In his community, he was known to be a fiscally conservative and socially progressive politician.

Dern was a progressive politician who fought for tax reform, public education, and social welfare.

Left liberals and socialists as well as communists have referred to him and quoted his apothegms regarding him as the ideal unselfish and consequent progressive politician.

This provides a huge opportunity for business and progressive politicians.

He proposed instead a transversalist policy, seeking the support of progressive politicians regardless of their party.