Now comes the real test for democratic socialists

So far this year, primary elections, be they Democratic or Republican, draw a 26 percent voter turnout. That’s a problem for both parties. By definition, that 26 percent is composed mostly of hardcore true believers who vote like the philosophical envelope is never pushed far enough.

Democratic primary voters can enthusiastically rally to a candidate who wants to abolish the local and state police departments and do away with international borders. Conversely, Republican primary voters look for candidates who would abolish most social safety net programs and prosecute doctors who perform an abortion. 

Thus, the two shall never meet. And therein lies the problem. When primary winners chosen by these diametrically opposed voters get to Washington, they have absolutely nothing in common. Not only do they have nothing in common; they also understand that looking for common ground and compromising with that other primary winner is a ticket to defeat.  

So, getting primary voters in both parties to vote for reasonable candidates could go a long way towards solving America’s governing problem. But primary voters in both parties have acted like the primary is all that matters.

News flash to right-wing Republicans and left-wing liberals: You do not get to make public policy by winning the primary. You must follow that with victory in the general election. 

When Democratic Socialists of America come down from their sugar high of New York City primary victories,........

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