Dems of the DNC say they 'don't want to be the freak show party' anymore as committee looks to replace chair

Some members of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) are expressing concerns that the party's focus on identity politics and progressive policies has left it out of touch with voters, with one member saying they don’t want to be the “freak show party” anymore. This sentiment has reportedly shaped the race for the next DNC chair and is being cited as a factor in Vice President Kamala Harris' significant loss to President-elect Donald Trump in the recent election, according to Politico.

“The progressive wing of the party has to recognize — we all have to recognize — the country’s not progressive, and not to the far left or the far right. They’re in the middle,” explained DNC committeeman for Rhode Island Joseph Paolino Jr, per Politico. “I’m going to look for a chair who’s going to be talking to the center and who’s going to be for the guy who drives a truck back home at the end of the day.”

Another DNC member from Florida highlighted the disconnect many voters feel. “I don’t want to be the freak show party, like they have branded us. You know, when you’re a mom with three kids, and you live in middle America and you’re just not really into politics, and you see these ads that scare the bejesus out of you, you’re like, ‘I know Trump’s weird or whatever, but I would rather his weirdness that doesn’t affect my kids.’”

The DNC is preparing to choose a new chair to replace Jaime Harrison, who is not expected to seek another term following the party's electoral setbacks. Potential candidates for the position include Wisconsin Democratic Party leader Ben Wikler, Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin, former White House infrastructure czar Mitch Landrieu, and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

A formal review of the party’s recent losses is expected once the next chair is in place early next year. Former DNC Chair Donna Brazile described the situation as "a rebuild job from the bottom up."

There is a growing consensus within the DNC that the party’s emphasis on progressive and identity-focused policies may have backfired. “I do think there’s this whole sentiment that we just went too far out there on identity, and it allowed the Republicans to really attack us at every turn as a result, and that we just essentially did not focus on just the everyday issues of Americans,” a California DNC member told Politico.

Another anonymous member stated, “I would like to see a chair that can be critical of the party. And take a real in-depth look of where we’ve done things right and we’re we’ve failed and take action, even if it’s not popular. Not everything is puppies and rainbows.”

As the DNC looks to the future, several members are seeking a leader who can strengthen the party’s organizational infrastructure. This focus comes in the wake of the Republican Party's sweeping victories, which saw them capture the White House, Senate, and House majorities.