A specter is haunting the Democratic Party, the specter of far-left socialism. Once confined largely to college campuses and the political fringe, socialism has found an increasingly comfortable home within the party. Some candidates who openly embrace the label are winning Democratic primaries, while ideas once associated with the socialist left have moved into the party’s mainstream.

And increasingly, national Democrats appear convinced that Americans are ready to follow them in this march toward socialism.

Democrats are embracing socialism. Americans aren’t

Trump’s Head Start reform could serve 236,000 more children — without spending a dime

Capitalism made your burrito. Government made it $20. Socialism will make it $40

A word of caution comes from the polling, however. Gallup’s recent surveys on this topic suggest the Democrats are misreading the country. Americans are hardly uncritical defenders of capitalism, and many, especially younger voters, find the promises of free housing, free groceries, and, well, free everything associated with socialism appealing. But widespread enthusiasm for socialism is lacking.

When Americans are asked to consider the economic systems themselves, their preferences become much clearer.

The poll numbers are striking. Only 39% of Americans have a positive view of socialism, compared with 54% who view........

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