Clifford McAvoy exhibited a lifelong commitment to progressive politics, beginning with his involvement in the American Labor Party in the mid-1930s. He held various positions within the party, including a failed nomination attempt for city council president in 1938. McAvoy's career included a significant role in public welfare, from which he resigned due to ideological disagreements. He later transitioned to broader political campaigns, running for city council president and mayor of New York as the American Labor Party's candidate. His political affiliations extended to supporting the Socialist Workers Party in the mid-1950s, reflecting a consistent dedication to left-leaning ideologies.

Clifford McAvoy's political career reveals a deeply ideological commitment to progressive causes, marked by a willingness to cross traditional party lines. His resignation from Deputy Welfare Commissioner over Truman's reversal of FDR's policies suggests a rigid adherence to progressive principles. McAvoy's support for Henry Wallace and later the Socialist Workers Party indicates an ideological agility that defies simple categorization. His marriage to a member of the Progressive Party further underscores a consistent alignment with left-leaning, reformist movements.