March for our Lives in DC photo: CNN

Newly elected DNC vice chair, Parkland survivor (the deadliest mass shooting at a high school in U.S. history) and founder of March for Our Lives, David Hogg has caused a stir among some Democrats with his initiative, Leaders We Deserve, a plan to elect younger and better leaders. The word “primary” came up and got leadership Dems a little anxious. I’ll be honest it made me a little anxious at first too.

In this interview with Symone Sanders he explains it’s not all about age, it’s about effectiveness. He acknowledges there are ineffective young leaders and ineffective older leaders. He said it’s about building leadership to meet the moment and for the future. He said he would not primary any seat Democrats are at risk of losing. He said he would not risk causing Democrats to lose congress in 2026.  He’s not trying to blow up the party. That’s good enough for me.

I’m not bashing Democrats. But the old guard has had their chance and look where we are. And I’m not saying turn it all over to the twenty-somethings who can do it better. Or that all of our answers lie with youth. We need young, old and in between in my view.  But Hogg has the authority of someone who survived a school shooting where friends were killed and has had to watch the country do nothing about it while he organized and lobbied and raised money and dedicated his life trying to fix America’s ridiculous gun problem that his generation did not cause.

I am on his side. I think Democrats should be happy he’s on our side in the fight against fascism.  In the struggle to get Democrats to fight back harder, David Hogg is like our Caitlin Clark and Democrats should be like Lisa Bluder – let him play and don’t rein him in.

This was an excellent interview where Symone asked tough questions and he set the record straight.

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