California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff voiced his dissatisfaction regarding the Democratic Party’s absence of a “coordinated response” to President Donald Trump.
I believe that the absence of a coordinated response during the State of the Union was an error, and honestly, it diverted attention from where it ought to have been, which is the fact that the president spoke for an hour and 40 minutes without addressing what he would do to reduce costs for American families who were watching that extended address, sitting at their kitchen tables hoping he would provide some assistance in affording a new home or paying their rent, health care, or child care,” Schiff stated in an interview with ABC’s Jonathan Karl.
The legislator responded to the criticisms made by Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman, who described the Democrats’ predicament as “a sad cavalcade of self-owns and unhinged petulance.”
“They are undermining the economy, making it increasingly difficult for Americans to afford basic necessities. This is where our focus should lie; it is the reason we lost the previous election, as we failed to concentrate on the rising cost of living. Their current actions are exacerbating the situation,” Schiff asserted — a claim that is misleading based on the latest economic statistics.
Karl inquired how the Democratic Party ought to react to the president. The ABC News host specifically mentioned Democratic strategist James Carville, who has proposed that the party should “play dead” and contemplate a strategic withdrawal.
Schiff expressed his disagreement with that strategy, stating that his party requires a “comprehensive and ambitious agenda to enhance the economic welfare of Americans,” although he did not clarify why Democrats under Biden have not implemented more effective economic policies to achieve this goal.
We must advance policies and ar their own corrupt influence. In my view, this is insufficient. We must utilize litigation effectively, as we currently do. Additionally, we need to communicate in innovative ways to engage new audiences, as we are doing,” he remarked.
Other progressive members of Congress have also dismissed Carville’s proposal, including Senator Bernie Sanders, I-VT., who stated, “In fact, the issue is that the Democrats have been inactive for far too long.”
Fetterman took to social media to express his discontent with the reactions to Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress last week.
A disheartening procession of self-defeating actions and irrational petulance. This only serves to enhance Trump’s image as more presidential and composed. We are turning into the metaphorical car alarms that go unnoticed—and this may not convey a victorious message,” the senator stated in a post on X.
This development occurs as President Trump’s and the Republicans’ approval ratings have surged to almost unprecedented levels, despite several days of indignation from Democrats, establishment Republicans, and mainstream media regarding the president’s bold trade reforms.
Republicans have regained a distinct lead over Democrats regarding the two issues that matter most to voters: the economy (R+8) and inflation (R+6), as indicated by the most recent polling.
Just last month, amidst escalating tariff tensions, a Napolitan News Survey revealed that Democrats were narrowing the gap—matching Republicans on the economy (R+1) and even slightly surpassing them on inflation (D+4). However, this month’s figures signify a return to the broader trend observed earlier in the year, when Republicans maintained double-digit advantages on both issues (R+10 on the economy in January and February; R+11 and R+9 on inflation in February and January, respectively), according to the Napolitan News Service.
The resurgence in Republican confidence seems to be linked to favorable voter reactions to President Donald Trump’s recent trade agreement with China and an increase in economic optimism. Inflation (29%) and the economy (25%) remain the foremost concerns for voters.
Immigration and health care rank equally as the third most significant issues, with each being identified by 12% of voters. Republicans maintain a substantial advantage on immigration (R+16), whereas Democrats are perceived as more reliable regarding health care (D+12).
In general, concerning the issue that voters prioritize the most, 42% express greater trust in Republicans, 41% in Democrats, 6% in both parties equally, and 10% in neither, as reported by the news service.
