Strategist blames Obama and Sanders for image issues

A Democratic strategist is scrutinizing the party's historical strategies as a reason for its current image problems with working-class voters.

Basil Smikle, a Democratic campaign consultant, claims the Democratic Party's standing as a pro-worker body has deteriorated due to the perceived elitism of Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders, Daily Caller reported.

His comments come in the wake of the 2024 U.S. presidential election loss, where Donald Trump secured a victory over Kamala Harris, sounding alarms about the party's current appeal to its traditional blue-collar base.

Smikle's critique is rooted in the "Chris Jansing Reports" segment on MSNBC. He asserts that former President Barack Obama and Senator Bernie Sanders indirectly contributed to the prevailing notion that the Democratic Party no longer prioritizes working-class interests.

Obama's Campaign Style Draws Criticism

In 2008, Barack Obama, then a rising star, crafted his campaign with tools and resources outside traditional party norms. These innovations were remarkable for their time but, for Smikle, instilled a sense of detachment from party-centric activities.

"Since 2008, when Barack ran, he didn’t run really using the party tools," Smikle remarked, hinting that these choices distanced the broader party agenda. For Smikle, the implication has been a setback in aligning with working-class concerns.

Moreover, Sanders' 16 to 17 years of vocal criticism against what he perceives as the party's elitism seem to have cemented this perception over time.

Sanders Echoes Party Criticisms

Bernie Sanders himself has criticized the Democratic Party in recent times, especially after the 2024 election. He argues that the party has turned a blind eye to working-class Americans, letting down a demographic once central to its ethos.

In a recent statement, Sanders was reflective of the shift, mentioning the breakdown of support not just among white workers but also Latino and Black communities. "A Democratic Party which has abandoned working-class people would find that the working class has abandoned them," he exclaimed.

For Sanders, these comments are more than just criticisms; they serve as calls to action, urging party leadership to reconnect with the workforce.

Current Concerns With Party Popularity

Recent polls by CNN/SSRS and NBC News only add weight to these concerns, illustrating that the Democratic Party's popularity is at an all-time low. This decline reflects broader voter sentiments.

Pollster Frank Luntz has offered insights into why this might be the case. According to Luntz, "paycheck-to-paycheck voters" are increasingly content with Trump's administration.

These voters appreciate the perceived efficiency and effectiveness of current government policies, with particular emphasis on immigration.

Challenges Ahead for Democrats

Smikle acknowledges the uphill task facing the party. "That’s a really hard thing to spin out of," he states, emphasizing the need for a long-term solution rather than a quick electoral fix.

For Smikle, this solution should evolve through a new generation of voices, willing to rejuvenate the party's connection with the working class.

Restoring the party's workforce image is not just a strategy; it's a plan for political survival. Smikle dreams of a time where the party's ethos aligns closely with the aspirations of the average American worker.

As the Democratic Party reflects on strategies to reconnect with a disenchanted base, the challenge remains not only to regain voter trust but also to forge a new path that includes and prioritizes working-class concerns.