According to the Los Angeles Times (link), Adam Schiff (D - Burbank, CA) is concerned that recent protests may lead to an energized, demanding base that could radicalize the party, making governing difficult.
Schiff says: “The radical nature of this government is radicalizing Democrats, and that’s going to pose a real challenge to the Democratic Party, which is to draw on the energy and the activism and the passion that is out there, but not let it turn us into what we despised about the tea party.”
Schiff also presents an interesting picture of what Democrats are taking from the election: “Did we lose because we were too far to the left and we had too small a tent, or did we lose because we are too mainstream and didn’t energize the base?”
Perhaps it was too small a tent in the mainstream. Perhaps not being far enough left didn’t energize the base. It does appear there is space to Schiff’s left.
Perhaps there is room for a representative who is not put off by energy and activism and passion.