Skip to content

CQ Future: Democratic Party

President Joe Biden may be in control of the White House for the next four years, but after a lackluster showing in House and Senate races in 2020, the Democratic Party is still grappling with its identity. Will the party lean further to the left or move toward the center?
President Joe Biden may be in control of the White House for the next four years, but after a lackluster showing in House and Senate races in 2020, the Democratic Party is still grappling with its identity. Will the party lean further to the left or move toward the center? (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

It’s no secret that in the corridors of power there is a struggle for the soul of the Democratic Party. While Joe Biden won the presidency, there certainly wasn’t a blue wave. Moreover, House Democrats lost seats, and the fate of the Senate will be decided by two runoffs in Georgia in January. It’s the progressives versus the moderates. CQ Roll Call’s Shawn Zeller speaks to Donna Shalala and Ben McAdams, Democrats who lost their seats, to talk about why and what’s next for the party.

Show Notes:

Recent Stories

South Carolina governor picks Graham’s sister to serve out his term

Man arrested at Capitol barricade had a gun in his lap, police say

Trump loses his ‘Senate whisperer’ after Graham’s sudden death

How to serve up a year-old bill

Defense funding to research troops’ brain injuries shrank since 2025

This week: Graham’s death, McConnell’s recovery add to drama