Joe Battenfeld: Socialists threaten to lead Democrats off the cliff

Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald on Oct 31, 2026

Published in Op Eds

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Radical socialists are threatening to lead the Democratic Party into ruin and potentially turn an expected blue wave into an eventual red nightmare.

The Democrats’ midterm celebration could be short-lived as they realize the party has lurched so far to the left to make their 2028 candidates unelectable.

There is a real danger that post-midterms the manic left led by proven loser Bernie Sanders takes the party off the cliff.

Will there be a backlash if Democrats are emboldened by the midterms and victories in places like ultra liberal New York City, and become so focused on destroying President Donald Trump that they appear too radical for most of America?

Just as the Democrats hope to take over Congress next year, socialist left winger Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is their frontrunner for president — and likely loser in a general election.

In blue Massachusetts, look at Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who has gone all-in with the radical fringe.

Pressley and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu — socialists in all but name — are leading the charge for the party. Left wing extremists in Massachusetts are already talking about putting a billionaires’ wealth tax on the ballot in two years, similar to Proposition 40 in California. Just what Taxachusetts needs.

Both Pressley and Wu are also fighting hard against Question 3, which would make them much more vulnerable to challenges from within the party.

Pressley is expected to seek Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s seat if she retires and Wu could be a Senate or House candidate or even on the Democratic ticket in 2028.

Q3 would create “jungle” all-party primaries in federal and state elections where the top two finishers get on the general election ballot — no matter what party they’re from.

It would be a disaster for Republican candidates, who would never make the final ballot, and for Democratic incumbents like Pressley who have their eyes on bigger things.

That’s why Pressley is inventing ridiculous charges that only rich billionaires would be able to win. It’s her behind that she’s worried about.

For now, Pressley is among those in the Democratic Party who are leading party leaders down the potential black hole.

Socialists may be able to win in Somerville and Cambridge and maybe statewide here in loony left Massachusetts someday, but not in moderate middle America.

Ocasio-Cortez is sending clear signals she’s ready to run for president and right now is leading in early, unreliable polling. But it’s enough to make socialists emboldened enough to think they can someday win the White House.

What could possibly go wrong?

That’s a dangerous place for the party to be coming out of the midterms where Democrats are likely to at least take over the House and possibly the Senate.

If Democrats led by the far left get caught up in trying to destroy Trump, it could quickly dampen their victory.

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