Fox News contributors, including Laura Ingraham, have recently discussed the so-called “moderate Democrats” supposedly sidelined by the selection of Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate. Names like Gretchen Whitmer, Sherrod Brown, Mark Kelly, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro have been cited as examples of these moderates. However, the reality of their policies tells a different story.
Ingraham and other commentators lament the supposed loss of a more moderate Democratic Party. Florida Democratic donor John Morgan even voiced his preference for other candidates over Harris, receiving sympathy from Ingraham, who claimed the party had left behind its moderate roots. Yet, a closer look at the positions of these purported moderates reveals that they align closely with the progressive agenda.
Take Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, for example. Known for her staunch feminist stance, support for abortion rights, and enthusiasm for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Whitmer hardly fits the mold of a traditional moderate. The same can be said for other Democrats mentioned by Ingraham. None have taken a strong stance against third-trimester abortions, opposed DEI policies, or criticized the Biden administration’s handling of illegal immigration.
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly has occasionally criticized the administration’s border policies, likely due to the direct impact on his state. However, this criticism is inconsistent and politically convenient. If Kelly represented a state less affected by illegal immigration, his stance might be different. Even John Fetterman, who briefly criticized Biden’s immigration policies, remains a staunch supporter of the administration and now backs Harris.
The nostalgic portrayal of a moderate Democratic Party that existed until recently is a convenient but misleading narrative. Fox News personalities now suggest that figures like Whitmer, who were previously criticized for their progressive policies, represent a lost moderate wing. This shift in narrative ignores the consistent leftward drift of the Democratic Party over the past decades.
For instance, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is now labeled as a moderate. However, his positions on social issues, such as unrestricted abortion and DEI, align closely with those of progressive leaders like New York Governor Kathy Hochul and President Joe Biden. Shapiro’s temporary support for school vouchers, driven by political necessity rather than ideological conviction, does not qualify him as a traditional Democrat.
The recent narrative shift serves to contrast the perceived extremism of Harris with an imagined moderate past. However, the reality is that figures like Shapiro and Whitmer are part of the same progressive movement that has dominated the Democratic Party for years. They are simply less extreme than the most progressive elements of the party.