More than a few journalists, pundits, commentators, and others are bemoaning what they see as the Democratic Party’s downward spiral. The Democrats have no message. The Democratic Party is broken and beyond repair. The Democrats are in disarray with no sign of rebounding anytime soon - and so on. For all the Chicken Littles among the pundit class and beyond who believe that the political sky is falling on the Democratic Party, allow me to remind you that politics is cyclical.

During the mid-1990s, there were countless articles about how the Republican Party was in the political wilderness, mortally wounded, bereft of any ideas, etc. Less than four years later, in 2000, the GOP won the White House (with the help of the Supreme Court) and Congress. Let’s go back even further. Remember in early to mid-1991 when George Bush Sr. reigned victoriously after Operation Desert Storm and his popularity was at a record 92 percent? Virtually every one in the pundit class argued at the time that Bush Sr. was unbeatable and that the Democrats were going to “set out 1992” and came up with various other scenarios.

The late Ron Brown (the Democratic Party’s first Black Chair) emphatically stated that such a sentiment “was absolutely absurd,” and that the party was going to wage a fierce battle in an effort to take back the White House. A year and a half later, Bill Clinton won the 1992 presidential election (Bill-Clinton,) and Bush and his administration packed up and left the White House. Many people from all walks of life argued that the late H. Ross Perot, being a candidate, took votes from George Bush Sr. and thus enabled Clinton’s victory. While that argument is debatable, the fact is that Clinton’s campaign message - “it’s the economy stupid” - was most likely the definitive factor in ensuring his victory.

The truth is that, for all those taking perverse pleasure in what you perceive to be the political demise of the Democratic Party, you will likely find yourselves disillusioned and shell-shocked in the not too distant political future, particularly given Trump and his copresident Elon Musk’s current antics.

The reality is that, two months into Trump’s second term, the honeymoon is over. His job approval numbers plunged from 8.5 points to just one point in the Real Clear Politics average. Musk’s numbers are even worse. A recent Washington Post-Ipsos poll revealed that the public overwhelmingly oppose mass civil service firings; shuttering of federal agencies, including foreign aid conduit USAID; banning transgender people from military service; and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Moreover, numerous media reports have detailed how Trump’s tariffs have depressed consumer confidence and generated a possible recession.

Last week, polling gave Democrats a three-point advantage in the generic congressional ballot test. It would take little effort for Democrats to regain the House - they need only three seats to regain the majority in 2026. The only time during the last 75 years that the party out of power failed to garner at least four seats was during the 2002 midterm elections when President George W. Bush was riding high in the polls after the 9/11 tragedy but had not yet embarked upon the Iraq War. Dick Cheney had much to do with engineering the latter event.

Things have becomes so dicey for the Republican Party that Speaker Mike Johnson and many other prominent leaders have urged Republican politicians to refrain from lawmakers during their private weekly meeting in the Capitol’s basement. This comes as Republican town halls have devolved into angry shouting matches across the country. Indeed, they have devolved into forums where irate voters confront members of Congress about callous spending cuts they are proposing and about President Trump’s ruthless desire to terminate federal workers and defund various programs across government.

Rather, the major challenge facing the party at the moment is strategy. Various individuals have divergent opinions on how to proceed. Centrists and neoliberals such as party consultant James Carville argued in a recent New York Times op-ed James Carville that “the most radical thing [Democrats] can do” is nothing at all. Yes, you read that correctly.

The reality is that such a “give your opponent enough rope to hang themselves and it will happen” response is demonstrably irresponsible. Carville himself should be (and likely is) aware that no competent or responsible person or organization would “take a break” when they are being severely attacked and in considerable danger of being defeated. Such a “wait and see” attitude is irresponsible and arguably disingenuous. The fact is that such a benign form of respectability politics is insufficient in a political climate that is anything but respectable or polite.

Numerous Democratic congresspeople displayed their dissatisfaction toward President Trump during his address to Congress and the nation. These included several women wearing pink, others wearing black, and Representative Rashida Tlaib and others holding paddles with statements written on them. Texas representative Al Green heckled the president (and was later censured by some of his colleagues for doing so), and a few Democrats left the room during Trump’s speech. Ten House Democrats on Thursday joined Republicans and censured Green. These Democrats represented largely purple districts. Other party leaders decided to ban together by singing the beloved civil rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome” on the house floor. Truth be told such largely hollow performative antics succeed in primarily arousing cringeworthy degrees of cynicism and do little to reassure voters that democratic officials possess either the sincerity or temerity to do battle with the Trump administration.

Democrats, at the moment, appear to be clueless or at the very least apprehensive about taking on President Trump and the draconian efforts that he and his administration are ruthlessly employing against various agencies throughout the government and the nation. In fact, they must grow a backbone and make it transparent that they are fighting for the people to prevent the nation from becoming autocratic and fascist. Simply waiting for Trump to implode politically (which he may very well do) is not the wisest choice of action.

Sad to say, Trump, if anything, is a political Houdini. He has managed to evade justice throughout his life, including during his tenure as president. It is as if he has made a deal with the devil. While karma may indeed catch up with him (karma has been distressingly belated), the best course of action for the Democrats is to get proactive, develop a clear, unambiguous message, and declare to their constituencies that they are ready to address their needs and concerns. The current affairs facing the nation are far too dire not to do so.