Today's Poll Question: Will democratic socialism be the future of the Democratic party?

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Get ready to vote on today's daily poll question at smerconish.com.

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But first, Michael explains it for you, right here.

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Welcome to The Smerconish Podcast from SiriusXM.

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For Independent Minds.

**Michael Smerconish** (0:14)
Hello, hello, hello. Today is Monday, it's the 22nd of June, 2026 The poll question, will Democratic Socialism be the future of the Democratic Party? I'm not asking should, I'm asking will.
I was drawn to ask this question because I saw Harry Enten on CNN deliver a segment in which he went over the favorability ratings among Democrats of socialism and capitalism. In 2010, they were deadlocked. 50% favorability rating for socialism, 51% for capitalism. Those numbers today, capitalism is viewed favorably by only 42% of Democrats. Socialism is viewed favorably by 66% of Democrats. So there's been significant growth in the approval by Democrats of socialism. First, how about that Team USA? How about that Friday victory against Australian? Without Christian Polisic winning 2-0, guaranteeing that they get to the knockout round. And I am loving some of the reporting on what's going on around the country, all in a sort of a mingling theme.
For example, do you know that ranch dressing has become so popular among our visitors? International visitors now have the TSA issuing warnings not to pack full size bottles in carry-on luggage. Love that. The Scottish fans in Boston, you've read about them. All in their kilts, drinking so much Boston beer that local bars are running out. Europeans and others posting pictures on social media following the wonders of such must-sees as Walmart, Costco, Bucky's, not to mention exotic experiences like a 1am breakfast at Waffle House and numerous dipping sauces at Chick-fil-A and a shooting range at Bass Pro Shops. I'm loving it. A record 27.5 million viewers watched Team USA's opening game. I'm not sure how many watched on Friday, but that was more than the decisive game five of the NBA Finals. That puts it in perspective, right?

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The Daily Poll Question at smerconish.com.

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A non-scientific social political question designed to spark broader discussions about current issues.

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Get ready to cast your ballot and leave a rating and review of this podcast on your favorite podcast app.

**Michael Smerconish** (4:13)
The Monday Poll Question, will Democratic Socialism be the future of the Democratic Party? Harry Enten called it one of the most stunning trends that he's seen in covering politics over the last 15 years. I get a kick out of Harry. Good personality, great data cruncher. Here are the numbers. Two and three Democrats now have a favorable view of Socialism. Two and three. In 2010, it was roughly half. Meanwhile, favorable views of Capitalism among Democrats have collapsed from 51% now down to 42 So Capitalism hasn't just lost ground in the Democratic Party, it's really fallen through the floor.
If you think that shift of opinion is just some abstract, you know, one-off kind of thing, people answering poll questions, no, it's showing up on ballots, right? In primaries, in the personalities now leading the Democratic Party.
The Democratic Socialists of America, get used to hearing this acronym, DSA, they're having a breakout cycle. They're involved in 133 races this year, they've already won 14 of them, 91 still pending, one of the biggest wins I talked about here in my backyard in Philadelphia, Chris Rabb, sitting state representative, self-identified Democratic Socialist, won a Democratic primary in the Pennsylvania 3rd Congressional District. And this is the part that really stings me. There is no Republican candidate. So he will be elected, there will be a new Democratic Socialist in the United States Congress. And it means that Independents and Republicans never got a say in who their representative would be. That's my case for open primaries. That's just egregious. You've got New York about to hold Congressional primaries. The DSA has two candidates running for House seats, one targeting a district in Brooklyn and Queens, the other challenging a Democratic incumbent in Northern Manhattan. How about Washington? A Democratic Socialist named Janiece Lewis George. Now the front runner to become the next mayor in the nation's capital. So think about it. New York City, Washington, DC., possibly LA., all governed by Democratic Socialists simultaneously.