You know her now as the firebrand, rookie congresswoman from Texas, Jasmine Crockett. She stands at the tip of the spear of a new generation of Democratic politicians who are unafraid and unapologetic to fight aggressively in the political battle ground. Crockett already gained national fame as the Texas Democrats’ leader during that state’s dramatic 38-day walkout to thwart Republican attempts to pass onerous voting restrictions in 2021. Now, she and her allies are the ones who find themselves on guard against what they see as authoritarian attacks on their democracy.
Crockett’s statements this week at the Young Conservative Leadership Conference have created a huge splash, and earned her massive applause from her party’s base. During her speech, she candidly labeled former President Donald Trump as “a piece of shit,” which elicited raucous cheers from the audience. This instance emphasizes her decision to go with a fundamentally more combative approach. It’s a very public, notable break from the traditional civility often displayed by Democratic leaders.
The congresswoman’s resilience learned during the Texas walkout fortified her resolve to battle against what she perceives as systemic wrongs. Despite their absence on the floor, the Republican-led elections bill still passed. Crockett argues that given the current political climate, it’s too important to play it safe. She asserts that many Democrats feel compelled to take a stand, arguing that certain tactics remain effective in this increasingly polarized environment.
“People are OK with you not having all the answers, but I don’t think that people are OK with you not being willing to fight on their behalf,” Crockett stated, emphasizing the urgency for Democrats to assert themselves in the face of opposition.
Crockett represents a shift within the Democratic Party, moving away from the era dominated by figures like Bill and Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden. As one of the new leaders, she embodies what some describe as “smash-mouth politics,” where verbal combat becomes a tool for advocacy and resistance.
This change in the party’s attitude has been represented by other powerful players within the Democratic party. Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, remarked, “This is not the Democratic party of your grandfather, which would bring a pencil to the knife fight. This is a new Democratic party. We’re bringing a knife to a knife fight, and we are going to fight fire with fire.”
The urgency of this shift is underscored by figures such as Eric Holder, who likened the current political climate to historical invasions: “What’s driving Democrats is, I think, a legitimate response. I mean, it’s like the Germans have invaded France. Are you going to just say, ‘Well, we’re against war and we’re for the resolution of disputes in a peaceful way’? Sometimes you have to take up arms.”
Crockett’s eagerness to mix it up with the political Right is shown by her candidacy and other previous steps and comments. She first rose to national prominence after condemning Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene for her aggressive personal attack on her appearance in a congressional hearing. This instance immediately morphed into an internet meme. Many of those voters are disappointed that past Democratic leadership has been seen as weak or accommodating. They ring hollow against constricting sharp rhetoric like these times.
Additionally, Crockett has the willingness to admit that her party’s previous decency was taken as weakness. “They have taken our kindness for weakness,” she stated, articulating a sentiment that resonates with many frustrated Democrats who feel that traditional approaches are no longer effective against aggressive Republican tactics.
The party’s Democrats should be zooming in on this fresh grassroots, firebrand approach to leadership. They understand that doing nothing may only erode democratic norms even more. Simon Rosenberg, another prominent Democratic strategist, emphasized this sentiment: “We’re in a fight for the future of our country and for our democracy.” He warned that “not fighting means that you’re conceding and that you’re obeying in advance.”
This call to arms fits perfectly with Jake Crockett’s philosophy that when put in playable positions, Democrats can and will beat their opponents. She insists that some level of confrontation is necessary to reclaim agency over political narratives that have been dominated by Republican voices. “We’ve had this kind of over-pronouncement of Republican voices because they do whatever they want and then we’re just letting it happen,” Crockett asserted.
JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois, further amplified this sentiment by stating, “As far as I’m concerned, everything is on the table.” A handful of Democrats are displaying the courage to try different creative approaches. They’re willing to embrace and try both traditional and nontraditional approaches to get back on offense against their adversaries.
Otherwise, assertive Democrats leaders like Crockett are becoming the norm. This trend is indicative of a larger ideological shift in the party as it confronts an existential crisis. Increasing polarization and hostility in political discourse has forced many to reconsider tried-and-true approaches. Now, they are taking up bolder tactics in response.