Conversations With Coleman: Do The Democrats Really Need ‘Their Own Trump’ with Galen Druke

In the July 21, 2025 episode of Conversations With Coleman, host Coleman Hughes engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with Galen Druke, the founder and host of the GD Politics Podcast. Druke, formerly of FiveThirtyEight, brings his extensive experience in political analysis and polling to dissect the current challenges facing the Democratic Party and the controversial proposition that Democrats might benefit from having a figure akin to Donald Trump—a concept he elaborates on in his recent New York Times op-ed.

Galen Druke’s Background and Perspective

Druke begins by sharing his journey in political analysis, highlighting his tenure at FiveThirtyEight where he honed his skills in data-driven political forecasting. He emphasizes the trust his audience places in his judgment, contrasting it with the perceived biases of mainstream media. Druke states, “I think my audience listens to me because they found my judgment to be trustworthy in the past, but have found mainstream media organizations to be the exact opposite” ([00:00]).

Transitioning to his current work, Druke discusses the inception of the GD Politics Podcast on Substack, aiming to foster curiosity, rigor, and humor in political discourse. He reflects on the current political climate, noting, “GD Politics is both my initials, my name is Galen Druke. But I think maybe encapsulates or I think encapsulates how people feel about politics right now, which is goddamn politics” ([04:19]).

The Science of Political Polling

The conversation delves into the intricacies of political polling, a field Druke has extensively covered. He analogizes polling to a “blood test” for understanding public sentiment, acknowledging its imperfections but asserting its necessity over personal anecdotes. Druke explains the evolution of polling methodologies, noting the decline in response rates from the era of landlines to the present reliance on diverse channels like text messages and online platforms: “Now it's something like 2% of people are responding to polls” ([08:11]).

Addressing concerns about polling accuracy, Druke asserts that despite challenges, modern polling still offers valuable insights. He remarks, “If your question is, do Americans think that abortion should be legal or illegal in most cases? Do you think America should bomb Iran? ..., Being off by 4 percentage points is not as big of an issue” ([12:34]).

The Democratic Party’s Leadership Crisis

Hughes steers the conversation toward the Democratic Party’s current predicament, referencing Druke’s New York Times op-ed titled “Do The Democrats Really Need ‘Their Own Trump’.” Druke elucidates that the phrase is metaphorical, advocating for a leader who can navigate the party through its internal divisions by adopting a strategy similar to Trump’s 2016 campaign—balancing between appealing to the base and moderating positions to attract broader voter support.

He draws parallels with historical figures like George H.W. Bush and Mario Cuomo, who successfully reoriented their parties by adopting a mix of conservative and liberal policies. Druke emphasizes the importance of tackling high-salience issues where Democrats hold strength, such as healthcare, while moderating stances on less universally supported topics like immigration and fiscal policy. He states, “For Democrats, what could that look like? Today, Democrats are trusted a lot more than Republicans on the issue of health care, and they have been for a long time” ([20:35]).

Democrats Needing Their Own Trump: A Strategic Pivot

Druke argues that the Democratic Party must embrace a leader who can bridge internal ideological divides and present the party as a cohesive alternative to the Republican establishment. He compares Trump’s 2016 strategy of targeting specific issues to galvanize the base while appealing to moderate voters on economic policies. Druke suggests Democrats replicate this by doubling down on healthcare and potentially addressing fiscal responsibility: “For Democrats, what could that look like? Today, Democrats are trusted a lot more than Republicans on the issue of health care... it's the economy, like Republicans in general have been trusted more on the economy, so also doubling down on that when moving to the left a bit” ([26:20]).

He further explores the necessity for Democrats to communicate effectively on high-impact issues without alienating key voter segments. Druke notes, “What are the strengths of my party, which for him [Trump] was the economy... so for Democrats, what could that look like? ... they're trusted a lot more than Republicans on the issue of health care” ([29:00]).

Evaluating Potential Democratic Candidates

The discussion turns to assessing the viability of current Democratic figures to embody this Trump-like leadership. Druke critiques Gavin Newsom’s attempts at bipartisan dialogues, suggesting that while such efforts are commendable, they may not align with his established brand as a staunch Democrat: “I think ambitious Democrats are already doing some of that stuff...” ([37:06]).

When considering progressive leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Druke acknowledges their charisma and grassroots support but questions their ability to pivot without losing authenticity: “I don’t believe she can win because I honestly am not sure that, that conservative black voters in South Carolina are okay, even in the year 2025, playing pulling the lever for a gay, a gay man” ([52:09]). He highlights the complexities of appealing to diverse voter bases within the Democratic Party, especially among socially conservative black voters.

Discussing Pete Buttigieg, Druke admires his intelligence and rational approach but shares skepticism about his appeal in socially conservative regions: “I’m not going to say that I have a lot of polling data to support that. But what I do know is that... social conservative black voters... have problems with pulling the lever for a gay man for president” ([56:00]).

Strategic Recommendations for the Democratic Party

In closing, Druke is asked to distill his recommendations into a sound bite. He candidly admits the difficulty but emphasizes the need for the Democratic Party to recognize and rectify its contributions to political fatigue: “Politics is distasteful and exhausting. The Democratic Party itself has contributed a lot to that. The Republican Party has certainly done its fair share, too” ([63:12]).

Druke suggests a move towards acknowledging past mistakes and fostering a more inclusive, efficient political framework that addresses both public concerns and internal party dynamics. This approach aims to rejuvenate the party’s appeal by balancing progressive zeal with pragmatic policy adjustments.

Conclusion

Galen Druke’s insights offer a critical examination of the Democratic Party’s strategic options in a polarized political landscape. By advocating for a leadership model that balances fervent advocacy with moderate appeal, Druke challenges Democrats to rethink their approach to resonate with a broader electorate. This episode underscores the importance of nuanced political strategy in navigating contemporary electoral challenges.

For more in-depth analysis and discussions, listeners are encouraged to explore Galen Druke’s GD Politics Podcast available on GDPolitics.com and across major podcast platforms.