While President Donald Trump continues to attack four U.S. congresswomen of color, even after the House formally condemned his statements, a Massachusetts politician who lost his seat to one of the women in "the squad" says he has been watching the feud unfold.
"I already know he's a racist. I didn't need confirmation of it," said former U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano Wednesday, referring to Trump's recent tweets.
The feud started when the four freshmen Democrats in "the squad" were the only ones to vote against an immigration border bill. The squad includes Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who unseated Capuano in Massachusetts, along with Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.
"People get elected to Congress to vote your conscience and that's what you should do," Capuano said.
Many Republicans have been referring to the women as radical socialists who hate America. But Democrats have been distancing themselves from some of the women's policy positions, even while standing with them against Trump's calls for them to leave the country.
Capuano describes what is going on as normal infighting that occurs among both Democrats and Republicans for the heart and soul of the party.
"I've been around long enough now to have seen several new groups come in," he said. "For instance, the Iraq war. I voted against it. Most Democrats voted for it. I get it."
But after all the internal family fighting, at some point people have to bend, Capuano said.
"You have to look in the mirror and say, 'OK, I can't get my way, but I’ll take 60% of what I want. And if you don't do that, then you get to be pure, but you won’t make much impact," Capuano said.
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The current battle centers around how progressive the Democratic Party should be and what the party stands for.
"I actually see that as a good thing," Capuano said.
He said the party's ultimate goal should be to defeat Trump.
No matter what kind of Democrat is nominated for president in 2020, Capuano said he'll be working hard for them, even if they call themselves a socialist.
"I still have a choice, between that and Donald Trump," he said.
Capuano added he was worried Trump's attack on the squad might further divide house Democrats but he said it looks like it just brought the party closer together.
