Senate Democrats are feeling queasy about their partys presidential primary after Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) seized frontrunner status by winning the New Hampshire primary, while former Vice President Joe Biden stumbled to a fifth-place finish.
Democratic senators have been careful not to criticize Sanders publicly, fearing that it could undermine party unity heading into the November general election, which they view as a must-win contest.
But they have serious questions about the electability of their self-described Democratic Socialist colleague, and the problems he may create down ballot for vulnerable Senate candidates.
Several of Sanderss signature proposals, such as Medicare for All, free college, cancelling student debt and the sweeping Green New Deal, dont even have support from a majority of Democratic senators.
I think theres a substantial element of people worried about where were going, said a Democratic senator, who requested anonymity to comment on discussions with colleagues.
Asked about Sanderss reputation as a lawmaker on the far-left of the nations ideological spectrum, the lawmaker said, senators worry about that.
Politicians worry all the time, the source added.
Democrats dont want to speak out because theres a growing chance that Sanders will be the nominee.
There is a real sense that whoever gets it, weve got to be behind him. This election is too important, the senator said.
Other Democrats are downplaying Sanderss recent victories but fretting about whether he will embrace one of his rivals as the partys eventual nominee if Sanders loses the contest.
We all hope to God he will follow what he said last night in New Hampshire that were all on the same team and its all of our responsibility to bring whatever we can to help the nominee, said another Democratic senator.
Some Democrats still think that Sanders failed to fully embrace Hillary Clinton in 2016, and blame him for lingering resentment among some of his supporters. They believe this hurt voter turnout and helped Trump win the presidency.
The Democratic Socialist label attached to Sanders comes up with Democrats from more conservative states.
Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.), who is up for re-election this year in a state that Trump carried by 28 points, said, I dont agree with the socialism label.
He also said its too soon to assume Sanders is going to wind up as the nominee, telling reporters: I still believe there is a long way to go here.
While Jones said Sanderss backers are important voices, he added I dont think theyre going to carry the day.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) told Politico Wednesday: If Bernie ends up being one of these frontrunners, hell have to moderate. Im not going socialist. Never been a socialist.
Biden, who for months was regarded as the Democratic frontrunner and the candidate with the best chance of beating Trump in the general election, suffered back-to-back crippling losses in Iowa and New Hampshire.
His losses were especially dispiriting to Democratic lawmakers because he ran lackluster campaigns in both states and fell well short of expectations.
Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.), who is neutral, said Biden needs a comeback.
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and other Democratic senators said Bidens underwhelming performance in Iowa and New Hampshire was a surprise.
I think everybody thought he would be stronger in Iowa and New Hampshire, he said. Theres no question thats noticeable.
Durbin acknowledged that of course hes concerned about Republicans desire to make the 2020 election a referendum on socialism, something Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) pledged to do last year.
When you get down to the reality of socialism, Id like to hear Sen. McConnell explain Social Security and Medicare in terms of socialism. The word socialism is an attack on Bernie Sanders, as I see it, he said.
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Poster Comment:
Now why would the socialist democraps be queasy over a Sanders candidacy ? They are so full of evil they should be puking their rancid guts out! They would strangle the goose that laid a golden egg. This nation would be far better off if the democrat-socialist party would be listed as subversive as they are all anti-Constitution zombies who do nothing but daily take wrecking balls to this republic.
On the other hand, perhaps socialism (one step away from communism) could be a great adventure for America. The nation would be finished as a Republic and society would drift into a spy-ridden tattletale society leading to Washington looking a lot like Madrid in 1936.
The Conservative ( R Wing) elements of the military would revolt and the aging senile Sanders would end up hanging from a lamppost placed there by the youthful gaggle that caused his election. In other words, they would be shocked at how socialism quickly morphed into communism and they are looked upon as enemies by the central communist government.