Democrats Mistake Their People for ‘The People’

 Democrats are struggling to connect with the American people while trying to imitate Donald Trump’s populist tactics. They acknowledge their issues with the public, although they often deny it publicly. Despite efforts to reach out, their approach seems to only worsen their situation. The Democrats are continuing to speak to “their people” rather than the broader public.

Exit polls show that Democrats are losing voters who earn less than $50,000 and $100,000. This disconnect is recognized, at least by some in the party. Democrat strategist James Carville pointed out that the “woke era” has contributed to their challenges, making the party appear out of touch with a significant portion of the electorate, which often associates Democrats with wanting to defund the police and empty prisons. Similarly, Senator Bernie Sanders noted that the party has abandoned working-class individuals, causing them to lose support.

While some Democrats, like Rep. Nancy Pelosi, refuse to recognize these issues, others are attempting to change their strategy. After the recent election, several Democrat officials began to assert their positions on key issues, such as abortion, illegal immigration, transgender rights, and electric vehicles. Illinois Governor Pritzker has promised more transgender surgeries, while San Diego declared itself a “super sanctuary” for undocumented immigrants. Senator Elizabeth Warren also indicated that people could only be pushed so far regarding healthcare, warning about public frustration with insurance companies.

Despite their attempts to connect with the public, Democrats often speak for their own interests rather than truly representing broader concerns. For instance, President Biden’s approval ratings on immigration reflect a significant disapproval from the public, yet the party continues to take stances that don't align with average Americans' views. On abortion, although Democrats claim to represent public sentiment, their position does not align with the beliefs of all voters, as a notable percentage hold more moderate views.

Clearly, Democrats think their populist efforts are beneficial, but their failure to engage with the real concerns of “the people” is deeper than just pursuing the wrong issues or making poor statements. The core problem is that Democrats view their supporters as standing for the general populace, which they are not. They come across as an elitist group that believes they are superior and, consequently, struggle to genuinely connect with everyday Americans. They cannot engage meaningfully because they do not understand or share the genuine problems faced by the broader population.

https://spectator.org/democrats-mistake-their-people-for-the-people/