by David Shephard, ©2026
(Aug. 11, 2026) — Former Democratic President John F. Kennedy believed that cutting taxes would help to stimulate the economy. His free market economic philosophy can be summed up with his line, “A rising tide lifts all boats.” Is there anyone left in the Democratic Party today who believes in cutting taxes? Bill Clinton believed that people should have to work for their welfare benefits. Does anyone in the Democratic Party believe that today? Barack Obama said that a marriage is between one man and one woman. Does anyone in the party believe that today? And Joe Biden believed that Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state. He didn’t believe that it is an “apartheid” nation or that they are committing genocide, and furthermore he supported the idea that Israel has a right to defend herself. Increasingly fewer and fewer Democrats support Israel today. I am reminded of these changes in policies and the radical shift to the left because Democrat leaders are now telling us that the Democratic Party is a big open tent, where everyone, with all kinds of different views, is allowed.
To the extent that the party is like a tent, as Chuck Schumer claims, moderate Democrats, pro-life Democrats and pro-Second Amendment Democrats have all been driven out. And it’s safe to say that many of the major views of Presidents Kennedy, Clinton, Obama and Biden would not be welcome today.
While the leadership of the party loves to talk about a big tent, in fact a small pup tent would provide more than enough room. And in that small tent you will find only progressives, who are to the left of the average American, but still believe in basic American values and capitalism; and socialists, represented by the Democratic Socialists of America, who are hostile to American values. In effect, the tent is filled with the far left and the far, far left.
Over the weekend I heard another Democrat use the term “Big Tent,” this time from Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, who put on a smiley face and proclaimed in a softball interview with ABC’s Jonathan Karl that the Democratic Party is a “Big Tent,” filled with a multitude of people with sharply differing views. This is false. Democrats don’t have or allow a multitude of views; just ask Joe Manchin, Dean Phillips, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or Kyrsten Sinema.
Why do Democrats use this term, “Big Tent,” and what do they mean by it? Well, first they want to create the impression that most of the country is with them, hence a big tent is needed.
And secondly the tent metaphor is used to paper over the differences between the two wings of the party. It implies that everyone in this tent, while having some differences, still shares the same values and that they are working together. But the big question is who will take ownership of the tent, the socialists or the progressives? I for one don’t think they can win national elections, and I don’t think this coalition can hold together. In fact, they are already at each other’s throats.
It’s ironic that Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who first ran as a pro-Israel Democrat, is embracing DSA candidates. He asserts that they are legitimate Democrats, and if elected they will be allies. I say ironic, because so many in the DSA want to get rid of the Senate – the place where Chuck Schumer works! In addition, as far as I know not a single DSA candidate or member supports Schumer’s reelection as Minority Leader or Majority Leader. For example, Michigan Senate nominee Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed has said that if he is elected to the Senate he will not vote for Schumer for Leader. And the DSA in New York will no doubt challenge him if he runs for the Senate again in 2028.
After a long career in Congress Nancy Pelosi finally decided to retire this year. Was she worried about a challenge from a DSA-backed candidate? Did that drive her decision to retire? I wouldn’t be surprised. Is Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the Democrats’ leader in the House, worried about a DSA primary opponent in 2028? Probably, or at least he should be.
Progressives and socialists can’t work together or even live peaceably under the same tent for long. This will inevitably end the same way that so many bad marriages do: in the middle of the night, the socialist will grab a pillow and suffocate the progressive.
David Shephard is a native and very proud Virginian. Raised in Fairfax County, David graduated from George Mason University and majored in Government and Politics. He spent decades in politics, campaign consulting, raising money and lobbying. He is also a longtime conservative blogger writing for numerous blogs. He is also the host of “The Virginia Gentleman Podcast.”
David is the author of Elections Have Consequences, A Cautionary Tale, and his latest book, Norton’s Choice: An Inside Politics Exposé.