62% of Dem Voters Want Dem Leadership Replaced. Conversely, FDR Dems Are Wildly Popular.

Zohran Mamdani won the NYC mayoral primary by having a genuine understanding of everyday issues. How did he come to understand these fundamental issues? He engaged with tens of thousands of people in every neighborhood, asking them what they specifically need and want. While establishment Democrats may lie, insult candidates like Mamdani, use racist tropes, make unfounded guesses about voters, or waste money on consultants, Mamdani and candidates like him, truly understand the lives and issues of the people they wish to represent. The establishment does not. Mamdani took the traditional route—visiting every community, asking questions, and listening attentively. This enabled him to create bold, practical, and strong ideas. In essence, he won on the issues, not by targeting a nonexistent group called the “center.”

Currently, our Democratic leaders are resistant to change and can’t grasp why the base is angry. According to a recent Ipsos poll, 62% of Democrats want new leadership, with only 24% wanting the current leadership to remain.

There is nothing more crucial in public service than genuinely asking people what they need and collaborating on solutions. The establishment in the Democratic Party needs to understand this.

In the run-up to the November 2024 election, as I knocked on doors in Michigan, Wisconsin, and occasionally in Arizona, I repeatedly heard the same sentiment: “The Democratic Party tells me what to think and feel, but they don’t actually ask us for our thoughts.”

Sadly, I agree. When Democrats do ask, it’s often a small group in just “seven swing states.” In Michigan and Wisconsin, my focus was on independent voters. Notably, none of them identified as “centrists” or “moderates,” terms they often found disrespectful. Such labels annoy many people under 49 yrs old. One woman in her early forties remarked that “centrist” or “moderate” sounds like something from the 1970s, possibly created by some politician. She said she was a lifelong Democrat but voted independently for Jill Stein in 2024 because she was “sick to death of the Democrats’ corporate nonsense and diluted solutions.”

I will always remember a man I met, named Chuck, from Michigan. At 47, he explained why the terms “centrist” and “moderate” felt wrong to him: “It just feels a bit too easy and convenient for politicians. They like things easy, don’t they? Placing everyone into categories with labels.” Sitting with friends on his driveway, enjoying drinks, he continued, “I don’t want diluted, watered down solutions. I want actions that work, not old, rehashed ideas designed to appeal to some group politicians want to attract. I want bold, effective solutions. I can’t afford my kids’ sports programs, school expenses, monthly bills, and save for retirement.” With determination, he added, “I want someone to introduce new ideas that truly solve problems, not lie to me with branded packages. I don’t care if you are a Democrat, Republican, independent, or the Queen of Sheba. Just make life easier for me. I work hard and I’m not getting any younger. It isn’t getting easier, but it should be. If Democrats genuinely wanted to hear us, they'd be out here asking. You’re the only one I’ve spoken to recently. They want the easy path. All they're after is money and corporate alliances.”
Chuck's perspective is valid. There is no “center” or “middle,” but there are real people with real issues. Data from major polls ( Ipsos, Quinnipac, CNN, etc) show that about 50-60% of Americans are now independent or issue voters. Democrats need to acknowledge this shift.

People resistant to change or those who might be gaslighting you will always criticize those who innovate or propose new ideas. Democratic leaders are fighting Dem innovators harder than Republicans supporting this awful budget bill. They need to halt this behavior, or they risk being left on an island of discontent in 2026.

Mamdani’s victory wasn’t an anomaly; he is attuned to the times. He recognized the crucial issues and didn’t care whether constituents leaned right or left. He simply listened and presented new, bold ideas—American ideas. He’s an FDR Democrat with sensible, bold plans.
What is needed for candidates and incumbents in 2026 and 2028 who intend to win:

• Be fighters, not fakers.
• Communicate authentically, not robotically, with genuine sincerity.
• Listen, genuinely engage, and patiently be silent.
• Present transformative, bold solutions.
• Reach out to rural areas and really listen.
• Disregard labels and offer populist-progressive, independent ideas.

To older corporate Democrats, Democratic leaders, and incumbents clinging to outdated labels like “center” or “middle”, it's time to seek a lobbying job and get out of politics.
Racist remarks from Democratic and Republican leaders about Zohran Mamdani or any candidate are despicable. It's disgusting. When these leaders are spending more time criticizing political candidates about something they did not actually say, but will get on their donors good side for saying it, it is revolting.

Dear Democratic leaders: When you appear fearful of a strong, talented, FDR-like Democrat with practical, voter-driven ideas, you look weak and harm the Democratic brand. Stop undermining our power and ruining our reputation.
And as a gentle reminder, stop criticizing AOC, Jasmine Crockett, Delia Ramirez, Ro Khanna and others speaking out against your “wait your turn” BS. They are ready, are fighters and you would be wise to listen to them. Sit down and throw out that old 2008 rulebook. It doesn’t work anymore.

Keep boycotting, protesting, calling your friends in red states to speak up to their GOP reps and supporting challenger candidates who listen and understand the issues for 2026.

Action Item: As I file this for publishing on 7/2/25, the immoral GOP budget bill has passed the senate and moves back to the House. Call your friends in red states who have Republican representatives and beg them to call their district offices to vote no on this horrifying abomination that kicks 17 million folks off their healthcare, takes food away from 25% of all kids in school and adds $4 Trillion to the deficit.

Finally, don’t forget to support local candidates!