Dem Sen. Chris Murphy: Russia Issue Is Becoming A "Distraction" That Is Hurting Democrats

Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy tells MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' how their focus on the "Russia" probe is distracting Democrats.





WILLIE GEIST, MORNING JOE: You know, Senator, Harold Ford was talking a little bit earlier about what Democrats need to do to win elections in states like Georgia and places across the South and the Midwest. It's kind of reflective of the conversation we had after the presidential election back in November. Which is that the progressive wing of the Democratic Party said, we need to be more progressive.



And we heard that last night and again this morning from groups like Moveon.org. The lesson was Jon Ossoff was too moderate. Do you think running for office right now in this climate as a Democrat means you ought to be more progressive or more moderate?



SEN. CHRIS MURPHY (D-CT): I think what it means -- the Democrats have to be hyper-focused on an economic message that tells people that the Republican Party is all about economic growth for millionaires and billionaires. And the Democratic Party is about economic growth for everybody.



And I think Robert Costa is right. The fact that we had spent so much time talking about Russia has you know, has been a distraction from what should be the clear contrast between Democrats and the Trump agenda which is on economics.



You know, when I'm back in Connecticut, I often get on a commuter bus and ride it for just an hour to talk to folks that, you know, frankly don't normally call my office or write my office. And I'll just say they are never talking about issues like Russia. They are not talking frankly about what's on cable news at night. They are talking about the same things -- wages, they're talking about education, they're talking about public safety.



And so I think Democrats have to be hyper-focused on an economic contrast. And I think this president is handing it to us. He is using this administration, this presidency to enrich himself and his millionaire friends. We've got to be focused on an economic agenda for everybody else.