2026 Path to Persuasion

One of our Greatest Orators (and so much more)

NOTE: From time to time, I share the content of my free email-based Monday on Message memo with my Substack audience.

Feb 23 • Frank OBrien

January 2026

What do you say at a time like this?

NOTE: I don’r usually cross post between my Monday email newsletter on persuasive nonprofit messaging and my more electorally focused Substack.

Jan 26 • Frank OBrien

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One Election, Two Conversations

The challenge at the heart of the 2026 elections

Jan 15 • Frank OBrien

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Hey Democrats, Read This Book

Remember the point last year when Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson was all the rage.

Jan 7 • Frank OBrien

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What gives cultural attacks their real power

There’s a revealing anecdote in the Project Enduring Majority: A Roadmap to Win America report that I keep returning to.

Jan 6 • Frank OBrien

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December 2025

"Affordability" isn't a magic word!

Five Risks Democratic Candidates Have to Avoid

Dec 11, 2025 • Frank OBrien

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The Attention Economy -- It's not just a Democratic challenge

What nonprofits can learn from the Democrats' attention economy conversation.

Dec 3, 2025 • Frank OBrien

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November 2025

Don't Buy Into DECIDING TO WIN's Static, Poll-Driven Strategy

We can't win with a "finger-to-the-wind" approach to what we fight for.

Nov 20, 2025 • Frank OBrien

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WHAT A WEEK: Takeaways from the Electoral Sweep and the Shutdown Collapse

Over six short days, Democrats went from a stunning across-the-country electoral sweep to a total cave-in on the shutdown.

Nov 12, 2025 • Frank OBrien

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Elections (and months of hard campaigning) Have Consequences

There will be plenty of time to reflect on the scope, scale and meaning of yesterday’s breakthrough victories by Democrats.

Nov 5, 2025 • Frank OBrien

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October 2025

Finally, A Dem Strategy Project That Makes Sense

The Project Enduring Strategy report is must reading for Dems and progressives

Oct 31, 2025 • Frank OBrien

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SHUTDOWN: The shifting landscape and both parties' strategic options

In just four days, it will be November 1st. That date will mark both the moment the government shutdown enters its second month and the start date for…

Oct 28, 2025 • Frank OBrien

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