Rep. Greg Cassar, D-Austin, said the Democratic Party needs to get back to its roots in 2025 and expand the platforms on which it shares its message.
AUSTIN, Texas — One of the most influential groups in Congress. Additionally, with approximately 100 members, the Congressional Progressive Caucus is also one of the largest groups in Congress.
And in 2025, it will be led by a Texan.
Rep. Greg Casar (D-Austin) is the first Progressive Caucus chairman from a Republican-led state.
On this week’s Inside Texas Politics, the Democrat said for decades people thought his party was the party of workers. But he argued that its reputation in this regard ended in the mid-2010s. One of his top priorities as head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus is to restore that honor and return the party to its roots.
“So I don’t think the everyday person who says, ‘Why do you get involved in politics?’ It’s the same for everyone, this is messed up.” — We reached out to that person. We have to show that we are ready to stand up as a Democrat against the Elon Musks and Donald Trumps of the world. It’s Texas every day,” the congressman said.
Cazale said the progressive wing of the Democratic Party has been willing to take such positions in the past, and he expects members of the Progressive Caucus to quickly rebrand the party.
He argued that in addition to representing working Americans, the Democratic Party’s organizing principles should be against corruption and too powerful corporations in Washington.
He also acknowledged that part of the Republican Party’s success over the past few years has been getting its message out regularly through the right-wing media ecosystem.
Cazale says Democrats should start doing the same.
That includes not only interacting with traditional media, but also stepping out of your comfort zone and interacting with voters through your favorite platform, he said.
“On podcasts, on social media, on cultural television shows, you may disagree with the host on everything,” the Democrat said. I disagree with members of my family on everything (or people I meet on the weekends who are friends on everything). We need to be able to make sure that the Democratic tent is large enough to engage people across geographies and belief systems. ”
