Democrats Must Change To Win Back Working Voters

Listen To Story Above

Former Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan delivered a stark warning about his party’s future, highlighting the urgent need for transformation following their latest defeat to President-elect Donald Trump. Speaking on MSNBC’s “The Weekend,” Ryan emphasized the Democratic Party’s disconnection from working-class voters.

Great to be on with my friends ⁦@TheWeekendMSNBC⁩ to talk about the the complete reboot needed of the Democratic Party. And promote the Ohio State Buckeyes kicking Michigan’s ass today. OH! pic.twitter.com/qr3yeyk5b9

— Tim Ryan (@TimRyan) November 30, 2024

“Our brand is toxic in so many places,” Ryan said. “We need a complete reboot. We need a complete rebranding. People want to trust us. They don’t want to go to Donald Trump, but we didn’t give them enough.”

The sentiment was reinforced by Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who noted, “It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working-class people would find that the working class has abandoned them.”

Ryan, who served Ohio for twenty years before losing his Senate bid to Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, criticized his party’s failure to effectively communicate major legislative victories, including the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act. He stressed the importance of showcasing these achievements to demonstrate the party’s commitment to American manufacturing.

“We are reindustrializing; we are talking about American competitiveness,” Ryan said. “But we have to make it clear that the Democratic Party is for working-class people —white, Black, brown, gay, straight, man, woman, North, South.”

Drawing parallels to Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 campaign strategy, Ryan advocated for a renewed focus on economic growth and job creation. He emphasized the need to prioritize economic issues in the party’s messaging.

“We have to lead with the economy. We have to lead with growth,” Ryan said. “It’s about getting back to the Bill Clinton campaign.”

Democratic strategist James Carville, who played a pivotal role in Clinton’s 1992 victory, expressed similar concerns on his “Politics War Room” podcast. “The damage that the 2024 campaign has done — the damage that this decade has done to a Democratic brand is almost unfathomable,” Carville told co-host Al Hunt.