Democratic voters describe their party as weak, despondent

Democrats still expected to gain in midterms despite voter frustration

The Wall Street Journal reported that a roundtable of Democratic voters from across the country used stark terms to describe their own party. “Weak,” “despondent,” and “concerned” were among the words voters offered when the Journal asked them to reflect on the party’s standing.

The October 2 edition of the Journal’s “10-Point” newsletter said Democrats are on track to make gains in November’s midterm elections, but that those gains come from President Trump’s unpopularity rather than the party’s own image. The party has received some of its lowest approval ratings on record since Trump returned to the White House last year, the Journal reported.

The roundtable addressed three subjects, according to the newsletter: the party’s broader trajectory, the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America, and who should lead the 2028 presidential ticket.

The Journal said it will sit down in the coming weeks with young men who voted for Trump in 2024 to see how they view the administration today.

The “10-Point” newsletter is curated and edited by Morgan Smith and Tina Fuhr in collaboration with Editor in Chief Emma Tucker.