Former President Barack Obama said Thursday that Democrats should embrace socialists as an important part of their political coalition.
Speaking on the “Pod Save America” podcast, Obama urged party leaders not to impose “litmus tests” on members with differing views and described newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, as “part of a vision for the future.”
“Tuesday was nice, but we’ve got a lot of work to do. And your task is going to be not to impose litmus tests,” Obama said. “We 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.”
He added: “And 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 there’s the possibility of community, and that we’re getting along not in some cliché, 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.”
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 Party’s growing embrace of socialism could jeopardize its chances in the 2028 election.
“I guess it’s 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,” Cillizza said. “You can call it democratic socialism. You can call it whatever you want. But the idea of socialism will not sell in the country.”
However, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin said during an appearance on Fox News’ America’s Newsroom on Aug. 6 that he believes embracing socialists is essential to the Democratic Party’s long-term electoral success.
“We 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,” Martin said, per the Daily Caller. “And the reality is is I’ve always said that you win through addition, not subtraction. You don’t win by pushing people out of your coalition, you win by bringing people into your coalition.”
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 Hochul’s bid for reelection.
Mamdani thought about his win after arriving on a commercial airline on Thursday afternoon.
“I’m 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 I’m happy to be here at Somos,” Mamdani said, adding that he wants to raise taxes on ‘wealthy’ New Yorkers and corporations to fund his giveaway schemes.
