Democrats need new playbook to confront Trump, Kamala Harris pollster tells party
As President-elect Trump prepares to take office once again, Democratic leaders are strategizing on how to confront the former president in the upcoming years. Molly Murphy, a prominent pollster who worked on Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign, emphasized the need for a new game plan during a recent meeting of the Democratic National Committee’s executive committee.
With Trump’s recent landslide victory over Harris and the GOP’s control of both the Senate and House, Democrats are facing a political wilderness and are in search of answers. Post-election polls show that most Americans approve of how Trump is handling his transition and give him credit for his handling of the economy.
Murphy highlighted the need for Democrats to change the public’s perception of Trump, emphasizing that they should focus on the negative impact his policies will have on the American people. She stressed the importance of highlighting issues such as the rising costs of goods and services, tax breaks for the wealthy, and the impact of Trump’s proposed tariffs on American consumers.
Drawing inspiration from the GOP’s successful 2024 campaign playbook, Murphy suggested that Democrats should focus on connecting with working Americans on a cultural level rather than just discussing policies. She noted that Republicans have been successful in creating an emotional connection with voters through cultural conversations, and Democrats need to find ways to do the same.
DNC chair Jaime Harrison praised Murphy’s presentation but also urged the party to focus on Vice President-elect Sen. JD Vance in addition to Trump. Harrison emphasized the need to look ahead to the 2028 race and not solely focus on Trump.
Overall, Democratic leaders are recognizing the need for a new approach in confronting Trump and the GOP in the coming years. By shifting their focus to economic issues and finding ways to connect with working Americans on a cultural level, Democrats hope to regain ground and appeal to a broader base of voters in future elections.
