Democrats must never give up on any demographic. What they must do is work hard to earn them, something the Republicans have done using racism and xenophobia. We must use love and nurture.
Democrats must not abandon the working class.
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Podcasts (Video — Audio)
Summary
The speaker critiques Fareed Zakaria’s argument that Democrats should abandon the working class, particularly the white working class, and instead focus on college-educated voters and minorities. This is an elitist and misguided stance, as the working class—regardless of race—largely supports progressive policies when engaged effectively. Democrats made a mistake by ceding rural and working-class areas to Republicans, often assuming that these voters were too racist or reactionary to be won over. Using Obama’s 2008 victory as an example, it is clear that economic concerns can often transcend racial bias when candidates actively campaign on policies that improve people’s lives. Democrats must reinvest in rural communities and prioritize economic justice over corporate interests to reclaim lost ground.
Key Points
- Fareed Zakaria suggests Democrats should stop trying to win over the working class, which is an elitist mistake.
- The working class—both white and nonwhite—supports progressive policies like healthcare, unions, and fair wages when appropriately engaged.
- Democrats historically won working-class and rural voters but lost them due to economic betrayals, externally ignited prejudice, and lack of direct outreach.
- Obama’s campaign demonstrated that economic policies can persuade even racially prejudiced voters when their financial well-being is at stake.
- Democrats must stop prioritizing corporate interests and reinvest in rural and working-class communities to rebuild a durable majority.
Progressive Takeaway
Abandoning the working class, as Zakaria suggests, would be a disaster for democracy and economic justice. Progressives must reject this defeatist attitude and fight for policies that uplift all workers—rural, urban, Black, white, other, unionized, and non-unionized. The path forward isn’t elitism; it’s a bold, working-class agenda that challenges corporate power and restores faith in the government’s role in improving lives.
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