As Hillary fades, Democrats panic at the possibility of a socialist at the top of the ticket

As socialist Senator Bernie Sanders continues to gain in the polls and Hillary Clinton’s campaign continues to fade, Democrats are moving into panic mode over what effect having an extremist at the top of the ticket will have on their Congressional candidates.

• CNN’s latest Iowa and New Hampshire polls show Bernie Sanders leading by margins of 8 points and 27 points respectively.
• As Hillary Clinton’s poll numbers continue fading, finger pointing has begun among Democrats, with many blaming the Clinton campaign’s ineffective messaging and failure to respond to Sanders’ criticism of her record.
• Less than a year ago, Democrats were raving that the prospect of Hillary Clinton at the top of the ticket would aid their candidate recruitment and help them win a majority in the House.
• But in district after district, the DCCC has failed to recruit competitive candidates. Among other recruiting failures:
  • In Illinois, Democrats failed to recruit top tier candidates in two potentially competitive districts.
  • In CA-21, the DCCC and local party are publicly feuding, with the DCCC running an out of district candidate against the local favorite in the primary.
  • In NV-03, the DCCC had three top tier recruits turn them down, and they remain without a candidate.
  • In PA-06, the DCCC has already moved on from their candidate, after his campaign floundered.
  • In NY-19, DCCC preferred candidate opted against running, choosing instead to remain county executive.
  • National Democrats have begun to worry that if Sanders wins the nomination, it will imperil down ballot candidates in swing districts.
• The combination of poor recruiting, Hillary Clinton’s declining popularity, and Bernie Sanders’ outlandish socialist agenda will cripple House Democrats’ ability to win in November.

NRCC COMMENT: “Hillary Clinton’s status as ‘presumptive nominee’ is becoming less and less of a sure thing with each passing day, jeopardizing the seats of House Democrats. Bernie Sanders’ brand of socialism may be popular with Democrat primary voters, but will be a disaster for Democrats sharing the ballot in November.” – Bob Salera, NRCC Spokesman

Background:

Clinton’s lead is evaporating, and anxious Democrats see 2008 all over again. “What seemed recently to be a race largely controlled by Clinton has turned into a neck-and-neck contest with voting set to begin in less than three weeks. On Capitol Hill and in state party headquarters, some Democrats worry that a Sanders nomination could imperil candidates down the ballot in swing districts and states.” (Paul Kane, “Clinton’s lead is evaporating, and anxious Democrats see 2008 all over again,” Washington Post, 1/15/16)

Some Democrats Fear Clinton’s Message Is Failing. “Though the tightening nature of the race, particularly in Iowa, hasn’t sparked widespread panic among her supporters quite yet, it’s worrying some donors, as well as Bill Clinton and their daughter, Chelsea, who shared her concerns at a meeting with supporters in New York this week…Democratic donors, strategists and pollsters, including some aligned with Clinton, expressed their concerns in nearly two dozen interviews with The Associated Press. Clinton has long struggled to connect with liberal activists, who have gained influence as the party has shifted left during President Barack Obama’s two terms in office.” (Lisa Lerer and Kenn Thomas, “Some Democrats Fear Clinton’s Message Is Failing,” ABC News, 1/21/16)

Democratic Candidates are Ready for Hillary Clinton. “As Democrats continue recruiting candidates in other pickup opportunities this cycle, party leaders hope the former secretary of State’s candidacy will help motivate even more recruits. ‘When I was recruiting as DCCC chair in 2014, ‘I’m waiting for Hillary’ was a recurring refrain from candidates,’ said New York Rep. Steve Israel, who led the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the previous two cycles. ‘So I expect that over the long term, her candidacy will strengthen the DCCC’s recruiting.’” (Alexis Levinson, Emily Cahn, and Simone Pathe, “Democratic Candidates are Ready for Hillary Clinton,” Roll Call, 4/15/15)

Iowa CNN/ORC Poll, 1/21/16

New Hampshire CNN/WMUR Poll, 1/19/16