Former Clinton pollster Doug Schoen criticizes the Democratic Party’s extreme leftward shift, saying moderates are “not welcome” and he’s uncomfortable with where the party now stands.
Key Insights
- Doug Schoen, a former Clinton pollster, expresses discomfort with today’s Democratic Party, claiming it’s become a “woke, far-left party” unlike the one led by JFK or Bill Clinton.
- Democrats were criticized for their behavior during President Trump’s address to Congress, particularly their refusal to acknowledge a 13-year-old cancer patient.
- Mark Penn, another former Clinton advisor, warned that Democrats’ “amateurish” resistance to Trump is resulting in record low approval ratings.
- Schoen suggests Democrats must offer alternative policies on border security, inflation, crime, and immigration reform to remain relevant to voters.
Clinton-Era Advisor Distances Himself From Today’s Democrats
The Democratic Party faces internal criticism as longtime party insider Doug Schoen publicly questions its current direction. Schoen, who served as a pollster for President Bill Clinton, recently expressed significant reservations about the party’s leftward shift. His comments highlight growing tension within the Democratic establishment as some veteran members find themselves increasingly at odds with progressive elements that have gained influence in recent years.
“I certainly think that is possible, if you look at what he’s said and what he’s done. It’s clear he’s uncomfortable in the Democratic Party, as frankly I am. I disagree with the Republicans on a lot of things. They go further than I would go. So I cling to my membership in the Democratic Party, but it’s not the same party.” – Source
Schoen went further, suggesting that some Democratic politicians, including Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, might even consider switching parties due to similar discomfort with the current Democratic platform. While acknowledging his disagreements with Republicans on various issues, Schoen described himself as “clinging” to his Democratic Party membership despite feeling the party has fundamentally changed from the one he helped build during the Clinton era.
Congressional Address Highlights Party Divide
The former Clinton advisor specifically criticized Democratic lawmakers for their behavior during President Trump’s recent address to Congress. Schoen expressed disappointment that Democrats refused to acknowledge significant moments during the speech, particularly when the President recognized a 13-year-old battling brain cancer. This lack of basic decorum, according to Schoen, exemplifies how far the party has shifted from mainstream American values.
Fellow Clinton advisor Mark Penn shared similar concerns, warning that Democrats’ persistent resistance to Trump, including their refusal to applaud during his congressional address, is damaging their standing with voters. Penn noted that such behavior appears “amateurish” to many Americans and contributes to the party’s declining poll numbers while Trump’s approval ratings continue to rise.
Call for Policy Alternatives
Schoen emphasized that the Democratic Party needs to offer substantive policy alternatives rather than merely opposing Trump. He pointed to Bill Clinton’s response to the 1994 “Gingrich Revolution” as a model for how Democrats should adapt to political reality. Back then, Clinton pivoted to address voter concerns by offering centrist policies that acknowledged Republican successes while providing Democratic alternatives.
“I disagree with many of the policies that President Trump so articulately outlined, and I think he’s gone too far. But that being said, my party is not doing what Bill Clinton did when the Gingrich revolution came in 1994, which is to offer a set of alternatives that recognize the American people want border security, a reduction in inflation, tougher policies on crime, and immigration reform. Until we do that as a party, we Democrats remain irrelevant, sadly.” https://dailycaller.com/2025/03/06/doug-schoen-clinging-to-dem-party/
Republican Senator Katie Britt expressed disappointment in Democrats’ conduct during the President’s address, saying: “I was so disappointed that my Democratic colleagues couldn’t stand and show love for some of the Americans that were recognized tonight. That was really heartbreaking to me.” The contrast between the parties was further highlighted when Rep. Al Green and other Democrats disrupted portions of Trump’s speech, actions that drew criticism from both Republicans and political analysts.
Party at a Crossroads
The Democratic Party now faces significant questions about its future direction. Schoen’s critique suggests a widening gap between traditional Democratic values and the party’s current leadership. By describing today’s Democrats as a “woke, far-left party” that he has “very little in common with,” Schoen represents a contingent of moderate Democrats who feel politically homeless in the current environment.
In the official Democratic response to Trump’s address, Senator Elissa Slotkin attempted to position the party as the true defender of Reagan-era values, particularly regarding foreign policy. Slotkin stated, “We all want an end to the war in Ukraine, but [President Ronald] Reagan understood that true strength required America to combine our military and economic might with moral clarity.” This strategy of invoking Reagan highlights Democrats’ search for effective messaging that can appeal beyond their progressive base.
As electoral battles loom, these internal Democratic tensions may prove decisive in determining whether the party can effectively challenge Republicans or remains, as Schoen warns, “irrelevant” to the concerns of many American voters.
Sources:
- Former Clinton Pollster Admits He’s Clinging To Party Membership As Far Left Drifts From Core Values
- Pollster warns Democrats’ ‘amateurish’ anti-Trump antics are ‘tanking’ with Americans
