Sean Davis, in an opinion piece republished in ‘National Review,’ presented his theory that Democrats, despite their current political positioning, wouldn’t be able to handle another Donald Trump victory. It isn’t entirely about Trump’s policies or decisions, though that’s certainly part of it; it’s more about their refusal to understand how and why Trump resonates with a significant part of the American population.
At the time of the 2016 primary season, many Democrats were confident that Trump’s absence of political experience and unpredictable temperament were two traits that would surely lead to his defeat. However, many were taken aback when Trump recorded a stunning victory, leaving the Democratic party in shock.
Reflecting on those memories, Davis explains that he “even joked at the time that Democrats are going to wish they had Joe Biden back.” It was a jest on the surface, but underlying it was a serious point: Trump’s ascendance was not a random mistake but a product of real world sentiments and political mechanics.
After Trump’s win in 2016, there was a surge of what has been referred to as Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS), a term coined to describe a visceral reaction of an individual who disagrees with the presidency of Donald Trump. This overloaded the political thought processes of the Democratic party, leading to irrational behavior and refusal to recognize any successes of the Trump administration.
This perceived inability of the Democrats to accept another Trump victory goes beyond the scope of political competition and displays their refusal to comprehend a political viewpoint that diverges from theirs. This singular worldview does not allow for the possibility of people thinking differently, so Trump’s appeal to many voters continues to remain a mystery— a problem that they’ll still encounter if Trump happens to win again in the future.
Moreover, Davis pointed out that before Trump’s nomination, Democrats had admired Biden for his political persona; at least, the persona that he had carefully constructed over the years. Biden represented a kind of political experience and diplomatic grace that was reliable and trustworthy, and that was comforting to many.
Yet, it appears that Democrats underestimated the wave of political change that Trump represented. While Biden was a stalwart of the political establishment, Trump was warmly embraced as an outsider who promised to shake things up. This appeal shouldn’t have been a surprise, given that we live in an era filled with political and social change. But this reality made Democrats wish for the return of their beloved status quo, represented perfectly by Biden.
Davis’s theory provides a telling insight into the state of today’s polarized politics. While many Democrats might fight tooth and nail against a possible second resurgence of Trump, the question remains: Are they prepared for it? Moreover, are they willing to understand the sentiments that fuel Trump’s appeal?
The political landscape has changed significantly over the years, and as it continues to evolve, those in power need to be able to adapt to changing voter opinions and desires while respecting alternative viewpoints. Can Democrats achieve this, or will they persist in denying the realities of the Trump phenomenon, as Davis suggests? It remains to be seen.
