Former President Barack Obama said Thursday that Democrats should embrace socialists as an important part of their political coalition.
Speaking on the âPod Save Americaâ podcast, Obama urged party leaders not to impose âlitmus testsâ on members with differing views and described newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, as âpart of a vision for the future.â
âTuesday was nice, but weâve got a lot of work to do. And your task is going to be not to impose litmus tests,â Obama said. âWe had [Democratic Virginia Gov.-elect] Abigail Spanberger win and we had Zohran Mandani win and they are all part of a vision for the future. Our job is to say that we want everybody engaged.â
He added: âAnd we want to have a conversation about how to make sure that every person in this country is treated with dignity and respect, and there are ladders of opportunity, and that thereâs the possibility of community, and that weâre getting along not in some clichĂ©, phonied way, but in a genuine, deep way where we recognize, yeah, we have differences, and yes, there are fights that are going to have to be fought, but that deep down there is something core in us that we have in common that is extraordinary.â
Mamdani won the mayoral race on a platform that included raising taxes on corporations and wealthy residents, implementing a citywide rent freeze, providing free bus service and childcare, and establishing city-owned grocery stores.
A recent Gallup poll released Sept. 8 found that only 42% of Democrats viewed capitalism positively, while 66% expressed a favorable opinion of socialism. The following day, NewsNation political contributor Chris Cillizza cautioned on his YouTube channel that the Democratic Partyâs growing embrace of socialism could jeopardize its chances in the 2028 election.
âI guess itâs not terribly surprising, but I do think if I am a Democrat who wants to win the 2028 election ⊠That would worry me candidly because socialism broadly will not sell,â Cillizza said. âYou can call it democratic socialism. You can call it whatever you want. But the idea of socialism will not sell in the country.â
However, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin said during an appearance on Fox Newsâ Americaâs Newsroom on Aug. 6 that he believes embracing socialists is essential to the Democratic Partyâs long-term electoral success.
âWe have lots of people in that tent from all of the different ideological wings, from conservative Democrats to centrists, to progressives, to these new leftists,â Martin said, per the Daily Caller. âAnd the reality is is Iâve always said that you win through addition, not subtraction. You donât win by pushing people out of your coalition, you win by bringing people into your coalition.â
Meanwhile, the hypocrisy of socialism is already rearing its head in New York City, as Mayor-elect Mamdani abandoned the Big Apple for a luxury suite and gathering in Puerto Rico for the annual Somos conference.
Every year, politicians officially meet on the island to talk about topics that matter to Puerto Rico and its citizens.
The conference is a chance for politicians to get away from their usual surroundings and unwind while they network and make plans for the coming year.
On Thursday, the people in charge waited to see Mamdani, who was the star of the hour. The conference is also the official start of the race for City Council speaker and statewide races, like Hochulâs bid for reelection.
Mamdani thought about his win after arriving on a commercial airline on Thursday afternoon.
âIâm so happy to be here in Puerto Rico. And you know that question was asked of me of where I would go outside of the country, and Iâm happy to be here at Somos,â Mamdani said, adding that he wants to raise taxes on âwealthyâ New Yorkers and corporations to fund his giveaway schemes.
