Democrats are in a precarious situation, one that underscores the deep fractures within a party still searching for its identity in a swiftly changing political environment. Various factions have each presented their own visions for this situation. Senior strategists and politicians advised the party to weather the storm and wait for the moment. Younger and more outsider figures have encouraged the party's elements to fight. While many solutions have been espoused, perhaps the most important thing to do is to refer to when these discussions originated: after the 2024 Election.

(Then-former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris debating each other in early September, photograph captured by The Washington Post)

This last Election proved to be one of the most tumultuous in recent memory, and Democrats lost decisively. Then-former President Trump managed to sweep the seven battleground states and made massive gains in other areas of the country. Even traditional Democratic strongholds, like New York and New Jersey, saw deep cuts in their margins when comparing Democrats' performance from 2020 to 2024. The result: a Republican trifecta in Washington, and a Democratic Party reeling not only from defeat but from internal strife.

Autopsies were conducted almost immediately after the election results became evident. Centrist Democrats began blaming the party's electoral misfortunes on the progressive wing. They began organizing events to brainstorm ideas to revitalize the party, most of which called for shifting the party toward the center. Their strategy calls for moving away from identity politics and distancing the party from progressive staffers and groups.

For their part, progressives have rejected these assertions. Representative Pramila Jayapal, the former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, insisted that big-money interests have captured the party instead. Progressives maintain that working-class voters struggled to identify what Democratic policies would help them in November, citing a failure in messaging rather than progressive-leaning policies.

The full picture is still coming into focus, but one thing is clear: the coming battle over the party’s future will define more than just strategy.

(Senator Bernie Sanders speaking to at a rally with 30,000 people present in Denver, photograph captured by Chet Strange on Getty Images)

One source for burgeoning insights for Democrats has been polling. A recent Gallup poll found that only 25% of Americans have confidence in Congressional Democratic leadership. While confidence is somewhat higher among Democratic voters, it still fails to reach a majority, standing at just 39%. This decline marks the lowest level recorded by Gallup since it began asking the question in 2001, demonstrating a broader appetite for change among voters.

Desire for a new direction is also apparent in hypothetical polling for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary. In surveys conducted a few weeks after the 2024 election, then-Vice President Harris led as the favorite in this potential field, earning 43% in a Morning Consult poll and 41% in an Echelon Insights poll. These figures are unsurprising as the Democrats lacked any clear alternatives to Mrs. Harris in the immediate post-election period. While recent polling still has her leading, that support has shrank to 32% in a more recent Echelon Insights poll and 28% in a YouGov poll.

Former Vice President Harris has kept a relatively low profile since her defeat, causing her support to wane as prospective leaders emerge. Indeed, the candidates performing well in hypothetical polling tend to be Democrats actively resisting President Trump in this moment.

For instance, Senator Cory Booker had been polling around 2% consistently in polls featuring him, such as an Echelon Insights poll from February. However, his standing changed significantly in early April, when he made headlines by delivering the longest speech in Senate history, an act of open defiance against President Trump. His prospects in polling improved dramatically afterward, reaching a high of 14% in a poll conducted by Data for Progress.

Another emerging alternative is Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Her name has been floated in hypothetical polling, usually in the low single digits. Since she has joined Senator Sanders on his "Fighting the Oligarchy" tour, her support has skyrocketed to a high of 21% in a Yale Youth poll, placing her remarkably close to the former Vice President. Though her support has leveled off somewhat, she maintains high single digit support as her minimum.

While the presidential race, and even the primary, remains years away, the notable shifts in polling for the party’s presumed future leader offer a clear glimpse into the kind of leadership Democratic voters are seeking. Beyond the polling, there's a growing and unmistakable demand within the party for a more combative approach.

(Senator Cory Booker at a news conference in March, photograph captured by Tom Williams on Getty Images)

Democrats' enthusiasm for demonstrations of active resistance against President Trump are reflected in Senator Sanders' numbers in "Fighting the Oligarchy" tour. He and Representative Ocasio-Cortez have shattered records in attendance, drawing an estimated 34,000 in Denver alone. The turnout for these rallies has been consistently larger than the crowds Senator Sanders had during either of his Presidential runs.

The "Fighting the Oligarchy" tour has a simple message: curbing the growing billionaire dominance over American politics and reclaim democracy for the people. It's a very succinct message that resonates with many voters disillusioned with modern American politics. Elections appear to dominated more by money as time progresses, highlighting the salience of the tour's fundamental premise.

To properly demonstrate the desire for fighters, one can look to the reception of leaders urging patience in this moment. Senior Democratic consultant and strategist James Carville wrote an op-ed in the New York Times calling for Democrats to "play dead" and essentially wait for the burdens of the Trump administration to fold in on themselves. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has insisted on a business-as-usual approach and waiting to fight Trump until his approval rating falters below 40%.

Senator Schumer's approach led to major backlash when he compromised with Republicans on a continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown. Much like how polls reflexively reacted to Senator Booker's record-breaking speech, they reacted to the unsatisfaction of this decision. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez led Senator Schumer in a hypothetical primary poll for his Senate seat conducted by Data for Progress by 19 points. The fallout from this decision was so harmful to Senator Schumer that he went on a tour to rehabilitate his reputation among Democratic voters.

Democratic voters are increasingly frustrated with a party that reacts to events rather than setting the agenda. Going forward, it’s not enough to simply resist President Trump’s policies. Democrats must also articulate a compelling, proactive vision for the country. That vision should stand on its own, not hinge on the popularity, or unpopularity, of any single figure.

Whether that means shifting the party's platform on specific policies, the essential goal is to provide voters a clear, consistent identity and narrative they can rally behind. To remain relevant and effective, the Democratic Party must become a force of leadership, not just opposition.