Recently, Fox News contributors like Laura Ingraham have lamented the supposed marginalization of “moderate Democrats” within their party, suggesting that figures such as Gretchen Whitmer, Sherrod Brown, Mark Kelly, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro represent a fading breed. This narrative has been used to criticize the selection of Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate, but does it hold up under scrutiny?
Ingraham, along with other commentators, sympathized with Florida Democratic donor John Morgan, who expressed dissatisfaction with Harris’s candidacy, claiming that the Democratic Party had moved away from its moderate roots. However, examining the policies and actions of these so-called moderates reveals a different picture.
Gretchen Whitmer, for example, is well-known for her strong support of feminist issues, abortion rights, and DEI initiatives, aligning her closely with progressive values. Similarly, Sherrod Brown, Mark Kelly, and Josh Shapiro have not markedly deviated from the progressive agenda dominating their party.
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly has occasionally voiced criticism of the Biden administration’s border policies, reflecting his state’s unique challenges. Yet, this criticism appears more circumstantial than ideological. In states less impacted by illegal immigration, Kelly’s stance might be notably different. John Fetterman, who briefly criticized Biden’s immigration policies, continues to be a staunch supporter of the administration and now endorses Harris.
The nostalgic narrative of a moderate Democratic Party overlooks the significant leftward shift over the past decades. Figures like Whitmer and Shapiro are part of this shift, even if they seem less extreme compared to the most progressive party members.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is often cited as a moderate for his temporary support of school vouchers. However, this decision was politically motivated rather than rooted in moderate ideology. On issues like unrestricted abortion and DEI, Shapiro’s positions align with those of progressive leaders such as New York Governor Kathy Hochul and President Joe Biden.
The notion of a vanishing moderate Democratic wing serves to contrast Harris’s perceived extremism with an idealized past. Yet, the reality is that figures like Shapiro and Whitmer are deeply embedded in the progressive movement that has shaped the Democratic Party in recent years. Their policies reflect a broad consensus rather than a distinct moderate faction.
