David Axelrod Says Dems’ Antics During Trump’s Congressional Address Weren’t ‘Helpful’

Former President Barack Obama’s chief campaign strategist David Axelrod said Wednesday that Democrats’ behavior at President Donald Trump’s Tuesday congressional address was ineffective.

Democratic Texas Rep. Al Green disrupted Trump’s address just minutes into his speech, while other Democrats in the chamber held signs protesting the president. Axelrod, on “CNN News Central,” criticized what he called “the performative stuff” by the Democrats, but asserted that the actions were a product of deep political polarization.

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“I don’t think the performative stuff was very helpful at all last night. But, you know, here’s the deal: Both parties in some ways are captives of their bases,” Axelrod said. “And I think that there are a lot of members of Congress who probably come from districts that are overwhelmingly Democratic, who feel like their constituents are expecting them to be very actively protesting what the president is doing.”

“So just as on the Republican side, you know, the base loves the stuff that enrages people who aren’t in the base,” he continued. “And so the members respond to that. This is one of the problems with a highly polarized country.”

During Trump’s speech, Green rose from his seat in the chamber and told the president that he “had no mandate” prior to getting ejected. A CNN poll