The Democrats’ strategic dilemma: setting their own agenda

The Hill ^ | 10/20/25 8:30 AM ET | Douglas Schoen and Carly Cooperman

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The ongoing government shutdown is a symptom of a much larger dilemma facing the Democratic Party today. Locked out of power, lacking a unifying standard bearer, and struggling with historically low approval ratings, Democrats are facing a number of strategic challenges. 

At the heart of Democrats’ dilemma is an inability to articulate their own path forward as they are steadfast in opposing Trump’s agenda but are not communicating their own credible and attractive alternative. 

This “oppose at all costs” strategy has extended to the government shutdown. Although Democrats remain unified in their opposition, they are forgoing an opportunity to offer an issues-driven agenda of their own.

At the same time, Democrats’ belief that Republicans, as the party in power, would shoulder an outsized share of the blame appears to be less true than they hoped.

Fifty-eight percent blame Trump and Republicans, but 54 percent also blame Democrats, according to a poll by AP-NORC.  

And although other polls, such as this one from The Economist/YouGov, show Democrats with a slightly bigger advantage, 39 percent of Americans blame the Republicans versus 33 percent blaming Democrats. That gap is marginal — hardly reassuring as the Democrats still struggle to offer an alternative vision.

Although the shutdown is emblematic of Democrats’ challenges, it goes deeper than that.   

Indeed, as they elevate resistance politics above all else, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) have been unable to capitalize on growing disapproval of Trump’s handling of key issues like the economy and cost of living. 

Although three-quarters of Americans say Trump is not focused enough on lowering costs, and 51 percent say his economic policies are making them worse off financially (per CBS News polling), Democrats’ economic messaging...

[ClearCase_guy]

At the heart of Democrats’ dilemma is an inability to articulate their own path forward

I disagree. I think they have a consistent path forward -- for every 80/20 issue, the Democrats leap right on that 20% idea and ride it into the grave. Every time.

[PeterPrinciple]

At the heart of Democrats’ dilemma is an inability to articulate their own path forward as they are steadfast in opposing Trump’s agenda but are not communicating their own credible and attractive alternative.

---

credible and attractive alternative.

[Political Junkie Too]

At the heart of Democrats’ dilemma is an inability to articulate their own path forward

Based on watching Mamdani, Spanberger, and Sherrill, it's not an "inability," it's a willful dodge to not articulate any message until after the election.

-PJ

[ProudDeplorable]

Besides illegals, who’s worse off than they were in ‘23 and ‘24? Inflation is down and the stock market is up. Cost of living is steady. I don’t get what they’re talking about.

[DeplorablePaul]

The Ma’amdami DSA wing has come up with a socialist economic plan to solve the problem of affordability. His plan is to raise taxes and hand out free stuff. Not unique but it is delivered with a smile. Worked for Obama.