Voters want Sherrod Brown policies, not Third Way policies.
Americans want the government to take steps to reduce income inequality—and they definitely don't see Republicans doing that. According to
a new CNN/ORC International poll, 66 percent of registered voters agree with the statement "The government should work to substantially reduce the income gap between the rich and the poor," with 42 percent saying they agree strongly.
"That sentiment may put Republicans in a difficult position, because nearly seven in 10 of those surveyed believe GOP policies favor the rich compared to the 30% of respondents who said Democratic policies benefit the wealthy," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.
In fact, opinion over who Democratic policies favor is fairly evenly divided: 30 percent say Democrats favor the rich, 30 percent say they favor the poor, and 36 percent say they favor the middle class.
The problem, as we see election after election, is that polling on the issues isn't necessarily reflected in voting in predictable ways. Republicans are not paying enough of a price for being out of step with Americans on this issue. But Democrats should take it to heart. Third Way is not going to show the way on issues of economic inequality. Sherrod Brown and Elizabeth Warren are.