Schumer, Hoyer Are Not The Leaders Democrats Need

With Harry Reid retiring and Nancy Pelosi supposedly stepping down, it is expected that the two Democratic leaders to replace them in the House and the Senate are Steny Hoyer and Chuck Schumer, respectively. But, based on what happened last Tuesday, Democrats should think long and hard if these are the two faces we want to put forward to represent our party. Hoyer, although not directly related to the DLC, is the same kind of “third way” Democrat. He initially opposed critical aspects of Obamacare and criticized the way it was passed. He opposed extending the middle class tax cuts claiming it would be “too expensive” and he has caved to the telecom industry over privacy. Schumer is so closely tied to Wall Street that he is almost the worst spokesman for the party. He has consistently been against closing the carried interest loophole, favored reduced taxes and regulation on Wall Street, and opposed raising taxes on those making over $250,000, favoring a $1 million level, “because there are a lot of people making over $250,000 who aren’t rich.” His commitment to an open internet is also in question.

Keith Ellison has lined up endorsements from Warren, Sanders, and even Schumer to run the DNC. That is certainly a step in the right direction. But Democrats also need new leadership to represent them in Congress. I’d much rather see Ellison as our new leader in the House and someone like Warren or Merkly in the Senate. Other people may have even better suggestions. But I do know that having two white men who have been around forever and have been leaders of the centrist wing of the Democratic party and whose policies have clearly been way too timid for the times we live in should not be the party’s leading representatives to the people going forward.