Political influence is predicated on the ability to enact change. A prerequisite to this power is capturing the hearts and minds of voters–a concept that the Democratic party, at current, seems to overlook repeatedly. The aftermath of their 2024 failure triggered a misguided shift in focus, as many in the Democratic leadership mistakenly sought solutions to their defeat in better PR, more aggressive messaging, and increased presence in digital media. Avoiding responsibility, they sought to blame their failures not on the core issues of their beliefs and policies but on superficial issues.
The Democrats appear to rest their hopes on rebranding rather than addressing the fundamental issues that led to their downfall. A prime example is the misguided election of David Hogg, an ardent advocate for gun control and a so-called progressive provocateur, as the vice-chair of the DNC in February. Embroiled in ancillary commercial affairs and product ventures, Hogg’s campaign focused not on policy but ‘better outreach’ and more aggressive messaging. Gimmicks like holding homemade signs during Trump’s address to Congress signalled their departure from sincerity and earnestness toward a spectacle for virality.
In this context, the political tour of Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to ‘Fight Oligarchy’ reeked of redundancy. These rallies were mere echo chambers for Sanders’ age-old diatribes against billionaires, adding nothing new to the policy discourse. Another misstep was the launch of a party-affiliated podcast that lost favor with Democrats, dropping ten points in net approval. While the Democrats keep serving out-of-touch surveys on social media platforms, they’re oblivious to addressing critical issues like health care, Trump’s disastrous tariffs, or real estate problems.
The Democrats’ 2024 blunder was not attributable to the dearth of outreach to marginalized segments or a lack of sensational media stunts. It was a result of their haughty departure from public sentiment on significant matters, transforming into pedantic moralists. The public perceived Democrats as condescending monitors, chastising those not adhering to their progressive jargon. President Joe Biden’s lethargic approach to a burgeoning border crisis and an inefficient asylum system were telltale evidence of their misplaced priorities and inefficient leadership.
Destructive movements such as ‘Defund the Police’ and pro-Palestine campus uproars traced their roots back to the extreme left, tarring even moderate Democrats with policies deeply unpopular with the public. This resulted in the majority of Democratic-run cities and states suffering from chronic homeless issues, visible signs of public disorder, exorbitant living costs, and inefficient governance. The Democrats’ failure to acknowledge this disjoint and its electoral repercussions exacerbates their plummeting credibility.
Entrenchment in loftier ideals hinders realistic policy-making. The Democrats’ blatant disregard for public concerns regarding the border crisis further soils their image. Perspicuously, no amount of intellectual lectures can supersede the necessity for tangible action. Until the party starts listening to people’s concerns and acting upon them, they risk forfeiting future elections.
Political persuasion undeniably requires time. However, when public sentiment is overwhelmingly against a party’s stand, moderation becomes vital. Democrats must moderate their stances until they can influence public opinion positively, where necessary. The party’s continuous deviation from public opinion, coupled with their inability to rebuke unpopular positions, made them lose favor with the general public, perpetuating their electoral downfall.
Selective silence on detrimental aspects of wokeness will not sit well with discerning voters. The Democrats’ soft stance on the ‘Defund the Police’ movement in fear of backlash from activists does no favors to urban voters who bear the consequences. Likewise, their failure to address the border crisis leads to unfair treatment of immigrants. Clearly, the party’s stance on immigration has proven to be futile – if not harmful.
It is not suggested that Democrats discard their liberal values altogether. Instead, they need serious introspection and course correction. This can be achieved without sacrificing essential rights such as non-discrimination in the workplace and housing, healthcare access, and preserving the sentiments of diverse and inclusive ideas. By taking a stronger stance against public disorder and ramping up police reforms, they can regain some of their lost trust.
One of the most critical actions Democrats need to undertake is wholeheartedly opposing Trump’s catastrophic tariffs, pledging their revocation at the first given chance. Demonstrating their commitment to alleviate the housing crisis, reducing living costs, and promoting clean energy could lead to a change in perception. By running cities and states efficiently, they can prove their governance capabilities and inspire voter confidence.
Such drastic measures undoubtedly require substantial policy corrections and potentially backlash from various party interest groups. The Democrats must weather this storm for the greater good. The Democrats may not necessarily need all these changes to win the 2026 midterms given the Trump administration’s woeful approval ratings and misgovernance. Yet, simply relying on the unpopularity of Trump is a short-sighted perspective.
Settling for thin margins of 48 to 51 percent of the vote translates to a game of luck during each presidential cycle. To secure a durable majority, Democrats need to strive for more. This necessitates aiming at winning over moderates at the center and adopting their views, while distancing themselves from their ill-conceived far-left positions.
Some Democrats have attempted to steer the party back towards the center, downplaying their race or gender emphases and moving away from extreme liberal sentiments. However, their efforts have been largely unsuccessful due to factors such as their association with radical activists, political weight from past ultra-progressive ventures, and a steadfast loyalty to Joe Biden, which was unwarranted considering his extensive unpopularity.
The party’s left wing is stuck up in its bubble, asserting that their radical policies would gain popularity with better activism or messaging strategies. They try to avoid taking responsibility for questionable choices around immigration or culture, hinting at a politics of evasion. Mainstream Democrats need to steer clear of this dodging strategy and aggressively moderate their stances. The very activists who correctly warned of the dangers of Trumpism ironically have been the ones to constantly burden the party with extreme far-left views.
Overall, Democrats cannot escape the consequences of their unpopular decisions with rhetorical aerobics and political sleight of hand. They need to confront their positions head-on, using this as an opportunity for a much-needed reset. By balancing the fight against Trump’s despotism with a moderation of their views, the Democrats might finally find their way out of the political wilderness.