Democrats reject questions about new leadership
As Democrats struggle to navigate the Trump administration with no unifying messaging and some begin to sour on party leaders such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrats appearing on Sunday talk shows said the party needs to change its tactics and message rather than its leaders.
Asked if he would consider replacing Schumer, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy said, “I don't think anybody is having that conversation right now.”
“Senator Schumer certainly can lead this caucus. He can lead this caucus. But we need to have a conversation inside the caucus about whether we are willing to stand up to Republicans,” Murphy said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“I admit that it would take some risk-tolerant behavior in order to effectively stand up to this president,” Murphy said. “And so, the question really is, for my party writ large, are we willing to do the very difficult things necessary to meet this moment?”
Asked if the problem with his party was the age of its leaders or a lack of vision, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a rising star in the party, said, “I think we need to be very clear about who we're fighting for, and I think we need to be very clear about the vision that we are offering.”
On the continuing resolution that some in the Senate Democratic caucus voted with Republicans on to avert a government shutdown, Moore said told CBS’ “Face the Nation,” “One thing we did not do was offer an alternative. One thing we did not do was articulate the terms for the American people. And so, I think when what, when the American people, when they do not have an option, or they're not seeing people fighting on their behalf, then yes, there is going to be a measurement of frustration.”
Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said he’s not engaging in questions about Schumer’s leadership.
"That is not my agenda,” he said on ABC News’ “This Week.” “That is not a helpful narrative right now.”
-ABC News’ Hannah Demissie
