The Good Fight Bret Stephens on Why the Democrats Are Despairing
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Oct 16, 2025 
Bret Stephens, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times and editor-in-chief of SAPIR, dives into the transformative impact of Trump on American political culture. He discusses the Democrats' core issues, advocating that they address policy failures rather than just messaging. Bret also explores why centrist governance is essential for winning over conflicted voters. Highlighting the struggles of moderate parties worldwide, he asserts that optimism and strong leadership are crucial for breaking the cycle of despair in politics.
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Corrosion Over Catastrophe
- Trump corrodes political norms and degrades the soft tissue that sustains American democracy.
- Bret Stephens warns that corrosion can lead to catastrophic institutional failure over time.
Acknowledge Mistakes And Propose Solutions
- Democrats must acknowledge policy mistakes and offer concrete solutions rather than treating issues as mere communication failures.
- Stephens urges sensible immigration controls paired with a welcoming, pragmatic admissions policy.
Charisma Matters For Centrism
- Moderate politics require both credible policy shifts and genuine political charisma to persuade voters.
- Stephens argues the primary challenge is finding leaders who can sell muscular centrism to the public.
