Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., on Sunday said the Democratic Party’s brand is “problematic” and that the party “is associated with the educated elites” and “not anymore with working people in this country.”
Bennet called on his party to center working-class and middle-class people again, saying it has “lost touch with working people in our country at a time when 50 years of trickle-down economics has meant that most Americans feel like no matter how hard they work, their kids are not going to live a life better than the life they led.”
“I think the Democratic Party needs to use this moment of having been repudiated at the national level to figure out a creative and imaginative agenda for the 21st century that’s going to lift the fortunes of working people and the middle class all across this country,” Bennet added.
His comments come days after California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom told Bill Maher on HBO that “the Democratic brand is toxic right now.”
Asked to respond on Sunday, Bennet told NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” I do agree that the Democratic Party brand is really problematic, and I think it is a brand that is — with all respect to my colleague from California — is associated with New York and with California, is associated with the educated elites in this country and not anymore with working people in this country.”
Newsom and Bennet are part of a growing chorus of elected Democrats who are urging the party to change and try new tactics to win back votes.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., told “Meet the Press” earlier this month that “Americans want the Democratic Party to stand up and fight and to take risks.”
He added, “I think Democrats in this country, but I think the broad middle of the public as well, want to see our party fighting in exceptional ways.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have also criticized the party during their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour.
“This isn’t just about Republicans. We need a Democratic Party that fights harder for us too,” Ocasio-Cortez said during a Las Vegas rally. “But what that means is that we as a community must choose and vote for Democrats and elected officials who know how to stand for the working class.”
On Sunday, Bennet went on to list a set of policy areas, including on education, health care and the economy, where he argued Democrats could be more effective in leading than Republicans.
“If the Democratic Party would show up with some imagination, I think not only would we do better, the American people would do better,” Bennet added.
The senator, who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, has been serving in his seat for over 15 years and confirmed reports on Sunday that he’s eyeing a run for governor of Colorado next year.
“I am considering where the best place to have this fight is and where the best place to reinvent the Democratic Party is, and what I can do … where I can fight best for the people of Colorado who have given me the privilege to represent them in Washington, D.C.,” Bennet told “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker. “And as soon as I have a final answer to that, I’ll let you know.”
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