This is another dodge.

I did not say progressives are centrists. I said Rehmet won as a progressive Democrat, inside the party, which is evidence for improving the party from within.

It is certainly not evidence that Democrats should stop pushing back against a left that attacks basically everyone to the right of dem-socs.

Even Mamdani undercuts your point.

He’s an actual dem-soc, but even he has tried to build a broad coalition, not just declare war on everyone to his right (despite getting called a bootlicker for his approach). He got support from progressives within the party and, after proving himself electable, eventually some more mainstream Democrats endorsed him too. And I hope he stays popular and his policies work, so support for progressive policies grows from there.

But Mamdani's process highlights exactly my issue with leftists who attack everything to the right of dem-socs. Mamdani is doing politics - even going so far to have friendly meetings/calls with Trump. Too many other leftists would rather practice the type of purity politics that only shrinks their ability to influence reality, then complain that dems are the ones who need to "do something."

With friends like these...