Can Economic Populism Save the Democratic Party?
About this episode
Jared Abbott, director of the Center for Working-Class Politics, argues Democrats' working-class problem is about brand, not just policy. His center's research found identical candidates fared 10–15 points worse with a 'Democrat' label than as independents in Rust Belt surveys. Abbott advances two theories of class dealignment: cultural issues and post-Clinton-trade-deal economic abandonment. A key insight: economic grievances get recast as cultural ones — working-class voters who say 'elites' often mean economic elites. He argues for 'predistribution' over redistribution — a $15 minimum wage beats an expanded EITC because it speaks to dignity and status — plus strong unions, job guarantees, and corporate accountability. They discuss affect and authenticity (Trump, Bernie, AOC), Dan Osborn's independent Nebraska campaign as a model, Mamdani's media savvy, and whether Democrats must become a big-tent party again. Abbott insists the party's reputation can change, but only through leaders willing to pick fights with corporate power.