Overview

• Walz urged at the South Carolina convention that Democrats should "be a little meaner" in confronting what he called Trump’s bullying and authoritarian tendencies.
• At the California Democratic Party convention, Walz blamed Democrats for losing working-class support in 2024 and characterized last year's election result as a "primal scream" from alienated voters.
• He argued that Democrats must deliver bold, transformative policies rather than incremental changes to demonstrate their commitment to improving everyday lives.
• Senator Cory Booker reinforced the call for a return to core Democratic principles and collective action against what he described as "Trumpism."
• Party leaders are now incorporating these messages into a broader strategy to refine economic messaging and prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.