Should Democrats Prioritize Progressives or Moderates?

Would a Shift Toward Progressives Energize Democratic Voters or Discourage Moderates?

By William Walter, Executive Director, Our Wisconsin Revolution, and Bryan Goodman, Local Government Official and Campaign Staffer

It’s Time for Bold Progressive Policies

By William Walter – Executive Director, Our Wisconsin Revolution

As a long-time organizer and young progressive leader, I try to avoid using hyperbolic, fear-mongering rhetoric as I believe disingenuous scare tactics do a disservice to American voters. However, November 2024 feels like a truly pivotal moment, the importance of which cannot be exaggerated. Democracy is on the ballot and winning this election is imperative, as we risk losing the opportunity to do so ever again. 

Democrats must focus our efforts on the most important demographic in our base: progressives, especially young progressives. Young people are more progressive than their Democratic peers and when they vote, Democrats win. This is not complicated, we must not overthink it. Many young progressives are tired of years of catering to the “moderate Democrat” and are ready for change. 

Democrats Left Votes on the Table in 2020

Millions of left-leaning Americans feel alienated by a political system that, for decades, has served the interests of capital rather than the interests of constituents. They are searching for a party aligned with their dreams and desires, and they refuse to be shepherded into a “Republican-Lite” party. These individuals, while unlikely to vote Republican, may sit out elections if not sufficiently motivated. 

In 2020, Democrats won with the highest turnout for a presidential election in over 100 years; however, nearly 80 million voters stayed home. The democratic leadership’s decision to build campaigns around “moderate Democrats” while one-third of Democratic voters sat out the 2020 election amounts to electoral malpractice. Senator Bernie Sanders highlighted the power of the progressive movement when he went from relative obscurity to one of the most popular politicians in the country. Sanders’ campaign crowdfunded a run to the White House and redefined what a people-powered progressive campaign could look like. 

Organic excitement cannot be manufactured, it must be authentic. Bold, unapologetic progressive legislation polls extremely well across demographics. Aggressive support for popular progressive policies drives the energy and momentum needed to defeat authoritarianism. 

Progress over Fear

We cannot continue to rely on fear to propel turnout. Fear and anxiety lead to paralysis and electoral withdrawal. Arguing “We’re not going to hurt you like they are” is no longer sufficient. Instead, Democrats must energize voters with a message of hope, passion, and progress: “We are going to help you, and here is how!” Progressivism is the ignition powering the engine of tomorrow. 

Moderate Democrats have been the focus of the party for too long—it’s the reason we are in this position today. Some of our most accomplished leaders, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt used progressive principles to drive great reforms for our country. We must reclaim our past if we wish to reshape our future.

Progressives Made Progress under the Biden Administration

By Bryan Goodman – Local Government Official and Campaign Staffer

Despite two impeachments and multiple indictments, Donald Trump’s continued political influence poses an unprecedented threat to our democracy. The 2024 Presidential election presents a unique opportunity for the Democratic Party to build the most ideologically diverse coalition in generations. As Mr. Walter states, democracy is on the ballot this November and a broad coalition of American voters is needed to prevent Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

The moderate and centrist factions of the major American political parties played a significant role in getting Joe Biden to the White House nearly four years ago. This was evident in states such as Georgia and Arizona, which hadn’t voted Democratic in decades. Losing even a small fraction of these voters could lead to defeat this November, putting progressive policy victories at risk in a second Trump administration.

Senator Bernie Sanders has worked tirelessly to bring progressive values to the front and center of Democratic policy. His 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns attracted tremendous grassroots support. I understand the progressive wing’s frustration with the slow pace of change within the Democratic Party. Unfortunately, such massive shifts in public opinion and policy can take longer than one wishes.

Progressive Influence to Shape Policy

During President Biden’s term, we’ve seen once unimaginable victories, including the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, expanded healthcare access, caps on drug costs for seniors, historic climate action, and student debt relief. President Biden has governed much more to the left than expected thanks to the tireless work of progressives who helped elect him. While Progressives may be critical or supportive depending on the issue, they must nonetheless work hard to get Democratic candidates elected in order to shape future policies. We can’t let perfect be the enemy of good in these dire times.

The energy of the Progressive Left is needed to keep the Democratic Party moving forward, but they also need to accept certain political realities. Yes, Senators like Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema stood in the way of various progressive policies, but the Democrats only controlled small majorities in Congress. If Democrats had gained just a few more Senate seats in 2018 and 2020, many of the major bills passed during the Biden presidency would have been more favorable to progressives.

Donald Trump and his Project 2025 agenda seek to dismantle the major progressive victories of the past century. Democrats must now unite to preserve our recent achievements and elect a Democratic Congress to ensure progress continues. Our future depends on a united Democratic coalition committed to defeating the Republican threat and protecting the progress we’ve fought to achieve.

We Need to Stop Catering to Democratic Centrists and Moderates

By William Walter – Executive Director, Our Wisconsin Revolution

Mr. Goodman is spot on. 2024 presents the Democratic Party with an opportunity to build the most ideologically diverse coalition in generations. This broad coalition of voters is necessary to prevent Donald Trump’s return to the White House, while potentially saving democracy in the process. This is why Democrats must recognize Progressivism as the unifying factor of our broad coalition, the right compromise between the Left and the centrist/moderate, and the key instrument shepherding the many anti-Trump electors together under one big tent. The significant (and quite popular) victories of the Biden Administration underscore this reality.

Now we must amplify the Biden Administration’s massive wins by expanding the potential, enhancing the viability, and executing the promise. Achievements mentioned by Mr. Goodman—on infrastructure, healthcare, climate, prescription drugs, and student debt—were influenced by the Progressive wing. Before the 2020 election, many of these wins would have been classified as progressive, not centrist or moderate. But they are supported across the Democratic spectrum. Progressivism bonds the myriad factions of our party. The popularity of these historic victories, and the Democratic Party’s urgency to enact them, highlight why keeping Progressives happy is vital for future Democratic election chances.

While I recognize the role that the moderate and centrist factions of the party played in the 2020 election, I would not characterize it as significant. Rather, I believe a substantial number of potential Democratic votes were left on the table. Perhaps the Biden administration noticed and governed more to the left than expected because of this.

Progressive Messages Mobilize Democratic Voters

Mr. Goodman is correct that massive shifts in public policy cannot occur overnight. However, as he mentions, Bernie Sanders mobilized tremendous grassroots support in 2016 and 2020. I believe this effort laid the groundwork, now almost a decade later, for this shift toward progressivism to materialize. Democrats must capitalize on the popularity of that message by securing this activated and inspired demographic before they lose interest again. While a small fraction of moderate and centrist voters may be lost, millions of otherwise disenchanted and apathetic voters could be earned. 

The energy of the Progressive Left is needed to continue moving the party forward. I fear Donald Trump and his Project 2025 agenda could come to fruition if we veer off the successful and popular Progressive path we have taken. A unified front is necessary for a November win, but assuming a “united Democratic coalition” is moderate or centrist is unwise, and in my opinion, inaccurate. If anything, as these massive wins and the revitalized energy of a Kamala Harris-led ticket has shown, Progressives are the base of the Democratic Party. 

Progressive policies are the unifying aspect of a broad Democratic coalition. We cannot continue to ask Progressives to capitulate while centrists and moderates are catered to. To defeat Donald Trump, the Left and the moderate/centrist must cooperate, coalescing around our shared progressive values. 

Progressives and Moderates Proved They Can Work Together

By Bryan Goodman – Local Government Official and Campaign Staffer

I agree with Mr. Walter that the Democrats must build on massive wins of the Biden Administration. Most of the popular policies within these historic pieces of legislation were born from Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns, which have massively shifted the Democratic Party’s ideology. Joe Biden, the centrist Senator, versus Joe Biden, the more progressive President, has shown the power of the Progressive Movement. 

But I am not entirely sold on Mr. Walter’s point that the Biden Administration has governed more progressively than expected because some Democratic voters sat out the 2020 election. It’s plausible that Biden listened to his party’s Left flank and did what he could throughout the legislative process to work with them in order to achieve policy victories. 

Democrats Can’t Afford to Lose the Party’s Moderates in 2024

I think a broader Democratic coalition in this election cycle will transform into a “little d” democratic coalition for the sake of preserving American Democracy. Recently, a former Republican Senator, Jeff Flake, endorsed Kamala Harris for President, as did Dick Cheney, a former Republican Vice President. Mr. Walter and I both know that Dick Cheney and Jeff Flake are nowhere near staunch Progressives. However, they recognize this unique moment in which it was far more vital to them to put their country over party and endorse a candidate who does not threaten democracy.

Given that a leftward shift in Democratic policy would shed an unknown amount of support from the center of the party, I am not sure if this is the election cycle to do so. There is a unique opportunity here where Democrats can prove, yet again, that MAGA is a losing ideology, and hopefully, put an end to such extreme division in our politics. To do so, Democrats must build a coalition that extends across all regions of the country, from urban and suburban centers to the rural, blue-collar, working-class areas that hold this nation together. The coalition built to defeat Donald Trump needs to be as diverse as possible to send an unequivocal message that Democracy matters in America.

Progressives helped to ensure that Biden’s presidency was one in which the Democrats passed historic legislation to combat climate change, lower prescription drug prices, rebuild our nation’s failing infrastructure, and create millions of high-paying jobs to bring manufacturing back to America. These policies did not alienate the moderate base of Biden’s governing coalition and further proved that Progressives and moderates can work together to achieve policy victories in a Democratic administration. The Harris campaign, and the Democratic Party more broadly, have a diverse coalition that must be managed well with both sides ready to make sacrifices at times. For the sake of American Democracy, I hope both sides understand that and work together to defeat Donald Trump this November.

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William Walter

Executive Director at Our Wisconsin Revolution

William currently serves as the Executive Director of Our Wisconsin Revolution, having previously served as the Policy Research Director and Lead Training Organizer. He has held this position since being introduced to the organization in the wake of the 2020 Presidential cycle. In 2020, he represented the 5th Congressional District of Wisconsin at the Democratic National Convention as a delegate for Senator Bernie Sanders, an incredible experience that inspired his future political engagement. Additionally, he hosted a state-wide radio show across Wisconsin and is currently running for the Wisconsin Assembly. William prides himself in helping to continue driving Wisconsin and the United States “Forward.”

Bryan Goodman

Local Government Official and Campaign Staffer

Bryan is a recent graduate of the Binghamton University M.P.A. program, where he also completed his undergraduate studies in political science. He lives in Westchester County, New York and has volunteered on numerous campaigns within the Lower Hudson Valley. He currently serves as the Secretary of his Town's Democratic Committee, hoping to turn it from a Republican stronghold to a promising Democratic town. He is a fan of the Yankees, as well as The Rolling Stones, and enjoys going on bike rides.