Wisconsin Democrats emerged from a bruising primary with the more moderate David Crowley as the party’s nominee for governor. Crowley narrowly beat the more radical, DSA-affiliated candidate, Francesca Hong. Their challenge now is positioning Crowley as both reasonable, electable, moderate Democrat…and the champion of the left who can win over Hong’s base. To adapt a phrase, they need a Compassionate Communist.
In another era, George W. Bush popularized the term “compassionate conservatism” as he sought the GOP nomination for president in 2000. It was a play for the middle, for the suburban, independent vote. Bush positioned himself as mainline conservative to the GOP base: lower taxes, accountability, free markets, limited government. But added the “compassionate” part…not entirely anti-government…I care about people as much as the Democrats.
This is exactly the needle that Crowley is trying to thread. Liberal enough for young, radical left base, loyal to Hong. Those are voters that believe in positions like abolish ICE and de-fund the police. From each according to his ability, to each according to his need. That’s where the Democrat base is. The other big chunk of the Democrat electorate is the older establishment wing. While not avowedly socialist, and not thrilled with Hong and the DSA platform, they back many of the same policies, just cloaked in more moderate tone.
Certainly, establishment Wisconsin Dems want ICE reform. They want higher taxes and more powerful unions and government control. But they want it to sound better, more appealing to the political middle. They want to make their radical-left ideology sound more caring. The solution as we approach general election season is compassionate communism.
