Where this was said
What's Driving the Progressive Wave — And Where It Goes Next
At 44:50 · chapter starts 36:15
Jon and Dan survey the next wave of progressive primaries: Abdul El-Sayed leads the Michigan Senate race against Mallory McMorrow and Haley Stevens; DSA state rep Francesca Hong is running for Wisconsin governor; DSA candidate Melat Quiros challenges Diana DeGette in Colorado. Pfeiffer is careful not to make the electability argument against these candidates — he notes that dismissing liberal nominees as unelectable has been wrong before, and that running a smart, state-appropriate campaign matters more than ideological label. A key data point emerges: Gallup shows 66% of Democrats view socialism favorably, with men 30–44 — millennials who came of age in the Great Recession — showing the highest favorability of any cohort. [1] — Dan Pfeiffer "Dan Pfeiffer identifies three reasons the Democratic base has turned on the party establishment: anger that leadership hasn't stood up to T…" 38:15 Favreau argues the number reflects frustration with capitalism, not ideology: when people say 'socialism,' they picture Medicare for All, not abolishing prisons. Pfeiffer then distills the three forces powering anti-establishment energy: anger that Democrats failed to stand up to Trump, perception of corporate capture, and Israel-Gaza — with the Gaza issue particularly prominent in the Goldman and Chevalier races. And Favreau adds a fourth: the original sin of losing to Trump twice, after his criminal conviction and January 6th.
Dan Pfeiffer identifies three reasons the Democratic base has turned on the party establishment: anger that leadership hasn't stood up to Trump, the perception that the party is too captured by corporate interests, and the issue of Israel and Gaza. These aren't fringe concerns — they're driving primary upsets coast to coast, and the institutional party has no credible answer.
Today, north of 54% of Democrats consider themselves liberal or very liberal, up from 42% when Obama ran for reelection.
A Gallup poll showed 66% of registered Democrats have a positive view of socialism, with men aged 30–44 showing the highest favorability.
Men aged 30 to 44 — millennials — show the highest favorability toward socialism of any demographic group, outpacing even younger voters by 9 points. But Jon Favreau argues this isn't ideological: it's a verdict on capitalism. When people say 'socialism,' they picture Medicare for All — not abolishing prisons.
