DSA advance: socialists gain strength in US primaries

What is the DSA and what are its main proposals?

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is the leftmost wing of the Democratic Party. The group advocates replacing capitalism with ‘democratic socialism’. Its main banners include a universal public healthcare system, the reduction of funding for the police and the Green New Deal, a state investment plan to transform the economy and combat climate change.

How is the group expanding its presence outside of New York?

Although it emerged with strength in New York, the DSA is now winning races in other regions. Recently, Melat Kiros defeated a veteran congresswoman in Colorado, and Janeese Lewis George won a primary in Washington. The expectation is that the group will triple its bench in the American Congress in the next elections, going from two to at least five permanent representatives.

What is Bernie Sanders’ role in this movement?

Senator Bernie Sanders is considered the group’s political godfather. He has publicly supported several candidates from the socialist wing, such as Melat Kiros and Abdul El Sayed. This support helps to give national projection to young and progressive names that challenge traditional politicians and surnames already consolidated in American politics.

Why does the rise of the DSA worry moderate Democrats?

The party’s more traditional wing sees the DSA as a threat to the party’s stability and its appeal to the average voter. There is criticism that ‘extreme left’ policies are unpopular and that the movement is being financed in a controversial way by committees that receive money from Republican donors, which creates distrust about the real intentions behind this strengthening.

How do Republicans and Steve Bannon assess this scenario?

Republican strategists such as Steve Bannon claim that socialists are now a ‘national force’ and no longer a passing New York phenomenon. While former President Donald Trump uses the group’s advance to warn about a supposed ‘communist threat’, Bannon recognizes that the group was efficient in working on local bases and in direct contact with voters.