THE foundation

A vast struggle is underway to redefine what it means to be an American — a struggle that will shape our nation’s future.

Political power begins with emotional identity: whoever defines “American” defines who belongs, who leads, and what the nation stands for. One side understands this — and has spent decades using its power to take control.

We have not.

We have treated politics as a fight over issues and elections, while neglecting the deeper battle to define who we are and what we stand for.

The result is drift: our candidates pulling in different directions, our volunteers struggling to explain what Democrats stand for. Voters hear policies, but not a larger purpose. They do not sense something they want to belong to.

Democrats 101 exists to change that.

Our mission is to establish the Democratic Party as the champion of the American values as set forth in the Declaration of Independence, reaffirmed by Abraham Lincoln, and put into practice by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

These values have driven American progress for 250 years. Establish them once again at the center of American life, and they will define the political landscape — placing Democrats in position to lead decisively and setting the nation firmly on the road to a just society.

Our party was founded the day Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected in 1932. But our true origin goes back to that day in 1776 when Thomas Jefferson wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” This was the moment the true soul of our party — and our nation — was born: the revolutionary idea that all people are created equal, the American dream of a just society.

This is our movement: a long-term grassroots struggle to reclaim our identity as Democrats by reclaiming our identity as Americans.

For too long, we have allowed others to define us, define America, and define the future — and we have paid a very dear price.

This struggle will shape every election for generations to come — and the future of our nation itself: whether the American story is defined by fear, division, and resentment, or by freedom, justice, and opportunity for all.

This core identity — this permanent identity — requires a clear and enduring foundation of values: the Democratic Creed.