Saturday, February 1st, the Democratic National Committee I chose a new party chairKen Martin of Minnesota. Martin, a longtime head of the state's Democratic Farmeraball Party, has promised to become an offensive national leader.
“This is the new DNC,” he said. “We're taking off our gloves. I always see my role as a Democratic chair and go down the low path, so my candidates and elected officials can go down the high path. I mean, I'm going to throw a punch. ”
But throwing punches may not be enough for a party Many people think they've lost their way.
President Trump's narrow but decisive victory in the November election, along with Republican victory in both the House and Senate, sparked a serious crisis of confidence in Democrats. Recent polls It only makes the problem worse. But neither do they describe the fate of the Democrats either, either, the results of the November election. Rather, they point out the need for serious internal assessments and some changes to the party's message.
A recent Kinnipiac poll found voters were evenly divided on the Republican Party (43% vs. 45% vs. 45%), but opinions about Democrats are surprisingly negative. 57% are at a disadvantage, while Democrats have a positive view. ”
CNN polls I found an equally disastrous favorable rating for the Democrats It's only 33%, the lowest rating since 1992, while 58% of Democrats and democratic independences say “the Democrats need a big change.”
In addition to the dark story for the Democrats, the New York Times Impsos poll I discovered it Democrats “that they are less urgent because they are so emphasized on social issues” turn a blind eye to economic issues that are important to voters.
These results are so bad that Professor James K. Galbraith Conclusion The Democratic Party “death suicide.”
Before purchasing a diagnosis of Galbraith's darkness and accommodation, Democrat leaders should remember that the declaration of death of one of our major political parties is a recurring feature of modern politics. Sometimes these declarations come from within the party that has lost the general election. Sometimes they even come from journalists or victory party members.
More than 40 years back to Ronald Reagan's defeat when he crushed political scientist Jimmy Carter Philip A. Krinkner wrote: “The 1980 presidential election hurt the Democrats. That candidate, Jimmy Carter, was the first elected sitting president to be defeated since Herbert Hoover in 1932. Reduced.”
In 2008, it was the Republicans who appeared to be in the tragic straits. That year, Sydney Blumental, a Democrat. Published “The strange death of Republican America: The Chronicles of the Crushing Party.” He explained “A fundamental political change that clearly weakens the once-strong foundation of Republican philosophy and governance… (and portrays it) an early end mise. ”
Four years later, after Mitt Romney was defeated by Barack Obama, criticism came from within the Republican Party itself. I took it A “comprehensive post-election review” of their party status.
“Our message was weak. Our ground game was inadequate. We weren't inclusive. We weren't inclusive. We were both data and digital,” said Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee. “It was late. Our main discussion and debate process needs improvement.” At the same time, review committee co-chair Sally Bradshaw criticized the party for “constantly alienating themselves” and said, “Unless changes are made, Republicans will win another presidential election nearby. predicted that it would become even more difficult. The future.
“The public's perception of our party,” she warned. That sounds like what polls are discovering about the Democrats now.
But remember Donald Trump four years after Bradshaw's observation I took the Republicans to the White House.
Shortly after the 2024 election, people like consumers defend Ralph Nader I insisted Trump's reelection marked “the collapse of the Democrats.” Nader's view, the final election was that millions of people were “fatigued that the government was not tired of not returning the profits of massive taxation on us. We were tired of We are listening to an overseas empire. All we are listening to is a greater military budget… providing public services and public infrastructure in communities across the country, and leading the way. “It's about eating public services that should create jobs and public infrastructure that should provide public budgets.”
At the same time, others believe that 2024 is a critical responsibilities to Nader's worldview.
Political scientist Sean Westwood is one of them. Democrats, He says“From dealing with progressive white voters, we need to move to a policy platform that cultivates economic centrics and alienates cultural warriors.”
In fact, no one really knows why the Democrats lost in 2024 and what that means for the party's future. Another candidate. There will be no attacks on Israel on October 7th. Previous withdrawal from the 2024 race by Joe Biden – either of them may have produced different results and removed the need for post-mortem.
But we are where we are, and the first Democrat order is to understand how to become an effective opposition party. that It's still in progress. Democrats also need discipline and coordination of their messages To understand how to navigate your current media landscape.
Beyond that, Democrats cannot ignore American disillusionment with our political institutions. They need to provide a compelling message of plausible change.
Finally, the party Liberal reputation needs to be rehabilitated. It requires a Better Kitchen Table Messagehow to emphasize The dangers of the emerging olihead in Americaand the program To provide your wish To those who are despairing now.
It won't happen anytime soon. And the new party chair is not an elixir for those who suffer Democrats. But as they tilt towards the challenges of Retoulos, reports of the Democrat's death may be exaggerated.
Austin Sarato William Nelson Cromwell is a professor of law and political science at Amherst College. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of Amherst University.
