Political Polls Show Democrats Struggling

The most recent poll from the Wall Street Journal indicates a significant shift for the Democrats, with only three out of ten voters expressing positive views—this is the lowest approval rating since Bill Clinton’s first term. While Republicans aren’t exactly thriving either, they do hold a considerable advantage over their counterparts.

Now, I’m not here to promote the Republican party. They certainly don’t claim to have all the answers to the country’s issues. In fact, Republicans have been part of the ongoing problem regarding soaring spending and the national debt.

The issue at hand is that the Democrats seem to have morphed into what might be called a “donut party”—they’ve lost their center. This transformation began in the early 2000s when progressive leftists started to gain leadership roles within their party. It kicked off with Nancy Pelosi’s rise to power and continued with Barack Obama’s election. Now, figures like AOC, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Bernie Sanders dominate the narrative.

Interestingly, even though Trump’s policies appear to have solidified some support, today’s Democrats reject almost all of them, including trade policies he once backed. They voted against making his tax cuts permanent, seemingly indifferent to middle-class families facing about $2,000 in annual tax obligations. So, what exactly is the Democrats’ economic stance these days?

• Propose increased taxes on the wealthy.
• Limit America’s energy potential for climate change reasons.
• Label companies as harmful.
• Augment welfare benefits.
• Grow government influence.
• Support problematic educational systems, prioritizing teachers’ unions over parents and children.
• Emphasize diversity over merit-based choices.

It’s often disheartening to see Democrats distancing themselves from the principles of free trade, reduced taxes, and balanced budgets championed by JFK. Imagine today’s Democrats echoing sentiments like, “tax rates are too high; lowering them is the quickest route to balancing the budget,” similar to Kennedy’s approach in 1963.

There used to be a centrist faction within the Democratic party, notably during the Bill Clinton era. The 1990s featured balanced budgets, robust job creation, decreased government spending, free trade, tech advancements, lower capital gains taxes, and a booming stock market.

It seemed the era of big government had come to a temporary halt, but now it appears to be making a comeback. Biden’s policies signify a shift towards modern monetary theory, which implies that the government can spur positive outcomes, though the truth of that claim remains debatable. Unfortunately, this has led to increased prices for groceries and gas, pushing voters toward Trump.

The current DNC strategy appears to involve opposing every action taken by Trump, which seems more pathological than it’s based on economic rationale. It’s concerning that one of the two major parties has retreated to such a limited stance. A vigorous exchange of ideas and solutions is necessary, rather than conceding ground to the Republicans.

Finding even one Democrat in Washington advocating a robust pro-American agenda seems nearly impossible. I mean, there might be one—like Colorado Governor Jared Polis—though he acknowledges that he’s too centrist and market-oriented for the party’s current stance.

Back in 1980, the Democrats were dealt a serious blow by Ronald Reagan. They shifted to the left under Walter Mondale, only to lose 49 states just four years later. Even when they leaned towards more liberal figures like Michael Dukakis, they were met with defeat again in 1988. I think it’s crucial for the Democrats to reflect on their strategies, particularly in light of the potential struggles anticipated in the 2028 elections.