Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
June 13, 1992. Bill Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, stands before Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition and torches one of its panelists. Rapper Sister Souljah, after the LA riots, had told the Washington Post: 'If black people kill black people every day, why not have a week and kill white people?' Clinton said reverse the colors and you'd think David Duke gave the speech. Jackson fumed. Clinton won. And the 'Sister Souljah moment' - publicly repudiating an extreme element of your own base - entered the political dictionary.
Thirty-four years later, no Democrat wants one. Democratic socialists are on a winning streak - Mamdani's endorsees swept New York, Melat Kiros toppled Diana DeGette in Denver. Bill Daley, Clinton's Commerce Secretary and Obama's chief of staff, warned in Sunday's Wall Street Journal that socialists are leading Democrats into the 'Tea-Party Trap' - primary energy that transforms a party and costs it the middle.
Which brings us to Josh Shapiro. He keeps invoking 1992, calling for a battle over what Democrats believe. But Axios reports he's calling for the fight without picking up his sword. He cites 'profound differences' with the socialists - then courts progressives. Meanwhile Rahm Emanuel swings freely.
Here's the rub: Clinton picked his fights for years before that June night. Today's contenders would be punching the party's most energized voters two years before a primary. Calling card - or career-ender?
Vote on today's poll and subscribe to the daily newsletter at smerconish.com
June 13, 1992. Bill Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, stands before Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition and torches one of its panelists. Rapper Sister Souljah, after the LA riots, had told the Washington Post: 'If black people kill black people every day, why not have a week and kill white people?' Clinton said reverse the colors and you'd think David Duke gave the speech. Jackson fumed. Clinton won. And the 'Sister Souljah moment' - publicly repudiating an extreme element of your own base - entered the political dictionary.
Thirty-four years later, no Democrat wants one. Democratic socialists are on a winning streak - Mamdani's endorsees swept New York, Melat Kiros toppled Diana DeGette in Denver. Bill Daley, Clinton's Commerce Secretary and Obama's chief of staff, warned in Sunday's Wall Street Journal that socialists are leading Democrats into the 'Tea-Party Trap' - primary energy that transforms a party and costs it the middle.
Which brings us to Josh Shapiro. He keeps invoking 1992, calling for a battle over what Democrats believe. But Axios reports he's calling for the fight without picking up his sword. He cites 'profound differences' with the socialists - then courts progressives. Meanwhile Rahm Emanuel swings freely.
Here's the rub: Clinton picked his fights for years before that June night. Today's contenders would be punching the party's most energized voters two years before a primary. Calling card - or career-ender?
Vote on today's poll and subscribe to the daily newsletter at smerconish.com
