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[lapucelle]

This message was self-deleted by its author (lapucelle) on Fri Jul 3, 2026, 03:03 PM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[Fiendish Thingy]

1. The AIPAC supported Status Quo fights back against those who would change the inertia-saturated system

Making Chevalier the face of the entire slate of DSA candidates is a shrewd, but dishonest, attempt to forestall the inevitable transfer of power from the aging, go-slow pragmatic incrementalism status quo moderates to younger action oriented, paradigm shifting progressives.

Chevalier, like any other candidate, should have her record examined thoroughly by voters, however, She is but one candidate among many in a growing wave of young progressives willing to take bold action and fight fiercely to force changes that diminish the power of billionaires and improve the quality of life for working families.

[lapucelle]

4. The article is about the DSA, not progressives. The two shouldn't be conflated.

For example NYC liberal Zionist Brad Lander (who recently won his primary) is a progressive who relinquished his DSA membership after their celebration of October 7.

It's pretty odd to characterize candidate Brad Lander or someone like Jamie Raskin (who has explicitly stated that he is not a socialist) as the "AIPAC Supported Staus Quo", especially since neither of them has taken money from AIPAC.

[Fiendish Thingy]

6. neither Lander nor Raskin wrote that article. nt

[lapucelle]

8. The article is about the organization known as DSA. Neither Lander nor Raskin belong to it. N/T

[Fiendish Thingy]

19. So why bring them up?

My post didn’t mention them (although Mamdani did endorse Lander).

[stopdiggin]

2. are we really going to try to paint Democratic Socialism as (in the main)

holding to this handful of 'extremist' views and positions .. ? (or as the article has it, "DSA core ideology".)
I'm rather thinking there a great numbers among the ranks that would strongly beg to differ?

AND ... wouldn't this seem to tread awfully darned close to 'divisive group attack' ?
(as noted from a voice/position not always known for enthusiastic DS support)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[ProfessorGAC]

5. I Do Have Genuine Concerns Though

The libertarian party was once true to its principles.
Then around 2004, was hijacked by radicals on the right & there was a real fight about putting abortion restrictions in the party platform. By LIBERTARIANS, with the capital L!
So, just 22 years ago we've seen a secondary party hijacked by a very radical wing with some views antithetical to the broader party.
I see this as a reasonable concern with DSA.

[mopinko]

18. me too. r they our tea party?

i’d like to see someone do a deep ‘follow the money’. small dollar donations r a good way to hide the real contributors.
their antisemitism is going to alienate a reliable chunk of the party.

[lapucelle]

7. I'm waiting to see what platform recommendations the full membership actually ratifies at their convention this month.

Thanks for the heads up.

[lapucelle]

9. The article is about the organization DSA, not Democratic Socialism [sic] in the main or otherwise.

[Prairie Gates]

3. Chait's endless cope is actually one of the more amusing things about the DSA phenomenon

[lapucelle]

11. Is every liberal commentar's *endless cope* also one of the "more amusing things" about the Trump phenomena? N/T

[Bettie]

12. So, you're conflating DSA and Trump as the same thing?

Interesting take.

[Prairie Gates]

16. Awwww

[WhiskeyGrinder]

10. Jonathan Chait? The guy who wrote "Why Liberals Should Support a Trump Republican Nomination"?

[lapucelle]

15. Yup. As ill-advised in hindsight as Eddie Glaude's "My Democratic Problem With Voting for Hillary Clinton",

but at least Chait didn't try (and succeed) to memory hole his byline.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

20. I need to stop being surprised at how many people would much rather ponder the possibility of voting for a Republican

than entertain any criticism of a Democrat from the left.

[lapucelle]

23. Did you read the Chait article itself or simply the headline?

When you read the headline, did you read it carefully?

I'm only asking because some people here seem confused about the story in The Atlantic. They seem to think that it's about progressives or democratic socialists when it is, in fact, about an organization called the DSA.

[mcar]

25. Boom!

[DavidDvorkin]

13. DSA, the organization, is not our friend and is not on our side.

[TVguyCards]

39. Why do you say that?

[mr715]

57. Because they win elections and we can't have nice things.

[Nanjeanne]

14. Jonathan Chait? The guy who wrote "Why Liberals Should Support A Trump Nomination" in 2016?

Supporter of charter schools who accused Senator Elizabeth Warren of selling out to "powerful interests" for opposing an initiative that would have expanded charter schools.

This guy has been wrong about just about everything since his support of the Iraq War in 2003.

Yeah let’s listen to him!

[lapucelle]

17. That snappy rejoinder was already used. (See above.)

The DSA is an organization. Folks are perfectly free to adhere to its strictures, but they make a mistake in confusing the organization itself with the political philosophy democratic socialism.

[Nanjeanne]

28. Snappy rejoinder? Oh gee . . . forgive me. I still welcome your constant attention though -- so thanks.

[Jilly_in_VA]

41. Not EVEN!

I wouldn't listen to a word he has to say. He's an elephant in disguise.

[Emile]

21. A sprinkle of socialism scares centrists,

and Republicans. Power to "We The People" is so terrible. Next thing they'll be asking for is Universal Healthcare.

[lapucelle]

26. The artcle is about the organization known as DSA, not socialism. N/T

[Emile]

30. What does the initials DSA stand for?

[mr715]

45. Be careful -- universal healthcare is the gateway drug to antisemitism.

As long as that universal healthcare applies to Americans and not to Israelis on our dime.

[sarisataka]

22. To my mind, the way the DSA talks and acts

they view themselves as a separate party to the Democratic Party, but one they would like to take over.

Since the first time I really paid attention to the DSA was their October 8th celebration of Hamas “victory” my view may be a little biased.

They talk a good talk, but I’m not sure I like where they walk.

[mr715]

24. adapt or lose

[lapucelle]

29. Is that advice for Democrats to adopt the platform and strictures of the organization called DSA?

You do understand that the article is about an organization called the DSA, right?

[Cirsium]

34. Adopt, not adopt

The article is a right wing hit piece that hurts all of us. Red-baiting and fear mongering can only help the Republicans. Let's not help them.

[mr715]

42. Yes. I support the DSA.

[LostOne4Ever]

27. I'll take the word of a DSA supported dem any day over

One who thinks we should support republicans.

The most extreme DSA aligned dem is 100x better than any Republican. Anyone who thinks we should support any modern day Republican is not worth listening to on anything.

[lapucelle]

31. The article is about the organization called the DSA, not the Democrats they support. N/T

[LostOne4Ever]

37. And my reply is about DSA supported Dems and

My complete and utter disdain for any source that would suggest we support republicans.

[mvd]

49. While I may not agree with all of the DSA positions, I sure do..

agree with them more than Democrats like Fetterman. I support a mixed economy that includes some socialist principles.

[Iggo]

32. Other than the fact that they're Democrats.

We begged them, pleaded with them, enticed them, and at times outright shamed these very dedicated progressives into joining the Democratic Party instead of opposing it.

And so they did.

And it ain’t just socialists voting for them, by the way. If that were true, they wouldn’t be winning all those primaries.

Just ignore it, take the Democratic Party establishment’s advice from recent months concerning a candidate with old views and unfortunate tattoos, and vote for Democrats.

[lapucelle]

38. Registering with the Democratic Party in order to run on the Democratic Party ballot line

does not necessarily mean that the candidate is a Democrat who (by and large) accepts the Democratic Party platform and Democratic Party values.

Maybe you know folks who did this, but I never pleaded, enticed, or shamed DSA members into joining the Democratic Party, and I'm an elected DNC member., so I'm pretty active in the field.

[mr715]

43. Do you enjoy your coffee without coffee?

Your tea without tea?

Do you like plain flour cakes?

Is your favorite color beige?


Personally, I like a little ideology with my politicians.

I like a nice blonde roast coffee.
A nice Earl Grey tea.
My favorite color is forest green.


My favorite politicians fight for the people first, the country second, and party labels third.

[lapucelle]

46. Your list of favorite beverages is fascinating Thank you for sharing!

Donuts are delicious with breakfast drinks.

[mr715]

48. If we ever get the opportunity to share breakfast,

I will happily share what I have with you.

You are a Democratic brother or sister, and I love you for it.

But your take on the DSA is a bad one.

[walkingman]

33. What is the DSA.....

The DSA operates as a non-profit membership organization that actively participates in electoral politics by endorsing and funding candidates—most of whom run in Democratic Party primaries. It has an established national structure with over 100,000 members, dues, local chapters, and an organized legislative agenda focused on labor reform, universal healthcare, and expanding public services.

The core thing that separates the DSA from more traditional mainstream Democrats is a baseline skepticism about capitalism, and it's right there in the title, Democratic Socialists of America. And I think we see that play out in policy areas where Democratic Socialists are much more skeptical of relying on markets to solve problems.

So if we think about something like health, we have the Affordable Care Act, which was championed by President Obama, sometimes called Obamacare. That's a very market-based solution to the problem of people not having health insurance. The government gives subsidies, but it's private companies in a marketplace where people are buying their own insurance from private companies.

We can contrast that with something like Medicare for all, where the government is the insurance company, or even something like Britain's National Health Service, where the government isn't just a health insurance company, it runs the hospitals and employs the doctors.

VOTE BLUE! We have to win in order to change things.

[lapucelle]

51. I think that what separates the DSA from Democrats

are recent calls to abolish the police and to abolish prisons.

We’ll see if those policy planks make it into the DSA platform at their convention this month.

[mr715]

55. I seem to remember a bunch of Democrats winning primaries...

So, you know, they're running as Democrats.

Remember Andrew Cuomo, stalwart Democratic traitor? And his humiliation by Mayor Mamdani, DSA member and one of the most popular pols in the country? One delivering on promises? Frozen rent for rent-stabilized tenants... Anti-corruption acts and free universal pre-K and free meals?

The only separation from the Democratic party, whose coalition contains much of the DSA, is one that is enforced by a narrative that our ideal policy objectives are best met through "bipartisanship" and "triangulation" rather than public opinion and activism.

Demilitarize the police. Oftentimes, fuck the police.

Abolish for profit prisons.

I'm a motherfucking Democrat.

[RandomNumbers]

56. And open borders.

One of the, if not THE, #1 reasons TSF got the support he did, is because he successfully demonized the "other". You can probably appeal to enough people's general decency to make a case for a certain level of humanitarian immigration (which I and I'm sure almost all Dems support). But completely open borders for people to migrate for employment? Oh hell no. (H-1B is bad enough.)

And yet, it was right there in the DSA platform on a page someone posted here in the last few days.

Edit to add the link: https://platform.dsausa.org/foreign-policy/

[mr715]

58. I'm from NYC...

I'm an immigration radical.

I think the moral position is just that.

[RandomNumbers]

59. Well if Democrats don't get elected ACROSS THE COUNTRY

that "moral position" will be toast anyway, and immigrants will continue to be A HELL OF A LOT WORSE OFF with the alternative than they would have been with the so-called "centrist" Dem position.

I guarantee you that not everyone who is dealing with the impacts of on-shoring is going to vote Democrat. I probably always will ... my top issue is environment, and Republicans are idiots at best in that area ... and usually worse than idiots. But not every potential D voter will support what would happen if you just rip out all immigration controls all at once. Especially if they feel their own job, and ability to support their kids, is on the line.

I can also tell you that a lot of the on-shoring is of kids of well-off families who just love taking advantage of the exchange rate. It's not like so-called high-skilled visas exist for humanitarian reasons. They don't. They exist to make billionaires wealthier. (which the DSA is supposedly against, but if so they are clueless in their immigration position.) And WTF do they (and you) think will happen if all limits are ripped away? There will never be another American hired in my field, except in the few positions that require being a US citizen and getting a top clearance.

I wouldn't mind so much if they were always competent. (some are ... but the program rewards gaming the system, so quite a few frauds come through) I'm thrilled when I get a new co-worker who actually knows what they are doing, and I don't care where they're from. Too bad it doesn't happen nearly often enough.

Don't forget that Melania also got one of those so-called "einstein" visas. "HIgh skilled visa" is a bad joke.

[mr715]

62. I'm only speaking for me, and my position is moral

It is not strategic nor is it tactical.

I grew up with the Statue of Liberty just standing there, and the Mother of Exiles is pretty explicit in her welcome to anyone.

That is a feature of me growing up as a New Yorker, and does not represent my votes which are by nature tactical.

Melanie is very highly skilled. She can speak 12% of 7 languages.

She also keeps indoor environments 65 degrees F by virtue of her distinctive personality.

[GiqueCee]

35. As far as I'm concerned...

... Darializa Avila Chevalier's remarks about Biden and Harris, and others, if true, not to mention her apparent support of communism, should disqualify her from ANY elected position.
Democratic Socialism, as embodied by Mayor Mamdani and the policies he's advocated and instituted thus far, has my support, but Ms. Avila Chevalier appears to have crossed a line.

[Jilly_in_VA]

44. Yeah, and

there are some regular DEMOCRATS who I don't exactly supposrt either. And your point is...?

[mike_c]

36. if the democratic party wants to stay center right, OK

I'm almost as tired of American politics as I am of American healthcare. I'm very liberal. I want someone to represent my interests. Today's center-right dems are fellow travelers, at best.

[Emile]

40. Power to "We the People" will be demonized

endlessly by centrists.

[Nanjeanne]

47. And crazy as it seems here on DU, posts against DSA (and Dem candidates) are supported by links to City Journal

the conservative magazine of right wing Manhattan Institute for Policy Research.

And Stu Smith is the author - who's work has been featured by Fox News, Megyn Kelly, NBC, and the New York Post , and cited in congressional correspondence to FBI Director Kash Patel and the presidents of Columbia and Rutgers.

Go figure!

[mr715]

52. I suspect Bill Maher is a troll...

Somewhere smugly laughing behind his Cornellian smirk.

"Wow. Wow. Those WOKE Democrats are electing Marxists!"

... Yeah, many of us subscribe to an economic lens of historical analysis.

"Oh, okay, so that is what a Marxist is, never looked it up. -- you're electing communists!"

... Uh... no, they're socialists and not even literal ones. It is just a signifier to indicate progressive left and anti-neoliberal deregulation of wealth.

"Oh. You guys are anti-semites".

We wish all semitic people, regardless of religion, peace, prosperity, freedom of self-determination, and a place to call home. And food.

[karynnj]

50. I can't read the article, but from the excerpt, Jonathan Chait

uses many quotes from ONE candidate to define anyone running as a Democratic Socialist.

I recognized the name, but looked at the author's wikipedia page. What I found is that he attacked Elizabeth Warren on a charter school issue, not disclosing his wife is a charter school advocate.

Although there are other questionable things, his political acumen stinks. He wrote a piece in favor of Trump getting the Republican nomination seeing him like Schwarzenegger, a fellow celebrity. It does mention he more recently has seen him as a threat to democracy.

I would bet that most California Democrats had a problem with the implicit idea that their celebrity governors, which could include Reagan too, were not a bad idea. Not to mention, he had to know Trump's reputation as a bully.

I suspect that like any group, some of the people running as DS will be terrible and others constructive. I also wonder who big a DS caucus each house could have in 2027. Will it be as big as the self named problem solvers?

[hlthe2b]

53. Chevalier seems to be an aberrant exception it would appear from what I am seeing/hearing

Maybe her District was willing to ignore past comments, but I don't see Democrats in general, or even DSA doing so.

So, for those freaking out about her, I tend to agree with those political analysts/commentators that, while disturbed by her past comments and several current positions, see her as unique and aberrant.

Big tent and all that, I guess.

[iemanja]

54. So now you want to declare war on our party's nominees?

That's not helpful. You're doing Trump's work for him.

[betsuni]

60. Right-wing demonizes Democrats as socialist, non-right-wing demonizes Democrats as not socialist.

[lapucelle]

61. My work here is done.