The Comeback Plan
10 Steps to End Our Political Nightmare in 3 Years • Executive Summary
This memo is a roadmap: A provocative ten-step plan – building on MVP’s 2026 strategy – to turn our movement, our politics, and our country around – in the next three years.
Part One: Is a Comeback Possible?
Yes – if we go beyond the self-defeating tendencies that no longer serve us. MAGA has built a superior model: A “vertically integrated meta-church,” from the grassroots to the billionaires. Our job now is not to mirror their depravity, but to build a comparably powerful super-movement.
A SWOT Analysis of the Democratic Coalition
- Strengths: Our coalition has greater diversity, stronger policies, and factual grounding. We also should have opposition-party electoral advantages, at least through 2027.
- Weaknesses: Our coalition is internally divided and strategically stuck. We’ve lost the trust of young and working-class voters, and Democrats’ brand reputation is at a historic low.
- Opportunities: Key voters who shifted right in 2024 — voters of color, young voters, and irregular voters — are politically “elastic” and can be won back. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s harmful actions create an opening to offer these voters an alternative.
- Threats: The opposition is winning the information war, and they are actively implementing an authoritarian playbook, gaining ground, and escalating on all fronts.
Opportunities
- Millions of Pissed-Off Voters. A growing number of Americans are being harmed by the current administration's policies. It’s up to us to show up, empathize, and offer solutions.
- Trump World Dumpster Fire. Trump is underwater in polls, and his coalition is fraying. Meanwhile, Democrats are consistently overperforming in special elections.
- Our Side is Showing Signs of Life. Our base is energized and organized. Our coalition is evolving and pioneering new strategies. New groups and networks are emerging.
Part Two: So What’s the Plan?
STEP 1: Knock Authoritarianism Back on Its Heels: Win key elections in November 2025 to gain momentum and put the opposition on the defensive, then win again in 2026 - from Congress to down-ballot ballot measures and legislative, executive, and judicial races. And, all along the way, stage widespread civil resistance to delegitimize the Trump regime and grow our people power.
STEP 2: Reimagine the Left as Confident, Joyful, Bridge-Builders: Rebuild a big-tent coalition rooted in popular policies, inclusive values, and a welcoming culture that wins hearts and minds.
STEP 3: Rebrand Our Coalition: Create a new, inspiring meta-brand with a clear symbol, color, message, and story that fosters a sense of collective identity and cohesion, like MAGA on the right.
STEP 4: Launch a Bold and Catchy "ABC" Economic Agenda: Craft a simple, memorable platform - for example, Affordability, a Billionaire Tax, and Care (universal healthcare, childcare, elder care).
STEP 5: Train and Deploy Thousands of Empathetic Organizers: Fund a network of organizers who engage year-round with millions of voters and build political power beyond any one election.
STEP 6: Build Our Digital Swarm: Invest in a fleet of online creators and platforms to surpass the opposition's media influence, winning the information war with engaging, story-driven content.
STEP 7: Influence the Candidates – and the Culture: Build so much people-powered momentum and energy by mid-2026 that it shifts public opinion and emboldens Democrats to campaign on a bold, popular agenda voters believe in — and then govern with a mandate to enact that agenda.
STEP 8: Overperform in 2026: Win Congress and the States: Leverage grassroots energy to flip the House of Representatives and make significant gains in the Senate and at the state level, creating a bulwark against authoritarianism and setting the stage for progressive governance.
STEP 9: Win a Democratic Trifecta in 2028: Build on our electoral progress and mobilize reinspired Democratic voters to win the Presidency, House, and Senate — a governing majority.
STEP 10: Govern as Boldly as the Crisis in People’s Lives: Once in power in 2029, we need sustained grassroots energy that gives the new administration and Congress the political cover to to enact The Big Reboot — a governing program to repair the damage of the Trump regime, immediately address the affordability crisis, and reform the system in tangible and lasting ways.
Part Three: Your Role in the Plan
Join the Movement
Get involved as a super-volunteer in effective local and national organizations – and invite others!
→ Resource: Take action with MVP partners & allies.
Fund the Movement
Expanding the Pie: Three Kinds of Donors We Need to Enlist
- Donors who mostly stay out of politics: The Trump regime is threatening every cause we care about. It’s going to take all of us to stop the harm, vote them out, and keep them out.
- Donors who usually just give to candidates: Yes, candidates need money, but investing in local organizing and movement building is how we get to real, long-term governing power.
- For donors who mainly give in big election years: The huge political changes we need to bring about are simply not possible if all we do is give money every 2-4 years. If we want to get to real, long-term governing power, we have to invest accordingly!
Long-Term Giving for Long-Term Winning: Four Steps for Donors
- Pick your groups: Choose organizations you trust, or give to a strategic grantmaker like MVP, which, like a political “mutual fund,” channels money to the best groups nationwide.
- Make your plan: Work with your financial advisor (plus spouse or relevant stakeholders) to write a plan: How much you will consistently give each year, and a simple giving schedule.
- Fund with consistency: Set up a recurring monthly, quarterly, or annual contribution. The more automated, the better! Contact the group(s) you’re funding to share your giving plans.
- Update your will: Put your favorite organizations in your will and estate planning – just in case! – and let them know you’re doing it.
→ Resource: Contact the MVP team for support in crafting your giving plan.
Memo to Leaders: Let’s Talk – and Grow Together
Creators, organizers, leaders, elected officials, party operatives: Forward this memo, share your reflections, and pilot your ideas. Start small or go big — but above all else, don’t wait!
