Days after saying he would not consider the position of Senate Majority Leader, Senator Chris Van Hollen conceded that Democrats should not coronate Senator Chuck Schumer
In an interview with Timothy Snyder posted on Monday, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) argued that the Senate needs to define its policy priorities before it picks a leader, especially given that several incoming Senators do not support current Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Snyder asked Van Hollen about the Senate process for picking its next leader, and the progressive responded by pointing out that this was a “big change” election and the Senate needs to be responsive to those demands.
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“So first of all, we should not have a coronation. Right. This was a big change election. These results were sweeping in their scope. We now have you know 54, maybe up to 56 Democratic senators, and so we, as the Senate Democratic Caucus, have been invested with a great responsibility, and we shouldn't just get stampeded into a coronation of anybody to be the Democratic leader in the Senate before we have an understanding of what we're talking about,” Van Hollen said.
“What are we going to do with this responsibility and power?… Leadership matters there, and you know that's why my view is that the caucus deserves to hear you know what the plan is. And you know I there's more and more there are more and more people demanding change, and so I'm listening now to the folks who are demanding change, and I really am open to that conversation.”
Van Hollen explained that the leadership issue “is ultimately going to depend on both public sentiment and the views of the members of the caucus, both returning members, but importantly the new members.”
Those new members have demanded change, he pointed out.
“The new members have demanded change. I mean, a majority have said that they would not support the current leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer. That’s their position coming off the campaign trail, and my view is we need to have a full caucus discussion about this.”
Van Hollen said they need to be listening to these voices, not shutting the door on them.
“We need to know what the plan is, and we need to be listening to people, not shutting the door on on those voices. So what we we will see. You know, this this is you know a process that takes place in the caucus, but it’s also you know subject to political input and views from you know people around the country who elected members of the Senate, and you know they have a right to weigh in and let their views be known.”
The future direction of the Senate Democratic Caucus should be a deliberative process, Van Hollen argued, explaining:
Claims by several new members that they do not support Chuck Schumer.
The need for the caucus to define its policy priorities before selecting its leader.
Chris Van Hollen appears to have changed his mind and is considering challenging Schumer for the position.
“The Senator has received an outpouring of calls on running for majority leader and is now in active listening mode,” said a person familiar with the Van Hollen’s thinking according to the Washington Examiner.
The idea that Democrats should listen to the voices that elected them is absolutely spot on.
However the leadership fight shakes out, Democrats can’t afford to continue carrying on as they have in the past, ignoring the voices of their base.
The priorities of the incoming Senate should shape who is chosen as leader, and whoever that person is they need to understand that this is not business as usual.
We are at an inflection point where great change is possible, but only if we keep pushing for it.
Watch here (quoted section is at the end):
Do you agree with Sen. Van Hollen? Talk about it in the comments below.
Agree completely with the Senator. This was a transitional election and the Democrats in the Senate must move on, establish an agenda for the people, and take steps with new leadership to implement that vision. Now.
And the same process should take place in the House. No need rush into coronating Hakeem either.