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Bernie Sanders lost the fight in 2016. A decade later, he won the war.
Confirmed
In Short: Sen. Bernie Sanders said he would not support Sen. Chuck Schumer for another term as Senate majority leader.
Bernie Sanders 104th Congress.
Bernie Sanders says he won’t back Sen. Schumer for Democratic leader. CNN
Sen. Bernie Sanders announced Tuesday that he would not support Sen. Chuck Schumer for another term as Senate majority leader, setting up a potential leadership shake-up within the Democratic Party.
Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont, made the announcement at a Capitol news conference alongside Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan.
"The time is now for change," Sanders said, emphasizing the need for a new generation of leadership within the party.
Slotkin echoed Sanders' sentiments, stating she would withhold her vote until she sees a "concrete plan" for the party's direction.
"The focus has got to be on getting things done," Sanders told AP, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Sanders' announcement comes after his preferred candidates lost primaries in Michigan and Maine, but those candidates went on to win their general elections.
"If you’re asking me, am I shocked by that. That the argument about economic justice and taking on oligarchs and fighting for the working class is working in Texas, is working in Ohio, is working in Montana, is working in Florida, is working all over the country — no, I am not shocked," Sanders said in an interview.
"This election was about change," Sanders said, reflecting on the midterm results.
Sanders and MAGA strategist Steve Bannon, who are typically political opposites, recently joined forces to criticize the AI industry, highlighting the growing bipartisan concerns over artificial intelligence.
"I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck. [There’s] nobody who works harder than Chuck Schumer. But in my view, the time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be re-elected as the Democratic leader," Sanders said at a news conference.
What this adds
Sanders' decision could signal a shift in the Democratic Party's leadership and priorities.
What's confirmed
- WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday he would not be supporting Sen. Chuck Schumer as the Democratic majority leader in the new Congress, setting up a seismic confrontation after the party’s sweep to power in the midterm elections.
- “The time is now for change,” said Sanders, the independent from Vermont and essentially the father of modern progressivism in the U.S.
- But his preferred candidates also lost primaries in Michigan and Maine, with the progressive candidates prevailing and then going on to win their general elections.
- While Republicans have been meeting behind closed doors Tuesday to choose their party leaders for the next Congress, the Democrats in the Senate have just begun those conversations ahead of elections expected later this month.
- “The focus has got to be on getting things done,” he told AP.
- “I'm a no until and unless I see that from anyone,” she said.
- “I’m confident I will be elected,” Schumer said at the Capitol.
- Sanders was joined by Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan at a news conference at the Capitol, and together they said there needs to be a new generation of leadership and a vigorous debate about the party's direction and future.
- “This election was about change," said Sen. Bernie Sanders.
- “I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck. [There’s] nobody who works harder than Chuck Schumer. But in my view, the time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be re-elected as the Democratic leader,” Sanders said at a news conference.
What's still developing
- Left-wing socialist Bernie Sanders and MAGA strategist Steve Bannon took to the same stage on Tuesday to rail against the AI industry and its leadership, in a sign of how spiraling worries over the rapidly advancing technology are upending political alliances.
- The Browns got the ball first, and it was a quick three-and-out for QB Shedeur Sanders on a drive that included a false start, no runs by RB Quinshon Judkins, and Sanders getting sacked on 3rd-and-long.
- Sanders, the coach of the Buffaloes, didn’t specify which players were no longer with the program but indicated it was for a pattern of behavior and not just what transpired in a 41-7 loss at Northwestern.
- Joel Rubin, the former deputy assistant secretary of state who was the Jewish director for the Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign, told the Washington Examiner he believes it will have an impact on Democratic Jewish voters.
- Sunday, at the start of his two-day tour, Sanders is slated to rally with U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D - MI) at Grand Rapids' DeVos Performance Hall (303 Monroe Ave.
- According to organizers, Sanders will appear in Alpena for "Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here" at The APlex (701 Woodward Ave.) at 1 p.m.