Hakeem! Chuck! Don't make me stop this car!
March 21, 2025 - News, Views and To-Dos for Democrats
What Art Friedson Has On His Mind
This may disappoint you, but I’m not going to take a stand on the Democratic Senate leadership’s decision to support the Continuing Resolution to keep the government open. I am furious that we backed down from fighting the good fight; still, I am sympathetic to the notion that it might have been the lesser of evils, given the leeway it would have given the Musk-Trump Administration to use the shutdown to usurp even more power.
Here’s what I do know: it was handled terribly. Either we needed to say ‘No!’ or we needed to take a tip from improvisational comedy and say ‘Yes, and…’ Instead, we put up our dukes and then caved without getting anything in return, the worst of both worlds.
Here’s what else I know. I know we’re in trouble. While we waste our time bickering and blaming, voters are losing faith in us. A new CNN poll by SSRS found that just 29% of the voting public has a favorable view of the Democratic Party, a new record low. This is not the record we should be looking to break!
Support for the Party by Democrats and D-leaning independents has dropped off considerably. About half of all voters think the Party is more extremist than mainstream. Voters split the same way about the Republicans. The only comfort is that 57% of Independent voters -the folks who decide elections these days- think the R’s are more extreme, nine points higher than the Democratic figure. There’s also some comfort in a new Quinnipiac poll that finds Trump’s approval ratings falling over discontent with his handling of the economy, Ukraine, and the federal workforce.
As I’ve said in my last few columns, I have faith that as the terrible outcomes of Trump’s assault on government and democracy and the impact of his idiotic tariffs become more evident, voters will turn against him. Our job is to (a) help voters along in that process; and (b) provide an attractive alternative. We’re pretty good at the former and pretty lousy at the latter.
So here’s my five-point plan to save the nation (okay, that’s a little grandiose, but stick with me):
Step 1: STFU! Stop all the bickering, backstabbing, bloodletting and bedwetting. We need Chuck Schumer and his stellar record of electing Democrats as badly as we need AOC. Each has a role to play in winning back the voter’s trust. United we stand and divided we fall. It is as simple as that.
Step 2: Give Trump full credit for everything that happens in the economy. Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson writes in the NYTimes that Trump is absolutely overstating his mandate. Voters, she says, “[c]learly wanted the next president to stabilize the economy and make their cost of living more manageable.” They are going to want that way more after Trump’s tariffs and trade wars drive prices up and markets down, especially since the damage will hit his voters the hardest.
Step 3: Give voters an alternative. Soltis Anderson’s polling shows that the top three issues on the minds of voters are the cost of living, immigration and the economy. The next-most important issue isn’t even close.
Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson are out with a new book that argues the answer is Abundance. They note that the populist right-wing is fueled by scarcity: “When there is not enough to go around, we look with suspicion on anyone who might take what we have.” That sure explains Trump’s approach to foreign policy and his love of tariffs.
Thompson explains abundance this way in The Atlantic:
“If Trump’s opponents are going to win at the polls, they will need to construct a new political movement, one that aims for abundance instead of scarcity. Such a movement would combine the progressive virtue of care for the working class and a traditionally conservative celebration of national greatness, while taking a page from the libertarian obsession with eliminating harmful regulations to make the most important markets work better. It would braid a negative critique of Trump’s attack on the government with a positive vision of actual good governance in America—while providing a rigorous focus on removing the bottlenecks that stand in the way.”
Step 4: Get out on the stump. The most encouraging things happening today (and God knows we need some encouragement) are happening in town hall meetings. MAGA congressmen are facing angry mobs at their town halls, while Democrats are drawing big, friendly crowds at People’s Town Halls in red districts featuring stars like Bernie Sanders, AOC, and Tim Walz. This is something we’re getting right, folks. Don’t dismiss it, celebrate it.
Step 5: Help our leader emerge. I don’t have to remind you that we just lost an election, so we don’t have an incumbent president who is the obvious leader of our Party. The good news is that we have a remarkably deep bench of fabulous candidates to lead us forward. The bad news is that with a bench so deep and so wide, no one stands out as the obvious choice.
We must create opportunities for our stars to engage broad audiences with lots of media coverage, and we need to do it now. Think of the coverage the crazies at CPAC receive! It’s too early for debates. Instead, starting now, Democrats should stage similar, albeit much more sane, events that will draw the attention of tuned-out voters, showcase our talent, and test our messages.
Friends, I know things seem dark. This is indeed a dark time for our nation. But just as every recession has been followed by prolonged economic growth, today’s terrible news can turn into a lasting resurgence of the ideals that make our democracy great. It’s time to work together to make it happen.
Check It Out with Nancy Kohn
What can I do right now? This is the question we are asked most frequently these days. It usually means, “Where should I be donating?” We’ve got some suggestions for you.
Oath is a highly efficient, data-driven organization that helps you find the groups and candidates most likely to succeed at the mission you care about most. For example, in the last House cycle, 70% of the pooled funds that Oath distributed went to races that were won by less than 5% of the vote.
Democracy Docket, run by the well-respected Democratic election lawyer Mark Elias, highlights actionable steps to safeguard democracy in its article “10 Things We Can All Do To Protect Democracy.” His emphasis on supporting independent media is especially critical given today’s polarized media landscape. This piece is a practical guide for individuals to make a meaningful impact.
The ACLU continues to lead legal challenges against policies undermining civil rights, including the administration’s attempts to end birthright citizenship. Their comprehensive roadmap outlines strategies for defending constitutional rights and holding the government accountable in court.
We’ll be drilling down on off-cycle elections and key 2026 races in the coming weeks and months, but for now, check out this Roll Call summary of the DCCC’s 2026 Frontline Program, which benefits the 26 most vulnerable Democratic House incumbents. 13 of these incumbents won in districts that Trump won in 2024.
Make them accountable. Accountable is a nonpartisan watchdog organization dedicated to exposing corruption and ensuring transparency in government actions that affect the public. They sure are busy these days as they expose how the Trump Administration’s actions personally enrich Trump, Musk, and cabinet officials. Dig into just one of many examples by reading their report in The Hill on how dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was all about Musk’s desire to turn X (formerly Twitter) into a payment platform.
Closer to home, nothing beats Chicago in the summer. There are festivals for Blues (June 5-8), Gospel (July 12), and Jazz (August 28-31), the Millenium Park Summer Music Series and Summer Film Series, Taste of Chicago, the Air & Water Show, and tons of neighborhood events, including weekly Farmers’ Markets. Use this handy guide from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) to get them on your calendar now.
Keep those kicks shining. If you feel you haven’t gotten enough useful, actionable information from the NKC Update, this is for you. WaPo’s Jolie Kerr has scrubbed all of the data and has published the definitive guide on How to Make Sure Your White Sneakers Stay White. Trust me, this is the only kind of white power we will ever endorse.
What I’m reading, special edition. The incredibly talented Allegra Rosenberg, daughter of our friends Rachel Lerner Rosenberg and the late Stuart Rosenberg has published an amazing long-form article on Antarctica as seen through the journey of Captain Robin Falcon Scott and the secret love affair between two of his crew who survived the journey. You’ll find it here in Atavist Magazine.
What I’m reading and listening.
I just finished reading Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett after hearing this review on NPR: “[It] is too beautifully written to pass over; too smart about how secrets feed on time, perversely taking up more room in our lives as the years go by.” The main characters lead meaningful do-gooder lives, but I can’t recommend it. Sorry.
Two friends, Linda Van Dorf, and Stacy Barton Hackler, recommended Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson. I’m halfway through listening to the book and am enthralled. It’s a multi-generational story that weaves together contemporary romance and slavery pottery.
Meanwhile, the NYTimes is out with their Spring Preview of 24 new novels being published over the next few weeks.
On The Calendar
Reproductive Health and the Faith Community: A Jewish Perspective. Panel includes: Allison Korman, The Red Tent Fund, Kara Goldman, Director of Fertility Preservation at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Lorie Chaiten, Senior Counsel at the national ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project and Cantor Rachel Brook. The event is Thursday, March 27th, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $36. Click here to learn more and to register for the event.
Women for Brad Schneider, with special guest Congresswoman Sarah McBride of Delaware, the first openly transgender person to serve in Congress. Sunday, May 4th, Noon, Highland Park. Tickets start at $150. Learn more and register here.
Jan Schakowsky’s Annual Power Lunch. It’s back! This luncheon is one of my favorite events of the year! Hon. Lucy Moog and Jill Wine-Banks are co-chairing this year’s event. Special guest speakers include Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, and former Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, candidate for New Mexico Governor. Monday, May 5th, 12 Noon at the Sheraton Grand Hotel. Click here for more information and to RSVP, and be sure to request seating at one of Nancy’s tables by putting ‘Nancy Kohn’ in the table preference field.
The IWIL Training Academy, which prepares women to run for office, will hold its virtual spring fundraiser featuring Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Senator Elissa Slotkin on Tuesday, May 6th, at 6:00 pm. Contact me for details.
Jobs and Internships
NEW! The Obama Foundation’s mission is to inspire people to take action, empower them to change their world for the better and connect them so they can achieve more together than they can alone. They are now hiring for several positions, including two development positions. You can visit their Careers page here.
NEW! City Bureau, a Chicago newsletter, is hiring for three positions: Deputy Director of Communications, Documenters Site Success Director, and a 16-week paid Civic Reporting Fellowship. Applications for the Spring Fellowship are due March 30.
Women Employed (WE) is a 50-year-old Chicago-based advocacy organization that pursues equity for women in the workforce by effecting policy change, expanding access to educational opportunities, and advocating for fair and inclusive workplaces so that all women, families, and communities can thrive. They are accepting applications for paid internships with the Pattis Family Foundation Summer Leadership Program. Learn more here.
Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems) is accepting applications for its Summer 2025 Internship Program. The internship is designed for high school, college, graduate, and law students seeking to become deeply engaged in the political process. Residency in the 10th Congressional District is not required, but applicants should have an interest in electing Democrats in the area and a willingness to devote a minimum of 16 hours per week to the internship during the summer. Applicants should submit a brief paragraph explaining why they would like to be part of the program, along with a resume. Neither needs to be formal. To apply or request more information, email info@tenthdems.org.
Impact for Equity, formerly known as BPI, is a public interest law and policy center that has been at the front lines of the fight for social justice in the Chicago region for over fifty years. They are seeking a dynamic and experienced attorney to serve as Staff Counsel, Criminal Legal System Program to help advance an ambitious agenda to decrease the footprint of the criminal legal system in Illinois and mitigate the harms experienced by those who encounter it. They are also hiring a Senior Communications Manager. Click here for more information and to apply.
Brandon’s Internships Bulletin is now Brandon’s Hillternship Hub. The new site links to four tables, which contain the internship pages for every Democratic House office, House committee website, Senate office, and Senate committee. In addition, it includes info on whether the internship application is open, the application deadline, and key details on the position (dates, pay, time commitment, etc.). He also publishes a weekly email with all the newest listings for internships in progressive politics, non-profits, and foreign policy/international affairs. Subscribe at brandonsbulletin.substack.com.
Finally, here are some useful links to check out if you’re searching for a job in politics, policy, or advocacy:
Daybook is a great resource for political, policy, and government jobs around the country.
Want to work with progressive organizations or nonprofits doing good? Check out the listings at Democracy Partners, Grossman Solutions, NPAG, and Forefront.
Here are three good sites to land campaign jobs at the entry level and beyond: Emily’s List, Jobs That Are Left, and GainPower.
Correction: In previous editions, the date for the fundraiser on behalf of Congressman Brad Schneider was incorrect. We regret the error.
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Who are we? Since 2003, we’ve been sharing our news, to-dos and views. The NKC Occasional Update is brought to you by Nancy Kohn, a seasoned political consultant in Chicago, and Art Friedson, a dedicated political enthusiast. We enjoy hearing from our readers, so feel free to post directly on this article or send us an email. Thank you for your support!
Nancy Kohn nkohn@kohnconsulting.com Art Friedson art.friedson@gmail.com