Former Clinton pollster says Dems’ ‘crude and rude’ strategy won’t work

Democratic strategist Doug Schoen panned the “dark woke” strategy some Democrats are advocating Wednesday, calling the approach “a big, big mistake.”

Democrats have increased their use of profanity, particularly since a clash between Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas and Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia during a May 2024 House Oversight Committee hearing calling the approach being “dark woke,” according to The New York Times. Schoen said that being “crude and rude” would not address the biggest problems the Democratic Party are facing.

“What do you think of ‘dark woke?’” “Fox and Friends” co-host Steve Doocy asked Schoen.

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“I think crass and rude in the context of political dialogue is a big, big mistake,” Schoen responded. “I think you need alternative policies on the economy, on the – on inflation, on healthcare, Social Security, Medicare, that distinguish my party from the Republicans. So far, we have heard a lot of anger.”

Schoen also took aim at Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chair David Hogg over Hogg’s plans to raise money to primary some incumbent Democrats, including Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California.

“The fact that we elected a vice chair of the Democratic Party, David Hogg, who is raising $20 million to beat Democratic incumbents, not elect Democrats to beat Republicans, but beat Democratic incumbents in primaries, tells you how divided and pulverized we are and in the absence of a message, a strategy and a plan, all we have driving us is raw anger,” Schoen said.

Former Clinton advisor James Carville has also criticized Hogg for planning to campaign against incumbent Democrats while serving in a leadership position on the DNC.

Democrats faced criticism for an increased use of profanity, with critics saying the party was failing to provide an alternative to President Donald Trump’s proposals or keep in touch with voters’ concerns. The conduct of Democrats during Trump’s March 4 address to Congress, when they remained seated and rarely applauded during Trump’s speech, even when Secret Service Director Sean Curran presented Devarjaye “D.J.” Daniel, who is battling brain cancer, with credentials during the speech, also came under fire.

“Right now, it’s a group of angry people who oppose Donald Trump. When I worked for Bill Clinton, Steve, and we talked about it, we were a centrist party offering alternatives to the Republican Gingrich revolution,” Schoen said. “Right now, it’s just raw anger.”

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