Time for the Left to Start Rallying Too

By ROB PATTERSON

It’s obvious by now that the 2020 election will be the most critical electoral contest in modern times — if not American history. How can Democrats and the Left not just keep the voter enthusiasm going that led to the blue wave that took back the House of Representatives in 2018 but gin up even further momentum and citizen commitment until then?

It was William Shakespeare who centuries ago coined the phrase that applies to a suggested tactic proposed here: Fight fire with fire.

At the core of Donald Trump’s confounding appeal to his base is his rallies. It’s where his faithful followers bask in the glow of his fake tan in close proximity to the man who should never have been president, insistently holler slogans for actions like “Build the wall!” and “Lock her up!” that have no justification in factuality, and provide legitimate news outlets as well as entertainment TV shows with hilarious if also deeply disturbing evidence of the ignorance and gullibility of (alas) too many American citizens.

On a somewhat more serious note, the rallies do provide Trump with a feedback loop for his frequently misguided policies, specious statements, insults and hate mongering, and generally pugnacious and adolescent comportment, encouraging him with their fervent enthusiasm to continue on his twisted path. And germane to the question posed at the outset, plus in all seriousness, they’re an impressively effective tool, alongside his Twitter feed, for taking his case, flawed as it may be, directly to his people. Even more so, they have allowed a sitting president to campaign for reelection since soon after he was “electoraled” (rather than elected) to the office.

The rallies keep the political coals of Trumpism glowing hotly with occasional flames flaring up. In an era in which politics has become popular entertainment, they serve both purposes.

So why shouldn’t the opposition snatch that page from his playbook and use it to our advantage? It could be a dynamic force that just might make a significant difference in the next general election.

Leftist Democratic rallies would be far different events by the very nature of the party and the Trump opposition, the quickly growing 2020 field of aspiring presidential candidates, and ultimately the (independent) organization(s) that might produce such rallies. But imagine if you will this scenario unfolding later this year:

It’s a Friday night at the biggest indoor arena in a major American city, and a standing room only crowd packs the hall. The evening’s program begins with a brief acoustic set of music by activist singer-songwriter Steve Earle who’s joined by Joan Baez that ends with the audience singing along to his anthem “The Revolution Starts Now.” The enthusiasm further builds from a rousing talk by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, followed by an exhortation about supporting the media from famed newsman Dan Rather. More music from Chicano rock band Los Lobos brings a festive vibe to the affair.

Then local prominent Democratic politicians and/or candidates take the stage for brief presentations/talks. Out comes Jon Stewart to delight the gathering with 10 minutes of razor-sharp political humor. Nancy Pelosi comes up to the podium to talk about what’s at stake. Mark Cuban steps up to talk business and economics. He’s followed by Robert DeNiro delivering a piercing rant on just how sorry Donald Trump is as a man and a president, and then introduces into a quick succession of some 2020 presidential candidates – let’s say Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Tulsi Gabbard, Beto O’Rourke, Joe Biden, Julian Castro maybe a dark horse like John Hickenlooper or Michael Bloomberg – all giving pointed talks of no more than, say, five to eight minutes on major points of policy that America needs to address: climate change, health care, immigration, foreign policy, economics, criminal justice, infrastructure... the list has many possible topics. Finally the night is capped by Bruce Springsteen and his guitar, harmonica and songs, wrapping it all up in a finale of an all-hands-on-deck choral singalong – perhaps joined by a prominent local choir or chorus – on anthems like “We Shall Overcome” or “This Land Is Your Land.”

Now imagine this sort of gathering – call it the “Big Tent Event for American Democracy” as a working title – in cities across the nation every month or so until the 2020 general election begins. The speakers and entertainers would change and rotate, but there are enough possible participants to build strong and dynamic draws to pack out large venues even with a nominal admission fee to cover production costs and perhaps also fundraise for appropriate PACs. The outer halls and outside plazas of the sites could be given over to booths for aligned organizations and causes, with an accent on voter registration and Election Day turnout support.

The events could also, like Trump rallies do, keep the ongoing news cycle bubbling with the messages from the Democratic Left. And similarly be a – pardon the pun – ongoing rallying point for opposition to the Trumpian/GOP agenda. Plus it’s a way for what promises to be a large field of candidates to display solidarity with overriding principles and policies while reaching committed voters in a forum where they can still distinguish themselves from their rivals.

Yes, putting together a slate of such events would be, on the political side of it, like herding cats. It would also require the Left to abandon the circular firing squad and agree at the events to not disparage any other Democratic or independent Left candidates, and stick to skewering the opposition. Financing the gatherings would need funding by generous independent figures or organizations. It wouldn’t be simple to pull it all off, but the possible benefits would outweigh the challenges. And the Leftist rallies could generate a solidarity and energy that might well make a difference.

Beto O’Rourke already demonstrated the potential strength of Dem/Left counter-rallying back in February. He drew what officials estimated to be 7,000 people while Trump packed a 6,500 capacity venue (the president in his inimitably deluded fashion claimed he pulled in 35,000, and that Beto drew maybe 200 to 300). The ACLU is doing a 15-city tour from March through June with a road show that focuses on its resistance to the Trump agenda as a lead-in to the group’s 100th anniversary next year.

Given what’s at stake, all tactics need to be considered. The time has come to out-rally Trump and save our nation.

Rob Patterson is a music and entertainment writer in Austin, Texas. Email orca@prismnet.com.

From The Progressive Populist, April 15, 2019

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