In a recent appearance on "Hannity," Mark Penn, a former pollster for the Clinton administration, found himself grappling with the question of who among the Democrats could be considered "moderate.
".
Penn's struggle to answer the question underscores the ongoing identity crisis within the Democratic Party, which has seen its favorability ratings plummet to record lows since President Donald Trump's 2024 victory.
According to the Daily Caller, Penn was asked by Fox host Sean Hannity if he believed the Democratic Party had been "radicalized" by the far left and if he could identify any remaining moderates within its ranks. Penn's response was telling. "Well, first of all, were going to have to see what happens in the next presidential primary," he said. "I know right now after this defeat, the Democratic Party is leaderless, and AOC and Bernie Sanders are going around and theyre trying to, I think, take the party even further to the left when the evidence is the problem with this party is its too far to the left for America."
Penn's comments highlight the growing divide within the Democratic Party, with figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders pushing for a more progressive agenda, while others argue for a return to centrism. "Its got to get back to the center if it ever hopes to get back into government. I think thats the most important lesson here. Its not happening. Jasmine Crockett, AOC, move over. Theres a new act in town, a new person who can raise money, a new person who kind of adds to the show of the left," Penn added.
A recent CNN/SSRS poll released on March 16 corroborates Penn's concerns. The poll revealed that the Democrats' favorability among voters has dropped 20 points since January 2021, hitting a record low of just 29% approval. Interestingly, a significant portion of the disapproval came from within their own party, with over 30% of respondents unable to name a Democratic leader who "best reflects the core values" of the party.
Hannity, not satisfied with Penn's initial response, pressed him for specific names of moderate Democrats. Penn mentioned Josh Shapiro, whom he considered a potential centrist candidate. However, Hannity pointed out that Shapiro was not in Washington, prompting Penn to admit, "Well, its a small list right now."
This exchange underscores the challenges facing the Democratic Party as it grapples with its ideological direction. The party's struggle to identify moderate leaders suggests a shift towards the far left, a move that may not resonate with the broader American electorate. As Penn pointed out, "The social media popularity is not the same."
The Democratic Party's identity crisis was further highlighted during President Trump's joint address to Congress on March 4. Democratic lawmakers protested Trump in various ways, with Texas Rep. Al Green being removed from the chamber for attempting to interrupt Trump. This display of "groupthink," as Hannity put it, further illustrates the party's shift towards the far left.
The question remains: can the Democratic Party realign itself with the center, or will it continue to veer left, potentially alienating more moderate voters? As Penn noted, the party's future may depend on its ability to identify and promote moderate leaders who can appeal to a broader base. But as of now, as Penn admitted, it's a "small list."
Login