Our Plan of Action
Centered America is an organization that was created to reform the Democratic Party’s messaging to reconnect with communities across the aisle—working-class Americans, young men, suburban and rural women, Latino and Black voters, immigrant communities, union workers, and middle-class families who were once pillars of the Democratic Party.
Since 2016, Democrats have steadily lost appeal to these communities. This didn't happen by accident. Donald Trump and the MAGA conservative movement built a propaganda machine, weaponizing fear to convince voters that Democrats no longer represent them.
Trump made Americans feel personally threatened by the Democratic Party. He blamed inflation and job loss on Democrats despite economic recovery under Biden, and fueled fears about immigration. He used false narratives about DEI, gender, crime, government overreach, fraudulent elections, and mass censorship, positioning himself as America’s only protector.
But most Trump voters aren't driven by racism, authoritarianism, ultra-nationalism, or unwavering loyalty to Trump. Only a small minority would storm the Capitol for him; the rest voted out of manipulated fear. They turned to him because his message felt direct, hopeful, and simple—despite being built on empty promises.
Democrats made a huge mistake: we stopped opening our arms to those who needed us most. Instead of reaching out to voters manipulated by Trump, we isolated ourselves and spoke only within our own party.
That's why Centered America was founded—to rebuild the bridge between communities who feel forgotten, people who belong here, and disillusioned Democrats and Republicans. We’re committed to upholding constitutional and democratic principles, fighting oligarchy and fascism, promoting activism, and resisting the Trump administration’s dangerous agenda. To achieve this, we focus on reconnecting with all open-minded voters, addressing their concerns directly, reshaping Democratic messaging, and providing resources that empower citizens to actively engage in protecting our democracy.
Become a Paid Subscriber
Paid subscribers are the backbone of this movement. Your support helps us deliver the tools, training, and outreach our communities need to take action. We’re not just writing posts—we’re building a movement:
Funding grassroots organizing that reaches across political lines
Creating guides and resources for local activism and community conversations
Hosting live Substack sessions where we teach people how to organize, speak up, and respond to misinformation—and discuss urgent political news
Supporting real-world engagement—from policy strategy calls to organizing across ideological divides
Becoming a paid subscriber means funding action—not just ideas.
Our Strategy: How Democrats Can Win Again
Build a Strong, Local Grassroots Presence
Door-to-Door Outreach – Engage directly with voters without political terms that can throw them off guard. Instead of saying, “Project 2025 will take your rights,” we say:
“Do you work a union job? Republicans are fighting to make it harder for you to negotiate wages.”
“Do you have a Medicare Advantage Plan? New GOP policies could raise your premiums.”
“Struggling with bills? Republican policies give more power to corporations instead of working people.” This makes policies real to people instead of abstract talking points.
Neighborhood Listening Sessions – Organize small gatherings where people can express their concerns and ask questions about policies without judgment. This builds trust and brings people into the conversation, instead of arguing with them or lecturing them.
Local Democratic Infrastructure – Work on local elections and support candidates who can directly impact policy. The right built their power from the ground up; we need to do the same.
Counter Misinformation & Simplify Messaging
Break Policy Down for Easy Digestion – If we want to reach voters, we need short, direct, emotional messaging that strongly resonates with people:
“Donald Trump’s reckless administration could raise your mortgage, cut your healthcare, and take away your benefits.”
Distribute Impact Flyers (Coming Soon) – We’re in the process of designing flyers with bullet points and real-life examples of how Republican policies impact everyday people:
“Here’s what Trump’s policies could mean for YOU.”
Rent increase.
Higher grocery prices.
Medicare cuts.
More power to corporations, less to workers.
Community Fact-Checking – Combat misinformation in real time. Encourage churchgoers, local leaders, and family members to speak up when they hear false claims:
“If someone says ‘Biden raised gas prices,’ respond: ‘Actually, global oil companies set prices—and Republicans blocked cost caps.’”
Use Digital Media to Dominate the Conversation
Support Progressive Content Creators – The right is winning the young male audience through influencers like Ben Shapiro and Joe Rogan. We support left-leaning voices that push back against red-pill rhetoric and connect with audiences the left has long ignored.
Flood Social Media With Bite-Sized Videos – TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts—we produce and promote videos that deliver powerful messages in a quick, emotional format:
“Trump’s policies will make living unaffordable. Here’s how:”
Amplify Left-Leaning Christian Voices – Not all religious people are conservative. We need progressive Christians to challenge right-wing extremism within churches.
Stop Playing Nice With Extreme MAGA Conservatives
We’re Not Here to Save MAGA Voters—We’re Here to Win Without Them – Hardcore MAGA won’t be convinced. Instead, we focus on:
Traditional Republicans who feel Trump is too extreme
Moderate voters who just want stability
Working-class voters and the communities we lost in the 2024 election cycle who feel abandoned by the Democratic Party or both parties
Young men targeted by propaganda and disinformation
Use Economic Messaging, Not Culture Wars – Many voters don’t care about party labels, but they do care about their jobs, wages, and cost of living. If we talk about kitchen table issues instead of big partisan battles, we can win easier.
Don’t Call It “Christian Nationalism”—Call It White Supremacy – The term “Christian nationalism” is too soft. It legitimizes their movement. Call it what it is:
“A plan to turn the U.S. into a white, authoritarian state.”
“A blueprint for racial and economic oppression.”
Make Resistance More Than Just Voting
Fund the Organizations Actually Doing the Work – Instead of donating to political parties, fund local non-profits that support things like:
Immigrants at risk of deportation
LGBTQ+ communities fighting anti-trans laws
Reproductive rights organizations
Normalize Calling Out Racism in Everyday Life – The country has an unresolved racism problem that keeps getting excused as "regional" or "cultural." We need white allies to call out bigotry in their families, workplaces, and communities.
Emphasize Physical Organizing & Resistance – If democracy is truly at risk, we need real-world mobilization, not just tweets. Boycotts, walkouts, legal action, and mass protests all play a role.
Protest and Organize in the Streets – Follow organizations that offer timely action alerts and protest guides:
Live Training Sessions – Centered America hosts live videos on Substack every Tuesday & Thursday @ 8PM EST to teach people how to talk about these issues, how to push back against lies, and how to take action effectively. We also discuss all the urgent political news and recent actions under the Trump administration.
Create a Clear, Unifying Message
Trump’s Hook is “Make America Great Again.” We Need Our Own.
Obama had "Yes We Can."
Kennedy had "Ask not what your country can do for you..."
We need a simple, emotional, easy-to-repeat slogan that captures our mission, vision, and urgency.
• Define the “Why” of Our Movement – People need a cause to believe in. The Democratic Party has let its message become defensive. We must stand for something, not just against Trump.
• Frame the Fight in Clear Terms – Instead of “saving democracy,” say:
“We’re fighting for the rights they want to take away.”
“We’re fighting to protect your job, your wages, and your freedom.”
“We’re fighting for your future.”
Reform Our Perceptions
People vote based on hope and how they feel. If they feel unsafe, if they feel like our economy isn’t working for them, if they feel like they’re not being heard—they turn to whoever offers them the simplest, most hopeful promise.
What Republicans have mastered: Trump and the Republican Party have mastered the art of broad promises:
"We will make America safe again."
"We will make America wealthy again."
"We will make America strong again."
What Democrats Need to Do:
Speak in bold promises. People need to hear: “You will be safer. Life will be more affordable. Your job will be secure.” And when those things happen, they should know Democrats made it happen.
Connect policy with impact. If people are seeing real improvements—lower drug prices, rising wages, more job opportunities—they should know who delivered it.
Meet people where they are. Listen to them, that is the key. Answer their questions individually and demonstrate that their input be taken into account. Instead of waiting for them to reconnect with us, we have to actively invite them in and make them see that they belong here again.
A New Chapter: Bridging the Divide with Real Stories
At Centered America, we’ve had honest conversations—with each other, and with voters across the country. And here’s the truth we can’t ignore:
This government isn’t working for the liberal mom in Illinois who skips her own meals so her kids can eat. And it’s not working for the conservative dad in Oklahoma who’s picking up night shifts just to cover his family's health insurance.
They voted differently. They watch different news. But they’re both being left behind. The system didn’t just forget one party—it forgot people. Centered America is going to fix that.
How We Move Forward—Together
1. Lead with Real Stories
We’ll center the pain that unites us. Not as Democrats. Not as Republicans. But as Americans.
We’ll create content and events that show both sides of the struggle—and where their pain meets.
We’ll help voters see that their enemy isn’t their neighbor. It’s a system that stopped fighting for them.
2. Offer Real, Tangible Support
We’ll fight for job training, better wages, affordable health care, and a cost of living that makes sense for every American.
We won’t just say what’s wrong—we’ll show up with solutions.
3. Talk to the People We Lost
We won’t ignore Republican voters. They’re hurting just like everyone else.
We’re not here to “save” them. We’re here to say: if you’re ready for something better, you’re welcome here
Reframing the Narrative on Conservative Voters
Trump voters have been targeted by propaganda. Even though we can’t play nice with extreme MAGA voters, a lot of them aren’t lost causes; they are victims to heavy manipulation, and we need to approach them with our arms wide open. We must acknowledge that they are victims of manipulation, not Donald Trump himself.
Our approach:
Don’t push them away. Come at them with open arms, not judgment. We have to listen to them, speak to them, and advocate for them.
Create conversations. Develop media, events, and discussions that bring voters back into the fold.
Give them a place to stand. Make the Democratic Party a home for all Americans who seek real solutions.
How You Can Help Us Right Now
Subscribe Free or Paid – Your support powers our work.
Help Shape the Message – Writers, designers, and creatives—we need your help.
Break Down Policy – Help translate complex policies into language people can understand and feel.
Fight Misinformation – Join us in responding quickly and clearly.
Organize Locally – Share our message at local events, workplaces, churches, and more.
Connect Us With Donors – If you know someone who believes in this work, connect them with us.
Centered America won’t stop fighting for you, and won’t stop fighting to uphold our constitutional and democratic principles.
Keep fighting for our democracy, keep fighting for America,
Sharad & Gavin | The Centered America Team