Politics is often seen as a game of chess, but Jonathan Last, a former conservative turned vocal critic of Donald Trump, argues that Democrats need to swap the chessboard for something far more aggressive. Writing in The Bulwark, Last makes a compelling case for Democrats to stop playing the role of the “responsible adults” and start matching the GOP’s fiery tactics with some heat of their own.
No More Helping Hands
Let’s face it: Democrats often swoop in like superheroes to fix the GOP’s chaos. But Last says it’s time to ditch the cape.
“Do not help Republicans,” he writes bluntly. “Not in any way. On any issue. Republicans can’t pass a budget or raise the debt ceiling? Tough luck. No bailout votes. Period. The end.”
Think about it—why keep rescuing a party that refuses to play fair? Instead, Last suggests letting the GOP stew in their own dysfunction. Tough love, right?
Blame Trump—And Do It Loudly
Here’s where it gets interesting. Last urges Democrats to shine a glaring spotlight on Trump, making him the face of every failure, from local issues to global crises.
“Make Donald Trump own every bad outcome,” Last advises. That means hammering home his missteps, especially in areas where the GOP is weak.
Housing Crisis: A GOP Achilles’ Heel
One major weak spot? The housing crisis.
Last points out a critical problem: Trump’s plans for mass deportations will strip the construction industry of immigrant workers, pushing housing starts into a nosedive.
“You can’t address housing affordability without substantially increasing the housing supply,” Last explains. Deporting workers makes this impossible, leaving the GOP with a mess they can’t clean up without creating even bigger problems.
His advice to Democrats? Hammer the issue nonstop. “Make housing the new price of eggs,” he says. Translation: talk about it every day until it sticks.
Jonathan Last’s message is clear: if Democrats want to make an impact, they need to stop playing nice and start playing smart. The stakes are high, but with a little “ruthless aggression,” they might just turn the tide.
What do you think? Should Democrats take a tougher stance, or is there another way forward? Let us know in the comments below!