OPINION

The Democratic Party is moving further left, and it’s starting to show in ways that should make voters pay attention. Democrats used to keep socialism at arm’s length. Now, many are embracing it. Polls reveal that more Democrats say socialism is “great” while capitalism, the very system that built this country, is being trashed as “bad.” That shift isn’t just a talking point—it’s changing who gets power inside the party.

CNN analyst Harry Enten recently admitted it’s no surprise Governor Kathy Hochul backed a socialist like Zohran Mamdani. Democrats no longer treat socialism as fringe. They celebrate it. And Hochul, a so-called centrist, clearly decided it was smarter to join the trend than fight it. (MORE NEWS: London: 100K Rally-Goers Unite Against Mass Immigration)

Enten says, “The net popularity of socialism is up 29 pts since 2010 with Dems. Capitalism, however, has a net negative rating with Dems. This should leave the GOP/Trump salivating as socialism remains unpopular overall.”

Re: Mamdani/Hochul, Dems see socialism as five letter word: “great”.

The net popularity of socialism is up 29 pts since 2010 with Dems. Capitalism, however, has a net negative rating with Dems.

This should leave the GOP/Trump salivating as socialism remains unpopular overall. pic.twitter.com/9txWvJQVuJ

— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) September 16, 2025

Hochul’s Gamble on Mamdani

In the middle of New York City politics, Hochul decided to throw her weight behind Mamdani, a proud democratic socialist, for mayor. On the surface, it looked like a strange move. Hochul isn’t exactly running around calling herself a socialist. But her endorsement tells the story of where Democrats are heading.

Rents are out of control, people feel crushed by debt, and Democrats want voters to believe socialism is the answer. By siding with Mamdani, Hochul tried to look in touch with the progressive base that has been growing louder every year. She wanted their energy on her side. She wanted to prove she wasn’t out of step.

President Trump was shocked at Hochul’s endorsement:

The Refusal That Exposed Her Weakness

Here’s the kicker: Mamdani announced he would not endorse Hochul for her 2026 re-election campaign. For someone who just received the governor’s backing, you’d think he might return the favor. Instead, he made it clear he wasn’t going to tie himself to her. (MORE NEWS: Charlie Kirk: A Patriot Remembered, A Legacy Unbroken)

That left Hochul looking weak. She took the risk of backing a socialist in hopes of winning points with progressives. But when it came time for him to stand with her, he didn’t. It proves what conservatives have said for years: trying to appease the radical left never works. They’re not interested in building bridges with moderates. They’re interested in pulling the party further to the left, no matter who gets trampled along the way.

The subject came up on Fox’s The Five and here was the reaction from Kennedy:

HOCHUL ENDORSES MAMDANI BUT HE DOESN’T ENDORSE HER BACK@KennedyNation : “Kathy Hochul is so bad with her political instincts” pic.twitter.com/HAa9ggOZbS

— The Five (@TheFive) September 17, 2025

What This Means for Democrats

This little drama shows how fractured the Democratic Party has become. Hochul wanted to bridge the gap between the establishment and the socialists. Instead, she ended up looking weak. She lost credibility with moderates, and she still didn’t win over the progressives.

Meanwhile, Mamdani comes out looking strong to his base. He looks “authentic” because he refuses to cozy up to party insiders. That’s the new standard for Democrats: prove you’re independent from the establishment, even if it means throwing your own governor and state party head under the bus.

A Party Pulled to the Left

The rise of socialist politics isn’t about Mamdani alone. It’s part of a bigger trend. Democrats are sprinting to the left because they think that’s what younger voters want. They promise free programs, government takeovers, and redistribution schemes as if those will magically fix the economy.

But let’s be honest—New York is already a test case for these ideas. High taxes, crime waves, and endless regulations are driving people and businesses out of the state. If socialism is the answer, why are so many families fleeing to Florida, Texas, and other red states that actually value capitalism and freedom?

The Voter Backlash Waiting to Happen

There’s a lesson here for voters across the country. Hochul thought she was being clever by endorsing a socialist. Instead, she got exposed. And Mamdani showed that socialists don’t want to share power with moderates. They want to replace them.

For Democrats, this is a warning sign. If the party keeps running toward socialism, it risks alienating the very Americans who still believe in hard work, free markets, and individual liberty. Those people may not get the media attention, but they are still the backbone of the country. And they are paying attention.

The Conservative Takeaway

The Hochul-Mamdani feud is proof that the Democratic Party is being eaten alive from the inside. Socialists aren’t content to be part of the coalition—they want to run it. Hochul thought she could keep them close and use their energy. Instead, she ended up being used herself.

That’s the reality of today’s Democratic Party. Moderates get pushed aside. Socialists get the spotlight. And voters are left to deal with the fallout: higher taxes, failed policies, and leaders who care more about ideology than results.

Final Word

Ultimately, Hochul’s gamble backfired. By endorsing Mamdani, she revealed just how desperate establishment Democrats are to keep up with the radical left. Mamdani’s refusal to back her only confirms that socialism is no longer a side note in the Democratic Party—it’s becoming the main act.

The good news is voters have a choice. They can look at New York, see the mess created by left-wing policies, and decide they don’t want the same future for the rest of America. Conservatives must keep pointing out these failures, because if Democrats continue down this path, the country will pay the price.

Cut through the noise. Drown out the spin. Deliver the truth.

At The Modern Memo, we’re not here to soften the blow — we’re here to land it. The media plays defense for the powerful. We don’t.

If you’re done with censorship, half-truths, and gaslighting headlines, pass this on. Expose the stories they bury.

This isn’t just news — it’s a fight for reality. And it doesn’t work without you.