Here's what I think. The media is helping it all along.
I needed no further clue to that than this: Chris Matthews once had Evan Thomas of Newsweak on his program, and came out with the info that Evan Thomas is the grandson of the above Norman Thomas.
I wouldn't normally blame someone for the sins of his ancestors, but in this case, given the slant of Newsweak, it's not a stretch to say that Evan is helping further the old man's goals...
I think of the reformed Red-Diaper Baby David Horowitz (meaning child of communists), but then have to wonder how many others unreformed there are out there furthering the goals of communism/socialism.