Introduction
In "Un-Trumping America," Dan Pfeiffer, a former advisor to President Barack Obama, presents a bold plan for how Democrats can fix America's broken political system and undo the damage caused by Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Pfeiffer argues that Trump himself is not the biggest threat to American democracy - rather, it's the Republican Party as a whole, which has fully embraced "Trumpism" and will continue to pose a danger long after Trump leaves office.
This book serves as both a wake-up call and a roadmap for Democrats. Pfeiffer contends that it's not enough to simply defeat Trump in an election; Democrats must also enact sweeping reforms to make the political system fairer and prevent another Trump-like figure from rising to power in the future. He outlines an ambitious agenda touching on everything from voting rights to campaign finance to reining in presidential power.
While some of Pfeiffer's proposals may seem radical, he argues that Democrats can no longer afford to play it safe or stick to conventional wisdom. The stakes are simply too high. This book is a call for Democrats to be bold, take risks, and fight aggressively to protect and strengthen American democracy before it's too late.
The Threat of Trumpism
Pfeiffer opens by recounting an eye-opening experience he had at the 2016 Republican National Convention. As a CNN analyst, he was chatting with a Republican who opposed Trump (part of the "Never Trump" movement). Pfeiffer naively expressed hope that after Trump's expected loss, his crazy supporters would leave the Republican Party. The Never Trumper responded incredulously, saying these people were here to stay.
This exchange made Pfeiffer realize that Trump wasn't just a temporary anomaly - he represented a more fundamental shift in Republican politics that would outlast his presidency. While Trump himself may be uniquely unqualified and corrupt, "Trumpism" as a political philosophy has taken firm root in the GOP.
Pfeiffer argues that Trumpism, while not a coherent ideology, does have some defining characteristics:
- Shameless lying and disregard for truth
- Stoking racial divisions
- Attacking the free press
- Using propaganda and disinformation
- Winning at all costs, with no concern for norms or ethics
In Pfeiffer's view, Trump didn't invent these tactics - he simply tapped into impulses that were already present in the Republican base and party leadership. Trump managed to unite the wealthy establishment wing of the party (with policies like tax cuts) with the more populist Tea Party/Freedom Caucus wing (with his anti-establishment rhetoric and focus on immigration). The result is a Republican Party that has fully embraced Trumpism and shows no signs of moderating even after Trump leaves office.
This presents an existential threat to American democracy that goes beyond just one election or one president. Democrats need to recognize the gravity of the situation and respond accordingly.
The Republican vs. Democratic Approach to Politics
Pfeiffer contends that Republicans and Democrats are essentially playing different games when it comes to politics. For Democrats, political power is a means to an end - to enact policies that will improve people's lives. But for Republicans, power is an end in itself. They will do whatever it takes to win and maintain control, even if it means harming the country in the process.
He cites several examples of this Republican ruthlessness:
During the 2008 financial crisis, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell refused to work with Obama on an economic recovery package, prioritizing partisan advantage over helping the economy recover.
After the 2016 election, when it was clear Russia had interfered, McConnell refused to sign a bipartisan statement condemning the interference because it might hurt Republicans politically.
Republicans have engaged in systematic voter suppression efforts, like strict voter ID laws that disproportionately impact Democratic-leaning groups.
They've used extreme gerrymandering to redraw district maps in their favor.
They've worked to stack the courts with conservative judges, including blocking Obama's Supreme Court nominee so Trump could fill the seat instead.
Democrats, in contrast, tend to be more principled and rule-abiding. Pfeiffer argues this puts them at a major disadvantage. He points to Obama's 2008 campaign as an example - Obama promoted policies like healthcare reform that were politically risky but that he believed were the right thing to do. While this worked out in that case, Democrats' general tendency to prioritize principles over raw political calculus often leaves them outmaneuvered by Republicans.
Pfeiffer's key point is that Democrats need to recognize the game Republicans are playing and adjust their tactics accordingly. While maintaining their values, Democrats need to be willing to fight just as hard and use every tool at their disposal to win elections and enact their agenda.
A New Democratic Strategy for 2020 and Beyond
Given the threat posed by Trump and the Republican Party, Pfeiffer argues Democrats need a bold new strategy for winning elections and governing. Some key elements he proposes:
Focus on Trump's strengths, not weaknesses: Pfeiffer says Democrats waste too much energy attacking Trump's personal flaws and scandals. Most voters are already aware of these and it doesn't seem to hurt Trump much. Instead, Democrats should go after Trump's supposed strengths - areas like the economy, immigration, and trade where many voters still give him credit. Expose the reality behind his claims in these areas.
Offer a positive alternative: Don't just make the election a referendum on Trump. Democrats need to articulate an inspiring vision for the country and concrete policy ideas. Give people something to vote for, not just against.
Update media strategy: Democrats need to get savvier about using social media and new forms of communication. Traditional outlets like newspapers are less relevant.
Coordinate better: The Democratic Party is a loose coalition of many different groups and organizations. They need to do a better job working together toward common goals.
Be willing to fight dirty: While maintaining their principles, Democrats need to be more aggressive and ruthless in pursuing their agenda. They can't keep playing by gentlemen's rules while Republicans break every norm.
Think big: Don't be afraid of bold, transformative policy ideas. Incremental tweaks won't be enough to fix the system.
Focus on state/local races: While the presidency is crucial, Democrats also need to invest heavily in down-ballot races to build power at all levels.
Prioritize expanding democracy: Make voting easier, end gerrymandering, reform campaign finance, etc. Not just because it's right, but because a more democratic system benefits Democrats electorally.
Pfeiffer emphasizes that this new approach may feel uncomfortable for many Democrats used to "going high" and playing by the rules. But he argues the stakes are too high to keep using the same old playbook. Democrats need to recognize they're in an existential fight for democracy and act accordingly.
Reforming the Political System
Beyond just winning elections, Pfeiffer lays out an ambitious agenda for how Democrats should reform the political system once in power. His goal is to make American democracy fairer and more resilient against future authoritarian threats. Key proposals include:
Expanding Voting Rights
Pfeiffer argues expanding access to voting should be the top priority. Some ideas:
- Automatic voter registration
- Same-day registration
- Early voting periods
- Make Election Day a national holiday
- Restore voting rights for former felons
- Consider lowering voting age to 16
- Explore mandatory voting like in Australia
Campaign Finance Reform
- Overturn Citizens United decision allowing unlimited campaign spending
- Pass DISCLOSE Act requiring transparency in political spending
- Empower Federal Election Commission with more authority
- Create public financing system for campaigns
Reforming Congress
- Eliminate filibuster in Senate
- Consider expanding Senate (add DC, Puerto Rico as states)
- Reform redistricting process to prevent gerrymandering
Supreme Court Reform
- Add seats to Supreme Court to rebalance after GOP obstruction
- Impose term limits on justices
- Require justices to adhere to ethics rules
Limiting Presidential Power
- Repeal or reform laws giving presidents emergency powers
- Strengthen laws against using federal resources for partisan purposes
- Make conventions like releasing tax returns into laws
- Allow sitting presidents to be indicted
Other Reforms
- Strengthen labor unions and workers' rights
- Reform Electoral College or switch to national popular vote
- Improve civic education in schools
Pfeiffer acknowledges many of these ideas are controversial. But he argues Democrats need to be willing to push the envelope to fix a broken system. Small tweaks won't be enough - bold structural changes are needed.
He also emphasizes that many of these reforms would be broadly popular with the public. Polls show strong support for things like term limits for Supreme Court justices, campaign finance reform, and making voting easier. Democrats shouldn't be afraid to campaign on an ambitious reform agenda.
The Importance of Labor Unions
Pfeiffer devotes significant attention to the importance of revitalizing the labor movement, both as a matter of policy and political strategy for Democrats. He argues that the decline of unions has contributed to rising inequality and the erosion of worker protections. It has also deprived Democrats of a crucial source of organizing power and voter mobilization.
Some key proposals he outlines:
- Pass the Employee Free Choice Act (aka "Card Check") to make it easier for workers to form unions
- Crack down on employer intimidation and retaliation against union organizers
- Expand the definition of "employee" to cover more gig economy and contract workers
- Strengthen the National Labor Relations Board
- Use federal contracting rules to support unionized workplaces
Pfeiffer argues helping unions should be a top priority for the next Democratic administration. Not only is it the right thing to do for workers, but it would help rebuild the Democratic coalition and provide crucial ground-level organization for future elections.
He points out that Republicans have relentlessly pursued policies to weaken unions because they recognize the political threat strong labor organizations pose to conservative power. Democrats need to be equally aggressive in supporting unions.
Reforming the Courts
The federal judiciary, and the Supreme Court in particular, is an area where Pfeiffer believes Democrats need to take bold action. He argues that Republicans have effectively stolen a Supreme Court seat (by blocking Obama's nominee Merrick Garland) and stacked the federal bench with partisan conservative judges.
Left unchecked, a conservative-dominated judiciary could block progressive legislation for a generation and roll back important precedents on issues like abortion rights, LGBTQ equality, and more.
Pfeiffer outlines several options Democrats should consider:
Expand the Supreme Court: Add 2-4 seats to rebalance the ideological makeup of the court. While controversial, Pfeiffer argues this is justified given GOP obstruction.
Impose term limits: Replace lifetime appointments with 10-18 year terms. This would make the court more responsive to the public and reduce the stakes of each nomination.
Ethics reforms: Require justices to follow the same ethics rules as other federal judges.
Depoliticize the nomination process: Consider ideas like having justices nominated by a nonpartisan commission rather than the president.
Jurisdiction stripping: Use Congress's power to limit what cases the Supreme Court can hear on certain issues.
Pfeiffer acknowledges court reform is politically risky. But he argues Democrats can't afford to leave an illegitimate conservative majority in place that could obstruct their entire agenda. He advises making court reform a campaign issue to build public support.
More broadly, Democrats should prioritize appointing judges at all levels when in power. Pfeiffer criticizes Obama for not filling judicial vacancies aggressively enough early in his term. Future Democratic presidents need to make this a top priority from day one.
Reining in Presidential Power
While much of Pfeiffer's agenda involves expanding Democratic power to enact reforms, he also argues for imposing new limits on presidential authority. He contends that the presidency has become too powerful, regardless of which party holds the office.
Trump has exposed how many supposed checks on presidential power were really just norms and traditions that could be easily ignored. Pfeiffer says the next Democratic president should work with Congress to codify more of these limits into law.
Some key proposals:
Repeal or reform the Authorization for Use of Military Force, which has been used to justify military action without Congressional approval.
Reform the National Emergencies Act to prevent abuse of emergency powers for political purposes.
Strengthen the Hatch Act prohibiting use of government resources for partisan activities.
Require presidents and candidates to release tax returns.
Mandate that presidents divest from business interests that could create conflicts.
Allow for the indictment of sitting presidents.
Clarify and limit use of executive privilege.
Reform pardon power to prevent abuse.
Pfeiffer argues these reforms would be good for democracy regardless of which party is in power. They would also likely be popular with voters tired of presidential overreach.
He acknowledges it may seem odd for Democrats to want to limit the power of the office when they hope to win it. But he contends it's necessary to prevent future abuses and restore faith in the system. It would also give Democrats the moral high ground on the issue of executive power.
The Threat of a Competent Authoritarian
Pfeiffer closes the book with a stark warning - as bad as Trump has been, the real danger is that he could just be a precursor to a more competent authoritarian leader in the future.
He argues that Trump has authoritarian instincts but is largely incompetent at wielding power effectively. He's easily distracted, doesn't understand how government works, and often undermines his own agenda.
The truly frightening scenario, in Pfeiffer's view, is a future Republican president who shares Trump's disregard for democratic norms but actually knows how to use the levers of power skillfully. Such a figure could do far more damage to American democracy than Trump has.
This is why Pfeiffer believes Democrats can't just focus on defeating Trump - they need to reform the entire system to make it more resilient against authoritarian threats. The goal should be to make it impossible for any future president, regardless of party, to accumulate too much power or subvert democratic institutions.
He also warns Democrats against complacency if they win in 2020. The threat of Trumpism and anti-democratic forces in the Republican Party will remain. Democrats need to use whatever power they gain to enact lasting structural reforms, not just short-term policy wins.
Pfeiffer closes by recounting a story from the Obama administration. In 2011, with the economy struggling and Obama's poll numbers down, the mood in the White House was gloomy. Obama gathered his team and gave an inspiring speech, saying the stakes were even higher now than in 2008. His message was to stop being cautious - to go big and fight hard for their vision.
Pfeiffer argues Democrats are in a similar moment now. The threat to democracy is grave, but that's not a reason to play it safe. It's a reason to be bold, take risks, and articulate an ambitious vision for renewing American democracy. The stakes are too high to do anything less.
Final Thoughts
"Un-Trumping America" is a passionate call to action for Democrats and anyone concerned about the future of American democracy. While some of Pfeiffer's proposals are controversial, his overall message is clear - this is a pivotal moment that requires bold action and fresh thinking.
Key takeaways include:
Trumpism is a greater long-term threat than Trump himself. Democrats need to focus on defeating the ideology, not just the man.
Republicans and Democrats are playing by different rules. Democrats need to be willing to fight harder and use every tool available.
Winning elections is crucial, but not enough. Democrats need an ambitious reform agenda to fix the broken political system.
Expanding voting rights and access should be the top priority. A more democratic system benefits Democrats electorally.
Don't be afraid of "radical" ideas like expanding the Supreme Court or adding new states. The current system is already broken.
Limit presidential power, even if Democrats win the White House. It's good for democracy long-term.
Rebuilding labor unions is crucial both as policy and political strategy.
The real danger is a future "competent Trump" - the system needs to be reformed to prevent authoritarian threats.
This is a time to be bold and take risks, not play it safe. The stakes are too high.
While readers may not agree with every proposal, Pfeiffer makes a compelling case that Democrats need to fundamentally rethink their approach to politics in the Trump era. Clinging to old norms and strategies is no longer sufficient when the entire system of American democracy is under threat.
Whether you're a committed Democrat, a disillusioned Republican, or just a concerned citizen, "Un-Trumping America" offers an urgent and thought-provoking roadmap for rescuing American democracy. It's a clarion call to not just defeat Trump, but to build a fairer, more resilient political system that can withstand future authoritarian threats.
Pfeiffer's insider perspective from the Obama White House lends credibility to his analysis. And while his proposals are tailored to helping Democrats win, many of the reforms he suggests would benefit American democracy as a whole.
Ultimately, "Un-Trumping America" is animated by a sense of both crisis and possibility. Pfeiffer sees grave danger in the current political moment, but also an opportunity for transformative change if Democrats are willing to seize it. His message boils down to this: now is not the time for caution or incrementalism. To save American democracy, Democrats must be willing to think big, take risks, and fight with everything they've got.
It's a message that's sure to be controversial. But in these turbulent political times, it's also one that deserves serious consideration by anyone who cares about the future of American democracy.