How can Congress better protect workers from job loss and displacement driven by AI? Searchlight's Will Raderman and Alex Mechanick of @niskanencenter.bsky.social look to the successes and failures of the now-defunct Trade Adjustment Assistance program for answers.

Voters favor the anti-war policies of Democrats — but have concerns they are 'too weak' and 'lack backbone.' They also favor the 'America First' focus among Republicans — but believe they are 'warmongers' who 'start unnecessary wars or conflicts.' searchlightinst.substack.com/p/the-wide-o...

"There is no contradiction between aggressively embracing our military and making the case against war. Indeed the opposite seems to be the case." Read @adamjentleson.bsky.social's latest on supporting the troops and opposing dumb wars. searchlightinst.substack.com/p/the-wide-o...

"The best way to thwart authoritarianism is to have democracy deliver." "A democracy so caught up in checks and balances that it can’t deliver is an almost-sure guarantee that people will look to a person who will take a jackhammer to it." www.commonwealmagazine.org/dunkelman-ma...

Progressive ends? Meet procedural means. Searchlight's Marc Dunkelman on the dilemma facing progressives who want to improve government, make it easier to build, and give more people a voice — not a veto. searchlightinst.substack.com/p/progressiv...

“This is an issue where Democrats have won in the past and where we can win again." — @adamjentleson.bsky.social www.politico.com/newsletters/...

There are thousands of data centers across America — and they're revealing a problem we've had in our grid for decades. The grid is getting older, slower, and less reliable. Don't ban data centers. Use private gains from AI to modernize the grid and lower costs for families.

“Democrats should lean into the fact that Americans are not interested in cruelty,” @charlotteeffect.bsky.social told @peterhamby.bsky.social. “The most toxic parts of the GOP message are when they are needlessly cruel or trying to restrict how adults can act." puck.news/texas-senate...

What if lawmakers channeled America's data center buildout — a buildout that is already well underway — into massive new investments in our nation's aging grid? @janeaflegal.bsky.social offers a way forward. More energy. Lower costs. Families would only pay for the electricity they use themselves.

To recapture the public’s trust, Searchlight notes, Democrats “need to create a modern, functioning immigration system that is unforgiving to those who cross the border illegally but generous to those who go through an orderly legal process." www.politico.com/newsletters/...

There are no winners in a race to the bottom. Rather than reform the tax code to advance distinct goals — like offsetting the cost of child care — recent proposals from Democrats primarily treat federal taxes themselves as the problem. But there's a better way.

Scoop in @playbookdc.bsky.social: @searchlightinst.bsky.social is out today with a new plan and polling aimed at helping Dems take GOP ground lost on immigration. www.politico.com/newsletters/...

Mara Keisling, a senior fellow at Searchlight, has been a leading advocate for trans rights and acceptance for 30 years. She’s seen public opinion shift significantly over that time. Trans Americans today are able to live freer, fuller lives than they would have all those years ago.

Affordable housing and prices were the two top priorities for voters heading into the final days of the New York City mayoral. Crime was third. Voters say Zohran Mamdani prioritized affordability more than Andrew Cuomo — who instead prioritized crime.

We analyzed hundreds of ads, TikTok posts, and YouTube videos during the New York City mayoral. Affordability was mentioned in nearly 80% of Zohran Mamdani's content during the election. In all the content from Andrew Cuomo? Only a third. www.searchlightinstitute.org/research/how...

“When a voter is unconvinced that a political party wants ‘good’ things for them, even the best crafted policies or messages quickly run up against a hard brick wall of resistance.” Read more here: searchlightinst.substack.com/p/the-chart-...

We checked in on what voters think Democrats and Republicans want for them. The good news for Democrats is that they’re narrowly winning on “feeling stable in your personal life.” The bad news for them is that Republicans dominate on everything else: wealth, marriage, kids, and more.

🚨We’re growing! Searchlight is hiring for two key roles to support our team. Apply here: www.searchlightinstitute.org/jobs/

Conservatives spent decades building a talent pipeline. Liberals must build their own—or stay stuck playing defense. That's why we built the Searchlight fellowship program.

We're looking for bold solutions to today's toughest challenges. Pitch us yours.

After 2024’s crushing defeat, no real reckoning ever came. Damage Assessments will dig into the policies, practices, & strategies that left liberals in the minority—and map a path forward.

many people are saying

Our new poll captures a complexity about American voters: They view climate change as a problem, but they want leaders to prioritize addressing other issues like affordability and healthcare.

Elected officials can and should lead on issues that they care deeply about, even if they are out of step with public opinion. However, leaders should be clear about where the public stands and not be fooled into thinking an issue is popular when it is not.

Americans agree that housing is too expensive. But they aren’t sure that an increase in supply will lead to lower prices:

The 2030 Census is around the corner. If governors in states that are bleeding residents are serious about maintaining their representation, they can use their executive power to build housing.

I’d like to introduce you to the Searchlight Institute. We believe that a realignment is not just possible, but necessary – and we are here to make it happen.

Ideas matter. Throughout history, new ideas have spelled the end of one era and the beginning of another, rearranging political coalitions and sparking realignments. Today, we believe that a realignment is not just possible, but necessary. We invite you to join us.