The popular “Moderates versus the Left” narrative about Democrats’ struggle to regain the support of working class voters is the “Night of the Living Dead” of American political commentary. No matter how many times it is buried by the weight of events it keeps on coming back.
Here’s the plot of this oft-repeated journalistic bed-time story:
1. In the 1980’s the Democrats had drifted too far to the left, driving away working class voters who became “Reagan Democrats” instead. In response, the “New Democrats” organized to regain the lost working class support. In his 1992 campaign Clinton used the New Democratic strategy and narrative to win victory. He signaled his break with the left and embrace of a moderate agenda with a dramatic “Sister Souljah” moment during the campaign and thereby regained “the center.”
2. Now, once again, Democrats have drifted too far to the left, losing working class voters to Trump and the GOP. And again, “Moderates” are pushing back.
Even on the surface this narrative doesn’t hold up to serious scrutiny. CONTINUED — pdf
Andrew Levison, The Democratic Strategist
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