David Axelrod, a political strategist, shared his concerns Thursday about the direction of the Democratic Party, warning that its increasing focus on suburban, college-educated voters could lead to further electoral losses if the party doesn’t reassess its approach.
He argued that Democrats are in danger of alienating working-class voters by treating them like projects, suggesting that the party risks coming across with a tone of unintended superiority.
While Axelrod acknowledged that President Biden had done “good things for working people,” he emphasized that the party has shifted too far into the realm of educated, suburban elites, setting itself up for the kind of backlash that was evident in the election results.
Following Harris’s defeat, Axelrod urges Democrats to reevaluate strategy and voter outreach
His remarks came shortly after President-elect Trump secured victory in the 2024 race, claiming all seven battleground states and making gains across various demographics and blue-leaning areas, marking the first time a Republican won the popular vote since 2004.
Following Vice President Harris’s defeat, blame for the loss began to circulate within Democratic circles, with Axelrod discussing the situation with CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
Axelrod expressed his concern about how the Democratic Party engages with working-class voters, pointing out that the party’s only electoral gain was among white college graduates, while it saw a decline in support from working-class communities.
Having served as a senior adviser to President Obama, Axelrod stressed that the party’s support base now only includes those earning over $100,000 annually, which he believes is a problematic strategy for winning national elections.
He warned that this trend contradicts the party’s identity as the champion of working people. Axelrod echoed sentiments expressed by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who noted that blue-collar workers feel increasingly sidelined by the Democratic Party’s focus on more affluent groups.
The Democratic Party faced considerable backlash following the election, including internal critiques. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats, lambasted the party after Republicans took control of the Senate, accusing them of neglecting the working class.
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) attributed the loss to the public’s negative perception of the party’s association with its “far-left” members. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison defended the party, asserting that Biden was the “most pro-worker president of my lifetime,” dismissing Sanders’ criticism as “straight up BS.”
