FiveThirtyEight Politics
Democrats Aren't Popular. What Should They Do About It?
Feb 24, 2025
Lenny Bronner, a Senior data scientist at The Washington Post, and Ruth Igielnik, Polling editor at The New York Times, discuss the Democratic Party's record low public favorability. They analyze polling data that reveals a rift among Democrats themselves regarding their party's direction. Topics include the historical context of political wilderness and strategies for reconnecting with core voters. The conversation also covers the recent political landscape in Germany, showcasing how shifts in public opinion can influence party dynamics.
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Quick takeaways
- The Democratic Party is experiencing a 15-year low in public favorability, with a significant portion of voters expressing dissatisfaction with its leadership.
- There is a contentious debate within the Democratic Party over whether to adopt more progressive or moderate policies, reflecting internal divisions on how to address public concerns.
Deep dives
Democratic Party's Favorability Struggles
The Democratic Party is facing a significant decline in public favorability, with recent polling indicating a 15-year low in how registered voters perceive the party. According to a Quinnipiac poll, 57% of voters view the Democratic Party unfavorably, which is considerably higher than the 45% unfavorable rating for the Republican Party. More than half of Democrats expressed dissatisfaction with their own congressional representatives, highlighting a growing discontent within the party ranks. This situation reflects a broader narrative of frustration and desire for change among Democratic voters, as many feel their party is not effectively opposing Trump.
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