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Political Theater: The future of the Democratic Party

Political Theater, Ep. 197

President Joe Biden may be in control of the White House for the next four years, but after a lackluster showing in House and Senate races in 2020, the Democratic Party is still grappling with its identity. Will the party lean further to the left or move toward the center?
President Joe Biden may be in control of the White House for the next four years, but after a lackluster showing in House and Senate races in 2020, the Democratic Party is still grappling with its identity. Will the party lean further to the left or move toward the center? (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
By Jason Dick, Evan Campbell and Joanne Levine
Posted April 21, 2021 at 9:45am

We begin with Jason Dick offering a tribute to former Vice President Walter Mondale — who he was and how he helped build the Democratic Party of today. Then we thought it would be a good idea to give Political Theater listeners a chance to hear our sister podcast, CQ Future, on what’s next for the Democratic Party.

It’s no secret that in the corridors of power there is a struggle for the soul of the Democratic Party. While Joe Biden won the presidency, there certainly wasn’t a blue wave. Moreover, House Democrats lost seats, and while they hold a slim majority in the Senate, infighting within the party has presented challenges to Biden’s agenda. 

CQ Roll Call’s Shawn Zeller speaks to former Democratic Reps. Donna E. Shalala and Ben McAdams, who lost their seats last fall, to talk about why and what’s next for the party.

Show Notes:

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