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Cummings Admits Democrats' 'Message Has Not Been Clear Enough'

April 27, 2017

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D., Md.) admitted on Thursday that the Democratic Party's "message has not been clear enough."

During an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Cummings called for the Democratic Party to be a big tent party. This has become a chief criticism of the party after Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez said that being pro-life was not possible for Democrats.

Former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele asked Cummings about the Unity Tour held by Perez and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), which was prone to awkward moments that showed some of the Democratic Party's divisions.

"How do Democrats get themselves on the same page to speak consistently and coherently about policy going into the next election, when they can't even agree on what it means to be a Democrat?" Steele asked.

"Mike, the first thing we've got to do, is that we've got to realize that we've got to have a 'big tent,'" Cummings began.

"We as Democrats have over and over again spoken and tried to address the issues that confront Americans on a day to day basis, but our message has not been clear enough," Cummings said. "We've got to clarify our message, Mike. I mean it's not that complicated, but we've got to do it."

Cummings then went on to compliment Republicans' messaging.

"As I've said before, the Republicans do an excellent job of it," Cummings said. "They stay on message."