Why Democrats must embrace a new New Frontier

to regain their mojo, Democrats should take a page from JFK's "New Frontier" and pursue greatness and competence

It was a steamy September day in Houston in 1962 when John F. Kennedy stood before a crowd at Rice University and declared: “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” Seven years later, America fulfilled that vision when Apollo 11 landed on the Moon. Today, however, Democrats — once the party of boldness and competence — feel adrift. While America’s modern space leaders, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, rub elbows at Mar-a-Lago, the Democratic Party comes across as reactionary, cautious, and uninspiring.

Recently, a friend asked me what advice I’d give Democrats to regain their mojo. It’s an interesting question since I’m not exactly a Democrat. I went from organizing the Deploraball in 2017 to voting for Kamala Harris in the last election, primarily due to Trump’s Constitutional issues. It’s been a journey. These days, I feel conflicted. On one hand, I’m enjoying the "vibe shift" of Trump’s second term, particularly the cultural reset and can-do energy. On the other, Trump’s flaws remain glaring, and I wish Democrats had offered a compelling alternative. The fact that voters chose a man convicted of 34 felonies as the lesser of two evils underscores just how out of touch Democrats have become. With approval ratings at a 30-year low, the party needs a serious reboot.

Why do I care? For one thing, American democracy is stronger when both parties are vibrant and competitive. For another, I’d like to see Democrats embrace pragmatism and ambition and shift rightward. America deserves a national debate about competing visions of greatness, not one that questions whether to pursue greatness at all.

JFK’s moonshot offers a lesson. His “New Frontier” wasn’t just about space—it was a call to action, a challenge to embrace progress and tackle the unknown. Today’s Democrats need that kind of visionary leadership, along with a pro-growth agenda and an unapologetic focus on results. They need a new, New Frontier ethos. Here are five keys to getting there:

1. Become the party of “yes”

Democrats have become the party of “no,” defined more by opposition than aspiration. Process, regulation, and caution dominate their messaging, while optimism, growth, and opportunity take a backseat. The party often feels run by risk-averse lawyers and hall monitors rather than builders and visionaries. Democrats must reclaim growth and abundance as their rallying cries. Champion housing development, modernize infrastructure, and streamline stifling regulations. As my friend

Richard Hanania

recently tweeted, “Abundance agenda liberalism is just being Republican.” Isn’t that a shame? JFK’s New Frontier showed that ambition and progress can go hand in hand. Democrats need to rediscover that balance.¹

2. Prove success locally — in LA, Chicago, and Detroit

A note I wrote after a friend asked what advice I’d give Democrats

The party’s problems aren’t just about messaging — they’re about results. What’s their vision for rebuilding Los Angeles after the fires or addressing public safety in Chicago? To lead nationally, Democrats must prove their policies work locally. Transform deep-blue cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Los Angeles into thriving showcases of effective governance. Tackle public safety, improve schools, reduce housing costs, and modernize infrastructure. As Brian Williams noted, Democrats have “gone quinoa while the rest of America is eating at Cracker Barrel.” The party must reground itself in reality rather than progressive fantasy. If they can’t fix the cities they already govern, why should voters trust them to lead the country?

3. Scuttle the gerontocracy and find better leaders

I don’t mean to be rude, but these octogenarians were the Democrats’ main leaders as of a month ago.

Democratic leadership is aging and out of touch. Biden’s late withdrawal from the 2024 race and the surrounding controversies underscored the party’s dysfunction. It’s time for a generational shift. JFK was only 44 when he inspired a nation with his bold vision. Today’s leaders must embody that same energy, competence, and willingness to innovate. This isn’t just about age; it’s about bold, pragmatic leadership.

4. Embrace EXCELLENCE over tokenism

Diversity and inclusion are important, but Democrats’ fixation on identity politics has alienated many voters. The party has prioritized symbolism over competence, and this needs to change. Excellence should be the rallying cry.² By prioritizing results over box-checking, Democrats can rebuild trust and credibility. Republicans should be mocked for blaming all the world’s problems on DEI. Right now, their criticisms stick because Democrats have taken tokenism too far.

5. Pursue better moonshots and drive results

Some might argue that Democrats already have a moonshot mindset, pointing to Biden’s initiatives like Build Back Better and the Cancer Moonshot. While these efforts are significant, they often feel more performative than transformative. Take the Artemis program. Its focus on landing the first woman and person of color on the Moon is more symbolic than transformational. Meanwhile, private companies like SpaceX are outpacing NASA in innovation and execution. Or consider Biden’s rural broadband moonshot: despite $42.5 billion allocated to the BEAD program, it has yet to make any impact in connecting underserved communities. True moonshots should deliver tangible results, and Democrats need to prove they can deliver.

Conclusion: Standing on the edge of a New Frontier

Today we are on the edge of a new, New Frontier, and JFK’s words from 1960 remain strikingly relevant. Read the whole thing:

We stand today on the edge of a new frontier, the frontier of unknown opportunities and perils. Beyond that frontier are uncharted areas of science and space, unsolved problems of peace and war, unconquered problems of ignorance and prejudice, unanswered questions of poverty and surplus.

I'm asking each of you to be pioneers towards that New Frontier. My call is to the young in heart, regardless of age.

Can we carry through in an age where we will witness not only new breakthroughs in weapons of destruction, but also a race for mastery of the sky and the rain, the ocean and the tides, the far side of space, and the inside of men's minds?

All mankind waits upon our decision. A whole world waits to see what we shall do. And we cannot fail that trust, and we cannot fail to try

Now is the time for Democrats to embrace JFK’s ethos and provide a better offering to voters. This is critical not just for American democracy but for navigating humanity’s challenges as we speed-run into the future.

Don’t cede the moon to Trump, Musk, and Republicans. Compete with your own bold vision of greatness and deliver it with excellence.

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1. I recommend following pro-growth Democrats like

Matthew Yglesias

and

Noah Smith

2. Hat tip to

TracingWoodgrains

who emphasized the importance of excellence as a value in our podcast conversation.