Tony, Are You Listening? It Doesn't Sound Like It
AOC and Sanders aren't the perfect messengers, but they have the message
Alright, Tony. I’ve listened to your response, and I gotta say, you’re still missing the point. Is that intentional? Or is that birthday creeping up on you a bit harder than expected?
You’re so focused on who’s delivering the message that you’re not paying attention to the message, only what you think it is.
The “Messenger” Argument Is Weak Sauce
I get it. Bernie is old, and AOC is too polarizing. They aren’t my preferred choices either. But here’s the thing: The crowds are showing up anyway to the Fighting Oligarchy Tour. And they’re not just drawing hardcore progressives. They’re drawing working-class people who are sick of the system screwing them over.
And you know what? They’re not even trying to be the perfect messengers. They’re laying the groundwork for something bigger than themselves. They’ve made that clear repeatedly. And they aren’t working in a vacuum.
Before Bernie announced the Fighting Oligarchy Tour, Tim Walz began holding his own town halls in red districts. He’s no progressive, but he’s building credibility with the same working-class people Sanders and AOC want to reach. And even if he’s not pushing bold reforms, he’s opening the door.
And the message? It’s landing. Because it’s not about Bernie or AOC or even Coach. It’s about naming the real problem: A political and economic system rigged to benefit the ultra-wealthy at everyone else’s expense. And they are naming names: Trump, Musk, Bezos, Zukerberg, Citizens United, mega corporations.
But if the messenger is the problem for you, fine. Let’s bring in more voices. Like I said in my previous post, Mallory McMorrow, Ro Khanna, Cori Bush, Summer Lee, and Lateefah Simon would all be tremendous additions. They can all amplify the message. And with Bernie and AOC back in session, maybe that’s the plan.
But let’s be honest, Tony: If it were Jasmine Crockett leading this tour, you’d probably be singing her praises. And I get it — Crockett’s fantastic. But it’s a little telling that you’re so hung up on the names instead of the message. If the same message were being delivered by someone you like, would you be complaining?
Who Else Is Pulling Crowds Like This?
Now let’s talk about crowd size. Who else is pulling tens of thousands of people in a non-election year? Obama’s crowds were campaign-related. Trump’s crowds were campaign-related. Sanders and AOC are drawing numbers without running for anything. That’s not just impressive; that’s effective.
And if you think they’re only pulling crowds in safe blue areas, let’s talk about the location. Alone, Sanders visited Kenosha and Iowa City. Together, they just held massive rallies in Tempe and Tucson, Arizona.
They didn’t go to Oakland or Portland. They went to Arizona — a state that’s been a Republican stronghold for decades and is still a battleground. They wouldn't bother with Arizona if they were only preaching to the choir. And yet, people are showing up.
That’s 113,000 people in nine stops across seven states over seven days. That seems one heck of a start.
And have you seen the pans of the crowd? It isn’t all techno Bernie bros or AOC lackeys. It’s young beside old, white next to brown, organized labor shoulder to shoulder with housewives. They’re talking about class unity, not partisan labels. They’re reaching beyond their base.
Tempe, AZ
And about the timing of the tour? It probably has more to do with the congressional schedule than anything else. They’re out there doing the work of Congress, then hitting the road when they can. Not exactly a leisurely tour schedule.
The Messaging Is Exactly What You Want
You keep saying their messaging isn’t resonating. I wonder what you base that on.
Here’s what they’re actually talking about:
Healthcare costs, minimum wage, Social Security, and Medicare.
How gutting Medicare and Medicaid drives up everyone’s insurance costs.
Affordable housing versus corporations buying up property.
The obscene wealth of the 1% and how it corrupts our political system.
When AOC shared her own family’s story — how her parents went from childhood poverty to getting so close to the American Dream, only to have it ripped away by her father’s cancer diagnosis — she was making the exact connection you claim is missing.
And they’re framing their messaging as common sense, popular policies. They’re literally saying:
“These aren’t radical ideas. They’re what most Americans already support.”
“Healthcare is a human right.”
“The 1% is rigging the system and hurting everyone.”
And when they do say “Medicare for All,” it’s sparingly and usually paired with the broader, accessible idea of “healthcare as a human right.” If anything, they’re already using the populist framing you keep insisting they should adopt.
Yes, Medicare is awful. Yes, it could be so much better. Yes, anyone who depends on it knows it is flawed. But it is what we have and is a hell of a lot better than nothing.
Now for the culture wars. A reader on the previous post noted (and I’ve confirmed), they are up front addressing the use of culture war distractions to divide us.
They’re not making this about ideological purity. They’re literally saying:
“This isn’t about purity tests or partisan labels; it’s about class unity.”
And then there’s this line from AOC:
“If you’re willing to fight for someone you don’t know, you are welcome here.”
That’s not some exclusive, fringe message. That’s a direct invitation to the politically homeless and the disillusioned. They’re saying the movement isn’t about ideological purity; it’s about solidarity.
The Popularity of Progressive Ideas
Then there’s the argument that their ideas don’t have popular support. I know you hate statistics, but just for fun, let’s look at some numbers:
Medicare for All / Universal Healthcare: 62% of Americans support the government ensuring healthcare coverage for all.
Wealth Tax: 67% of Americans support a billionaire income tax, including 84% of Democrats, 64% of Independents, and 51% of Republicans.
Raising the Minimum Wage: 62% of Americans support raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. And many support going way further.
Now, I’ll be the first to admit: These numbers aren’t overwhelming. They’re not mandates. But they’re also far from fringe ideas and consistently strong across polls and demographics. When a policy gets majority support — and sometimes even support from Republicans — it’s a pretty good indicator that it’s resonating with a broad audience.
More importantly, these numbers show potential for growth. And if Sanders, AOC, or others can mobilize and educate people, those numbers can improve. Because here’s the thing: One-third of eligible voters didn’t even show up in 2024. That’s tens of millions of people waiting to be reached. And clearly, Sanders and AOC are doing something right if they’re drawing tens of thousands of people even in battleground states like Arizona. It doesn’t matter who is getting them to the polls; it matters that they get off their asses and vote.
In Closing:
Here’s where I feel you’re missing the mark: You’re critiquing Bernie and AOC’s messaging based on assumptions instead of reality. They’re already doing what you say they should be doing.
If you’re still hung up on the idea that they’re the wrong messengers, fine. Let’s bring in more voices. But don’t pretend like they aren’t doing the work. Because clearly, they are. We can’t afford to get bogged down in semantics and ideology and the optics of who the proper messenger is. We are in a Constitutional crisis, on the cusp of authoritarian rule.
Someone has to rise and provide leadership and a voice. Honestly, I don’t care if it is the resurrected mouldering body of Upton Sinclair or the ghost of Mother Jones. If people are motivated, mobilizing, and talking, it is a win. And we desperately need a win.
So, I have a little birthday gift for you. I watched the Colorado and Arizona rallies so you don’t have to. Naturally, I also took notes, which I’d happily share. I’ve chosen a short portion just for you. It isn’t perfect—it never is—but it matters.
Will you watch with an open mind? Can you spare twenty-six minutes for a chance to save democracy? Take a walk and listen. Please.
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This is brilliant 👏
Tony, my husband and I LOVE you but Marie is correct. I can't wait until AOC and Sanders energize others and people will start to literally freak out!