Most Democrats want the party to become more moderate, poll finds

[Yosemito]

This is a little surprising to me.
Probably not very good news for Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and good news for others such as Joe Biden.

Link to tweet

[EveHammond13]

1. people like Warren and AOC are moving the Overton Window to the left - and that is good

If we want to end up with something good, we need to start by moving public discussion to the left overall. IMHO.

[prredlin]

11. exactly why these polls are pointless

if you don't have a definitive meaning of CENTER that does not change, then you can't realistically define what moderate is.

if the democratic part JUMPS to the left 10 steps, then moderate means VERY progressive.

all just words at this point.

[workinclasszero]

14. Totally agree

More of the same is not going to win the next election IMO.

[ZZenith]

2. Hmmm...

Supporters of the John Birch Society want me to believe Democrats want to move to the right.

Well, I’ll be darned...

[leftofcool]

4. Who said anything about moving to the right?

You do understand what being a moderate Democrat means right?

[ZZenith]

8. Ugh.

[leftofcool]

3. Most Democrats are moderate

Moving to far to the left in a hurry loses us election.

[CrispyQ]

5. Honestly, I don't think most Americans really understand what liberal is.

When I show people that Joe Conservative essay & ask them, "Which of these things do you oppose?" they never respond with anything. People have been brainwashed to think that free college for our kids is socialism but bailouts for failing corporations is saving the economy. While TPTB make sure that no other system but capitalism can ever be proposed, no one ever points out that we don't have a true capitalist system. We have privatized profits & socialized risk. And our kids get turned into profit centers & loaded with financial obligations that turn them into debt slaves to the corrupt system.

Seriously, I believe people are more liberal than they realize. They just need to see things from a different perspective. Instead of being pissed that a burger flipper might make $15 an hour, ask why an EMT who saves lives makes $15.

[sacto95834]

64. I Agree

I think many Americans have been brainwashed as to what a liberal is.

I find it similar for Feminism. Some of the strongest champions for equal pay for equal work for women, the smashing of stereotypes regarding women, pro-choice, no barriers to women cringe when you ask them if they are a feminist. NO they insist. *sigh*

[elleng]

6. Terms should be defined, for this 'test' to be useful/meaningful.

[Devil Child]

22. Agree, how do we define "moderate" let alone agree upon the definition

Pew doesn't provide an definition for moderate after perusing the report.

http://www.people-press.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/01/PP_2019.01.24_political-priorities_FINAL.pdf

[elleng]

23. Thanks

[onecaliberal]

7. Republican talking points.

[Yosemito]

13. A poll is not a talking point

It's a poll.

[onecaliberal]

26. A republican poll.

[watoos]

28. Exactly

A discussion from Pew Research Center.
Unbelievable

[WordsMatter]

9. This is hard to believe...

It depends on what 'moderate' means to people.

[walkingman]

50. To me it means Republican Lite - Been there done that.

[Clash City Rocker]

10. It makes sense if the goal is to defeat Trump at any cost

A left-leaning candidate would gain some voters who otherwise might not vote, or who would vote for a third-party candidate. A moderate candidate would gain some voters who otherwise might vote for Trump. And those voters are probably more likely to be in purple states.

The danger is always that if you get too moderate, voters won’t be able to discern the Democratic candidate from the Republican candidate. But when the Republican candidate is Trump, that’s unlikely.

[Demsrule86]

12. We took the House back via moderate candidates in red or purple districts...A senate

majority is not possible without moderate Democrats. What makes you think a left leaning candidate is going to do will in a national election? And I would add as far right as the GOP have gone, it is not likely our candidates will look anything like fascist racist Republican candidates. We need to block Trump's access to the Mid West and the best candidates are Sherrod Brown and Joe Biden...I also think Amy Klobuchar is a possibility...I like Kamala Harris as well.

[floppyboo]

15. and most independants want the party to be more liberal

both democratic and republican leaning, according to Pew Research. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/07/05/5-facts-about-americas-political-independents/

What to do?

[floppyboo]

16. I hope for the sake of winning a centrist would choose a progressive VP

and try to bring the party together.

[Clash City Rocker]

43. And vice versa, a liberal candidate should choose a moderate running mate

[Awsi Dooger]

17. Not surprising...I remember pointing this out to Chris Bowers on MyDD in 2006

Bowers was attempting to push and fund more liberal candidates across the country. I told him that's great in the northeast and far west but otherwise you are not only shrinking margin for error but you're also going against the wishes of the majority of Democrats.

Bowers couldn't accept that at all. He sent me a private message saying I was disrupting the site. Someone like that was so mesmerized by the online community he has no clue it isn't fully representative. I pointed out the consistent polling that indicates Democrats prefer more moderate. As you can see from the chart in the OP, it was 57% in November 2008 and I remember higher numbers earlier than that.

There is jealousy toward the GOP trend. That is the basic aspect of this, back in 2006 and continuing today. We see them nominating more and more from their extreme and we want to follow suit. But it is misguided for two reasons: Republicans want more conservative. Democrats want more moderate. And there are 36% self-identified conservatives compared to 27% liberals in this country, meaning a greater number of our leaners have to be accepting of someone from the edge. Republicans are already at the edge anyway.

I'll continue to point out Andrew Gillum as an unforced error. After that primary I received private messages here and on two other sites. All were from Democrats who were shocked Gillum got the nod and worried that it was a strategic mistake. All of us either lived in Florida or had lived in Florida so the variables were obvious. Then all of us heard the reports about Gillum's poll lead and supposed boost in energy, which might help Bill Nelson also. Okay, we rationalized. Maybe it will be okay. Then the result happened and no it is not okay. Our early handicapping and instincts were correct. We nominated a liberal when the state wanted a moderate. I could have Gwen Graham as my governor right now but I'm stuck with Ron DeSantis.

When I do the ideology tests I score as very liberal but since I'm a math guy and balanced handicapper who doesn't mind going against my own favorites, I generally prefer the more moderate Democrat, other than those very friendly states and districts.

[Nanjeanne]

18. Wow. Out of 756 Dem and Dem leaning registered voters they came up with this data.

[Bradshaw3]

19. Odd that you didn't mention it hurting Harris

She has a more liberal voting record than Sanders or Warren:

https://progressivepunch.org/scores.htm?house=senate

[CrossingTheRubicon]

21. Elizabeth Warren is a great liberal IMO.

I think the poll takers (and therefore the respondents) are confused.

Liberalism is where the party's heart is firmly planted.

Democratic Socialism is a move away from liberalism.

[Bradshaw3]

62. I agree n/t

[CrossingTheRubicon]

20. I want to remain the same liberal party that we've been since FDR.

We have a great tradition.

Moving toward "Democratic Socialism" would be to become far less liberal.

[dogman]

25. We have a tradition of free K-12 public education.

How is free K-16+ public education less liberal? We have free healthcare for some. How is free healthcare for all less liberal? We have energy subsidies for fossil fuels. How are energy subsidies for renewables less liberal?

[CrossingTheRubicon]

29. You are confusing issues where liberal Democrats and Democratic Socialists have policies...

that intersect with the completely desperate ideologies that inform our political philosophies.

I understand that Democratic Socialists can read polls and back stalking horse issues as if those are the end of the agenda.

But it isn't the end of the Democratic Socialist agenda.

The core of Democratic Socialism is the collectivization of the economy and the elimination of private enterprise. That's not a liberal political philosophy as far as I'm concerned.

[dogman]

45. That is your view of their agenda.

"Who We Are & What We Do

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is the largest socialist organization in the United States. We believe that working people should run both the economy and society democratically to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few. We are a political and activist organization, not a party; through campus and community-based chapters, DSA members use a variety of tactics, from legislative to direct action, to fight for reforms that empower working people."
https://www.dsausa.org

[CrossingTheRubicon]

47. That's as much "selective editing" of the DSA agenda as the doctored DiFi video.

Them saying "working people should run both the economy and society" is a weasely way of saying they wish to end private enterprise and the private ownership of the means of production and distribution.

A distinction without a difference.

[dogman]

49. Again, in your view.

I'm sick of the other side of the coin, Fascism. Corporate civil rights and privatization of Government worry me more.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

53. We have a choice between Fascism & Socialism.

It is called Liberalism. It is the core ideology of the Democratic Party.

[dogman]

56. Was

[CrossingTheRubicon]

57. Always. And forever.

[CatMor]

39. It is not free K-12 public education ...

I pay fairly hefty school taxes every year , as a property owner. I don't have free health care. Nothing is free, someone is paying. We must educate our young children but once you graduate from high school and want to attend college it's not my duty to pay. What we need is more affordable higher education. We also need affordable health care for everyone. The pharmaceuticals must be taken on to stop the practice of gouging the people.

[dogman]

48. Some one must pay?

Who knew? Of course nothing is free and it is poor phrasing on my part. My meaning was that a person would not pay additional money out of pocket for these things. I thought most understood this but I can see a literal view might be taken. There are commonly user fees and other forms of additional taxation. You still pay room and board even if your tuition is covered. We live in the 21st century, at the beginning of the 20th century, high school education was a luxury, today more is required. A bi-partisan Congress found enough money for T-Rumps Defense budget. It's time to change priorities.

[Garrett78]

24. For what it's worth, here's a study the same organization published in 2014:

http://www.people-press.org/2014/06/12/section-1-growing-ideological-consistency/

[forklift]

27. A majority of Democrats seem to be getting it wrong

which is why we need Bernie to pull the party to the left.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

30. I think we Democrats can manage our own party just fine.

[disillusioned73]

35. Bang up job since 08'

[CrossingTheRubicon]

37. You didn't like Barack Obama? I sure did.

[disillusioned73]

46. Before 2018..

Things weren't so Rosey.. as far as the party electorally..

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/11/10/the-decimation-of-the-democratic-party-visualized/?utm_term=.f6f7959f9fe5

[leftofcool]

54. Loved Obama, wish he was still here.

[MadDAsHell]

63. That's political worship. We lost thousands upon thousands of seats nationwide from 2008-2016.

Are you saying that was worth it to give one man the Presidency?

[watoos]

33. Well said

[leftofcool]

51. Thank but no.

[Mr. Smith]

31. Not this Democrat.

[watoos]

32. It's a poll from Pew

Define the word moderate. The center of the country is left. Jesus, are we back to Democrat’s backing trickle down economics?
A moderate Democrat is for privatizing SS and gutting Medicare and Medicaid.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

38. You think "moderate" Democrats want to privatize SS and gut Medicare and Medicaid?

[watoos]

42. I know they don't want to expand

And or strengthen them. I know they aren’t behind the AOC/Markey Green deal. Moderate Democrats are old fashioned Republicans, right?

[CrossingTheRubicon]

44. You just said that moderate Democrats want to privatize SS and gut Medicare and Medicaid.

Now you double-down on the insults by calling moderate Democrats "old fashioned Republicans?"

Way out of line, friend. Pure BS.

[watoos]

55. That's my definition of a moderate Democrat

A 3rd Way Democrat, right?
Who is liberal? Republicans are liberal by relaxing regulatons, relaxing environmental regulations, shrinking government and drowning it in a bathtub, right? Liberal and moderate are just words.
I know one thing, out 2018 blue tsunami did not come from our candidates being moderate.

[leftofcool]

52. Really?

I have been a moderate Democrat for 60 years. Never voted for a Republican and never espoused Republican ideas. If I were you, I would delete my post.

[watoos]

59. President Obama was a moderate right?

Yes I voted for him twice, he was our best choice. He also offered to trim SS benefits, remember chained CPI? It was Republicans who nixed cuts to SS.
Moderate Democrats are old fashioned Republicans.
The left is really the center of the country.

[leftofcool]

60. Instead of alerting on your post which is what should be done, I decided to block you instead

You aren't worth my time.

[disillusioned73]

34. Ugh...

We are determined to lose 2020.. it's written in the stars..

[LakeArenal]

36. I think this is a simple, dumb poll on huge complex issues..

I have never been asked my opinion in a poll by any of these "leading" pollsters.

So I don't consider they speak for me. Especially more than a year out.

[Hortensis]

40. Pew has to be respected, but "more moderate" OR

"more liberal"? Moderate isn't an orientation but rather a degree, which can average out overall conservative or overall wholly liberal or is often various mixtures of both.

Sloppy language has been used against the Democratic Party for decades and shouldn't be accepted. Dozens of polls are now saying we've now moved farther left, when the reality is that polls in the past so consistently failed to reveal what we want that I seriously wonder if some insidious influence wasn't involved, not just profound incompetence.

Even after 2008, when we enthusiastically elected our first black president, who made universal healthcare such a top priority that he was willing to be a one-term president if that was the cost of passing it, how the old questions missed so much wasn't questioned. When Elizabeth Warren sparked new progressive enthusiasm on top of that, the contradictory results of the old poll questions weren't questioned.

Only in 2016, when dissident groups hostile to mainstream Democrats were being promoted by the GOP and then Russia, was it "discovered" and reported that Sanders had supposedly moved our party from their declared apathetic "centrist" liberalism to enthusiastically farther left. Entirely coincidence?

One inexcusable thing we do know is that virtually all polls, including Pew, ask and asked people to self-identify as liberal or conservative. This went on all through the era that Republicans managed to define liberal as such a bad word that people didn't want to associate with it and continues now when the radical left has joined the right in defining liberals as something despicable. Testing for true orientation is expensive, so they still don't, and that alone warps all poll results.

When did 'liberal' become a dirty word?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-07-29-0707280330-story.html

Hated by the Right. Mocked by the Left. Who Wants to Be ‘Liberal’ Anymore?
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/05/magazine/hated-by-the-right-mocked-by-the-left-who-wants-to-be-liberal-anymore.html

[Scurrilous]

41. ...

[Freethinker65]

58. Hillary WAS moderate.

[mvd]

61. It's just one poll. I feel things are the opposite

Many of our candidates are talking more to the left of before, even if they aren't Sanders level. Plus, how can the Repuke party possibly get more conservative? They are already so far right they are a threat to our Constitutional system. We can't combat that by being more moderate.

[Gothmog]

65. I agree with this poll

[Tom Rinaldo]

66. Except that labels have been politicalized

For at least a few generations "liberals" have been demonized as out of touch elitists who want to tax everyone else to support their "politically correct" causes. To Democrats, "moderate" has been pitched as meaning "sensible." Republicans have been conditioned to believe "moderate" means lacking in core principals while "conservative" is identified as being "patriotic."


The polls that give a more accurate sense are polls that focus on issues without identifying them with political labels, such as "Should the rich pay a higher percentage of taxes than they do now?" When polled on issues voter results swing further toward the left.

[GatoGordo]

67. The great middle

Not all Democratic Party voters are members. Most voters dont belong to any party. We can't win office without them. Party purists insist we swerve hard left. If that's the case, we can kiss goodbye any hope of retaking high office.

I live in flyover country. People are pretty "vanilla" here. They don't like extremes. While you will always get the party faithful to vote, you can't count on the Great Middle.

Last summer our local meetings were inundated with young people who insisted that there was a "new sheriff in town" and they were going to take our party in a new direction. A REAL left turn. Nobody had seen them before and to be honest we haven't seen them since. Not a minute did they spend on the dreary day-to-day goings on that keeps our party relevant. They knew nothing about our voters... only what they wanted.

Let's not cut off our nose.