Dems’ own polling shows ‘Fight for $15’ not a top priority for voters

By Ted Goodman

Internal polling conducted on behalf of the Democratic Party reveals the party is focusing on raising the minimum wage at a time when voters are more concerned with other issues.

Issues that party leadership have prioritized, including raising the minimum wage to $15, are not appealing to voters outside the Democratic party’s base, political operatives with knowledge of the private data told Politico Wednesday. The information suggests that voters see some of the Democrats top proposals — Free college tuition, a $15 minimum wage, Medicaid for all — as little more than “empty promises,” Politico writes.

The revelation that the Democratic Party is out of step with voters comes as the party sets its sights on big gains in the 2018 midterms. “No single Democratic attack on the president is sticking,” according to Politico.

The party unveiled its new messaging earlier this summer, where they touted a “Better Deal” for Americans on economic issues. What is concerning to some Democrats is the idea the many Americans believe that the president is bringing about change.

“People do think he’s bringing about change, so it’s hard to say he hasn’t kept his promises,” Democratic pollster Celinda Lake told Politico.

Democrats, including Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, have been calling for party leadership change for months. The rust-belt, blue-dog Democrat has voiced his concern that the party is out of touch with midwestern, working class voters. President Trump’s Nov. victory came in large part due to his ability to tear down the Democratic Party’s “blue wall” of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

News that the Democratic Party’s messaging is failing to gain traction with voters outside its base comes as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton blasts Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders for his politics in her new book about the 2016 election.

Clinton said Sanders could not defend his claims, and suggested that he would just take whatever she said and promise voters more without the ability to explain how.

“His claims, which he could not defend, really not even explain, when pressed, filled up a lot of space,” Clinton said in her new book, “What Happened.”

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