Not recognizing the needs of the rural voters and middle class workers (maybe across the board tax cut that would help everyone instead of just those with kids or first time home buyers)?
But that's not true? Democrats made huge investments in rural/middle class workers.
Overemphasis on identity politics/gender issues?
But Republicans are the party that runs on almost nothing but identity politics, not the Democrats.
Just look at the 2024 commercials! Harris' were all about shared prosperity, Trump's were all about identity politics. (trans people/Mexicans/whoever are bad)
Horrible messaging? Failure to control immigration?
But Republicans were the ones who voted against controlling immigration, not Democrats? Seems odd to blame Democrats for Republicans refusing to secure the border, no?
Also, why does 'the heartland' care about immigration so much? For most of it they have a very low percentage of foreign born.
One can deny all day, or say it is the media's fault, or the electorate is stupid and evil, or whatever makes you feel better. I mean, hell, it used to be the Democratic "Farmer" "Labor" party. They have obviously lost the rural vote, and couldn't even get labor endorsement this election.
Meh, I'm uninterested in the feels or whatever. Let's just stick to the facts!
I have said for a long time, and received a lot of hate for it on this forum, but I have said numerous times and for months, probably years, that the Dems have lost contact with the middle class. Well, I rest my case.
Ironically I think the real answer here is that despite the Republicans doing all the things you said cost the Democrats, in the end it's that a lot of voters actually LOVE identity politics. They just like identity politics that cater to them.