After such an astounding defeat in November, one might expect the Democratic Party to reflect and regroup. Based on what Democrats have offered up in terms of messaging and personnel since the election and inauguration, they haven’t learned a thing. And a victorious Republican Party is just fine with that.
Last week, gun control activist and social media loudmouth David Hogg was elected as a vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Hogg hasn’t done anything of note other than turn his label as a school shooting survivor into progressive political fame. But Hogg’s public position in a party that has failed so badly proves the party’s self-awareness is nonexistent. Hogg’s brand is extreme and won’t build bridges to Democratic or even independent voters who favor less radicalism. It’s just more of the same but in a younger, louder package.
Elsewhere, a contingent of Democratic politicians held a press conference protesting the Department of Government Efficiency and its leader, Elon Musk. Holding the microphone, Rep. Ayanna Pressley of “The Squad” called Musk a “Nazi nepo-baby.” Because if there’s anything that really helped the Democrats, it was using the term “Nazi” to describe President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and even regular GOP voters across the country. Pressley and others won’t stop, though. They can’t. They truly believe this will bring people to their side.
On the floor of Congress during a speech, Rep. Al Green (D-TX) announced, “The movement to impeach the president has begun. I rise to announce that I will bring Articles of Impeachment against the president for dastardly deeds proposed and dastardly deeds done.”
The Democratic Party is clinging to the rhetoric that brought it a resounding defeat. There’s no attempt to reach out to moderates. There’s no attempt to turn back to a less extreme version of party politics. If anything, the anger that pushed Democrats over the edge in terms of messaging and policy has only increased, and all because Trump is officially back in office.
This works well for the Republican Party both in the short-term and long-term. An untold number of voters chose the “lesser of two evils” on Nov. 5. When members of Congress screech about Nazis while Trump signs executive orders protecting women from transgender ideology, the choice is crystal clear.
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In less than two years, midterm elections will either allow Democrats to gain back some ground or keep Republicans in the majority. What will stick in voters’ minds are the tangible effects of this administration, both good and bad, and the larger narratives pushed by each side. If Democrats proceed down a wild path where everyone to their right is a dangerous fascist, Republicans won’t have to do much to encourage renewed support. And it won’t be because America has turned into a country that embraces authoritarianism. It will easily be traced to a major political party consumed by anger and far too submissive to the ever-changing whims of its most radical adherents.
The GOP merely has to point to leftist narratives and antics and keep asking Americans if that’s the kind of nonsense they want. In November, voters loudly announced via ballot that they did not want it. Unless Democrats magically veer off the road they’re seemingly determined to stay on, they’ll experience more shocking defeat. And Democratic Party leaders and their loyal, unquestioning followers will only have themselves to blame.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a contributing freelance columnist at the Freemen News-Letter.