Days after significant midterm victories, Democrats are celebrating historic wins, but understanding the implications is crucial for future strategy. Democratic strategist David Axelrod, known for his role in Barack Obama's presidential campaigns, discussed the election's outcomes and the path forward in a conversation with host Astead Herndon on America, Actually. Axelrod emphasized that midterm elections typically serve as a referendum on the incumbent party, and the recent results indicate a strong repudiation of the Republican administration.
He believes the core issues driving voters were economic struggles and rising costs. "The thing that made this unusual was Trump was elected to lower these costs, and instead he made decisions that palpably raised them — the war, the tariffs," Axelrod stated. This sentiment, he suggested, is similar to what influenced the 2024 election.
Axelrod advised Democrats to be prepared to work with President Trump, even while maintaining accountability. He referenced Mayor Mamdani's approach, which balances criticism with a willingness to collaborate on specific issues like housing. "Be willing to work with him. And I think you’ll pay a price if you don’t," Axelrod urged, suggesting that cooperation on issues like healthcare subsidies or Medicaid cuts could be embraced by the public. He speculated that Trump might be open to such deals, as he appears less attached to the Republican Party than to his own political vehicle.
Demographic shifts were also a key theme. Axelrod noted the movement of Hispanic voters, young people, and working-class individuals toward the Democratic party in larger numbers than anticipated. He cautioned against taking these groups for granted, highlighting their responsiveness to economic conditions and, in the case of some Hispanic communities, their social conservatism. Axelrod pointed to immigration policies, which he described as "overreach" and "shocking to the conscience of the American public," as a significant factor in the Republican Party's struggles with Latino voters. He concluded that the evolving Democratic coalition's strength will depend on the actions Democrats take moving forward, emphasizing that the election represented "a vote for decency."