The DSA is repeating the New Left’s mistakes
Socialists have made clear that their animus toward mainstream politics extends beyond Republicans toward mainstream Democrats. DSA candidates such as New York’s Darializa Avila Chevalier, who successfully primaried incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), has declined to endorse House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) as a potential House speaker; he was even taunted with a “you’re next” cry at a Chevalier election-night watch party. The Wall Street Journal reports that incoming DSA members of Congress will push for far-left policies.
TL;DR
- DSA candidates are targeting mainstream Democrats, with some refusing to endorse party leaders.
- Incoming DSA members of Congress intend to push for policies like wealth taxes, Medicare for All, and abolishing ICE.
- The article draws parallels between current DSA actions and the New Left of the 1960s, suggesting a similar negative impact on the Democratic Party.
- The 1969 McGovern-Fraser Commission's reforms are cited as an example of how a shift to the left led to electoral failure for Democrats.
- The author suggests that a moderate like Bill Clinton was needed to reverse the party's fortunes after a period of ideological shifts.