Democrats Express Alarm Over Debates Negative Tone

(The Hill) Alexander Bolton 08/01/19 05:19 PM Democratic lawmakers were left shaken and worried by Wednesday nights bruising presidential debate which left some fearing the fight will hurt the party and result in a damaged nominee. Senate Democrats are frustrated that candidates are spending too much time and effort attacking each other for relatively small policy differences while not focusing their ire on President Trump. They worry the intra-party food fight is overshadowing what they see as the main goal: Drawing a clear contrast between the Democratic candidates and Trump on health care and other key issues. Im of the view that we have always been a party of ideas" said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.). I think everybody should sort of consider that." She said there is concern" within the caucus of the increasingly vicious attacks particularly against the front-runner former Vice President Joe Biden. People take sides and then they become hypersensitive and that just makes divisions all over the party and we dont want that" she said. I want every one of our candidates to do well." Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) blamed the debate moderators for much of the negativity. I think these debates are really silly" he said. Just the incessant focus on these relative minor divisions between candidates might make for good TV but I dont think gives people an accurate portrayal of the stakes of this election." Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.) also voiced concern about the tone of the debates in what could have been a signal to the candidates. No circular firing squads" he said during an interview Thursday with SiriusXMs Joe Madison.