detroit david green head detroit chapter democratic socialists america dsa donald trump victory november distress cause optimism quest pull democratic party leave need party open progressive force elect progressive leadership within party green say attend michigan democratic party spring convention detroit early month membership dsa found 1982 surge since trump election nov. put movement position make inroads democratic party energize leave membership gain fuel supporters bernie sanders u.s. senator vermont seek democratic presidential nomination last year dsa political party support many short-term policy position sanders wing democratic party 15 minimum wage single-payer healthcare free college opposition free-trade deal unlike mainstream democrats dsa also long-term vision democratic socialist society vein countries like sweden denmark workers direct say job economy run alongside robust public sector since november national membership almost triple 17,000. leaders say meet pack new chapters crop nationwide include rust belt state michigan wisconsin ohio trump score upset win democratic candidate hillary clinton take white house dsa membership tiny grand picture 31 state plus district columbia party registrations tally democratic party alone 45 million members hans noel political scientist georgetown university say dsa number remain small growth reflect trend democratic party leave wing gain clout clinton loss many analysts say defeat least partly due inability win sanders supporters noel note election come weekend new chair democratic national committee see dead heat sanders supporter keith ellison dsa support clinton supporter tom perez noel say key inflection point also demonstration progressive bloc newfound power mobilization organization within party ... candidates feel wing party feel take seriously noel say interview kind action probably go play internal party conflict next two three years surge buoy spirit dsa officials include national director maria svart say surge new members begin immediately trump victory day election membership coordinator turn look computer morning say see moment donald trump announce svart say people start join online massive number trump election galvanize dsa left-leaning political group since jan. 20 inauguration protest policies pronouncements draw tens thousands people nearly every weekend provide new opportunities dsa group attract supporters go work within democratic party go work totally outside either svart say interview add dsa would eventually like run candidates office michigan democratic convention green dsa chapter successful get several members elect michigan democratic party state central committee first time two decades january sanders supporters california manage elect majority delegate state party leadership state politics lot policy do matter run offices georgetown noel say control get candidates huge people control position democratic socialists make headway u.s. trump 's win