Democrats Mire Themselves in Schumer Debate

“Some Democrats say they won’t vote for Chuck Schumer to be Democrat leader. Others are declining to endorse him publicly as Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) weighs a challenge and dials up colleagues,” Semafor reports.

“But a confident Schumer is acting like he’s staying put. And many of his colleagues are itching to skip the Democratic infighting altogether and reach the moment when Schumer is reelected Democratic leader on Dec. 1.”

Said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): “Schumer has been an unpopular figure among people who don’t understand the role of the Senate party leader. And I think it probably helped them on the trail. It’s not the first time that a Senate leader has helped elected members who have opposed his leadership.”