Pence's Think Tank Says Democrats Have Left Ordinary Americans Behind

Former Vice President Mike Pence's conservative think tank, Advancing American Freedom (AAF), has released a memo criticizing the Democratic Party for what it describes as a significant leftward shift over the past 50 years. The memo, issued in anticipation of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, argues that the party has increasingly abandoned the interests of ordinary Americans in favor of its more radical elements. AAF highlights that many positions once held by Democrats have been discarded, even as they accuse Republicans of maintaining similar beliefs today. John Shelton, AAF's policy director, asserts that the Democratic Party has shifted more dramatically than the Republican Party over the decades. He notes that both Pence and President Ronald Reagan were once registered Democrats, suggesting a historical context for the current political landscape. Shelton emphasizes that the Democratic platform has undergone a "complete rejection" of its former principles, as evidenced by a previous memo examining changes in the Republican National Convention platform. The memo specifically points to abortion and illegal immigration as key issues where the Democratic Party has significantly altered its stance. AAF claims that the party has abandoned a broad, bipartisan consensus on critical issues, leading to increased challenges in areas such as border security and crime. The think tank's critique underscores a growing divide in American politics as both parties prepare for the upcoming election cycle.