Former President Barack Obama has urged Democrats to welcome socialists as part of the party’s broader coalition, emphasizing the importance of avoiding ideological “litmus tests” on its members.
Speaking on the “Pod Save America” podcast Thursday—a conversation posted to YouTube on Friday—Obama acknowledged the growing diversity within the party and the need to embrace varied viewpoints. His remarks followed the projected victory of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, who was elected mayor of New York City earlier in the week.
Mamdani, running on a progressive platform, proposed policies including raising taxes on corporations and wealthy residents, implementing rent freezes, offering free public buses, and establishing city-owned grocery stores and free childcare. He was expected to win by a significant margin, signaling a rising socialist influence in local politics.
“Tuesday was nice, but we’ve got a lot of work to do. And your task is going to be not to impose litmus tests,” Obama said during the podcast. “We had [Democratic Virginia Gov.-elect] Abigail Spanberger win and we had Zohran Mamdani win and they are all part of a vision for the future. Our job is to say that we want everybody engaged.”
Obama added that Democrats should focus on uniting diverse perspectives within the party instead of drawing rigid ideological lines.
“And we want to have a conversation about how to make sure that every person in this country is treated with dignity and respect, and there are ladders of opportunity, and that there’s the possibility of community,” he explained. “And that we’re getting along not in some cliché, phonied way, but in a genuine, deep way where we recognize, yeah, we have differences, and yes, there are fights that are going to have to be fought, but that deep down there is something core in us that we have in common that is extraordinary.”
Obama’s comments come at a critical time as the Democratic Party continues to debate how far left its policies should lean. Mamdani’s platform and decisive win represent a growing socialist presence in local and state politics, a movement bolstered by notable figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Public opinion among Democratic voters reflects this shift. A Gallup poll released on September 8 found that only 42% of Democrats viewed capitalism positively, while 66% expressed a favorable view of socialism. These statistics underscore an ongoing generational and ideological divide within the party regarding economic and political priorities.
However, some political analysts warn that embracing socialism broadly could have national consequences. On September 9, NewsNation political contributor Chris Cillizza expressed concerns on his YouTube channel, stating, “I guess it’s not terribly surprising, but I do think if I am a Democrat who wants to win the 2028 election, that would worry me candidly because socialism broadly will not sell.”
Cillizza added, “You can call it democratic socialism. You can call it whatever you want. But the idea of socialism will not sell in the country.”
Despite differing opinions, other party leaders have echoed Obama’s call for unity. Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin emphasized the importance of inclusion across ideological lines.
“We have lots of people in that tent from all of the different ideological wings, from conservative Democrats to centrists, to progressives, to these new leftists,” Martin said. “And the reality is I’ve always said that you win through addition, not subtraction. You don’t win by pushing people out of your coalition, you win by bringing people into your coalition.”
Obama’s remarks highlight the ongoing tension within the Democratic Party over balancing its progressive and moderate factions. They also underscore the challenge of appealing to a national electorate divided on issues of economic policy and government expansion. As the party moves forward, fostering dialogue and inclusivity may prove key to bridging these divides.
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/11/obama-urges-democrats-to-embrace-socialism-after-nyc-election-win-watch/