Sen Chris Murphy defends Democrats’ ‘big tent’ as party battles with rise of socialism

Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy defended the Democratic Party’s increasingly broad coalition on Sunday, arguing that it should remain a “big tent party” as candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) continue to gain ground in primary elections.

Murphy made the remarks during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where he was asked about several candidates backed by DSA who won Democratic primary races in New York City last week. Murphy argued that it is reasonable for different regions of the country to nominate different kinds of candidates.

“I want us to be a big tent party,” he said. “I’ve been saying this for years. I think that it’s actually a sign of a party that is alive and growing when there’s a contest of ideas inside the party.”

Although Murphy said he does not identify as a democratic socialist, he argued that Democrats have historically been “way too timid” in confronting corporate power. He said the party should embrace “bigger ideas,” pointing to his support for a $25 minimum wage and calling for policies that address “the way in which corporations and billionaires are taking over and corrupting our politics.”

“I do think that there is somewhat of a trend that candidates who are confronting concentrated corporate power in a meaningful way are winning, and I think that that is something the Democratic Party should pay attention to,” Murphy said.

When asked about how over two-thirds of democrats now view socialism more positively than capitalism, and if socialism should be embraced over capitalism, Murphy responded, “No.” However, he stipulated that the country’s current version of capitalism “hasn’t worked,” citing the fact that some families have trouble paying bills while Elon Musk has become a trillionaire. He then embraced the concept of so-called “common-good capitalism.”

“Democrats are not gonna win by defending this version of capitalism. But I think we’ll be able to offer ideas on how to dramatically inform it rather than throwing out the entire system,” he said.

Last Tuesday, Darieliza Avila-Chevalier was one of several DSA candidates who won their Democratic primary in New York City. Her nomination drew sharp criticism from both the right and the left over the fact that she has advocated for abolishing US borders as well as police and prisons, and the seizure of private property. She has also joked about using the American flag as a napkin to wipe her fingers, condemned black and arab men for engaging in interracial relationships with white women, and once referred to Joe Biden as a rapist. 

When asked if Murphy’s ideas of a “bigger tent” included someone like this, Murphy downplayed Chevalier’s past behavior, saying the Democratic Party’s defense of incrementalism hasn't worked and he doesn’t mind a “contest of ideas.”