Some Senate Democrats are getting behind the idea of putting Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernard (Bernie) SandersO'Rourke's chances against Trump are ‘overstated,’ says progressive columnist Sanders teases possible 2020 White House bid, tears into 'Wall Street Democrats' Bloomberg ready to spend at least 0M if he runs for White House in 2020 MORE (I-Vt.) in leadership, but he doesn’t seem enthusiastic about it.
His backers argue that his ability to connect with white working-class voters is just what the party needs in the wake of its disappointing performance last week in blue-collar states like Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
But Sanders, who reclaimed his status as an independent after running for president as a Democrat, has always been something of an outsider in the Democratic caucus.
Sanders told reporters Wednesday evening that he is not interested in serving as chairman of the Democratic Policy and Communication Center (DPCC), a job now held by Sen. Charles Schumer
Charles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerWhite House, lawmakers signal shutdown will drag on Shutdown is bad for Republicans, an opportunity for Democrats House adjourns without clear path to avert shutdown MORE (N.Y.).
The influential position was created for Schumer; it made him the third-ranking Senate Democrat and gave him more power to craft the party’s message. Schumer is vacating the job next year to replace retiring Sen. Harry Reid
Harry Mason ReidRand Paul's Festivus 'grievances' include comparing Lindsey Graham to Senator Palpatine Durbin signals he will run for reelection Manchin’s likely senior role on key energy panel rankles progressives MORE (Nev.) as the chamber’s Democratic leader.
Asked whether he will serve in leadership, Sanders said it “remains to be seen.”
“We’re thinking about it,” he said.
Sanders’s statement put a damper on speculation that he might take a role in the upper ranks of the leadership after the Democrats’ dispiriting losses at the polls last week.
One lawmaker told The Hill earlier Wednesday that he urged Schumer to put Sanders in charge of coordinating the floor and messaging strategies.
“I think Sen. Schumer should accommodate him,” said the lawmaker. “He’s shown that he has a message that resonates with working-class voters.”
A spokesman for Sanders told The Hill Monday that his boss was “in the process of talking to people” about a role in leadership.
Sen. Jeff Merkley
Jeffrey (Jeff) Alan Merkley2020 Dems go on offense over drug prices Senate Dem knocks border wall as '4th century strategy' Sunday shows preview: Washington heads into multi-day shutdown MORE (D-Ore.), who endorsed Sanders over Hillary Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonDershowitz: A defense that might have freed Flynn — and still could Donald Trump is completely transforming the Democrats Trump's approval holding steady in poll, despite shutdown drama MORE during the Democratic primaries, said he would urge Schumer to appoint Sanders to whatever leadership slot he wants.
“I’d support him for anything he wants to do,” Merkley said. “I certainly would be happy to weigh in with Sen. Schumer in that regard.”
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Ann WarrenWells Fargo to pay 5 million in 50-state settlement over sales practices Warren records video message for benefit concert for Tree of Life synagogue Bloomberg ready to spend at least 0M if he runs for White House in 2020 MORE (D), who rivals Sanders in popularity with the liberal base, served as a policy adviser to the Democratic leadership in the 114th Congress. She did not join Democratic leaders for their weekly press conferences, however.
Senate Democrats say the top two leadership positions in their caucus are settled; Schumer is due to take over as leader and Sen. Dick Durbin
Richard (Dick) Joseph DurbinWhite House steps up shutdown blame game on Dems Shutdown to drag into next week — and next year White House, lawmakers signal shutdown will drag on MORE (D-Ill.) appears safe to keep his job as whip.
Sanders told reporters during a conference call Wednesday that he would not challenge Schumer or Durbin.
There’s growing sentiment within the Senate Democratic caucus that the party, led by Clinton, failed to get its economic message across to working-class voters in Rust Belt states.
“All of us have to show the folks who are pissed off, who voted for change in ’08, voted for change in ’12 and voted for change in ’16, that some of the things that make people nuts are going to change,” another Democratic senator said.
Another potential benefit to adding Sanders to the top ranks of the Senate Democratic leadership is that it would keep him in the fold.
Some colleagues worry that he might encourage liberal candidates to challenge centrist Democrats in future primaries.
Sanders showcased his messaging skills Wednesday, holding a call with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse
Sheldon WhitehouseDems push for increased scrutiny of Trump’s court picks Dems ask if Trump aide Bill Shine is breaking ethics laws Senators want assurances from attorney general pick on fate of Mueller probe MORE (D-R.I.) to accuse Trump of backing off his campaign promise to take on special-interest influence in Washington.
With Sanders apparently out of the running, the third-ranking leadership job will likely go to Sen. Debbie Stabenow
Deborah (Debbie) Ann StabenowDurbin signals he will run for reelection Coal supporter Manchin named top Dem on Senate Energy Committee The Hill's Morning Report — Will Trump strike a deal with Chuck and Nancy? MORE (D-Mich.) or Sen. Patty Murray
Patricia (Patty) Lynn Murray'So stupid,' 'absurd' – Senate Dems condemn shutdown after talks falter House-passed stopgap measure in Senate limbo Dems say Trump is defying court order by pushing abstinence programs MORE (D-Wash.).
Stabenow, one of Schumer’s closest allies, is now vice chairwoman of the DPCC.
Murray holds the fourth-ranking leadership post as Senate Democratic Conference secretary.
Schumer, who is expected to win the Democratic leader’s job on Wednesday, will appoint his successor as DPCC chairman.
Lawmakers will vote Wednesday only on filling the job of minority leader and minority whip.
Democratic senators say Schumer and Durbin are both safe — a contrast to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), who faces a potential challenge from Rep. Tim Ryan, who represents the blue-collar strongholds of Youngstown and Akron in Ohio.
“It’s not the same situation as with Pelosi,” said one Democratic senator.
Reid faced a minor insurrection when he stood for reelection as Democratic leader two years ago, after his party lost nine seats and the Senate majority. At least four senators voted to delay Reid’s election in hopes that the extra time would motivate someone to mount a challenge against him. The effort failed.
Schumer does not appear to face any major objections, even though Democrats missed expectations and picked up only two Republican-held seats last week. Senate Democrats were predicted to win five to seven seats and recapture the majority.
Democrats, however, are warming up to the idea that adopting a more populist economic message could help win back disgruntled blue-collar voters.
Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, one of the few Democratic lawmakers who endorsed Sanders over Clinton in the primary, has received endorsements from Reid and Schumer to take over as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Tad Devine, who served as a senior adviser to Sanders’s presidential campaign, said Democratic voters turned out in smaller numbers last week compared with 2012 and 2008 because they’ve begun to doubt whether the party is committed to fighting corporate interests.
“I believe the energy in the Democratic Party and the future in terms of building an electoral coalition that can win elections really revolves around the kind of message Bernie Sanders was talking about: Taking on issues like wealth and inequality, taking on special interests,” he said.
“The way to win these elections is to convince working people of America that the Democrats will be on their side in fights that matter to them.”
