Are We Holding Ourselves Back?

Operation Hope
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Hey everyone,

I want to open up a conversation about something I’ve been sensing in our meetings—not as a critique, but as an honest reflection.

It feels like we’re holding back on pushing the Populist Plank forward. Not because we don’t believe in it, but because we’re bracing for resistance—not just from outside progressive spaces, but from within them.

Maybe I’m misreading the room, but here’s what I see:

  • We’re anticipating pushback from certain progressives—whether they see the plank as a distraction, impractical, or misaligned with their priorities.
  • We haven’t fully solidified our messaging, which makes us hesitant to advocate boldly.
  • We’re hesitating to take action because we’re unsure how it will be received.

And I get it. I’ve seen this dynamic play out in organizations before. Introducing change—even good change—often meets the most resistance from people already invested in similar work. Not because they oppose it outright, but because:

  • It can feel like a challenge to their existing strategies.
  • It can be seen as a distraction from their current focus.
  • It can create a shift in power dynamics, where they’re no longer the ones leading the charge.

Instead of outright opposition, we get soft resistance—a reluctance to fully embrace something new, even if it aligns with shared values. And I think that’s what we’re preparing for. We’re not just worried about right-wing pushback; we’re bracing for progressive hesitation and possibly skepticism.

How Do We Move Through This?

I have worked in change management, and there’s a model called ADKAR that might be useful here:

  1. AWARENESS – Let’s name what’s holding us back. Is it fear of pushback? Unclear messaging? Lack of confidence?
  2. DESIRE – Why do we care about this? If we believe in the Populist Plank, we have to be willing to stand by it, even if not everyone immediately gets on board.
  3. KNOWLEDGE – Do we feel equipped to explain it in a way that resonates with progressives who might be skeptical? If not, let’s refine our messaging.
  4. ABILITY – What structural or logistical barriers are keeping us from putting this forward boldly? Let’s identify and remove them.
  5. REINFORCEMENT – Once we start, how do we keep momentum? How do we ensure this doesn’t stall out?

So What’s Next?

I believe we’re ready to push forward—but first, we have to get past our own hesitation.

So let’s talk about it:

  • What do you think is our biggest internal barrier to making the Populist Plank a central part of our work?
  • What kind of pushback do you think we’re most likely to get—from progressives or otherwise?
  • What would make you feel more confident in advocating for it?

This is our movement, and our vision for economic and political change. If we believe in it, we have to own it—together.

Let’s figure out how.

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@karaeastman - Can we get cited polling that shows these policies are already popular across party lines?

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There were some good questions generated here, so I’ve been thinking about it and want to give my perspective. I think there are a lot of factors involved, but there are two I can think of that I think are the most relevant:

  1. CONTEXT

Yesterday, outside of the high school where my wife works, a man was pulled out of his car by plain clothes ICE agents and taken away from the two children that he was driving to school. It’s hard to get excited about negotiating drug prices when people are being snatched up off the streets and taken away by government agents staking out a school.

I remember saying on one of the Town Halls with Cenk that we should “read the room”, and that people want to fight right now. The Populist Plank has an implied bipartisanship that flies in the face of that context, but even more importantly, it doesn’t have the feel of something that’s going to protect your family and friends in a time of encroaching fascism.

I believe all of the polls that say that the planks are very popular across the whole political spectrum, but I haven’t seen any polling that suggests that these policies are the most important to voters, or that anyone would be willing to change their votes in order to support them.

I still believe that the Populist Plank is a good strategy long-term; it’s just going to be hard to get traction for it at this time. However, I think I have an idea that may help…

Possible solution: Make the Populist Plank part of the Resistance

We could start framing the policies as a way to fight back against Trump. He’s already done a number of things that fly in the face of these, including:

  1. Higher Wages - The new proposed budget would force around 95% of the people to pay more taxes. Folks will need higher wages just to keep up.

  2. No More Wars - Insert any number of Trump foreign policy proposals that would lead to some pretty disastrous wars here.

  3. Money Out of Politics - Elon Musk. 'Nuff said.

If we could show how these policies would help get our government back, it could help them pick up steam.

  1. THEORY OF CHANGE

When I first volunteered for Wolf-PAC, part of the training was to learn about something called the “Theory of Change”, which basically laid out how our actions would eventually lead to change. In order to influence state legislators, they had to feel pressure from their constituents, so we would get as many folks as we could to call their offices so that they would feel that pressure, which would lead to them supporting or co-sponsering our legislation, and so on up until the goal was reached. I don’t see that yet with the Progressive Plank. Let’s say we get 10 million signatures on the petition and 1,000 high-profile co-sponsors. What’s next?

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Possible solution: Connect the Dots

It might be helpful to put together our own Theory of Change here, map out how we’re going to go step by step, even if it’s theoretical, to reach our ultimate goal. I think folks get more motivated if there’s a plan in place that they can look to and have in the back of their minds as they’re doing the work.

Folks are naturally going to be more passionate about some things than others, but I think if you have a good number of folks like this pushing this forward, even if they each do only a little individually it will add up. I’m waiting to hear back from my U.S. Rep myself, and I’m happy that we have that Pledge document now, that will help. But I think the possible solutions I put above might help, too.

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How could we get the Theory of Change training for Operation Hope?

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I think it’s not resonating with people for a few reasons. First, as @doctord said, there are pressing issues now, so it’s hard to focus long-term when we desperately need change in the short term. Which brings me to two. People want to feel like they are making a difference now, so they want to get involved in a way (and get others to join) in initiatives that can start dismantling the shit going on now. In terms of reading the room, why would we want no more wars (too exclusionary and unrealistic for many) when we feel like we’re looking down the barrel of our allies and those we should be opposing (i.e., Russia). Third, it doesn’t adequately address what most people want long-term.

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I am brand new to activism and trying to figure out how I can help. Just as an outsider looking in, it seems like we have several well intentioned, smart folks with unique perspectives, messages and goals who are all working on their own thing. We really have the one problem and its the open air auction that the entire damn government has become. If we dont fix that, things will keep getting worse. We are in crisis, now.

What would success look like for Operation Hope? Do we have some type of leadership structure or are we a collection of independent operators? Honest question, not being sarcastic. Should those that can donate the time, meet more often? We need a coehesive, messaging strategy that communicates thru vibes (for lack of a better description) authentically. We are angry about campaign finance, why not make that our sole focus? The brand is truly drain the swamp and keep it drained.

IDK America really is Progressive and, most of us do not know it. It wont matter if we cant win elections. Its difficult to win when your messaging appeals to only 10, 15 or 25 percent of the country. Of course we will leave no person behind on any human right. We just need to keep our eye on the ball. IT’s the money and if we dont fix that, nothing else will substantively change.

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I am having difficulty because the plank is so watered down. It does not address some of the most pressing issues for a resistance. People are afraid of losing healthcare, Medicaid, Medicare, social security, and their jobs. They are afraid of becoming unhoused because they can no longer pay their bills. Morale is poor, especially for government jobs, but also in other areas, such as education, where I work (higher ed). I am the parent of a trans adult who may lose the right to be seen as a person. The plank is okay, but we should also resist in other ways. Other ways should not be left behind. Shouldn’t we also focus on those too?

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It’s not the training so much as the actual theory of change for the populist plank that we need to come up with. Kara and Cenk probably already have ideas along those lines, or they might want us to brainstorm and come up with it on our own. My guess is that they would at least want to be a part of that conversation, though.

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I think that people in the TYT community, by and large, want something different for both short-term and long-term goals. The Populist Plank is okay, not great, and I think the people are saying they want something different. Focusing on the resistance to change seems to be barking up the wrong tree. Getting 5,000 signatures is not a big ask, especially with the size of the TYT audience, and it doesn’t seem like that small number would mean much. If it’s been this hard, the system is broken and needs to be fixed.

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Is this the theory you mean? I thought I had shared this one but I just realized I didn’t

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No. What I’m talking about is more about specific actions that lead to a specific goal.

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From the new person perspective, it seems we need to quantify our resources, logistics, and messaging. An inventory of resources and some type of logistical mapping to see what we have and what we need. I realize for many of us the idea of having a formal leadership hierarchy and formal accountability is, maybe, uncomfortable. Under less existential circumstances I would agree. However, whether we like it or not, we are at war. We need to be effective, and we need a strategy to maximize all this brain power. I am new to activism, but I am not new to organizing resources to accomplish a common goal. I say that only to inform on my perspective as a newcomer. I really just want to help. I think it would benefit us all if we could get a big picture of both strategy and resource.

On a weekly basis, he seems to be dismantling OUR government. We need focus and real momentum.

I think folks will sign up for a clear vision of what they can do now, to be most effective. If we focus on messaging that appeals to every American, produce a clear vision of what Operation Hope will accomplish, and a strategy to do it, we will get help. If feels like we need to create a greater presence? Not just online, but in the real world as well (yes, I know online IS part of the real world and all that, no offense).

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From one newbie to another, I think you bring a great perspective and much value to the table–thanks! :smiling_face:

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Thank you for saying that and right back at you. Its nice to discuss events and ideas with people who really get it. Thank you for being here.

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Some have expressed concerns that the plank doesn’t align with what progressives specifically want. And I want to be clear: That’s not the point.

If we only push for policies that one ideological group supports, we’ll keep running into the same roadblocks that have stalled progress for years.

The reason we’re championing the Populist Plank is that these are policies that the vast majority of Americans—progressives, conservatives, libertarians, and independents—already agree on. This isn’t about moving left or right. It’s about proving that cooperation is possible and using that to win real change.

Of course, we all have priorities we care deeply about. And there’s absolutely space for people to engage in different fights. But if the focus someone is looking for is strictly about pushing progressive policies, resisting Trump, or advancing party-driven goals, there are other organizations that may be better aligned with that mission.

Operation Hope is about finding common ground and proving that the American people can work together—despite our differences—to make real, tangible change.

That doesn’t mean everyone has to be in lockstep on every detail. It means committing to the idea that broad-based populist wins are possible and that they’re worth fighting for.

If you’re here for that, I hope you’ll stay and fight for it with me. And if you’re still unsure, I encourage you to stay in the conversation. This movement is strongest when we engage with one another with curiosity and a shared commitment to progress.

Let’s focus on what unites us, build momentum, and prove that a better way forward isn’t just possible—it’s already within reach.

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This is perfect! :heart:

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If the population is ignorant then I’m not for populism. If they aren’t ignorant then there’s really no need for populism because the removal of ignorance has cured us of injustice.

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What do you see as the alternative to populism if political elites and corporations ignore public interests?

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This is correct partly although doesn’t work to preserve democratic ideals. Which is the entire point of unifying. The solution to this to have two spheres or working groups. One would be doing messaging, the other consensus building.

Getting this will not help with the issue of the populist plank. The problem you identify in your original post is one of imposed consensus versus organic censuses.

In short you can’t all pull the same direction unless everyone believes in what the goal is. You can impose this target but leadership has to instill that desire. While effective this structure runs counter to democratic ideals, and will create instability long term.

The problem with this work is that TYT has to impose a top down hierarchal structure because they must retain control of operation hope. TYT can’t have this experiment damage brand equity of TYT. So a certain level of control must be imposed on this project. This means they will allow you to sandbox ideas so to speak while still insisting on setting agenda. I can’t blame them for this, although there will always be lack of organic consensus building.

I think some TYT staff carry a pessimistic bias due to pervious failures.

Also when you have people with specialized knowledge of certain topics, there is a huge overhead for that person to lobby a layperson without technical expertise.

The problem in a nutshell is that very few will ever have the time or inclination to devote toward keeping abreast of a forum, or some topics in particular. The longer a given topic gets the less folks can / wish to intelligently comment on it.

This is why I think the editing core, and team lobbying via video is likely the way forward. In a way this is already happening. Although the bottleneck is any given content creator, or media outlets production staff.

If we severe the idea of only publishing content without needing to tribally defending it. Also view any given idea published as able to be clipped shared and arrogated. This will help free the bottleneck stopping organic consensus building.

This is also why I think developing an editing core (group of editors) via Capcut is a path to make this happen. Editing is the other bottleneck to free the flow of information needed for consensus building. The final part is the venue, and if TYT can’t oblige Forthwall Dragon and myself could likely come up with a stopgap solution.

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