logo
‘I don't know if I want to do this anymore': leaked audio highlights turmoil among Dems

‘I don't know if I want to do this anymore': leaked audio highlights turmoil among Dems

Yahooa day ago

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairperson Ken Martin may have some second thoughts about keeping his job.
In a snippet of audio from a leaked Zoom call published by Politico on June 8, Martin told other DNC officers that he was unsure about his ability to lead the party due to infighting that was sparked by the national party's vice chairperson, David Hogg.
'I'll be very honest with you, for the first time in my 100 days on this job … the other night I said to myself for the first time, I don't know if I wanna do this anymore,' he said in the meeting.
In the recording of the call, Martin expressed frustration with Hogg.
The 25-year-old, who is also a survivor of the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting, has created a 'firestorm' among party loyalists by launching a $20 million effort that challenges incumbent U.S. House Democrats in primaries, according to Politico.
'No one knows who the hell I am, right? I'm trying to get my sea legs underneath of me and actually develop any amount of credibility so I can go out there and raise the money and do the job I need to put ourselves in a position to win,' Martin said to Hogg. 'And again, I don't think you intended this, but you essentially destroyed any chance I have to show the leadership that I need to. So it's really frustrating.'
Five of the nine DNC leaders on the call accused Hogg, or people associated with him, of leaking the audio, according to statements and interviews obtained by the Washington Post.
However, the sources did not provide evidence for their claims, the newspaper reported. Hogg has also denied leaking the audio, according to the Post.
Martin has vowed to stay on as chairman following the audio leak, according to Politico.
'I'm not going anywhere. I took this job to fight Republicans, not Democrats,' Martin said. 'As I said when I was elected, our fight is not within the Democratic Party, our fight is and has to be solely focused on Donald Trump and the disastrous Republican agenda. That's the work that I will continue to do every day.'
Hogg's $20 million campaign would target Democrats who are 'ineffective, asleep-at-the-wheel,' Politico previously reported.
The 25-year-old stated that the challenges would only occur in safe Democratic districts and would not target members solely based on their age, according to the outlet.
'We have a culture of seniority politics that has created a litmus test of who deserves to be here,' Hogg said. 'We need people, regardless of their age, that are here to fight.'
Party members, however, are uneasy with Hogg's campaign, with many saying party leaders should not take sides in primaries, according to Politico.
Martin himself has urged Hogg to remain neutral, the outlet reads.
'Party officers have one job: to be fair stewards of a process that invites every Democrat to the table — regardless of personal views or allegiances,' Martin said.
The turmoil among DNC members comes as the party continues to find its footing after losing elections for the presidency, House, and Senate in 2024.
A June 1 CNN poll found that just 16% of respondents say the Democratic Party is best described as a party with strong leaders.
In comparison, 40% of respondents said that definition fits the Republican Party best, while 43% said neither party is best described as a party with strong leaders.
The surveys were conducted between May 5 and May 26 with a sample size of 2,539 U.S. adults and a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7%
Mass. AG Campbell sues Trump admin over plan to distribute machine gun conversion tech
Here are 10 NASA missions that could be grounded under Trump's 2026 budget
Graffiti on tank in Trump's parade calls for hanging 2 well-known Americans
'I would': Trump calls for arrest of California's Newsom amid lawsuit over National Guard in LA
'It won't end well for Trump' if he does this amid LA protests, ex-GOP rep says
Read the original article on MassLive.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Stanhope's first female mayor passed away — and then won re-election in Tuesday's primary
Stanhope's first female mayor passed away — and then won re-election in Tuesday's primary

Yahoo

time17 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Stanhope's first female mayor passed away — and then won re-election in Tuesday's primary

Voters in Stanhope gave Republican nominations to two incumbent council members in Tuesday's primary — including Diana Kuncken, a longtime public official in the Sussex County borough who died a week before the election. Kuncken, 83, died on June 3. The longtime Stanhope resident was first elected to the council in 1997. In 2004, she became Stanhope's first female mayor, serving eight years. In 2012 she returned to the council, serving continuously until her death last week, according to her obituary. Kuncken "passed away peacefully," according to the obituary from Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, which did not list a cause of death. Unofficial results from the June 10 primary show Kuncken gathered 201 votes in the Republican primary while fellow council member Scott Wachterhauser received 233 votes. The third candidate in the race for two nominations on the November ballot was Najib Iftikhar, who received 85 votes, according to the county clerk's Democrats sought council nominations. According to County Clerk Jeff Parrott, the Republican party will select someone to fill Kuncken's unexpired term on the council. He said he expected the party will also select a candidate to replace her on the November ballot. The only other contested municipal primary in the county was a Republican race in Ogdensburg, where four candidates vied for two nominations to the borough council. More: Ciattarelli, Sherrill win NJ primaries for governor. Check our live blog for all results That race was led by Kristopher Gordon with 173 votes, followed by incumbent Brenda Cowdrick with 169. Councilwoman Caren Ruitenberg had 136 votes and Michael Nardini 160, according to preliminary results. Parrott said there were write-ins which could decide candidates in some Democrat races. Those must be tallied and the county must verify that the winner wants to be on the November ballot. This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: Sussex County councilwoman wins GOP primary - a week after her death

Newsom goes scorched earth against Trump in address accusing prez of ‘brazen abuse of power'
Newsom goes scorched earth against Trump in address accusing prez of ‘brazen abuse of power'

New York Post

time19 minutes ago

  • New York Post

Newsom goes scorched earth against Trump in address accusing prez of ‘brazen abuse of power'

California Gov. Gavin Newsom ripped into President Trump Tuesday for a 'brazen abuse of power' by deploying troops to Los Angeles and claimed his political rival is intentionally causing ongoing chaos in the city. The Democratic governor heightened his feud with Trump during a Tuesday night address while pleading with protesters to remain peaceful as the city grapples with outright lawlessness and Mayor Karen Bass imposed a curfew in the downtown area to clamp down on rioting and looting. Anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement demonstrations began last Friday in response to federal raids against illegal migrants in the West Coast city and quickly spiraled out of control – leading Trump to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops, and then 700 United States Marines over Newsom's objections. 3 Newsom issued a rebuke of Trump on Tuesday night. AP 'This brazen abuse of power by a sitting president inflamed a combustible situation, putting our people, our officers, and even our National Guard at risk,' Newsom argued. 'That's when the downward spiral began. He doubled down on his dangerous National Guard deployment by fanning the flames even harder. And the president, he did it on purpose.' Newsom insisted while there was violence when protests first erupted, local authorities largely had the situation under control before Trump stepped in. Trump's actions spurred unrest and placed 'theatrics over public safety,' the left gov. claimed. Newsom has filed legal actions to stop the controversial deployment. While Newsom was issuing a defiant rebuke against Trump, the president vowed to 'liberate' Los Angeles while delivering a speech at Fort Bragg Tuesday. 3 Broken glass lies on the floor of a cannabis store after it was looted in LA. REUTERS He said the federal government would 'use every asset at our disposal to quell violence and restore law and order.' The two have been lobbing attacks at each other since the weekend as Los Angeles has faced a mix of fiery protests, looting, vandalism and clashes with police. Newsom stressed authorities have already arrested more than 200 people and are looking to take more into custody. 3 The rioting has led to a curfew in part of the city. Toby Canham for NY Post He pleaded with protesters not to turn to violence. 'If you incite violence – and I want to be clear about this – if you incite violence or destroy our communities, you're going to be held to account. That type of criminal behavior will not be tolerated, full stop.' With Post wires

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store