Democratic primaries are forcing the party to make tough calls on strategy that could determine its future direction.
As tensions over the 2016 presidential primary still fuel divisions between establishment and progressive Democrats, the party has started picking sides in midterm primary battles. After the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ignited controversy for attacking progressive candidate Laura Moser, a more progressive group, Our Revolution, aligned with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., endorsed her bid for a House seat in Texas.
A DCCC spokesperson emphasized the need to nominate a “competitive Democrat.”
CNN has a good roundup of other primary races giving party leaders headaches here.
Progressives, still angered by the establishment’s actions in 2016, are pushing the party leftward, creating a tough situation at a time when Democrats are desperately trying to re-establish their appeal in more conservative regions. How to avoid inflaming progressives while also remaining “competitive” in less progressive districts?
It’s a near impossible question, but it’s one Democrats will have answer this cycle.
