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I mean, what you are describing to me is an insane level of capitulation, to the point I read it as consent. If this is going to be what the Democratic party represents, they don't deserve voters and no one should vote for them. The strategy you are outlining is a blind alley strategy, in that there is no way back from it other then to reverse course entirely. Its deeply cynical, ineffective, and acts against Democrats ability to build back power long term. We can't ignore the fact that both a) you are right in the sense that rolling over and showing their bellies is the strategy that Democrats have taken, and that b) this has been an utter and complete disaster and has only served to entrench and empower fascism.
And we see that this strategy has also been deeeply unpopular with voters. We only need to look as far as Mamdani and the DNC primaries to see everything about how mainstream Democrats have conducted themselves is very unpopular with their base. Democrats like Schumer are the least popular they've ever been, and if this:
Is the degree of political strategy you can come up in this moment, you probably shouldnt be in the work of politics.
Frankly what I'm describing is mostly focused on the federal level and specifically the old guard who I think are fundamentally incapable of dealing with Trump. On the state and local level that's an entirely different question which varies wildly depending on regional factors, but for example Mamdani is extremely effective against Republicans in general since he is actually trying, it's the same reason why the progressive caucus is able to somewhat bite back. Best that can be done as of now on the federal level is gridlock Congress, states and local should be actively fucking with the feds and any international shit IMO for example California should pull out of anything to do with the Olympics and schedule all the roadwork in LA while working to sabotage it further.
Also I was mostly sticking to the whole ralley thing, my bias against rallies, parades, and ceremonies cannot be overstated. It's a blind spot that I am very aware of but I can't really correct for since I see it as a form of braggartry, it's to the point my friends joke that I would've skipped my own birth if it was possible hence why I was a C-section so it could be over with the fastest instead. Point is my default response to the concept of an oppositional ralley isn't protest, counter rallies, or even statements it's to call it profligate and to consider it a target rich environment.
Totally agree and understand.
Agree but I think "rationalizing" this is missing why its effective.
Same. I've worked as an organizer for decades and can't stand these things. I'm very much so from the anarchist/ direct action tradition and have always and will always just prefer taking actions to address the issues we identify. If people are hungry, feed them; if people are unhoused, house them: you do not need to ask for permission.
However, I guess I don't see the connection between visibility politics and your broader thesis. I mean its not like Schumer is avoiding visibility politics (which I think is you're suggesting to be the reason why Mamdani has been effective?). Schumer is doing a form of visibility politics, but one which entirely misses the issue. What is winning or moving the ball down the field is resistance politics, which you seem to be advocating against at a national level, because your argument is that the Schumer's of the world aren't competent at it, so they shouldnt try.
My point is largely focused on not doing large counter events specifically, Schumer doing a stupid little media circuit at worst will annoy people but if they did a counter rally and brought out Schumer then that'll piss people off. Fact of the matter is the establishment Dems are either unwilling or incapable of holding against Trump and the Republicans, words must be backed by actions and all people see is capitulation. Mind you I am of the opinion that the Dems generally don't have enough votes to do much, but to me that seems like an issue that should have the response of say expelling Fetterman from the party maybe having one of the younger members punch McConnell IDK.
Like I said earlier this last stupid shit at the Whitehouse was massively unpopular teens for the Republicans single digits for the Democrats. Frankly letting it sit and be visible while calling it stupid, expensive, and corrupt while not giving a damn about the actual events is far more impactful than if they did a counter thing elsewhere. Same will probably be even more true on July 4th especially as shit continues to worsen since Trump is doing the circus without the bread which generally just pisses people off.
Point is the Dem establishment have created an issue via their own stupidity and weak willed actions that has directly fucked their ability to respond. Had they come out the gates swinging people would be a lot more forgiving but between the ratchet effect and bipartisan bullshit on their side they've made themselves impotent, individual members can get away with proper responses but the party as a whole can't. Well they could but ego, corruption, and stupidity wont allow them to say do a media event with just the progressive caucus and their internal allys.