Bad Faith Episode 492 - Running to Beat Pelosi (w/ Saikat Chakrabarti)
Jul 17, 2025
Saikat Chakrabarti, former chief of staff to AOC and co-founder of Justice Democrats, discusses his bold campaign against Nancy Pelosi for the San Francisco congressional seat. He shares insights on the challenges of progressive politics within the Democratic Party and the need for innovative grassroots strategies. Saikat reflects on successful campaign tactics, the pressing issues of housing affordability, and the importance of community engagement. His journey highlights a transformative vision aimed at mobilizing disenfranchised voters against the establishment.
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Campaign With Tangible Promises
- Run campaigns with tangible promises that voters can directly relate to and feel empowered by.
- Build a slate of candidates who can collectively deliver on those promises for more impact.
New Media's Electoral Power
- Social media's evolution allows opponents of establishment politicians to bypass traditional endorsements.
- Direct voter engagement and national attention can compensate for lack of party machine support.
Focus on Key Affordability Issues
- The affordability crisis in San Francisco centers on housing, healthcare, childcare, and utilities.
- Policies like Medicare for All could alleviate municipal budget deficits and protect local services.