Democrats are divided on how to define the party’s image and platform heading into the midterms, with some warning opposition to the White House has become a su
Democrats are divided on how to define the party’s image and platform heading into the midterms, with some warning opposition to the White House has become a substitute for a broader agenda. Sen. John Fetterman, the Pennsylvania Democrat who frequently breaks with his party, said Democrats are governed by “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” in an interview with the “All-In” podcast.
When asked who leads the Democratic Party, Fetterman argued it is being driven more by reflexive resistance to Trump than a cohesive vision. “Oh, we don’t, we don’t have one. I think, I think the TDS that — I think that’s the leader right now. You know, right now our party, is, is governed by the TDS, and now it’s made it virtually impossible, without being punished, as a Democrat, to agree something’s good, or ‘I agree with the other side,’ and I would define that by Epic Fury,” Fetterman said. He also voted to back Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., in his nomination to replace Kristi Noem as the Department of Homeland Security secretary and questioned why other Democrats were unwilling to give him a chance. Bipartisanship has become harder to come by in recent years in Congress as lawmakers have dug in, a dynamic that accelerated since Trump returned to office and released an avalanche of executive orders and other actions remaking the government in his image. Democrats have adamantly resisted most of the key pieces of Trump’s agenda every step of the way as they have made pushing back a cornerstone of their response. Democratic leaders and candidates have tied opposition to Trump to broader concerns about lowering costs for Americans and protecting democratic institutions. They argue the administration’s tariffs are costing households thousands and point to rising energy prices The party has also backed proposals to extend health care subsidies, cut taxes for families and make housing more affordable as part of a broader affordability message for the midterms. The approaching midterm elections have also fueled Democratic resistance to the administration as the party tries to persuade voters to put them back in the majority as a check to what they describe as a reckless administration making life harder and more expensive for Americans. Vowing resistance to Trump has been a cornerstone of primary campaigns since the 2025 elections that saw major Democratic wins across the country. “A lot of things are working in their direction. So what's the platform? How Democrats can do it better? They have to be able to be able to articulate at least a few points from that perspective,” said Rob Alexander, a political science professor at Bowling Green. “What are you for? Not what are you against.” The Democratic brand is still struggling to recover after plummeting during the Biden administration as voters grew increasingly frustrated about inflation and border security. Party leadership has been trying to figure out a path forward amid an internal debate between its progressive and moderate wings with conflicting ideas about what direction to go. Moderates have pushed to focus on kitchen table issues like the economy and public safety, while progressives have called for being more aggressive in dealing with the president. Recent polling has highlighted Democrats’ struggles with the public. An NBC survey this month found just 30% view the Democratic Party positively, compared to 52% who view it negatively. Republicans are also underwater with a 37% approval and 51% disapproval.after the midterms. NBC’s poll gave Democrats a 50-44 advantage, a similar margin to other pollsters. Most election forecasters favor Democrats to win the House, but flipping the Senate is a bigger lift because the map of seats up for reelection tilts toward Republicans. That dynamic has intensified the debate about how to broaden its coalition and capitalize on a favorable political environment. "You want to bring these people into the fold right now in a way that you might not have that chance two or four years from now. How do you build for a longer coalition?" Alexander said. History is also on their side heading into November. The last five presidents have lost one-party control of Congress and voters have constantly sought change dating back the last 10 election cycles. In nine of them, control of either the House, Senate or the White House has changed hands. Part of the issue for the Democrats is dissatisfaction among its own voters who are upset with lawmakers and party leadership for perceived failures to stand up to Trump and the Republican majorities in Congress. Democrats have few tools to stop Republicans and Trump from enacting their agenda aside from the Senate filibuster that has been wielded at times to try to win some concessions.That tension was on display last fall, when Senate Democrats withheld votes to fund the government to try to force concessions on Affordable Care Act subsidies but ultimately relented without securing changes, showing the limits of their leverage.Pennsylvania lawmakers have tried to eliminate property taxes in the past and the new push to eliminate them has begun, with a new bill proposing a tax increaseA woman was charged with retail theft after Ephrata police learned she reportedly stole from an Ephrata WalmartA Dover man at the helm of a $3 million bank fraud scheme in central Pennsylvania learned his fate this week.A man listed as 'most wanted' for eight warrants out of Perry, York, and Adams counties was arrested in Hanover on March 12, police confirmed.Deputies with the"To all of you who have been faithful and regular supporters of the festival over these many years, we say THANK YOU," the festival wrote.
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