Democratic Party needs to take a citizen-centric path

THE DEMOCRATS MUST GRAPPLE WITH THE PERCEPTION OF BEING OUT OF TOUCH WITH WHAT ISSUES MATTER MOST TO THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS OR WHERE AMERICANS STAND ON THOSE ISSUES

- Frank F Islam

Weeks after a devastating electoral defeat, the Democratic Party finds itself in a period of serious introspection. With Kamala Harris's historic candidacy ending in a loss, the blame game has been relentless, both within the party and among media pundits. While the shock does not rival the seismic political upset of 2016 when Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton, Harris's loss still stings deeply, as it represents a broader reckoning for the Democratic Party nationwide.

Unlike 2016, when many were blindsided, this year's election outcome was less of a surprise. The polls were tight and several analysts had forecast Trump as the likely winner. Nonetheless, the results delivered a sobering blow. Not only did Trump win the presidency, but the Republicans appear to have achieved a political trifecta—flipping the Senate and retaining their House majority based upon the congressional races decided to date. This complete control over the executive and legislative branches—combined with a conservative majority in the Supreme Court—has left many Democrats anxious about unchecked Republican power.

In the aftermath of the election, Democrats must shift their focus from despair and anxiety to assessment and then action. American politics operates in two-year cycles, with opportunities for renewal always on the horizon. The next congressional elections are less than two years away, and a majority in the US House of Representatives remains within reach, given the small margin Republicans will hold there.