Bernie Sanders isn’t holding back, making it clear he believes the Democratic Party’s failure to champion working-class interests cost them the election.
At a glance:
- Sanders criticizes Democrats for not effectively advocating for working-class Americans, contributing to their election loss.
- He commends Biden’s progressive agenda but highlights continued economic struggles for the working class.
- Trump’s appeal to working-class voters surged, with increased support among white and Hispanic working-class demographics.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has doubled down on his critique of the Democratic Party, asserting that their failure to prioritize the working class directly contributed to their loss in the recent election. Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Sanders said, “The working class of this country is angry, and they have reason to be angry.” He argued that President Biden, despite pushing a progressive agenda, couldn’t bridge the gap between the party and the average American struggling in today’s economy.
Sanders, who caucuses with the Democrats, made these comments following a statement released after Vice President Kamala Harris lost the election to President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans took control of the Senate. He pointed out that a significant share of Americans are facing economic hardships, with 60% living paycheck to paycheck and 25% of seniors scraping by on less than $50,000 annually. “We are living in an economy today where people on top are doing phenomenally well,” he explained, emphasizing the deepening income inequality across the country.
Reflecting on Trump’s success, Sanders suggested that the former president effectively capitalized on working-class frustration. He provided a narrative for their anger, albeit one Sanders found misleading. “What Donald Trump did is provide an explanation,” Sanders stated. Trump’s message, according to Sanders, resonated with working-class voters, even though Sanders criticized it as misguided. Ultimately, Sanders argued, “We need an agenda that says we will take on these powerful special interests and create an economy and government that works for you.”
Sanders’ post-election statement echoed similar sentiments, noting that the Democratic Party had “abandoned working class people” and, in turn, the working class had abandoned them. Democratic leaders, however, dismissed Sanders’ claims. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said she didn’t “respect him saying that the Democratic Party has abandoned the working-class families,” while Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison dismissed his analysis as “BS.”
In response to Pelosi, Sanders noted the lack of meaningful legislative action on core working-class issues. He pointed out that the Senate has not passed key measures like raising the minimum wage or strengthening union rights. “In America today, we have not brought — in the Senate, we have not brought to the floor the PRO Act to make it easier for workers to join unions,” he added, lamenting the absence of action on issues critical to average Americans. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined in this critique, saying that Democrats have struggled to advocate “clearly and forthrightly” for a working-class agenda.
Sanders also acknowledged Biden’s efforts on progressive policies but warned that the economic reality remains grim for many families. “That agenda has got to be placed within the overall context of American society today,” Sanders said, pointing to the struggles of millions of working families in a society increasingly dominated by the wealthy.
An Edison Research exit poll highlighted Trump’s increasing appeal to working-class voters, with 66% of working-class white voters and a 14-point rise in Hispanic working-class support. For Sanders, the message was clear: unless the Democratic Party reinvigorates its commitment to the working class, future elections may follow a similar path.
