How Chuck Schumer Got the Lousiest Job in Washington
The once-and-likely-future majority leader told me that flipping Mississippi is an old fixation.
Chuck Schumer has become the poster child for everything Democrats disdain about themselves: an aging leader who refuses to move on, a centrist lacking the courage to challenge President Trump, and a messenger who consistently fails to deliver the message. The Senate minority leader's missteps have become a popular target for Democratic candidates seeking to rally their base and display independence.
A recent example was Abdul El-Sayed, who jeered Schumer during the Michigan primary, telling voters, "If you're Chuck Schumer, I'm pretty damn dangerous."
Despite the criticism, Schumer remains resolute in his pursuit of returning to his old role as majority leader. He attributes his critics' dissent to their small faction within the caucus. Schumer views the recent Democratic landslide not as a defeat for Trump but as evidence that the party successfully fulfilled its primary objective - regaining the Senate.
A crucial factor in Schumer's success was his recruitment of candidates who managed to flip seats in key states. His efforts led to a more favorable political landscape for Democrats. In Mississippi, for instance, Schumer played a pivotal role in convincing Scott Colom, a district attorney, to run against Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith.
The outcome of that race would have significant implications for Democrats, as Mississippi has the largest Black population in the country and hadn't seen a Democratic Senate victory in over four decades.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
