A panel of voters recently discussed their reactions to former President Trump’s town hall with Sean Hannity on ‘FOX & Friends.’ The discussion shed light on a new book by political historians John B. Judis and Ruy Teixeira, who warn the Democrats that they are losing a critical voting base – working-class minorities.
In their previous book, “The Emerging Democratic Majority,” Judis and Teixeira argued that the Democratic Party’s strength lay in its support from working-class individuals, minorities, young people, women, and educated professionals. However, in their latest work, “Where Have All the Democrats Gone?: The Soul of the Party in the Age of Extremes,” they highlight how Democrats have steadily lost the allegiance of “everyday Americans” – the working- and middle-class voters who were once the core of the older New Deal coalition.
The authors note that while these voters were predominantly white in the past, Democrats have also started losing support among Latino and Asian working-class voters in recent elections. The decline in support among black voters has been particularly notable, with Democrats experiencing a 5-point decrease in margins relative to 2016. The trend continued in 2022, compounding the party’s losses from the previous election cycle.
Judis and Teixeira attribute this shift to the changing political landscape during the era of former President Donald Trump, as well as the left’s embrace of what conservatives often label as “woke politics.” They argue that the defection of working-class voters, who make up the majority of the electorate, could not only undermine Democrats’ chances of becoming the majority party but also their ability to compete with the Republican Party.
The authors urge Democrats to reflect on their own failures and acknowledge the extent to which these failures have contributed to the rise of toxic tendencies on the political right. They emphasize the need for the party to address its weaknesses among non-white, working-class Americans.
In an interview with Time magazine, Teixeira explains how Trump capitalized on the Democrats’ weaknesses, a strategy that continues to benefit him as the commanding frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election. Teixeira highlights the significant weaknesses among non-white voters, particularly Hispanic and Black working-class voters, and suggests that Democrats are only now realizing the magnitude of this problem. However, he notes that the party remains invested in cultural issues, fearing backlash on social media and from the increasingly loyal base of college-educated “liberalish” voters.
These concerns echo those of Senator Bernie Sanders, who delivered a speech at Saint Anselm College in August, urging Democrats to prioritize economic issues to avoid losing the 2024 election. Sanders points out the worrying trend of declining support within Latino communities and among African American men. He emphasizes that this must change not only for the Democratic Party’s well-being but also for the future of the country.
A recent Times/Siena Poll conducted in July revealed that Biden’s lead over Trump among non-white, non-college educated voters was only 16 points. This data further underscores the challenges the Democratic Party faces in retaining support from these crucial demographics.
The warnings raised by Judis, Teixeira, and Sanders reflect a growing concern about the Democratic Party’s ability to connect with working-class and minority voters. As Trump’s influence continues to shape the political landscape, Democrats must confront these issues to remain competitive in future elections.
