The Democratic Socialists of America provide considerable energy for Democrat candidates. The label Democratic Socialist is embraced by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, among others.
The DSA just held its annual conference, and it was pretty much what you would expect when 1000 socialists got together — it devolved at times into self-parody.
On a more substantive point, Resolution 15 provided that “DSA will not endorse another Democratic candidate if Bernie does not prevail.”
You can listen to the debate at this lives tream (last 15 minutes).
The concerns expressed were, my paraphrase, that DSA not sell out its principles which only Bernie could satisfy, and on the other hand, isn’t it better to unite against Trump regardless.
The Resolution was passed, so DSA will not endorse the Democrat nominee if it’s not Bernie.
At a superficial level, this could mean diminished enthusiasm from an important part of the anti-Trump coalition. In tight states, even a relatively small number of people staying home or not campaigning for a Democrat could be significant.
But beyond that superficial level, the “Socialist” label is going to be pinned on any Democrat who is likely to get the nomination, though it will be a tough sell for Biden. Republicans believe, and there is support for it, that the Socialist label is political death among all groups except liberal millennials.
By not endorsing Biden, or Warren, or Harris, or whomever, the DSA has done Democrats a favor. They may have Republicans calling them Socialists, but they won’t have the Democratic Socialists of America endorsement featured around the clock in attack ads.
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