Democratic Strategist Blames Obama and Bernie Sanders for Damaging Party’s Blue-Collar Image

Democratic strategist Basil Smikle argues that former President Obama and Sen. Bernie Sanders have significantly damaged the party’s image as the champion of working-class Americans. Smikle points to Obama’s shift away from traditional party tools and Sanders’ critique of elitism, creating a perception that the Democratic Party no longer prioritizes the needs of blue-collar workers—a challenge that could take years to overcome.