'Progressive' becomes a pejorative for Dems?

 Guy Benson:

I chuckled at Karol Markowicz's reaction to this story, in which she declared herself excited to hear whatever new term leftists will come up with as their preferred label. Indeed, they finally jettisoned "liberal" when they decided it was too politically toxic, shifting instead to "progressive" in recent years. Alas, they're no longer excited about that word either, so perhaps it's back to the drawing board for a new euphemistic moniker that both makes them feel good and doesn't automatically send moderate and swing voters sprinting in the opposite direction: 

They’re pushing for environmental reforms, embracing single-payer health care and calling for more government assistance. But increasingly, many are reluctant to call themselves “progressives.”  Left-wing candidates from Pennsylvania to North Carolina to Missouri are shying away from the P-word on the campaign trail, in messaging and online fundraising, and even in media blitzes, signaling an attempt to rebrand their wing of the party as Democrats debate how to win the midterm elections.  On paper, many mesh with Capitol Hill’s top leftists. Some support easing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and restarting discussions around “Medicare for All.” ... Their hesitation to be defined as such, however, is new...While some high-profile contenders still use the moniker, others want to be thought of in different terms. Pennsylvania’s Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who’s seeking the party’s nomination for a coveted Senate seat, prefers a different word: populist.  He’s not alone.  Veteran Lucas Kunce, who’s also angling for a Senate primary win in the race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Roy Blunt in Missouri, similarly identifies as a populist and says he’s part of a “people-powered movement.” His fundraising page offers a variety of credentials: Marine, antitrust advocate and Democrat — but not progressive. Former North Carolina state Sen. Erica Smith, who suspended her Senate bid in November to instead try to replace retiring Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D) in the House, is using the term “New Deal” to describe her place within the party.  

Ultimately, they can "rebrand" all they want. It's not the word or label that is the fundamental problem, but rather the policies attached to whatever the word or label may be. As National Journal's Josh Kraushaar points out, several Democratic Senate frontrunners in key races are from the progressive/name TBA wing of the party. No one knows how things will shake out more than half a year from now, but Republicans in places like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania will certainly be eager to highlight some of the positions of leftwing candidates if they become general election nominees....

...

Actually "Democrat" has also become a pejorative because of the mess created by Biden, Harris, and Pelosi.  Their agenda is toxic across most of America.