The Democratic Party is navigating internal conflict after facing backlash over losing its connection with the working class, an issue highlighted by President-elect Donald Trump's win in the 2024 election.

A progressive strategist recently blamed former President Barack Obama for the party's drift toward appealing to societal elites rather than championing the working class, as Fox News reports.

This critique comes as part of broader concerns that the party's strategy during Obama's presidency led to declining support amongst low-income and middle-class voters, which some believe paved the way for Trump's success.

A progressive strategist, choosing to remain anonymous, outlined that the Democratic Party's shift to courting affluent and educated voters began during Obama's time in office.

"I think Trump picked [populism] up because Democrats gave it up during the Obama years," the strategist said. The strategist argued that this change turned the party into one condescendingly detached from its once core base of working-class voters.

Effects of 2024 Election Analyzed

The 2024 election, resulting in Trump's victory, added urgency to the growing concerns among progressive and Democratic leaders. An article in The Hill described the party's inner turmoil as an "existential crisis," spotlighting the impact of the Democrats' inability to maintain working-class loyalty.

With prominent progressive voices echoing this feedback, Sen. Bernie Sanders highlighted that the party's detachment from working-class Americans has led to a reciprocal withdrawal of support from these voters.

Notably, Sanders pointed out a shift not only in the White working-class demographic but also amongst Latino and Black workers.

David Axelrod, once a senior advisor to Obama, acknowledged the deficit in support from working-class sectors during the 2024 election.

Axelrod emphasized that winning solely among people earning above $100,000 per year is inadequate for a national victory, underscoring that the Democratic base has increasingly become suburban and college-educated, which may have contributed to a perceived elitism.

Critiques from Democratic Party Veterans

The sentiment is echoed by longtime Democratic Party strategist James Carville, who authored an op-ed critiquing the party's failure to address economic issues effectively.

Carville stressed that the economy was the pivotal issue in the election, lamenting that Trump secured a decisive win by appealing to middle-class and low-income voters with a strong economic narrative.

A return to populism, according to the anonymous strategist, could change this course for the Democrats. By shifting focus back to the concerns of the working class, the party could rebuild its base and compete more effectively in future elections.

Carville's reflections not only acknowledged the lapses in current Democratic strategy but also urged party leaders to reassess how they communicate with and develop policies for economically challenged demographics.

There is a collective recognition among party strategists that a significant re-evaluation is needed to prevent the continued estrangement of long-standing supporters.

Potential Paths Forward for Democrats

The narrative that the Democrats have become out of touch with key voter demographics resonates strongly with many who believe that this disconnection fundamentally altered the electoral landscape. Democratic Party figures, including Sanders and Axelrod, have openly voiced the need to reforge connections with those economic strata that previously constituted their bedrock.

The challenge now facing Democratic Party leaders is to reconcile these critiques with actionable strategies that can address the disenfranchisement voiced by previous supporters. As the party strategizes for future elections, the emphasis may likely shift towards directives and policies that meaningfully engage the middle and lower economic classes.

The lessons of the 2024 election serve as a critical impetus for potentially significant policy shifts and realignment within the Democratic Party. The debate continues as leaders and strategists grapple with the means to restore the party's foundational ties with working-class communities across diverse demographic sectors.

The Democratic Party's path forward will require balancing its historical roots in working-class advocacy with more contemporary demands from a diverse spectrum of voters. As national dialogue continues, the scrutiny surrounding the party's direction will likely shape its strategies and narratives for years to come.