January 1st, 2025 | Thomas Carter

It Is Weird To Be A Democrat

The Democrats of today are a far cry from the visions of Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

The Democratic Party once held a firm position as a broad-based coalition that appealed to a wide swath of the American electorate. Leaders like Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter exemplified a pragmatic and centrist approach, striking a balance between progressivism and moderation. Clinton’s “New Democrat” ethos emphasized economic growth, welfare reform, and fiscal responsibility, while even Obama’s deceitfully charismatic leadership focused on unity and incremental progress on social issues earlier in his term. As Obama's message devolved into something divisive, the party’s ideological trajectory shifted dramatically, leading some observers to contend that it has become increasingly “weird” or out of touch with mainstream America.

This perceived shift is largely attributed to the rise of “woke” ideals within the party’s platform. While the term “woke” initially signified an awareness of social injustices, it has since evolved into a polarizing cultural marker. The Democratic Party’s embrace of progressive stances on issues like gender identity, race, and climate change has alienated moderates and independents who once found a comfortable home within its ranks. Policies that challenge traditional norms, such as promoting gender-neutral language, supporting unrestricted access to abortion, or advocating for defunding the police, are seen by many as radical departures from the party’s historical focus on bread-and-butter issues like jobs, healthcare, and education.

A notable example of this cultural shift can be seen in debates around gender and identity. The push for inclusivity in language—such as replacing “woman” with terms like “person who menstruates”—has sparked backlash, with critics accusing the party of prioritizing fringe issues over pressing economic concerns. Similarly, controversial approaches to race, including support for Critical Race Theory in schools, have faced pushback from parents and local communities, further contributing to the notion that the party is disconnected from the concerns of average Americans.

The Democrats’ pivot toward progressive ideals also reflects a growing urban-rural divide. While urban and highly-educated voters have embraced many of these cultural shifts, rural and working-class voters, who once formed the backbone of the Democratic coalition, increasingly feel abandoned. Policies perceived as elitist or dismissive of traditional values have driven many in these demographics toward the Republican Party. Donald Trump’s rise and sustained popularity among these voters highlight the growing chasm between the Democrats’ priorities and the cultural sensibilities of much of the country.

While colleges and universities have historically been regarded as bastions of critical thinking and intellectual growth, many graduates have shown a clear lack of essential skills in critical analysis and instead exhibit a narrow adherence to prevailing progressive ideologies. This raises questions about the efficacy of modern higher education in fostering independent thought. In particular, the alignment of many college-educated individuals with the Democratic Party’s more extreme policies—including those labeled as “woke”—has led some to suggest that the academic environment has become a breeding ground for ideological conformity rather than a marketplace of ideas.

The concept of education as a process of free inquiry appears increasingly at odds with reports of speech codes, safe spaces, and a focus on identity politics dominating many campuses. Such trends reflect an environment of indoctrination, where students are encouraged to adopt specific political views rather than question and debate them. This environment may contribute to the widespread support for policies that emphasize symbolic virtue signaling over practical solutions. For example, the fervent endorsement of policies around gender-neutral language or climate activism often lacks nuanced debate about their broader societal implications. These patterns suggest that the “education” received by many graduates may be more reflective of ideological training than the cultivation of truly critical, independent thinkers.

Since 2010, college and university enrollments in the United States have been on the decline.

Kamala Harris has often been scrutinized for her alignment with progressive ideals that have polarized public opinion. Harris has been a vocal advocate for many policies associated with the Democratic Party’s woke platform, including strong support for gender equity, climate change initiatives, and systemic racial reforms. However, her efforts have sometimes been criticized as tone-deaf or overly focused on symbolic gestures. For example, her emphasis on policies like expanding gender-neutral terminology and supporting transgender surgery for inmates has alienated moderate and rural voters who view such measures as out of step with their priorities. This perceived disconnection from the concerns of everyday Americans has hindered Harris’s ability to build widespread support, even within her own party, where questions about her effectiveness and relatability persist.

Harris drew backlash for her framing of Trump supporters as “weird” during the campaign. This rhetoric was seen as divisive by many old-school Democrats and ironic by most Americans, which has helped reinforce the perception of the Democratic Party as out of touch. By characterizing a significant portion of the electorate in such terms, Harris inadvertently fueled the cultural divide she sought to bridge. Her approach has often been contrasted with her predecessors, who prioritized a more inclusive and conciliatory tone. These missteps have contributed to a broader narrative that Harris’s leadership, while groundbreaking in its representation, has struggled to resonate with a diverse and skeptical public.

The Democrats’ rhetorical approach has, at times, exacerbated the perception of weirdness. Some high-profile figures within the party have framed disagreements over progressive policies as evidence of bigotry or ignorance, alienating potential allies and fueling accusations of moral superiority. The party’s inability to effectively counter Republican narratives labeling them as out of touch has further entrenched this image.

Although the Democrat shift has energized younger, more progressive voters, it has come at a cost. The alienation of moderates, independents, and rural voters has created a political environment where the party’s ability to build a broad and sustainable coalition is increasingly questioned. For many Americans, the Democrats no longer represent a pragmatic alternative but rather a movement consumed by cultural battles and ideological purity tests.

Democrats have lost touch with all of things that made them successful in the 1990s. The new perception that it is “weird to be a Democrat” in today’s America is a far cry from the days when people like Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter embodied a vision of unity and common purpose. Reconnecting with the cultural and economic anxieties of middle America may be the key to regaining the trust and relevance the party once enjoyed. However, much of that now belongs to Donald Trump and his coalition of old Democrats and conservatives.