Looking at today's Fox News poll

[everyonematters]

Favorability of the parties:
Republican party
favorable 42%
unfavorable 58%
Unfavourability with Republicans 16%

Democratic Party
favorable 42%
unfavorable 58%
unfavourability with Democrats 20%

Even taking in account for disgruntled Democrats, the Democrats are not substantially increasing favorability with the sinking of Trump in the polls.

Independents:
favorability of the parties
Republican Party
favorable 25%
unfavorable 75%

Democratic Party
favorability 26%
unfavorable 73%

congressional vote
Democrats 58%
Republicans 41%

Democrats are winning the independent vote by 17%, even though they only have a 26% favorability rating.

Do you think the Democratic Party is focused on the right or wrong issues these days? (all)
right issues 39%
wrong issues 61%

with independents
right issues 34%
wrong issues 66%

We could still lose in 28. The independents are voting with us as a check on Trump, not because they have confidence in us. We need to show voters that we are going to make a positive difference in their lives. Shutdowns and gerrymandering don't do that.

[Keepthesoulalive]

1. Democrats have moved this country forward for almost 100 years

Republicans have almost destroyed us each time they have been in charge. If the American people choose to remain ignorant of the progress democrats have made their is no way to go forward. He screwed up the country the last time and the majority of people who voted and didn’t vote did not learn one damned thing. It is imperative that Americans learn something about government or we will keep swirling into the septic tank.

[Bluetus]

2. STAND FOR SOMETHING, Dems.

Last edited Thu Apr 23, 2026, 11:48 PM - Edit history (1)

It is not enough to complain about Trump. And it isn't enough to hope for Epstein to save us, any more than abortion saved us in 2024.

As Clinton famously said, "Strong but wrong wins every time". That was true with Reagan. It was true with both Bushes. And it is true with Trump. How many times must we learn this lesson?

It is not strong to just whine about the other guy. We MUST present a real agenda that gives voters a choice. What are we committed to doing the first day if we get both chambers, or even just the House?

And what are Democrats committed to doing on the first day that a Dem President in inaugurated in 2029, regardless of who that President is? Surely there must be some strong principles and plans that we can all agree on.

[Keepthesoulalive]

3. Most people don't care

I remember when they tried to pass a healthcare bill under Obama and the fought it. Imagine not going broke paying a hospital bill. They yelled communism and socialism. We still don’t have healthcare because they keep voting for republicans who do nothing for them. Stop blaming democrats for American arrogance and stupidity. He has stripped every social safety net and still Americans have their heads up their rectums.

[Bluetus]

7. People tend to ignore anything they don't experience. That's why we must learn

to make it real for people. Make the issues emotional, visceral. Make the policies connect to things people DO experience. And if we can't connect a particular policy to something people care about, then move on to other policies.

Abortion is the perfect example. Half the population can never experience an abortion, and 80% who are physically capable of pregnancy don't expect to find themselves in the position of needing an abortion. We can all feel strongly about making sure this is included in our health care policies, but as a campaign issue, it kinda sucks because of those numbers.

Whereas only about 10% have a really likely possibility of abortion, 100% of the country is suffering the consequences of the vast shift of wealth from the middle class to the tiny group of mega-billionaires. A very high percentage of the workforce is finding their value reduced by the uncontrolled excesses of AI, and so on. We need to go where the numbers are.

[Keepthesoulalive]

8. The only things I see Americans respond to

Are fear, anger and a sense of entitlement also a real heavy dose of narcissism.
Trans rights, immigrants, abortions and hating on anyone that does not fit their narrow definition of a real American. These things don’t affect them but boy do they run to the voting booth and hurt this country. I am also seeing democrats saying if it doesn’t affect white males why should we care. I don’t have answers because I am tired from trying to stop the orange shit head from gerrymandering the mid terms. But that doesn’t move the popularity meter so I guess it doesn’t count.

[Bluetus]

9. We must understand the difference between governing and elections

No matter how much we empathize with people suffering because of narrow issues, we cannot help them if we can't win a governing majority.

And we can't win a governing majority by making the narrow issues front and center. There are common aspects to many of the narrow issues, and they have to do with:

* the vast concentration of wealth
* that enables the concentration of enormous power
* that leads to massive corruption
* making our country less competitive on the global stage

The same people doing all this corruption are the ones oppressing people who aren't in their elite circle. IOW, the social issues fit easily within the bigger context. I am not asking anybody to abandon their liberal values. I am simply saying that the first step is to win a governing majority, and you do that by concentrating on the issues affecting the most people.

[Keepthesoulalive]

10. Real lofty thoughts

But when people mainly white men get in power they don’t recognize other folks problems. I am not voting for anyone who says I’ll take care of those pesky small problems when you elect me. Why should they try and work for everyone when they were elected as male centered candidates. Oh yeah there is a party for that it’s called republicans.

[Bluetus]

16. So, let's run straight at the REAL issue

The main thing that has enabled all of this evil (persecution of minorities and LGBT etc, climate denial, wars, vaccine denial, etc ) is the money in our politics. And it is getting worse every year as the concentration of wealth accelerates.

The unifying message ought to be that it is time to "eat the rich" so to speak. That is something that ordinary people can understand if we present them with bold plans and things we are really committed to changing. for example:

* we will suspend ICE funding until they accept regulations requiring identification, no masks, every interaction with the public requiring a JUDICIAL warrant, etc.
* We will restore the top tax bracket to the levels we had when we built the strongest middle class the world has ever seen.
* we will commit to becoming the world leader in renewable energy, next generation medical solutions, public, affordable education and scientific research in general
* we will release all the Epstein documents and prosecute all offenders that are currently being protected
* we will overhaul our military systems and concepts, developing systems that are up to the challenges of the 21st century, and by exploiting widely available technologies, we will limit our military spending to no more than 50% more than Russia and China spend on their defenses combined.
* We will make fundamental reforms to the SCOTUS that include one new appointment every year, term limits of 15 years, rotating Chief positions, and the strictest code of ethics anywhere in government.
* We will hold crypto to the same standards and regulations we have always applied to proper banks
* We will hold social media accountable for the damage they are doing to our society
* We will require AI tech providers to fund unemployment, retirement, and health benefits for the workers they displace.

etc. I'm not saying these are all the best ideas. I'm simply listing some examples of real, bold ideas that the average person can understand and support.

[Keepthesoulalive]

17. I agree with your proposals

But most people don’t see it. People want easy solutions and hate is easy, rather than looking at the root of our problems. Ronald Reagan said greed is good and people thought they would not be hurt by it. They vilified Jimmy Carter when he tried to make Us more energy independent. All the things that we have turned a blind eye to have come back to bite us on our rear ends. We are too special and too smart to learn anything and here we are and I don’t think we will ever get our position in the world or our wealth back.

[Bluetus]

18. Tell me who is presenting bold ideas

The only ones I have seen are Bernie, AOC, and Mamdani.

There are many others bravely calling Trump a poo-poo head daily, but that is not the same thing as presenting bold, challenging, inspirational ideas.

Let me put it another way. Tell me who in rural Idaho or the cornfields of Kansas wants to see their hospital close? Who wants to pay 25% more for anything requiring trucking because of Trump's tariffs and war? Who wants to see a gestapo police force raiding cities, even small towns and factories? Who wants to see politicians running stock and crypto scams that means any retirement savings we might have will shrink relative to inflation?

The Republicans have been able to point everybody's attention on gay bathrooms and elementary schools performing sex change operations at recess BECAUSE Dems have not been out there advocating for anything constructive. We need to mix some offense in with our defense.

[Keepthesoulalive]

21. They don't care if you close their hospitals

New bold ideas are frightening to them. It may resonate with you but these folks know what the know. They have a them versus us mentality and you high minded city ideas scare the hell out of them. Farmers are losing their farms, hospitals are closing, factories are shutting down and he is going to draft their kids. I live with them and they are brainwashed to the max. I have never seen this much incompetence anywhere and they would vote for it again. We must have that coalition and outvote them. They are not logical so don’t look for it.

[Bluetus]

22. I agree with you on several levels

We certainly have many Americans who can't get concerned about an issue until it affects them personally. And this lack of empathy/foresight is much stronger among Republicans than Democrats. But that just means we have to focus our message more clearly for them. Just about everybody needs a hospital or advanced specialty SOMETIME. We need to help them focus, and that is easier if we can, at the same time, explain a plausible solution that really will make their lives better and also the lives of their neighbors, relatives, friends, etc.

And I also realize there is an "America of the rugged individualist" attitude among many, and that is stronger in the sparsely populated West than in other places. But you know, none of them ever turn away their Social Security, Medicare, small business loans and big infrastructure projects. Even these "rugged individualists" want bridges that are safe, and they need a government that isn't bankrupted by corruption and outrageous spending on useless military gear and adventures. They need a safe food network in order to have demand for their cattle, and so on. They need fair and sustainable plans for water for crops and cattle. They mostly want the same things the rest of us want, but we have been talking past one another.

[Keepthesoulalive]

23. They want it

But the unworthy people shouldn’t have it. That includes anyone who is not white or fundamentalist Christian. They always believe if someone else is getting something it is being taken away from them. They are closing hospitals in the valley and they are okay as long as those illegals aren’t getting it and they believe the lies . As we pushed back on the orange anus attempting to gerrymander his minions back into office the ads that were everywhere stated dems want to get welfare and benefits for the people who are invading our country. There is always a boogeyman and they fall for it every time. Trans, DEI .they want to believe something is being taken away and you will not reason them out of their delusions. I invite anyone who believes they can to come on down and try. The dems are doing rural outreach. They are not making a dent in their victim hood and racism. The majority of white males have not voted for a democrat since LBJ, they are angry at the wrong people and equality to them looks like servitude.

[Bluetus]

24. We cannot win them all over, but many are coming around.

Last edited Sat Apr 25, 2026, 04:44 PM - Edit history (1)

Edited to correct title, "we CANNOT win them all ..."

We are seeing 15% "over-performance" just about everywhere -- places like Mississippi. That means about 20 million people are changing their minds. And that is WITHOUT Dems doing any effective positive messaging. That over-performance is almost entirely from Republicans going 10 bridges too far. If e could get real positive messaging consistently from Dems, we could probably convert another 10 million.

[Ilikepurple]

27. Thank you Bluetus and Keepthesoulalive for your passionately argued dialogue.

I mainly come here for news aggregation and to hear opinions, but it’s discussions like these that really make my day, or evening as it may be. It’s nice to see people find some common ground that helps both the participants and their readers put a finer point on their reasoning.

[Keepthesoulalive]

28. During our fight to stop the orange degenerate gerrymandering

They went home. If a democrat fixes things as they have always done they will go right back. They have not had a change of heart only a change of income. They are temporarily embarrassed but puff them up enough and they will go right back. Look at Tucker Carlson , Joe Rogan and all the other paid influencers saying I’m so sorry I misled you. Horse crap as soon as they find another sugar daddy they will go back to their conservative bull. Donald Trump is an embarrassing lame duck. But I’m sure there is another in the wings. He has given them permission to be their worse selves but he didn’t tell them it comes with an economic price. Oh yeah the over performance has been the coalition, white men still white and the majority are still voting republican or conservadem like cuomo.

[Bluetus]

36. We are paying the price for 40+ years of no real opposition

Democrats knew exactly what we stood for during FDR, and in the post-WWII years, and through the turbulent 60s. And that was not without conflict from the natural authoritarians (a nice way to say "pre-fascist&quot But when Reagan came in, Democrats lost their way. They forgot how hard FDR had to fight and how frequently he was out there making the case for progress. We basically lost the years 1980 to about 2020. We didn't effectively oppose anything. Indeed, we had Presidents calling themselves "A new Democrat" or "no drama", as if unilateral abandonment of our core principles was something to be proud of.

Fortunately most of the people from those lost generations are aging our or dying off, and are mostly being replaced by people who are demanding a much better deal than the fascism and economic servitude that Republicans are delivering. It took 40+ years to get to the bottom of that hole. It will take a lot of work to get out. We must rescue a million people here and a million people there, realizing that some will be back-sliders. This is a long road, but it is the only way.

[Keepthesoulalive]

37. FDR was a transformative president

Because the nation was enduring the Great Depression. He had top notch advisors including Eleanor.
He was able to reshape the country because people were desperate. He was old money conservative but he was smart and politically savvy. He also had ww2 which we managed to come out of a military powerhouse. Looks like we might figure it out after the next one. None of this pain and uncertainty was necessary if only the voters would have stopped being so hateful and myopic. If the democratic candidate for president does not have a moral core meaning he must do what is best for everyone and everything. I will vote down ticket and send money to real progressive candidates. If you want to compromise with racists, sexists, religious zealots, billionaire bros count me out.

[Bluetus]

38. "If you want to compromise with racists, sexists, religious zealots, billionaire bros count me out."

Indeed. And most Americans agree with this, or are at least coming around to that point. By now, just about everybody has figured out that "trickle down" is EXACTLY what is sounds like. Yet we have a faction in our party that still feels the smartest thing is to stand for nothing but "reaching across the aisle".

There is noting but corruption, fascism, and corporate money on "the other side of the aisle". I don't want to reach across THAT aisle. We should be reaching out to the ordinary Americans whose lives are being ruined by "the other side of the aisle". The people who are doing that, even a tiny bit, are winning. Imagine if we had a strong leader making that connection on a daily basis.

[Keepthesoulalive]

39. I don't want my politicians reaching across the isle

But I don’t want the electorate reaching across either. They are talking about letting Nikki Haley and other dissatisfied republicans join the democrats, we all know what that means. But the Bernie brothers weren’t any better because they voted for trump.there must be common values for the party to move forward not if I don’t get my pony or you don’t come and speak to me I won’t vote for you. We didn’t vote for Hillary or vp Harris because we want better candidates. I vote for who can move the country forward and I want the person to be smart, competent and committed to all Americans and the world.

[somsai]

40. our party began abandoning labor in the mid to late 70s

and every year even more so. We were good on social issues but economics is big in W Virginia, Idaho, and most every other state. Our protesters carry signs about No Kings and anti Nazi but never a $21 wage. .

[Klarkashton]

4. It seems to me that this sort of poll about comgress

Always results in numbers like this no matter what.

[in2herbs]

5. I don't think it's the issues, I think it's the Congressional Ds showing a lack of spine on the issues. nt

[Bluetus]

19. A lack of imagination.

Some of them are speaking our AGAINST things that are bad. Fine, but that is not the same thing as presenting bold ideas. As Clinton said, "Strong, but wrong" wins every time when the other guy doesn't present any vision, any real alternative. Trump never paid any price for offering a big wall as his vision in 2016. It was his wall versus what? There was never any compelling, tangible, specific proposal from our side. We will keep losing as long as we are afraid to present bold, challenging ideas.

[somsai]

41. Many in our party enjoy not having to pay higher prices for services

food delivery, cleaning, restaurants. There was no response to a big beautiful wall because the 10% are doing just fine without it.

[everyonematters]

6. For the past decades, a lot of people have been struggling economically.

The average workers' wages have remained stagnant while Billionaires have continued to suck up more wealth. Democrats want to help people, but what they have accomplished is nibling at the edges on things like the ACA or pharmaceuticals. The big problem is wages! The minimum wage needs to be raised at the federal level and made mandatory. Corporate executives pay needs to be capped among other things. When the Democrats get control of congress, they need to put these things up for a vote and publicize it.

[Keepthesoulalive]

11. How about you get folks to vote for that

They keep voting for republicans who blow through the treasury and then a democrat must fix it . We then don’t have the money we need for economic progress. If people wanted to raise the minimum wage they would vote for people who would do that. I remember the tea party( taxed enough already).
Stop blaming democrats for a brain dead electorate. We have primaries coming up let’s get some serious progressive candidates. I bet you won’t find any.

[everyonematters]

12. What are we doing - Government shutdowns and gerrymandering.

[Keepthesoulalive]

13. We are attempting to stop him

From rigging the midterms and Americans should not be afraid they are going to be picked up or shot by roving gangs of thugs. Sometimes you have to take a stand against a tyrant, just ask the folks of Hungary. To make a progressive change in this country will take organization and sacrifice, I don’t see Americans doing either. You have billionaires who own most of the media and Americans love to consume propaganda like Fox News. The minimum wage is just one tiny piece of a monumental problem and you will not solve it by ceding the moral high ground.

[everyonematters]

14. The gerrymandering is senseless.

We are going to win the House by 30 to 40 seats. If the Republicans try to steal the election, they are going to do it in ways that the few seats in Virginia aren't going to make a difference. Earlier we did California when things were less certain. Independents are going to decide elections for the foreseeable future. They are disillusioned with both of the major parties. shutdowns and gerrymandering don't help with that. If we try to outlaw gerrymandering down the road, now we have lost credibility.

[Keepthesoulalive]

15. You don't understand

We organized and we fought back. People who vote for democrats were energized. A movement requires energy and it takes time to see results but folks felt the democrats were fighting back and Peter Thiel poured millions into defeating this he was unsuccessful. If it didn’t matter he would not have gotten involved. Because you don’t personally benefit from something does not mean we should roll over and do only what is important to you. We must show people we are willing to push back against the tyranny of the white oligarchs.

[Skittles]

26. so you're saying Dems should just lay low

have you even NOTICED where not fighting back has gotten us? REPUKES FIGHT DIRTY - always have, ALWAYS WILL

[Bluetus]

20. OK. Those are constructive ideas. They need to be formalized into an action statement with some accountability.

If you elect Democrats to control Congress, we will pass legislation to cap corporate executive compensation at a maximum of 20 times the average pay of their work force. Any company that exceeds this compensation level will pay an excise tax of 20% of their profits or 5% of their revenues, whichever is greater.

That's very specific and believable. It is not overly wonky. Most people can understand it. And it only takes 20 seconds to say it.

We have to train Dems to speak to the public this way, even if we expect that the final legislation will come out somewhat different after negotiations. That doesn't matter. It really is the idea that counts. And more than anything, we desperately need leadership to embrace the best of these ideas and to work with every Senator and Representative to tell the same story.

[Skittles]

25. fuck Fox "News"

they are as trustworthy as Trump.2

[Scrivener7]

29. The policies are not the problem. This is a perennial messaging problem.

When asked, voters overwhelmingly prefer Democratic policies.

Yet ask those Ohio diner voters and they'll still tell you the republicans are the party of law and order and fiscal responsibility.

The response I always get when I bring this up is, "They own the media." This is true, but it's been true for 40 years. It's way past time for us to have a plan to overcome that obstacle. Social media is the key and we need to stop being squeamish about flooding social media through any means possible.

[everyonematters]

30. It is not a messaging problem. It is a trust problem. The voters give both parties low approval ratings.

The Democratic base views the whole world as about Democrats versus Republicans. Most Americans don't view it that way. They want someone to make a positive difference in their lives. The big problem is wages.

[Scrivener7]

31. We disagree. Democrats have consistently worked to improve wages but been thwarted by r's.

Dems have also consistently worked to improve healthcare access, elder care, climate change, the economy, fiscal health, foreign relations, reducing the rape of children by presidents, preventing violent attempts to take over the government, etc.

Whereas republicans consistently vote against Democratic attempts to achieve those thing and push policies whose sole goals are to give more money to the rich through any means possible.

But still, Dems and republicans get the same approval ratings.

That's a messaging problem.

[everyonematters]

32. You can have healthcare, help with childcare and still have trouble paying the rent or buying groceries.

The big problem is wages. The Democrats want to help people, but they have been nibbling at the edges. The minimum wage needs to be raised at the federal level and made mandatory.

[Scrivener7]

33. They have tried and tried, and been thwarted by republicans. If that were the message

everyone got (instead of the ubiquitous republican rat-fucking message of "your children will go to school and come back transgender), Democrats would win elections, and then be able to pass increases nationwide to the minimum wage.

In every state where they have had the numbers, Democrats have made big increases in minimum wages, and would do it if they had power at the federal level. Why is that not the ubiquitous message?

[everyonematters]

34. As far as I know, when the Democrats were in power, they haven't put it up for a vote since the

Clinton administration. If I am wrong, then they need to bypass the filibuster to pass it. They need to put it up for a vote when they win the Senate or the House in November.

[Scrivener7]

35. I think we are not really disagreeing. And yes that's true about federal minimum wage.

Though I do think Obama initially wanted to use all his political capital to pass Obamacare, which was a huge boon to everyone, and then after that he never had the full Congress again. .

I too hope minimum wage is one of their first efforts when we regain power. To get there, I really hope they pound the right and flood every media with the message that financial inequality is outrageous, and that increasing wages and taxing billionaires will be done within the first hundred days if Democrats are given the tools to enact it.

We're agreeing on the policy. But I'm saying we need to get a lot better at messaging if we want to be put in a position to enact the policy.