Should Democrats adopt a "facts don't care about your feelings" attitude?

[WalterWhite]

"Facts don't care about your feelings" is a phrase popularized by Ben Shapiro, a prominent conservative, as a rebuttal against emotionally-driven progressive arguments.


I am NOT here to say which party is more logical and which party is more emotional; however, on many issues, it is Democrats who argue from a logic-based perspective. On many issues, such as climate change, the scientific consensus is in favor of Democrats; Democrats are still more likely than Republicans to say human activity has at least a moderate impact on climate change. (Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2019/11/25/u-s-public-views-on-climate-and-energy/)

Democrats also generally have more trust in scientists and in scientific consensus than Republicans. (Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2022/02/15/americans-trust-in-scientists-other-groups-declines/)

With this in mind, could Democrats capitalize on "facts don't care about your feelings"? If so, how would this change the electoral map? Would this improve Democratic performance amongst college-educated voters? Could this potentially alienate some voter blocs?

[Upper Canada Tory]

No. In fact, I think the progressive wing of the Democrats (Bernie Sanders, AOC, et al) attempted to adopt an attitude of 'facts don't care about your feelings' very early in their rise to prominence as an attempt to portray themselves as an alternative to right-wing hardliners. Given that it didn't work out so well for the progressives and their prominence is now quickly fading, I wouldn't suggest the Democrats adopt this strategy.

[WalterWhite]

No. In fact, I think the progressive wing of the Democrats (Bernie Sanders, AOC, et al) attempted to adopt an attitude of 'facts don't care about your feelings' very early in their rise to prominence as an attempt to portray themselves as an alternative to right-wing hardliners. Given that it didn't work out so well for the progressives and their prominence is now quickly fading, I wouldn't suggest the Democrats adopt this strategy.

With the COVID-19 pandemic as well as reemerging discussions regarding racism, though, Democrats can ABSOLUTELY adopt a "facts don't care about your feelings" attitude.

Democrats can point to studies showing how mask mandates effectively slow down the spread of COVID-19. Democrats can point to how the United States has, from its very beginning to the present moment, had to deal with racism.

Regarding the teaching of American history through the lens of social justice, many Republicans say this is making children FEEL embarrassed for their ancestry and for their country. On this issue, it is Republicans who are arguing with emotions, not Democrats.

Also, the reason the progressive movement lost so much steam was likely NOT because of their "facts don't care about your feelings" attitude. The movement gained steam in the Trump Presidency; it was, in a sense, a reaction to Trump. When Trump left the White House, the progressive movement lost steam because it lost a lot of its fuel. (Trump's presidency)

[DS0816]

…

Your topic makes the mistake of suggesting the Democratic Party are trustworthy and recognizes and deals with facts.

[MarkD]

Shapiro probably said that in association with a debate about trans people. And yes, if Dems started saying that, it could alienate trans people, as well as the rest of the LGBTQ+ community.

[WalterWhite]

Shapiro probably said that in association with a debate about trans people. And yes, if Dems started saying that, it could alienate trans people, as well as the rest of the LGBTQ+ community.

Scientific consensus generally support the idea of the existence of trans and non-binary people. Democrats could absolutely use "facts don't care about your feelings" in the context of the culture war over LGBT rights; if coupled with their pro-LGBT positions, such an attitude could actually STRENGTHEN Democratic support amongst the LGBT community.

[Mister Mets]

No. There are too many taboos within the party.

[Del Tachi]

lol

[President Johnson]

My mind says yes, but politically it's probably unwise. Democrats are already perceived as intellectual elitists and such an attitude would just feed into that narrative. They should, however, push back more effectively against right-wing talkingpoints.

[pbrower2a]

Facts are more powerful than we are. They exist without us.