This week on Truth To Power, we bring you an important conversation in the face of the 2026 mid-term elections. On January 15th, 120 Oberlin College alumni and friends participated in a widely anticipated online program called "What is the Democratic Party?" Professor Larry Jacobs of the University of Minnesota served as moderator for an energetic conversation that featured Holly Fechner and John Lawrence, both of whom worked for Democratic members of Congress and have decades of experience working in politics. Comments by Holly and John reflected optimism for the Democrats to take control of the House, but they considered prospects for the Democrats to take the Senate to be not so promising but possible. Historical trends favoring the opposition party in midterm elections, the unpopularity of Trump, and negative perceptions of the economy are among the key factors now favoring the Democrats. Wildcards that could trip the Democrats include disenfranchisement of Democratic-leaning voters through redistricting, restricting mail-in and early voting options, and deployments of military and other security forces to intimidate voters. It was posited that the Democrats still needed to change their approach and widen their appeal across class lines, because of perceptions that the Party is too West/East Coastal, too old, and too beholden to donors and the educated elite. Alternatively, it was argued that the Democrats have been pursuing policies that advance the welfare of “regular” Americans by pursuing policy initiatives that address “affordability,” health care, educational opportunities, and the environment, but the Party’s messaging can get sidetracked by “cultural” issues that are important, but are distracting to the general populace. To wit, the priority of selecting candidates who could win elections was illustrated by a quote from former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi who said that Democrats on the Hill would be merely resigned to having “a conversation” if they lacked majority control of the House. Panelists highlighted examples across America’s history in which the forces of “illiberalism” were overcome, and they maintained that public protests are important to build solidarity and demonstrate the resilience of the opposition. Watch recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BE3WfkcWhg It is the civic duty of all adult U.S. citizens in Kentucky to vote in the Primary elections on Tuesday May 19th, including the Mayor’s race, many Metro Council seats, Sheriff, County Clerk, County Attorney, and State Rep seats right here in Louisville. All Kentucky voters will also get to weigh in on who should replace Mitch McConnell in the U.S. Senate! Don’t miss this opportunity! Find out where, when and how to vote, request an absentee ballot, and see a sample ballot so you can do your research on all the candidates at https://GoVote.Ky.gov On Truth to Power each week, we gather people from around the community to discuss the state of the world, the nation, the state, and the city! It's a community conversation like you won't hear anywhere else! Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 4pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at https://forwardradio.org
