New York Times columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom has criticized Democrats for their reliance on Barack Obama to save the party following their 2024 defeat. Cottom argues that depending on Obama to rescue the party is ‘undignified’ and weak, suggesting that change should come from grassroots movements rather than from above. She emphasizes the need for the party to find its own leadership and highlights the importance of direct, sustained protest in protecting their cause.
The columnist notes that the Democratic Party is currently lacking strong national leadership after Kamala Harris’ defeat in the 2024 election. Cottom points out that figures such as Sen. Chris Murphy, Sen. Cory Booker, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez offer ‘glimmers of a charismatic party head,’ but she suggests that even if Obama were to return, he would struggle in the current political environment characterized by social media algorithms and tech monopolies.
Cottom also discusses the phenomenon of ‘Obama Derangement Syndrome,’ suggesting that some Democrats still believe Obama can unring the bell of the current political climate. She argues that the party’s search for a ‘charismatic preacher’ has led to calls for figures like Joe Rogan or a politician with entertainment chops to sell their message, but she contends that this approach is misguided. Instead, she advocates for a more coherent ideology with committed adherents rather than relying on media personalities.
In her piece, Cottom also addresses the broader issue of misinformation and the deterioration of shared reality, pointing out the prevalence of AI-generated videos and political memes that contribute to the current political climate. She argues that these factors make Obama’s return an unlikely solution and highlights the need for the Democratic Party to develop a more effective strategy for countering the current administration’s policies.
The article also references a recent Atlantic article by Mark Leibovich, which highlights the criticism from progressives that Obama has been too absent in the face of Trump’s brazen actions. Leibovich notes that despite Trump’s increasingly aggressive stance, the Democratic Party continues to lack a strong communicator, with Obama’s ‘audacity of hope’ presidency giving way to a ‘fierce lethargy of semi-retirement.’