Can the Democratic Party Be Fixed?

Plus: All About Susie

In Today’s BRIGHT

Can the Democratic Party Be Fixed?
All About Susie
Californians Decide to Get Serious on Crime
Can You Spare 5 Minutes?
Transformation Tuesday

Can the Democratic Party Be Fixed?

To quote John Bender, “Who cares?” To quote Politico as Allison Reynolds (the basket case), “I care.”

Politico reported that following Kamala Harris’s defeat in the 2024 presidential election, the Democratic Party faces an identity crisis. Many Democrats feel the party has alienated its working-class roots, losing ground not only with white voters but also with blue-collar Latinos and Black men. Exit polls revealed a shift of working-class voters to Donald Trump by a substantial margin. This outcome has ignited a debate between moderates and progressives on the party’s future direction. Senator Bernie Sanders argues that Democrats abandoned the working class, while moderates blame the party’s focus on social issues and immigration.

Perhaps there is a third option — all of the above.

Democrats are divided over solutions, with some advocating for a stronger economic message and others calling for more relatable candidates who connect with everyday voters. Politico says the party is reassessing its strategy, especially as Trump’s victory challenges the effectiveness of past Democratic priorities like abortion rights.

From Politico:

Voters were complaining about immigration — and talking about the stimulus checks that Trump had delivered to them with his trademark signature.

“I said to my team and my husband, ‘I’m not sure we’re gonna win this,’” she said. “It didn’t feel like voters were convinced. They didn’t feel it, didn’t feel like they believed that Harris was significantly better than Trump.”

Now, not only did Trump win the Electoral College, like he did in 2016 — but he appears poised to win the popular vote too once all ballots are counted.

“With Hillary’s defeat, we said, the majority of us voted against that, and we felt like we could resist,” said Donna Brazile, former Democratic National Committee chair. This year, “the American people rejected normalcy, decency, morality and they chose Trump.”

I wouldn’t bet on learning any new lessons any time soon.

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