Barack Obama gives Democrats reality check about connecting with voters, winning elections: 'Not being a buzzkill'

Former President Barack Obama is criticizing his own party for not focusing on the issues Americans care about most.

Poll after poll shows American voters most care about the economy and inflation, jobs, crime, and immigration problems. Democrats, however, are focusing on abortion, Donald Trump, and Jan. 6.

What did Obama say?

Speaking on the "Pod Save America" podcast, Obama knocked Democrats for spending too much energy on Trump.

"We spend enormous amounts of time and energy and resources pointing out the latest crazy thing he said ... that’s probably not something that, in the minds of most voters, overrides their basic interests: Can I pay the rent? What are gas prices? How am I dealing with child care, etc.," Obama said.

In fact, Obama said he believes Democrats "get into trouble" with voters because they overemphasize identity policies.

"I think where [Democrats] get into trouble sometimes is when we try to suggest that some groups are more — because they historically have been victimized more, that somehow they have a status that’s different than other people, and that we’re going around scolding folks if they don’t use exactly the right phrase," Obama said.

"Or, you know, that identity politics becomes the principle lens through which we view our various political challenges," he explained.

"To me, I think, that, for a lot of average folks, ends up feeling as if you’re not speaking to me and my concerns, or for that matter, my kid’s concerns and their future," Obama added.

Barack Obama talks Trumpism, Advice for Democrats, Ukraine + Russia, and the Supreme Courtwww.youtube.com

Later in the interview, Obama said Democrats, if they want to win elections, must counteract Republicans' effective argument that Democrats are "coastal liberals" who "are looking down on you and think you’re stupid."

Therefore, Democrats have to connect with average Americans, Obama said, and not feed them a "bunch of policy gobbledygook."

"That’s not how people think about these issues," Obama said. "They think about them in terms of, 'The life I’m leading day to day. How does politics, how is it even relevant to the things that I care most deeply about? My family, my kids, work that gives me satisfaction, having fun' ... not being a buzzkill, right?

"And sometimes Democrats are," the former president acknowledged.