“You made me promises. Promises. Knowing I’d believe. Promises. Promises. I knew you’d never keep.”
— Promises, Promises by Naked Eyes
“I’m a supporter of Medicare-for-all,” expressed Minnesota’s Democratic Senate candidate, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. “I plan to work with my ally, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., as we strategize in the U.S. Senate to create a path for the changes we deserve and need.”
Flanagan, along with progressive House and Senate candidates, is advocating for policies like Medicare-for-all, the abolition of ICE, the Green New Deal, a halt on weapon sales to Israel, and a $25 per hour minimum wage.
In her bid to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., Flanagan faces Republican nominee Michelle Tafoya. While the odds seem to favor Flanagan, victory isn’t guaranteed. On the other hand, Democratic Socialists like Donavan McKinney in Michigan and Chris Rabb in Pennsylvania seem poised to win their races come January, potentially representing strongholds for progressive ideologies.
FAR-LEFT INSURGENTS CHALLENGING THE DEMOCRATIC STATUS QUO IN 2026 MIDTERMS
However, if Democrats secure either the House or Senate, it likely won’t be due to votes for Kiros in Denver or Avila Chevalier in Harlem. Instead, it could hinge on victories by Democrats like Cait Conley, who might defeat Rep. Mike Lawler in New York’s Dutchess County, or Brian Poindexter, who may gain support over Rep. Max Miller in Ohio. Democrats could regain the House if Christina Bohannan resonates more with voters in Davenport than Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
Let’s return to the progressive agenda.
While Democrats might gain control of the House or Senate, candidates like Valdez and Kiros aren’t the ones who will tip the scales. It’s candidates like Poindexter and Conley who will play that crucial role. If elected, moderates from swing districts might find it challenging to back progressive proposals such as the Green New Deal or Medicare-for-all. It fundamentally comes down to numbers. To pass those policies, Democrats will need the support of moderate voters in battleground areas.
And let’s not forget about needing a solid 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a filibuster—assuming Democrats can assemble a bare majority. Plus, anything extreme that might pass in Congress would likely face a veto from President Trump.
THE BLUE WAVE APPEARS PROMISING UNTIL YOU LOOK CLOSER
It’s often said that campaigning is like poetry, while governing is more about prose.
Recently, the left has been promoting a lot of progressive ideals, claiming they could enact these policies if they win control. Yet, the likelihood of translating those ideas into law remains quite low. While such progressive themes can energize the base, many in the Democratic Party may feel disillusioned if those promises aren’t fulfilled.
We’ve seen similar patterns in the past. A political group makes grand promises during midterm elections, only to struggle to deliver later.
Back in 1994, Republicans won the House with their “Contract With America,” promising spending cuts. Yet, they managed to pass only a fraction of those proposals, with others being vetoed by President Clinton.
In 2006, House Democrats campaigned on ending the Iraq War and seized control, but the actual withdrawal took years, frustrating activists wanting immediate action.
Then in 2010, Republicans regained the House, aiming to cease spending and dismantle ObamaCare, but those efforts fell flat. Some are even still working to undo elements of ObamaCare today.
CARVILLE PREFERS REPUBLICANS KEEP THE HOUSE RATHER THAN DEMOCRATS WINNING BY FIVE SEATS UNDER DSA INFLUENCE
Everything comes down to energizing the base and then figuring out governance. What candidates claim during campaigns rarely translates directly into legislative action.
Currently, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is reportedly negotiating with candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to solidify legislative commitments ahead of a potential Speaker run. Yet, it’s uncertain if Democrats would hesitate to promote Jeffries, possibly making him the first Black House Speaker.
Should they gain control, there may be tension within the party as moderates and progressives vie for influence.
Consider a scenario where Democrats do control the House and attempt to introduce a Medicare-for-all bill. They’ll need to establish a rule to govern debate on that bill. Would moderate Democrats like Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., oppose it if she wins reelection? Earlier votes in favor of GOP measures have already sparked internal debates among Democrats. However, voting in favor of such a contentious issue might not play well in Perez’s district, complicating the push for progressive policies.
In the event Jeffries does become Speaker, his responsibilities will shift. Balancing interests across the entire caucus means that appealing solely to the left may not serve him—he’ll also need the support of moderates and those who hold the majority.
For instance, Jeffries hasn’t actively supported the Medicare-for-all initiative.
HOUSE DEMS PREPARE FOR INVESTIGATIVE ACTIONS IF THEY SECURE A MAJORITY
Jeffries has openly stated, “I haven’t co-sponsored the Medicare-for-all proposals introduced in recent years. We really need to repair our flawed healthcare system before we can build something better.” It seems to be a practical stance for a national leader. Diving headfirst into such complex issues could prove politically dangerous, especially since moderates need attention as well.
But, perhaps Democrats can find common ground on the topic of investigating the Trump administration. Jeffries has consistently expressed a desire to hold Trump’s officials accountable, criticizing both Trump’s Defense Secretary and the Attorney General, among others.
Campaigning against the Trump Administration also serves as a rallying point for Democrats, appealing even to moderate voters who might otherwise lean toward legislative initiatives.
THE TRUTH ABOUT PROGRESSIVE PROMISES
Nevertheless, it’s not a $25 an hour minimum wage. Nor is it the abolition of ICE or the Green New Deal. It’s clear that Democrats might not achieve these ambitious goals legislatively if they gain control. Those are just the realities of the situation. However, investigations could allow them to score some political points while still reflecting the existing political landscape.
