El-Sayed is not a Democratic Socialist. He was not endorsed by the Democratic Socialists. And I think Democratic Socialist encompasses a spectrum of policy positions. For example, Bernie Sanders calls himself a Democratic Socialist but is not formally connected to the party. I think Democratic Socialism, as defined by the party leaders, is extreme. Part of the smear of El-Sayed is that commentators always link his name with the DS party. He has declared openly and countless times that he is a progressive and a capitalist https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-new-yorker-interview/abdul-el-sayeds-argument-for-america-and-against-his-own-party.

I wrote the blog to show that his policies, progressive policies, are favored by the majority of people in this country. However, these policies, as listed in my charts, are not favored by a privileged establishment (both media and political figures)--so they characterize him as extreme, as a Democratic Socialist. Say it enough times and it becomes "true". Everyone believes it.

I just heard the link again this morning. Someone referred to Sayed on the news, and then referred to Democratic Socialism. The person didn't call El-Sayed a Democratic Socialist, but the linkage was clear. It is also deliberately inaccurate.

I would just like people to be able to make up their own minds about what they actually want and not have media characterizations mold their opinions.

Thanks for the comment. I'm going to look up the Twin Cities. Wasn't aware of the political shift there.