MS NOW anchor Peter Alexander grilled Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin on Monday about whether or not the Democratic Socialists of America will be a “liability” to the Democratic Party come November.

As the interview wound down, Alexander noted, “I have a ton of questions. Let’s try to get through a few quick ones before I let you go. One, obviously Americans are fed up with Donald Trump, but they’re not exactly glowing in their reviews of Democrats. The polls show 53% unfavorable in their view of Democrats, with 41% having a favorable view. How do you overcome that brand with Democrats? What do you need them to do immediately if they take back Congress to help your chances of moving?”

Martin replied, “We have to deliver, and the reality is, the real… We have to deliver on the promises that we’re making on the campaign trail. Part of that… No, no, no, listen. Hardly any of our candidates are talking about impeachment.”

“What they’re talking about is affordability, making sure that people can afford their lives and actually achieve economic opportunity and build a better life for their family. We’re talking about health care access, making sure, at a time when we see premiums doubling and tripling across the country and people’s health care access disappearing, that we are fighting for health care. And we’re also talking about fixing this corrupt system that only actually benefits the wealthy and the powerful at the expense of the working class. That’s what Democrats are fighting for. And that’s the agenda we’re going to deliver in 24 days once we’re in control,” Martin insisted.

Alexander pressed, “You’re in Idaho; you have more travel to come. You’ve been traveling nonstop. Montana’s Democratic Senate candidate right now, there are calls for her to drop out of this race. Some say she has the potential to act as a spoiler for the independent candidate. She has said, by the way, she’s not going to drop out. Do you believe that she should drop out to help the Democrats try to earn a seat that’s not in Republican hands?”

Martin responded, “Well, listen, I mean, obviously, I’m the chair of the Democratic Party. We support Democrats running up and down the ballot. We’ll let people in Montana decide what’s best for Montanans.”

Alexander continued the fast pace, “Last question: DSA, Democratic Socialists, are an ally or a liability for the Democrats, as you’ve seen the way they’ve been branded, this party’s being branded by Republican opponents?”

Martin replied, “So let me just say, I’ve always taken a big tent approach on how you build a party. That’s why I was successful for all these years in Minnesota. I believe you win through addition, not subtraction. You win by growing your coalition, not shrinking it.”

Alexander cut in, “And sometimes is there a middle, though, when Americans see that–”

“But no, not at all, because that’s where the vast majority of Americans are at. Maybe right in the middle, or a little center left, or a little center right. But it doesn’t mean we can’t bring new voices into the party, right? Of course, we have to keep growing and we have to keep expanding this tent,” Martin doubled down.

Alexander ended it there, “Ken Martin, always a pleasure. Thank you for coming.”

Watch the clip above via MS NOW.

Jason Cohen contributed to this report.

The post ‘How Do You Overcome That?’ MS NOW Host Presses DNC Chair About Democrats’ Unpopularity, DSA first appeared on Mediaite.

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