Democratic moderates warn that leaning too far left in midterms sets up presidential loss in 2028

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By MEG KINNARD
Updated 4:27 PM CST, March 2, 2026

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Across the country, progressives are lighting a fire that they hope will catapult Democrats back to power in Congress this year. But here in a hotel ballroom, the party’s beleaguered moderates have another message — not so fast.

Leaders at Third Way’s conference talked over and over about how Democrats can’t swing too far left in the midterms, or when picking their next presidential nominee, if they have any hope of winning back the White House.

The title of the two-day, invite-only conference: “Winning the Middle.” And there was plenty of advice on how to do that.

Be plainspoken, not lofty or academic. Don’t live online, but be authentic on social media. Loosen up, and be patriotic without fear that something like the American flag or Pledge of Allegiance has been co-opted by conservatives.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/2026-2028-election-progressive-moderate-0a8db97aff5e49c22625c2f0d7036fcf

[Bread and Circuses]

1. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Way Too Late. We're cleaning house with great democrats !

[msongs]

2. $15 an hr min wage and affordable health care for all...oh no nt

[TexasBushwhacker]

65. Exactly - when the "right" is controlled by batshit crazy

rapists and rapist sympathizers (any person who is a victim of sex trafficking is a victim of rape, regardless of age) who will START WARS just to distract from their perverted deeds, why is it on US to "play nice"?

I'm mad as hell and I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!!

We will ALL PAY when farmers lose their farms because of Trump's tariffs.

We will ALL PAY when gas prices go up because of TRUMP'S WAR.

We will ALL PAY when military members DIE in Trump's war.

We will ALL PAY when the national debt skyrockets because of TRUMP'S WARS.

His first term was terrible, but his 2nd has been CATASTROPHIC!!!

[Bettie]

74. Billionaires won't pay

but, as you said, the rest of us will.

They are all into socialism when it means that the masses pay for things, they just don't want to contribute anything. I mean, they are willing to give Billions to that orange creature, but not willing to pay taxes.

[gab13by13]

3. Pitting Moderates v Progressives is what brings us down

How about we nominate fighters?

[creon]

14. I agree

WQe do not need a blue on blue.

The emeny is that way son ----->

There is plenty of ammunitrion for firing for effect at the enmy

[JHB]

111. Don't be fooled by their self-description. These are not moderates

These are the people who helped erode the Democratic brand. They're the people who spend 10 times more energy squelching "the Left" than they do making any sort of pushback against Republican radicalism.

[Safe as Milk]

4. We've been here before.

Moderate Dems are corporatists in Teslas. IMO. Not interested.

[creeksneakers2]

22. We've lost before because progressives wouldn't help

And ended up with terrible consequences.

[LuvLoogie]

56. We lose because the party fails to maintain and update

its coalition. It throws various parts of it under the bus. Many of it's members vote to gut due process, increase citizen surveillance, and place our means of communication and information under control of nihilist tech CEOs.

Days, weeks, months go by before they even consider adressing arising issues that affect constituents in the wild. Corporate Dems blame progressives for losing, but 3rd way keep voting for compromises that GOPs favor. They're like Susan Collins in donkey drag voicing moderate concern, but always going with the corporate donor position.

[Bettie]

61. Well said....especially this bit:

"They're like Susan Collins in donkey drag voicing moderate concern, but always going with the corporate donor position."

Absolutely correct.

[creeksneakers2]

77. Not correct at all

Which side is against the Obamacare cuts? Which side is questioning ICE? Etc, etc, etc. Trump is working on being able to steal the next election and installing Fascism forever and you guys push lies that help him.

[creeksneakers2]

76. Nope

There are a small number who do but we've been on the right side all the time. Its the people who make dishonest attacks on Dems that help corporate world. In 2000 the GOP circulated Ralph Nader's nominating petition on PA. Did you know that?

[LuvLoogie]

86. 12 Senators and 34 House members is not a small number. What we have now is what YOU wanted

https://truthout.org/articles/aoc-private-prisons-and-politicians-will-profit-from-laken-riley-act/

There are pregnant minors imprisoned in these for -profit prisons, separated from their families without access to lawyers or well-being checks. The DNC wouldn't even give Palestinian Americans/immigrants a speaking roll at our convention. Centering corporate wishes, while giving lip service to justice, might drag you into the shit that your pawns already experience, but your losing their support while you undermine justice for all and fund their demise while blaming them is some empire-level double speak. That the most disenfranchised among us somehow fuck up your committee chairmanships.

[creeksneakers2]

89. I don't see the evidence of financial conflicts of interest

in your truthout article. The Laken Riley Act provided for incarceration of illegal immigrants who commit crimes. Pretty risky to vote against. I don't know what you think I wanted or what you say we have now.

[mike_c]

69. we lose when moderate democratic leadership tells us to vote for them...

...rather than working to earn our support. Don't campaign as the lesser evil.

[creeksneakers2]

84. By working to earn your support

you must mean agreeing with you instead of the majority of the party. We have a two party system so it has to be about lesser evil. Do you want the greater evil?

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. There is no middle between Democracy and Fascism

Centrism is an imaginary, performative construct for politicians without spines or values.

[creon]

17. First things first

First you gain offoce.

The mooto must be

"up men! and at 'em! They won't stand!

The, in office, you devise legislation that actually solve problems.

And put away labels.

Remember that social security was first passed was minimal.

[choie]

6. Third Way??are you serious?

Why the fuck should we listen to these neo liberal, keep things the way they are, m diocrities?

[johnnyplankton]

7. Fuck the Third Way

We lose because we won't deliver on "radical" ideas like universal healthcare. That and a completely corrupted corporate media.

[creeksneakers2]

23. Nope

We lost our majorities in Congress after trying to pass Hillary care. And after Obamacare we lost 63 seats in the House and 7 seat in the Senate. They tried to pass single payer health care in liberal Oregon in 2002. It lost 78.5% to 21.5%. What we got took great sacrifice and its a terrible idea to squander it on pipedreams. Please help out with trying to stop Fascism. It would be a big victory if we could get back what we had a year ago.

[mike_c]

70. this illustrates the worst instincts of political moderates

"Just get us back to the way it was before" is a pitiful objective that moderate democratic leadership would call total victory. My gawd.

[creeksneakers2]

75. Its not an instinct

Its reality. Face it.

[Skittles]

116. THANK YOU

repukes consistently do things that truly ARE outrageous but the best we can hope for is to "get back to where we were before"

[creeksneakers2]

118. Lets try to do that first.

[Skittles]

120. WE DO THAT CONSTANTLY

Dems ROUTINELY waste their first years of power cleaning up repuke mess - then guess what? REPUKES GET TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

[questionseverything]

112. I think the seats we lost after Obama care were lost because we didn't provide the promised public option

[creeksneakers2]

119. Don't know what makes you think that.

[NH Ethylene]

30. Better to seek to restore funding for Obamacare.

Many moderates can support that while balking at anything more. One step at a time. We need to get back into power and then go slowly with healthcare improvements.

[intheflow]

59. I think when we get back in power

we need to move very quickly, while the wounds this regime inflicted are still fresh. Healthcare, yes, but also expand the SCOTUS and launch treason investigations into Trump and all his sycophants. Then give the death penalty to the m-fers convicted. I’m not in favor of the death penalty in most cases, but in treason this egregious, it’s the only thing that will discourage this level of corruption from the right. They only understand violent consequences.

[Deuxcents]

8. We've been muzzled too long. The sure way to a loss is not taking a stand against these middle of the road ideas

[creeksneakers2]

25. That idea will get us beat again.

Most voters are not radical.

[Deuxcents]

31. Our forefathers were radical. Is wanting our kids healthy

With a quality education, affordable wages, housing, healthcare, clean air n water and an economy that’s fair for everyone radical? Is fixing our aging infrastructure radical? Is having a platform for the betterment of future generations radical? Making promises that are impossible to keep to stay in the middle of the road is not a winning strategy. Jmo 🌺

[creeksneakers2]

33. Those things are fine

If you want to push single payer, defund the police etc we'll lose. What do you mean by fair for everyone? If its socialism it won't fly.

[travelingthrulife]

64. We lose because of the corrupted media. That phrase, 'defund the police' was

developed to make us lose.

[creeksneakers2]

78. It started on our side.

There were some good ideas there and they should have thought of a name for it that wasn't so shocking.

[betsuni]

87. No, activists used the slogan during George Floyd protests. This is easy to look up.

[LovelyStuff]

9. Third Way?

These guys are still back in the 1990s!

[NewHendoLib]

10. I fucking hate this moderate bullshit. Cowards, one and all.

[Prairie Gates]

11. This is an opinion piece masquerading as a news article

What's the news here? Some people have an opinion?

Garbage.

[Bettie]

63. They had a meeting....

they must be serious people!

[Marie Marie]

12. Oh here we go again...

[Skittles]

13. WHY is it only Dems who have to "mitigate"

you NEVER see repukes getting these "warnings"

[creeksneakers2]

26. They'll lose because they are extreme.

[NH Ethylene]

32. But they didn't lose last time.

They play dirty and use scare tactics and hot-button social issues.

We need to start off more moderate to WIN. And then lead public opinion - over time - to the point where they support the stances that are now considered to be far left.

[creeksneakers2]

35. They hid who they were last time.

They were about halting a flood of illegal immigration, not unleashing gangs of thugs into our cities. I agree that after we stop Fascism we can have a debate about the next step. But first we have to restore what has been destroyed. Then, if we can afford it, look at doing more.

[Skittles]

43. MAGAts have NEVER hidden who they are

WE knew this fascist shit would happen....and I for one am SICK of Dems having to waste YEARS cleaning up repuke messes, only for repukes to HIT THE GROUND RUNNING when they get back into power because our mainstream media COMPLETELY fails us.

[creeksneakers2]

81. People on our side refuse to help too

We would have won 2000, 2016, and probably others if they had helped. Polls showed we got lower turn out in 2024 because some were convinced Dems weren't trying to stop Trump, a bogus message progressives are still spreading.

[Skittles]

91. and THAT is in part because of the MEDIA

Dems always have to do twice as good to be considered half as good and guess what - THAT AFFECTS VOTING

[creeksneakers2]

100. We would get more votes if progressives would work with us instead of against us.

[Bettie]

73. Correct....we're supposed to always "move toward the center" , but

the center is now where "far right" used to be and the current version of "far right" is in sociopath/psychopath territory, but somehow, we're supposed to move toward that because the loudest, most obnoxious (mostly) white men are there.

That's what we always get: "Do what the loudest white men want!"

[creeksneakers2]

83. Not true.

[Nictuku]

15. Fuck the Third Way

That is All.

[Oneironaut]

16. And, don't forget to let your inner-bigot shine! Trash Minorities, proclaim your love of Christian Nationalism, and,

scold the "Far-Left" for being big meanies to Trump.

Or, we could have a spine?

[NH Ethylene]

34. Not necessary.

Show the people what honor is, what patriotism is, what compassion is. They need to be wooed, not yanked.

[mike_c]

71. woo us with leadership by example...

...rather than self-serving marching orders. I want genuine progressive improvement, not just a return to 2024. What are those moderate democrats doing to impede Trump today, and what progressive goals have they demonstrated leadership toward for tomorrow? Lead by example, like the progressive coalition.

[moonshinegnomie]

18. the right had their tea party around 2010

the dems need their version now to replace th o ld guard with young fighters ready to get in th egutter and fight the fascists instead of sending strongly worded notes .

[creeksneakers2]

27. What should we do?

We are fighting. Its damn hard.

[somsai]

95. The Tea Party had no ideology other than bring on younger Republicans

Mostly Americans for Prosperity funded. Every time I hear Democrats align themselves or quote from Koch or CATO I think Democrats have lost large portions of the electorate.

[3Hotdogs]

19. What? Ya don't like the job Chuckie Schumer is doing?

[Terry_M]

20. Terrible arricle headline

The headline says dont go left but if you read the article content the advice is spot on - be more plain, talk more simply, dont just assume trolling Trump is gonna win you elections. Actually come up with an economic message that the common person will understand. Those things are all important and correct.

[C Moon]

21. I can see that being true, because we've seen it time and time again...

the public forgets WAY to quickly.

When the Democratic party gains control again, they need to start charging and seeing those who are now breaking our laws are sentenced and pay for their crimes. No more let's heal and move on. It doesn't work with the gop.

[SSJVegeta]

24. I think we should listen to them

Because every time Democrats listen to moderates, it always works out well for them.

[creeksneakers2]

28. Yes

Like with Bill Clinton.

[Buzz cook]

37. Clinton was my favorite but

Lots of where he failed was because he listened to moderates.
NAFTA was an attempt to appease moderate republicans and conservative democrats.
Ending Glass Steagall was a gift to moderates.
But worst was media consolidation. We may never recover from that.

[creeksneakers2]

38. But he held off the conservatives for eight years.

[intheflow]

60. No he didn't.

He was president when Newt Gingrich launched the contract on America and kicked millions off of welfare. Clinton started the bombing campaign against Iraq which gave Bush “bipartisan” support for invading them. And they impeached him for having consensual sex with an adult. Obama was a way better leader for his 8 years.

[creeksneakers2]

79. Look what happened after he left.

[pecosbob]

29. So what you want is more Democrats that will vote both for war and for tax cuts for the rich? I think not

[NH Ethylene]

36. Those came with the Trump package.

People don't necessarily approve of them (in fact I've seen some hard-line Trumpers grow cool to Trump in the last couple of days over the Iran war). And remember Luigi Mangione? Right after he killed the insurance CEO, everybody was cheering him (while saying murder was wrong, of course, but . . . ) However, the minute Trump condemned the killing, the MAGAs switched their sentiments in true, follow-the-leader fashion. With the right kind of presentation, taxing the rich could become a popular Democratic stance that would not alienate anyone as being too far left. Similarly, stop the war in the Middle East may very well be quite a popular message by November.

[pcdb]

98. I think he's arguing don't be on the wrong side of 80/20 issues.

Which makes sense.

[usonian]

39. Theoretical bullshit. Let's get some real data.

Long story short. Bernie and AOC are generating enough excitement to break through the propaganda wall.

Only a REVOLUTIONARY Democratic party will win, because the maga servants of the rich think they are part of a revolution.
Against an Emmanuel Goldstein kind of enemy who exists in Fox Fiction.

A grassroots revolution is needed for the party to win.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/13244015

The Democratic Party needs to be REVOLUTIONARY, not reactionary. That is how we win. PERIOD.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=420478

[creeksneakers2]

82. Where is your evidence?

Because Bernie lost.

[Buddyzbuddy]

40. We need fighters with spines, not

go along to get along, capitulating, compromisers ready to run Republican light.

[yaesu]

41. BS. nt

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

42. How is opposing Trump too far left?

Nearly everyone agrees we shouldn't be in Iran.

Nearly everyone agrees his tax cuts mostly favor the rich. Even if the taxes of the poor and middle class are cut, we're paying more for healthcare, food and fuel so they won't make a difference.

[flvegan]

44. Every election we get these marching orders. n/t

[Miguelito Loveless]

45. The billionaire backed Vichy Democratic plan

to maintain fascist rule.

[Ponietz]

46. Billionaires always jump from their sinking ship to push a right leaning Dem

It happens every time.

[Javaman]

47. the flailing of a dying class of politicians. nt

[Vinca]

48. Democrats do this every election cycle and, over the decades, have moved to the right, then

more to the right. Haven't they learned yet that Republicans will vote for real Republicans and not right-leaning Democrats? They'd be better off embracing the left of center Democrats rather than abandoning them. It seems younger voters, in particular, are itching for change as opposed to the same old politics.

[QueerDuck]

49. 🍿🙄

[Kid Berwyn]

50. Truly shitty idea.

Lookit the analysis of the 2024 debacle, if we could.

[everyonematters]

51. I disagree with both.

Push progressive economic policies and deemphasize social issues except for abortion - Bernie Sanders.

[harun]

52. They need to run on and govern as Trumpism is not the right direction.

Clearly stating Trump is not a Conservative, he is a Right Wing Populist.

Running and governing on Left Wing Populism is the way.

Health care
Capped lending rates at 15% max (credit cards, etc.)
Only Congress can declare war
Violent ice agents are not the answer to immigration

[CousinIT]

53. Don't they always?

They need to stop playing this old game.

[orangecrush]

54. JHFC

[Lovie777]

55. RWers are sure up in arms about future elections..............

constant divisions thrust upon the "big tent" Democratic Party is always the RW conclusion that Democrats can't get along. In most elections, we can work together and when that happens we win. 2025 was a good year for Democrats, midterm 2026 will also be in favor for us.

But alas, the pro-dictator republican party got tons of money and corporate media is pro-propaganda. They hate democracy and they hate the US as well as her citizens.

[Chasstev365]

57. BULL SHIT!

Talk about not reading the mood of the public!

[OC375]

58. Labeling

That’s what sucks the air out of the room. Run a good straight forward platform and people will respond.

[mackdaddy]

62. Being MAGA Lite has worked so well for us...

Bullshit.

[Scubamatt]

66. When the public . . .

is given a choice between voting for Republicans versus Republicans-lite, they will always vote for Republicans. Why don't we FIGHT for things that matter to most Americans, like living wage, affordable healthcare, access to reproductive health, letting people live their lives, and governmental accountability - and leave the labels for the pundits and talk show hosts. Fight for the issues - really fight - and we will win.

[moonshinegnomie]

67. i live in texas. the demecrates are still trying the old failed ways

they havent wont anything in 30 years and yet the party leaders are still trying to do things the way they used to do them,at least my local party is. several ket member recently quit in disgust at the continuing of teh losing ways. there are rumors that a new democratic organization is starting up,one that is geard more toward progressives then stuck in the mud moderates

[the_liberal_grandpa]

68. I know one thing

Moderate dems will not get a single dollar from me in donations.

Win or lose, its time to stop corporate democrats from stopping progress in our country

[durablend]

72. "Blah blah blah more look forward not backward" shit

[UpInArms]

80. get my smelling salts, i shall faint!

why would we want healthcare for all, food and education for the children, living wages and a healthy economy that works for all, not just the billionaires

[synni]

85. Moderate? Do you mean, the professional campaign losers?

I have no desire to listen to anything these people say. I'm tired of them turning potential victories into defeats.

[betsuni]

88. People should stop trying to make Third Way happen. It's conferences by boring people that nobody cares about

and I only see anybody trying to make it into some kind of threat here. Is the big threat being bored to death? Just a chance to say "neoliberal" as an meaningless insult and insinuate the majority of the Democratic Party are out to neoliberal everybody with speeches? To get people not to vote Democratic it has to be scary, not boring!

[Queso Delicioso]

90. Ugh, these people again.

[thought crime]

92. What a snore-fest. Anyone still whining about the forgotten middle is fast asleep.

Sorry but if you're not with us, you're just part of the problem.

[eppur_se_muova]

93. We'll never know how popular "more liberal" is because corpoDems are too scared to try it.

Third Way ? No way, no thanks !

[Emile]

94. Purity Tests to see who is the most centrist.

Instead of going after the MYTHICAL CROSS OVER VOTES, what are they doing to prevent Trump from disrupting the upcoming midterms?

[regnaD kciN]

96. "Thirtieth verse, same as the first"...

[I_UndergroundPanther]

97. No more

Corporate half Republican “Dems” go left and go left more!

[AZLD4Candidate]

99. And it begins. . ."democratic party moderates" who fence sit tell us to not be an alternative to the GOP's

bullshit and to be tepid centrists or else we will face the wrath of fascists and xenophobes.

[Walleye]

101. Don't understand what they mean by swinging too far left

now defending the constitution and the bill of rights is swinging too far left. If the Democratic Party doesn’t stand up for the rights of the oppressed people in this country, who will?

[NoRethugFriends]

102. Fuck 'em

[SalamanderSleeps]

103. Third Way "It's good to be the kings best friend." eom

[Raven123]

104. Why not wait until the results of the midterms before making such claim?

Also, If a “moderate” can present an agenda with the clarity of the progressives, I would appreciate it.

[DJ Synikus Makisimus]

105. After 35 years of working together with their friends across the aisle,

the Clinton liberals are terrified at their self-made obsolescence. They want you to be "reasonable." Uh-huh. Because that's worked out so well.

Turns out that backing Reaganite economics and asking Republicans' permission to pass legislation isn't a resounding success. Who'da thunk?

Don't let the lid hit you in the ass as you descend into the dustbin of history, Third Way.

[Ponietz]

106. The billionaires make the Republican Party toxic then switch over to support the farthest right Democrat

The right-leaning Democrat maintains we should look forward and move on. Rinse and repeat. They’ve run this scheme for 50 years. Right on cue, ‘moderate’ concern trolls show up to tamp down Democratic enthusiasm and expectations.

[questionseverything]

107. Exactly....good example of why AIPAC funds both repubs and some democrats

No matter which side wins, they have some control

[Ponietz]

109. I'd say they have us by the throat, almost literally,

since their speech, i.e. money, drowns all other voices in the political arena. If I’m a congressperson taking money from 10 or 15 PACs their opinions are the ONLY ones I care about. I’ll let them frame the topics and dominate the debate through media ownership and micro targeted propaganda.

[BlueKota]

108. If the argument is that Democrats lost in 2024 because

Progressives refused to vote, isn't advising that their input should be minimized counterproductive? Instead of trying to achieve compromise with a Republicon party that has made it clear they only want their way or the highway, try crafting a deal between moderate and progressive Democrats. I don't know for sure, but I don't think no matter what strategy Democrats use, if there are enough moderate Republicans willing to vote for any Democrat, moderate or progressive to win. Finding ways to unite our base and get us all excited to vote seems in my opinion a better option. Plus I disagree that pointing out what a train wreck tsf has caused is a loosing strategy. People are pissed and let down. Use that righteous anger to drive voters to the polls. Scare tactics work. Tsf won because he made people fear and despise Democrats. It's time the Democrats wake up and make people realize the real villains are the Republicons.

Do a commercial that asks viewers if their underage daughter was raped, do they really want to force her to carry her rapist's baby? Do they really want her only option to be a coat hanger back alley abortion to end it? What if the mental health strain makes their daughter suicidal. Doesn't her life matter?

All I saw in my area from Democrats were policy wonk ads, talking about bipartisanship, and how they could represent everyone's interests, and a very meek message that tsf didn't care about them. Not ads that warned how dangerous tsf was to the Constitution, Women's Rights, Children. The thing is we wouldn't even be lying like the Republicons were about us. Making it clear how truly the fucking psychopath right wingers are dangerous for the country, would work to get Democrats elected in my view.

[GiqueCee]

110. I thought this 3rd Way bunch...

... had been discredited. What changed?

[Red Mountain]

113. meh......

let's risk it.

[Tetrachloride]

114. I am more dark blue than light blue

on my key issues

[SonOfNebanaube]

115. Third way?

Isn't that the fascists running their mouth? Plenty of Republicans would support Bernie Sanders. Democratic Socialism is the same as FDR. It's the Yin-Yang that regulates Capitalism while Unregulated Capitalism is just Organized Crime.

[LeftInTX]

117. Well, I wanted her, but everyone was like, "We need a white, electable Christian male"

Carry on....bash centrists, but I supported Jasmine because she's a fighter. I'm gonna miss her in congress.

Don't look at me....

And in another district, there is a crazy one who everyone is supporting. She doesn't have a chance of winning in November. She doesn't believe in campaigning. Didn't campaign. Doesn't talk to voters, but she doesn't take money from Israel, because well, Israel has never heard of her. So, the Democrats are supporting her because of Gaza. This is in a red district.

We also have a former incarcerated cop, jailed on corruption who's newest motto is "fuck the police".
(I don't think she's gonna win her run off) But this chick is mean and evil and is about as nice as "Ilsa She Wolf of the SS" but "fuck the police. Fuck ICE" and "I'm fighting against the injustices against me" got her alot of votes.

[Blasphemer]

121. This is the reason I just accepted a job outside the U.S.

The system is broken beyond repair and “our” side doesn't get that.