Edsall: Democrats must broaden appeal as Trump’s standing falls but party ratings lag

Thomas B. Edsall argues that Democrats have a rare opening to blunt Trumpism as right‑wing populism staggers and Democrats are favored to retake the House with a long‑shot chance at the Senate, but he warns the party faces deep public distrust. Edsall notes President Trump’s favorability and the issues that propelled him into office have declined, and that incidents such as the ICE and Border Patrol killings in Minnesota have focused attention on the dangers of autocratic rule.

Yet Democrats confront a major hurdle: many voters view the party negatively. Yascha Mounk, quoted in the column, said Democrats would be “extremely foolish” to treat a temporary advantage as a permanent fix because the party’s favorability ratings remain at record lows and many voters doubt Democrats have changed their stance on wokeness or D.E.I.

Four studies from the second half of 2025 underline the problem. An Associated Press‑NORC poll, reported by the A.P., found many Democrats see their party as “weak” or “ineffective,” and the A.P. quoted a Democratic voter calling the party “spineless.” A Pew survey found “67 percent of Democrats say their own party makes them feel frustrated,” with 41 percent saying the party has not pushed back hard enough against the Trump administration.

A WelcomePAC analysis, “Deciding to Win,” said the party’s agenda has shifted away from economic issues and documented sharp changes in keyword usage in Democratic platforms between 2012 and 2024.

Key Topics

Politics, Democratic Party, Donald Trump, Maga, Dei, Welcomepac