For too many years now, America’s Democratic party has focused on winning elections by appealing to what it has termed its “base” (young, black, Latino, Asian and educated women voters). At the same time, it has largely abandoned white working-class voters to Republicans – one reason why Democrats have lost too many recent federal and local elections across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic American states.
As we look at data from the 2020 and 2024 elections, it appears that in addition to paying a price for writing off white working-class voters, Democrats are now in danger of losing portions of what they still consider “base” constituencies as well. Between those two federal elections, the percentages of black, Latino and Asian voters who voted with Democrats have declined. Given that the party spent so much money targeting these voters, this drop in support is a worrisome sign they must address.
The question is how to address it. What Democrats usually do is focus their messaging on poll-tested issues unique to each group. Depending on the year, it might be some concern with civil rights or police brutality for black voters. For Latinos, it might be immigration reform, including what do about the “undocumented”. While in their appeal to Asian Americans, matters related to discrimination and immigration loom large.
There are several concerns with this approach. In the first place, it ignores the complexity of each of these groups. Among multi-generational Asian and Latino communities, some are descendants of immigrants who have been in the US for hundreds of years, while others are more recent arrivals, some escaping persecution and requesting asylum. Then there is the diversity of their countries of origin. Asian Americans may hail from Japan, China, Pakistan, India or Vietnam, while Latinos might come from Cuba, Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic, or Central or South America. The black community should also not be stereotyped. It, too, is diverse, with differences based on class and, too often ignored, the fact that about 20 per cent of black Americans are immigrants from a number of African or Caribbean nations.
With this in mind, I accepted an invitation to address an Asian American conference on the issues in the 2026 election. Having given this matter some thought, I deliberately did not prepare an “Asian” speech. I recalled a story I’ve told before about an Arab American-hosted 2004 Democratic candidates’ forum. Before he was to speak, one candidate – a leader in the polls at that time – came to me and said, “Here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to start by addressing jobs, health care, social security and education. Then, I’ll talk about your community’s issues.”
I responded, “With all due respect, sir, Arab Americans need good jobs, get sick, get old and want to see their kids get a quality education. Those are our issues. And if by ‘my community’s issues’ you mean the war in Iraq and Palestine-Israel peace, those are issues for all Americans, not just Arab Americans.”
In addition to white working-class voters, Democrats are now in danger of losing portions of what they consider “base” constituencies
I, therefore, framed my remarks to this Asian American conference first by telling them about the history of Arab immigration to the US, the problems we encountered and the successes we’ve achieved. I then spoke to the concerns we share with all other immigrant communities and the ways in which the very values that brought our diverse peoples to this country are being eroded by bigotry and repression. I concluded by reminding them that the message of the Statue of Liberty – “give me your tired and poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free” – which was once a promise but has now become a challenge. That is what’s at stake in 2026.
The point I was making then and am still making now is one that too many Democratic leaders don’t understand. Candidates might get applause from groups by touching their “hot-button” concerns. But what ultimately wins elections is the ability of a candidate and a party to project a simple overarching theme that resonates with voters across racial, ethnic and regional lines. Republicans have long been much better at this. For example, during the Reagan era, if you asked a Republican what they stood for, they would respond: “Smaller government, fewer taxes.” But if you asked a Democrat what they stood for, they’d point to a near endless litany of causes – something like the old guy at a peace march with dozens of buttons on his chest – and leave it to you to figure out the connecting theme.
Donald Trump has clearly moved away from the Reagan mantra but has substituted his own: “Make America Great Again”. This expression conveys multiple issues and layers of meaning: economic protectionism, anti-immigration, disengagement from foreign “entanglements” and a rejection of cultural change coupled with a return to “traditional values”. It’s true that much of this is grounded in bigotry and hypocrisy, and is destined for failure. But it’s also true that it resonates with and inspires many voters.
It’s not that Democrats haven’t developed captivating “bumper stickers” that capture the essence of their message in a phase or word that tie together voters from across the electorate. Franklin Roosevelt had the “New Deal”. Jimmy Carter projected a “return to decency”. Bill Clinton was “building a bridge to the 21st century”. For Barack Obama, it was one word: “Hope”.
The question for Democrats today is how will you answer when asked: “What are you for?” Will they be the old guy pointing at all his buttons, or the consultant-driven candidate targeting issues for each group? They need to have an answer that speaks to all groups and inspires them.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Have you been targeted?
Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:
1. Your pension fund has been placed inside an offshore insurance wrapper with a hefty upfront commission.
2. The money has been transferred into a structured note. These products have high upfront, recurring commission and should never be in a pension account.
3. You have also been sold investment funds with an upfront initial charge of around 5 per cent. ETFs, for example, have no upfront charges.
4. The adviser charges a 1 per cent charge for managing your assets. They are being paid for doing nothing. They have already claimed massive amounts in hidden upfront commission.
5. Total annual management cost for your pension account is 2 per cent or more, including platform, underlying fund and advice charges.
Friday’s fixture
6.15pm: Al Wahda v Hatta
6.15pm: Al Dhafra v Ajman
9pm: Al Wasl v Baniyas
9pm: Fujairah v Sharjah
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The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Match info:
Burnley 0
Manchester United 2
Lukaku (22', 44')
Red card: Marcus Rashford (Man United)
Man of the match: Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)
FIGHT%20CARD
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What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20JustClean%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20with%20offices%20in%20other%20GCC%20countries%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202016%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20160%2B%20with%2021%20nationalities%20in%20eight%20cities%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20online%20laundry%20and%20cleaning%20services%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2430m%20from%20Kuwait-based%20Faith%20Capital%20Holding%20and%20Gulf%20Investment%20Corporation%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Kill%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nikhil%20Nagesh%20Bhat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Lakshya%2C%20Tanya%20Maniktala%2C%20Ashish%20Vidyarthi%2C%20Harsh%20Chhaya%2C%20Raghav%20Juyal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.5%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
MATCH INFO
Northern Warriors 92-1 (10 ovs)
Russell 37 no, Billings 35 no
Team Abu Dhabi 93-4 (8.3 ovs)
Wright 48, Moeen 30, Green 2-22
Team Abu Dhabi win by six wickets
UAE gold medallists:
Omar Al Suweidi (46kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (50kg), Khalifa Humaid Al Kaabi (60kg), Omar Al Fadhli (62kg), Mohammed Ali Al Suweidi (66kg), Omar Ahmed Al Hosani (73), all in the U18’s, and Khalid Eskandar Al Blooshi (56kg) in the U21s.
