Progressive Podcaster Predicts Continued Losses for Democrats
Ana Kasparian, co-host of The Young Turks and a prominent progressive voice, has recently been taking aim at the Democratic Party, sparking speculation about whether she has experienced a political shift.
Kasparian has criticized Democrats on various issues, particularly since Donald Trump’s presidential election victory in 2016. In her latest critique, she predicted that Democrats would “keep losing” elections unless they address “quality of life issues” and stop showing “disrespect” to voters.
Reading a quote that struck a chord with her, Kasparian told her co-host, Cenk Uygur, “I’ve never read a quote that resonated with me more than this one does, so I’m going to read it.” She continued: “‘You don’t get red-pilled overnight. It’s the issues that affect your everyday life first, and then you connect them with people and then you connect it with a party.’ That is so true and that is what we are trying to get across to people.”
Kasparian elaborated, “When you’re affected day to day by quality of life issues, and all you hear from the Democratic Party is, ‘Shut up, no, it’s not happening, and if it’s happening, it’s not that big of a deal,’ man, that really does red pill people. It builds resentment toward the party. And I really think the Democrats need to pivot away from that because they’re going to keep losing if they think that type of treatment of voters, that type of disrespect, is going to get them anywhere.”
Uygur echoed her concerns. “I talk to normies, people who don’t follow politics or news religiously, right?” he said. “And so in California, whenever you talk to normies and you ask them about Biden, what is the first thing they say? Too old. Every single person, Democratic, Republican, it didn’t matter, because they all have eyes. If you’re not watching Morning Joe brainwashing you every morning about how he’s young and dynamic, you’re going to see Biden once, twice, and think, ‘He is way too old.’”
Kasparian has also criticized other Democrats, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom. However, her concerns about Vice President Kamala Harris potentially running for governor in 2026 were even more pointed.
“I think Kamala Harris would probably win in a cakewalk for governor,” Uygur remarked in a December podcast episode.
“No! No!” Kasparian exclaimed. “What are you doing? What are you doing?”
Uygur responded, “I’m telling you the reality, whether you like it or not. Democratic voters in California love to obey.”
Kasparian replied, “I’m gonna move, Cenk! I’m gonna quit my job. I’m gonna quit my job, and I’m gonna move.”
Uygur clarified, “I’m not saying I’m in favor of it. I’m telling you what’s likely. If the Democratic Party said, ‘We anoint Kamala Harris,’ a giant percentage of Democrats in California would go, ‘Yes! We obey. We will take the loyalty oath. It doesn’t matter how bad she is!’”
Kasparian didn’t hold back, saying, “This state cannot survive another incompetent Democrat leading it. No, we just can’t.”
She continued, “So, like, people are egging her on, OK? Apparently she’s, like, in a wait-and-see mode. How about you wait and see your way out of public life? Go do what you’re supposed to do—work in the private sector, go do the lobbying thing—whatever it is. But don’t run as governor of California. Do not!”
CNN reporter Isaac Dovere recently reported that Harris has privately told her backers she’s considering a gubernatorial bid in 2026 or a presidential run in 2028. Dovere also noted that Harris doesn’t want her “final act” to be certifying Donald Trump’s election victory over her.
“We haven’t seen or heard much from Vice President Kamala Harris since she lost the election last month,” CNN’s Manu Raju said in a segment, adding, “But the Democratic Party is still reeling from Trump’s victory.”