Calls Grow for Mr. Schumer to Step Down
More lawmakers sound the alarm.
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In the past few days, thousands more rank-and-file Democrats have signed our petition calling on Senate Democrats to replace Mr. Schumer as their leader, now at 37,000 signatures.
And the momentum continues to build elsewhere.
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (IL-03) answered "yes" when asked at a town hall on Tuesday whether Mr. Schumer should "retire or step down" -- which was not reported until yesterday.
In an interview with Axios, Congressman Glenn Ivey (MD-04) said "I've got no personal beef with Schumer, I think he's a talented guy, but for me the bigger question is: Is he going to do this again?" and "When this comes back up in six months, is he going to take the same approach or not? If he's still on that track, I'm for moving on."
In another town hall, Senator Michael Bennett of Colorado was asked whether Sen. Schumer should step down and said, in part: "...let me just say it's important for people to know when it's time to go. We're going to have conversations, I'm sure, in the foreseeable future, about all the Democratic leadership."
This morning, Jen Psaki, host of MSNBC's Inside With Jen Psaki and former White House Press Secretary under Pres. Biden, published an op-ed claiming that Mr. Schumer is no longer in his prime and wrote:
"So where does that leave the Democrats at this moment? Well, instead of making tweaks at the margins of the message (which is important, too), maybe it’s time to throw out the old playbook and to start thinking about new messengers."
Yesterday, four youth progressive and Democratic groups published an open letter calling on Mr. Schumer to "fight for us or step aside." The groups are the College Democrats of America, Sunrise Movement, United We Dream Action, and Voters of Tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Mr. Schumer spoke with Chris Hayes on MSNBC at length Tuesday evening about his reversal on the continuing resolution and the calls for him to step down.
I do not share the view that the interview was "devastating" for Mr. Schumer, but it certainly wasn't convincing. Although he gave an impassioned defense of his decision, Mr. Schumer, when pressed by Mr. Hayes, seemed unwilling or unable to offer a strategy for Democrats beyond his "wait for Trump to screw up" approach.
It wasn't great. I really tried to hear him defend his actions in good faith, but by the end of their discussion, it just felt impossible for me to avoid this very deep sense of dangerous foreboding. Big ‘tempting fate’ energy in the worse way. Honestly scary.
It is clear that Mr. Schumer will not yield until his Senate colleagues have the necessary conversations with him to gracefully step aside and set an example of putting democracy before self.
And Senate Democrats will not do that until the pressure put on them by all of us is too overwhelming to ignore.
Please take a few moments today to share this petition with the folks in your life. If you’re not sure how to have the discussion, read my piece from a few days ago outlining why I believe it’s time for new leadership.
We're running out of time to right the ship, and Senate Democrats need to understand, with clear numbers, that we've clearly reached he moment for new leadership.
Since the election I’ve been astonished at the lack of leadership shown by those already holding positions of leadership and authority. Not at all surprised mind you - every single one of them are Corporate Democrats and complicit with leaving trump and his fellow criminals in place so they can continue to reap the financial benefits. But still, as a veteran, it is mind-boggling to me that not a single person who should have stood up to lead has done so. No one on the Democratic Leadership Team. Not a single former President or VP.
(I understand Buttegieg wanting to spend time with his children now that he is no longer in office but I have been surprised that he hasn’t been more of a public figure in leading or at least trying to help reach all those who currently aren’t paying attention to the destruction of the country they live in. Those who stay silent now will not get my vote in the future. That includes Harris.)
When leadership is called for, it is the responsibility of those holding the positions, including those down the chain of command, to step up. If they won’t, then they need to promptly get out of the way - or, as in the military - be removed for dereliction of duty, cowardice or complicity.
(The silence of our former Presidents and VPs is disgraceful.)
I do not grant Schumer as much grace as you do Charlotte. I think he has long been for himself. His actions since 2016 prove that and especially his most recent actions.
I commend you for calling for him to step down. I signed your petition as soon as it arrived and I hope many more will do so or will speak up in other ways.
Spot on. We need new, fresh leadership in the party. And I say that as a 70-year old white woman. The old guard needs to step aside and let the younger people take over. This is embarrassing.