Cooper Silent On Schumer’s Leadership As Cooper’s Progressive Senate Allies Discuss Replacing Schumer
Nearly a week ago, the Wall Street Journal released a bombshell report detailing serious discussions of progressive Senate Democrats about ousting Senator Chuck Schumer from his leadership role. Senate candidate, former Governor Roy Cooper, when asked by The Blue Ridge Times about this report from the Wall Street Journal, declined to support Schumer’s leadership.
NCGOP Communications Director Matt Mercer said, “Crooked Roy Cooper continues to run away from simple questions, just like he refuses to say how he will make North Carolinians' lives better. His record is clear: when things get hard, Cooper runs to the left and hides from accountability. We deserve better from the person representing us in the U.S. Senate.”
Here are some key quotes from the Wall Street Journal report:
“In more than four dozen interviews with Democratic senators, candidates, current and former congressional aides, activists, and advisers, many said the concern about Schumer’s leadership was widespread. Meetings between Democratic chiefs of staff on Senate business often veer into airing discontent with Schumer and how to pressure him to step aside as leader after November’s elections, according to attendees and others familiar with the discussions.”
“Murphy, Warren and Smith are part of a batch of senators dubbed “Fight Club” who are particularly incensed by Schumer’s approach to the midterms. This group of progressives believes that Schumer favors centrist candidates in some key races and is disregarding the enthusiasm a new crop of outsiders is stoking.”
“At a fall gathering of major Democratic donors and party leaders in Washington, senators and aides were mobbed by donors asking for a plan to replace Schumer, according to people familiar with the event. One of those people said some were calling it the ‘chuck Chuck movement.’”
Last year, Minority Leader Sen. Schumer worked overtime to recruit former Governor Roy Cooper into the North Carolina Senate contest. When Cooper entered the race, Schumer and DSCC Chair Sen. Gillibrand said that Cooper was a “top Democratic Party recruit.” Signaling their intention to send significant financial support to Cooper in this midterm election.
However, Cooper has declined to speak out on the leadership dynamics among Democrats. “It’s no wonder Roy Cooper is silent on the future of his party - all they do is stab each other in the back, shut down the government, and fight for illegals. While Democrats implode under a historically unpopular agenda, Republicans are united and ready to defy history in November,” said RNC Spokeswoman Emma Hall.
Notably, a key member of the so-called “Fight Club,” Sen. Warren, says she is 100% behind Cooper for Senate. Here are some of Cooper’s radical environmental positions that mirror Sen. Warren’s own agenda.
In 2019, Cooper urged the federal government to consider levying a carbon tax and called for the United States to reenter the Paris Climate agreement.
Cooper also signaled his support for the so-called “Green New Deal,” a radical plan that would remake the American economy, and according to one study, the average family would pay $75,000 in the first year.
As Governor, Cooper pursued a climate change agenda focused on reducing greenhouse gases, while energy costs gradually rose.
Tim’s Take: Congressional leadership is an overarching concern for the entirety of the Democratic agenda. If Schumer remains the leader, will any progressives like Cooper follow his leadership? But if Cooper confirms his membership in the Democrats’ “fight club,” will Schumer’s political machine provide the support needed for Cooper to prevail against Whatley? North Carolinians deserve to know where Cooper stands on important issues, like who he will support for leadership, but yet again, Cooper is ducking the question.
