Morning Wire Podcast Summary
Episode: "Why the Left is Losing Ground"
Release Date: June 15, 2025

Introduction

In the June 15, 2025 episode of Morning Wire, Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe delve into the shifting political landscape in the United States, focusing on the decline of the Democratic Party and the rising momentum of President Donald Trump. Featuring insights from Brent Buchanan, founder and president of Signal Polling Group, the discussion explores the erosion of Democratic support among key demographics, the impact of cultural wars, and Trump's economic policies.

Democratic Party's Decline

Brent Buchanan opens the conversation by addressing the Democratic Party's significant struggles in maintaining its traditional voter base. He states, "They're definitely in trouble. And we've been tracking this almost weekly since Trump became president. And they've really cratered in their image." (02:41)

Buchanan points out that core constituencies, including Hispanic and Black voters, as well as young women, are increasingly disassociating from the party. The Democratic messaging, predominantly centered around opposition to Trump, has failed to resonate, leaving the party "backing themselves into these tinier and tinier corners" with an unclear and fragmented message.

Fragmentation Among Democratic Leaders

The lack of a unified leadership within the Democratic Party exacerbates its woes. Buchanan remarks, "We've asked a couple times, who do you think the head of the Democratic Party is?... nobody gets above, like, 25%. So it's so clear that they're fragmented, not just on their message, but on their messengers." (03:42)

This fragmentation is further complicated by internal competition for the 2028 presidential nomination, preventing the party from coalescing around a single, coherent message. The diverse ambitions of multiple potential candidates hinder the development of a unified strategy, making it difficult for the Democrats to present a strong front to voters.

Shifting Voter Demographics: Young Males and Beyond

A significant theme of the episode is the departure of young male voters from the Democratic Party. Buchanan explains, "Among young voters, it is young males moving fastest. And what's really interesting is it's non-white young males that have been moving to the right culturally." (06:22)

He attributes this shift to the Democratic Party's stance on cultural issues, which alienates voters who feel their concerns are overlooked. Buchanan draws parallels to European politics, suggesting that cultural shifts observed globally are beginning to influence American voters, particularly younger demographics facing economic uncertainties.

Economic and Cultural Drivers

The migration of young males is driven by a combination of economic concerns and cultural disillusionment. Buchanan notes, "What we're seeing is that it's both. And so the economic issues really opened up these, you know, working class voters, younger male voters..." (08:22)

He emphasizes that cultural issues often serve as proxies for broader sentiments about radicalism within the Democratic Party. Voters may not base their decisions solely on single issues like sports policies but view them as indicators of the party's overall direction and alignment with their values.

President Trump's Rising Approval

Despite initial dips typical of early presidential terms, President Trump has seen a resurgence in approval ratings, particularly regarding economic performance. Buchanan highlights, "His strongest issue is still by far, illegal immigration and border security. I mean, it's... it's over 20% net approval on that." (10:03)

Trump's aggressive economic policies, including tariffs, initially faced criticism but are now being viewed more favorably as tangible benefits emerge. Buchanan explains, "people are... realizing, oh, well, gas is cheaper. And they're starting to see the whole picture come together of how Trump's new approach to the economy is going to benefit them." (11:00)

He predicts that as economic indicators continue to improve, Trump's approval ratings will grow, potentially leading to a positive net favorability—a milestone the former president has yet to achieve.

Impact of LGBT Issues on the Democratic Party

The discussion shifts to the influence of LGBT issues on the Democratic Party's standing. Buchanan contends that while the LGBT community represents a small portion of the population, their amplified presence in media overshadows other critical issues. He states, "they represent a small portion of that. But when you look at media attention and how loud their voices are... it's significantly outsized." (13:12)

Buchanan argues that the Democratic Party's aggressive focus on transgender issues has alienated moderate and conservative voters. He cites extreme policies, such as allowing a six-year-old to undergo gender transition surgeries, as examples of radicalism that have backfired. This radical stance, according to Buchanan, has led to declining support even for traditionally accepted issues like gay marriage.

Case Study: Jon Ossoff in Georgia

Using Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff as a case study, Buchanan illustrates the political fallout from taking strong stances on LGBT issues. In a survey conducted with the American Principles Project, Ossoff's support plummeted when voters were informed of his positions on transgender policies. Buchanan notes, "Jon Ossoff drops down to 38%, which I've never seen an incumbent drop that far and go under 40%." (15:04)

This sharp decline underscores the vulnerability of Democratic candidates who prioritize cultural issues over broader economic or policy concerns, particularly in swing states where voters are highly sensitive to perceived extremes.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with an analysis of the Republican strategy leveraging cultural issues to strengthen their position. Buchanan encourages Republicans to "fight these culture wars of what we believe," highlighting the emerging strength of a conservative majority on these fronts. The discussion underscores a pivotal moment in American politics, where cultural alignment and economic policies are reshaping traditional party loyalties.

As the Democratic Party grapples with internal disarray and an unclear message, the Republican Party, buoyed by Trump's evolving approval and strategic focus on cultural issues, appears poised to capitalize on the shifting political tides. The insights provided by Brent Buchanan offer a comprehensive understanding of the current challenges and opportunities facing both major political parties in the United States.

Notable Quotes

• Brent Buchanan (02:41): "They're definitely in trouble. And we've been tracking this almost weekly since Trump became president. And they've really cratered in their image."

• Brent Buchanan (03:42): "We've asked a couple times, who do you think the head of the Democratic Party is?... nobody gets above, like, 25%. So it's so clear that they're fragmented, not just on their message, but on their messengers."

• Brent Buchanan (06:22): "Among young voters, it is young males moving fastest. And what's really interesting is it's non-white young males that have been moving to the right culturally."

• Brent Buchanan (08:22): "What we're seeing is that it's both. And so the economic issues really opened up these, you know, working class voters, younger male voters..."

• Brent Buchanan (10:03): "His strongest issue is still by far, illegal immigration and border security. I mean, it's... it's over 20% net approval on that."

• Brent Buchanan (13:12): "they represent a small portion of that. But when you look at media attention and how loud their voices are... it's significantly outsized."

• Brent Buchanan (15:04): "Jon Ossoff drops down to 38%, which I've never seen an incumbent drop that far and go under 40%."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Morning Wire provides a critical examination of the current political dynamics in the U.S., highlighting the challenges faced by the Democratic Party and the strategies propelling Republican momentum. Through detailed polling data and expert analysis, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to the shifting allegiances among key voter demographics.