Democrats' Elitist Language Turns Off Voters

0:00This is your entertainment update for March 21st. Paul Baggalla, a former aide to President Clinton and its top Democratic strategist, says his party has shifted from the working class to sounding like a faculty lounge. He made the comments on Bill Maher's show, agreeing with California Governor Gavin Newsom's push for Democrats to act more culturally normal and dial. Back on identity politics. Baggalla pointed to what he sees as elitist language in the party, like calling prison inmates justice involved people instead of crooks or convicts. He grew up near prisons and says this kind of sanctimony turns off everyday voters. This comes amid worries about Democratic chances in California, where a recent UC Berkeley poll shows two Republicans leading the race for governor. Business leader Steve Hilton tops the list at 17 percent, followed closely by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 16 percent. This trail with congressman Eric Swalwell at 14 percent and former congresswoman Katie Porter at 13 percent.

1:02But Baggalla notes the party has too many candidates splitting the vote. He urges them to rally behind just one or two strong contenders to hold on to the state. Meanwhile, Baggalla laments how President Biden's long White House runs sideline the deep bent of talent like Newsom, Pennsylvania's Josh Shapiro, Maryland's Westmore, and Kentucky's Andy Bashir, leading the party scrambling for fresh leaders.