You need to expand the tent, pad the numbers, and gain as many voters as possible to run up the score against Republicans. This multicultural coalition for Democrats must include Independents, disaffected MAGA voters, and especially their own base, which has increasingly expressed concern that the party is ossified and unwilling to evolve.
To achieve political victory and win over the masses, should Democrats move to this mythical “center,” which is best exemplified by white, male candidates who are surging in red and purple states? After all, look at Ossof, Brown, Turek, and Cooper. Could a Bernie or Mamdani win these states? Perhaps popular progressive candidates can only succeed in blue states and represent anomalies.
Then again, Angie Nixon, a progressive Black woman, overcame a 16-to-1 deficit to beat centrist candidate Alexander Vindman in Florida by double digits. The most popular Democratic personalities are Obama, Bernie, AOC, and Mamdani, who, as mayor of NYC, is now +5 nationally. Regardless, Democratic leadership is more comfortable campaigning with former Republicans and listening to the advice of The Bulwark than they are with “the left,” which actually represents the majority of voters when you look at policy polls. Also, aspiring leaders such as Gavin Newsom continue to carry water for billionaires and super PACs.
Even if a “centrist” Democrat does win in 2028, what will that mean for the party and for America?
I discuss it all with young, progressive host and commentator Jack Cocchiarella!
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