Byline: Lead Editorial Writer Linda Willet
Yesterday, I started to panic. I realized that it’s only four months until the midterm election and there is a lot of work to do to gain more seats in Congress. Recently, I have been alarmed about news reporters talking about the division in the Democratic party and that it may be dividing the party in half like the Republican party division has done with the MAGA and non-Maga supporters.
The Democratic party has always been a big tent. It consists of liberals, moderates, and some conservatives, and the party allows local districts to choose candidates who align with the views of their specific district. Liberals often win in large urban areas, and moderates and conservatives do better in small towns or rural areas. The Democratic primary election in NYC a few weeks ago brought this issue to a head. Candidates backed by Mayor Mamdani beat the primary candidates backed by the mainstream leaders of the Democratic party. That election led to some Democrats criticizing Mamdani and some Republican leaders calling Democrats socialists and communists.
In an NPR interview on July 3rd, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries was asked about this controversy. He responded that the Democratic Caucus has always included Progressives, New Democrats (known as moderate Democrats), and Blue Dogs (known as moderate to conservative Democrats). And he stated that he has worked with Democrats with diverse views throughout his career and will keep doing that. His focus now is on flipping seats in Congress during the midterm election so that Democrats can stop the corruption and destruction of resources that has occurred during the Trump administration. Donald Trump said he would lower prices, but his tariffs have caused price increases on basic items such as food, clothing, and housing. The Democratic Party wants to lower costs for food and housing. Trump also promised lower healthcare prices. Instead, his policies cut millions of people off Medicaid and caused rural hospitals to close. Democrats want to provide access to affordable healthcare and stop the use of government resources and personnel for frivolous reasons. Jeffries also criticized Trump’s decision to become entangled in a costly war in Iran, which has caused a steep rise in gasoline prices and issues with other countries.
Jeffries pointed out that we need to stop MAGA extremism because “Donald Trump is destroying the country in real time right now.” There is a sense of urgency, and local Democrats need to work together to overcome barriers like gerrymandered districts and the Supreme Court rulings against the Voting Rights Act. During 9/11, our country united to put aside our differences and help our fellow citizens. Our party can do it again so we can pass democracy down to future generations. Our votes can save democracy.