Chuck Schumer taking advantage of Democrats' fear of hippies
by digby
People complain that Chuck Schumer is the kind of guy who consistently works to keep more liberal Senators out of office. And it's true. But it's excused by the the establishment with the old saw that "this is a conservative country" and the Democratic Party must adapt to that by electing conservatives.
But how can we explain the fact that the future Senate Democratic leader is now just outright helping Republicans to win? He's working on a deal with Paul Ryan and vulnerable Ohio Republican Senator Rob Portman on a big windfall tax for corporations and infrastructure plan:
“On a political level, Schumer should be honest about the fact that striking a deal would absolutely help Portman in his race,” the person said. “Helping him secure a corporate tax deal that will be a stinker for Democrats and a talking point for Portman is only a good move if your sole goal is self-promotion, even if it comes at the expense of the caucus.”
Several other Democrats shrugged off the possibility that Schumer is hurting his own chances at becoming majority leader by collaborating with Portman. They believe that beating Portman hinges on turnout in the presidential race and the Republican’s embrace of the broader GOP agenda — not a long-shot attempt working across party lines with one of the nation’s most powerful Democrats.
Senate leaders must “do what they have to do: What’s right for their state and right for the country,” said Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, who leads the Democrats’ campaign arm.
However, Republican officials said that this type of bipartisan effort is central to the campaign of the Ohio senator, who helped craft a deal on unemployment insurance that stalled in 2014 and is eager for a major accomplishment to point to on the trail.
“This is good for Portman,” one national GOP official said.
Schumer admits that this plan is a a long shot. But by helping Portman he's giving him some "bipartisan" cred that he will need to win his tough reelection fight. Does this make any sense?
The nutty caucus in the House is accused of refusing to allow the Speaker to govern the House of representatives and so they chased him out of office. And it's true. But I don't think there's any evidence that John Boehner was ever openly helping Democrats win re-election at the expense of his own party. This is an especially bold move you must admit.
It strikes me that one of the effects of GOP craziness will be that it perversely allows centrist Dem leaders like Schumer the ability to do more of this lest Democrats be accused of being just like the looney Republicans if they get upset and object. If there's one thing the establishment Democrats don't want it's to be compared to the looney Republicans. Schumer gets that better than anyone and he's already taking advantage of it.
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