Build Back Better

U.S. Media

•

14 days

Summary

sources
19
Narrative Items
22
Bottom Line Up Front

19 sources in U.S. Media are amplifying 22 narrative items relating to the narrative of the Democratic Party's political struggles. These narratives connect themes of economic mismanagement, failure to address working-class concerns, and internal party conflicts, highlighting how these factors contributed to electoral losses and the rise of Republican influence.

Reviewing a number of the most relevant narrative items indicates that New America critiques the Biden administration's approach, labeling it as lacking ambition and failing to effectively address inflation. Their language suggests disillusionment with the current trajectory, characterized by a push for "social productivism," implying a need for more drastic economic measures. In contrast, Jacobin provides a more detailed analysis, emphasizing that the Democrats' failures stem from a timid approach instead of straightforward welfare expansion, advocating for a shift toward ambitious economic management. Maine Beacon echoes this sentiment, blaming conservative Democrats for blocking essential reforms and framing the lack of voter engagement as a political miscalculation rather than an issue of identity politics. The Nation further critiques corporate influences within the party, portraying the failure to resonate with working-class concerns as a significant contributor to electoral defeat. As for more niche topics, Intellectual Takeout frames social-emotional learning (SEL) programs as a threat to parental rights and children’s autonomy, emphasizing a perceived indoctrination. Meanwhile, Liberty Nation raises alarms over environmental justice initiatives, alleging misuse of funds that disfavors effective environmental policies. Overall, conservative sources lean towards portraying Democrats as out of touch and potentially corrupt, while progressive viewpoints call for more robust and equitable approaches to economic reform. This contrast shows a significant polarization in perceived party failures and proposed solutions, highlighting the complex and often contentious nature of contemporary political discourse.

About This Module

The U.S. Media module tracks a broad range of American media sources, including major television, cable, print, and online organizations.

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Sources

Sources by Type
Sources of these types represent most of the amplification activity around this narrative
sources by Volume
These sources are amplifying the most items involved in this narrative. Click to see details of each source's narrative activity.
Top sources
Day-by-day volumetric activity of sources amplifying the most items around this narrative
Jacobin
14% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
The Nation
9% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Inside Climate News
5% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Fair Observer
5% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
WTOP
5% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
The Republic (Indiana)
5% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
In These Times
5% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
The 19th News
5% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
The American Prospect
5% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
New America
5% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
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Top Items

These narrative items are the most relevant and/or the most amplified. Click to see details and suggested messages.
Amplifiers:
New America
newsletter.therecount.net
Unforced error
The failure of the Build Back Better Act, due largely to Senators Manchin and Sinema's opposition, cost Democrats politically. Despite passing the Inflation Reduction Act, the party failed to deliver on key promises of economic reform, leading to losses in the 2022 midterms and potentially contributing to Republican gains in 2024. This failure to address working-class concerns, some argue, allowed Republicans to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction.
Amplifiers:
Jacobin
jacobin.com
We Can Do Better Than Bidenism
The article critiques Bidenism, arguing it lacked ambition and failed to address inflation effectively. While some believe returning to Clinton-era policies is the solution, others assert that more progressive measures were never fully pursued. The author advocates for a "social productivism" that emphasizes direct economic management, taxing the wealthy, and investing in productive jobs to create a sustainable alternative to neoliberalism.
Amplifiers:
Jacobin
jacobin.com
We Can Do Better Than Bidenism
The article analyzes the Democratic Party's 2022 losses, arguing that Biden's policies, while well-intentioned, weren't ambitious enough. Simple welfare expansion is insufficient; a genuine alternative requires "social productivism"—investing in productive projects creating high-wage jobs, taxing the wealthy, and directly managing the economy to avoid inflation's negative impact on wages. This contrasts with the current reliance on debt-financed social programs and avoids the pitfalls of simply throwing cash at problems.
Amplifiers:
Maine Beacon
mainebeacon.com
Opinion: Conservative Democrats cost us the election - Maine Beacon
Low Democratic turnout in urban areas contributed to election losses. Conservative Democrats blocked progressive legislation like Build Back Better, the PRO Act, and voting rights protections, failing to deliver on key issues important to working-class voters. This inaction, not "identity politics," is blamed for the decreased voter engagement.
Amplifiers:
The Nation
thenation.com
The Left Didn’t Sink Kamala Harris. Here's What Did.
Kamala Harris's electoral defeat stemmed not from leftist activism, but from the Democratic Party's failure to address working-class economic anxieties. Corporate interests and centrist obstructionism within the party, prioritizing wealthy donors over populist policies, hindered efforts like Build Back Better and ultimately alienated voters. The article argues that blaming the left is a distraction from the party's internal issues.
Amplifiers:
Willoughby News-Herald
news-herald.com
Willoughby Hills Bishop Road bridge open
The Willoughby Hills Bishop Road bridge, rebuilt at a cost of $900,000, has reopened. The new bridge, stronger than its predecessor, now accommodates commercial trucks, resolving a previous weight restriction issue. Local businesses are pleased with the restored traffic flow.
Amplifiers:
Rocket News
rocketnews.com
Trump has full control of Washington - but he won't always get his way - RocketNews
Republicans now control both houses of Congress, giving Donald Trump a "governing trifecta" for the first time. While this grants him significant power, historical precedent suggests a single-party control doesn't guarantee a president's agenda will be fully enacted, as both Trump and Biden faced opposition from within their own parties.
Amplifiers:
Jacobin
jacobin.com
Why the IRA Didn’t Help Democrats
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), while incentivizing green energy investment, failed to address the job displacement of fossil fuel workers. This lack of a "just transition," coupled with the IRA's focus on corporate tax breaks rather than direct worker benefits, contributed to Democrats' electoral losses. The article argues that a Green New Deal approach, offering direct material benefits to the working class, is crucial for Democrats to regain working-class support.
Amplifiers:
Intellectual Takeout
intellectualtakeout.org
Social and Emotional Indoctrination in Schools - Intellectual Takeout
Social-emotional learning (SEL) programs in schools are increasingly criticized for indoctrinating children with progressive ideologies, particularly concerning gender identity, rather than focusing on emotional regulation and decision-making. Parental concerns are rising against this perceived indoctrination, fueled by the lucrative SEL industry and its influence on school curricula. The conflict pits parents against school administrators and a powerful SEL industry, raising questions about curriculum control and parental rights.
Amplifiers:
Liberty Nation
libertynation.com
Behind the Costly Façade of Environmental Justice - Liberty Nation News
The Biden administration's environmental justice (EJ) initiatives, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, are under scrutiny for allegedly funneling billions to radical activist groups with minimal oversight. Critics claim this constitutes taxpayer-funded lobbying and benefits far-left organizations, potentially at the expense of environmental protection. The House is investigating this alleged boondoggle, and a potential Trump administration could attempt to rescind the funding.
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Themes

Tap or click for details
These adjacent themes are currently being amplified along with the main narrative. Click to see details of narrative activity related to each one.
Ukraine seeks unrestricted military aid
During a NATO summit, Zelensky urged for the removal of restrictions on U.S. military aid to ensure Ukraine's victory in the ongoing war with Russia.
Showcasing Jaguar's latest car models
The latest advertisement from Jaguar highlights their newest car models.
Harris's late campaign challenges
As Harris's campaign unfolds, her late start and controlled public appearances may hinder a deeper understanding of her positions and responses.
Working-class abandonment of the Democratic Party
In a statement, Bernie Sanders criticized the Democratic Party for losing the support of working-class individuals, including Latino and Black workers.
Department of Defense addresses financial challenges
Under Secretary of Defense Michael McCord highlighted the Department of Defense's efforts to improve financial accountability, noting the results of a recent audit that reviewed trillions in assets and liabilities.
Leadership in healthcare reform
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Dr. Mehmet Oz to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, focusing on disease prevention and cutting waste in healthcare spending.
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Entities

Tap or click for details
These entities are mentioned most frequently in the narratives highlighted in this brief. Click to see details of narrative activity related to each one.
People
Joe Biden
President of the United States, associated with the Democratic Party.
Kamala Harris
Vice President of the United States, associated with the Democratic Party.
Joe Manchin
Democratic Senator from West Virginia, known for his opposition to progressive legislation.
Kyrsten Sinema
Democratic Senator from Arizona, known for her opposition to progressive legislation.
Donald Trump
Former President of the United States and Republican leader.
Clinton
Refers to Bill Clinton, former President, associated with centrist Democratic policies.
People
Joe Biden
President of the United States, associated with the Democratic Party.
Kamala Harris
Vice President of the United States, associated with the Democratic Party.
Joe Manchin
Democratic Senator from West Virginia, known for his opposition to progressive legislation.
Kyrsten Sinema
Democratic Senator from Arizona, known for her opposition to progressive legislation.
Donald Trump
Former President of the United States and Republican leader.
Clinton
Refers to Bill Clinton, former President, associated with centrist Democratic policies.

Context

The political landscape in the United States has been significantly shaped by demographic shifts and economic challenges, particularly in the wake of the Democratic Party's struggles to deliver on key promises. The failure of the Build Back Better Act, largely due to opposition from Senators Manchin and Sinema, has left many working-class voters feeling neglected. This discontent contributed to low Democratic turnout in urban areas during the 2022 midterms, allowing Republicans to capitalize on the dissatisfaction.

Demographically, the U.S. is becoming increasingly diverse, with younger voters and minority groups often leaning Democratic. However, if the party fails to address economic anxieties, particularly among working-class voters, it risks alienating these crucial demographics. The critique of Biden's policies suggests that a lack of ambition and a focus on corporate interests over populist measures have hindered the party's ability to connect with these voters.

Geographically, the divide between urban and rural areas continues to influence political dynamics. Urban centers, which typically support Democrats, saw decreased engagement, while rural areas leaned more Republican. This shift underscores the importance of addressing local economic issues, such as job displacement due to environmental policies like the Inflation Reduction Act, which did not adequately support fossil fuel workers.

National security considerations also play a role, as economic stability is closely tied to social cohesion. The perceived failure to manage inflation and provide direct benefits to the working class could lead to broader societal unrest, impacting both domestic stability and international standing. As the Republican Party gains control, the challenge for Democrats will be to redefine their approach to economic management and social policies to regain the trust of disillusioned voters.
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