If that word happens to be "socialist" or "socialism," the answer seems to be fewer and fewer Americans. In a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, just 23% of Americans said they understand the views and policies of democratic socialists extremely well or very well. This also applies to Democrats, with only 21% of them saying they understand the views and policies of democratic socialists extremely well or very well. Sixty percent of Democrats have a "great deal" or "fair amount" of confidence in how candidates who identify as democratic socialists would handle "cost of living issues." This explains why candidates affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America — or even those who sound like they could be distant relatives — are on a hot streak in state after state.