Staff Reports
Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have taken their “Fighting Oligarchy Tour” on the road, targeting deep-red states and conservative enclaves in a sweeping effort to rally support for their far-left agenda. From Utah to Idaho and even Bakersfield, California—a conservative stronghold in a blue state—the duo has drawn large crowds. But let’s not confuse turnout with conversion. These events are packed with the usual progressive faithful, not a sudden groundswell of conservative converts. The spectacle is more about energizing the base than winning over new hearts and minds.
Despite the media’s attempts to paint these rallies as evidence of a political sea change, the reality is that Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are preaching to the choir. Their message—railing against “billionaires,” “oligarchy,” and “dark money”—is nothing new. It’s the same tired rhetoric that’s been repackaged for years, now delivered with even more urgency as they try to regain relevance in a country that has largely rejected their brand of socialism. Conservative critics are right to point out the hypocrisy of millionaire politicians decrying wealth and privilege while enjoying all the perks of the elite.
Meanwhile, their tour is heavy on grievances and light on solutions. Calls for government-run healthcare, higher minimum wages, and more spending ignore the economic realities that conservative Americans know all too well: these policies have led to inflation, higher taxes, and a shrinking middle class wherever they’ve been tried. In Bakersfield, local Republican leaders didn’t mince words, calling out the “out-of-town socialists” for using the Central Valley as a backdrop for political theater while ignoring the real needs of working families. The crowd sizes may impress, but the substance behind the slogans is sorely lacking.
Amid this progressive roadshow, a new and unexpected figure is making waves—Stephen A. Smith, the outspoken sports commentator. Smith’s willingness to criticize both parties and his outsider status have drawn comparisons to Donald Trump’s early political days. Unlike Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, Smith isn’t beholden to the political establishment or the donor class. His candid critiques of the Democratic Party’s failures and his refusal to toe the line on “woke” culture have resonated with Americans tired of the same recycled talking points. Smith’s potential run is a breath of fresh air in a political landscape dominated by career politicians and empty promises.
Ultimately, while Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez may enjoy their moment in the spotlight, their tour is unlikely to move the needle in conservative America. The real appetite is for authenticity, common sense, and leaders who understand the concerns of everyday citizens, not more virtue signaling from the political elite. As Smith’s rise shows, Americans are hungry for someone willing to challenge the status quo and speak plain truth to power. The left’s traveling circus may draw crowds, but it’s the outsider voices—unafraid to call out both sides—that are capturing the public’s imagination and pointing the way toward real change.
