Big Tent Theory Tested

Everybody, not just some of us, sometimes, everybody.

For years, when progressives lose a primary, they have been told that they must come together with Democratic moderates, centrists, and conservatives in the party and support moderates/centrists in general elections.

With very few exceptions, they have and continue to do so.

Similarly, when congressional centrists and moderates ask progressives for support of an incremental piece of legislation in Congress even though it does not functionally help very much, but is a good step, they oblige, without fail.

I personally witnessed the progressive caucus fight very hard for a stronger Build Back Better bill in 2021 that included immigration and child care supports that would have prevented a good deal of the trauma we have today and were asked by moderates to accept a watered-down bill. Indeed, progressives compromised for the greater good.

When progressives ask centrists for support in Congress on legislation that involves getting money out of politics, universal healthcare, expanding SCOTUS or ending foreign war support, it is a big fat “no.” Every time. Specifically, any congressional member in the centrist New Dem caucus.

After primary elections, progressives join the centrist coalition to ensure unity.

Examples are Bernie Sanders supported Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden after losing in primaries.

AOC supported Kamala Harris over other potential progressive rivals to ensure there was not a messy primary. Ultimately, a primary would have been much better in 2024, but would have been very hard to do. Regardless, when asked to support a centrist, AOC did to demonstrate Democrats have a big tent and unity.

The list of progressives helping centrist and moderates at the congressional seat and senate level is long.

Example: When California senate progressive candidates were asked to get behind the centrist Dem primary winner in 2024, Adam Schiff, they did. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee supported him in the general election right away.

While some progressives/progressive populists and democratic socialists grouse a bit, they do get in line and support legislation, movements, general election candidates and campaigns when it is important to show unity.

Centrists frequently do not.

When progressives ask moderates, conservatives and centrists in the Dem party to unite, it is a big fat “no.”

It has to be a two-way street, folks.

We cannot have a “big tent” when only one part of the tent commits to unity and the other does not.

In the last few months, I’ve seen James Carville, Senator John Fetterman and Congressman Tom Suozzi have temper tantrums on live TV over the “left wing” calling progressives and Democratic Socialists silly names like “extremists” and “socialists.”

Carville says he will leave the party:

Fetterman’s tantrum outlined here:https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/fetterman-leave-democrats-israel

Congressman Tom Suozzi went so far as to put together a group of 13 centrist (not a whole 13 members of Congress in a body of 435 people, huge group!) to reprimand all progressives for having differing opinions, having the temerity to listen to constituents with different needs and asking for stronger solutions. How dare they?

Suozzi’s rant here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/us/politics/moderate-democrats-capitalist-socialism.html

Just this morning, I saw former Tea Party Republican turned Democrat post this declaration, which effectively says, “Yes, I’m okay with losing the senate to Republicans if it means I can punish a progressive for not wanting to fund a foreign war.”

Now, when progressives are asking for centrist support, it is mixed at best.

However, good news this week: Haley Stevens in Michigan, immediately supported Abdul El-Sayed after she lost on Tuesday. And at least an endorsement from Governor Whitmer. Good start!

However, now party leaders must show and fight on the team on the ground with Abdul. Talking to Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Gretchen Whitmer and a long list of others.

Remember in 2025, when Mayor Mamdani in New York won (with a coalition of progressives, rank-and-file Dems, independents and moderate republicans), he was snubbed by centrists and conservative elected leaders in his own state, namely, Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer, Congressman Jeffries and Congressman Torres of New York. These NY leaders still are not supportive.

So apparently, it is fine when centrists refuse to be in the “big tent”, but if progressives dare not play the unity game - we are ostracized and eliminated.

Examples are: Former congress members Jamaal Bowmen, Cori bush, Andy Levin and many more.

My point is, Congresswoman Haley Stevens is demonstrating unity, grace and doing the right thing to prevent Republicans from remaining in the majority. I hope other centrists follow her lead.

And, to be clear, it is healthy to criticize and voice opinions of all parts of the party. Constructive critique is a good thing.

However, formally punishing candidates and legislation efforts because a group does not “like” your policies and feels “that part” of the party should be excluded from elections, and policymaking is wrong.

Let’s all hope the centrists and moderates stop with the temper tantrums and get on the unity bus, for the greater good.

Thanks and have a great weekend,

M

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