(Ezekiel Loseke, Headline USA) Democrats running in competitive districts are avoiding radical leftists in their campaigns to avoid being labeled as socialists.
Politico explained that, while “on the Hill, liberal luminaries are relentless in pursuit of their priorities.” However, this year, “on the midterm stump, they’re treading more carefully.”
While radicals are campaigning with liberal members in deep blue districts, even the Left-leaning Politico noted that avoiding vulnerable and moderate Democrats is a “tacit acknowledgement” that Democrats are vulnerable to being accurately labeled as socialists.
Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, agreed. She said, “I’m fine with people saying, ‘Look, you’re too high-profile.”
“We take our cues from people and what they want and what they need,” she said. “But certainly, I’m never gonna go into a district if somebody doesn’t want me there.”
Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., was incensed at the suggestion that Democrats should avoid looking radical. He said, “The bottom line is that if we do not create a sense of excitement in young people and working-class people and our voter turnout is not high in a midterm election, I think Democrats may be in a lot of trouble. That’s what we are trying to do.”
Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., agreed with Sanders. He said, “we are such an asset to our moderate and more conservative colleagues in Congress and throughout the country.” He continued, “despite the blame, despite being attacked, progressives are busting their asses in cities across the country to help our colleagues win.”
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-N.Y., blamed Republicans for her unpopularity.
“The problem are the distortions — the way the Republicans spin, distort or lie about our progressive values,” she spun, distorted and lied. “It’s the fear-mongering that comes with Republicans’ narrative around what is progressivism.”
