Sen. Chuck Schumer claimed on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday morning that Democrats are showing “amazing unity,” unlike their Republican counterparts.
Schumer pushed back at a potential “chasm” within the Democratic ranks, following the Democratic split between President Barack Obama and Elizabeth Warren on the omnibus spending bill passed by the Senate Saturday night, saying the true chasm is within the Republican caucus.
The New York Democrat also dismissed a comparison between hard-line Democrats and Republicans, singling out Elizabeth Warren and Ted Cruz in the process. Schumer told CNN host Candy Crowley that Warren is “constructive” and “not like Ted Cruz,” pointing to the Texas Senator’s push for a shutdown last year.
“I think that the the differences among Democrats are small compared to the huge chasm of Republicans. On the fundamental issues that face us, the economic issues that we need to address to get the middle class moving again, to get middle class incomes going again,” Schumer told host Candy Crowley. “There’s amazing unity on the Democratic side from Elizabeth Warren, through Hillary Clinton, all the way to Joe Manchin and some of the more conservatives.”
“You look, like issues like minimum wage and equal pay and infrastructure construction, helping people pay for college, the Democratic Party is unified and if we put together a strong economic message aimed to the middle class, not only will it unify our party as the Republicans are truly divided, but we can actually, actually do really well in 2016,” Schumer said.
“I think the soul of the Democratic Party is economic issues, and I think on economic issues we are united and Elizabeth Warren is, even if people don’t agree with her, She’s constructive,” Schumer continued. “She’s not like Ted Cruz saying shut down the government or don’t fund things if I don’t get my way.”
“She’s working hard to move things in her direction and that’s a good thing. Ted Cruz, on the other hand, people say he’s a great political mover and shaker. He made huge mistakes yesterday,” Schumer said.
“I think comparing the two wings of the party is like night and day,” the New York Democrat added.
