A 78‑year‑old lifelong Democrat from Oklahoma called into the C‑SPAN program Washington Journal and announced he plans to leave the party. He said: “I’ve been a Democrat all my life… but this party has changed so damn much. It makes me sick. I’m going to move out of it.” He criticized senior figures like Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, suggesting they should retire, and said he only voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 out of loyalty—not enthusiasm.

His remarks reflect broader dissatisfaction within the Democratic base. According to recent data, the Democratic Party’s favorability rating has slid to about 34.7 % in a RealClearPolitics average, with unfavorable ratings in the high 50s. Other polls show only about one‑third of Democrats are even optimistic about the party’s future.

Another caller, a Pennsylvania Democrat, echoed the sentiment, declaring she would no longer vote for Democrats due to the party’s handling of the federal government shutdown. On an earlier Washington Journal segment, three other Democratic‑aligned callers expressed dismay with the party’s direction: complaining about what they described as weak leadership, excessive focus on attacking former President Donald Trump, and a drift toward far‑left policies.

In sum, these personal admissions and polling trends suggest a troubling moment for the Democratic Party — one where long‑time loyalists feel disconnected, frustrated by leadership and ideological shifts. While internal dissatisfaction doesn’t always translate immediately into mass defections, the optics of base erosion matter politically. The party now faces a dual challenge: retaining longstanding supporters while reconciling internal divisions and public perceptions of being “out of touch.”