Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha said the Democratic Party may be falling apart due to division over socialism.
Reps. Jared Golden (D-ME) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) crossed the aisle Tuesday to allow a measure condemning socialism to move forward.
Concha said the move goes “against the grain” for Democrats.
President Donald Trump used to admire how Democrats “stuck together and never defied the party line or agenda on every vote. But that’s not been the case lately,” Concha said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) published a statement on that rule vote Tuesday, saying Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez broke the trust of the party.
“The decision by two of our colleagues to blindside the entire House Democratic Caucus and join with the Republican majority to pass a procedural rule on the brink of failing represents a significant breach of trust,” the statement reads. “It is an action that necessitates a serious response, and we have asked the Committee on Caucus Rules to take this up in short order.”
In a similar move, eight House Democrats voted yes on that resolution Tuesday, condemning socialism.
Rep. Jeff Crank (R-CO) introduced the resolution on Thursday. The document highlighted parts of the Democratic Socialists of America’s platform but also emphasized the need to pass the SAVE America Act to ensure free and fair elections.
“This resolution condemns socialism in all its form, as well as highlights the un-American tenets that DSA aspires to, including allowing noncitizens and incarcerated criminals to vote in American elections,” according to a press release. “It also reaffirms support for free, fair, and secure elections and the principle that American elections should be decided by American citizens.”
Concha said the division is all thanks to “this tidal wave that is the socialist party, attempting to not only defeat MAGA, but the establishment wing of the Democratic Party, because they’re seen as part of the problem, part of a broken system.”
The resolution passed in a 220-192 vote. Democratic support for the bill came from Reps. Kathy Castor (D-FL), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Don Davis (D-NC), Jared Golden (D-ME), Vicente Gonzalez Jr. (D-TX), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), Darren Soto (D-FL), and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM).
Concha called it a “very delicate dance” for Democrats right now, because some are “petrified of that wing of the party.”
He argued that Democrats know they need the “far-left socialist voters,” because “that’s where the energy is in that party.” On the other hand, Democrats who want to denounce socialism “don’t want to do it too strongly because they don’t want to be targeted next,” Concha said.
JEFFRIES FACES LEADERSHIP TEST WITH LIMITED LEVERAGE OVER DEMOCRATS WHO BACKED SOCIALISM VOTE
He said socialists are creating a push-and-pull dynamic within the party.
“The inmates will take over the tent and politically burn it to the ground,” Concha said.