Everything Trump is doing is straight out of the project 2025 playbook. Voters hated Project 2025. Why can’t dems use this as a unifying theme for attacking all the shit he is doing right now?
Agree. Quit talking about democratic norms! Most aren't concerned with that language; many don't believe those "norms" work for them.
Be vocal and loud of the real life impact of what project 2025 looks like, how it will impact their lives. Not many want to read a 900 page tome, but it's incumbent on Dems to educate about how specifically this will harm we the people's lives. I mentioned on another thread that Chris Murphy is a much better, more authentic and passionate speaker than anyone of seen in the D Senate. He has been there a while, and he would be a better representative. Just as Ms Crockett, AOC and Max Frost would be dynamic at Hakkim's side. Or at least given much more "air time" and responsibility. I understand the merit system. But by god, we're talking about losing our democracy. Pay attention to who the people pay attention to; it's not Jerry Connelly and it's not Chuck Schumer or Dick Durban! These people certainly don't light fires in anyone, either.
I was watching the new last night and they were showing Schummar with lots of Dems around him saying how they were going to push back. Sad as this must be to say, one of the problems is that the US culture is pushing back big time on career politians. We shouldn't be confused that what happened in the Rep party won't happen to the Dems. We need fresh people speaking, with fresh energy, new words, new language. We can still do everything we did to help our country be better, but we MUST do it differently. It all feels so old and over and ineffective - even if it IS effective, it feels old and tired. blame it on social media or whatever you want, but the performance has to change to catch on....
There are younger, bolder voices in the Senate that the general public doesn't get enough of, e.g., Brian Schatz, Chris Murphy. Schumer is looking very much like he is not up to the job, and I believe it's time for Schumer, Durbin, and some other stalwarts (Warner, Klobuchar) who cannot message or oppose to step aside and make way for new leadership.
The ones you mention all want to extend the hand and work with R’s. They can do that when there are men and women of character and good intent on that other side. Not now.
I understand the concept, with Connelly and the others, that they earned it. But this is where the Dems are tone deaf. These old career politicians aren't being listened to. Few read the papers or get their news from the mainstream media unless they're Fox followers.
They blew it by not putting AOC and other younger, more vibrant and media savvy leaders in charge. They already have their built in followings. They can get to more people quickly, millions at a time to sound the alarms. It was great to see the Dems in the traditional press conference mode, but no one is watching! Hakkim seems dependent upon what Diane thinks and says, and as much as I admire and appreciate her, she needs to step back. In the Senate I'd rather see Chris Murphy as the minority leader. They're in a club that is so old and antiquated. I hope a new DNC Chair can ignite some passion and fight into the party. And ACCEPT the role of opposition.
It's like watching them bang their heads against a brick wall! And I'm sure the Republicans are laughing. I don't want to hear any talk of working together when it's painfully clear that Republicans only interest is in pleasing Trump, and Trump's only interest is in tearing down the democracy.
Absolutely!!! It has been time to pass the baton to the younger, media savvy Dems. RBG hung on too long--HUBRIS --and destroyed her legacy and helped the other side take away our rights. (I'm almost 67!) This is frustrating and infuriating!!!
My Senator, Chris Murphy, has been especially vocal about the MAGA onslaught of policies that are hurting and will hurt vulnerable people. As a donor to him, I am receiving nearly daily emails with forceful and intelligent critiques of Trump. Chris is relatively young-51-and unusually thoughtful for a politician. This is exactly what we need-a new generation of leaders mincing no words about Trumpism. The age of Schumer and Durbin as leaders of Senate Dems is over. They’ve been ineffective to say the least.
I could not agree more and said the same separately. Add Schatz to the mix. Some others have put out good messages (Heinrich on the impoundment), but my senator - Schumer - needs to get out of the way. According to Ezra Levin of Indivisible, reports are that in the face of the OMB outrage, Senate Dems tried to unify the caucus to vote against Trump's nominee for Treasury, Duffy. Schumer, among others, opposed it, and it flopped.
EXACTLY!!!! It does not help to be talking to ourselves. We need to be in the face of those that think all politicians are evil. So, Trump is bad but so are the Dems. I am so tired of hearing this terribly false statement. Our job is to get people to think we are tough, we are cool, we are fighting strong for them (and against the evil toxic maniac) and we are a group that they would be proud to brag about at their daughters soccer game or at a neighborhood get together, etc. Today, that is not the case.
I absolutely see why you say that. But I see these are really more in the vein of tools for Dem sympathizers to use to actively make and spread messages better, beyond sharing ready-made content. There is a lot of good stuff here to use to push electeds with.
We could start with a chorus of people echoing what Tim Kaine said about Trump’s “promise” of a buyout to federal workers who quit: “The president has no authority to make that offer. If you accept that offer and resign, he’ll stiff you.”
From your lips to god’s ear. I have never been more disappointed in the Democratic Party than I am now. What is happening is not hard to respond to. But it seems like the party is afraid to break protocol or something. The GOP is deliberately killing people. End of story.
Ascribing motive is also critical - Democrats have to get used to openly speculating about WHY Trump allies are acting to tear down government — and that is to line the pockets of their billionaire allies with tax breaks and corporate welfare. A transfer of wealth is underway, taken from Meals on Wheels and into the pockets of Trump allies, and at the expense of our our communities. Showcasing that narrative is key to stopping Trump.
This is great for those in power. But I’m one person. I vote like it’s my passion. Always. I donate when I can. I did notice Sen. Merkley speaking out. Side note I am proud he’s my Senator. But seriously what else can an individual do? It’s so damn maddening. I reach retirement age in 2 yrs and I’m scared I wont be able to. I’m exhausted and so angry. Like another poster said, I want to throw up my hands and let them FAFO.
Yes to all of this. I just hope that you are reaching out to elected Dems personally- you have a greater reach and louder voice than we do because of your resume.
I live in LA. I went to a taping of Jimmy Kimmel last night for fun. The people behind me, tourists - like normal middle America people - had a conversation about Oprah and one said - “Whatever happened to Dr. Oz?” The other one said “Oh yeah… “ I wanted to turn around and scream “He’s in charge of your Medicaid idiots!!!!”
I don’t blame them. I later came home and watched NBC News with Lester Holt. They had one short story about RFK that consisted of a few scary photos of him, a short clip of Caroline Kennedy with absolutely no context of who she is and why she’s important in this, and three minutes of some random couple in wherever America saying “Oh maybe it might be something if he doesn’t like vaccines.”
That is insane! MSM does not even have to have a POV on this. What a disservice to journalism. Tell the story of who these people are and play actual clips of them on the million podcasts and fox news and other places they have actually spoken.
Here is where I'm (still) at post-election. Dems offered the country so many things. They got rid of the old guy and gave the voters a young, experienced candidate. They promised programs to make peoples' lives better. For the past 4 years, Biden passed meaningful legislation, made sure the trains ran mostly on time, and presided over an economy that was viewed as miraculous given what he inherited. And still, more people voted for Trump than didn't, and the Democratic Party bled support from its core groups. So you know what, I'm basically done. Because why should we fight for these people when they 1) don't care, 2) don't appreciate it and 3) deserve what they voted for?
I think it's time for people to take their medicine. Because I honestly believe that there is NOTHING Dems can do in any form that will make a difference. I think the only way we will ever get change is when these people are directly affected by Trump and MAGA/Project 25. I know this sounds cynical and jaded and probably not very patriotic. But I'm tired of spending the mental energy, increase in blood pressure and 24/7 stress over something that I can't control.
Yesterday I saw a TikTok (ha!) of a woman losing her mind because she found out SNAP benefits might be at risk, and she was a Trump voter. I shrugged.
There really are swing voters. Those who swing from voting Blue to Red, and those who swing from voting to staying home.
Swing voters swung away from us because we had a president who ignored polls for three years that consistently said 75% didn’t want him to run, refused to address high prices, and sowed chaos at the border. Kamala had no time and no chance to turn that around.
But we still have 215 Reps and 47 Senators. Even MAGA thinks they’ll lose the House.
We have a dope in the White house who will overplay his hand, and dopes running Cabinet departments. They will screw up.
Some swing voters are distressingly ignorant and uninterested. But we will need their vote in 2026 and beyond.
Democrats in the House should start an Impeachment inquiry immediately. Read the Constitution. Trump is a walking talking criminal president. Then retead the Declaration of Independence to understand the respect we have for Monarchs.
I always thought the Contract with America was a great idea — too good not to steal and re-brand. Short and punchy, it was easy to get behind and kept people focused on THE message.
I hope the Dem version isn’t 90 pages long with sub-sections and doesn’t contain the phrase “middle out and bottom up”.
Maybe 10 sentences in very plain English all with a subject, verb and object.
Dan—are Democratic leaders hearing this from you and others? I call my rep’s offices (and Sen Schumer’s, now that I’ve lost Sherrod) and make these points loud and clear, but it’s hard to believe it makes a difference. What would get this message through to those who can act on it? What can we do now?
Everything Trump is doing is straight out of the project 2025 playbook. Voters hated Project 2025. Why can’t dems use this as a unifying theme for attacking all the shit he is doing right now?
Agree. Quit talking about democratic norms! Most aren't concerned with that language; many don't believe those "norms" work for them.
Be vocal and loud of the real life impact of what project 2025 looks like, how it will impact their lives. Not many want to read a 900 page tome, but it's incumbent on Dems to educate about how specifically this will harm we the people's lives. I mentioned on another thread that Chris Murphy is a much better, more authentic and passionate speaker than anyone of seen in the D Senate. He has been there a while, and he would be a better representative. Just as Ms Crockett, AOC and Max Frost would be dynamic at Hakkim's side. Or at least given much more "air time" and responsibility. I understand the merit system. But by god, we're talking about losing our democracy. Pay attention to who the people pay attention to; it's not Jerry Connelly and it's not Chuck Schumer or Dick Durban! These people certainly don't light fires in anyone, either.
I was watching the new last night and they were showing Schummar with lots of Dems around him saying how they were going to push back. Sad as this must be to say, one of the problems is that the US culture is pushing back big time on career politians. We shouldn't be confused that what happened in the Rep party won't happen to the Dems. We need fresh people speaking, with fresh energy, new words, new language. We can still do everything we did to help our country be better, but we MUST do it differently. It all feels so old and over and ineffective - even if it IS effective, it feels old and tired. blame it on social media or whatever you want, but the performance has to change to catch on....
There are younger, bolder voices in the Senate that the general public doesn't get enough of, e.g., Brian Schatz, Chris Murphy. Schumer is looking very much like he is not up to the job, and I believe it's time for Schumer, Durbin, and some other stalwarts (Warner, Klobuchar) who cannot message or oppose to step aside and make way for new leadership.
The ones you mention all want to extend the hand and work with R’s. They can do that when there are men and women of character and good intent on that other side. Not now.
I understand the concept, with Connelly and the others, that they earned it. But this is where the Dems are tone deaf. These old career politicians aren't being listened to. Few read the papers or get their news from the mainstream media unless they're Fox followers.
They blew it by not putting AOC and other younger, more vibrant and media savvy leaders in charge. They already have their built in followings. They can get to more people quickly, millions at a time to sound the alarms. It was great to see the Dems in the traditional press conference mode, but no one is watching! Hakkim seems dependent upon what Diane thinks and says, and as much as I admire and appreciate her, she needs to step back. In the Senate I'd rather see Chris Murphy as the minority leader. They're in a club that is so old and antiquated. I hope a new DNC Chair can ignite some passion and fight into the party. And ACCEPT the role of opposition.
It's like watching them bang their heads against a brick wall! And I'm sure the Republicans are laughing. I don't want to hear any talk of working together when it's painfully clear that Republicans only interest is in pleasing Trump, and Trump's only interest is in tearing down the democracy.
Absolutely!!! It has been time to pass the baton to the younger, media savvy Dems. RBG hung on too long--HUBRIS --and destroyed her legacy and helped the other side take away our rights. (I'm almost 67!) This is frustrating and infuriating!!!
I am 72 and completely agree. Young! Focus on young. RBG let us down
I take it “Connelly” is Gerry Connolly. Who is “Diane”? I agree with your points.
Meant Nancy. I sometimes mix up the two ladies from SF. ;)
I thought you meant Nancy.
Chuck Schumer looks like Grandpa from the Munsters and literally no person under 30 knows or cares about what he has to say.
My Senator, Chris Murphy, has been especially vocal about the MAGA onslaught of policies that are hurting and will hurt vulnerable people. As a donor to him, I am receiving nearly daily emails with forceful and intelligent critiques of Trump. Chris is relatively young-51-and unusually thoughtful for a politician. This is exactly what we need-a new generation of leaders mincing no words about Trumpism. The age of Schumer and Durbin as leaders of Senate Dems is over. They’ve been ineffective to say the least.
I could not agree more and said the same separately. Add Schatz to the mix. Some others have put out good messages (Heinrich on the impoundment), but my senator - Schumer - needs to get out of the way. According to Ezra Levin of Indivisible, reports are that in the face of the OMB outrage, Senate Dems tried to unify the caucus to vote against Trump's nominee for Treasury, Duffy. Schumer, among others, opposed it, and it flopped.
What Mitch and his cronies have been doing for years. We need to do this now and constantly
We're using the approach you suggested in a series of infographics and maps.
Egg Prices Soar Thanks To The MAGA Clown Show
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/01/25/egg-prices-soar-maga-clown-show-fda-cdc-gagged/
How to bird-dog MAGA reps to hold them accountable for stealing your Federal benefits to give tax cuts to billionaires
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/01/28/how-to-bird-dog-maga-reps-for-stealing-your-federal-benefits-medicaid-food-stamps/
Who’s hurt by Trump’s Federal Aid freeze jeopardizing Medicaid and Food Stamps? Check this map!
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/01/28/map-of-communities-hurt-by-trumps-federal-aid-freeze-jeopardizing-medicaid-and-food-stamps/
But where are you showing these? Consider changing the name from Demlabs - my uncle is not going to click on that, and would not believe it if he did.
EXACTLY!!!! It does not help to be talking to ourselves. We need to be in the face of those that think all politicians are evil. So, Trump is bad but so are the Dems. I am so tired of hearing this terribly false statement. Our job is to get people to think we are tough, we are cool, we are fighting strong for them (and against the evil toxic maniac) and we are a group that they would be proud to brag about at their daughters soccer game or at a neighborhood get together, etc. Today, that is not the case.
I absolutely see why you say that. But I see these are really more in the vein of tools for Dem sympathizers to use to actively make and spread messages better, beyond sharing ready-made content. There is a lot of good stuff here to use to push electeds with.
👏👏👏👏👏
We could start with a chorus of people echoing what Tim Kaine said about Trump’s “promise” of a buyout to federal workers who quit: “The president has no authority to make that offer. If you accept that offer and resign, he’ll stiff you.”
From your lips to god’s ear. I have never been more disappointed in the Democratic Party than I am now. What is happening is not hard to respond to. But it seems like the party is afraid to break protocol or something. The GOP is deliberately killing people. End of story.
Ascribing motive is also critical - Democrats have to get used to openly speculating about WHY Trump allies are acting to tear down government — and that is to line the pockets of their billionaire allies with tax breaks and corporate welfare. A transfer of wealth is underway, taken from Meals on Wheels and into the pockets of Trump allies, and at the expense of our our communities. Showcasing that narrative is key to stopping Trump.
I hope they listen to you Dan! They need to get out there and be the Opposition party!!!
This is great for those in power. But I’m one person. I vote like it’s my passion. Always. I donate when I can. I did notice Sen. Merkley speaking out. Side note I am proud he’s my Senator. But seriously what else can an individual do? It’s so damn maddening. I reach retirement age in 2 yrs and I’m scared I wont be able to. I’m exhausted and so angry. Like another poster said, I want to throw up my hands and let them FAFO.
Yes to all of this. I just hope that you are reaching out to elected Dems personally- you have a greater reach and louder voice than we do because of your resume.
I live in LA. I went to a taping of Jimmy Kimmel last night for fun. The people behind me, tourists - like normal middle America people - had a conversation about Oprah and one said - “Whatever happened to Dr. Oz?” The other one said “Oh yeah… “ I wanted to turn around and scream “He’s in charge of your Medicaid idiots!!!!”
I don’t blame them. I later came home and watched NBC News with Lester Holt. They had one short story about RFK that consisted of a few scary photos of him, a short clip of Caroline Kennedy with absolutely no context of who she is and why she’s important in this, and three minutes of some random couple in wherever America saying “Oh maybe it might be something if he doesn’t like vaccines.”
That is insane! MSM does not even have to have a POV on this. What a disservice to journalism. Tell the story of who these people are and play actual clips of them on the million podcasts and fox news and other places they have actually spoken.
The what-if’s are pointless.
Here is where I'm (still) at post-election. Dems offered the country so many things. They got rid of the old guy and gave the voters a young, experienced candidate. They promised programs to make peoples' lives better. For the past 4 years, Biden passed meaningful legislation, made sure the trains ran mostly on time, and presided over an economy that was viewed as miraculous given what he inherited. And still, more people voted for Trump than didn't, and the Democratic Party bled support from its core groups. So you know what, I'm basically done. Because why should we fight for these people when they 1) don't care, 2) don't appreciate it and 3) deserve what they voted for?
I think it's time for people to take their medicine. Because I honestly believe that there is NOTHING Dems can do in any form that will make a difference. I think the only way we will ever get change is when these people are directly affected by Trump and MAGA/Project 25. I know this sounds cynical and jaded and probably not very patriotic. But I'm tired of spending the mental energy, increase in blood pressure and 24/7 stress over something that I can't control.
Yesterday I saw a TikTok (ha!) of a woman losing her mind because she found out SNAP benefits might be at risk, and she was a Trump voter. I shrugged.
There really are swing voters. Those who swing from voting Blue to Red, and those who swing from voting to staying home.
Swing voters swung away from us because we had a president who ignored polls for three years that consistently said 75% didn’t want him to run, refused to address high prices, and sowed chaos at the border. Kamala had no time and no chance to turn that around.
But we still have 215 Reps and 47 Senators. Even MAGA thinks they’ll lose the House.
We have a dope in the White house who will overplay his hand, and dopes running Cabinet departments. They will screw up.
Some swing voters are distressingly ignorant and uninterested. But we will need their vote in 2026 and beyond.
But that’s what authoritarians want the opposition to do—give up. Please don’t! D’s must unite and oppose EVERY Trump action!
Could not agree more!
Democrats in the House should start an Impeachment inquiry immediately. Read the Constitution. Trump is a walking talking criminal president. Then retead the Declaration of Independence to understand the respect we have for Monarchs.
Best Message Box in some time.
I always thought the Contract with America was a great idea — too good not to steal and re-brand. Short and punchy, it was easy to get behind and kept people focused on THE message.
I hope the Dem version isn’t 90 pages long with sub-sections and doesn’t contain the phrase “middle out and bottom up”.
Maybe 10 sentences in very plain English all with a subject, verb and object.
Dan—are Democratic leaders hearing this from you and others? I call my rep’s offices (and Sen Schumer’s, now that I’ve lost Sherrod) and make these points loud and clear, but it’s hard to believe it makes a difference. What would get this message through to those who can act on it? What can we do now?