I feel “blank” when I hear the phrase “the Democratic Party.” I feel “blank” when I hear the phrase “the Democratic Party.” “Concerned” Antonio, 41, La., Dem. “Disappointed” Susan, 67, Wash., Dem. “Hopeful” Michael, 51, Texas, Dem. Opinion America in focus ‘They Need Fresh Thinking’: These 13 Black Democratic Voters Want to See Younger Candidates July 8, 2026 Share full article “You have to start from a place of literally building this country brick by brick, and someone is going to have to speak to that,” one participant in Times Opinion’s latest focus group said of the next Democratic presidential candidate.Last month, Times Opinion spoke with 13 Black Democratic or Democratic-leaning voters, from an array of perspectives and experiences, about President Trump, the state of the country and the direction of the Democratic Party.These voters expressed deep worry about societal changes under Mr. Trump. Participants described politicians and fellow citizens emboldened to say and do unkind or extreme things they wouldn’t have 10 years ago, and lamented public officials unwilling to stand up to Mr. Trump. Some were particularly frustrated with decisions such as going to war with Iran, and several were concerned about the direction of civil rights. “We — and not just us as Black people, but all marginalized people — are losing rights left and right,” one participant said.So much current political discourse is about what Democrats should do next, about what direction the party should take — a question that can’t be answered without the input of Black voters. And in this particular group, participants were frustrated with the lack of fight many perceived from the party. (Others felt the imbalance of political power prevented them from stopping much.)The group didn’t agree, necessarily, about whether it was most important for a presidential candidate to be more liberal or moderate, a fighter or a consensus builder. Wes Moore, Jon Ossoff and, in particular, Jasmine Crockett earned praise from some in the group. There was widespread agreement about one thing, however: The party needs younger candidates who are ready to stand up.“Right now, we’re literally reverting back to the ’60s,” one participant said. “You need some younger, fresh thoughts. These older people want to do what they’ve always done, and it’s not working.” By Katherine Miller, Kristen Soltis Anderson and Adrian J. Rivera Ms. Miller is an editor in Opinion. Ms. Anderson is a pollster. Mr. Rivera is an associate staff editor in Opinion. Participants Nichole 54, Ind., Democrat, licensing coordinator Carla 37, Ill., Democrat, clinical research coordinator Prince 56, Ga., independent, operations manager Terrell 21, Pa., Democrat, security officer Ralph 37, N.J., independent, wind turbine tech Chereese 55, Md., Democrat, administrative assistant Kenneth 52, Tenn., Democrat, electronics training Tim 70, N.C., Democrat, warehouse manager Susan 67, Wash., Democrat, library tech Troie 28, N.Y., independent, customer service supervisor Al 33, Ohio, Democrat, accountant Antonio 41, La., Democrat, lead cook Michael 51, Texas, Democrat, machine operator Transcript Moderator, Margie Omero In one or two words, fill in the blank: I’m feeling “blank” about the way things are going in the country these days. Susan, 67, Wash., Democrat, library tech Dismal. Carla, 37, Ill., Democrat, clinical research coordinator Disappointed. Michael, 51, Texas, Democrat, machine operator Nervous. Prince, 56, Ga., independent, operations manager Embarrassed. Terrell, 21, Pa., Democrat, security officer Disappointed. Kenneth, 52, Tenn., Democrat, electronics training Disappointed and bamboozled. Troie, 28, N.Y., independent, customer service supervisor It feels like we’re turning back the clock on what this country has accomplished and what we’ve overcome.Moderator, Margie Omero How do you mean specifically? Troie, 28, N.Y., independent, customer service supervisor It feels like the current administration i
Fuente: NYT — Ver nota original
