Why progressive Democrats are digging in their heels on spending

The new progressive case was ambitious, even visionary. Candidates received wide latitude in the press to promote a sweeping platform: green-energy mandates, forgiveness of student loans, universal health insurance, prison reform, expansion of the Supreme Court, a wealth tax — to name only a few items on the progressive wish list. Many of these ideas scored well in public opinion polls. When it comes to wielding power, though, the only polls that matter are the ones on Election Day.