WASHINGTON – Democrats have a blunt message for colleagues worried the party has become dangerously obsessed with Russia: Get over it.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions' testimony Tuesday put Democrats in a familiar position, reacting to news about President Donald Trump and the ongoing investigation into his campaign's alleged Russia connections. To skeptics, the story is a distraction from bread-and-butter issues that voters actually care about, like the unpopular Republican-backed health care bill, and a sign the party is already overreaching well before the midterm congressional elections.
But Democratic operatives are arguing that the party has no choice but to keep focusing on Russia.
"Democrats aren't driving this. Reality is driving it. And occasionally Trump's Twitter is supercharging it," said Jesse Ferguson, a veteran Democratic strategist. "But Democrats are along for the ride, and we better not fall asleep."
Communication with voters, he added, is "about winning the fights that you are confronted with."
Some Democrats also see an unexpected upside in talking about Russia: It gives them a new issue to use against Republicans.
The party could benefit from a fresh approach after years of attacks — many of them unsuccessful — against the GOP's plans for the budget, Medicare and Social Security, they say.
Critics have charged that everyday people don't care about the Russia story because it doesn't affect their personal finances. Because of that, they say Democrats would be much better off focusing on the health care bill.
