During a recent episode of “The Fifth Column” podcast, Yemisi Egbewole, a former aide to President Biden and a Democratic strategist, expressed her belief that the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) would likely be overlooked in the run-up to the 2028 presidential election. This prediction comes despite the socialist movement achieving some notable primary wins.
When questioned about the Democratic Party’s alignment with DSA ideology, Egbewole, who is also a senior fellow at the centrist think tank Third Way, indicated that translating those recent state-level victories into anything resembling national clout would be tough for the DSA. “Going into 2028, the DSA… Baby gets put in a corner,” she remarked.
She acknowledged the recent success of socialist-backed candidates in Democratic primaries but remained skeptical about whether those results truly indicated widespread voter support for the movement. According to her, “Anybody running to represent America is not going to seek anybody who’s a part of the DSA.”
On the other hand, Republicans have dismissed the idea that Democrats could shy away from socialism in the lead-up to the election. Natalie Baldassarre, the Republican National Committee’s national press secretary, criticized the Democratic Party, asserting that it was too late for them to shed their socialist image. “They’ve embraced socialism with open arms,” she stated, labeling every prospective Democratic contender for 2028 as someone eager to cater to the far-left base.
Curtis Houck, managing editor of NewsBusters, shared Egbewole’s skepticism, suggesting that the “train seems to have left the station.” He hinted that the liberal media are afraid of their base voters and emphasized that ignoring or downplaying the DSA’s ambitions won’t bear positive results.
The discussion unfolded alongside the DSA’s recent achievements in New York, where candidates allied with Mayor Zohran Mamdani gained significant ground in Democratic congressional primaries. Egbewole downplayed the importance of these wins, suggesting that defeating established Democrats did not equate to overcoming moderate candidates.
Egbewole’s organization, Third Way, explicitly aims to limit the DSA’s influence and has initiated a $15 million campaign against the organization, which includes research, outreach, and polling aimed at Democratic leaders. Matt Bennett, co-founder of Third Way, stated the DSA posed a serious threat to the Democratic Party’s electoral prospects, portraying their ideas as hazardous and toxic.
Even as debates within the party continue, some prominent Democrats are contemplating their futures. For example, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently remarked that many Democrats were aligned with the DSA on key issues like universal healthcare and climate change.
Amidst these internal tensions, Mamdani has faced calls from some socialist allies to act against NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch following a controversial incident, but he has indicated he will not make such changes.
In response to Third Way’s campaign against it, the DSA has reiterated its commitment to building political influence, with co-chair Megan Romer asserting that their movement will persist despite opposition. “We believe in people power, and our vision for a better future is winning,” she affirmed.
