There was a time when political parties engaged in introspection after electoral defeats. Psephological autopsies–despite some of their stupidity–are scarcely novel.

But 2025’s Democratic Party appears insistent on bucking the trend of self-reflection, pressing on with its recently rejected extremist platform, promoting its most heinous abusers of the electorate as its most vocal spokespeople, and shoving in America’s face its losing mantra: We’re Not Going Back.

And America should, at least for once, believe the Democrats when they say this.

Instead of reevaluating strategies and/or even apologizing to the wider electorate, the party continues to champion policies and positions that alienated a record-breaking number of voters. During the 2024 election, nearly half of Hispanics supported Donald Trump despite the incessant racial pandering and fearmongering (or perhaps, better yet, as a result of them).

On cultural issues, the party’s stance is increasingly disconnected from mainstream America. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s “I’m not a biologist” moment still looms large in meme culture, and no one is “over” (nor should they be) how Democrats have championed men in women’s locker rooms for the past decade.

For all that Bill Maher and James Carville kick and scream in their own party’s direction, the answer from up top still comes back the same: We’re Not Going Back.

On immigration, the Democratic Party finds itself at odds with America again, opposing legislation aimed at deporting non-citizens convicted of crimes, most recently pledging to send emissaries to El Salvador to re-emigrate alleged MS-13 gangster Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

Whatever the squishiest amongst you argue of the so-called lack of “due process” behind Garcia’s removal, you will continue to find yourselves spitting into the wind as far as the American electorate is concerned. While data indicates the nation is increasingly quizzical when it comes to Trump’s tariff strategy and broader economic plan, his immigration numbers remain steady and favorable.

In January, 158 House Democrats voted against a bill that would have mandated the deportation of foreign-born criminals, which Republicans should freely clip from and cite in the impending mid term election battles. With a svelte majority, the GOP should be looking to go on the strategic offensive, rather than sit back and hope to maintain. At least by the right’s standards, the soil is fertile.

Finally, Democrats’ continued commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, coupled with a resistance to any internal leadership change which recognises the shortcomings of the party, gives Republicans a huge opportunity, if they’re smart enough and brave enough to take it: run on the last election.

The ad campaigns could literally hark back to November: “Hey, remember when you roundly rejected extreme Democrats and their radical agenda? *insert Kamala cackle* Well, guess what? They’re doubling down. Claiming they weren’t wrong, but you were. A party this obstinate and vengeful against America can’t be rewarded with success in the upcoming elections. Say no to the radical Democrats FOR GOOD until they change… FOR GOOD.”

You get the idea.