Rethinking Party Ideals and Journalism’s Role in Holding Media Accountable

Former Clinton pollster Doug Schoen reveals he’s “clinging” to Democratic Party membership while expressing serious concerns about the party’s shift toward far-left values that no longer represent traditional Democratic ideals.

Key Takeaways

Doug Schoen, former Clinton pollster, states the Democratic Party “isn’t the party of John F. Kennedy or Bill Clinton” anymore and has become a “woke, far-left party” where moderates aren’t welcome.
Schoen criticized Democrats for their behavior during Trump’s address to Congress, particularly their refusal to acknowledge a 13-year-old cancer patient.
Former Clinton advisor Mark Penn warned Democrats that their “amateurish anti-Trump antics” are contributing to their “record lows” in polls while Trump’s ratings increase.
Schoen suggests Democrats need to offer realistic alternatives on border security, inflation, crime, and immigration reform to remain relevant to American voters.

Clinton-Era Pollster Distances Himself from Today’s Democratic Party

Doug Schoen, who helped build and re-elect Bill Clinton’s administration, expressed significant discomfort with the current Democratic Party in a recent interview. Schoen acknowledged that while he disagrees with Republicans on many issues, the Democratic Party has moved so far left that he can barely recognize it. Despite this disconnect, he admits he continues to “cling” to his party membership, even as he struggles to identify with its current iteration.

“I certainly think that is possible, if you look at what he’s said and what he’s done. It’s clear he’s uncomfortable in the Democratic Party, as frankly I am. I disagree with the Republicans on a lot of things. They go further than I would go. So I cling to my membership in the Democratic Party, but it’s not the same party.” – Source

Schoen discussed the possibility of Democrats like Senator John Fetterman potentially switching parties due to similar discomfort with the party’s current direction. He noted that moderates increasingly find themselves unwelcome in a party that has embraced far-left positions, creating a growing divide between traditional Democratic values and the party’s current trajectory.

Democrats Face Criticism for Behavior During Presidential Address

Both Doug Schoen and Mark Penn, another former Clinton advisor, sharply criticized Democratic lawmakers for their conduct during President Trump’s recent address to Congress. Penn warned that Democrats’ refusal to stand or applaud at any point during the address is contributing to their “record lows” in polls, while Trump’s approval ratings continue to climb. The incident highlighted growing concerns about partisan behavior that may alienate moderate voters.

One particularly contentious moment occurred when Democratic lawmakers remained seated during Trump’s recognition of a 13-year-old battling brain cancer. Republican Senator Katie Britt expressed disappointment, stating: “I was so disappointed that my Democratic colleagues couldn’t stand and show love for some of the Americans that were recognized tonight. That was really heartbreaking to me.” – Source

Additional disruptions came from representatives like Al Green, whose behavior was criticized by both Republicans and some members of the public as inappropriate for the formal congressional setting. Mark Penn characterized the overall Democratic response as “amateurish” and counterproductive to their political objectives.

Call for Policy Alternatives and Return to Moderate Values

Schoen emphasized that the Democratic Party needs to offer viable alternatives on pressing voter concerns rather than simply opposing Trump’s policies. He pointed to Bill Clinton’s approach after the 1994 Gingrich revolution as a model, suggesting Democrats should recognize and address voter priorities including border security, inflation reduction, crime, and immigration reform.

“It isn’t the party of John F. Kennedy or Bill Clinton. Moderates are really not welcome. And I wish we could have the kind of discussion about issues that most of us want, that President Trump, I think, was inviting from the opposition, that is sadly absent. It’s a woke, far-left party that I really have very little in common with, with the party that I helped build and [helped] re-elect, proudly, Bill Clinton.” – Source

In the Democratic response delivered by Senator Elissa Slotkin, the party attempted to contrast their foreign policy approach with Trump’s, particularly regarding Ukraine. Slotkin invoked Ronald Reagan, stating: “We all want an end to the war in Ukraine, but [President Ronald] Reagan understood that true strength required America to combine our military and economic might with moral clarity.” However, critics suggest this messaging fails to address the domestic concerns that polls indicate are most important to voters.

Political Consequences of Democratic Positioning

Political analysts suggest the Democratic Party’s current trajectory may have significant electoral consequences. Schoen’s candid assessment that Democrats “remain irrelevant” until they adjust their approach reflects growing concern among moderate Democrats about the party’s ability to connect with mainstream voters. The gap between progressive party leadership and traditional Democratic voters appears to be widening as policy priorities diverge.

“I disagree with many of the policies that President Trump so articulately outlined, and I think he’s gone too far. But that being said, my party is not doing what Bill Clinton did when the Gingrich revolution came in 1994, which is to offer a set of alternatives that recognize the American people want border security, a reduction in inflation, tougher policies on crime, and immigration reform. Until we do that as a party, we Democrats remain irrelevant, sadly.” – Source

As polling continues to show declining support for Democratic positions on key issues, voices like Schoen and Penn represent a growing chorus of concern from within the party’s own ranks. Their criticism suggests that without a return to more moderate positions that address voter priorities, Democrats may face significant challenges in upcoming elections.