Lifelong Democrat Doug Schoen: My Party is Wrong on Trump’s Iran Strategy

In this episode of the Brian Kilmeade Show, longtime Democratic strategist Doug Schoen—former advisor to Bill Clinton and Michael Bloomberg—offers a critical, self-reflective assessment of the modern Democratic Party, particularly its shift toward the far left. Schoen defends the principle of birthright citizenship while calling for Supreme Court reconsideration of its modern application, especially in light of birth tourism. He strongly supports presidential leadership in resolving the DHS funding impasse, criticizing both parties for gridlock, and champions bipartisan solutions like those proposed by moderates Brian Fitzpatrick and Tom Suozzi. Schoen also warns against New York’s proposed corporate tax hike, arguing it will drive businesses and wealthy residents out—citing California vs. Nevada and New York vs. Florida as clear examples of tax-driven migration. He expresses deep concern over Governor Kathy Hochul’s alignment with far-left figures like Zoran Mandami and her appeal to high-net-worth individuals through guilt-tripping rhetoric. Schoen condemns the radical rhetoric at recent 'No Kings' protests, calling it a sign of the party’s drift from moderation. He expresses hope for moderate 2028 Democratic nominees like Josh Shapiro and Andy Beshear, but fears the party will nominate Gavin Newsom, whose criticism of Israel he views as a betrayal of mainstream Democratic values.