“Socialism” is still a rather negative term in America, though the young (fresh out of the government reeducation camps) naturally are fairly positive towards the term.
But switch to using “Progressive” and the response is FAR more positive — across the political spectrum. Even Republican rank and file respondents are positive about “Progressive” (56% positive to 34% negative).
Naturally, that’s why we don’t hear the far left using the “s” word any more (as if you didn’t already know all this).
http://www.people-press.org/2010/05/04/socialism-not-so-negative-capitalism-not-so-positive/