In a landscape reminiscent of a classic 1950s Hollywood comedy duo, Senator Bernie Sanders plays the role of the grumpy, old-fashioned straight man, while Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez embodies the young, vibrant comedian, always ready to engage with the public through social media platforms like TikTok. Recently, they embarked on a national tour that has drawn tens of thousands to their events, even making a stop in Las Vegas where they insisted that attendees don COVID masks.
With the 2026 midterm elections still over 19 months away, one has to wonder: why are two well-established Democrats, whose political positions seem secure, investing millions of dollars and countless hours into this touring spectacle? The answer lies not in a simple political strategy against Donald Trump, but rather in their attempt to grapple with a more pressing internal crisis. While they want the public to believe that the real threat is Trump potentially winning a second term, the truth is that America is increasingly distancing itself from their brand of far-left progressivism.
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are not merely focused on opposing Trump; they aim to maintain ideological control over a Democratic Party that is currently experiencing significant unpopularity. Following Kamala Harris’s notable defeat in the recent elections, many have pointed to the party's embrace of wokeness as a critical factor in their struggles. Issues ranging from gender identity in sports to open borders have faced backlash from voters, leading to a widespread rejection of policies championed by the far-left.
Enter Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, who are now on their whimsically named "Fighting Oligarchy" tour. Critics point out the irony in their efforts, given that both politicians have accepted substantial donations from figures like George Soros. Their performances often revolve around familiar themes, such as the claim that Trump is undermining Democratic norms or that Elon Musk is misusing funds, but the more revealing comments come from Ocasio-Cortez herself.
In a recent speech in Arizona, she stated, "This isn’t just about Republicans; we need a Democratic Party that fights harder for us." She urged supporters to back Democratic candidates who genuinely advocate for the working class. However, this message appears to be falling flat, especially as the Democratic Socialists of America, the group that helped launch Ocasio-Cortez's career, recently protested in New York, demanding that Chuck Schumer step down for his political decisions.
Since 2008, the Democratic Party has shifted significantly leftward, moving from the moderate policies of Bill Clinton to the more progressive agenda of Barack Obama. This transformation has led to a widespread perception among the electorate that the party's core tenets of wokeism are increasingly disconnected from mainstream values. As Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez continue their push for controversial policies like the Green New Deal and immigration reforms, a faction of centrist Democrats is emerging, seeking to reclaim the party's moderate roots.
Figures like Rep. Ritchie Torres from New York, Sen. John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, and Andrew Cuomo, a candidate for New York City mayor, are positioning themselves as alternatives to the far-left ideologies that Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez champion. Even notable personalities like Bill Maher are distancing themselves from the duo, emphasizing that the current tactics of shouting "THIS ISN’T NORMAL!!!" are ineffective.
The ongoing tour by Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez may very well be seen as a final hurrah for socialism within the Democratic Party and American politics at large. Voters have given the party of Obama ample opportunities to prove itself, yet they now find themselves in a nation marked by illegal immigration, a soaring cost of living, and what many perceive as a decline in national pride. As the Democrats navigate these turbulent waters, it becomes clear that the party’s past strategies may need to evolve to regain the trust and support of the American electorate.
