You are dead right. They began by playing dead, waiting for MAGAs to wound themselves mortally on their fascist policies. Unfortunately, press billionaires side with the administration, to our shock and dismay. Not only are Schumer and Jeffries at fault, but also 16 Democrats who supported Trump's crypto scheme to make us a true kleptocracy. The rest of us get our information from posts like yours--it takes half the day to read them all. I appreciate your input. Thank you.
Right on the money, Garry. Thanks for making this crucial point. The Dems have more than enough material to work with. Surely they can muster some coordination of strategy that thinks outside the box. But they’d better get on it, NOW!
"The courts offer one underexplored line of attack. The judiciary has flashed more red and yellow lights to Trump policies than green ones. And while the courts are (appropriately) apolitical, Democrats can still claim Trump’s losses as their victories, highlighting the chaos and illegality that the president rides on as a contrast to the law and order he promised."
Sadly, even THIS is a useless tool for the Democrats, since Drumpf is not only ignoring court decisions (including a 9-0 decision against him by his own Supreme Court), but he has become a master at the art of appeal, knowing that many, perhaps most, of the decisions against him will remain in court for years - some even beyond the 2028 elections. (Assuming we have them.)
This situation, of course, reveals just how moribund and toothless the judicial system itself has become.
And by ignoring the many decisions against him, he also becomes more the dictator: he is Head of the Executive Branch (now a truly unitary Executive), and he controls the Legislative Branch (because the GOP has abrogated all its responsibilities to him, and will never go against him). And by ignoring the Judicial Branch - and forcing everything into years of appeals - he effectively emasculates it, rendering them largely impotent during his term.
There is also the fact that a large swath of Americans (mostly MAGA, but not entirely) have been brainwashed by the "Big Lie" that the courts have been "weaponized" against him.
So having the Democrats use the situation with the court decisions as a "tool" for messaging is a weak prospect at best.
No, the much bigger problem is messaging in general. The Democrats have never been much good at it (certainly not as effective as the lock-step messaging the GOP has done, can do and does), and they actually seem to be getting worse - or, God forbid, giving up.
This does, as Garry implies, lead us that much more quickly down the road to authoritarianism, autocracy and fascism. The Democrats need a BROAD, POSITIVE message - one that will "ring" not only with the base and outlying Democrats, but perhaps even with some fence-sitting Republicans, and even some fence-sitting MAGA members (particularly as Drumpf's policies begin to adversely affect them personally).
Here's one small possibility: a recent report by a nonpartisan organization suggests that the MAGA crowd will be disproportionately adversely affects by Drumpf's tariffs (it has already begun), and that they will not escape the adverse effects (to them, and to their parents in particular) of the cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and/or Social Security - which all too many of them believe are a lie, and simply a Democratic "talking point." (Won't THEY be surprised).
Whatever the near-future facts, the Democrats need a broad-based, clearly-understood, positive message, because even their base is beginning to wonder if they can actually govern. And when one Party is perceived as unable or unwilling to govern (particularly by its own members), that is the quickest, most effective road to dictatorship.
Spot on Garry. Tell Tea Party Joe Walsh who recently switched to the Democratic side that he can show them how to fight against MAGA Republicans by being unconventional and not afraid to disrupt Trump’s authoritarian dictatorship.
I am not happy with democratic leadership but there are a number of democrats stepping up individually. Brendan Boyle has been on TV frequently talking about the budget so have a number of other individual legislators. Right now we don’t have the same echo chamber the right has and it’s a problem. Jasmine Crockett, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, all have been out there. So has my own legislator. Protests are having some effect as are town halls. Shutting down government was something I initially agreed with until I had explained to me the courts would have been shutdown to which would have allowed Trump to do more.
A concerted action instead of individual actions at events would look better. That said, if your focus is on finding primary opponents for democrats rather than making sure we have opponents for every Republican office in every state, in my opinion it’s the wrong focus. The democrats seem to be voting in unison now and the Republicans gutting our government programs are a far greater threat.
So grateful for your guidance and insights in the fight for our nation’s souls. Can’t wait for your thoughts on how to best take strategic advantage of the current Trump Musk break up
Thank you for this Gary, and thank you for giving visibility to my Twitter campaign on replacing the Russian language pressed on Ukrainian kids in the UK .
I also wonder why slick, fast-talking, one-liner-zinging personalities aren’t stepping into the political arena for the dems. There are plenty of possible candidates - for example, Jimmy Kimmel or Stephen Colbert. I can see night comedians or glib actors brushing back the mobster Trump on a debate stage, talking over him, not allowing him to even get a word in edgewise. Once we get over the phase of fear I think such voices will emerge. Jeffries and Schumer need to exit stage left.
Since the Biden farce, democrats lack credibility as political actors, even with themselves. Maybe your suggestion will help them rebuild their presence and relevance, Garry.
You are dead right. They began by playing dead, waiting for MAGAs to wound themselves mortally on their fascist policies. Unfortunately, press billionaires side with the administration, to our shock and dismay. Not only are Schumer and Jeffries at fault, but also 16 Democrats who supported Trump's crypto scheme to make us a true kleptocracy. The rest of us get our information from posts like yours--it takes half the day to read them all. I appreciate your input. Thank you.
I hadn’t realized 16 Dems supported the crypto vote. I need to look them up: I might have to rethink my earlier opinion on this
Right on the money, Garry. Thanks for making this crucial point. The Dems have more than enough material to work with. Surely they can muster some coordination of strategy that thinks outside the box. But they’d better get on it, NOW!
Democrats are afraid of their own shadows. Instead of daily self-flagellation, they need to go on offensive 24/7.
Yes, you are right on.
Query, can Schumer hire McConnell to tell him how to execute every move? Mitch is a master, Shcumer is less than a NY meh
"The courts offer one underexplored line of attack. The judiciary has flashed more red and yellow lights to Trump policies than green ones. And while the courts are (appropriately) apolitical, Democrats can still claim Trump’s losses as their victories, highlighting the chaos and illegality that the president rides on as a contrast to the law and order he promised."
Sadly, even THIS is a useless tool for the Democrats, since Drumpf is not only ignoring court decisions (including a 9-0 decision against him by his own Supreme Court), but he has become a master at the art of appeal, knowing that many, perhaps most, of the decisions against him will remain in court for years - some even beyond the 2028 elections. (Assuming we have them.)
This situation, of course, reveals just how moribund and toothless the judicial system itself has become.
And by ignoring the many decisions against him, he also becomes more the dictator: he is Head of the Executive Branch (now a truly unitary Executive), and he controls the Legislative Branch (because the GOP has abrogated all its responsibilities to him, and will never go against him). And by ignoring the Judicial Branch - and forcing everything into years of appeals - he effectively emasculates it, rendering them largely impotent during his term.
There is also the fact that a large swath of Americans (mostly MAGA, but not entirely) have been brainwashed by the "Big Lie" that the courts have been "weaponized" against him.
So having the Democrats use the situation with the court decisions as a "tool" for messaging is a weak prospect at best.
No, the much bigger problem is messaging in general. The Democrats have never been much good at it (certainly not as effective as the lock-step messaging the GOP has done, can do and does), and they actually seem to be getting worse - or, God forbid, giving up.
This does, as Garry implies, lead us that much more quickly down the road to authoritarianism, autocracy and fascism. The Democrats need a BROAD, POSITIVE message - one that will "ring" not only with the base and outlying Democrats, but perhaps even with some fence-sitting Republicans, and even some fence-sitting MAGA members (particularly as Drumpf's policies begin to adversely affect them personally).
Here's one small possibility: a recent report by a nonpartisan organization suggests that the MAGA crowd will be disproportionately adversely affects by Drumpf's tariffs (it has already begun), and that they will not escape the adverse effects (to them, and to their parents in particular) of the cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and/or Social Security - which all too many of them believe are a lie, and simply a Democratic "talking point." (Won't THEY be surprised).
Whatever the near-future facts, the Democrats need a broad-based, clearly-understood, positive message, because even their base is beginning to wonder if they can actually govern. And when one Party is perceived as unable or unwilling to govern (particularly by its own members), that is the quickest, most effective road to dictatorship.
Spot on Garry. Tell Tea Party Joe Walsh who recently switched to the Democratic side that he can show them how to fight against MAGA Republicans by being unconventional and not afraid to disrupt Trump’s authoritarian dictatorship.
They are in flight mode.
More like "freeze".
Or fawning stage
Spot on! Jeffries and Schumer need to go; let those who will, DO!
I am not happy with democratic leadership but there are a number of democrats stepping up individually. Brendan Boyle has been on TV frequently talking about the budget so have a number of other individual legislators. Right now we don’t have the same echo chamber the right has and it’s a problem. Jasmine Crockett, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, all have been out there. So has my own legislator. Protests are having some effect as are town halls. Shutting down government was something I initially agreed with until I had explained to me the courts would have been shutdown to which would have allowed Trump to do more.
A concerted action instead of individual actions at events would look better. That said, if your focus is on finding primary opponents for democrats rather than making sure we have opponents for every Republican office in every state, in my opinion it’s the wrong focus. The democrats seem to be voting in unison now and the Republicans gutting our government programs are a far greater threat.
So grateful for your guidance and insights in the fight for our nation’s souls. Can’t wait for your thoughts on how to best take strategic advantage of the current Trump Musk break up
Years of passive-aggressive conditioning (and believing their own bull shit) have left the Democrats too impotent to put up an effective fight.
Thank you for this Gary, and thank you for giving visibility to my Twitter campaign on replacing the Russian language pressed on Ukrainian kids in the UK .
Schummer and Jeffries need to go! We need Dems ready yo fight Trump
The Big Abominable Bill is a TROJAN HORSE
https://open.substack.com/pub/politicsusa46/p/what-does-grok-think-of-the-big-billionaire?r=yrvw2&utm_medium=ios
I also wonder why slick, fast-talking, one-liner-zinging personalities aren’t stepping into the political arena for the dems. There are plenty of possible candidates - for example, Jimmy Kimmel or Stephen Colbert. I can see night comedians or glib actors brushing back the mobster Trump on a debate stage, talking over him, not allowing him to even get a word in edgewise. Once we get over the phase of fear I think such voices will emerge. Jeffries and Schumer need to exit stage left.
They lack Trump's camouflage as a real-world "business man".
Since the Biden farce, democrats lack credibility as political actors, even with themselves. Maybe your suggestion will help them rebuild their presence and relevance, Garry.