Democracy won’t be saved by outrage alone—it will be saved by people who turn anger into organized, sustained action. In this August 10 BigTentUSA Substack Live, The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson and The Existentialist Republic’s Christopher Armitage argued that the fight ahead requires moving from emotional reaction to practical, repeatable civic engagement. Wilson emphasized the stakes of the 2026 midterms, arguing that a decisive electoral victory could help rebuild democratic institutions and limit attempts to undermine election results. He urged Democrats to stay focused on voters’ top concerns—prices, inflation, jobs, the economy, and corruption—and to make the case for change clearly and consistently. Armitage focused on the mechanics of authoritarianism, including misinformation, information overload, and efforts to make people feel powerless. Rather than dismissing or insulting people who believe misinformation, he encouraged asking questions that prompt them to examine where their beliefs come from. Both speakers stressed the importance of grassroots organizing, especially at the state and local level. They called for sustained pressure on elected officials, stronger protection of voting rights, and participation in every election—not just presidential races. The central message was simple: meaningful change comes from millions of people taking small, concrete actions consistently. The goal isn’t just to resist—it’s to organize, act, and win. Actionable items mentioned: * Vote in every election, including midterms and local races such as county commissions and city councils. * If you encounter a problem voting, request a provisional ballot. * Contact state officials—particularly governors, attorneys general, and secretaries of state—to urge them to prepare for potential federal intervention or unlawful actions affecting elections. * Write letters and make calls to elected officials, including officials who may not share your political affiliation. * Pressure local and state-level officials with specific, concrete demands. * Challenge misinformation through questions, such as asking where someone heard a claim, why they believe it, and what led them to that conclusion. * Take small civic actions consistently rather than waiting for a major moment—actions should be manageable enough to do regularly, even during a morning coffee. * Focus grassroots organizing on lower-level political offices and races, where sustained public pressure can have an impact. * Keep the 2026 midterms front and center, with a focus on building a large enough electoral victory to protect democratic institutions and democratic outcomes. Learn more about The Lincoln Project: https://lincolnproject.us/ Check out Rick’s Substack:https://substack.com/@therickwilson Explore “The Existentialist Republic” newsletter: https://cmarmitage.substack.com/ ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Christopher Armitage is a former law enforcement officer with a background in national security. He now works as a public policy analyst, anti-authoritarian activist, and journalist. His work has been cited by Mother Jones, the Brookings Institute, and Thom Hartman. Founder of The Lincoln Project, Rick Wilson is a renowned political strategist, an award-winning ad-maker and podcast host, writer, speaker, and political commentator who appears on MSNBC, CNN, ABC News, NPR, Real Time with Bill Maher, and various American and international news outlets. A 30-year veteran of national Republican politics, Rick got his start in the 1988 Presidential campaign of George Herbert Walker Bush and has produced groundbreaking and award-winning political advertising, strategic counsel to winning political candidates, SuperPACs, state parties, the national campaign committees, and corporate, association, and government clients across the nation and around the world. Rick has authored two New York Times bestsellers – “Everything Trump Touches Dies” and “Running Against The Devil – A Plot To Save America from Trump And Democrats From Themselves” – and often writes for the Byline Times, The Washington Post, Politico, Rolling Stone, The Hill, The Bulwark, and The London Spectator. Rick’s podcast also won the Best Political Podcast award at this year’s prestigious Webby Awards. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bigtentnews.substack.com
