Challenging times lie ahead for the Democrats as they grapple with Donald Trump’s remarkable yet not entirely surprising victories in all seven swing states, along with his takeover of the popular vote.
This scenario wasn’t what Democrats had envisioned. Much like in 2016, they thought Trump’s various offensive traits would serve as sufficient barriers to his return to the Oval Office.
If somehow those traits didn’t sway voters, they banked on Vice President Kamala Harris, a woman of color whose identity was expected to resonate enough with diverse voter groups to seal the deal.
And if even that didn’t pan out, they hoped… well, maybe Beyoncé could lend a hand.
But the outcomes defied expectations. A significant number of voters, it turns out, brushed Trump’s controversies aside. Many women and voters of color were not swayed to pick Harris based purely on gender or ethnicity, and celebrity endorsements failed to cast a Democrat into power. Predictably, the blame game is in full swing.
In a private meeting this week with House Democrats, one member pointed fingers at party consultants, accusing them of mishandling down-ballot reelection efforts.
Realistically though, candidates should not have needed consultants to decipher what voters were blatantly saying: their anxiety lay with the economy.
Another colleague attributed Democrats’ setbacks to President Biden’s endorsement of Israel amid the Gaza conflict. Yet, foreign policy factored in as the primary concern for just 4% of the national electorate—and even less so, just 3%, among Harris supporters.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi critiques Biden for prolonging his stay in the race. This sentiment finds resonance within the Harris camp too, with one aide remarking, “Joe Biden is the singular reason Kamala Harris and Democrats lost tonight.”
Conversely, in Biden’s corner, some suggest Harris may have undermined the president. There’s even exasperation over how $1 billion failed to secure a win.
In progressive circles, another target emerges: White women.
MSNBC broadcaster Joy Reid emphasized, “This marks the second chance white women in America have had to alter their engagement with patriarchy,” she pointed out.
Another host, Symone Sanders-Townsend, echoed this, stating, “While I acknowledge some white women backed Kamala Harris, 52% supported Donald Trump. It’s time for introspection.”
Wait, hang on—are we expecting those who didn’t support your candidate to introspect why they let you down instead of Democrats questioning what lost them that demographic?
All of this skirts a seemingly self-evident issue for Democrats: their policies lack popularity.
Listening to voters, it was clear that economic issues were at the forefront this election cycle.
A majority in households earning under $50,000 annually chose Trump, while those over $100,000 leaned Harris’ way. Importantly, amongst those feeling financially well-off compared to four years ago, 82% voted Harris. On the flip side, 74% of those who cited severe financial duress from inflation favored Trump. Trump also attracted 70% of voters who viewed the economy negatively.
These statistics speak volumes about why some voters gravitated towards Trump.
This rejection was a loud commentary against Biden and Harris’ economic policies, particularly those perceived as fuel for inflation—be it stimulus checks, tariffs, student loan forgiveness, or regulatory overkill hampering small businesses.
Immigration policies also took a hit, as voters dismissed the Democrats’ stance on open borders and sanctuary cities—not out of prejudice, but because the strategies seem ineffective, a sentiment shared even among Democratic mayors and governors.
As for crime, voters were unsympathetic to policies perceived as overly lenient, such as reducing police funding, not prosecuting certain crimes, and releasing violent offenders back into the community.
Yet, for political parties, policies, especially flawed ones, are notoriously difficult to abandon or even rethink. Thus, you hear calls for refined messaging, better grassroots efforts, fresh candidates, and other strategies that overlook the core issue—voters just don’t believe the policies work.
And sure, Democrats hold major consensus points in some areas—abortion being a classic example.
However, the left seems intent on framing this painful defeat around messaging, identity politics, and an unappreciative electorate.
As one Democratic consultant put it, “Kamala Harris wasn’t a flawed candidate. America is a flawed country.” That’s no recipe for wooing voters back, let me tell you.
Policies that solve actual problems are the key.
S.E. Cupp is the host of “S.E. Cupp Unfiltered” on CNN.
