Socialist Primary Victories Fuel Democratic Debate and Republican Attacks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Republicans are attacking a new Democratic Socialists of America platform as the GOP seeks to portray Democrats as extremist before the November midterms. The plan calls for sweeping changes including a new Constitution, abolishing the Senate and expanding voting rights to permanent US residents. DSA-backed candidates do not necessarily endorse the entire platform, and the debate is deepening divisions between progressive and establishment Democrats.
Quick Look
- The DSA published its Workers Deserve More platform in July.
- It proposes drafting “a new constitution.”
- The plan calls for abolishing the Senate.
- It would replace the president and Supreme Court with leaders selected by Congress.
- It proposes voting rights for all permanent US residents.
- Other goals include publicly financed elections and a multiparty system.
- The platform advocates public ownership of large corporations.
- Republicans are using the document to attack Democrats broadly.
- DSA-backed candidates do not all endorse every proposal.
- Progressive candidates have recently won Democratic primaries in several states.
- Establishment Democrats are pushing back against DSA influence.
Deep Look
DSA Platform Becomes Republican Campaign Target
NEW YORK — A newly published Democratic Socialists of America platform is providing Republicans with fresh material for attacks as both parties prepare for November’s midterm elections.
The DSA’s Workers Deserve More platform proposes a fundamental restructuring of the federal government and broad changes to the economy, immigration system and election rules.
Republicans are highlighting those proposals to characterize Democrats as extremists and communists.
However, progressive candidates supported by the DSA do not necessarily endorse every element of the organization’s national platform.
The disagreement is unfolding as candidates aligned with the group record victories in Democratic primaries and intensify an internal struggle over the party’s direction.
Platform Proposes a New Constitution
The DSA platform calls for drafting “a new constitution” that would significantly change the structure of the US government.
Its proposals include abolishing the Senate and replacing the president and Supreme Court with leaders chosen by Congress.
The document also calls for allowing all permanent US residents to vote, regardless of citizenship status.
The DSA argues that some reforms can be accomplished within existing political institutions but that achieving its broader objectives would ultimately require “building a new society from the ground up.”
Johnson Calls Platform Communist Threat
House Speaker Mike Johnson was among the prominent Republicans condemning the agenda over the weekend.
“The barbarians are inside the gate — and Democrats are WELCOMING them in,” the Louisiana Republican wrote on X.
“Communism is no longer a far fetched threat. It is here on our SHORES!” Johnson added.
The Republican National Committee also drew attention to the platform in a social media post that was subsequently shared by GOP lawmakers.
“These people are insane,” Texas Sen. Ted Cruz wrote.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise warned: “Watch this clip closely. These ideas could be coming to your community sooner than you think.”
Conservative Editorial Board Urges Caution
The Wall Street Journal’s conservative editorial board described the platform as radical and argued that Republicans and like-minded Democrats should educate voters about it.
However, the editorial cautioned Republicans against relying too heavily on accusations of communism.
It argued that such rhetoric might not resonate with younger voters, who do not have the same historical experience with the Cold War as older generations.
The warning reflected a broader question for Republicans: whether ideological labels or discussions of specific policies offer a more effective political argument.
Trump Revives Communist Attacks
Trump has returned to describing Democrats as communists and accusing them of seeking to “destroy the traditional American way of life.”
Other Republican candidates and officials have adopted similar language.
The attacks move the party toward a familiar ideological argument after months of defending its performance on the cost of living and overseas conflicts.
Republicans hope the DSA platform will allow them to connect individual Democratic nominees to unpopular or far-reaching ideas even when those candidates do not personally support the entire agenda.
Plan Seeks Major Election Changes
It also proposes expanding voting rights beyond US citizens to include all permanent residents.
Implementing many of those goals would require constitutional changes, congressional action or approval from the states.
The proposals go considerably beyond the voting legislation currently supported by most elected Democrats.
DSA Advocates Public Ownership
The platform calls for public ownership of large corporations and other changes intended to reduce private control over the economy.
It also advocates expanded protections for immigrants and an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions and deportations.
DSA co-chair Megan Romer discussed elements of the platform during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”
She acknowledged that goals such as abolishing borders and prisons are part of the organization’s longer-term vision rather than immediate policy proposals.
Progressive Candidates Win Democratic Primaries
The platform’s release comes as DSA-aligned candidates have won several Democratic primary contests.
Progressive candidates have drawn support from voters frustrated with the Democratic establishment and increasingly skeptical of the US alliance with Israel.
They have defeated more moderate candidates in House primaries in New York and Colorado.
Democratic socialist candidates have also succeeded in mayoral contests in Washington, New York and Seattle.
An upcoming Missouri primary between a DSA-backed former member of Congress and a moderate Democratic incumbent will further test the movement’s strength.
Some Progressives Distance Themselves From DSA
Not every left-leaning candidate identifies as a democratic socialist or agrees with the organization’s platform.
Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, has distanced himself from socialism.
El-Sayed says he supports capitalism but believes the economic system requires stronger regulation.
Such distinctions illustrate the difficulty Republicans face when attempting to apply the DSA agenda to every progressive or Democratic candidate.
Establishment Democrats Push Back
Some prominent Democrats have criticized DSA-backed candidates for seeking Democratic nominations while attacking the party and its leadership.
Former Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison issued one of the strongest public rebukes in June.
“I say this with no ill will or animosity: if you hate the Democratic Party, then please don’t run for our nomination,” Harrison wrote.
“Don’t use our resources. Don’t rely on our volunteers. Don’t use our infrastructure. Don’t ask Democrats to invest their time, money, and energy in your campaign. Focus on building the party you actually support.”
Midterms Test Progressive Momentum
The dispute highlights two political challenges for Democrats.
The party must determine how much influence its growing socialist and progressive wings should have over policy while maintaining support among moderates and independent voters.
At the same time, candidates must respond to Republican efforts to associate the broader party with the DSA’s most transformative proposals.
The outcome of upcoming primaries—and the performance of progressive nominees in November—will help determine whether the DSA’s influence continues to grow or produces a backlash benefiting Republicans.
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