“We are capitalist, not socialist.”
Those words are from the “Promise to America” pledge promoted by a new group of the same name and unveiled last week by Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-New York) and Rep. Adam Gray (D-California).
“Two Democrats in Congress who flipped Republican-held seats in 2024 are launching a pledge for their party’s candidates they hope will act as a rallying cry for centrists,” explains a Washington Post article, dubbing it “a direct rebuke to the party’s leftward tilt as democratic socialists such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) capture the party’s energy and activism.”
“We want safety,” their “Promise” continues, “not lawlessness.”
“No, duh,” would have been the response to such a statement years ago. But today? “Refreshing!”
These Democrats call for “secure borders, safe communities, honest government, and an orderly immigration system that protects the country, strengthens the economy, and treats people with dignity.” It’s a far cry from: Free healthcare for those here illegally!
“We believe America remains indispensable to global stability, democratic values, international security, and strong alliances,” the document expounds. “In a dangerous and uncertain world, America must lead with strength, purpose, and partnership.”
In closing, they declare: “We are proud, not ashamed of America.”
The Post suggests, however, that this slogan “could be polarizing on the left.”
Sure, it is a much different message than Maine Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner has expressed. On an online forum back in 2021, in a discussion on securing disability benefits from the VA, a fellow veteran vented, “Fuck Uncle Sam,” to which Platner added a clarification: “Fuck him and take his money.”
Which message for Democrats?
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
Note: Sorry for the foul language but, frankly, I did not want to cushion the blow.
Illustration created with Nano Banana
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One reply on “Promising & Not”
The problem for Democratic politicians who want to pull the party back toward the center-of-opinion is that the present base of the Democratic Party want nothing to do with that. As the leadership of the corporate left pursued a go-for-broke strategy, they reshaped their base; now that reshaped base is unwilling to allow the party to remoderate.