There is growing concern that so called “Democratic Socialism” could be a threat to Democratic Party control of the 120th Congress (2027-2029) and State Governorships.
The Republican Party is using the term “Communism”, promoting the old tactic of the “Red Scare”, that was utilized by Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s against extremists in the Democratic Party, who while not “Communists”, sound as extreme in their political, economic, and social views.
The upcoming Senate primary in Michigan, with candidate Abdul El Sayed on August 4, and the upcoming Gubernatorial primary in Wisconsin on August 11, with candidate Francesca Hong, are ringing alarm bells that concern reasonable progressives and liberals, including this author and blogger.
As a followup on the blog entry of three days ago, it would be beyond tragic if their extremist rhetoric were to throw the Michigan Senate seat to the Republicans, and the Wisconsin Governorship to the Republicans.
It likely would make it impossible for Democrats to gain the majority of the Senate, and would move the state of Wisconsin backward in its state government.
The fact that some “Democratic Socialists”, particularly those in the New York Congressional primaries in New York City, were speaking of ending the police; ending any concept of “borders” for the nation; and had elements of antisemitism against Jews, due to the Israel-Gaza War—make the thought of higher level success in the upper Midwest, totally horrifying.
And the earlier advocacy of ending the whole American government structure as we know it, as outlined earlier three days ago, is beyond the pale.
And the fact that comedian Bill Maher just discussed the crazy extremism of “Democratic Socialism” as an alarm bell that he saw as a danger, is also very troubling.
While this author and blogger is not a fan of Bill Maher, what he had to say on Friday evening rings true, and is alarming for the political future, in the effort to end the nightmare of Donald Trump and his right wing extremist policies.
Right now, polls indicate Democrats have an 8 point lead in the upcoming elections, and therefore, victory for the party depends on avoiding massive controversy over candidates such as El Sayed and Hong.
Abdul El Sayed is obsessed with AIPAC, even though it’s only a tiny percent of money in politics.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/08/michigan-senate-primary-abdul-el-sayed-haley-stevens-aipac/
The DSA has had unprecedented success. It also has serious internal divisions.
https://www.vox.com/politics/497411/dsa-democratic-socialists-ocasio-cortez-2028
Elon Musk planning to throw financial support behind Susan Collins’ U.S. Senate bid
https://www.pressherald.com/2026/07/31/elon-musk-planning-to-throw-financial-support-behind-susan-collins-u-s-senate-bid/?uuid=fb39683d-8346-4685-ab1c-c1e171e639c9&lid=240823
The Guy Who Recruited Graham Platner Has a History of Sexual Misconduct Allegations Too
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/08/senate-maine-campaign-2026-graham-platner-news.html
The polling shows that El Sayed would have a more difficult task of winning the November election than Stevens…but Michigan Democratic voters don’t seem to care.
Carville rips Piker: ‘If he becomes a force in the Democratic Party, I’m out of here’
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6004598-carville-piker-democratic-party-split/
Piker is unhinged for sure – and obviously no Democrat should have anything to do with him – but that’s no reason to abandon the Democratic Party – the only force standing in the way of a dangerous, authoritarian Trump/MAGA Republican Party.
Fiery Democrat’s Comeback Bid Tests Limits of Progressive Momentum
“Cori Bush tries to overcome millions in spending from pro-Israel groups to reclaim her old House seat”
https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/cori-bush-democratic-campaign-2026-5d0fdee5
This Sleazoid MAGA Congressman May Just Have Turned a Red Seat Blue
https://newrepublic.com/article/213850/max-miller-brian-poindexter-ohio
Mitch McConnell is never coming back to the Senate
“Despite the conspiracy theories, the likeliest reason to conceal McConnell’s condition is more pathetic than calculating: It’s hard for these powerful old men and their families to let go of power.”
https://www.salon.com/2026/08/03/mitch-mcconnell-is-never-coming-back-to-the-senate/
Poll: Talarico has slim lead over Paxton in Texas Senate race
https://www.axios.com/2026/08/04/poll-talarico-has-slim-lead-over-paxton-in-texas-senate-race
The war to succeed Bernie Sanders is already underway
“Walking into Democrats’ contentious Michigan Senate primary, Sanders’ inner circle thinks Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is more likely than Ro Khanna to be the heir.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/04/bernie-sanders-successor-aoc-khanna-michigan-test-01023159
AOC is far better than Khanna.
The last I have heard about the primary results in Michigan is that the race between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens is too close to call, with Abdul El-Sayed in a narrow lead.
Jeffries-skeptic Democrats face Black Caucus hostility
https://www.axios.com/2026/08/04/hakeem-jeffries-black-caucus-rabb-kiros-avila-chevalier
Democrat exits Senate race in South Dakota, clearing way for independent
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/04/democrat-exits-senate-race-south-dakota-clearing-way-independent/
Progressives’ anti-AIPAC wave hits a snag in St. Louis
“Rep. Wesley Bell defeated Cori Bush for a second cycle in a row.”
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/08/04/michigan-missouri-primary-democrats-test/cori-bush-wesley-bell-primary-analysis-01024982
Arizona’s Democratic Governor Set to Pick a Republican Running Mate
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/04/us/elections/arizona-governor-running-mate.html?unlocked_article_code=1.3FA.MfOq.hYqgDwECYCW4&smid=nytcore-ios-share
The lesson from Virginia’s primary: The establishment won on both sides.
https://cardinalnews.org/2026/08/04/the-lesson-from-virginias-primary-the-establishment-won-on-both-sides/
Abdul El-Sayed is projected to be the winner in Michigan.