Last month, a significant gathering of several dozen Democratic political operatives and elected officials took place at a luxurious resort near the Potomac River. This meeting highlighted a growing frustration within the party, particularly with the left wing's increasing control over messaging and policy. According to a document of takeaways from this event, produced by the center-left group Third Way and obtained by POLITICO, many attendees expressed that Democrats have become too focused on “ideological purity tests.” They urged the party to push back against “far-left staffers” and organizations that wield disproportionate influence over their strategies.
The retreat, held in Loudoun County, Virginia, spanned a day and a half, where moderate Democratic consultants, campaign staffers, elected officials, and party leaders convened to analyze the reasons behind the party's electoral losses in November. They sought to understand the disconnect between the party and the working-class voters. A significant portion of their discussions centered on the belief that identity politics had negatively impacted their electoral outcomes across various races.
Among the strategies proposed to regain the trust of the working class, participants emphasized the need to “reduce far-left influence” within the party. This involved building a more moderate campaign infrastructure, establishing a robust talent pipeline, and actively resisting participation in “far-left candidate questionnaires” and forums that promote ideological exclusivity.
The discussions culminated in a comprehensive five-page document outlining key takeaways, which POLITICO acquired from an anonymous participant. While not all attendees endorsed every point, the document reflects a significant consensus on the issues at hand. Matt Bennett from Third Way, who helped organize the retreat, stated, “In the wake of this election, where it became so evident that the left's actions and rhetoric deeply hurt Kamala Harris and down-ballot Democrats, many are now looking to moderates in the party for guidance, saying, ‘We got to do it your way, because the other way isn’t working.’”
The retreat’s conversations revealed a critical disconnect between the Democratic Party and working-class voters. Participants identified several factors contributing to this estrangement: ineffective messaging and communication, a failure to prioritize economic issues, an overemphasis on identity politics, and the party's tendency to allow the far left to shape its identity. Furthermore, attendees noted an attachment to unpopular institutions, such as academia and government bureaucracy, which further alienated them from the electorate.
Interestingly, while Trump’s first term invigorated the party's progressive wing, there are emerging signs that his second term is galvanizing Democratic moderates. For instance, the party chose moderate Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan to deliver its response to Trump’s address to Congress, highlighting the importance of moderate voices within the party. According to a Detroit News analysis, Slotkin outperformed Harris by more than a full percentage point in all but 28 of Michigan’s 83 counties.
The participants at the retreat outlined 20 actionable solutions aimed at helping Democrats regain the trust of working-class voters and reconnect with them on a cultural level. Some key recommendations included:
The party should “embrace patriotism, community, and traditional American imagery.” Candidates need to “get out of elite circles and into real communities” by engaging in local events like tailgates, gun shows, and community gatherings. The party must “own the failures of Democratic governance in large cities” and commit to improving local government. There is a pressing need to “develop a stronger, more relatable Democratic media presence” through platforms such as podcasts, social media, and sports broadcasting.As Bennett summarized, “We didn’t expect to have a lot of answers about what the Democratic offer to the working class on the economy should be going forward. We were still kind of picking through the rubble here.” He emphasized the profound disconnect between the way leading Democrats discuss economic issues and the actual experiences of the electorate, underscoring the importance of reevaluating their approach to resonate more effectively with voters.
