Keen On America

Can Democrats Really Pull a Reagan? How the GOP's 1980 Playbook Could Work for Progressives in 2028

Jul 31, 2025
Peter Wehner, a writer and former speechwriter for President Bush, and Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, discuss how Democrats can reclaim the presidency in 2028. They emphasize the importance of moving away from anti-Trump rhetoric towards a positive agenda focused on prosperity. With the GOP's shift towards scarcity politics, Democrats have a chance to take ownership of the American Dream. The conversation also highlights the influence of outsider candidates and the need for a messaging genius akin to Reagan's to drive their revival.
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INSIGHT

Democrats' Prosperity Opportunity

  • Democrats see a strategic opening to become the party of prosperity, a role lost for two generations.
  • Their path to revival involves focusing on economic growth and the American dream rather than opposition to Trump.
ADVICE

Move Beyond Trump Opposition

  • Democrats must develop a positive, affirmative agenda independent of Donald Trump to regain voter trust.
  • The opening comes as Trump's approval ratings are near his record lows due to perceived incompetence.
INSIGHT

Cultural Shift Needed for Trust

  • Many Democrats admit they are on the wrong side of cultural issues, posing a major hurdle to voter connection.
  • Progressives like Gavin Newsom shifting on transgender policies signal a movement toward the center on culture.
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