The Political Scene | The New Yorker The Democratic Party’s Identity Crisis
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Aug 28, 2025 
Lis Smith, a Democratic strategist and former senior advisor to Pete Buttigieg, joins Clare Malone to tackle the Democratic Party's identity crisis. They explore how a decade of anti-Trump rhetoric has left Democrats reactive. Smith highlights the party's dwindling support from traditional allies like young voters and communities of color. They discuss the need for innovative strategies and authentic connections to regain trust, contrasting different approaches among rising leaders. The conversation emphasizes the urgency of rethinking messaging for future elections.
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Address Immigration And Safety Head-On
- Acknowledge and address immigration and public-safety concerns directly instead of avoiding them.
- Run ads early, propose bipartisan reforms, and show willingness to break with the administration where needed.
Local Infrastructure Lost While Focusing On Presidency
- Republicans built durable state and local power while Democrats focused primarily on the presidency.
- That organizational neglect left Democrats vulnerable across legislatures and governance levers.
Demographics Weren't Destiny
- Demographics alone didn't secure Democratic dominance because the party lost ground with rising non-college working-class voters.
- To reverse trends Democrats must speak to working-class Black, Latino, and Asian voters' economic concerns.
