Abandoning the Base: How Ideological Litmus Tests Are Turning States Red
Analysis: The Democratic Party’s steady retreat from Michigan should serve as a cautionary tale of what happens when party leadership ignores its base. In 2016, Bernie Sanders won the Michigan primary in an upset over Hillary Clinton—an early warning sign of discontent that went largely unheeded. Sanders’ populist platform, focused on trade and economic fairness, resonated with Michiganders weary of the status quo. His win highlighted the disconnect between the party leadership and working-class voters, yet the DNC largely ignored it and continues to do so.
In 2016, while working for the DNC, I saw firsthand how badly Democrats underestimated Michigan voters. On a bus tour, several members of Congress warned that the party was losing ground across the state and pleaded for more support. Their concerns were dismissed, with the DNC claiming they were “all set.” The result was clear: Trump won Michigan, transforming a historically blue state into a battleground.
