Republican populism craters as Trump stumbles, Democrats surge

[mystery-ak]

Republican populism craters as Trump stumbles, Democrats surge

Rising prices, job losses, and billionaire tax breaks create new divides in Republican Party while Democrats win elections on cost-of-living issues

By Andrew Bates Fox News
Published December 5, 2025 5:00am EST

As a Democrat who’s been on winning and losing presidential campaigns against Donald Trump, it’s clear to me that the Republican Party’s top competitive edge in recent elections was its anti-establishment populist message. I say "message" because actions always matter more than words — especially when the actions contradict the words. That’s happening now. Trump and Vance are breaking their promises to stand up for everyday Americans against corrupt elites.

The prices Trump and Vance ran on vowing to "immediately" lower — groceries, healthcare, electricity bills – have gone up, while economic growth is down. We’re seeing "recession-level" job loss and unprecedented welfare for the rich.

As a result, Trump and Vance are crippling Republicans’ flagship political advantage, creating new divides in their party and the country. Those shifts are big openings for Democrats on voters’ #1 issue, their finances. By the same token, if I were one of the Republicans already navigating the 2028 shadow primary, I’d see growing opportunities to outcompete JD Vance.

The Constitution blocks Trump from running again. Even if it didn’t, Trump’s diminishing energy levels and judgment make him a lame duck regardless. Case in point, the President of the United States is building himself an assisted-living theme park on the White House grounds while dismissing Americans’ concerns about affordability. This kind of antipopulist record is becoming significant baggage for Vance, making him a target for Republicans as well as Democrats.

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https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/republican-populism-craters-trump-stumbles-democrats-surge

[DefiantMassRINO]

What do the Dems have to offer that's better?  Illegal aliens?  Trannies?  America sucks?  Americans suck?  White people suck?  Heterosexual males suck?

Dems' policy platform is voter repellent.

[Free Vulcan]

What pathetic psyops.

[Bigun]

What pathetic psyops.

 

[cato potatoe]

What do the Dems have to offer that's better?  Illegal aliens?  Trannies?  America sucks?  Americans suck?  White people suck?  Heterosexual males suck?

Dems' policy platform is voter repellent.

They have a bunch of promises they will not keep (besides whatever helps with election rigging) and a pile of unpopular actions they will never advertise.
But they are the alternative, so if they manage to find competent leadership, they probably win by default.  Trump is in most respects Joe Biden plus border security.

[DefiantMassRINO]

Joe Biden would not have bombed Iran.

Joe Biden would have let Hamas be victorious.

Joe Biden would have sought to further destroy America's energy industry and energy independence.

Joe Biden would have given more 'free stuff' to illegal aliens and criminals.

Trump is far from perfect, but he is still better than Biden.

Jimmy Carter is no longer the worst Dem President of my lifetime thanks to Joe Biden.

They have a bunch of promises they will not keep (besides whatever helps with election rigging) and a pile of unpopular actions they will never advertise.
But they are the alternative, so if they manage to find competent leadership, they probably win by default.  Trump is in most respects Joe Biden plus border security.

[Free Vulcan]

They have a bunch of promises they will not keep (besides whatever helps with election rigging) and a pile of unpopular actions they will never advertise.
But they are the alternative, so if they manage to find competent leadership, they probably win by default.  Trump is in most respects Joe Biden plus border security.

And if words could create reality you'd be Jesus.

[catfish1957]

Sounds like a Jessica Tarlov patented Gas Light to me. 

Token Libs on Fox are so silly. 

[cato potatoe]

Joe Biden would not have bombed Iran.

Joe Biden would have let Hamas be victorious.

Joe Biden would have sought to further destroy America's energy industry and energy independence.

Joe Biden would have given more 'free stuff' to illegal aliens and criminals.

Trump is far from perfect, but he is still better than Biden.

Jimmy Carter is no longer the worst Dem President of my lifetime thanks to Joe Biden.

The difference is mainly rhetorical, which is why the coalition is falling apart.

Trump was/is pro lockdown and pro miracle vax.  Biden was so proud of the miracle vax that he wanted you fired if you refused to take it.
Biden didn't want to release the Epstein files, and Trump is only going to release the heavily redacted version because he lost a battle with congress.
Trump created severe inflation with his spending, and Biden perpetuated this condition.
The difference in marginal tax rates was slight. 
They are both in a state of mental decline, much too old for the level of responsibility.
Joe Biden was broadly interventionist, pro-Israeli to the detriment of America.  He helped Netanyahu destroy the Gaza Strip and put al-Qaeda in charge of Syria.  No substantive difference there.  He did not let the south florida contingent overthrow Venezuela, but he extended the war in Ukraine. 
Trump is unconcerned with legal immigration, which is north of a million annually.  American workers are too lazy to build missiles, according to him.  You need lots and lots and LOTS of immigrants, until the tech oligarchs can replace every profession with AI slop.
Crude oil production was at an all-time high under Biden.  Reserves are still there to deplete, there is no emergency.