Josephine Walker reports at Axios that “The Supreme Court’s approval rating — long the highest among the three branches of government — has sunk to a record low, joining President Trump and Congress in drawing low public support.” Further, “33% of Americans approve of the Supreme Court’s performance, according to a Gallup survey of 1,200 adults conducted from July 1-19 — days after the justices wrapped their latest term…That’s down 6 percentage points from 2025, the court’s previous low…About 13.5% of Americans approve of Congress’ performance, down from 23.2% in July 2025, per YouGov data… Trump’s approval rating stands at 34%, the lowest of either of his terms in office, a The Economist / YouGov poll found.” Also, “Just 58% of Republicans approve of the court this year, down from a near-record 79% in 2025…Gallup estimates those changes may reflect frustration that the court has bucked Trump on several major priorities, including birthright citizenship and tariffs…Meanwhile, Democratic support plunged after the court overturned Roe v. Wade, and Gallup suggests Democrats and independents remain unhappy with its conservative tilt…Flashback: When Gallup first asked the question in 2000, 62% of Americans approved of the Supreme Court, and a majority continued to support the court through 2010…Since then, its ratings have mostly fluctuated in the 40s as political polarization increased.”
“There’s an active debate in Democratic politics between progressives and moderates about how to build a winning coalition,” Tamara Keith reports at npr.org. “A new report from a pair of California researchers, shared exclusively with NPR, argues that debate misses the point. The answer isn’t centrism, they write, it’s respect for where working-class voters are coming from…”It’s about understanding that people need a sense of personal and economic security before they will support the changes progressives are calling for,” the authors write…Their message is that the Democratic Party would be making a huge mistake if it keeps catering to social justice warriors and fails to understand, respect and appeal to working-class voters. “The path heavily favors the party that wins working-class voters,” the report explains…”I am tired of losing,” Williams said in an interview. “I want to build a sustained progressive coalition capable of delivering on progressive goals. And that’s not what we have now and that’s not what we’ve had for decades.”…Titled “The Left’s Coalition Crisis: Understanding the Massive Divide Between Working Class and College Educated Voters, and How to Bridge It,” the report argues Democrats have lost support from working-class voters of all races because the party’s base is out of touch with the priorities and values of those Americans…”Until Democrats understand the importance of really respecting, listening to and taking seriously the values of self-reliance, the values of patriotism and tradition and personal security,” Abbott said, “they’re going to have a major messaging and a major electoral problem.”
From “Maine Democrats Have a New Working-Class Hero in Troy Jackson. Can He Deliver?” at SNJ Today: “A new contender is emerging in the political arena, with implications that could ripple across the nation and impact how working-class voters engage with the Democratic Party. Troy Jackson, a former logger from Maine, is stepping into the spotlight as a potential challenger to long-serving Republican Senator Susan Collins. Jackson’s background, deeply rooted in the traditions and challenges of blue-collar industries, offers a different perspective than many traditional Democratic candidates…Jackson’s journey from the forests of Maine to the national political stage is drawing attention. His supporters believe his firsthand experience with the issues facing working families – from job security to economic opportunity – makes him a compelling figure. For communities across South Jersey, including those in Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties with historical ties to manufacturing and agriculture, this narrative resonates. The ability of a candidate to connect with the everyday concerns of these regions has often been a deciding factor in local and state elections. As Jackson prepares to potentially face Senator Collins, his campaign will be closely watched to see if his message can mobilize a broad base of voters, including those who may feel overlooked by mainstream politics…The coming months will reveal whether Jackson can translate his grassroots appeal into a successful challenge. His ability to articulate solutions for economic challenges and connect with voters across different demographics will be crucial. This race offers a chance to see if a candidate with a distinctly working-class background can effectively compete at the highest levels of government and influence the direction of the Democratic Party.”
An excerpt from Froma Harrop’s “American politics feasts on stories of candidates from humble backgrounds who know what it means to be a working stiff. Some such contenders are uncovered as bums or phonies. But some are the real thing…They would include Dan Osborn of Nebraska. He is the steamfitter and former union organizer from Omaha running for the senate as an independent against Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts…Osborn now has a decent chance of prevailing in November. His is not a new face. He had run in 2024 as an independent who did surprisingly well against Republican incumbent Deb Fischer. Osborn lost by only 7 points in a state that Donald Trump carried by about 21 points. Osborn clearly has appeal…After the election, Osborn launched a PAC called the Working Class Heroes Fund. Its stated mission is to support candidates like him, regardless of party label. With Ricketts an heir to a family fortune exceeding $1 billion, Osborn has predictably framed the race as between the “billionaire class” and the working class…To prevail in a conservative state like Nebraska, Osborn needs support from disaffected or moderate Republicans. If elected, he vows not to caucus with either party. And he criticizes Democrats for their focus on white-collar professionals…Working in his favor is the fact that many Nebraska Republicans are not hard right. Omaha Rep. Don Bacon, for example, is a Republican moderate known for often criticizing Trump. His is a swing district, nationally known as the “blue dot.” Seeing himself at a disadvantage among MAGA Republicans and Democrats desperate for a win, Bacon decided not to seek another term.” More here.
