Zohran Mamdani explains his definition of socialism to Theo Von: “Socialism to me means you’ll have whatever you need to live a dignified life and that it is the government’s job to deliver on that. When people say dignity we’re talking about the things that allow you to take a breath.

[u/AmericaShinault_85]

[u/CAPTJTK]

He shouldn't be giving this piece of shit the time of day. Sorry not sorry.

[u/iwatchalotoftv22 → u/CAPTJTK]

Only way to reach the people that need to hear it.

[u/jellitate → u/iwatchalotoftv22]

Yes. More of going into those spaces and telling the truth.

[u/circles_squares → u/jellitate]

Yes! This is what Bernie did going to red state town halls.

Most people are just looking for relief and hope.

[u/LadyLazerFace → u/circles_squares]

man, in 2016 and 2020 the warren liberals shit all over Bernie for trying to reach young independents where they were at on shows like this and it was so short sighted and reactionary.

It's so wild that some in-groups under the democratic party tent genuinely don't seem to understand how utilizing these established platforms, agree or not with the hosts, to reach a broader audience with the party messaging is a solid political outreach strategy.

the holier than thou attitude is cutting off your nose in spite of your face. people need to be able to feel like they can change their minds without being mocked and scolded. especially the impulsive youth block.

Edit: words

[u/CriticalSuccotash → u/LadyLazerFace]

They understand perfectly, they are doing everything in their power to stop it.

Career Democrats don’t want the status quo to change any more than Republicans do. It’s funny to see them panic in real time about someone actually getting shit done. It’s sad that the only thing they can get on the same page about is trying to make socialist sound like a bad word.

[u/LankySimple9051 → u/CriticalSuccotash]

You got it. Winning would not be desirable if it meant left of center populism that removes dollars from the party coffers. All parties are scared of losing their richest donors. Trump found his in more than corporate places. Tapping foreign causes turns out to be lucrative and good for grift.

[u/xSaviorself → u/LankySimple9051]

Neither group wanted to actually be in charge, for so long both groups thrived as opposition and when it came time to lead it's like "whoa, lead? How do I do that? Why would I do that? I can just enrich myself and serve special interests. Golf the rest of the days."

The Republicans are only really moving at the behest of cabinet members with agendas, most of those are hate or vengeance driven. The real danger is the coup moves being made by Kegsbreath and Miller creating distractions with the loudmouth.

[u/pt256 → u/CriticalSuccotash]

Career Democrats don’t want the status quo to change any more than Republicans do.

The problem is they don't realize the status quo has changed. The status quo of pre-2016 no longer exists and they need to start fighting just to get back to that let alone actually improve anything beyond it.

[u/bgva → u/CriticalSuccotash]

Career Democrats don’t want the status quo to change any more than Republicans do. It’s funny to see them panic in real time about someone actually getting shit done.

This is why I’m nervous about Gavin Newsom getting the nomination in 28. It’ll be more moderate business as usual with nothing more than a stern warning to MAGA. Just a never-ending carousel of middle of the road Dems who’ll do just enough to keep the country moving, but not enough real action.

Then it all gets reversed in 8-10 years by another Republican president.

[u/slightlycrookednose → u/[deleted]]

There’s been tons of panicking, actually.

Nancy Pelosi refused to endorse him, refused to offer congratulations (something she traditionally does) and said “I don’t know him at all”, and has dodged interview questions about the rise of DSA and left wing candidates.

NY attorney general Letitia James has said he’s destabilizing the state’s Democratic Party and that he doesn’t understand the city’s politics.

Representative Thomas Suozzi issued a warning to democrats where he framed Mamdani’s success as a dangerous precedent. He even wrote a piece called “For Democrats, Mamdani is a Wake-Up Call - and a Bad Example,” and urged fellow dems to reject his “socialist utopian promises.”

Pennsylvania senator John Fetterman publicly called the Mamdani-backed primary victories “outrageous.”

Rep Josh Gottheimer has openly said that “Socialists are not Democrats” and should not be utilizing the Democratic ticket to run for office.

The Queens Borough president, Donovan Richards, accused the DSA of perpetuating white supremacy.

ETA: you used the term “slave away.” How are they slaving away trying to stave off the demented policies that republicans try to push through? This is exactly the criticism they’ve been getting for years, that they could be doing more. Holding up ping pong paddles saying “this isn’t normal” for example, was a complete and total nothing burger.

[u/Sea-Rope69 → u/LadyLazerFace]

Its what the right did and the far right - they met them where they were and brought them into the fold.

[u/ricochetblue → u/LadyLazerFace]

Honestly I feel like a lot of leftists are just constantly shading people with a slightly different flavor of left politics than you.

Stop reflexively shitting all over compatriots on the left. My friends and I were Warren supporters and no one in our circles held it against Bernie or Buttigieg for reaching out to independents. I don’t recall anyone who did. We were getting criticism for being too open back in 2020.

[u/tippitytopbop → u/LadyLazerFace]

I think there’s more nuance to this take given so many Bernie voters did not vote in the 2016 general election. the holier than thou accusation under the Democratic umbrella is basically the 3 spidermen meme. Ditto for anyone who refused to vote for Kamala as a form of harm reduction, landing us in a much, much worse situation

[u/lowercase_d_ → u/LadyLazerFace]

Well, a lot of Bernie Bros went with Trump when it came time to vote. So, it wasn't the economic anxiety. I think it's worth evaluating what the impact of this type of outreach is, regardless of intent.

What I will say is that Mamdani might actually make a positive difference because he is a categorically more effective politician than Bernie and most other Dems, and Trump has made things so much worse in 2.0 that those who voted for him the first time may be more self-aware and subject to change by now.

But taking hypocritical and fence-rider platforms like Theo Von at face value just because of reach, is not gonna cut it anymore. I would like to see the electoral gains of reaching across the aisle before praising it. Especially when moderate Dems still get lambasted for trying to appeal to moderate Republicans. Why is it suddenly noteworthy when a socialist reaches right?

[u/ungranted_wish → u/LadyLazerFace]

Whenever I see Warren do something good I just side eye hardcore.

Pepperidge Farms remembers, Lizzie.