Democrats’ Project 2029 Sparks Hope and Tension Over Party’s Future Vision
Sarah Johnson
July 4, 2025
Brief
Democrats’ Project 2029 aims to unify the party with a bold agenda but risks alienating its coalition, sparking debate over ideas versus narrative.
The Democratic Party’s latest venture, Project 2029, is stirring both excitement and unease as strategists grapple with its ambitious blueprint for the party’s next presidential nominee. Spearheaded by Andrei Cherny, former Arizona Democratic Party Chair, the initiative aims to craft a cohesive agenda by uniting the party’s brightest minds. Drawing inspiration from the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, Cherny’s plan seeks to transform his publication, Democracy: A Journal of Ideas, into a guiding book for the 2028 primaries.
Yet, not everyone’s on board. Some Democrats fear the project could fracture the party’s fragile coalition, dubbed the 'interest-group Borg' by critics. Prominent pollster Celinda Lake argues the party’s woes stem not from a lack of policies but from a failure to weave them into a compelling narrative. 'We’re drowning in acronyms and stats,' Lake said, urging a clearer vision of what Democrats stand for.
Others, like Neera Tanden of the Center for American Progress, warn against underestimating the appeal of simple, bold ideas—like Trump’s 'no tax on tips'—that resonate with working-class voters. Meanwhile, skeptics like Adam Jentleson, former chief of staff to Sen. John Fetterman, caution that pandering to every faction risks diluting the party’s message. 'You can’t fix the mess by checking every box,' he quipped.
Despite concerns, optimists like Michael Tomasky of The New Republic see Project 2029 as a chance to rebrand Democrats as champions of the underdog, without the radical edge of its conservative counterpart. As the party navigates this tightrope, the question remains: can it unite behind a bold vision without tripping over its own feet?
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Editor's Comments
Project 2029 sounds like the Democrats are trying to herd cats while riding a unicycle—ambitious, but one wrong move and it’s a circus. Cherny’s betting on a shiny new playbook, but when your party’s nicknamed a 'Borg,' good luck getting everyone to assimilate without a fight. Here’s a thought: maybe the real agenda should include a masterclass on telling a story that doesn’t sound like a government memo.
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