On Friday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s The Beat, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) made a surprising admission: Democrats have alienated voters by mishandling immigration, obsessing over identity politics, and mismanaging American cities. Smith called on his party to shift course, acknowledge past failures, and stop vilifying Trump voters if Democrats hope to remain politically viable.
“We have to change. We have to get better. We have to legitimately address immigration. We have to have secure borders,” Smith said. He also admitted, “Focusing on identity politics constantly is not what the American people want… we’re going to fix that.”
Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said Democrats must move beyond simply attacking President Donald Trump and focus on governing better in cities plagued by crime, homelessness, and drug abuse—many of which are run by Democrats. He cited improvements in San Francisco as an example but acknowledged that the party’s message has fallen flat in many parts of the country.
Significantly, Smith emphasized that Democrats should stop treating Trump supporters with contempt. “They’re not all racist, bigoted morons. They’re not. And we need to stop treating them like that,” he stated. He called for Democrats to broaden their appeal and stop preaching only to left-leaning strongholds.
Smith’s remarks mark a stark shift in tone compared to much of his party’s rhetoric since 2016. While still attacking Trump as “authoritarian” and blaming him for rising costs and healthcare challenges, Smith admitted that voters’ concerns—particularly about the border and public safety—must be addressed seriously and respectfully.
He praised the campaign styles of Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) as models for expanding Democratic appeal beyond progressive enclaves, warning that continued political losses await if the party fails to connect with disaffected voters.
