Wow... This post is fire! The old George Bernard Shaw saying is applicable here: If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. In this case, willful ignorance about the needs of their constituents. And all of this pain just to protect sex traffickers, pedophiles, and tax breaks for billionaires... Just sad.
We need to come out in massive numbers next year. And it’s up to the Democratic Party and its leaders to make sure we have monitors at each election site. There should not just be Republicans counting ballots.
This is all stuff that needs to be figured out now, not 12 months from now. There are also some really important people out there who are helping us- the only name I can remember right now is Mark Elias. And I think if I’m remembering correctly, Norm Eisen… and many more who work hard every day to try to save this democracy. And I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.
Yes yes yes! We don't have to rely on big-name leaders, fortunately. Local Democratic committees do a lot of the 'admin' stuff of voter registration, door-knocking etc, and getting out the vote. And there's need for more poll workers (a non-partisan role). Also of course League if Women Voters.... We've only got <12 months, and primaries popping up!
We should also challenge using Star Link. It is not needed. Those voting machines don't need Star Link. Any results that look abnormal should be challenged with a hand count.
The MAGA republicans will not accept responsibility for their hate narratives nor their public lies. If they did, they would have to also admit that their moral integrity is sorely lacking. Admitting that would mean that the reflection in the mirror would be too much to bear.
Over confidence on the part of dems will not play well in 2026.... there's a lot that has to happen inluding a platform they can support. Not just a bunch of stuff they hate.
Stopping Trump and doing the will of the people is not going to get done with traditional politics and campaigning.
That's 2028, I think. 2026 is a lot about regional issues. And as 2028 comes into view, presidential aspirants will share their bigger ideas and we get to pick.
Pretty sure there aren't over confident Dems. We know the score. But we showed up Tuesday and we aren't quitting. Re House seats, each district is so different from the others. The local voters need to keep it local.
The Republicans think that in the end they've succeeded in their insurrectionist coup d'etat, which will allow them to stay in power on the coat tails of Trump and their corporate donors. Just keep lying and kiss their asses is their MO. Their trickle-down economics is killing them at the polls. Their base, although still in the sand, still thinks Trump will be their savior. But these hirelings are the scapegoat they're pissed at.
And it’s not a matter of cluelessness. They know they are a minority, that’s why they find it necessary to cheat WHILE they accuse libs of cheating. They live the lie and repeat it until the libs start to believe it!
💯Mike! Great summation. No surprise they are not pivoting. You have to wonder do they believe or support Trump and that this corrupt administration will rig, lie, & cheat to stay in power? We must stay vigilant, informed & ready for action!! 💙💙
What you say is true. But for me, that's down the list of points to make. How many people have read P25? All the comforts we rely on- economic stability, our rights (which we kinda take for granted), all under frontal attack. And people have noticed!
I have a couple of thoughts on this. I’m going to disagree with Mike’s analysis on both of these points, at least a bit.
First, regarding the economy 2024. The economist, a respected magazine, had their cover story about Biden‘s economy being “the envy of the world”. He got inflation back under control after Trump pretty much ruined the economy, mishandled Covid, and did nothing at all for anybody except rich people and religious whack jobs. Yes, the economies of the world have been in turmoil, and are still suffering the distant echoes from the Covid pandemic and the shutdown that was necessary to contain it. But Mr. Biden did a good job.
Second, old Republican talking points. I am told that virtually half the messaging in the Virginia election was the same tired old anti-trans, anti-gay bullshit. It was successful for Trump, but what is also the case is there’s not one thing that is wrong with an anti-trans person’s life that has anything to do with transgender people existing. Yes, he was able to energize his virulent and truly base base with the same kind of hysteria that got George Bush a second term. In his case, it was anti-gay marriage. Appeals to prejudice, despite, fear, ignorance, stupidity, and toxic religious belief worked in 2024, but now people are actually suffering, whereas they were not in 2024. I am told that Abigail Spanberger actually addressed all of that anti-trans garbage in the course of her campaign, and her addressing it tended to neutralize it. You can compare this to what was being done during shrub’s reelection effort, where far too many Democrats decided that civil unions and domestic partnerships were good enough for the likes of me.
No, they were not.
I was very disappointed in the democratic Party then. And I was equally disappointed last year when they again failed to address the toxic rabble rousing of the Republicans. I was very disappointed in Gavin Newsom for not taking the anti-trans garbage head on, and instead “admitting” that there might be a point to the anti-trans garbage. No there was no point to it at all, except the usual fear mongering.
Maybe the real issue for the Democrats is that they really need to start telling the truth and stop trying to appeal to bigotry, stupidity, and despite.
My understanding of Spanberger's campaign was that she stayed focused on the issues Virginians are most worried about: affordability challenges everywhere, a shattered (federal) job market, housing, school funding issues... She did not take the Culture War bait. That's the only thing the Republicans had to offer their base.
Thank you for the observation. I was relying on secondhand information from reliable sources for what I had to say. I’m not in Virginia. But I’ve had more than just a little bit of experience with the conservative, very religious mindset of so many Virginians.
My late partner was dying in the early 90s. His good Christian family made zero effort to find out what was going on with him, let alone any effort to help take care of him. It fell upon me, his former boyfriend, to take care of him. As far as they were concerned, although they allegedly “loved “him, he was getting what he deserved.
All I can say was that he didn’t deserve them. He was a good and sweet man.
To me, there was encouragement in Mississippi where they flipped two state seats and broke the GOP's supermajority, and Georgia where Democrats won two statewide elections. If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere - even in my deep red Alabama.
The 2024 election results at the core were driven by RACISM and MISOGYNY. Full stop. Pundits one and all: please stop bleating about the price of eggs or whateverrrrrr. You know better.
Dems are starting to learn. But their ties to corporate donors & interests plus corruption (like early-knowledge stock buys) still impedes their serving the country and citizens well. Too soon to crow abt the party’s wonderfulness…they’ve been selling us out too.
Also P2025. It specifically states to stop any/all gov’t “hand out” programs. USAID gutted. Snap & WIC cut now too. P2025 specially calls for churches to step up with assistance/food pantries. Pledge to the church to get needed food = Christian Nationalist. Shut down is part of the plan.
And it's not working in their favor. Just because Russ Vought's diseased mind came up with this sadistic plan Does Not Mean it's going to work! It's up to We the People to fight back (and/or support the people who are fighting back, like ACLU, Democracy Docket (?Marc Elias's org) and Democracy Forward.
We're the only ones who need to learn to kick them out and make sure they stay out.
Wow... This post is fire! The old George Bernard Shaw saying is applicable here: If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. In this case, willful ignorance about the needs of their constituents. And all of this pain just to protect sex traffickers, pedophiles, and tax breaks for billionaires... Just sad.
And implement P2025. There’s a reason it’s called “Mandate” for leadership.
We need to come out in massive numbers next year. And it’s up to the Democratic Party and its leaders to make sure we have monitors at each election site. There should not just be Republicans counting ballots.
This is all stuff that needs to be figured out now, not 12 months from now. There are also some really important people out there who are helping us- the only name I can remember right now is Mark Elias. And I think if I’m remembering correctly, Norm Eisen… and many more who work hard every day to try to save this democracy. And I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.
Yes yes yes! We don't have to rely on big-name leaders, fortunately. Local Democratic committees do a lot of the 'admin' stuff of voter registration, door-knocking etc, and getting out the vote. And there's need for more poll workers (a non-partisan role). Also of course League if Women Voters.... We've only got <12 months, and primaries popping up!
We should also challenge using Star Link. It is not needed. Those voting machines don't need Star Link. Any results that look abnormal should be challenged with a hand count.
Fascists don’t surrender, they arm up and fight harder!
The MAGA republicans will not accept responsibility for their hate narratives nor their public lies. If they did, they would have to also admit that their moral integrity is sorely lacking. Admitting that would mean that the reflection in the mirror would be too much to bear.
Over confidence on the part of dems will not play well in 2026.... there's a lot that has to happen inluding a platform they can support. Not just a bunch of stuff they hate.
Stopping Trump and doing the will of the people is not going to get done with traditional politics and campaigning.
That's 2028, I think. 2026 is a lot about regional issues. And as 2028 comes into view, presidential aspirants will share their bigger ideas and we get to pick.
Pretty sure there aren't over confident Dems. We know the score. But we showed up Tuesday and we aren't quitting. Re House seats, each district is so different from the others. The local voters need to keep it local.
The Republicans think that in the end they've succeeded in their insurrectionist coup d'etat, which will allow them to stay in power on the coat tails of Trump and their corporate donors. Just keep lying and kiss their asses is their MO. Their trickle-down economics is killing them at the polls. Their base, although still in the sand, still thinks Trump will be their savior. But these hirelings are the scapegoat they're pissed at.
Blob the Builder talked about “affordability” the same way he talked about “groceries” – as if it was a strange new word he had just invented.
I wonder if he’s once stepped in a grocery store himself
McDonald’s doesn’t count
And it’s not a matter of cluelessness. They know they are a minority, that’s why they find it necessary to cheat WHILE they accuse libs of cheating. They live the lie and repeat it until the libs start to believe it!
💯Mike! Great summation. No surprise they are not pivoting. You have to wonder do they believe or support Trump and that this corrupt administration will rig, lie, & cheat to stay in power? We must stay vigilant, informed & ready for action!! 💙💙
Implementation of P2025 is paramount. They will never back down from it.
So how come Dems never point out that 99% of what Trump says/does is fully detailed in P25?
What you say is true. But for me, that's down the list of points to make. How many people have read P25? All the comforts we rely on- economic stability, our rights (which we kinda take for granted), all under frontal attack. And people have noticed!
I have a couple of thoughts on this. I’m going to disagree with Mike’s analysis on both of these points, at least a bit.
First, regarding the economy 2024. The economist, a respected magazine, had their cover story about Biden‘s economy being “the envy of the world”. He got inflation back under control after Trump pretty much ruined the economy, mishandled Covid, and did nothing at all for anybody except rich people and religious whack jobs. Yes, the economies of the world have been in turmoil, and are still suffering the distant echoes from the Covid pandemic and the shutdown that was necessary to contain it. But Mr. Biden did a good job.
Second, old Republican talking points. I am told that virtually half the messaging in the Virginia election was the same tired old anti-trans, anti-gay bullshit. It was successful for Trump, but what is also the case is there’s not one thing that is wrong with an anti-trans person’s life that has anything to do with transgender people existing. Yes, he was able to energize his virulent and truly base base with the same kind of hysteria that got George Bush a second term. In his case, it was anti-gay marriage. Appeals to prejudice, despite, fear, ignorance, stupidity, and toxic religious belief worked in 2024, but now people are actually suffering, whereas they were not in 2024. I am told that Abigail Spanberger actually addressed all of that anti-trans garbage in the course of her campaign, and her addressing it tended to neutralize it. You can compare this to what was being done during shrub’s reelection effort, where far too many Democrats decided that civil unions and domestic partnerships were good enough for the likes of me.
No, they were not.
I was very disappointed in the democratic Party then. And I was equally disappointed last year when they again failed to address the toxic rabble rousing of the Republicans. I was very disappointed in Gavin Newsom for not taking the anti-trans garbage head on, and instead “admitting” that there might be a point to the anti-trans garbage. No there was no point to it at all, except the usual fear mongering.
Maybe the real issue for the Democrats is that they really need to start telling the truth and stop trying to appeal to bigotry, stupidity, and despite.
My understanding of Spanberger's campaign was that she stayed focused on the issues Virginians are most worried about: affordability challenges everywhere, a shattered (federal) job market, housing, school funding issues... She did not take the Culture War bait. That's the only thing the Republicans had to offer their base.
Thank you for the observation. I was relying on secondhand information from reliable sources for what I had to say. I’m not in Virginia. But I’ve had more than just a little bit of experience with the conservative, very religious mindset of so many Virginians.
My late partner was dying in the early 90s. His good Christian family made zero effort to find out what was going on with him, let alone any effort to help take care of him. It fell upon me, his former boyfriend, to take care of him. As far as they were concerned, although they allegedly “loved “him, he was getting what he deserved.
All I can say was that he didn’t deserve them. He was a good and sweet man.
To me, there was encouragement in Mississippi where they flipped two state seats and broke the GOP's supermajority, and Georgia where Democrats won two statewide elections. If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere - even in my deep red Alabama.
The 2024 election results at the core were driven by RACISM and MISOGYNY. Full stop. Pundits one and all: please stop bleating about the price of eggs or whateverrrrrr. You know better.
They haven’t learned because they don’t want to learn, because I believe they have something up their sleeve for 2026!!
I feel trump is distracting with the whole redistricting thing !! I think it’s deeper than just that!!
Peter Thiel and Musk’s digital footprint are way too connected to this administration to not think they are up to something!!
Dems are starting to learn. But their ties to corporate donors & interests plus corruption (like early-knowledge stock buys) still impedes their serving the country and citizens well. Too soon to crow abt the party’s wonderfulness…they’ve been selling us out too.
Also P2025. It specifically states to stop any/all gov’t “hand out” programs. USAID gutted. Snap & WIC cut now too. P2025 specially calls for churches to step up with assistance/food pantries. Pledge to the church to get needed food = Christian Nationalist. Shut down is part of the plan.
And it's not working in their favor. Just because Russ Vought's diseased mind came up with this sadistic plan Does Not Mean it's going to work! It's up to We the People to fight back (and/or support the people who are fighting back, like ACLU, Democracy Docket (?Marc Elias's org) and Democracy Forward.