Senator Adam Schiff didn’t hold back in a recent ABC News interview, where he laid out a blunt assessment of why the Democratic Party stumbled in the 2024 elections: they failed to connect with struggling Americans.
Schiff, one of California’s most recognizable political figures, pointed to skyrocketing living costs as the central issue that Democrats neglected to address with urgency and clarity. While inflation hit a high of 9% under President Biden’s term, the party’s messaging, Schiff said, fell flat — allowing Republicans to take control of the economic conversation.
“We weren’t laser focused on what families were actually going through,” Schiff admitted.
He criticized President Biden’s State of the Union address, saying it was heavy on rhetoric but light on real solutions. Key issues like housing, healthcare, and child care, Schiff argued, were either underplayed or wrapped in vague promises, leaving voters feeling disconnected from the party’s vision.
Schiff’s remarks are the latest in a wave of Democratic self-reflection following a tough election cycle. According to him, many voters simply didn’t hear enough about how Democrats planned to bring relief to people facing rent hikes, medical bills, and the rising cost of everyday essentials.
“You can’t win over working families with slogans,” he said. “You win them over with plans that actually lower their bills.”
He urged the party to course-correct by putting forward concrete, relatable economic solutions and by being more transparent and accountable in how those plans are communicated.
With millions of Americans still feeling the pinch of inflation, Schiff’s message is clear: it’s time for Democrats to stop talking around economic pain and start addressing it head-on.