Undercurrents Why are young men abandoning the Democrats? With Patrick Ruffini
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Jun 9, 2025 Patrick Ruffini, a seasoned pollster at Echelon Insights and author of 'Party of the People,' dives into the troubling trend of young men drifting away from the Democratic Party. He unpacks voter data revealing declining support, explores rising Republican ideals among this demographic, and highlights looming challenges for the party as the 2024 election approaches. Ruffini also discusses the importance of engaging diverse voter bases, including Hispanic support for Republicans, to prevent further political fragmentation.
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Young Men Abandoning Democrats
- New voter file data reveals young men, especially young black men, are abandoning the Democratic Party by not turning out to vote.
- This decline in turnout among low propensity voters weakens Democrats' electoral position despite high turnout among progressive activists.
Midterm Challenges for Democrats
- Democrats struggle in midterms because their committed base turns out but less committed voters drop off.
- The real challenge is mobilizing disillusioned, moderate, and conservative-leaning former Democratic voters to prevent further losses.
Crisis of Ideological Realignment
- Many voters leaving Democrats are moderates and conservatives aligning more with Republican values.
- This realignment reflects deeper ideological shifts, not just temporary dissatisfaction with current events or the economy.
