CNN commentator Fareed Zakaria argues that the Democratic Party's efforts to regain the support of working-class voters have been unsuccessful and that the party should focus on its existing base of college-educated professionals, women, and minorities. In a recent Washington Post column, Zakaria highlighted the Democrats' consistent success with these demographics and suggested that catering to them would be a more effective strategy than pursuing the working-class voters they lost years ago.
Zakaria's assessment follows President Biden's perceived political failures, including low approval ratings and the Democratic Party's losses in the 2024 elections. He points to Biden's economic policies, which were designed to appeal to non-college-educated Americans, as evidence that this approach has not resonated with the intended audience. Despite significant investments in infrastructure and climate initiatives, working-class voters, including Hispanic and Asian American communities, shifted their support to Republicans in 2024, potentially due to Biden's stance on issues like immigration and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
This perspective aligns with ongoing discussions within the Democratic Party about its relationship with working-class voters. Senator Bernie Sanders, for example, has criticized the party for neglecting this demographic, suggesting this disconnect contributed to the Democrats' electoral setbacks. Zakaria's column adds another voice to this debate, advocating for a strategic shift away from trying to recapture the working class.
