Schumer vs. Sanders: a fight for the Democratic Party’s identity 

For much of this year, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has tried to project an image of the Democratic Party that is still run from the center, propping up establishment-approved congressional candidates in the hopes of retaking the majority come November. 

But a string of progressive primary results and a wave of endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has seemingly threatened Schumer’s plans, even before they had the chance to fully pan out. Indeed, Schumer’s grip on the party is slipping, and it’s become quite clear that a leftward shift is already well underway. 

In Maine, for one, Schumer threw his weight behind Gov. Janet Mills (D) to take on Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), whereas Sanders endorsed the now-Democratic nominee Graham Platner. 

Despite Platner’s slew of scandals — including abusive behavior toward past partners, reports of inappropriate communications while married and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol — he managed to prevail. He performed so well that Mills decided to drop out of the race, ultimately handing Platner the nomination on primary night, where he received more than 70 percent of the vote.

Platner’s victory, and in turn, Mills’s conspicuous defeat, had several Senate Democrats questioning Schumer’s recruiting strategy. Some had been urging him to stay out of highly contested primaries across the country. 

Unfortunately for the establishment, Sanders may have already done the work for him. In Michigan, Sanders has thrown his support to Abdul El-Sayed. Hasan Piker, a left-wing........

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