Liberal Democrats celebrate election wins before 2024: ‘Progressive’ is not a bad word

Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s recent win over centrist Democrat Paul Vallas is being celebrated by the left wing of the Democratic Party. The win for the progressives comes after a series of policy defeats under President Joe Biden.

Biden has been trying to appeal to voters across the political spectrum by adopting centrist positions on issues such as crime, energy, and immigration, as he prepares to run for re-election in 2024. However, this has caused a strain in his relationship with the left-wing members of his party.

One Democratic strategist has encouraged the party to embrace the term “progressive” in light of Johnson’s win. She believes that progressive policies are no longer considered radical, as shown by the victories of candidates who ran on platforms of pro-choice and anti-corporate policies. She argues that when Democrats lead with their values and call out extremism, they do well.

The strategist sees similarities between Biden’s position of “economic populism,” which includes proposals such as taxing billionaires and taking on big corporations and technology firms, and the positions of more liberal Democrats. However, the president has disappointed some on the left with his positions on issues such as the ConocoPhillips project in Alaska and the possibility of detaining migrant families.

The strategist argues that the term “progressive” should not be feared by Democrats and that the party should continue to align with progressive values.

Johnson’s win over more established Democratic candidate Paul Vallas along with Wisconsin Justice-elect Janet Protasiewicz’s electoral win on an abortion access-driven platform are a positive indicator for progressive Democrats. However, the White House has had a less enthusiastic response to the recent electoral victories.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre believes that funding the police and giving law enforcement the resources they need for effective policing is vital. She also pointed out that Johnson was supported by the city’s powerful teachers’ unions and that his victory is a testament to their organizing power.

Biden’s decision to approve ConocoPhillips’s Willow public lands oil drilling project in Alaska has been criticized by environmentalists as it contradicts his promise to avoid giving the green light to such ventures. However, experts believe that the move to increase oil production is necessary as OPEC+ announced its plans to reduce crude production.

Former South Carolina GOP Rep. Bob Inglis, now a climate policy advocate, pointed out that the focus should be on transitioning to clean energy while understanding that fossil fuels are still required for some time. He believes that permitting reform and getting the world on board through a border adjustment are two crucial components to expand on Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.