Democrats face brand crisis of their own making

OPINION:

A poll conducted by Navigator Research found Democrats are in deep trouble with voters in key battleground areas, mostly because they’re not seen as responsive to the concerns of regular folk — as former President Barack Obama liked to say — and because they’re considered untrustworthy on matters of economics and inflation. 

This isn’t just a case of perception versus reality. Democrats really do fall flat when it comes to promoting prosperity and paying attention to the causes and concerns of average Americans.

Democrats have dug themselves so deep into the hole of transgenderism and open borders, they can’t see the light that shows the vast majority of Americans, whether Republican, Democrat, independent or otherwise, truly don’t want boys in little girls bathrooms, or illegals surging into their communities and scooping up all the tax-paid entitlements while compromising safety and security for actual citizens.

These are common-sense notions — keep the streets safe from violent gang members who aren’t supposed to be in the country, and keep the bathrooms and changing rooms and sports fields separated by sex. And oh, yes, speaking of sex — keep the numbers of real sexes to two; spreading the lie of multi-genderism and forcing people to pretend a “he” can become a “she” or even “they” at will isn’t winning the hearts of voters. Turns out, firing teachers who won’t let Johnny be Jane just isn’t good political practice.

“The Democratic brand is still not where it needs to be in terms of core trust and understanding people’s challenges,” said Molly Murphy, one of the pollsters who worked on the Navigator research, Politico reported. “Even though voters are critical about Trump and some of the things he’s doing, that criticism of Trump doesn’t translate into trust in Democrats. The trust has to be earned.”

Yes. And Democrats have been doing a tremendous job of destroying their own brand. 

On trust in “handling the economy,” Republicans get 46 percent of voters versus Democrats, with 41 percent.

On “fighting inflation,” Republicans win with 44 percent of voters versus Democrats, at 37 percent.

On “getting things done” and “reforming the government,” Republicans again win — with 45 percent and 47 percent of voters, respectively, versus Democrats, at 31 percent and 30 percent, again respectively.

These aren’t huge margins by any means.

But they do show what voters told Democrats resoundingly in November — simply put, this: We don’t like what you’re selling.

Democrats would do well to lose the transgender madness and respect the borders and recognize the distinction between legal citizens and illegals, and perhaps for good measure, even support Republicans as they DOGE their way to a less corrupt and wasteful federal government.

“Only 42 percent said Democrats share their values. A majority, meanwhile — 56 percent — said Democrats are not looking out for working people. Only 39 percent believe Democrats have the right priorities,” Politico wrote of the survey.

It’s not brain surgery.

It’s common sense.

If Democrats want to win back some of their voters — if Dems want to remove some of the tarnish from their party’s brand — they need only adopt an ideal that is working splendidly for Republicans. Think America First. Consider Americans first. Support American ideals first. And then speak, act and legislate accordingly.

• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter and podcast by clicking HERE. Her latest book, “God-Given Or Bust: Defeating Marxism and Saving America With Biblical Truths,” is available by clicking HERE.