A former Democratic activist who quit the party described how “hypocrisy” and a fascination with “vague” celebrity endorsements have left him feeling hopeless about the party’s future.
Former Democratic Party campaign fundraiser Evan Barker explains why she’s now “fed up” with Democrats During “Fox & Friends” Vice President Kamala Harris took part in a star-studded virtual campaign event with Oprah Winfrey on Thursday.
“I’ve worked in Democratic politics for a long time. I’ve raised millions of dollars and I went to the DNC last month to get inspired again, but instead, I felt like I was in a room with the most isolated and elitist people in the world,” Barker told Lawrence Jones on Friday.
In a Newsweek editorial published this week, Barker explained how she transitioned from raising children to educating them. “millions of dollars” For Democrats to distance themselves from a party they believe is “totally oblivious” to ordinary Americans.
Barker said she was initially “thrilled” to volunteer at the D.N.C., where Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the presidential nomination.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 22: Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on stage during the final day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
“But once there, walking through the glitz and glamour, absorbing its glitter and complacency, I couldn’t escape a sinking feeling. I felt like I was immersed in a hollow chamber whose mottos were ‘Bright Summer’ and ‘Joy’ — completely oblivious to ordinary, everyday Americans and their needs; instead, the world’s most elite were chanting in unison that ‘We’re not going back,’” Barker wrote,
Barker said Democrats’ “hypocrisy” is the main reason why he distanced himself from the party. He argued that donors are the actors who “control everything,” including the candidates’ policy positions.
“I’m originally from the Midwest. A lot of people in my family are union workers or have been in unions, and they’re people who once voted for Barack Obama, and now they vote for Donald Trump. And for a long time, I didn’t understand why that was, and after raising money for Democrats and being in these circles, I realized that donors control the party,” Barker said.
“They control everything. They control what the candidates prioritize, and I know Republicans have that issue too, but Democrats are just huge hypocrites in this regard,” he added. “I think it all just comes down to hypocrisy and the fact that I don’t recognize this party anymore.”
It was hosted by Oprah Winfrey “Rally United for America,” A livestream event, which included several celebrities, as well as questions and stories from citizens across the country. The event was organized by the “Win With Black Women” organization in support of Harris. More than 140 other grassroots organizations took part in the virtual rally, including “White Women: Answer the Call”, “Latinas for Harris”, and “White People for Harris.”
Oprah Winfrey chaired an online rally for Vice President Kamala Harris. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images | Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
The event was held in Oakland County, Michigan, with 400 people in attendance, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer also delivered a speech. Celebrities like Bryan Cranston, Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Jennifer Lopez, Tracee Ellis Ross, Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep were also present virtually.
Barker argued that the celebrities in attendance are not the same as ordinary Americans who are being affected by rising commodity prices, as inflation continues to rise, leaving families across the country financially vulnerable.
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“They’re just telling us that all we need is optimism and happiness, and that’s what’s going to fix our lives,” Barker said. “And I’m tired of it. I’m completely fed up… My grandma, she lives in Missouri. She voted for Obama twice. She voted for Trump the last few times… She’s living off just her Social Security check right now.”
“Things have gotten worse It is too expensive“It’s very difficult for them,” she added. “I’d like to see the Democratic Party talk about what they’re going to do for my grandmother, not just have some celebrity come in and tell us all to be happy and optimistic. It’s embarrassing. It’s shameful.”
“They’ve become the party of Dick Cheney, Goldman Sachs, endless proxy wars and identity politics,” she said. “I’m just at a point… I’ve been very brave over the last couple of weeks, and I’ve gotten a lot of criticism from a lot of people. And I’m just at the point where I can’t take it anymore, and I have to speak out.”
Fox News’s Yael Halon and Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.
