Summary
Following Kamala Harris’s unexpected defeat, Democratic leaders are scrutinizing their party’s failures, particularly with working-class voters.
Figures like Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy, and Ro Khanna argue the party lacks a strong economic message, especially for those frustrated with stagnant mobility and neoliberal policies.
Sanders emphasized Democrats’ disconnect from working-class concerns, while Murphy criticized the party’s unwillingness to challenge wealthy interests.
DNC Chair Jaime Harrison announced he won’t seek re-election, leaving the party’s leadership in flux as Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries prepare to assume top roles amid a Republican resurgence.
I just don’t have unrealistic expectations for my candidates. Dems can’t magic away the effects of climate change. Nor can they “fix” capitalism. Dissapointment in the truth doesn’t justify voting for comforting lies.
I just have realistic expectations of my elected representatives actually advocating for my interests in government.
Dems could sure accelerate our energy transition away from fossil fuels towards green energy with more initiatives like the IRA and GND.
Dems could sure undo Reaganomics and Citizens United, audit our contracts with corporations so they work for us, break up monopolies, and a heck of a lot of other things to get us moving in the right direction.
Truth is that a growing portion of Americans support these. Leftist populism is on the rise. And we might have a good chance to organize this time around because Dems have stopped telling those comforting lies to their base. Kamala didn’t do what Obama did. The Dems’ true nature was seen far and wide.
Dems are the ones smothering themselves with comforting lies, and the disappointint truth is that they’ll keep losing elections in favor of elected representatives who actually listen to their base: Republicans.
I think you’re giving people way too much credit, both citizens and representatives. “Did Joe Biden drop out” as a search term spiked in the US on election day.
Nor does it justify not voting. However, we are not dealing with rational people because they are people and not rational.
People don’t see, we imagine. Mommy Fortuna’s gotta put a fake horn on a real unicorn.