{"id":2652313,"date":"2026-08-31T12:56:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T16:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dsa-struggles-when-pressed-on-policies-joe-concha\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T12:57:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T16:57:00","slug":"dsa-struggles-when-pressed-on-policies-joe-concha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dsa-struggles-when-pressed-on-policies-joe-concha\/","title":{"rendered":"DSA struggles when pressed on policies: Joe Concha"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdsa-struggles-when-pressed-on-policies-joe-concha%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2652313&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have been criticized for their lack of preparedness when discussing their stances on various issues during televised appearances, according too Joe Concha of the Washington Examiner. Concha highlighted that DSA members often struggle to explain how their proposals, such as abolishing police, prisons, the presidency, and defunding the Department of Defense, would be financed. An interview with axios revealed that a strategist advised the DSA to align more with prominent figures like AOC and Bernie Sanders to grow their organization,rather than engaging in controversial debates about abolishing institutions and praising figures like Fidel castro. concha pointed out inconsistencies,such as Megan Romer\u2019s vague responses about taxing the rich and Abdul el Sayed\u2019s controversial statements and associations,including with streamer Hasan Piker,who has made anti-Semitic comments. El Sayed, despite endorsements from some prominent progressives, has tried distancing himself from Piker\u2019s controversial remarks, although Concha criticized this disconnect. the article portrays the DSA as struggling with clear messaging andlashed with internal and external political challenges.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Members of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/op-eds\/4696974\/dsa-green-new-deal-working-class-impact\/\">Democratic Socialists of America<\/a> have recently seemed ill-prepared when pressed on stances during primetime appearances, <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> columnist <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4705571\/talaricos-past-comments-texas-joe-concha\/\">Joe Concha<\/a> said on Fox News.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen you talk about abolishing the police, abolishing the prison system, abolishing the presidency, defunding the Department of Defense, and leveling these punishing taxes, you better be able to explain how exactly that\u2019s going to be paid for and then share the details around it,\u201d Concha said Monday on<em> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/shows\/fox-and-friends\">Fox &#038; Friends First<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4706162\/socialist-candidates-face-reality-bad-math-joe-concha\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Socialist candidates face \u2018reality and bad math\u2019 when pressed on stances: Joe Concha<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4702374\/trump-faces-warning-signs-among-women-ahead-of-midterm-elections-poll\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump faces warning signs among women ahead of midterm elections: Poll<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4701548\/ro-khanna-democrats-stop-wasting-time-hasan-piker\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ro Khanna urges Democrats to \u2018stop wasting time attacking Hasan Piker\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2026\/08\/30\/socialists-fight-aoc-2028\">interview with <em>Axios<\/em><\/a>, one strategist who worked with the DSA said the group was blowing an opportunity to expand by looking to members like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re not in a book club anymore,\u201d the DSA strategist told <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2026\/08\/30\/socialists-fight-aoc-2028\">Axios<\/a>. \u201cYou could be growing this organization by pointing to AOC, Bernie [Sanders], [Zohran] Mamdani \u2014 and instead they are going on cable news talking about abolishing the Senate, Fidel Castro, and other weird stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: inline-block; width: 100%; max-width: 640px; min-height: 180px; max-height: 360px; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; padding-top: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.grabien.com\/share?id=3703200&#038;userid=11311&#038;usertype=user&#038;loginid=10455&#038;playercolor=%23000000&#038;playersize=auto&#038;code=b2711f5286027dfd7d82cc677a6adf0f\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0px;\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Concha said <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/?s=megan+romer\">Megan Romer<\/a>, a national DSA co-chairwoman, uttered a word salad when asked what she meant by \u201ctaxing the hell\u201d out of the rich during an interview with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6RWsHLvBntg\"><em>New Yorker<\/em><\/a>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe said, \u2018Oh, that\u2019s a good question,\u2019 and ultimately wasn\u2019t able to answer the question,\u201d Concha said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul el Sayed has insisted he was not part of the DSA, despite receiving <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4633690\/aoc-endorses-abdul-el-sayed-michigan-primary-anti-establishment-momentum\/\">endorsements from members such as Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders.<\/a> Concha lumped el Sayed in with DSA members, saying they all looked like a \u201cdeer in the headlights\u201d when pressed on serious proposals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">El Sayed had to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4705896\/abdul-el-sayed-jewish-community-outreach-temple-israel-apology\/\">backtrack on comments<\/a> he made after the March 12 terrorist attack on a Jewish synagogue in Michigan. The attacker, identified as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, rammed a vehicle into one of Michigan\u2019s largest synagogues before opening fire with young children inside. Ghazali was killed by law enforcement, and no children were injured.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although el Sayed condemned the violence, he added that \u201churt people hurt people,\u201d which critics said was an attempt to justify Ghazali\u2019s actions, whose family was killed days prior in an Israeli airstrike.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: inline-block; width: 100%; max-width: 640px; min-height: 180px; max-height: 360px; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; padding-top: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.grabien.com\/share?id=3703224&#038;userid=11311&#038;usertype=user&#038;loginid=10455&#038;playercolor=%23000000&#038;playersize=auto&#038;code=137f18ca1da91f9ab03be4ab102deb77\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0px;\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think when you\u2019re playing defense in a campaign, and that\u2019s what Abdul el Sayed has been doing for the past couple weeks, that\u2019s not a place you want to be,\u201d Concha said Sunday on <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/shows\/fox-news-live\">Fox News Live<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">El Sayed has been at the center of political controversy, not only for past comments on the synagogue attack, but also for past association with Twitch streamer and influencer Hasan Piker, who campaigned with the candidate ahead of the primary election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Concha said Piker, who has made public comments against Jews, was a \u201cmascot\u201d for el Sayed during his campaign before the primaries. Piker\u2019s comments included that the United States \u201cdeserved\u201d 9\/11, and most recently, he said American Jews who strongly support Israel were inviting violence against themselves.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4699014\/which-possible-2028-democratic-contenders-open-dsa-endorsement\/\"><strong>WHICH POSSIBLE 2028 DEMOCRATIC CONTENDERS COULD BE OPEN TO A DSA ENDORSEMENT?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">El Sayed now appears to be distancing himself from the streamer by saying he was \u201cnot interested in a conversation about a social media person in California,\u201d seemingly downplaying the extent of their past association.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAbdul el Sayed knew all about these comments, knew all about [Piker\u2019s] comments about Jews, the guy who said he supports Hamas, a terror organization that committed some of the worst atrocities that we\u2019ve seen committed against Jews since the Holocaust, and still had him campaign with him,\u201d Concha said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DSA members appear unprepared on key issues, says Joe Concha<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4395,"featured_media":2652314,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26231670554695_17512c.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[74849,52093,38654,33017,5894],"class_list":["post-2652313","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-dsa","tag-joe-concha","tag-policy-debate","tag-political-analysis","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26231670554695_17512c.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4395"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2652313"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2652317,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652313\/revisions\/2652317"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2652314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2652313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2652313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2652313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}