Dear Friends,

ON THIS WEEK’S PODCAST AND RADIO PROGRAM:

(01:21) My Veterans Day reflection from Omaha Beach;
(18:11) Does the Iowa Democratic Party have a viable future?
(36:15) Does the Green Party have a viable future?, with Holly Hart and Mike Feinstein;
(53:19) Crafting with local plants, with Lindsey Good.

Face it: the Iowa Democratic Party is irrelevant. Beyond losing national influence due to the demise of the Iowa Caucuses, Iowa Democrats have almost zero power to affect public policy at the state level.

In case you disagree, here’s a quick reminder:

— All six of Iowa’s members of Congress are Republican.

— Only one Democrat holds statewide office, Auditor Rob Sand, who barely won re-election in 2022 against a little-known, poorly-funded opponent.

— Democrats in the Iowa House dropped from 47 seats six years ago to 33 today. In the Iowa Senate, Democrats hold a mere 15 seats, down from 19 six years ago.

— Democrats account for 29.2% of registered voters, down from 34.5% in 2008 when Democrats held the state government trifecta.

Anybody want to argue that this isn’t the very definition of irrelevance? I’m up for that argument. If the Democratic Party doesn’t undergo a radical transformation, permanent minority-party status is practically guaranteed.

But there is a path back to relevance, one that could lead to parity with Republicans by the end of the decade, and perhaps even majority party status in the years to come.

It’s a path most political operatives will reject out of hand. It begins with recognition that the Democratic Party brand is so tarnished that, in many races, it’d be better to run as an independent than as a Democrat.

So, here’s my four-part, tough-love proposal on how to fix things:

1. ELECTIONS. Other than supporting Rob Sand, should he decide to run for governor in 2026, the Party shouldn’t waste its time on elections over the next two cycles. If that sounds like the antithesis of what it means to be a political party, read on.

2. LEADERSHIP. Invite all registered Democrats to vote for a new Party chair and an entirely new state central committee. Conduct the election by mail and email over a tight, two-month period. Give rank-and-file Democrats a chance to weigh in on Party leadership without having to slog through day-long county, district, and state conventions.

3. MONEY. Dedicate only a minimal amount of staff time to fundraising. Accept no donations from corporate political action committees or any individual donation over $2,500.

4. REFOCUS. Most important, transition the Party from an overtly political entity to a grassroots, public service organization. Call it something like “Caring Democrats” (I’m just shooting from the hip here). Seed CD chapters in every city and county in Iowa. Focus on local, even personal, challenges that directly impact people’s lives. Wear a shirt, hat, or button identifying you as a CD.

CDs should be eager to help where ever they’re needed.

An older woman living alone in Lorimor needs a broken window fixed before winter. That’s a great job for the Lorimor CDs to tackle.

A Mexican-American family in Denison needs help learning English. Denison CDs are there to help.

Parents of children in the Orient-Macksburg School District are concerned about the proposed closing of their school. That’s a great opportunity for the Orient CDs to offer perspective, organizing skills, and assistance.

When it comes to bigger issues, such as the proposed CO2 Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline, city and county CDs along the proposed pipeline route could advocate that eminent domain not be used to build the pipeline. They could also help landowners directly in the pipeline’s path in very specific, personal ways, since many landowners must spend painful amounts of time, money, and effort fighting the pipeline.

In Cedar Rapids, when union members went on strike against Cargill, local CD groups could have joined workers on the picket line, brought meals to families impacted by the strike, and supported workers in so many ways.

Who does this work? Mostly volunteers, facilitated by a scaled-back state party staff, with field staff in low-budget offices around the state.

Bottom line, successful political organizing with an eye toward the long haul is less about broad, national issues and “messaging.” It’s more about listening to people where they live, standing with them in the struggles that affect them directly, and making a clear and immediate difference in their lives.

I think this’d be a very effective strategy for Democrats. But I kinda doubt the Party’s leadership will agree. Maybe a third party — Green, Libertarian, or Forward — could effectively employ the strategy. For sure, in the two-party system America is stuck with, there’s a clear relevance gap to be filled.

Thanks for reading, listening, and taking action. — Ed Fallon

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In addition to our PODCAST, listen to the Fallon Forum on these affiliates:

– KHOI 89.1 FM (Ames, Iowa)
– KICI.LP 105.3 FM (Iowa City, Iowa)
– WHIV 102.3 FM (New Orleans, Louisiana)
– KPIP-LP, 94.7 FM (Fayette, Missouri)
– KCEI 90.1 FM (Taos, New Mexico)
– KRFP 90.3 FM (Moscow, Idaho)
– WGRN 94.1 FM (Columbus, Ohio)
– KKFI 90.1 FM (Kansas City, Missouri)