The hard-left politics of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and the so-called “Squad,” once a dominant theme for vast numbers of elected Democrats, is backfiring big-time on the party in power, top Democrats tell us.

Why it matters: The push to defund the police, rename schools and tear down statues has created a significant obstacle to Democrats keeping control of the House, the Senate and the party’s overall image…

Zoom out: House Democrats’ own polling and focus groups show many swing voters think the party is too “preachy,” “judgmental” and “focused on culture wars,” according to documents obtained by Politico.

An Axios-Ipsos Latino Poll found crime and gun violence are leading worries for Hispanics, whose once-reliable support for Democrats has cooled in part because of “fears of Democrats embracing socialist policies,” The New York Times reported.