Up Next: Socialism Rebranded
The Left is attempting the greatest remake since Bruce Jenner became Caitlyn.
The clarion call came from the Left’s “chief priestess,” the “godmother” of Woke and national embodiment of “Democratic-Socialism:” Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on ABC’s “This Week.”
“Woke 1.0 was crazy.” Well, well, well. Oops, never mind.
With the November election approaching, with control of the House, and maybe even the Senate up for grabs, we should expect to hear more of this “socialism 2.0,” a drastic re-brand from Democrats. The kinder, gentler version of Democratic “disruptive” rhetoric.
It’s a concerted effort by Democrats to throw their rhetorical “spaghetti” at the wall and see what sticks to ease voters’ concerns about Democrats’ rapid run to the far Left — especially on top of their embrace of crazy ideas. We’re getting treated to a mix of backtracking, claiming to be misunderstood, and downplaying socialism — both branding it as “democratic socialism” or trying to explain that we already have “socialism.” (After all, we do have taxpayer-funded, government-run police: that’s socialism…right??)
Voters will have to decide: are Democrats genuinely re-thinking their policies and values, or is it merely a re-branding? The evidence suggests the re-branding is an attempt at gaslighting us.
They had to do something. The Democratic Party’s approval rating keeps falling — pushing away more and more Democrats. Getting pushback from not only Senator Fetterman, but also Democratic strategist James Carville — who had been loudly, angrily defending Democratic policies and rhetoric. Most notably, Bill Maher has been using his show to read the platform of the Democratic Socialist of America (“DSA”), and “highlight” quotes from Democrat candidates for US Senate, Governor, and Congress.
A dangerous mix of crazy ideas and policies that have not only violated commonsense, but have been proven to be colossal failures.
Defund the Police. Empty the Prisons. Open borders. Government-run healthcare for everyone — eliminating privately run healthcare. Government taking ownership of major corporations. Abolishing the Senate. Packing the Supreme Court — adding as many Justices as needed to ensure progressive policies are sanctioned.
As the public was becoming more aware that the 2026 Democrats are not our parents’ Democrats — not even Hillary’s Democrats — it was time for this “makeover.”
We’re watching it unfold in Michigan. They just have a brutally divisive primary to nominate their candidate for US Senate. “Establishment-supported” Congresswoman Haley Stevens was defeated by DSA and progressive-supported Abdul El-Sayed, who was endorsed by Bernie, AOC, and Hasan Piker — one of the most extreme, radical, antisemitic, openly socialist (if not communist) spokespeople for the Left: “America deserved 9/11.”
The radicals won, but were immediately confronted with polling showing that El-Sayed was trailing GOP nominee, former Congressman Mike Rogers.
The response: goodbye Hasan Piker and hello family photos and stories about how El-Sayed loves America, embodies the American Dream, and is a “big fan” of capitalism.
Democrats focused on winning — trying to capture the House and Senate — and concerned about “purple” states and congressional seats sent out the memo: “86” the socialism rhetoric and stop with “crazy.”
However, not everyone is singing from this new songbook.
DSA, progressive activists, and Democratic voters in Wisconsin came within 0.4% of nominating Francesca Hong for Governor. Hong was not only embracing the DSA, but also is fully “woke”— talking about how Thanksgiving ought to be canceled and that she has “white guilt” because her child is half-white.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani keeps talking about expanding socialist “rent control,” “free” mass transit, babysitting — and his rhetoric and appearances are making Jewish New Yorkers nervous. Locally, neither Larry Krasner nor soon-to-be-Congressman Chris Rabb (who campaigned for El-Sayed) are moderating their rhetoric.
The marriage of crazy and socialism is a dangerous one.
Forget the new slogans and “wrapper.” Look at the product, the policies.
Truth be told, the reality is they are who they said they were. What their platforms say. What they say at rallies. And how they’ve governed — from policies to legislation, from no-cash bail to votes on legislation.
No amount of rebranding, Brooks Brothers suit-wearing, smiles for CNN, American flags, word games, or gaslighting should work.
They still believe crazy things, believe their role is to be “disruptive,” and believe socialism is better than capitalism. That is the problem.
Just this week, El-Sayed not only re-issued his call for government-run healthcare for everyone, but he admitted that everyone would have to pay higher taxes to fund their fantasy.
They’re embracing or partnering with socialists and partnering with woke — those hating Thanksgiving, our Founders, and rejecting common sense.
We are duty-bound to unite to defeat them — to build our common sense coalition, and vote. It’s not about party or political power. It’s about our children and grandchildren. It’s about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Guy Ciarrocchi writes for Broad + Liberty and RealClear Pennsylvania. A Senior Fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation, follow Guy at @PhilaFreedomGuy.
