Sanders emphasizes broader Democratic Party issues, not Schumer

Senator Bernie Sanders has shifted some of the criticism away from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. He believes that the entire Democratic Party faces challenges in effectively opposing President Donald Trump. Sanders spoke to CNN and emphasized that while he disagrees with Schumer's decisions, the issues run deeper. "It’s not Schumer, it’s the caucus. It’s not the caucus, it’s the Democratic Party," he stated. This comes after Schumer received backlash for supporting a spending bill to prevent a government shutdown. According to Sanders, the Democratic Party is heavily influenced by wealthy donors and out-of-touch consultants. He expressed concern about the party lacking grassroots support and called for a movement to engage young people and working-class citizens. "We need to stand with the working class," he said. When asked if Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could challenge Schumer in a future primary, Sanders downplayed that idea. He argued that the focus should be on current issues rather than speculation about future elections. Sanders urged the Democratic Party to connect with everyday Americans. He believes the majority oppose tax breaks for the wealthy and cuts to essential programs. "Our job is to rally the people, have them run for office, and advocate for working-class interests," he said. In summary, Sanders asserts that the Democratic Party must change its approach to regain the support of working-class Americans.