grassroots-disengagement

This chapter critiques the Democratic Party's failure to effectively engage voters by neglecting to highlight Republican failures, ignoring grassroots citizen groups, and prioritizing fundraising over substantive policy issues. It traces the party's corporatist capture starting in the late 1970s, which led to diminished legislative ambition and a disconnect from traditional constituencies. The author highlights the consequences of this neglect, including timid candidates and a lack of meaningful political discourse on critical issues like wage increases, healthcare reform, and campaign finance.