DEMOCRATS POSTULATE A SHADOW CABINET

Start now to gain victory in the 2026 election

For the past month, I have been mulling over the idea that Democrats need to form a shadow Cabinet to monitor and comment on the Cabinet members to be appointed by Donald Trump. Last night, that idea was endorsed on MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show by Yale University Professor Timothy Snyder, suggesting that shadow cabinet members would be in parallel positions to be interviewed and to make comments on their cabinet counterparts, thereby giving voice and opposing perspectives to actions of Trump’s appointees. This is one of several measures that the Democratic party needs to take to be in a strong position to challenge Republicans at the polls in 2026.

Between now and November of 2026, the various departments of the Trump Administration will be enjoying favorable treatment for their business enterprises, whether it be for cyber currency or oil & gas drilling, whether it be for artificial intelligence or pharmaceuticals, whether it be for further space exploration or agribusiness. Regulations that protect consumers and provide safety for industrial workers will be withdrawn - and vaccines that prevent the spread of disease will be inappropriately downgraded.

Trump’s billionaire oligarchy will, no doubt, be throwing a lot of money at maintaining Republican dominance via the 2026 Congressional election. Enjoying preferential treatment for the approaching years, they will not be included to give it up – and they can be expected to fight strenuously to keep it, whether with fabricated messages on television or by flooding social media with fake news and malicious attacks. Democrats will likely have less money to support their candidates so will need to rely on their ingenuity to respond effectively. A shadow cabinet is one of these instruments they should employ.

Obviously, a ground game of door knocking will be essential. Another tactic would be to create ZOOM listening posts in each Congressional district to invite voters to voice their grievances on whomever they wish. Democrats also need to publish and distribute position papers on several issues, the most important of which are the cost of living (inflation), a humane immigrant policy that is fair and effective and the future of a sane economic policy.

2026 is an essential milestone on rescuing the country from an incompetent, malicious and ruinous Trump Administration. By then, it should be apparent what a mistake was made in 2024 with the election of Trump-Vance. But, they are skillful at hiding their mistakes and donning themselves in robes that hide their tatters beneath. Democrats need to figure out how to show that they can do better.