Blue Review

Progressivism isn't selling like it used to:

Several Democrats have left the Congressional Progressive Caucus, with some leaving due to a rift over the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. One of the most high-profile departures came when Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) confirmed he was no longer in the caucus and shied away from calling himself a progressive when speaking with NBC News this month. “I consider myself an Arizona member of Congress who works across the aisle with everybody,” Gallego told the outlet when asked if he still considers himself a progressive. “I work for Arizonans,” he added. “And sometimes that makes me cross a lot of political spectrums.” Gallego, who is running against Republican Kari Lake in the race for an Arizona senate seat, claimed he let his membership to the caucus lapse because members “increased their dues tremendously,” adding that he works for his constituents. Arizona has traditionally leaned Republican but has recently given Democrats hope with the return of a strict abortion ban from 1864. The Senate race is expected to be one of the tightest races in November. He was widely seen as the “progressive” challenger to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), who holds the seat and was a Democrat until December 2022. Now that Sinema has announced she is not seeking reelection and his only opponent in November will be a Republican, he has shied from the label. A wave of progressive Democrats were elected in the House in 2018, labeled the “Squad.” The group was led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

They need a new label...