NY Rep. Ritchie Torres Urges Dems to Reconsider Far-Left Rhetoric, Focus on Unity & Real-World Concerns

Edited by:  Fern Sidman

In the wake of Donald Trump’s recent electoral gains, Democratic New York Congressman Ritchie Torres has issued a stark warning to his own party, critiquing the far-left faction for promoting divisive slogans and ideas that, he contends, risk alienating key voter groups. According to a report on the Vois Es Nais web site, Torres, recently re-elected, emphasized that Democrats must reflect on Trump’s unexpected success and respond by realigning their message to resonate with a broader swath of the American public. In a series of public statements, Torres outlined his concerns that certain left-wing slogans—among them “Defund the Police” and “From the River to the Sea”—are not only out of touch with mainstream voters but could also jeopardize the party’s traditional support among Black, Latino, Asian, and Jewish communities.

Donald Trump has no greater friend than the far left, which has managed to alienate historic numbers of Latinos, Blacks, Asians, and Jews from the Democratic Party with absurdities like “Defund the Police” or “From the River to the Sea” or “Latinx.”

There is more to lose than…

— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) November 6, 2024

Torres’s remarks come as a wake-up call to the Democratic leadership. As was reported by Vois Es Nais, he believes these slogans, often amplified through social media, lack grounding in the everyday concerns of American voters and reflect a level of ideological extremism that could endanger the Democratic Party’s future electoral viability. His critique extends to the use of certain terms, such as “Latinx,” which, despite gaining traction in progressive circles, have been met with limited acceptance within the Latino community itself. Torres argued that these labels, while perhaps well-intentioned, fail to resonate with the communities they are meant to empower and instead risk creating unnecessary divisions.

According to Vois Es Nais, Torres sees these issues as indicative of a larger trend within the party: a tendency to prioritize the views of vocal minorities on social media rather than those of working-class Americans. For Torres, who has spent much of his career advocating for the needs of his diverse constituency in the Bronx, the Democratic Party’s focus must be on the practical issues that impact Americans on a day-to-day basis—healthcare, education, affordable housing, and economic opportunity to name just a few. He warns that the more the party aligns itself with ideologically driven narratives, the greater the risk it faces of eroding support from communities that have historically been its backbone.

We should expunge from our vocabulary the words: we have a “messaging problem.”

When over 70% percent of Americans think we are on the wrong track or headed in the wrong direction, that is not a messaging problem. That is reality problem. Inflation and immigration are not…

— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) November 7, 2024

Torres’s perspective, as reported by Vois Es Nais, highlights a call for pragmatism and unity in the face of what he sees as an increasingly polarized political landscape. While acknowledging the diversity of voices within the Democratic Party, he urged leaders to focus on messaging that emphasizes shared values and real-world concerns rather than catering to the niche rhetoric often prevalent on social media platforms. This, he argues, is essential for sustaining a coalition that reflects the full breadth of American society.

The congressman’s critique goes further to suggest that some of the language championed by far-left advocates does not merely fail to inspire unity but actively drives a wedge between the Democratic Party and its core constituencies. By pushing slogans such as “Defund the Police,” Torres believes the far left risks creating a narrative that undermines support from voters concerned about public safety. Torres highlighted that communities of color—often disproportionately affected by crime—are among those most alienated by such messaging, leading to a perception that the Democratic Party is out of touch with their lived experiences, as was indicated in the Vois Es Nais report.

Peter Beinart has an op-ed claiming that outrage among young Black Americans against Israel is one of the causes of Democratic defeat in the 2024 election.

Beware of white progressives who project their own ideological biases onto working-class communities of color. Here’s… pic.twitter.com/Ii0kuStJln

— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) November 7, 2024

In Torres’s view, Trump’s recent electoral success serves as a sobering reminder of what is at stake if Democrats fail to heed these warnings. As Vois Es Nais reported, Torres argued that Trump’s continued appeal to working-class voters reveals a gap between what progressive voices on social media prioritize and what the broader electorate actually values. Rather than allowing the Democratic agenda to be shaped by ideology, Torres advocates for a platform that prioritizes practical solutions to the challenges facing everyday Americans.

To remain competitive, Torres advises the Democratic Party to distance itself from divisive rhetoric that fails to connect with traditional supporters. The report at Vois Es Nais noted that he envisions a party that champions inclusivity in a manner that genuinely reflects the diversity of its base. He encourages Democratic leaders to bridge the growing divide by fostering dialogue and focusing on policy areas that unify rather than fracture, ultimately striving to build a party platform that is both inclusive and electorally viable.

Torres’s message is clear: the path to political success lies not in catering to social media’s echo chambers but in addressing the real, often practical needs of the American people. As he contends, unity and pragmatism are essential to ensuring that the Democratic Party remains a true representative of the American electorate—one that not only addresses but respects the priorities of all its supporters.