Where Are the Democrats?
Published in La Presse
(Canada) on 24 May 2025
by John Parisella (link to original)
(Canada) on 24 May 2025
by John Parisella (link to original)
Translated from
by Reg Moss.
Edited by Michelle Bisson.
The Democratic Party’s November defeat was respectable, with rather close results. In the House of Representatives, the Republicans have only a five-seat majority. It is a little more comfortable in the Senate with 53 seats versus 47 for the Democrats, though it remains vulnerable with midterm elections looming next year. However, the Democratic Party seems adrift at the moment. It is still searching for a clear direction and, for now, its impact on the political scene remains limited.
The first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency ended with the worst approval rating of any American presidency in years. The general mood of the voters is marked by pessimism. With instability in the markets and uncertainty regarding Trump’s policies, the Democrats should be encouraged by the upcoming midterm elections. But this is not the case!
Resistance to the Trump administration is also gaining steam on the ground, as groups and rallies multiply. In April alone, more than 4 million people took part in more than 1,300 protests. “Fighting Oligarchy” rallies, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, attract huge crowds even in Republican-dominated states.
Nevertheless, many believe the Democrats’ opposition to Trump is weak. Polls show widespread dissatisfaction with the party’s performance. In one NBC News poll, only 27% of registered voters held a favorable opinion of Democrats.
Beyond Biden
Despite the sad news regarding former President Joe Biden’s aggressive cancer diagnosis, his retreat from the 2024 race remains controversial.
In fact, the recent publication of a book co-written by respected CNN journalist Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson titled “Original Sin” reveals how the former Democratic administration put a concealment strategy in place regarding President Biden’s health that directly involved his family and closest advisers. When you look at his debate performance on June 27, 2024, where he was visibly confused and incoherent, the journalists’ narrative seems credible.
The authors recall episodes where Biden failed to remember the names of close advisers and events tied to the death of his son Beau. These revelations, combined with a weakened leadership, have put the Democrats on the defensive.
Biden has recently made media appearances in an effort to justify his role and the questionable decisions he made during the last two years of his term. This does nothing to present his party as a real alternative to Trump and the Republicans.
In Congress, the Democrats have not been able to reach a consensus either. Their leadership seems disconcerted. And the moderate and progressive wings are having a tough time reconnecting with their voters.
In the previous election, the Democrats lost the support of a large portion of their traditional base, with the exception of Black women and those with college degrees. If they want to remain hopeful for the midterms in 2026, and especially the presidential election in 2028, they will have to win back at least some of those traditional voters.
The Need for Change
Democrats have nevertheless had recent success in special elections. They won a judicial race in Wisconsin, two seats in the Pennsylvania House, and worked to get an African American elected mayor in Omaha unseating the Republican incumbent.
A little more than a month ago, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker spoke for more than 25 hours, a record, to denounce the Trump administration and Trump’s contempt for the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution. The reaction was broadly positive on social media, and the Democrats seemed encouraged by that momentum. But the impact of this impressive performance has remained modest.
Clearly, the Democrats are seeking a new direction. Many activists question the current party leadership in Congress, and are demanding a generational renewal and political vision capable of responding to real issues: economic insecurity, income inequality, access to health care, grocery prices, etc.
Even if Trump is unpopular, many voters believe the Democratic Party is not listening to them and, above all, is not offering concrete solutions.
The U.S. has held seven presidential elections since the beginning of the 21st century. The Democrats have lost the popular vote only twice, and Trump only won by two percentage points in 2024. The potential for electoral support is definitely there.
Neither talent nor resources are lacking. Presidential candidate Kamala Harris was perhaps late to enter the race, but it was not for lack of skills or resources. The Democratic Party is loaded with talent: People mention Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania among those of a new generation of leaders who might run for the presidency.
In Congress, Sen. Booker, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez are also considered part of the Democratic second wave.
The Democrats need to build a clear vision for the future of the U.S. now that contrasts with that of the Republicans. And, above all, they need to communicate in a way that makes voters feel concerned and engaged.
The first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency ended with the worst approval rating of any American presidency in years. The general mood of the voters is marked by pessimism. With instability in the markets and uncertainty regarding Trump’s policies, the Democrats should be encouraged by the upcoming midterm elections. But this is not the case!
Resistance to the Trump administration is also gaining steam on the ground, as groups and rallies multiply. In April alone, more than 4 million people took part in more than 1,300 protests. “Fighting Oligarchy” rallies, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, attract huge crowds even in Republican-dominated states.
Nevertheless, many believe the Democrats’ opposition to Trump is weak. Polls show widespread dissatisfaction with the party’s performance. In one NBC News poll, only 27% of registered voters held a favorable opinion of Democrats.
Beyond Biden
Despite the sad news regarding former President Joe Biden’s aggressive cancer diagnosis, his retreat from the 2024 race remains controversial.
In fact, the recent publication of a book co-written by respected CNN journalist Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson titled “Original Sin” reveals how the former Democratic administration put a concealment strategy in place regarding President Biden’s health that directly involved his family and closest advisers. When you look at his debate performance on June 27, 2024, where he was visibly confused and incoherent, the journalists’ narrative seems credible.
The authors recall episodes where Biden failed to remember the names of close advisers and events tied to the death of his son Beau. These revelations, combined with a weakened leadership, have put the Democrats on the defensive.
Biden has recently made media appearances in an effort to justify his role and the questionable decisions he made during the last two years of his term. This does nothing to present his party as a real alternative to Trump and the Republicans.
In Congress, the Democrats have not been able to reach a consensus either. Their leadership seems disconcerted. And the moderate and progressive wings are having a tough time reconnecting with their voters.
In the previous election, the Democrats lost the support of a large portion of their traditional base, with the exception of Black women and those with college degrees. If they want to remain hopeful for the midterms in 2026, and especially the presidential election in 2028, they will have to win back at least some of those traditional voters.
The Need for Change
Democrats have nevertheless had recent success in special elections. They won a judicial race in Wisconsin, two seats in the Pennsylvania House, and worked to get an African American elected mayor in Omaha unseating the Republican incumbent.
A little more than a month ago, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker spoke for more than 25 hours, a record, to denounce the Trump administration and Trump’s contempt for the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution. The reaction was broadly positive on social media, and the Democrats seemed encouraged by that momentum. But the impact of this impressive performance has remained modest.
Clearly, the Democrats are seeking a new direction. Many activists question the current party leadership in Congress, and are demanding a generational renewal and political vision capable of responding to real issues: economic insecurity, income inequality, access to health care, grocery prices, etc.
Even if Trump is unpopular, many voters believe the Democratic Party is not listening to them and, above all, is not offering concrete solutions.
The U.S. has held seven presidential elections since the beginning of the 21st century. The Democrats have lost the popular vote only twice, and Trump only won by two percentage points in 2024. The potential for electoral support is definitely there.
Neither talent nor resources are lacking. Presidential candidate Kamala Harris was perhaps late to enter the race, but it was not for lack of skills or resources. The Democratic Party is loaded with talent: People mention Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania among those of a new generation of leaders who might run for the presidency.
In Congress, Sen. Booker, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez are also considered part of the Democratic second wave.
The Democrats need to build a clear vision for the future of the U.S. now that contrasts with that of the Republicans. And, above all, they need to communicate in a way that makes voters feel concerned and engaged.
Previous article![]( "Will Trump Investigate Harris? Political Analyst Responds*")
Next article![]( "Which Conflicts of Interest? Trump Doubles Down on Crypto")
