MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell called Rep. Bruce Braley a "terrible candidate" Monday on The Cycle.
Braley, the Democratic candidate for Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat, has been called a liberal elitist that cannot relate to Iowans. However, he received endorsements from high-profile Democrats including the Clintons and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who currently holds the seat.
Mitchell noted Braley’s strong financial support, but underscored that "candidates do matter" in high-stake elections. She said other Democratic candidates for Senate, particularly in New Hampshire and North Carolina, cannot slip "because Bruce Braley has turned out to be a terrible candidate."
Last night’s debate against Republican Jonie Ernst proved difficult for Braley. Ernst accused him of threatening to sue his neighbor over chickens that entered his yard, and of being too critical of farmers and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).
Mitchell even admitted Braley’s opponent "turned out to be a surprisingly good candidate."