The answer about Mamdani seems simple

[Pototan]

Too many Democrats with moderate to Liberal constituencies get cornered into whether or not Mamdani deserves their support. The answer seems simple to me.

"We all represent our constituencies. Some are more progressive than mine. The New York voters will choose a mayor that best represents their beliefs. I may not agree with him on many issues, but he reflects his voters so, yes, I do endorse him."

[AZProgressive]

1. I agree it is simple

When there are Democrats that fit their district like a glove the party needs to endorse that and work on finding candidates that fit into rural areas.

You never see the Republicans say this rural far-right nationalist is going to cost them in the cities. Red states embrace the fact that they are red states.

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Even simpler:

“I support all Democratic nominees in their quest for victory at the ballot box”

You’d think Mamdani was the Democratic equivalent of George Santos, the way some Dems run away from questions about him.

[Pototan]

3. It's the Democratic Socialist thing

Most Americans hear Democratic Socialist and think Venezuela. They ignore the "Democratic" part or misinterpret it to apply that adjective to the political party.

Democratic Socialism is like Denmark, not Venezuela. It's Socialism within a Democracy. But try explaining that to so many uneducated voters.

[Always Blue]

4. Republicans are nationalist socialists.

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. Democratic Socialism is a misused and misunderstood term

Denmark is a SocialDemocracy, which is distinct and different from Democratic Socialism.

Social Democracies prioritize the good of the people over profits, but still have highly regulated and taxed capitalism as their economic system.

True Democratic Socialism, on the other hand, is merely a transitional phase from capitalism to communism- it prioritizes control of the means of production, a core Marxist tenet.

I think Bernie, AOC and probably Mamdani are all Social Democrats, even though they use the term Democratic Socialist,

[AZProgressive]

6. I think Bernie Sanders already softened the edges of Democratic Socialism

There are many young voters that don't remember the Cold War that well where socialism isn't as dirty of a word as it used to be. (Off topic but Russia has the same geopolitical interests as they do when they were the Soviet Union but the right loves Putin)

I think that is why they tend to do very well with young voters compared to older.

Venezuela's economy was always heavily dependent on oil production. When they had Chavez and generating a lot of revenue for the state due to high gas prices he was able to spend on a safety net and improve literacy rates. When Maduro took over it and turned into a dictatorship he started keeping the money for himself. No matter what system of government we have it relies on the same humans.