Squad style progressives hit with 'cold shower' as candidates fall to moderates in blue state Civil War
A trio of progressive Democrats backed by members of "The Squad" suffered blistering rebukes on Tuesday as Illinois voters rejected them in favor of more moderate candidates, prompting questions from...
By Fox News · Fox News
A trio of progressive Democrats backed by members of "The Squad" suffered blistering rebukes on Tuesday as Illinois voters rejected them in favor of more moderate candidates, prompting questions from onlookers about whether the party’s core, and momentum, should be entrusted to the far-left wing of its base. To James Carville, a longtime Democratic strategist, the answer has been "no" for a long time. Talking to Fox News Digital in response to several progressive candidates losing in Tuesday's Democratic primary in deep blue Illinois, he questioned the narrative that Squad-aligned progressives are gaining momentum. "What momentum? About 15% of the Democratic Party identifies themselves as progressive. And what's unique, they win about 15% in the primaries at most," Carville said. "This was something I've dealt with all my life." "In New York, [Zohran] Mamdami got 50.5% — which is not overwhelming. That's hardly the basis for some national movement," Carville said, referring to the socialist mayor of New York City. AIPAC-BACKED CHICAGO DEMOCRAT LOSES PRIMARY DESPITE OUTSIDE SPENDING BLITZ The progressive losses all came despite high-profile support from some of the most progressive figures in Congress. Kat Abughazaleh, the 26-year-old Palestinian American running on an anti-establishment platform and promises to implement a "wealth tax," attracted support from the likes of Rep. Rashida Talib, D-Mich., and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn, but lost on Tuesday. Defeated technology entrepreneur Junaid Ahmed told voters he would push for the self-determination of Gaza and implement healthcare for all, earning the support of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y., Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. And Robert Peters, a state senator who raised $1.1 million on his track record of helping to end cash bail and raising the minimum wage at the state level, garnered backing from Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt, and Warren, but lost his bid for Congress to Cook…