committee earlier this month that the election “was conducted in compliance with the rules in place at the time,” and that it is “inappropriate to try to revise those rules or decisions after the fact through a credentials challenge.”

Here are the DNC's rules and bylaws:
https://democrats.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DNC-Charter-Bylaws-09.10.1022.pdf


It's not just about David Hogg. JUST because he can chuckle and laugh about young men getting laid with Bill Maher - doesn't make him special.

I'd like to see a little love and support for Kenyatta -since he knows how to run and win as a Black man.

[pinkstarburst]

31. Yes, I agree.

We need new young leadership and new ideas. Right now we look stagnant. Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries out there "leading" in the Senate and the House, with the perception they are doing absolutely nothing. Absolutely no clear leader of the party. If we keep going like this heading into 2026 and 2028, we will lose again. Trump is awful, but he is STRONG. Many voters respond to strength. Right now we have no strong leaders who are stepping out in front to lead the party. And the DNC trying to get rid of someone like Hogg who is trying to make changes... isn't a good look.

[kentuck]

32. In my opinion...

Any politician that is afraid of being primaried, might want to think of stepping down?

If the voters choose another candidate over them, then that is democracy. We need new blood from time to time.

If they are doing a good job, the voters will keep them in their positions.

I think primaries are a good thing, not a bad thing.

[Autumn]

33. The DNC seems to be more interested in fighting Democrats than Trump and his

GOPigs.

[kentuck]

35. Also, I think the 29% approval rating for the Party...

... has to be figured into the equation. It might indicate that there needs to be some change somewhere?

[Autumn]

45. One would think so but the status quo must be maintained. No matter what. nt

[kentuck]

48. I seldom disagree with you...

But I think this is a time that the Party has to change out of necessity. Not because they have done anything terribly wrong policy-wise, but because they have failed to prevent the Republican opposition from using their propaganda messaging to tear down the status-quo Democrats. We have been reactive instead or pro-active. For example, they were able to portray Joe Biden as too old and senile to be the President, even though Donald Trump is older right now than Joe Biden was at the same time in his Presidency.

We have to re-build out of necessity. In my opinion, we need youth, passion, and a populist message.

[Autumn]

110. Dems low approval rating is because so many Dems are attempting to maintain the

status quo and business as usual. This is no time for that.

[ReRe]

171. You've got that right!

The status quo has got to go. Especially it's buddy, "incrementalism"! If the Democratic Party doesn't figure this out and get going, our country really is toast. We need to adopt a huge dose of anti-oligarchism, get the lead out once and for all, put the pedal to the metal and never look back through the rear view mirror, except in history books.

[Midwestern Democrat]

155. They're doing nothing but simply banking on winning the House by default in '26 - but they might find a 29% approval

rating may make it more difficult to be "the party the voters hate the least."

[W_HAMILTON]

103. Then that's something they have in common with Hogg-type progressives!

[Autumn]

108. The DNC has nothing in common with any type of Progressive.

[W_HAMILTON]

116. Yeah, bullshit.

Problem is there is a subset of progressives that don't know what PROGRESSIVE means and instead thinks it means "perfectionist that stays pure by fighting for everything and getting nothing."

If someone considers themselves a progressive but has accomplished as much for progressive causes as fucking Republicans, then, yeah, you ain't a progressive and, yeah, that type of progressive probably doesn't have much in common with the Democratic Party which has actually secured actual and substantive progressive victories for tens of millions like myself.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

132. I would argue it is actually that the US doesn't know what the left is.

The rest of the world is shocked that Clinton and Biden had progressive attached to them. AOC is a progressive. Biden wasn't.

[Autumn]

186. And Hillary, "Single-payer health care will "never, ever" happen"

was not even close to being progressive.

[betsuni]

175. Yes, the redefinition of the word means anti-establishment populist "Us" versus the Democratic establishment "Them."

But that's not what the word means! Only they use it that way, a weaponized password to get into the exclusive purity club. It's an identity thing.

No compromise or incrementalism (why liberal Democrats get progressive policies done, they compromise because that's what passing legislature requires). All or nothing, righteous purity intact (no responsibility!). Transformative revolution only. Stunning overconfidence that THIS TIME all or nothing will work because The People will see they are right (sternly worded speeches and rallies) and follow. When it doesn't work the only possible reason is because the corrupt Democratic establishment conspires to stop at nothing to thwart them, they are TERRIFIED.

Purity testing demonizes Democrats who don't pass the test, instantly depriving them of the coveted "progressive" label.

The ends justify the means: slander, lies, conspiracies about Democrats are fine because they, the enemy, must be defeated.

Every motivation is money except for the pure whose money is non corrupting grassroots.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

200. Or the Progressives see themselves as a separate part of the party

that has specific policies in mind and the mainstream wants to use progressive to mean anything that is socially liberal.

To argue that Clinton and Biden are progressives is laughable. They are clearly Democrats. I'm not arguing that. But they aren't progressives.

[ILikePie92]

36. Yes

100% agreed. The DNC just can't seem to help itself. They're gonna screw things up......again.

[Kid Berwyn]

37. We we need new thinking, in addition to new blood.

Like when he noticed the adults couldn't budge the elected officials in Washington to do a thing like ban assault weapons in order to protect children who were getting massacred in incident after incident in fucking school -- a public institution paid for by the public and protected by law.

Hogg is trying, which is a hell of a lot more than a lot of those in Washington and our state capitals do.

[JohnSJ]

38. What are his qualifications? A victim of a mass shooting, an advocate

of “defund the police”, and eliminating ICE.

[Wild blueberry]

44. David Hogg is energizing and part of the future

Wholeheartedly support his voice and ideas within the Democratic Party.
Any elected Dems who are not working full out to protect our country and fighting to oppose Maga takeover can see themselves to the door. We need a genuine Opposition party.

[JohnSJ]

53. Is he really? Where were they in 2024? Listening to joe rogan? Where were these same demographics in

2000 and 2016?

They are the future? If they didn't even realize what a threat trump was the second time in 2024, especially after what happened on January 6th, that doesn't say very much.

Yeah, they will be the future, but anyone who believes they will be the "saviors" of our democracy I think is only fooling themselves.

2024 was the make or break for everything, and they, among others did not materialize when it counted.

We have lost the Supreme Court for a generation. Even if we were fortunate to win the midterms in 2026, and that is a big if for the Senate, the best that we can hope for is to slow down the damage, because trump and his thugs will be with us for at least 4 years. Even if we had the votes to impeach, which we won't, it won't get rid of the extreme right wing agenda, because the line of succession is made up of right wing thugs. Vance, Johnson, and the pro tempore of the Senate.

The ONLY way we have a chance is to follow the Howard Dean 50-state strategy, and that means getting independents on board. That includes ALL demographics.

[Paul-EM]

47. organize

https://1drv.ms/i/c/0c4b9af53b77d1bf/Eb_Rdzv1mksggAxvCQAAAAABzA1HOBgClJ_MizDC0karhQ?e=d0Chl9

[yorkster]

50. Still think it was duplicitous of him to run for

DNC Vice Chair and intend to stay on as head of Leaders We Deserve.
I'd like to see both Malcolm Kenyatta and Kalyn Free as Vice-Chairs if that's a possibility.
As was said upthread, run Democrats against Republicans. If David Hogg wants to raise 20 million for primary races of his choosing, he should not do so as a DNC Vice-Chair.

[live love laugh]

122. Duplicitous is my issue with him. We are here because of divisiveness. More of it isn't a solution.

[OLDMDDEM]

52. I agree with you.

[al bupp]

54. Agreed

[Doodley]

55. The idea of being a party nominee for life, no matter how you perform, is ridiculous. Yes to Hogg!

[Walleye]

70. Yeah, go ahead shove them out. It doesn't matter if they've been effective or not. They are old they gotta go

[stopdiggin]

81. and that is the kind of shallow 'strategy' that many perceive (and oppose)

in the David Hogg agenda.

[et tu]

59. yes and whatever

happened to mentorship-
please dems, work on this
or we are doomed

[FarPoint]

62. I totally agree...

David Hogg is our future .. We have been failing with the current generational crop...

[TommieMommy]

66. I agree 👍

[Abundance77]

68. Narcissism

DT displays narcissism and the Dems have picked that up. We need to listen to all deeply without judgment to win.

[Cheezoholic]

78. On spot. It could kill us in '26! Gotta get the corporate money lovers out so we can get money out of our elections n/t

[LauraInLA]

87. I don't see how "getting money out of our elections" is possible for the foreseeable future.

[Oopsie Daisy]

125. No it won't.

It will say that we value experience and loyalty. It will say that we want to replace Republicans with Democrats, not Democrats with Democrats! What a waste of money, time and effort! Being a minority party with "different Democrats" does not benefit us AT ALL!! Bloodying-up incumbent Democrats (even in "safe" districts) just creates an opportunity for Republicans to step-in and seize the day from an incumbent who has no money left to run an effective and competitive campaign... or the Republican candidate can step in and roll over an inexperienced candidate who was lucky enough to win a primary, but lacks the experience needed to win in the general election. What will "kill us in the long run" (to use your words) is the mistaken belief that youth and inexperience is more valuable to the party than experience and loyalty.

[Orrex]

77. Don't you realize how hard he makes it to peer wearily over one's glasses?

Think of poor Chuck, for pity’s sake!

[peggysue2]

82. This infighting does NOT serve the Democratic Party

Or our push against the authoritative takeover we're all witnessing..

Agree with him or not, David Hogg is a clear representative of the youth vote, a bloc of voters we need now and into the future. He's a fighter, a survivor and voice for his generation.

We're suppose to be a Big Tent party. Time to pony up!

[bcbink]

83. Agree, thanks for the direct post. NT

[Meowmee]

84. Disagree

Last edited Tue May 13, 2025, 11:24 PM - Edit history (2)

He has already caused more division and damaged the party by doing this. If he wants to primary D in so called safe districts let him resign and do it on his own time with the millions raised by his pac which pays him a large salary. Any primary weakens all of the candidates and if an "out there" candidate wins a primary in a "safe" district they could lose to an R.

If he really supported D and the party imo he would go after R, not D. It's pretty simple.

I don't trust his judgement to be the arbiter of who should be running and who should face a primary. It's up to the voters. I also find a lot of what he has said in the past to be ageist against older candidates, which for him appears to be anyone over 35.

That said I am in favor of change and younger faces in the party, but I am not for DH's brand of division at all.

I am for winning to save the democracy. We can't afford to lose if we have normal elections again.

[Mountainguy]

85. Sorry, but David Hogg

Isn't the voice of a generation. He doesn't have any special insight to connection to the youth vote. I'd argue his experience is actually very different than most gen Zers.

[betsuni]

90. Re-building the Democratic Party into what? It's a political party.

Each Democratic administration is more diverse, as the culture is.

Anyone believing lies about Democrats being mostly old white conservative/centrist corrupt both sides etc etc etc etc should take a look at party conventions. Look at videos. Listen. Same as Republicans? Democrats are the enemy?

[CaptainTruth]

91. "Dems have abandoned men who just want to 'get laid and have fun,' "

Really? Do we think that's effective messaging?
Instead of MAGA hats we have GLAHF hats - Get Laid And Have Fun?

Telling black Rep Clyburn to "get over yourself"?

Making it his (& his PAC's) mission to oust incumbent Democrats?

Sorry but I'm not impressed.

Yes we need new blood but IMHO we can do better. This seems like people are grabbing on to the current loudest voice with little to no consideration of whether it's the best or most strategically advantageous voice.

[stopdiggin]

180. said a mouthful there.

the totally indiscriminate cry for "new blood" (with David Hogg being a pretty damned good example) is a disappointingly shallow and inarticulate game plan. How about giving me a good reason for wanting to support a new face? But the demand that I must line up behind any knucklehead with the label 'new cool kid' - as seems to be a large part of what we're being fed tonight ... That doesn't really fly around here. (and, nor should it !)

[Renew Deal]

92. He's probably more dangerous outside than he is in.

He would be unrestrained and have a lot of support.

[Cirsium]

93. Hogg's recent comments are disturbing

This is not really about young versus old, moderate versus progressive, nor incumbent versus challengers. As is the case with just about everything in the US, it is about racism and misogyny. (aside - why was a comment like that better received in the 60's then it is today? One would almost think we are going backward.)

Recent comments by Hogg in an interview with Bill Maher are awful, and awful in a way that too many here don't seem to get. Just because young men have been told by right wing propagandists that they are victims does not mean that we therefore need to pander to white male fragility.

What I think happened last election is younger men, they would rather vote for somebody … who they don’t completely agree with — [that] they don’t feel judged by — than somebody who they do agree with that they feel like they have to walk on eggshells around constantly because they’re going to be judged or ostracized or excommunicated,” Hogg said Friday during an appearance on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

“Republicans used to be the judgmental a–holes in many ways,” Hogg continued. “And since many Democrats — despite us, I would say, for most of us [are] coming from the right place of wanting to do the right thing — we’ve created a culture where we say, well, if you say the wrong thing, you’re excommunicated.”

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5293909-bill-maher-david-hogg-democratic-party-young-voters/

Fox news and other right propaganda mills are all over this, just as they are all over the "controversy" about Representative Crockett's innocuous "safe white boy" comment. It is interesting and instructive to see how Hogg's regurgitation of right wing "anti-woke" grievance themes get a pass, while Crockett has been attacked right here based on the ridiculous "reverse racism" concept.

How was Harris “judging” young men? How was Harris making young men “walk on egg shells constantly?” How are the Democrats ostracizing or excommunicating people? The Democrats are judgemental? compared to who, the Republicans? Pure misogynist and racist right wing propaganda, from a Democratic party official no less.

[stopdiggin]

128. +1. That is a really, REALLY bad look. pretty toxic in fact.

Can we really scream "cancel culture'" any louder .. ?

[Cirsium]

137. Not sure

Are you referring to me, or to Hogg?

[stopdiggin]

143. sorry for any confusion. No, clearly Hogg is speaking directly off a Republican

'cancel culture' script in the excerpt you posted. Wording and intent couldn't mimic those voices any closer ... Maybe we can parrot some Tucker and Hannity talking points next week?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[Cirsium]

144. Thanks

[JI7]

187. Yes, instead of calling out the bs he is playing into it

There are problems young men face but many of those things are also faced by women. Women probably have it tougher if you look at percentages. But women are taught to change themselves and not blame others.

[SunSeeker]

94. What makes you think he'd lose the revote? nt

[mzmolly]

96. Fully agree!

[WVreaper]

97. As a 71 year old white male....

The democratic party needs leaders like David Hogg! Primary the assholes that can't get their thumb out of the ass. The time for making nice with repugs is over. Politics is not the same as it every was.

[Kaleva]

111. It would be fair if they primaried every incumbent

Give every challenger equal footing with every incumbent.

[MichMan]

190. As I recall, there was zero support here at the time for primary opponents against Joe Biden's reelection

Dean Phillips was roundly criticized and attacked here. Many still blame Sen. Kennedy's primary of Jimmy Carter as playing a role in his defeat in 1980.

[Kaleva]

196. People tend to support primary challenges only in certain situations

[MichMan]

197. Which is why I disagree with you that every incumbent should be primaried

[Kaleva]

198. That was tongue in check

I’m personally in favor of supporting all of our incumbents. Except in the rare occasion where the incumbent is a criminal.

[uponit7771]

100. Agreed

[marble falls]

102. Big mistake. It echoes the major flubbing with dumping Joe Biden. That hurt Harris' chances badly.

[SunSeeker]

105. If he stayed in, it would have eliminated Harris' chances.

We really need to stop this circular firing squad. This isn't about Hogg. This is about Kalyn Free getting the proper vote she deserves. Let the DNC do their re-vote and let's train our ire on Republicans instead.

[questionseverything]

123. How many votes did she get in the first round?

Since I can’t find that number in any article I am guessing it was really low

*she received 90 votes, less than half of hogg

[SunSeeker]

138. Well exactly. Seems like Hogg will win the re-vote.

No need for all the hand wringing.

[questionseverything]

153. I think she is saying, she would win the woman slot?

If so he could lose with more votes

[SunSeeker]

166. There are TWO seats available. If she gets one, there's still one for Hogg or Kenyatta.

That was the whole point of Kalyn Free's objection. The DNC voted for the two seats at the same time instead of separately, thus failing to reserve one of the seats for a woman.

Who do you think will win that second seat on the re-vote, Hogg or Kenyatta?

[questionseverything]

172. Kenyatta did way better last time

I don’t understand the long wait before deciding this, they knew immediately that neither of the top two was female

[SunSeeker]

173. But did Kenyatta get more votes than Hogg? nt

[questionseverything]

178. Almost 100 more

[SunSeeker]

179. Kenyatta got 100 more votes than Hogg?

Will be interesting to see who wins in a Kenyatta vs Hogg rematch with Free not in the running. I guess it depends on who the Kalyn Free voters from the first (voided) vote will swing to.

Do you have a link where you're getting those vote totals?

[questionseverything]

182. Kenyetta got 298 votes and hogg 214.5 votes

Nyt article from may 12
Author-shane goldmacher

I’m sorry, I don’t know how to post a link on my phone so I gave you the nyt , date and author but

Now I can’t find where I saw her 90 votes and kenyetta beat him by 84 not 100 but the point remains the same, I would be surprised if hogg beats kenyetta

[mike_c]

104. completely agree!

[Pisces]

107. I couldn't agree more. What they are doing looks dirty. He's not playing the game so they are taking him out

[barbtries]

114. are they talking about doing that?

no, that would be very wrong.

[OldDem1]

115. I agree

It takes young people willing to fight to make a change in this country. The older democrats are no longer willing to take on the hatred and bigotry of the other party. Its time to build a new younger party. (BTW I am 76) Keep up the fight David and bring your friends !

[Karasu]

117. Hogg's situation aside, I do want to know why our leadership now insists on acting like fucking

Last edited Tue May 13, 2025, 05:24 PM - Edit history (1)

conservatives--especially after the whole AOC/Connelly debacle, which I honestly found much more upsetting and revealing of the divide than this. Resisting change just for the sake of resisting change is what they do. It's the entire fucking point of their ideology. Why in the world would we imitate that? All that does is play into the infuriating "both sides" narratives people love to spread.

Yes, entrusting the future to the next generation can be deeply uncomfortable, but the only alternative I can see to that seems to be more of the same...and personally, "more of the same" is the last thing I want now that we're living under fucking fascism.

[W_HAMILTON]

119. We're acting like Republicans by allowing a Native American woman her due process...

...and holding another vote after the committee overseeing such matters approved her challenge that a white man had been unfairly selected based on the applicable rules that were in place?

Yeah, the next time Republicans show that sort of fairness and non-bias to a minority woman over a white man will be the first time, so, not at all the fucking same.

[Karasu]

120. I'm actually with you on that SPECIFIC issue, hence why I said I'm not defending Hogg specifically.

Last edited Tue May 13, 2025, 07:29 PM - Edit history (2)

I thought I made that pretty clear at the beginning, but in any case, do not reduce my post to that (though I figured someone here probably would). Nuance is a thing. It was about the LARGER issue, this whole debate over the future of party leadership that people are having...and yes, on that front, I do think we are acting too much like Republicans, for no good reason. The AOC/Connolly thing is actually a much better example of this whole divide than the Hogg thing, because yes, there are other issues at play with him and his situation. But what I personally wanted to address is much bigger than him and this one position in the DNC.

[questionseverything]

124. How many votes did she get in the first vote?

[manicdem]

118. Sets a bad precedent

If we ignore the rules for one, then it can be ignored for all. There's a reason we have the rule to have equal representation for the party.
That's how favoritism, misogyny, and corruption get started.

[LauraInLA]

136. I agree wholeheartedly. I was lambasted for saying this, but I think they should have made a point of

dealing with this issue in February, when it was raised. This was urgent and this whole mess could have been avoided.

[MichMan]

154. I'm not seeing much urgency at all

I heard that if they do vote for a new election, it wouldn't be scheduled until August. In the meantime Kenyatta and Hogg remain in their positions.

[LauraInLA]

165. That's my point. This flawed election has now created a huge kerfuffle that will inevitably leave someone

feeling aggrieved. It should have been dealt with in February before all of this blew up. They have now created a crisis.

[aintitfunny]

121. I agree.

It would not be a wise move.

[Festivito]

126. His marketing team should be fired.

Pro gun-control?

That's him in a nutshell to the media. Where are the marketing people? They should be calling and calling and calling the media with better verbiage.

At least pro well-regulated gun militia control.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

134. And Harris was a communist.

Jesus. If we are going to base everything on how the Republicans frame our candidate, then we're fucked.

[Faux pas]

135. Yep

[red dog 1]

139. K&R

I agree, we have to get the youth vote in order to retake control of Congress in next year's mid-terms.
(And we do need younger leaders, too).

[LetMyPeopleVote]

141. The party rules need to be complied with

The party screwed up and elected two males for Executive Vice President when the party rules require one male and one female Executive Vice President. If Hogg can get more votes that Malcome Kenyatta, then he can serve. Here is a good explanation from Malcome Kenyatta

Link to tweet

[Pompoy]

174. Thank you for clearing this up

I hadn't paid attention to this, hadn't even bothered to read the whole thread here with all the responses. The only thing I had to say was about how bad Hogg came across on the Real Time show. But now I understand what this is about.

[B.See]

146. ANYBODY

who can help further energize the party, whether that be Harris, Hogg, Booker, Crockett, Sanders, AOC, someone I forgot to mention, or someone yet unknown - would be a positive in my book.

The tent never can be TOO big, imo.

[orchidlady]

147. david v goliath

could not agree more.
tho i also feel it would be a big mistake for david to persist in his demands.
a more conciliatory approach would be more likely to get him closer to what he's after.
no chance he'll get the whole enchilada anyways.
seems the young man could do with a dose of realism.
i say that with sincere admiration for his aspirations.

[Exp]

149. Completely agree. We NEED the youth input. nt

[Pompoy]

152. He was pathetic in his appearance with Bill Maher

Maher tried over and over to make him say what the Democratic Party should have done different regarding access to health insurance and other issues he thinks the country isn't delivering on, and he was hopeless. Trump didn't win because the Democrats suck, Trump won because that's what the people want. I am sick and tired of people blaming the Democratic Party, Biden, and the media. Nah, it's just that people are getting influenced by social media, talk radio, and falling in line with the gun lobby, anti abortion and anti "woke" factions.
We don't need Democrats in leadership parroting the bullshit that it's the Democrats' fault. It's not going to help.

[B.See]

158. Well... gotta agree with you there.

That, "it's the democrats fault" trope is the biggest bunch of self-flagellating BS ever uttered (or bought into by SOME), imo.

[Nixie]

168. Bravo! Yes to everything you said. He was very bad on an MSNBC segment

tonight, too.

[OC375]

156. Insanity...

A minority party with different people in the same number of seats is still the minority party in a winner take all system. Spend the $20MM to win new (more) seats. More seats means more wins on actual legislation. Do the purity thing when we hold the seats, not before.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

195. Welcome to DU

[wendyb-NC]

157. I agree

[mahina]

160. 100%

[Jack Valentino]

162. But the DNC has specialized in "pretty big mistakes" for quite a few years, no ?

I agree with your opinion, of course.

[flashman13]

164. David Hogg doesn't need the DNC. The new Democratic party is going to be a grassroots effort.

The poobahs of the party do not realize that we are never going back to the days before Trump. They are going to be irrelevant.

[proud patriot]

169. I Agree

it's bad form IMO

[RandySF]

176. He may not be the right young leader.

[SunSeeker]

181. Malcolm Kenyatta is only 34. The re-vote for the 2nd seat will be between Kenyatta and Hogg. nt

[Mr.WeRP]

185. Again, the money is trying to take control. Don't let them.

This is the people’s party. Not the AIPAC party, not the billionaires party.

[SunSeeker]

199. Do you think Kalyn Free and Malcom Kenyatta are for billionaires?

Because that's who is running against Hogg.

[oldmanlynn]

188. I agree, but he can't fight other Democrats

Right now the party is trying to push him aside because he’s fighting with other Democrats and good batter and different. That’s the circular firing squad that can’t happen in critical elections so I get why they’re doing it.

[lonely bird]

191. Can the Democratic Party walk and chew gum at the same time?

I begin to doubt it.

This is war. Republicans hate the American people. They even hate those who vote for them.

50 state strategy. Build on the very lowest levels as well as state and federal. Run good candidates. I don’t give a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut who they are or where they come from.

Hammer every single fucking Republican on every level.

No seat is actually a safe seat. There is always the chance that some safe incumbent will get caught in a scandal or get hit by a bus. Have a plan.

The Party fucked Ohio by not doing enough to prevent Vance from getting a senate seat. Then they fucked Ohio again by letting an actual thief beat Sherrod Brown.

This. Is. War. Not figuratively but actual war.

[Nixie]

201. Malcolm Kenyatta is on MSNBC now saying Hogg needs to stop

with the untruths about this situation. He is calling David out as untruthful, saying his messaging is disingenuous. I’m so glad to see this bright young man, Malcolm, getting everything right and being so articulate. We absolutely don’t need this untruthful sideshow. David is not meeting the moment.