Bonus: Competitive in Places You Might Not Expect
Summary
Slate Plus examines the Democratic Socialists of America’s recent electoral surge, featuring DSA NYC co-chair Grace Mauser. They discuss the organization’s structure, its strategy of running in Democratic primaries, and how it balances radical platform goals with pragmatic governance. The conversation covers campaign tactics, membership demographics, and mechanisms for managing tensions between activists and elected officials.
Topics discussed
Introduction: DSA's recent electoral successes
What is the DSA organizationally?
DSA's relationship with the Democratic Party
Legislative priorities vs. platform rhetoric
Defining democratic socialism and membership
DSA campaign strategy and volunteer empowerment
Membership demographics and class composition
Navigating compromise and governing in power
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