Adam Schiff Gets a Brutal Reality Check From a San Francisco Target Cashier

Senator Adam Schiff is sounding the alarm for his fellow Democrats after a run-in with some genuine San Francisco sass, not on the campaign trail, but in the checkout line at Target. On a panel with Bill Maher, Schiff shared a story that's part political warning, part urban survival guide.

Schiff admitted that his party needs to do some soul-searching—especially in California—when it comes to crime. He said bluntly, "We're gonna have to change how we do business in California. We're gonna have to address people's legitimate concerns about crime." Even the shampoo aisle isn't safe from this debate, apparently.

Two years ago, Schiff's luggage was stolen from his car in San Francisco. He confessed it was the one time he ignored all those "don't leave valuables in your car" warnings—and, surprise, he paid the price. Left scrambling for essentials, he made a late-night run to a Target in South San Francisco. Not only did he have to hunt down a clerk to unlock the shampoo (because yes, even hair care products are under lockdown these days), but the real kicker came at the checkout.

The cashier, after hearing about Schiff's misadventures, didn't mince words. In Schiff's telling, she basically said Democrats are, well, not exactly the heroes of her late-night shift. If a Target employee at 10 p.m. is blaming Democrats for both locked-up toiletries and car break-ins, Schiff says, "We've got a major problem that we have to address." That stings more than any shampoo behind plexiglass.

Bill Maher responded, "That's an awesome story. That says a lot. I hope all the Democrats listen to that story." Honestly, if you can't win over the night shift at Target, your party messaging might need some work.

Still, Schiff hasn't lost hope. He pointed to San Francisco's new mayor, Daniel Lurie, as a sign that Democrats can reinvent how they govern. The city might be due for a "vibe shift," and maybe, just maybe, the shampoo can come out of hiding someday.