An MSNBC contributor warned Democratic presidential candidates ahead of Wednesday’s debate about the effect of embracing socialism.
“The Trump presidency is an emergency for the country,” said Steven Schmidt, a former Republican strategist. “There is no higher issue than his removal from office. So that calls for a candidate who has the ability to assemble the broadest, widest possible political coalition. That includes some Republicans, independents, Democrats to win an election that will be the most consequential election I think this country has had since 1864, maybe the 1940 election.”
Schmidt cautioned that Americans, by and large, aren't ready to embrace socialist policies.
“I do think there is a danger when you look at some of the ideology that we’ve seen front and center in this field,” Schmidt continued. “In America, a sociopath will beat a socialist seven days a week and twice on Sunday.”
He said it was unlikely President Trump would be removed from office through impeachment.
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“Nobody should underestimate Donald Trump’s ability to frame an argument, to demagogue an opponent,” he said.
Steve Schmidt, fresh off being a paid consultant to Howard Schultz, says before the Democratic debate that "a sociopath will beat a socialist I think seven days a week and twice on Sunday" before touting Trump's ability to demagogue. pic.twitter.com/zoLL2H8js0
— John Whitehouse (@existentialfish) November 21, 2019
According to a newly released Gallup survey, Americans' reaction to "socialism" is not positive, with only 39 percent reacting favorably compared to 60 percent of respondents who held positive opinions of "capitalism."
