Democrat civil war? Bill Maher enters the debate

[00:00:00]of socialist and progressive candidates winning their respective state primaries this summer, there is an ongoing battle to shape the Democratic Party this fall, raising the question, is a civil war brewing? The national news desk, Jeff Harris, joining us. It would seem that way when you hear from lawmakers within the party opposing Michigan where two top Democratic senators are backing different candidates. Let's look at that first. Break down the details there.

[00:00:25]>> So, in what's widely considered a must-win Senate race in Michigan, recent endorsements from Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer are highlighting an intensifying rift between the progressive and establishment wing of the party. Schumer backing the more moderate Haley Stevens and Warren, the progressive Abdul El-Sayed.

[00:00:44]>> And make no mistake, Abdul is the only candidate in this race who can build the grassroots movement needed to win in November.

[00:00:54]>> Warren's endorsement serving as a symbol of the fight going on behind the scenes as establishment Democrats look to maintain control while socialists and progressives threaten to swoop in. A number of Democratic Socialists or DSA-backed candidates defeating long-term Democrats in multiple state primaries, including Delia Lizza Avilla-Chevalier and Claire Valdez in New York and Melike Chico in Colorado.

[00:01:17]>> If we organize and show no fear in standing up for what's right, that is the message that Denver has sent to both parties, to Donald Trump, and to the entire country.

[00:01:31]>> In Michigan, El-Sayed, who isn't a DSA member but has some similar policies, is looking to be next with endorsements of multiple high-profile Democrats, which now includes Warren.

[00:01:41]>> ICE is about weaponizing the idea of immigration against the Constitution itself.

[00:01:47]ICE cannot be reformed. ICE cannot be retrained. ICE has to be abolished.

[00:01:51]>> Now, those wins coming as the DSA looks to push forward its new platform, which includes abolishing the Senate along with other proposals outlined by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, like state-run grocery stores and curbing landlord power.

[00:02:04]>> If one publicly owned grocery store that brings prices down in the neighborhood is enough to put someone out of business, then maybe they shouldn't have been in that business in the first place. We don't think that anyone should have a constitutional right to double-digit returns on their investment.

[00:02:20]>> In response to the proposed policies, Democrats new and old speaking out.

[00:02:24]Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman suggesting he might leave the party if it adopts an anti-Israel platform, plus comedian Bill Maher saying he wants to see Democrats win the midterms, but his vote is now up for grabs.

[00:02:37]>> Yes, my vote is in play because it can't be Trump running.

[00:02:42]So, I'm not living in communist America.

[00:02:45]>> I've read the quotes from the DSA platform, from their own mouths. Don't tell me I'm not seeing what I am seeing.

[00:02:55]>> Now, as this rift intensifies, Maine, which is another crucial state for Democrats to win, is also looking to replace Glenn Platner on November Senate ballot. Those running squared off for their first debate last week with two more scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday before this weekend's convention. Reporting for the national news desk, I'm Jeff Harris.