2 weeks Ago
A March 9 CNN survey gave the Democratic Party a 29% favorable, 54% unfavorable rating, the lowest rating the party has gotten from CNN this century. The Republican Party was at 36% favorable, 48% unfavorable. A March 11 NBC News poll mirrored the CNN findings.
Only 27% of registered voters say they have a positive view of the Democratic Party, which is the lowest positive rating in NBC polling dating back to 1990. Much of the dissatisfaction with Democrats comes from far-left progressives angry their party hasn’t fought President Trump harder. These Democrats who want to fight are enraged at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
They wanted to shut down the federal government rather than pass a budget to fund the government through Sept. 30. That would have been stupid.
With only bad political options, Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats (including Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto) voted to proceed to a vote, saving Democrats from being blamed for causing a shutdown. Sen.
John Fetterman (D-Pa.) correctly observed that shutting down the government would be “a gift for the Republicans.” It’s a reminder of the grandstanding of some Republicans when a Democrat was in the White House.
Recall Sens. Ted Cruz and Mike Lee argued that shutting down the government would force President Barack Obama to repeal Obamacare. Wrong.
Government shutdowns always hurt the party that is seen to want them. But that hasn’t stopped House Democrats and the left from making Schumer a political target. “There is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal,” said Rep.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “Just to see Senate Democrats even consider acquiescing to Elon Musk, I think, is a huge slap in the face.” Republicans dream about the day leftists like New York’s Ocasio-Cortez and Michigan’s Rashida Tlaib take over the Democratic Party.
Enough mainstream Democrats remain to make that unlikely to happen. Sensible Democrats recognize their party is already viewed as out of touch. If Democrats want to demonstrate they’re a reasonable alternative to the MAGA Republicans, the actions of Schumer should be welcomed.
They will need to reject Ocasio-Cortez’s radical agenda that previously called for defunding the police and advocated an open border by abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She now rails against Trump’s executive order banning transgender kids born male from competing in girls’ sports. About 80% of Americans disagree with her on these issues.
Democrats looked like fools at Trump’s March 4 speech to a joint session of Congress. Congressman Al Green stood, yelled, brandished his cane and was removed by the sergeant-at-arms. Others heckled holding up little paddles bearing insults.
The evening was a triumph for Trump. Sen. Ellisa Slotkin’s Democratic response did effectively argue that “Ronald Reagan is rolling in his grave” by Trump’s approach to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
She had harsh words for “Musk’s chaos.” Three Democrats – Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Gary Peters of Michigan and Tina Smith of Minnesota – have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026, making Democrats unlikely to win back Senate control next year.
Republicans shouldn’t get smug. While voters think Democrats are terrible, polling shows 2026 will be a horse race because 2024 was much closer than overconfident Republicans understand. Trump won the popular vote by 1.
47% and Republicans won a slim five-seat margin in the House. Currently, the RCP polling average has President Trump’s job performance disapproval exceeding his approval by 0.8% (48.
8% disapprove, 48% approve). Voters are critical of Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency. A recent Fox News Poll found 40% of voters approve of Musk’s work with DOGE, while 58% disapprove.
Democratic strategist James Carville says Democrats should now play possum – “roll over” and watch Republicans self-destruct. Carville believes Republicans are violating the “Law of Holes” adage: “If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.” E-mail Jim Hartman at lawdocman1@aol.
com..
