There is a current conversation in the political world about socialism, after the success democratic socialists had in New York. And they have gone on to win other important primaries across the country. So much so that establishment Democrats are in a stew. If this keeps up, they believe it could be easy for Republicans to win by painting the Democrats as extremist.
Republicans have their own headaches with President Trump. His immediate response to the success of democratic socialists was to call all democrats “communist”. Some democratic consultants believe his approach is too 50’s. A senior democratic strategist said, “that is what my parents were worried about…what I am worried about is the people taking cuts to their healthcare, food assistances and other vital programs needed help by Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”.
“MAGA Republicans” and “democratic socialism” have a net negative image found in a July poll by Reuters/Ipsos. MAGA was viewed somewhat more negatively than democratic socialism. In another survey (CNBC All-America) 1,000 registered voters are more likely to support a democratic socialist candidate than a candidate who identifies as a being in the MAGA movement or endorsed by President Trump.
Those paying attention to democratic socialists during this ongoing primary season learned that candidates talked about how to make society more economically equal while preserving political freedoms. Voters heard arguments and ideas about healthcare, education, transportation, housing and other subjects where people are being hurt.
The Republican Party used to include a significant contingent of moderates and even a few liberals. Now the party is best charactized by Ronald Reagan’s 1981 quip that, in his administration, “the right hand doesn’t know what the far-right-hand is doing.” That wisecrack is even more apt as the party of Lincoln has shed all its progressives and a lot of its middle-of-the roaders.
The world’s political conversation makes for a interesting dialog as the 2028 presidential campaign moves toward November 4, 2026.