Winning an election is the easy part. Governing? That’s where parties go to embarrass themselves. Last week, Democrats captured the Senate majority, and the media practically threw them a parade. Wall-to-wall coverage. Breathless declarations of a new political era. You’d think they’d just saved the republic.

But here’s what the victory lap crowd missed entirely. A mandate means nothing without a unified party to execute it. And it took Senate Democrats roughly seven days to prove they can barely stand each other – let alone lead the country.

From the Daily Wire:

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) officially launched his bid to replace longtime Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as the party’s Senate leader Thursday night, receiving support from some of the party’s Left wing.

Van Hollen, who’s best known for flying to El Salvador to hang out with illegal immigrant and accused MS-13 gangbanger Kilmar Abrego Garcia, said he is answering Americans’ call by running for Senate leadership.

So the grand blue wave delivered Democrats a shiny new majority, and their very first priority isn’t the economy, border security, or bringing down grocery prices. It’s a bitter internal power struggle. Inspiring stuff.

The victory party nobody’s enjoying

Hours after Van Hollen’s announcement, democratic socialist Bernie Sanders rushed to back his bid, declaring the party must “take on the billionaire class.” Bold words from a man who owns three houses. Meanwhile, over 50 radical climate activists with the Sunrise Movement got themselves arrested staging a sit-in inside Schumer’s own office. Six incoming freshman senators have already demanded new leadership.

Sen. Angus King tried defending Schumer with a sports metaphor: “Why would you fire the manager when you just won the World Series?” Solid question, Senator. Maybe because the players are already brawling in the dugout before opening day.

A socialist’s stamp of approval

Van Hollen’s agenda reveals exactly where this party is drifting. He wants to end the Iran war, dismantle President Trump’s legislative achievements, and “get money out of politics.” His loudest champion, Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed, praised Van Hollen’s visit with an accused MS-13 gang member as “courageous leadership.” That’s the brain trust charting the Democratic future. Reassuring.

Now they own it

The media won’t frame it this way, but Democrats didn’t win a triumph last week. They were handed a loaded gun pointed squarely at their own heads. They hold the majority now. No more excuses. No more blaming Republicans from the minority. The American people are about to watch Democratic governance in real time – a fractured, rudderless party lurching leftward while squabbling over who’s in charge. Grab some popcorn, Americans. This unraveling has only just begun.

Key Takeaways

• Democrats’ first act with their new Senate majority is an internal leadership war.
• Bernie Sanders and radical activists are dragging the party further left.
• Van Hollen’s challenge to Schumer exposes deep fractures among Senate Democrats.
• Governing requires unity – and Democrats have absolutely none to spare.

Sources: Daily Wire, NBC News