Last night, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen announced his intention to run for Senate Majority Leader leader against current Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY). This sets up a popular and credible alternative to the shuffling, compromise-happy Schumer, who maintains he has the votes to be elected Leader. From NBC News:
“'In this election, the American people called for change. They called for a change from Donald Trump’s disastrous policies — but even bigger than that, a change from the status quo that isn’t working for working people,' Van Hollen said in a statement.
Van Hollen’s move follows attempts by grassroots progressives — and some newly elected Democratic senators — to draft him for the position as some seek an alternative to Schumer.
'It’s now on us to meet this moment, and to do that we need new leadership. This is not about any one person — it’s about answering the call of the American people. That is why I’m running for Senate Majority Leader,' he added."
Retaining Schumer would be a bad message to the Dems' grass roots voters, who are eager to shake off timid Dem leaders that were slow to confront the lawlesss and mentally unfit Malignant Fascist until the progressive movement lit a fire under them. He's also a terrible communicator with a bland grey image, who has yet to really grasp the zeitgeist of the Democrats' desire for bold and creative action and to reverse the MF's damaging policies.
So far, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen.-elect El-Sayed have announced their support of Van Hollen, and most of the incoming freshman Dems are saying they won't support Schumer, undercutting his implication that he was a big factor in their victories. The vote to determine the Majority Leader is a secret ballot, and we hope by the time it's taken, more Senators will cast their vote for Van Hollen.
(photo: Chris Van Hollen for Senate Majority Leader)
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