DNC Chair Can’t Explain The Difference Between A Democrat And A Socialist

The chair of the Democratic National Committee was loss for words after being asked about her party and socialism on Thursday.

“What is the difference between a Democrat and a socialist?” MSNBC host Chris Matthews asked Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D., Fla.).

“Uhh,” Wasserman-Schultz responded.

“I used to think there was a big difference,” Matthews said. “What do you think?”

Wasserman-Schultz ducked the question.

“The difference between—the real question is what’s the difference between being a Democrat and being a Republican,” Wasserman-Schultz said.

Matthews pressed her. “Yeah but what’s the big difference between being a Democrat and being a socialist?” he said. “You’re the chairwoman of the Democratic Party. Tell me the difference between you and a socialist.”

Wasserman-Schultz again tried to evade the question.

“The relevant debate that we’ll be having over the course of this campaign is what’s the difference between being a Democrat and being a Republican,” Wasserman-Schultz repeated.

This line of questioning began after Matthews asked Wasserman-Schultz if the Democratic Party would let Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), a self-proclaimed socialist, speak in primetime at the Democratic convention.

Wasserman-Schultz affirmed that Sanders’ “progressive, populist message” of socialism was welcome at the convention, but said she didn’t know whether he’d get a prime-time slot or a time earlier in the day when, as Matthews put it, “nobody’s watching.”

“Bernie Sanders has been a good Democrat,” Wasserman-Schultz said.