In this episode of Between the Left and a Hard Place, Dean Charles delivers a direct message to Democratic politicians: it’s time to denounce socialism and separate from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Dean argues that failing to take a strong stance on socialism will be used against Democrats in the upcoming elections, with Republicans already branding them all as socialists. He emphasizes that figures like Zohran Mamdani, who’s leading the New York mayoral race, represent the DSA’s radical agenda, and without a clear rejection of these ideas, Democrats risk losing support in crucial swing districts.

Dean highlights the growing divide within the Democratic Party, where moderate voices are remaining silent or failing to denounce socialism. He also critiques the DSA’s platform, warning that its policies—such as defunding the police and promoting open borders—are out of touch with the majority of Americans. The episode explores how the left's ideological shift is causing a rise in right-wing populism and why moderate Democrats must return to pragmatic policies to regain the middle ground.

In This Episode:

• [00:00:00] Introduction: The Democratic Party’s internal divide

• [00:01:00] Zohran Mamdani’s rise and the impact on the Democratic Party

• [00:02:00] Moderates avoiding the socialism debate

• [00:03:00] Republicans using socialism as their attack mantra

• [00:04:00] The potential impact of Mamdani's policies on New York

• [00:05:00] The dangers of the DSA platform

• [00:06:00] The dark money influence and growing socialist movement

• [00:07:00] Sweden’s capitalist success vs. misconceptions about socialism

• [00:08:00] Fascism vs. socialism: Why the middle will choose fascism

• [00:09:00] Accusations against moderate Democrats like Alyssa Slatkin

• [00:10:00] The left needs to focus on winning the middle ground

• [00:11:00] Citizens United and the growing influence of money in politics

• [00:12:00] Term limits and the need for reform

• [00:13:00] Regulations to protect the public from corporate greed

• [00:14:00] Democrats must reject socialism to stay relevant

• [00:15:00] The failure of social media companies to address division

• [00:16:00] The impact of Citizens United on future elections

• [00:17:00] Moderate Democrats must act now to denounce socialism

Notable Quotes:

• [02:32] “If you can’t get on the right side of the 80/20 issues, you have no chance of winning.” — Dean Charles

• [04:25] “Charlie Kirk told the youth that they have value, that their lives mean something. That’s why he won them over.” — Dean Charles

• [06:00] “Socialism is not the answer. If you endorse Zohran Mamdani, you’re a socialist, plain and simple.” — Dean Charles

• [07:15] “Free stuff doesn’t solve anything. The reality of paying for it just doesn’t add up.” — Dean Charles

• [09:40] “The left needs to reject the far-left ideologies and return to common-sense policies if they want to stay relevant.” — Dean Charles

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In this episode, Dean Charles takes a hard look at the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) within the Democratic Party. He argues that these factions are incompatible, and it’s time for the Democratic Party to separate from socialism to regain support from the center-left and moderate voters. Dean reflects on his experience defending Democrats during his Las Vegas radio days, only to find himself questioning the party’s direction as more and more leaders endorse socialist policies. He critiques key Democratic figures like Elizabeth Warren and Kathy Hochul for supporting socialist candidates like Zohran Mamdani, while a few brave Democrats, such as Congressman Tom Suozzi, have openly rejected the DSA’s influence.

Dean touches on the core issue of the Democratic Party's failure to align with the views of the majority of Americans, especially on “80/20 issues”—those where public opinion is overwhelmingly on one side. He highlights contentious topics like transgender athletes in women’s sports, DEI programs, and open borders as areas where the party is out of touch with the majority of voters. Dean also discusses how Charlie Kirk, despite being a conservative, has captured the attention of disillusioned youth by offering them a sense of value and purpose, something that the left has failed to do.

The episode ends with a strong call to action for Democrats to return to pragmatic, center-left policies if they hope to remain relevant and win future elections. Dean emphasizes that unless the party denounces socialism and takes a clear stance on key issues, they risk losing even more voters.

In this Episode:

• [00:00:00] Introduction: The divide within the Democratic Party

• [00:01:00] The growing influence of Democratic Socialists in the party

• [00:02:15] Bill Maher and the debate over the Democratic Socialists’ place in the party

• [00:03:00] The role of Charlie Kirk in bringing the youth vote to Republicans

• [00:04:00] Democrats losing the 80/20 issues: transgender athletes in women’s sports

• [00:05:00] Why Democrats need to reject socialism: Charlie Kirk’s impact on the youth

• [00:06:00] The dangers of open borders and free healthcare for all

• [00:07:00] The Democratic Socialists’ radical platform: defunding the police, abolishing prisons

• [00:08:00] The importance of pragmatism and realism in politics

• [00:09:00] Key moments from Bill Maher and Joe Manchin discussing the state of the party

• [00:10:00] The 80/20 issues and how the Democratic Party is losing touch

• [00:11:00] The importance of addressing issues like immigration with common sense

• [00:12:00] Conclusion: The need for the Democratic Party to change or face electoral defeat

Notable Quotes

• [02:32] "Do you understand why you lost the last election? It’s because what the Democrats were offering was so bad, people went with Trump." — Dean Charles

• [04:25] "Charlie Kirk told the youth that they have value, that their lives mean something. That’s why he won them over." — Dean Charles

• [05:00] "If you can't get on the right side of the 80/20 issues, you have no chance of winning." — Dean Charles

• [07:15] "Free stuff doesn’t solve anything. The reality of paying for it just doesn’t add up." — Dean Charles

• [08:52] "Socialism is not the answer. If you endorse Zohran Mamdani, you’re a socialist, plain and simple." — Dean Charles

• [10:00] "The left needs to reject the far-left ideologies and return to common-sense policies if they want to stay relevant." — Dean Charles

• [11:40] "Democrats can’t ignore the majority. You need to appeal to the people in the middle if you want to win." — Dean Charles

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In this episode, Dean Charles addresses the tragic and difficult-to-understand assassination of Charlie Kirk. As a center-left Democrat, Dean reflects on his own experiences with political violence, drawing comparisons to the assassinations of figures like JFK, Martin Luther King Jr., and RFK. He grapples with the shock and horror of Kirk's death, acknowledging the influence he had, especially among young conservatives.

Dean dives into the role social media plays in fueling extremism, acknowledging that while it’s not the sole cause of such tragedies, it has undoubtedly amplified the vitriol and division in society. He also points out that while Congress has done little to address the dangers of social media and AI, they did take action on TikTok due to national security concerns. This episode raises important questions about the effectiveness of current political discourse and the role of platforms that encourage extreme behavior.

He reflects on Charlie Kirk’s life and legacy, noting his pragmatic approach to politics and his efforts to inspire the youth through his faith and practical advice. Dean calls for more leaders who can offer solutions, bridging divides and promoting common sense, as Kirk did. Dean also stresses the importance of safety and opportunity, with a focus on the need for practical, bipartisan conversations to prevent such violence in the future.

In This Episode:

• [00:00] Introduction to the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk

• [01:00] Reflecting on past political assassinations and their impact

• [02:15] Social media’s role in fueling extremism and division

• [03:00] Congress' response to social media and AI concerns

• [04:00] The TikTok debate: Chinese influence and national security

• [05:30] The Pandora’s box of the internet and AI regulation

• [06:30] Charlie Kirk’s influence and legacy: A pragmatic voice

• [08:00] The need for common sense leadership and solutions

• [09:15] Dean's call for bipartisan conversations and safety for all

• [10:30] The importance of finding common ground in today’s politics

• [11:30] Reflection on past experiences with political discourse and finding agreement

• [12:00] Conclusion: A call for safety, opportunity, and pragmatic leadership

Notable Quotes

• [02:15] "The role of social media is undeniable. It's not the sole cause, but it plays a huge part in amplifying extreme views." — Dean Charles

• [05:00] "We’re not ready for what AI could unleash on the world, and Congress isn’t doing a thing about it." — Dean Charles

• [07:30] "Charlie Kirk wasn’t just about politics; he was about inspiring young people to take responsibility for their lives and futures." — Dean Charles

• [09:45] "We need common-sense leadership—people who will step up and bring solutions, not division." — Dean Charles

• [11:00] "Safety and opportunity—that’s what people want. Right now, nobody feels safe. That’s the real crisis." — Dean Charles

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