# Today's Poll Question: Like Barney Frank said, is overreach by the left alienating moderates and setting back Democrats?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smerconish-podcast-4474155/today-s-poll-question-like-barney-frank-said-is-overreach-by-the-left-alienating-moderates-and-setting-back-democrats
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smerconish-podcast-4474155/today-s-poll-question-like-barney-frank-said-is-overreach-by-the-left-alienating-moderates-and-setting-back-democrats.md
Podcast: [The Smerconish Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smerconish-podcast-4474155)
Published: 2026-05-21T12:45:12+00:00
Episode link: https://www.siriusxm.com
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/sxm.simplecastaudio.com/d49edecb-af71-4e40-b63b-f7bdc3faae1b/episodes/aef190fb-e74c-4535-9123-47ec3c9e6afc/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=d49edecb-af71-4e40-b63b-f7bdc3faae1b&awEpisodeId=aef190fb-e74c-4535-9123-47ec3c9e6afc&feed=Dv1m2CJC
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Duration seconds: 792

## Resource

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Before his death, Barney Frank said overreach by the left is alienating moderates and setting back Democrats. Do you agree? Michael reflects on the life and political legacy of Barney Frank, the pioneering congressman and liberal icon who, in his final interviews, warned that Democrats risk alienating mainstream voters through ideological overreach and rigid litmus tests. Drawing from past conversations with Frank, Michael explores the late lawmaker’s argument that successful political movements require strategy, sequencing, and coalition-building — not purity tests. The episode also revisits Frank’s wit, groundbreaking role in Congress, and his candid assessment of today’s Democratic Party at a pivotal political moment. Listen here, then vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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## Transcript

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