MSNBC’s “The Weekend” unloaded on Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Saturday over his support for the bill that keeps the government open and avoids a shutdown — calling the move a stain and a “black mark” on his leadership.
MSNBC host Michael Steele asked his panel, “What are Republicans thinking right now about their ability to absolutely punk Schumer into making this move the way he did, when he knew that that’s not where his party was?”
Schumer supported the bill on Friday despite his numerous disagreements with the House-passed stopgap spending bill, arguing that a government shutdown would be a “gift” to President Donald Trump.
“The reality here is there was no message, no strategy, and, at the end of the day, no leadership. And this is really a black mark, I think, on Chuck Schumer,” former Democratic lawmaker Donna Edwards, who is now an MSNBC analyst, said. “You cannot signal on Wednesday that you want to fight, and then on Thursday, you cave. And so now Republicans know that all they have to do is play Democrats, and it will work.”
“I’m pissed,” MSNBC host Symone Sanders Townsend said, referring to the contents of the spending bill.