Each party has a low-profile columnist it neglects to promote, much to that party’s detriment. Bill Galston is that columnist for Democrats. He makes occasional appearances here and there discussing policy and strategy — podcasts and conferences are the only place I’ve seen him — but he’s the furthest thing from flashy, so he’s not on any cable news shout fest. Again, this is to the party’s detriment.
Galston is about as thoughtful in elucidating his party’s positions as one can be. He’s also as clear-eyed about his party’s chances as anyone I can think of. While this might make him a bit of a downer to some, especially given the surge of enthusiasm for Harris, I think Galston should be viewed as more of a coach — here’s where the party stands, here’s where it needs to improve. Because though Harris has closed the gap with Trump and though he’s been fumbling, he’s still favored to win.
National Democrats can’t rely on this newfound enthusiasm to carry them across the finish line. For one thing, enthusiasm can be fickle (are we still talking about the impressively run RNC of three weeks ago? No, we are not). For another, it can breed a destructive complacency (are we talking about President Hillary Clinton? No, we are also not). Galston would like to avoid this. I imagine the Democratic Party would as well.