Democrats have too many troubles to cheer Trump’s failures

Two weeks ago, I wrote that the Trump presidency is over. Nothing has changed my mind.

President Trump’s approval ratings have fallen to 36 percent. According to various polls, only 25 percent approve of his handling of the cost of living, and 65 percent believe his policies have made the economy worse. Thirty-five percent approve of U.S. strikes on Iran and 74 percent oppose sending U.S. troops there. Since Trump’s reelection, Democrats have flipped 30 state legislative seats. Today, according to one survey, more than one in five Trump voters say they will not cast a vote for a Republican presidential candidate.

Democratic strategist Doug Farrar says these numbers provide a “huge opportunity for Democrats to make major strides.”

But these dismal ratings should offer little comfort to Democrats. Of the 20 percent who are disillusioned Trump voters, only 3.4 percent plan to vote Democratic in the next presidential election.

Public disillusionment with the Democrats is widespread. A March poll found 52 percent expressed negative feelings toward the Democratic Party, more than those who felt negatively toward Trump, the Republican Party or Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Only Iran aroused more hostile emotions, with 61 percent holding negative views toward that country. 

During her successful campaign for the U.S. Senate, Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) described herself as a member of “Team Normal.” Slotkin emphasized the need to, in Harry Truman’s words, “speak plainly,” and not engage in esoteric discussions about gender identity, responding to every tweet on X or listening to the coastal........

© The Hill