The unchallenged assumption of the modern political pundit class is that “moderate” voters are generally white, leaning conservative, and allergic to any “woke” slogans.
They apparently live in the Rust Belt, represent “real America,” and drink real coffee in real diners. Meanwhile, the rest of us “urban” voters are apparently godless, pansexual, communist Muslim heathens who support radical “leftist” ideas such as Medicare for All, taxing the billionaires, and abolishing ICE.
These stereotypes, often championed by the Democratic Party itself, have profoundly influenced political strategies that have resulted in major losses, including the 2024 Presidential election. Kamala Harris was advised to bear hug Liz Cheney and “moderates” instead of her own base, which opposed Israel’s genocide. Even as the polls reveal a majority of Americans want to abolish ICE, Democratic leadership won’t go near it because donors are telling them it’s seen as too extreme. The same goes for speaking out against the broligarchy, who often fund these very corporate consultants.
Well, it’s all bullshit according to two new polls.
It seems “moderate” Democrats have actually moved further to the left on several economic issues and believe leadership is too timid, conservative, and outdated. They want billionaires to be taxed and support aggressive economic reforms that will lead to income equality and better opportunities. Also, these “moderates” aren’t all white. Many of them are Black, older, and working class. In a recent NYT survey, all 13 Democratic voters said they preferred a more progressive candidate than the alleged "centrist.”
Perry Bacon, a staff writer at The New Republic, broke down these polls and how they signal a shift in mainstream, majority voters who want elected officials to take on the billionaire class. It seems these “liberal” positions are actually mainstream.
Will Democratic leadership wake up, or will they stay beholden to their donors? Perry and I discuss.
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Thank you Omar Moore, Chloe Humbert, Christina Reamy, LeftieProf, CO, and many others for tuning into my live video with Perry Bacon Jr! Join me for my next live video in the app.
