Nearly one-third of Democrats now identify as democratic socialists, according to a new CNN poll, highlighting the growing influence of the party’s far-left wing as progressive activists continue pushing for new leadership and a more liberal agenda.
The survey, conducted by SSRS for CNN, found that although democratic socialists remain a minority within the Democratic Party, they make up one of its most energized and committed voting blocs. They are also significantly more likely than other Democrats to support major changes in the party’s leadership and policy direction.
The findings come on the heels of several high-profile victories by progressive candidates, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other democratic socialist candidates who recently won three Democratic congressional primaries in New York.
According to the poll, Democrats who identify as democratic socialists tend to be younger than 45, are more likely to be white, and generally report annual incomes below $100,000.
The survey also found that democratic socialists are especially enthusiastic about participating in this year’s midterm elections.
Among registered voters, 66 percent of self-identified democratic socialists said they were extremely motivated to vote, compared with 57 percent of other Democratic voters.
On internal party issues, democratic socialists were more likely than other Democrats to favor replacing the party’s current leadership, nominating younger candidates, and shifting the Democratic Party even further to the left on major policy questions.
Despite the movement’s growing influence within Democratic politics, another recent survey suggests that many Americans still do not fully understand what democratic socialism represents.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released this week found that 47 percent of respondents said they do not understand democratic socialist policies, while 49 percent said they do.
That same survey found mixed views of the movement, with 27 percent saying democratic socialists have at least some worthwhile ideas, while 51 percent said the movement offers few, if any, beneficial beliefs.
Republicans have increasingly sought to make the rise of democratic socialism a central issue ahead of the midterm elections, arguing that its policies closely resemble communism.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that communism represents one of the greatest dangers facing the United States.
Speaking during a campaign-style event in Michigan ahead of the state’s primary elections, Trump described communism as “the greatest threat to our country in history.”
“We can’t let them get their claws into this incredible — they call it an experiment,” Trump said.
The CNN survey questioned 1,225 adults across the United States by telephone and online between July 23 and July 27. The poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
{Matzav.com}