Democratic research finds voters prefer populism over ‘Abundance’ - POLITICO

[STEVEN ROBINSON]

Democratic research finds voters prefer populism over ‘Abundance’

 

A progressive think tank and veteran Democratic strategists are scheduled to present their findings to congressional Democrats next week.

 

By Elena Schneider – Politico –September 4. 2025

 

Populism is more electorally effective than the new “Abundance” agenda, a progressive think tank and Democratic operatives are arguing in a preview of the party’s messaging divisions ahead of next year’s midterms.

 

A memo obtained first by POLITICO cautioned Democrats about relying solely on the emergent school of thought, which criticizes overly bureaucratic regulations for slowing progress on housing production needed to drive down costs and infrastructure projects. It was penned by Kamala Harris campaign veterans Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster, and strategist Brian Fallon, along with the liberal economic group Groundwork Action.

 

The strategists were joined by Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) in briefing Capitol Hill staffers and Democratic operatives this week on polling and focus group data to substantiate their argument. The group is expected to present its findings again to congressional Democrats early next week, according to a person directly familiar with the schedule and granted anonymity to discuss private meetings.

 

“While there are elements of the Abundance agenda that have appeal, and the choice on which messages to deliver is not zero-sum, a populist economic approach better solves for Democrats’ challenges with working-class voters,” the memo read. “If candidates are asking which focus deserves topmost billing in Democrats’ campaign messaging, the answer is clear: though some voters believe excessive bureaucracy can be a problem, it ranks far behind other concerns and tackling it does not strike voters as a direct response to the problem of affordability.”

 

It described affordability as voters’ primary concern, and posited they “see Abundance-style policy solutions as less responsive” to that problem.

 

The research — which tested populist-based messages versus the cutting-red-tape “Abundance” agenda — is among the first deep dives into the electoral potency of the movement, popularized by New York Times’ columnist Ezra Klein and writer Derek Thompson, who published a book by the same name last March.

 

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https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/04/democratic-research-finds-voters-prefer-populism-over-abundance-00543188