Recent discussions on Fox News have painted a picture of “moderate Democrats” being marginalized in favor of Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate. Contributors like Laura Ingraham have lamented the loss of these moderates, naming figures such as Gretchen Whitmer, Sherrod Brown, Mark Kelly and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. However, the reality behind these claims warrants closer examination.
Laura Ingraham expressed sympathy for Florida Democratic donor John Morgan, who preferred other candidates over Harris. Morgan’s sentiments were echoed by Ingraham, who suggested that the Democratic Party had abandoned its moderate roots. Yet, a closer look at the policies of these so-called moderates reveals a different story.
Gretchen Whitmer, for example, has been a strong advocate for feminist causes, abortion rights and DEI initiatives. Her positions align closely with progressive values, making the label of moderate seem misplaced. Similarly, other Democrats mentioned by Ingraham have shown little deviation from the party’s leftward shift.
Mark Kelly of Arizona has occasionally criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis, but his stance is largely influenced by the specific challenges faced by his state. If Kelly represented a state less affected by illegal immigration, his criticism might be less vocal. John Fetterman, who briefly criticized Biden’s immigration policies, remains a committed supporter of the administration and now backs Harris.
This nostalgic view of a moderate Democratic Party overlooks the consistent progression towards more liberal policies over the past decades. Figures like Whitmer and Shapiro are part of this shift, even if they appear less extreme compared to the most progressive members of their party.
Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania is often cited as a moderate due to his temporary support for school vouchers. However, this support was politically motivated rather than ideologically driven. On social issues like unrestricted abortion and DEI, Shapiro’s positions are in line with progressive leaders such as New York Governor Kathy Hochul and President Joe Biden.
The narrative of a disappearing moderate Democratic wing serves to contrast Harris’s perceived extremism with an idealized past. However, the reality is that figures like Shapiro and Whitmer are entrenched in the same progressive movement that has defined the Democratic Party in recent years. Their policies reflect a broad consensus within the party rather than a distinct moderate faction.
