Democrats Fighting For Their Political Lives

Following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) stated that Democrats are facing “the fight of our lives.” In an appearance on All In with Chris Hayes, Raskin vowed that his party would not abandon its core values or the principles of American democracy, despite losing the election by a narrow margin. He emphasized that the Democrats would continue to fight for what they believe in and would not back down simply because of a close defeat.

“We are not going to abandon American constitutional democracy,” Raskin declared. “We’re not going to abandon the rule of law.” He further stressed that the battle ahead is not just about winning or losing a single election, but about the broader fight for the future of the country. “This is the fight of our lives,” he said, underscoring the intensity of the struggle Democrats now face.

Trump’s victory, along with the Republicans’ gains in the Senate and their continued control of the House, has left Democrats reeling. There has been much debate within the party about how to recalibrate in the face of this setback. Some centrist Democrats argue that the party has moved too far left, while others believe the left-wing agenda hasn’t been pushed hard enough.

Raskin noted that while Democrats were defeated by just a narrow margin—approximately 1.5 percent—this outcome highlights how deeply divided the nation is. “The country is closely divided,” he acknowledged, pointing to Joe Biden’s larger victory over Trump in 2020 by over 7 million votes. He also suggested that the right has become more adept at utilizing social media and that Democrats need to reconsider their strategy in this arena.

Meanwhile, recent polling shows a rise in Republican favorability. A November survey by The Economist/YouGov revealed that 45% of Americans now view the Republican Party favorably, a 6-point increase from late October. This surge reflects a growing alignment with conservative values as more Americans recognize the need for leadership that defends traditional American principles. As the political landscape continues to shift, Republicans stand poised for a resurgence in 2024, with voters showing increasing support for the party’s vision of a strong, secure, and prosperous America.