The Democratic Socialists of America are proving an old principle of politics: You can win a lot of votes by promising "free stuff" — and not worrying if you could possibly deliver.
Page A2From§Eachthe late evening edition — 1 September 2026
Vulnerable Democrats denounce socialism as five Republicans defect from anti-socialism rule, while Post warns of DSA misery
The House votes to denounce socialism, with vulnerable Democrats joining in, the rule passed for the record. Five Republicans defect from the condemnation, making the tally less than uniform. The New York Post warns that the DSA’s agenda promises misery for all, playing the ideological alarm bell. The sequence is not a debate, it’s choreography: Democrats step away from the left, Republicans step away from the rule, the press steps in to declare the stakes. The misery, according to the Post, is ideological; the misery, according to the receipts, is the gap between the votes and the rules. The ledger is not about policy, it’s about positioning: who denounces what, who defects when, and who rings the bell. The game of musical chairs ends when the music stops, and the chair is labeled “denunciation.” The receipts show the music is still playing, but the chairs keep moving.
“When Democrats denounce socialism and a handful of Republicans back away from their own anti-socialism rule, that’s not an ideological fight, it’s a game of musical chairs. The Post says misery is coming, but the misery is whoever’s left standing when the music stops.”
“It’s important to denounce socialism—Democrats are showing responsibility, and Republicans are holding the line, except for a few. The DSA agenda is obviously disastrous, and that’s not just my opinion. Did I mention some Republicans defected? Well, it’s complicated.”
The receipts
Several Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted with Republicans to adopt a resolution that formally denounces socialism and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). The move reflects increasing pressure on Democrats to respond to the successes of DSA-backed candidates in primaries around the country as Republicans…
A handful of Republicans split from their party on Tuesday, voting against a rule to allow a measure condemning socialism and the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America to reach the House floor. Among the Republicans to buck their party on the rule were Reps. Andy Harris (R-MD), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), […]
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.