WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats are struggling to put the bitter 2016 election behind them as the party's current chairman and his predecessor bicker over Hillary Clinton's failed campaign, further exposing deep divisions two days before the closely watched Virginia governor's race that could foretell Democratic prospects in 2018 and beyond.

The dueling across Sunday news shows was triggered by the disclosure that Donna Brazile, the interim Democratic leader during the final months of the campaign, considered an effort to replace Clinton as the presidential nominee because of health concerns.

"The charge that Hillary Clinton was somehow incapacitated is quite frankly ludicrous," said Tom Perez, who took over as Democratic National Committee chairman after Donald Trump won the election.

Brazile, who claimed "tremendous pressure" to devise a backup ticket led by then-Vice President Joe Biden after Clinton fainted at an event, pushed back: "Go to hell. I'm going to tell my story."