General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums13 centrist Democrats sign "Promise to America" - capitalism, fiscal discipline, strong borders and pride in US
The other signatories who announced their support Thursday include candidates and incumbents running in competitive races, including several districts that Trump won. Reps. Kristen McDonald Rivet (Michigan), Susie Lee (Nevada), Maggie Goodlander (New Hampshire), Josh Gottheimer (New Jersey), Laura Gillen (New York), Don Davis (North Carolina), Janelle Bynum (Oregon) and Vicente Gonzalez (Texas) are all supporters. Candidates Marlene Galán-Woods in Arizona, Jamie Ager and Paul Barringer in North Carolina and Bobby Pulido in Texas also signed on.
We disagree with MAGA. We disagree with socialists, Suozzi said. We dont want this extremism. We want mainstream.
Link to archive.is (from Wash Post) https://archive.is/cFxXH#selection-601.0-617.118]
text of Promise To America https://www.thepromisetoamerica.com/]
We are capitalist, not socialist.
We believe in a growing, fair, and competitive economy that rewards hard work, innovation, entrepreneurship, and ownership. Full-time work should make it possible to own a home, raise a family, afford healthcare, and retire with dignity. Economic, permitting, and tax policy should expand opportunity and lower costs for workers, families, entrepreneurs, and those striving to join the middle class, not disproportionately favor those already at the top.
Safety, Security, and Human Dignity
We want safety, not lawlessness.
We believe Americans deserve secure borders, safe communities, honest government, and an orderly immigration system that protects the country, strengthens the economy, and treats people with dignity. We believe America remains indispensable to global stability, democratic values, international security, and strong alliances. In a dangerous and uncertain world, America must lead with strength, purpose, and partnership.
Fiscal Discipline
We are responsible, not reckless.
A generation has passed since our party balanced the budget. We will prioritize tackling the national debt honestly. We must pay our bills, and not leave our children in debt.
Government That Works
We believe government should solve problems, not create them.
Government matters, but it must work. Public institutions should be competent, accountable, easier to navigate, and capable of building, innovating, and delivering results people experience in everyday life. Government should make life easier.
Free Speech, Respect, AND Common Purpose
We are mainstream, not extreme.
We believe Americans can disagree without division. We stand for moderation, acceptance, respect, free expression, and democratic pluralism. We embrace a politics of persuasion over purity, contempt, and cultural division.
Confident Patriotism and National Renewal
We are proud, not ashamed of America.
We believe Americas story is one of extraordinary achievement and unfinished work. We honor Americas strengths and exceptional character while striving to build a freer, stronger, more prosperous, and more perfect union.
I guess all those who don't feel the same way are extreme and hate the US . . .
I'd say what I think of Suozzi (Problem Solver Caucus, censurer of Al Green etc) and Gray (Problem Solver Caucus, Blue Dog, joining w/Rs to open government etc.) . . . but I think it's against the rules of DU . . . cause, after all, they have a D next to their names.
NewHendoLib
(61,945 posts)LuvLoogie
(9,057 posts)Probably by at least 40. All new progressives. Democrats.. The Fettermans and Sinemas are open for business.
Yeah, It's a duck.
Emile
(44,130 posts)Boo1
(608 posts)Democrats won't win the house or senate at all.
All progressives are doing is winning already blue districts.
Emile
(44,130 posts)Democrats cannot steal Republican voters by moving to the center. Republicans vote for Republicans because they are Republican.
Democrats vote for Democrats because they are Democrats.
We need to stop chasing for the mythical republican cross over voters.
CivicGrief
(407 posts)centrists. I hate when Democrats are afraid to be Democrats.
Boo1
(608 posts)A democrat "is"?
Emile
(44,130 posts)Last edited Sat Jun 27, 2026, 06:33 AM - Edit history (1)
https://democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=21332049Skittles
(173,633 posts)yes INDEED
Bettie
(20,003 posts)trying to be "Republican lite".
It never works, but they do manage to gum up the works enough to keep any change from happening so that we are defeated in the next election. They are great for corporations, not so much for non-wealthy humans.
You should stop comparing Democrats to Republicans.
Response to Nanjeanne (Original post)
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orthoclad
(5,149 posts)orthoclad
(5,149 posts)throw the peasants a crust of bread, to keep the fiefdom in place.
Blue Full Moon
(3,793 posts)orthoclad
(5,149 posts)mymomwasright
(455 posts)Is it national healthcare, paid education, paid childcare, affordable housing, fair taxing the rich, equal rights, voting rights, and renewable energy? WTF is wrong with these people?
orthoclad
(5,149 posts)Deuxcents
(28,237 posts)Why are these mainstreamers drawing a line in the sand? We need change but not this kind of crap
Quiet Em
(3,241 posts)There is zero mention on how to make lives better for the American people or how to stop the violations of our Contitution, our rules of law, our Civil rights, violations against humanity itself.
Wow.
yardwork
(69,958 posts)They're Democrats trying to get elected in red districts. They're not evil people. They deserve our support for trying to get elected in deep red districts.
In 2024 there were districts in NC where Republicans ran unopposed. You wouldn't believe what voters think in those rural areas. It's shocking how misinformed they are.
Quiet Em
(3,241 posts)I don't understand why they would release this. They need to campaign on a lot more than what this memo offers if they want to win.
They don't have to talk about the NYC elections at all. Just talk about their districts and the needs of their districts.
Quiet Em
(3,241 posts)He primaried Kathy Hochul in '22 and he was pretty awful. NY Democratic voters did not buy what he was selling and he was handily defeated.
Nanjeanne
(6,840 posts)PROMISE as if only they know whats good for the party? Why say anything other than we welcome the Democrats who won their primaries and will support the Democrats who will join us in Congress to make this country the best it can be.
What they have done is disrespectful to the Dem voters who chose their candidates in their primaries.
yardwork
(69,958 posts)This statement doesn't say anything about Democrats who won other primaries. Unless I'm missing something?
I live in NC. I'm familiar with Don Davis's district. It's a remote, isolated, rural area. Since the latest gerrymander it will be a struggle for the Democratic Party to hold onto this seat.
The people in NC District 1 aren't thinking about NYC primaries. NYC might as well be Mars for all the attention they pay it. They watch Fox News.
This statement is a direct response to the GOP's daily accusation that "socialists are trying to kill you." It is no way an effort to pick a fight or disrespect anybody, especially Democrats who just won primaries.
As I said before, I don't think this approach will work. I think people are hungry for a more radical approach. I think that being on the defensive and constantly responding to GOP lies is a losing approach.
But I feel compelled to defend these Democrats from some silly things that are being said about them.
Also, the primary in NC was months ago. The two Democrats who signed this statement are our party's official nominees. Last I heard it's against DU TOS to criticize nominees.
Nanjeanne
(6,840 posts)about socialists
Or Google more articles if you prefer.
You keep wanting to make this about them being in a red district. Fine. I still believe they could go out and campaign in their districts for what they believe is going to make their constituents lives better. Theres no need to put out this Promise and ask for others to sign this Promise - with all its very obvious implications about other Democrats who won on platforms they dont like (and considering Suozzi lives in Family living at C Street I tend to think its not just saying what he thinks will help him get elected). Buy you can believe anything you want. Thats what makes a democracy - oops sorry, Suozzi.
yardwork
(69,958 posts)Are you asking voters to choose the Republican candidates in these races?
Nanjeanne
(6,840 posts)If a candidate wins his or her primary the voters will make their choice. I may prefer a different candidate in a primary and I certainly would in each of their cases. But you are simply making shit up about me ever saying anything of the kind. Please stop.
yardwork
(69,958 posts)Your thread here is bashing two Democratic candidates who will compete with Republicans in the GE.
I repeat. The NC primaries are over. The people in their districts chose these candidates.
Now you want "voters to choose?" The only choice is these or the Republicans.
Nanjeanne
(6,840 posts)Now please if it is too difficult for you to simply stop making up invisible posts where I have somehow encouraged anyone to vote for a Republican. If simply posting what these Reps have said themselves causes you to believe that perhaps the issue is their own words. Not mine. Frankly, this is it. I am too tired to keep responding to nonsense you seem to want to ascribe to me. Ignore. Trash Can. Block. Alert. All those are options you can choose.
Enjoy the rest of your evening.
yardwork
(69,958 posts)36. They aren't trying to put forth any new ideas. They merely want to imply that these damn progressive
4:33 PM
Democrats arent sufficiently pro American to be members of the party. The implication is dear since they specify
Capitalism (they want to confuse the public by implying that things like universal healthcare and tuition free college would dismantle capitalism - shades the typical scare over anything that is for the betterment of citizens and not corporations)
Strong borders whatever that means (these progressives must be against border control which is insane. Being for a real immigration policy and a compassion for people is not the same as lets open all borders and have a big party)
Confident Patriotism and National Renewal We are proud, not ashamed of America. Again an implication that what? Ds that want America to be better are not patriotic?
Every point in their promise is an implication that the other Ds who are in the party that they dont like are somehow not interested in good government, being fiscally responsible, etc.
Are you telling the few progressive voters in the districts of these candidates not to support them in the GE? The elections could hinge on one vote in each district. Control of Congress is at stake. Democracy is at stake.
The time for this kind of criticism is before the primaries.
Nanjeanne
(6,840 posts)The Promise in the words of these 13 per the Washington Post are necessary to couner the wins of the progressive socialists who won their primaries. The words you reposted I stand by. Nowhere did I tell anyone to vote for a Republican but you seem to want to believe that very badly. Im sorry to disappoint you and I truly dont want to be rude but this is getting silly.
Dont take it personally but I cant keep responding to this without losing my own mind. So if you must respond again to me, dont take offense but I truly am done.
I honestly wish you a good nights sleep.
yardwork
(69,958 posts)Quiet Em
(3,241 posts)The rules we all abide by means that includes our Democratic nominee Tom Suozzi, but Tom Suozzi doesn't have to abide by our rules.
Tom is the originator of this memo and Tom talked others into signing it. Tom released this memo after Tuesdays primaries. Tom is not happy with all of our Democratic nominees. Tom is not doing his best to ensure that all of our Democratic nominees get elected. Tom has a problem with some of them even though the primaries are over and the voters have made their decision. Here in NY we want to make sure our Democratic Governor is re-elected. We want to elect all of our House Democratic nominees. Our nominees are doing a great job and are winning. It would be great if Tom could be on the same page.
yardwork
(69,958 posts)This state is gerrymandered to death by the Republican state legislature. Their latest annihilstion of democracy happened with new district maps in 2025. The U.S. Supreme Court allowed it.
Don Davis is fighting a very tough reelection and Paul Barringer is fighting to be elected in what is now a red district.
I don't know that this strategy will work. People in these rural areas are brainwashed to believe that all Democrats are evil. I see what this group is doing but I'm not sure it will be enough.
I think a better strategy might be to lean into radical left promises. They're going to get called communists either way so they might as well run with it.
Frankly, I don't know that anything will get a Democrat elected in these gerrymandered districts.
Matthew28
(1,940 posts)I want higher taxes on the rich, a stronger safetynet, but am ok with stronger borders and being ok with some level of capitlism.
yardwork
(69,958 posts)The party that holds the majority in the Senate and House controls everything. They decide which bills get out of committee and to the floor for a vote. And the majority party controls the committees too. They have a majority vote in every committee.
As long as the Democrats are in the minority in Congress we have almost no power.
And with gerrymandering in so many states, it's increasingly difficult to get elected as a Democrat.
So yeah. If a Democrat has to say stuff to get elected, go for it. We're powerless until we hold the majority.
CivicGrief
(407 posts)It is clear as day actually.
yardwork
(69,958 posts)If you think this is in response to this week's primaries, I almost have to laugh.
The people living in isolated rural districts in NC aren't paying any attention to the NYC primaries. The Democratic candidates in these districts just want to get elected in the fall. They are responding to accusations from the GOP.
Nanjeanne
(6,840 posts)CivicGrief
(407 posts)But reactionary comments in response to attacks by Republicans make them look like a bunch of dweebs. Its a damn Chevrolet commercial for Christs sakes.
Nanjeanne
(6,840 posts)of capitalism? Because they have done this bs to counter the progressive movement. What is the implication? Do these Democrats that won their primaries and that were supported by their constituents hate America? The implication is they must if the need to address that is in this promise.
aocommunalpunch
(4,599 posts)Shrug.
MustLoveBeagles
(18,332 posts)Should be a big tent party. Being divided amongst ourselves is not a winning strategy.
NeoTrajan
(92 posts)While those who declare themselves 'centrist' rail against 'socialism', they neglect to note that American appeals for socialist policies aren't collectivist farms or 5 year plans, or other historical aspects of the hard core communist 'socialism' of Russia, North Korea or China
A decent wage
Universal health care
Low cost access to college/university
Low cost child care
Clean Air and Clean Water
Voting Rights and Civil Rights
This is Democratic Socialism in America, not the establishment of gulags, not an affront to American values
LearnedHand
(5,685 posts)yellow dahlia
(6,906 posts)Get off the highway!
If your house is on fire - grab the hose. Don't call the fire department.
You hear a burglar breaking into your house - no 911 for you.
Response to Nanjeanne (Original post)
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MustLoveBeagles
(18,332 posts)The Dems did that after 911. How'd that work out?
hookaleft
(1,400 posts)Renew Deal
(85,469 posts)ColoringFool
(1,385 posts)US, so maybe "Progressive" could be the term.
LearnedHand
(5,685 posts)Why are these dems buying into that framework?
CivicGrief
(407 posts)They are actually helping build the narrative against Democrats by agreeing with Republicans. (Those darn Socialists are bad.)
Emile
(44,130 posts)and a Republican in Democratic clothing, the people will choose the genuine article, every time; that is, they will take a Republican before they will a phony Democrat.
Harry Truman
Oneironaut
(6,375 posts)I love meaningless corpo-slop like this, because, I feel like it actually pushes people TOWARDS Democratic Socialism. Compare to this statement to one by Bernie Sanders, or Mamdani.
Also, "Full-time work should make it possible to own a home, raise a family, afford healthcare, and retire with dignity"
lol - Good joke! They're doing the Republican thing of pretending we are in an episode of Leave it to Beaver while most people under the age of 35 are barely scraping by, will never buy a house, will never retire (until they're dead), and, are one hospital visit away from bankruptcy.
Response to Nanjeanne (Original post)
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LearnedHand
(5,685 posts)Got it.
Karma13612
(5,052 posts)What is their definition of mainstream?
And secondly, it sounds like they are full of platitude phrases.
I still will vote for any of them OVER A REPUBLICAN. But, they are not talking about very specific policies, just generalizations.
The American people have been hearing platitudes for decades. From both sides. Now is the time for actual policy.
Nanjeanne
(6,840 posts)Democrats arent sufficiently pro American to be members of the party. The implication is dear since they specify
Capitalism (they want to confuse the public by implying that things like universal healthcare and tuition free college would dismantle capitalism - shades the typical scare over anything that is for the betterment of citizens and not corporations)
Strong borders whatever that means (these progressives must be against border control which is insane. Being for a real immigration policy and a compassion for people is not the same as lets open all borders and have a big party)
Confident Patriotism and National Renewal We are proud, not ashamed of America. Again an implication that what? Ds that want America to be better are not patriotic?
Every point in their promise is an implication that the other Ds who are in the party that they dont like are somehow not interested in good government, being fiscally responsible, etc.
Bettie
(20,003 posts)"we will vote against anything that might cause a corporation or one of our extremely wealthy donors to make even a penny less profit or pay even a penny more in taxes".
Oh and it's usually paired with "bootstraps" solutions for the poorest among us.
Nanjeanne
(6,840 posts)haele
(15,711 posts)So they run as Democrats. Not necessarily bad, but definitely the old middle manager/union shop leader centerist types you'd find in the 50's and 60's. Comfortable enough they're not hungry for change, Centerist enough they're generally fair and accepting if not faced with unpleasantness or Radical pushback, and amenable enough that they will step in if they see someone in need - if it won't inconvenience them too much or if there's attaboys when the problem is "fixed".
Allies of Convenience.
Nanjeanne
(6,840 posts)Eisenhower supported much higher taxes, he expanded SS, created the Dept of HEW, built that socialist thing we call highways, and spoke out against the military industrial complex.
Ars Longa
(667 posts)Bettie
(20,003 posts)the oligarchs.
Can't have that. Plus, people get to feeling like they matter if they are able to access health care without the danger of losing everything. Can't have that.
SocialDemocrat61
(8,391 posts)Big deal
betsuni
(29,443 posts)Rule of never giving Democrats the benefit of the doubt and leap screaming to the worst possible motive.
Trying to demonize centrists -- the types Republicans need more of? The ones you can make deals with because they'll comprise, unlike radicals? The ones without strict purity tests and ideology?
And then there's the fake socialism. What a lot of people think are socialist policies are liberal Democratic, the Democratic Party platform. The policies Democrats have.
Etherealoc1
(277 posts)It's a state by state approach, what works in one state may not work in another. Ugh, finally there is some momentum and tangible results , why create an appearance of disunity just because the Repubs are trying to drive a narrative. Smarten up folks this not the time for this sh*t.
Emile
(44,130 posts)AZProgressive
(30,085 posts)Last edited Fri Jun 26, 2026, 06:08 PM - Edit history (1)
It is according to this poll from November last year and I don't think much has changed based on recent results.
8 Nov 2025
New Poll: Democratic Socialism Is Now Mainstream
A new national survey commissioned by DSA Fund and Jacobin, with support from the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, New York Office, and fielded by Data for Progress (N=1,257 likely voters; MOE ±3) takes stock of where democratic socialism stands with the electorate and what it would take to build stable, working-class majorities beyond deep-blue districts.
Among Democrats, democratic socialists enjoy significant popularity. The polls findings include:
Democrats prefer democratic socialism to capitalism by a 58-point margin. Socialism wins overall with likely voters under forty-five years old.
Democrats prefer left-wing political figures similar to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, and Zohran Mamdani over establishment politicians similar to Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Nancy Pelosi by a 20-point margin.
This was also true across party lines in critical voting blocs: non-college (+9), Latinos (+30). Candidates who identify as democratic socialists are viewed just as favorably (+69) among registered Democrats as candidates who identify only as Democrats (+67).
(snip)
70% of all respondents say that our economic system is rigged in favor of corporations and the wealthy and needs to be replaced; this includes 67% of independents and 58% of Republicans.
59% of respondents (and 58% of Republicans) blame landlords and banks more than government regulation for the high cost of housing.
83% of respondents agree that social work and mental health are necessary parts of a public safety budget; this includes 81% of independents and 80% of Republicans. This was true across all partisan, racial/ethnic, geographic, and class groups.
15% of Donald Trump voters prefer democratic socialism to capitalism. These voters tended to be younger and non-white.
https://rosalux.nyc/new-poll-democratic-socialism-is-now-mainstream/
I feel the party is committing self-sabotage by labeling Democratic Socialists who are also fellow Democrats as extremism.
3 of the 4 states that border Mexico are mostly blue states. In Arizona Republicans that go hard right on "the border" often lose statewide. Arizona mostly elects Democrats statewide in recent history and the Arpaio types are mostly in the past or no longer hold office. I agree it is an important issue but it isn't really among the top issues facing voters in this state.
Ars Longa
(667 posts)Response to Nanjeanne (Original post)
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Emile
(44,130 posts)yardwork
(69,958 posts)Each of them is running against a Republican in the fall GE.
They are our party's candidates.
durablend
(9,453 posts)Seeing it from them, seeing it from Trump, seeing LTTE's like it's all coordinated. "BOOGA BOOGA BOOGA SOCIALISM IS COMING OH NOES"
Prairie Gates
(8,670 posts)freedom of movement, and ethical comportment toward being-in-the-world.
Violet_Crumble
(36,468 posts)Who on earth talks about extremism by putting MAGA and democratic socialists in the same sentence?? What policies and stances do they think are extreme? I've seen some here at DU say that socialism is a dirty word in the US and democratic socialists should be discouraged from being Democrats, but pandering to politically ignorant people isn't the way to go. Education and showing people what can be done is the solution to that. The Mayor of New York is leading the way on that, and also AOC. I saw a really good documentary thing where she travelled to deep red parts of the US and talked with people about data centres being built close to their homes. I think she changed some hearts and minds doing that.
To be opposed to socialism is to be opposed to workers rights and trade unions, universal healthcare, free education etc. Which I guess is why the US is in the mess it's in right now....
yellow dahlia
(6,906 posts)Well then - get off the fucking highway!
If your house is on fire - grab the hose. Don't call the fire department.
You hear a burglar breaking into your house - no 911 for you.
pat_k
(14,520 posts)In issuing this they are promoting radical right propaganda.
Democrats who move "right" aren't "moderate" or "centrist" -- they just moving toward the fascist corporatism of today's Republican Party.
Those defending the principles of liberal democracy against fascist corporatism, whether under the label Independent, Democrat, or Democratic Socialist, are advocating things that are squarely in the center of our politics.
In a nutshell (less than 3 minutes)
The entire video. We MUST challenge the propaganda and be crystal clear on what is really the center of our politics, and what principles have been a throughline across our history.
Bluetus
(3,312 posts)Nanjeanne
(6,840 posts)Bluetus
(3,312 posts)We don't need to be repeating the gaslighting here.
It is like Jerry Falwell's old "Moral Majority", which was neither moral nor representing the majority. Words matter. We need to push back at every step.
Raven123
(8,045 posts)Words dont fill the fuel tank, pay for health care, and are not edible. How about some definitive proposals.
mr715
(4,867 posts)Who wants tea when we can have tepid dishwater instead?
hatrack
(65,370 posts)Not enough change in this meaningless No Labels and Oh-So-Lieberman goo to use a payphone in 1955.
Ars Longa
(667 posts)No mention of wealth inequality. No mention of Tech Bro Billionaires,
Trillionaires.. and so on!
Martin Eden
(16,052 posts)STOP STUPID WARS, and DEFUND ICE!!!
Deminpenn
(17,627 posts)party.
everyonematters
(4,313 posts)Are these centrists against raising the minimum wage?
50 Shades Of Blue
(11,535 posts)gab13by13
(33,073 posts)and I was silenced for pointing out the problem with moderate Dems fighting with progressive Dems.
Why are we even putting labels on Democrats?
in2herbs
(4,668 posts)changed my mind. I don't want "more of the same." I will now vote for Jonathan Treble.
Response to Nanjeanne (Original post)
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duckworth969
(1,452 posts)Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Writing a manifesto no less 🫤
Nixie
(18,268 posts)achievement. You have to applaud that.