"The View" co-host Joy Behar defended democratic socialism Wednesday, arguing that programs including Social Security and public services such as fire departments, ambulance services and garbage collection are examples of the political ideology at work, as the panel discussed the growing influence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his allies."I’m not scared of the term," Behar said during the ABC daytime show after the panel debated the victories of three congressional candidates endorsed by Mamdani in New York’s Democratic primaries."Social Security is a democratic socialism," Behar said."Partly unemployment insurance is.
The people who pick up your garbage, the people who take the fire out of your house.All of these are democratic socialism."Joy Behar defended democratic socialism on "The View," saying she was "not scared" of the term while pointing to Social Security, unemployment insurance and public services.
(Lou Rocco/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.via Getty Images)'PARTY OF ZOHRAN': MAMDANI EMERGES AS DEMOCRATIC KINGMAKER AFTER SOCIALIST ALLIES SWEEP NYC PRIMARIESThe discussion came one day after all three New York congressional candidates backed by Mamdani prevailed in Democratic primary contests, further cementing the democratic socialist mayor's influence over New York's progressive wing and prompting renewed debate about the direction of the Democratic Party.Behar argued that many Americans already benefit from government-funded programs and should not fear the label.
She added that New Yorkers aren't afraid of democratic socialism, and compared it to government first responders. "If I fall down, I want an ambulance," she said."If my house is on fire, bring your hose.
You know what I mean?"Behar also suggested Republicans have turned the phrase into a political weapon.Alyssa Farah Griffin pushed back on "The View," warning that Mamdani-backed Democratic primary winners could hurt the party’s chances of taking back the House.(ABC...