The last few weeks have been devastating for the Democrats. They had an internal explosion when Chuck Schumer broke from the base and voted in favor of the Republican version of the Continuing Resolution. Most members of the Party felt that Schumer had abandoned them and surrendered to Trump and the MAGA Republicans. Many of these people have declared that Schumer is no longer a leader of the Party and are calling for Representative Sandy Cortez to primary Schumer when his term expires in 2028. This challenge would present a problem and decision for Cortez, as she has her eyes on a run for the White House in 2028, which means she would have to vacate her House seat. Cortez cannot run for President and Senator in the same year. She must be realistic and face the possibility of losing either the elections or her seat, which puts her out of work. It’s a good scenario for America but not for Sandy.
Poll numbers released this week are another blow to the Democrats. A 29% approval rating is a historic low. The poll also shows that 45% disapprove of the Party’s direction, an all-time high mark. These numbers show an obvious problem for the Party because 47% of those polled want the Democrats to continue their obstructionist role, blocking anything Trump presents. This is precisely the path that has gotten them to the point they are at now. What will that plan do to solve the favorability concerns? It will drive the numbers down further.
Less than 35% polled want the Democrats to work with Republicans.
It was evident at the recent Trump address to Congress when Al Green was removed for his public dissent, and virtually all members of the Party sat on their hands and refused to show approval for any initiative brought forward by the Trump administration in the first 40 days. Not only were their actions obvious, but they were also childish. When the Party could not even celebrate a 13-year-old young man who beat incredible odds to defeat brain cancer and wanted to pursue his dream of becoming a police officer, it showed how easily they could be manipulated by whoever warned them not to show approval for anything in Trump’s speech. The Democrats have shown they are clearly against everything Donald Trump, but they also are not for anything. This game plan will continue to lose significant elections.
The Democrats have two challenges ahead. One is to find a leader the entire Party can get behind, and the other is to establish a platform to bring the lost demographics back into the fold. The problem is there may be nobody within the Beltway to assume the leadership role, and they may have to go outside like the Republicans did with Trump. The other is the trust factor. The constituents the Party has lost no longer trust the Party. Trust can only be regained by actions, and Democrats do not show any desire for positive actions.
This reclamation project will be lengthy, but hopefully with minimal negative impact on the country. The Democrats are the Party of emotion, and I do not see them recovering quietly or smoothly.
