For years, Democrats have sung the anthem of democracy, proclaiming that the 2024 election is a decisive battle for its preservation against the looming specter of Donald Trump. Yet, within the hallowed halls of Congress, a curious skepticism festered. Some Democrats, perhaps with rose-tinted glasses, imagined that a second Trump term would mirror the first—mere theatrics without lasting consequence.
Post-election reflections revealed that for many elected Democrats, the call for democracy was often met with a shrug; it simply didn’t resonate with constituents. The underlying issue wasn’t apathy towards democracy but rather a profound disconnect—voters and politicians were operating with vastly different definitions of what democracy meant, with Democrats assuming a shared understanding that simply wasn’t there.
However, the protests that erupted during the first year of Trump’s second term have been a loud clarion call, demonstrating that the public does, in fact, care deeply about democracy. For citizens, democracy equates to a government that prioritizes their needs over the whims of a would-be monarch.
Despite this, Democrats struggled to tie the abstract notion of democracy to the concrete concerns of everyday Americans, particularly the pressing issues of inflation and affordability.
Fortunately, there are indications that Democrats are starting to connect the dots. A key figure in this shift is California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has adeptly bridged the gap between economic concerns and the overarching narrative of democracy.
To dive deeper into Newsom’s insights, continue reading below.
