Dems sour on Schumer but divided over his fate as leader

• When asked by reporters Friday if it was time for new leadership, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) provided no defense for his Senate counterpart, simply saying, "Next question."
• The rage brewing within Jeffries' caucus erupted Thursday after Schumer said he'd back the stopgap measure, prompting discussion of primary challenges and Senate floor protests, Axios' Andrew Solender reports.

Driving the news: Crockett said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that Schumer was "absolutely wrong" in his contention that a shutdown would have created a "far worse consequence."

• "The idea that Chuck Schumer is the only one that's got a brain in the room and the only one that can think though all the pros and cons is absolutely ridiculous," she said.
• Asked if Senate Democrats should replace their leader, Crockett said the caucus should "sit down and take a look and decide whether or not Chuck Schumer is the one to lead in this moment."

Friction point: Some Dems are so enraged they've encouraged a fellow New Yorker to primary Schumer: Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who said Schumer's move triggered a "deep sense of outrage and betrayal" across the party.

• Asked if she'd back Ocasio-Cortez in a campaign to oust Schumer, Crockett said it's too early to give an answer, but added "younger, fresher leadership" might be on voters' minds — "especially in the state of New York."

By the numbers: While Dems trade barbs, new polling shows the party has hit record-low popularity.

• Just 27% of registered voters said they have positive views of the party, according to NBC News polling out Sunday. That's the party's lowest positive rating in the outlet's polling dating back to 1990.
• CNN's latest poll, also out Sunday, has the Democratic party's favorability at 29% among the American public — also a historic low dating back to 1992.
• CNN notes that number is in part driven by Democrats' dissatisfaction with their own party.

What they're saying: Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) said on CBS News' "Face the Nation" Sunday that she's feeling that anger from constituents in her town halls.

• "People are scared, they want to see us do something," she said. "They want to see Democrats fighting back."

• She contended Schumer sent out "mixed signals" ahead of the funding vote.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" that Schumer "certainly can lead this caucus" and that he still supports him as leader.

• But he noted, "I think the only way that we are going to be effective as a caucus is if we change our tactics," later saying, "if we continue to engage in business as usual, this democracy could be gone."
• A shutdown, he said, would've "sent a message that the Democratic Party is not going to be bullied by Donald Trump."

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) on "Fox News Sunday" framed the "generational tension" and debate within the party as "healthy," saying Republicans aligning in "lockstep" behind Trump are the "unhealthy" ones.

• After the losses of 2024, he said, "we're going to be debating internally as a party. I think that's exactly what American voters expect of us."

Yes, but: Some Democrats think the public debate is handing Trump ammo while he faces myriad challenges to his aggressive blitz of early executive actions.

• "I think Chuck Schumer's a great leader," Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) said on CNN Sunday. Asked if he's the man for the job at this moment, she answered, "I don't think we should be talking about that and giving Trump any more wins."

Go deeper: Inside House Dems' furious anti-Schumer movement