Oh, this is absolutely delicious. Wisconsin Democrat Francesca Hong just got publicly rejected by the godfather of American socialism himself, and the political world cannot stop laughing.
Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator who practically invented the modern democratic socialist brand, was asked point blank on the Pod Save America podcast whether he would back Hong's gubernatorial campaign. His answer? A brutally blunt "I don't think so." Ouch. As Conservative Brief reported, Sanders called Hong "very, very nice" but confessed he wasn't really paying attention to the Wisconsin contest at all. He said his focus was squarely on congressional races that could challenge President Trump. Translation: not worth his time.
Here's where it gets really juicy. Hong is actually leading the Democratic primary field heading into Tuesday's vote. She's a state legislator and former professional chef who should, on paper, be exactly the kind of progressive firebrand that Bernie loves. But apparently even Sanders can smell electoral disaster from 900 miles away.
And honestly, who can blame him? Hong has been absolutely drowning in self-inflicted controversies. A deleted 2020 social media post surfaced where she wrote that Thanksgiving should have been canceled back in 1621. When pressed about it on Monday, she told CNN that the holiday is "incredibly painful for many people." Then, just two days later, she flipped the script entirely and told Politico that Thanksgiving is actually her "favorite" holiday. Pick a lane, Francesca!
Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, the likely GOP nominee for governor, is already having a field day highlighting Hong's history of trashing popular holidays, including both Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day. Because nothing wins over heartland voters quite like attacking turkey dinners and chocolate boxes.
Then there's the whole defund and abolish the police situation. Hong previously championed that cause but tried to walk it back during a recent debate, suddenly talking about being "sensible and practical." Classic progressive playbook: go radical for the base, then scramble toward the center when regular voters start paying attention.
Sanders isn't the only Democrat keeping his distance either. Outgoing Governor Tony Evers endorsed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley back in July and went even further this week, telling the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Hong would probably lose to Tiffany in November. When your own party's sitting governor says you're toast, that's a five alarm fire.
Hong's campaign has gotten some love from Our Revolution Wisconsin, which is ironically an affiliate of the national organization that Sanders himself founded. But that organizational support clearly doesn't come with a personal stamp of approval from the old man.
The broader pattern here is impossible to ignore. Progressive insurgents keep winning primaries by energizing activist bases, only to face plant spectacularly in general elections. Moderate Democrats have spent millions trying to prevent exactly this scenario. In Wisconsin, though, the establishment isn't even bothering to spend big against Hong. They're just quietly stepping aside and letting gravity do its thing.
When you're too far left for Bernie Sanders, you might want to reconsider your entire political brand.
Like what you see? Then sign up for our Free Newsletter
