Too Far' - Leading Democrat Rips Party As Polling Collapses Further - 'Just Awful'
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Veteran Democratic Congressman Jim Clyburn publicly criticized his own party for relying too heavily on political consultants instead of listening to actual voters. Speaking on MSNBC’s “The Weekend,” Clyburn said Democrats have moved away from traditional grassroots organizing and are now too focused on the “consulting class,” which he believes has hurt the party’s connection with the people it claims to represent.
Clyburn used the popular South Carolina song “Boots on the Ground” as a metaphor, arguing that Democratic leaders need to listen more to the voters who are “wearing the boots” rather than to high-paid consultants. He stated that the party pays too much attention to strategists and not enough attention to constituents who understand their own problems and respond emotionally to the issues affecting their daily lives. Clyburn suggested that consultants may have contributed to the problem because they often receive percentages from spending on ground operations, which has led to a shift away from direct voter contact.
The longtime South Carolina Democrat made these remarks after Republicans in his state failed to pass a congressional redistricting plan that would have significantly changed his district. The proposal, which was backed by President Trump, was blocked in the Republican-controlled state Senate, preserving Clyburn’s seat for now.
Clyburn’s comments come at a time when internal Democratic polling has shown serious problems with how rank-and-file Democrats view their own congressional leadership. CNN analyst Harry Enten recently highlighted data showing that net approval ratings for Democratic congressional leaders among Democratic voters have turned sharply negative. In previous election cycles, including 2006 and even the last midterm, Democratic voters held generally positive views of their party’s leadership in Congress. However, the latest numbers show that support has collapsed.
According to the polling, roughly three-quarters of all respondents believe congressional Democrats have the wrong priorities. Even among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, a majority expressed doubts about whether their leaders are focused on the right issues. Enten described the numbers as “just awful” and warned that such dissatisfaction often leads to increased primary challenges against sitting members.
The combination of Clyburn’s public criticism and the declining internal approval numbers has intensified discussions within the Democratic Party about its direction heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Many analysts believe the party has struggled to reconnect with working-class and moderate voters after its significant losses in 2024. Clyburn’s remarks about consultants and the need to return to listening to voters on the ground reflect growing frustration among some longtime Democrats who feel the party has lost touch with its traditional base.
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Republicans, meanwhile, continue to gain ground in key areas. Favorable redistricting in multiple states, strong performances by Trump-endorsed candidates in primaries, and narrowing gaps in generic ballot polling have given the GOP increasing confidence that it can retain control of the House in November. The current environment stands in contrast to the historical trend of the president’s party losing seats during midterm elections.
As Democrats grapple with internal criticism and weak polling numbers, Republicans are focused on maintaining momentum through a combination of policy messaging on issues such as border security, crime, and economic concerns. The coming months will test whether the Democratic Party can address the concerns raised by figures like Clyburn or whether internal divisions will continue to grow ahead of the midterm elections.
