Obama Says Dems Ought to Welcome Socialists If Party Wants To Win
Former President Barack Obama is openly encouraging Democrats to bring socialists deeper into the party fold, calling them “part of a vision for the future” and warning against so-called “litmus tests” for party loyalty.
Speaking Thursday on the “Pod Save America” podcast, Obama praised New York City’s newly elected Democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, saying his win represents an important piece of the Democratic Party’s future direction.
“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.”
Obama continued by suggesting that Democrats should prioritize unity over ideological boundaries, adding that the goal is to ensure “every person in this country is treated with dignity and respect.”
“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,” Obama said. “Yes, there are fights that are going to have to be fought, but deep down there is something core in us that we have in common that is extraordinary.”
Mamdani, who ran on a radical far-left platform that included raising taxes on corporations and wealthy residents, free childcare and bus service, a citywide rent freeze, and even city-owned grocery stores, has quickly become the poster child for the Democratic Party’s socialist wing.
A Gallup poll released September 8 revealed just how far left the party has drifted: only 42% of Democrats view capitalism positively, while 66% express a favorable opinion of socialism.
The trend has alarmed even some mainstream Democrats. Chris Cillizza, political contributor for NewsNation, warned that the party’s embrace of socialism could doom them in the 2028 presidential 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.”
Despite these warnings, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin doubled down on his party’s “big tent” approach.
“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 on Fox News’ America’s Newsroom. “You don’t win by pushing people out of your coalition, you win by bringing people into your coalition.”
Yet the hypocrisy of Mamdani’s brand of socialism was on full display almost immediately after his victory.
While railing against “wealthy elites,” Mamdani jetted off to Puerto Rico for the annual Somos conference, where New York politicians gather each year to mingle, network, and enjoy luxury accommodations far from the problems back home.
“I’m so happy to be here in Puerto Rico,” Mamdani said upon arrival. “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.”
The irony wasn’t lost on critics — as the self-proclaimed “man of the people” toasted his historic socialist win from a tropical resort while calling for higher taxes on working New Yorkers to fund his “free everything” agenda.
As President Donald J. Trump’s second administration focuses on rebuilding America’s economy through capitalism, energy independence, and law and order, the Democrats’ open flirtation with socialism underscores just how stark the divide has become between the two parties — and between freedom and government control.