Pelosi Opposes ‘Democratic Socialists’ Challenging Dem Incumbents
Retiring former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is definitely liberal on virtually every domestic policy issue, but she’s not a fan of her party’s rising left-wing ‘democratic socialist’ wing.
And she said as much earlier this month after Democratic Socialists of America candidates managed to knock off incumbent Democrats in several primaries in recent weeks.
Speaking at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival, Pelosi said this is not a good year for the DSA insurgency as her party angles to win back control of at least the House in the midterms.
“Well, let us again define our terms. I was not for candidates coming in and running against our incumbents because we needed to win the House. In other words, weighing the equities,” she said, noting that the goal is to win back power.
“No – I wasn’t happy about people saying, ‘Let’s spend a whole lot of money challenging Democrats,'” she said.
“You want to do that? Do that, but don’t think that that’s something that is good for this year,” she added.
“Do it a year when we have the luxury of having the majority, but not when we’re trying to–you can’t gain by losing.”
Pelosi continued, “Can’t lose your members. The idea is that there will be those who will be out there to just take down the incumbents when this is our year to honor the Constitution of the United States.
“I’m not for that. You run any time you want. Do whatever you want to do,” she went on.
“But don’t expect that to be welcome when we’ve got to stay completely focused on saving the Constitution,” Pelosi said, falsely suggesting that the nation’s founding document is at risk under President Donald Trump and the GOP majority.
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But that said, it’s possible that Pelosi’s brand of Democrat politics is waning.
About one-third of Democrats and Democratic-leaning adults identify as democratic socialists, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS.
The survey found that while these voters remain among the Democratic Party’s most loyal supporters, many also favor significant changes within the party as democratic socialist candidates continue to gain momentum in elections.
Following New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s victory over Andrew Cuomo last year, several candidates identifying as democratic socialists have won Democratic nominations in U.S. House races, including successful primary challenges against incumbent Reps. Adriano Espaillat of New York and Diana DeGette of Colorado.
Upcoming primary elections will help determine whether that momentum can extend beyond traditionally Democratic areas.
Recent polling in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, for example, found democratic socialist Francesca Hong leading the field in the closely watched battleground state.
Democratic socialists are about as likely as other Democratic-leaning Americans to believe the Democratic Party needs either a complete overhaul or major reforms.
However, they are more likely to view changes in the party’s leadership and the nomination of younger candidates as positive developments, CNN said.
The poll also found that democratic socialists are nearly twice as likely as other Democratic-leaning adults to support moving the Democratic Party further to the left on policy issues, the survey noted.
As far as who makes up the socialist-leaning members of the party, CNN said the survey found they:
Tend to be younger (59% are younger than 45, compared to 46% of non-democratic socialists aligned with the Democratic Party) and are more likely to be White (57% to 49)
Are less likely to have a college degree (66% to 54%) and more likely to earn less than $100,000 a year (76% to 65%)
Are more likely to say they are extremely motivated to vote this year (66% of those who are registered voters say so, compared to 57% for non-democratic socialists)
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
