To correct course, Democrats need to listen and change the way they talk to voters

Amidst their handwringing, Democrats are asking themselves, “How did our country elect Donald Trump?” But the question they should be asking is, “Why did so many people reject the Democratic Party?”

There appears to be zero self-reflection by the Democratic Party that could otherwise educate them on why their message — or their messenger — did not resonate with voters. A course-correction cannot be made unless Democrats begin listening to voters and changing the way they talk to them.

We can start with the first since the failures of this election cycle began with the party’s refusal to listen. As far back as January 2022, less than half of Democrats wanted President Biden to run for reelection. This was a drumbeat that grew louder, but the Democratic Party attempted to tamp down concerns, even when poll after poll showed Biden losing to Trump.

We were told it was early and that voters would come around once they learned of Biden’s accomplishments and Trump's faults. All was well, they said. But it wouldn’t come around, and it wasn’t well. And when the majority of Americans were begging for another option, Hillary Clinton went on late night TV and told them these were the nominees, and “get over yourself.”

Anyone suggesting an option other than the sitting president was shushed. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) showed immense courage by openly encouraging a primary. And when no one stepped forward offered himself up so voters would have a choice. He was attacked by his colleagues and ultimately blocked by his very own party from getting his name on the ballot in several states.

No Labels, a centrist organization, attempted to field a bipartisan ticket to offer voters another choice. I served as their national director and saw firsthand the vicious attacks they endured from the left and the millions of dollars spent aimed at blocking any efforts to give Americans another option. All of this was conducted under the banner of “protecting democracy.”

We marched well into 2024 and we were all told not to believe what we saw with our eyes or heard with our ears — that Biden was up for the challenge and he would prevail. With a little more than 100 days before the election, Biden finally did cede to the will of the Democratic base (as well as the general electorate) and dropped out. This might have been a good time to check in with Democratic voters to see what they wanted (i.e. to listen). However, in a clear subversion of democracy, the party anointed Vice President Kamala Harris without ever given voters a chance to speak.

Primaries can provide many benefits, strengthening candidates and elevating ideas. They also yield better candidates. Iron sharpens iron. By failing to hold a primary, the Democratic Party doubled down on the fact they would not be listening to anyone and that they know best, while once again undermining any credibility that they were the sole protectors of democracy.

Compounding the failure to listen, the party struggled talking to voters. Biden calling Trump supporters garbage did little to correct the ongoing narrative that the Democratic Party talks down to people. Demonizing anyone who supports Trump is not an effective strategy. These attacks have a ripple effect that extend beyond the red hats and affect the opinions of those who would otherwise be on the fence but feel indirectly attacked because their brother or sister supports Trump.

Many people I know who voted for Trump last week did so because they felt insulted by Democratic Party rhetoric. They have told me they did not like being called racist or sexist and ultimately — justifiably or not — they resented Harris for it. One person told me their disapproval for her was enough to make up for the embarrassment of voting for Trump. Speaking to large swaths of the country as if they are school children is perhaps one of the biggest faults of the national party at this moment.

The party’s unwillingness to listen to voters and the tone and words used to talk at them led to an election outcome that was as predictable as it was preventable. I rang this bell in June 2022, going on CNN and being the first Democrat to say Biden should not seek reelection. In May 2023 I penned an op-ed stating I joined No Labels’ effort to give voters another option because I was confident Biden could not defeat Trump.

From speaking up, I lost supporters and friends. Making such public statements, like penning these words, give me no joy or satisfaction. However, I am compelled to highlight the shortcomings with hopes these faults may be repaired and not repeated. I was raised to consider telling people “I told you so” was not good manners. But, I can’t resist.

Joe Cunningham represented South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District from 2019 to 2021. He was the first Democrat to be elected to that seat in 40 years. Cunningham later served as national director for No Labels and currently practices law in Charleston, S.C.