Nebbishy New York Senator ‘Chuck’ (Schumer) Attains One-Name Level Of Fame

Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer Image by Getty Images

By Alyssa Fisher December 11, 2018

It’s Chuck. Just Chuck.

The senior New York senator has arrived at a new level of fame. Joining the likes of Madonna, Cher and Bono, Chuck Schumer has attained one-name status, as has Nancy Pelosi, the likely next Speaker of the House.

With the possibility of a government shutdown looming, media outlets Tuesday have been speculating what Schumer, Senate minority leader, and Pelosi, House minority leader, plan to do about it. The story has given rise to a combined nickname, “Chuck and Nancy.”

POLITICO: “Chuck and Nancy head to the White House.”

NPR: “Trump To Meet With ‘Chuck And Nancy.’ Expectations Are Low.”

The Hill: “Will Trump strike a deal with Chuck and Nancy?”

CNN: “Trump meeting with ‘Chuck and Nancy’ is back on ahead of shutdown deadline.”

The duo is even trending on Twitter.

Their power-couple status was actually forged back in 2017, when, in an article about health care, The New York Times penned the headline: “‘Chuck and Nancy,’ Washington’s New Power Couple, Set Sights on Health Care.”

This is by far Schumer’s best political nickname to date. In the past, President Trump has dubbed him “Cryin’ Chuck,” “Fake Tears Chuck Schumer,” “Head Clown Chuck Schumer” and “High Tax Schumer.”

Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO