Keen On

What is the ideological alternative to Trumpism? In The Purposeful Warrior, Michigan’s Democratic candidate for Governor, Jocelyn Benson, offers “a road map for shattering the status quo and standing up for ourselves, our communities, and our country”. Benson’s book, with its focus on common decency, could certainly be read as an ideological alternative to transactional Trumpism. But The Purposeful Warrior, with its self-help sounding title and laundry list of moral truisms, might alternatively be interpreted as a defense of the status quo by a Harvard Law School educated politician. Five Key Takeaways * Being a "purposeful warrior" means fighting with focus, standing up for what's right even when it's difficult, and building a "bravery muscle" through repeated acts of courage.* Benson's experience defending Michigan's 2020 election results against pressure from President Trump - which led to armed protesters at her home - became a defining example of her standing up for democratic pri