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With Democrats acting like this, who needs Republicans?

Chuck Schumer, the No. 3 Senate Democratic leader who would very much like to be No. 1, caused a furor this week when he gave a speech at the National Press Club bashing fellow Democrats and the White House. He said that Democrats focused on the wrong problem when they passed Obamacare and that the way they handled stimulus legislation was a mistake.

As if by way of reply, the White House announced the same day that it would veto a $440 billion tax bill the Senate Democratic leadership had negotiated with Republicans. Meanwhile, former White House officials who serve as surrogate defenders of President Obama went after Schumer on Twitter.

Former Obama aide Tommy Vietor: Shorter Chuck Schumer I wish Obama cared more about helping Democrats than sick people.

Former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau: Funny, I dont remember Chuck Schumer giving that advice when he was privately and publicly championing the Affordable Care Act in 2010. (Actually, Schumer made a similar critique in 2010.)

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Democrats were having an intraparty food fight.

Recriminations are natural after a defeat of the size Democrats suffered in this months midterm elections, but this family feud is a bit excessive and counterproductive at a time when Republicans are preparing to dismantle Obamas presidency and Democrats legislative priorities.

It began immediately after the elections, when David Krone, chief of staff to Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, went on the record with The Post essentially blaming the loss of the Senate on Obamas fundraising decisions and unpopularity.

Six Senate Democrats made a symbolic stand against Reid, voting against him returning as their leader. And House Democrats rebuked their leader, Nancy Pelosi, by voting down her candidate to lead Democrats on the commerce committee. Piling on, Bill Clinton and former Clinton hand Terry McAuliffe, now governor of Virginia, joined in the criticism of the partys election strategy.

The Democrats circular firing squad is all the more puzzling because this is a time when Republicans, now with unified control of Congress, should be the party struggling with internal strife, between hard-liners seeking maximum disruption and those taking seriously their obligation to govern.

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Milbank: The Democrats family feud is counterproductive