How Democratic Socialists Are Wrestling With Their Next Moves

After notching primary victories, D.S.A. members in Chicago debated whether socialist candidates should be free to distance themselves from goals like abolishing prisons as they chase more seats this fall. When a leader of the Democratic Socialists of America recently appeared on “Fox News Sunday” and enthusiastically affirmed the group’s platform — including goals such as eliminating the U.S. Senate and working toward abolishing prisons — Democratic strategists wrung their hands and Republicans licked their lips. Acknowledging such aims, both parties predicted, could hinder progressive candidates and other Democrats painted with an extremist brush in the midterm elections. At the...