Political Scientists Say Democrats Could Gain by Moderating on 1 Set of Issues
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 19
Political Scientists Say Democrats Could Gain by Moderating on 1 Set of Issues
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 19
David Broockman of UC Berkeley and Joshua Kalla of Yale argue Democrats can widen general-election margins by moving toward the middle on specific issues rather than across the board.
Their March 11 paper says the payoff depends on where voters already stand, suggesting targeted moderation could help both parties but is especially relevant to Democrats' current weakness.
That weakness persists even as Donald Trump's support has eroded: his unfavorable rating rose to 59% from 43% a week after inauguration.
Pew found Democrats at 39% favorable and 59% unfavorable on May 1, slightly worse than Republicans at 40% favorable and 58% unfavorable — a narrow gap the article says still matters electorally.
The proposed strategy would force very liberal Democrats and hard-line conservatives to make painful policy concessions in a polarized system where voters regularly turn against the party in power.
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