Podcast Summary: "Democrats Don't Understand Themselves"

Podcast Information

• Title: The Commentary Magazine Podcast
• Host/Author: Commentary Magazine
• Episode: Democrats Don't Understand Themselves
• Release Date: May 16, 2025

Participants

• Jon Podhoretz: Host and Editor of Commentary Magazine
• Abe Greenwald: Executive Editor
• Seth Mandel: Senior Editor
• Christine Rosen: Social Commentary Columnist
• Matt: Contributor

Introduction

In the episode titled "Democrats Don't Understand Themselves," Jon Podhoretz and his panel delve into the evolving dynamics within the Democratic Party, particularly focusing on the party's relationship with wealth, its rhetoric against oligarchy, and the inherent contradictions in its current stance.

The Democratic Party and Wealth

Christine Rosen introduces her piece, "Oligarchs Against Oligarchy," from the June 2025 issue of Commentary. She critiques the Democratic Party's ongoing narrative against oligarchy while simultaneously being influenced and funded by wealthy individuals and entities.

• Christine Rosen [02:52]: Discusses the juxtaposition of left-wing oligarchs like Alex Soros and Huma Abedin posing as middle-class individuals in high-end New York settings. She highlights the hypocrisy in Democrats condemning oligarchs while benefiting from dark money sources.

Abe Greenwald expands on the issue by pointing out the Democratic Party's shift from being the party of the working class to embracing a coalition that includes significant wealth. He cites Bernie Sanders' anti-oligarch messaging juxtaposed with his own millionaire status as a prime example of this contradiction.

• Abe Greenwald [06:12]: "Wealth is like beauty. It's always going to be unequally distributed, and people are always going to admire and be fascinated by it."

Hypocrisy and Denial within the Democratic Ranks

The panel discusses how Democratic leaders publicly denounce oligarchs and dark money yet continue to receive substantial funding from similar sources.

• Jon Podhoretz [09:53]: Points out Elizabeth Warren's contradictory stance on big Pharma funding, revealing that despite her claims of not accepting funds from the industry, she was a significant recipient of their campaign contributions.

Abe Greenwald [11:24]: Emphasizes that Democrats use dark money more extensively than the right, despite their public condemnations.

Democrats’ Image and Strategy

The conversation shifts to how the Democratic Party portrays itself versus its actual composition and strategies in elections.

• Jon Podhoretz [16:27]: Analyzes the historical shift in the Republican Party's relationship with wealth and contrasts it with the Democratic Party's current embrace of wealthy donors.

Abe Greenwald [17:16]: "The Democratic Party really either needs to embrace its new luxury brand or it needs to start acknowledging some of the contradictions in the way its leaders live and what its leaders preach."

Populism and Democratic Alienation

The panel explores why Democratic strategies are failing to resonate with the broader American electorate, leading to alienation and the rise of populist sentiments.

• Seth Mandel [26:06]: Highlights Trump's adeptness at populism and his alignment with blue-collar culture through engagement in popular American pastimes like NASCAR and wrestling.

• Jon Podhoretz [34:28]: Discusses the Democrats' emotional and cultural disconnect with their voters, leading to ineffective messaging and strategies.

Contradictions in Democratic Messaging

Abe Greenwald [35:09]: Criticizes the Democrats for not addressing Joe Biden's alleged "COVID incompetence" and questions surrounding his ability to fulfill presidential duties, suggesting that party leaders are avoiding critical introspection.

• Greenwald [35:11]: "They should just acknowledge their error and acknowledge, I mean they're never going to acknowledge the COVID up. But actually the COVID up is the thing that I think voters sensed intuitively from very early on in his term."

Comparative Analysis with Republican Strategies

The discussion includes a comparison between Democratic and Republican approaches to policy and governance, emphasizing the Democrats' risk aversion versus the Republicans' embrace of certain risks.

• Abe Greenwald [56:23]: "They are now the party of risk aversion. And one of the things that's been very appealing... is that Trump, and particularly the sort of Musk-Doge-like temperament, is very, very much about embracing certain risks."

Ukraine-Russia Negotiations Anecdote

In a lighter yet telling segment, the panel humorously discusses the confusion surrounding Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations, highlighting perceived inefficiencies and miscommunications at the highest levels of power.

• Jon Podhoretz [57:27]: "There's a very forlorn image of Zelensky sitting alone on a stage. Like, he's show up for the prom and his date has ditched him."

Conclusion: The Democratic Identity Crisis

The episode concludes with a reflection on the Democratic Party's struggle to balance its new coalition of wealthy donors with its traditional working-class base. The panel underscores the need for the party to either fully embrace its status as a "luxury brand" or face the increasing disconnect with a significant portion of the American electorate.

• Jon Podhoretz [43:11]: "This is the story of the Democratic Party. It dominates in 10 metropolitan areas and nowhere else in the entire United States."

• Abe Greenwald [49:22]: "But by the way, they're here to help. That's the new."

The panel emphasizes that without addressing these internal contradictions and redefining its identity, the Democratic Party risks further alienation and electoral setbacks.

Notable Quotes

1. Abe Greenwald [02:52]: "Wealth is like beauty. It's always going to be unequally distributed, and people are always going to admire and be fascinated by it."

2. Jon Podhoretz [09:53]: "Democrats are just lying to people about who they are and where their money comes from."

3. Abe Greenwald [17:16]: "The Democratic Party really either needs to embrace its new luxury brand or it needs to start acknowledging some of the contradictions in the way its leaders live and what its leaders preach."

4. Jon Podhoretz [43:11]: "This is the story of the Democratic Party. It dominates in 10 metropolitan areas and nowhere else in the entire United States."

5. Abe Greenwald [56:23]: "They are now the party of risk aversion."

Key Takeaways

• The Democratic Party faces an internal identity crisis, balancing its historical roots with a new coalition that includes significant wealth and influence.
• There is a notable hypocrisy in the party's rhetoric against oligarchs and dark money while simultaneously benefiting from similar financial sources.
• The Democrats' inability to connect authentically with a broader electorate is leading to increased alienation and providing fertile ground for populist movements.
• Contradictions between Democratic leaders' lifestyles and their political messaging undermine their credibility and effectiveness.
• Addressing these internal challenges is crucial for the Democratic Party to maintain relevance and electoral success in future elections.

This episode provides a critical examination of the Democratic Party's current trajectory, highlighting the need for introspection and strategic realignment to address the evolving political landscape.