Jacobin Radio Confronting Capitalism: How the Democrats Abandoned Workers
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May 7, 2025 The discussion dives into how the Democratic Party has distanced itself from the working class, revealing a troubling evolution since 1994. Key critiques highlight how neoliberal policies under leaders like Clinton and Obama alienated traditional voters. There's a sharp analysis of Obama's focus on healthcare over labor rights, showcasing a shift towards corporate interests. The tensions between progressive leaders like Bernie Sanders and the party establishment are also explored, pointing to the challenges of unifying a leftist agenda in a corporate-dominated environment.
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Democratic Alignment with Working Class
- Historically, Democrats aligned with the working class through the New Deal coalition, including Black and white workers in the South.
- This coalition remained dominant in congressional elections until the 1990s.
1994: Turning Point for Democrats
- The 1994 midterm election marked a major turning point where working-class voters rebelled against Clinton’s neoliberal program.
- Democrats lost control of Congress and began losing working-class support significantly.
Obama and Second Defection Wave
- After 2008, Obama’s election raised hopes but led to renewed disappointment as liberal promises went unfulfilled.
- This triggered a second wave of working-class defection and crystallized in the 2010 elections.