Dems eye a 'blue wave' in 2026 elections, but expert says it looks more like a 'blue trickle' for now

WASHINGTON, DC: Many Democrats are hoping for a blue wave in 2026 to help them regain favor with disenchanted voters and claw back some control in Washington, DC. However, some major indicators are instead turning into warning signs.

A recent poll shows that Democrats are still struggling to regain their hold with voters who moved right in 2024. This is compounded by growing fundraising gaps, several messy primaries, and a congressional map redrawn by Republicans, making it harder for Democrats to win.

Blue wave hopes dim as polls show only modest Democratic gains

Matt Taglia, the senior director of Emerson College Polling, a nonpartisan group that routinely administers political opinion surveys, said, per Politico, "I don’t see a blue wave. It’s more like a blue trickle."

However, Democrats are trying to build up a blue wave by stoking backlash to the policies enacted under a Republican trifecta, as they go on offense during the August recess.

In addition, Democrats have attempted to roll out a variety of playbooks targeting President Donald Trump’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, tariffs, and the potential economic fallout from the megabill.

They are also betting on a wave midterm election to help foil Republicans in Congress and chart a path toward the 2028 presidential race and beyond.

Meanwhile, some Democrats acknowledge that the party does not yet have the momentum to spark a blue wave but believe it will build by early 2026.

Neera Tanden, who served as former President Joe Biden’s domestic policy advisor, said, "There’s a lot of angst about the Democratic Party writ large. I totally hear that. But you have evidence of people on the Democratic side pretty motivated to come out and vote."

"I think the midterm election will be about who is angrier," she added.  

Similarly, Courtney Rice, a spokesperson for the party’s House campaign arm, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, spoke about the resolve to create a wave election next year.

She added, "It’s clear that Democrats are on a path back to the House majority come 2026."

Republicans, however, rejected the idea that Democrats can overcome their hurdles by 2026.

Mike Marinella, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said, "Vulnerable House Democrats are sitting on our turf. They’re getting blown out of the water in the money race, they’re eating their own in messy primaries, the Democrat Party’s approval ratings are at rock bottom, they are consistently on the wrong side of wildly popular issues, and they’ve completely lost touch with hardworking Americans."

Despite Trump’s approval rating taking a hit, about 63 percent of voters hold negative views of Democrats, according to a recent poll released by The Wall Street Journal.

Moreover, Democrats’ projected wins remain modest, as separate polls conducted by Emerson College and YouGov show that in a generic congressional matchup, they are ahead by just 2 percentage points. 

Internet trolls Democrats’ strategy and optimism for 2026

Several internet users trolled the Democrats, mocking their hopes for a blue wave in 2026 that could help them regain favor with disenchanted voters and reclaim some control in Washington, DC.

One user wrote on X, "Blue wave = Not happening," while another added, "I’ve never seen a group lose so much and double down on their ideas. The Democrats' problem is their leadership, and until this changes they will continue to lose."

A third person commented, "True, if they all talk no action," whereas another said, "Dems have wasted any goodwill and position they might have had. They're out of touch and unreachable."

One user also wrote, "With record unpopularity, they can’t get that trickle," while another added, "Democrats have squandered every opportunity we have had, over the last decade."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.