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The crushing defeat of Kamala Harris by Donald Trump stands as an undeniable rebuke to the Democratic Party, a reflection not so much of a wholesale embrace of Trumpism but rather a rejection of what the left has become. To say the Democrats have gone “woke” is a disservice to reality. That’s because “woke” has become a catch-all that signifies everything and nothing.
The deeper truth is that overly progressive ideologies now dominate the Democratic Party, placing niche cultural battles above commonsense policies that resonate with the average American. This is a party entirely removed from its roots, leaving vast swaths of voters disillusioned. Policies once geared toward broad-based economic growth and social stability have been eclipsed by performative gestures and relentless cultural posturing, creating a chasm between leadership and the everyday voter.
The left’s fixation on minor issues, like trans rights, represents a curious inversion of priorities. Despite comprising only a tiny fraction [ [link removed] ] of the population, the trans community dominates discourse, overshadowing much more pressing concerns that affect tens of millions daily. Even on more substantial issues, ranging from race to climate, the party has carved out extreme positions that don’t comport with the views or priorities of most Americans. But while Democrats engage in the policing of language and the promotion of these progressive social agendas, the realities of inflation, the cost-of-living crisis, rising drug overdoses and illegal immigration continue to wreak havoc on American society. These bread-and-butter issues resonate far more profoundly with average citizens, who feel the weight of economic strain and societal instability. By prioritizing cultural signifiers over substantive policy discussions, the Democratic Party has alienated the very voters who once formed its base.
Restoring Faith
What can be done to restore faith in the Democratic Party? History provides lessons. In the 1990s, Britain’s Labour Party, after years of alienation under hard-left policies, pivoted under Tony Blair, embracing a centrist, market-friendly approach that swept them to power. Blair’s vision involved acknowledging past mistakes and bridging the gap between traditional Labour values and modern economic realities. This embrace of the center allowed Labour to reconnect with working-class voters who had felt abandoned by the party in the 1970s and ’80s. A similar shift occurred again in the last few years, when Labour leader Keir Starmer shook off the extreme left-wing economic and social agenda of his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn, winning a resounding victory [ [link removed] ] over the Conservatives in July.
Sweden’s Social Democrats, once weighed down by an economy struggling under heavy state control and high taxes, have managed to transform themselves. By cutting back on their famously generous welfare programs, encouraging private business growth and adopting policies geared toward economic expansion, they breathed new life into their party platform. Their approach was simple but effective: Reconnect with the middle class while staying true to their core values. This practical shift had significant effects. After years of dwindling influence and election defeats, the Social Democrats’ new direction paid off. In the 2022 general election, they held onto their position as Sweden’s largest party with 30.3% of the vote, marking a comeback. Although the right-wing bloc narrowly won a majority in parliament, the Social Democrats’ revival showed that their updated strategy struck a chord with voters.
After years adrift, France’s Socialist Party, under Emmanuel Macron, adopted a similar pragmatic approach. Recognizing widespread discontent with traditional leftist platforms, Macron rebranded the Socialists as La République En Marche, combining progressive social policies with pro-business reforms. Although the recent snap election [ [link removed] ] that Macron called resulted in reduced numbers for his party in parliament, the shift has otherwise energized centrist voters and led to two victories for Macron and his party during the last two presidential elections.
In neighboring Germany, the SPD encountered significant challenges in the early 2000s. Under Gerhard Schröder, the party introduced the Hartz IV reforms—a set of labor and welfare changes that upset the far left but revitalized the economy and demonstrated that economic pragmatism could restore voter confidence. However, Germany’s ruling coalition has now collapsed, creating political turmoil in Europe’s largest economy. Still, for years before this upheaval, the SPD’s strategy brought relative stability and success, including in the last nationwide election for the Bundestag in 2021.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Labor Party, under Bob Hawke and Paul Keating in the 1980s, transformed its platform by shifting from state-heavy economic policies to market-oriented approaches, leading to sustained electoral success.
Closer to home, the Democrats can draw lessons from the not-too-distant past. In the early 1990s, after a string of humiliating losses to Republicans, Bill Clinton and the Democratic Leadership Council led a transformation that brought the party back to the center. This shift included welfare reform, fiscal discipline and a strong stance on crime—policies that appealed to both blue-collar voters and suburban moderates. The result was a series of decisive victories that not only redefined the party’s identity but also reestablished its connection with a wider segment of the American public. This recalibration wasn’t a betrayal of progressive ideals, but a strategic realignment that focused on achieving tangible results instead of getting lost in rhetoric.
Describing Bill Clinton’s private life as “questionable” is, of course, a monumental understatement. After all, very few politicians have entire Wikipedia pages [ [link removed] ] devoted to their alleged misconduct. Yet, for all his failings, Clinton was an exceptional politician who understood what made average Americans tick. In stark contrast, many leading Democrats today seem entirely disconnected from economic realities and the everyday concerns of citizens.
The path forward needn’t involve abandoning all principles; rather, it calls for a rebalancing that prioritizes pragmatism over fringe issues and performative politics. Without this recalibration, the party risks becoming even more estranged from the very people it purports to represent, locking itself in an echo chamber that is increasingly out of touch with the realities shaping voters’ lives.
Neutering Nonsense
What does common sense in politics truly entail? American philosopher Mortimer Adler’s 1996 book, “The Common Sense of Politics [ [link removed] ],” underscores the necessity of reasoned discourse and the foundational principles of democracy. Adler argues that effective governance must strike a balance between rationality, ethics and practicality in decision-making. He asserts that political discourse should be grounded in logical reasoning and moral considerations rather than ideological extremism. It’s essential reading for all Americans, but especially for leaders of the Democratic Party right now.
In an age where overly progressive philosophies often dominate the conversation on the left, Adler’s insights serve as a timely critique, calling for a return to essential democratic values. He emphasizes the importance of assessing policies through a rational lens, advocating for a political environment where reason prevails over emotion and dogma. By fostering open dialogue that encourages a variety of opinions, not just pre-approved ones, Adler believes policymakers can address complex social issues with greater efficacy. Restoring a sense of normalcy is not rocket science, but for a party so detached from its roots, reclaiming control from its extremist elements will not be easy.
The Democrats can begin their path back to relevance by the simple act of meeting people where they are. For instance, Harris and her party have a significant problem with men. Some left-leaning outlets blame misogyny [ [link removed] ], but this is a simplistic and lazy narrative that fails to address the core issue. Specifically, the Democrats have become unrelatable, projecting an elitist vibe. Attempts to appeal to men with campaigns like Jeff Bridges’ “White Dudes for Harris [ [link removed] ],” Billy Eichner’s “Loud White Men for Kamala [ [link removed] ]” and the superficial “girl dad [ [link removed] ]” initiative felt condescending rather than genuine. The left needs better representatives of masculinity than figures like Andy Cohen [ [link removed] ] or even Van Jones [ [link removed] ], who, while earnest, embody the party’s softened image. Instead, figures like John Fetterman—gritty and grounded—and voices like Bill Maher’s, who can challenge orthodoxy in an entertaining, informative manner, are needed.
Restoring faith in the Democratic Party will take far more than polished spokesmen or superficial adjustments; it will require a deep cultural shift that may take years to achieve. Most Americans—decent, rational individuals—now see the left as driven by a wave of indecency and irrationality, alienating not just white voters but an increasing number of minorities, and not just men but a growing number of women [ [link removed] ].
The way forward demands a sincere reconnection with the values and realities that resonate with ordinary people—something the Democrats once excelled at. This work must start immediately.
Introspection alone won’t cut it; bold, decisive action is needed to win back the trust of the electorate. Without a clear commitment to addressing the real concerns of everyday Americans, the party risks cementing its status as a relic of the past, with a future representing a fringe entirely disconnected from mainstream society. The clock is ticking.

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