Can the Center Hold? Bret Stephen’s on Reclaiming the Democratic Message
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from April 30, 2025 | Still 45 Months to Go: Trump, America, and the World. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, New York Times opinion columnist and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Bret Stephens joined public radio host Larry Mantle to reflect on the state of the Democratic Party in the wake of Donald Trump’s tumultuous return to the presidency. While known for his conservative leanings and long-standing opposition to Trump, Stephens turned his attention to the Democrats—urging them to shift away from performative opposition and toward a coherent, centrist governing agenda that can appeal to disaffected voters.
When Democrats Oppose Instead of Propose
Stephens was blunt in his diagnosis: “There’s only one political movement in America less popular than Donald Trump and MAGA—and that’s the Democratic Party.” According to Stephens, Democrats have too often relied on sweeping character attacks, labeling Trump a fascist or autocrat, while failing to offer voters a compelling alternative.
His advice was simple: “Don’t oppose—propose.” Voters, he argued, are exhausted by alarmist rhetoric and want to hear credible solutions to real problems like inflation, health care access, and education. The strategy of casting Trump as uniquely dangerous may rally the base, but it doesn’t persuade swing voters. “If it hasn’t worked in 10 years,” he asked, “why do Democrats keep trying it?”
Make America Normal Again
Stephens believes the path to victory lies in reclaiming the political center. He pointed to moderate Democratic figures like Seth Moulton, Andy Beshear, Ro Khanna, and Richie Torres as examples of leaders who could present a more grounded and unifying vision of governance. “The Democrats need to put forward candidates who don’t look like Kamala Harris or AOC,” he said, “but who embody a sense of pragmatism, competence, and calm.”
He even floated a slogan: Make America Normal Again—a direct counter to Trump’s chaos-driven style of leadership and branding.
The Need for a Democratic Reformation
Stephens called for a “civil war” within the Democratic Party—not to divide it, but to reinvigorate it. Just as the Democratic Leadership Council in the 1980s helped pull the party toward the political mainstream and paved the way for Bill Clinton’s presidency, Stephens believes a similar effort is urgently needed now. “Democrats need a mechanism to develop and articulate real policy ideas before the next primary begins,” he said.
He noted a lack of intellectual infrastructure behind today’s party, even as thoughtful leaders like Ro Khanna offer policy-rich ideas. Without that backbone, the party risks being defined solely by opposition to Trump—and little else.
Lessons from 2024’s Failure
Stephens was especially critical of how Democrats handled the 2024 election, calling it “a disgrace.” He accused party leaders of misleading the public about President Biden’s cognitive fitness and of failing to organize a proper primary after Biden’s late exit. “They were more interested in deceiving themselves than in being honest with voters,” he said.
He also questioned the swift consolidation around Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that she lacked the political instincts and broad appeal necessary to win a national election. The result, he said, was a missed opportunity to put forward a stronger, more centrist candidate.
A Path to Redemption
Despite his criticisms, Stephens believes the Democrats still have a chance to rebuild—if they’re willing to learn from their mistakes. That means focusing less on name-calling and more on delivering tangible benefits to everyday Americans. It means showing seriousness about reforming entitlement programs and confronting wasteful spending, not because it’s a Republican talking point, but because it’s responsible governance.
“Trump thrives on half-truths,” Stephens concluded. “The best way to defeat him isn’t to shout louder—it’s to offer better answers.”
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.