I had not heard of Welch before, but having read Gabe's NYT gift link about her I probably won't seek her out. I try and avoid "Conflict Entrepreneurs" and "Attention Economy" aficianados. As Gabe points out, the ideology is lacking in most of this social media political arguing. I want a stronger Democratic Party that can unify around clear positions on major issues.
Considering how many of our country’s biggest problems were solved legislatively when the Tea Party was at maximum influence — none — perhaps millions of Americans will join me in preemptively saying no thank you to a Democratic version of the Tea Party. Emphasizing “fight,” rather than digging into complex policy challenges that will make life better and more affordable (eg, immigration, health care, housing), will make Congress more dysfunctional than it already is, thereby enabling the President to wield more power. I’m older, but now Schumer and Trump older, and recommend candidates willing to stay out of the spotlight once elected, putting their nose to the grindstone to consider complex solutions to complex problems and doggedly working to win support from across the aisle. Americans deserve workhorses not show horses. As a Texan, I would love to see a Senate general election between John Cornyn and James Talarico (though I have no idea if he is a workhorse . . . ).
As someone who remembers well the rise of the GOP Tea Party, I'm amused at the idea that the movement came to power because of rational ideology rather than being anti-the-current-guy. The movement probably wouldn't have gone anywhere had we not elected our first Black president, thus exposing the power of racism to motivate activists and voters. If you don't remember the Tea Party protestors' signs, look at some examples from 2009-2010 and beyond. It wasn't America's finest hour, but it did set the stage for our current problem of establishment Dems trying to maintain power by compromising with bigots and billionaires.
One could make the argument that the Tea Party was indeed successful in pulling the GOP into positions that are now party orthodoxy--and which helped the current president win re-election. It could be said that without the Tea party, we wouldn't have had Project 2025 and the DOGE shredding of government. I don't think any of these are good things, BTW, but we ought not to dismiss the long-term effects of that particular movement, just as we ought not to dismiss Democratic efforts that look similar. The successful Democratic politician will be the one who can create a large enough tent to include the various factions, sort of like what Barack Obama did. Unfortunately, the guy who has been most successful--so far--in doing that for his own party is the current president. Gabe's earlier post about Dick Cheney's funeral made exactly that point, by showing how utterly impotent the old-line GOP lions have become. I hope the smart guys in the Democratic party are taking notes.
Interesting, I have never heard of Welch. She doesn't represent my views of where I'd like to see the Democratic Party go. I don't really have a comparison to Limbaugh though.
Re: Totenkopf tattoo guy - of the two polls showing him ahead in the primary, one was paid for and written by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and the other by his campaign’s manager
For good or bad, “inflammatory thing person said” is no longer a metric for whether a candidate gets a vote or not in this country and feels like lazy analysis.
Read the New York Post today about a memo just found where Biden knew what he was doing re: an open southern border - was warned against it by some aides - but did it anyway under pressure from progressives….the Democrats are going to be digging out of that hole for some time to come.
I didn't like Biden's border policy but the senate did writ one that was very aggressive and as we know Trump's sycophants in the house wouldn't discuss it because Trump told them not to
That was at lease the third time a bipartisan (once including Rubio) senate had passed a bill and a Republican house had sat on it in committee
I'm not disagreeing with you on Biden I'm saying the Republicans are as much to blame as well
The 12 million is Trump talking points It is estimated there are about 11 million illegals in the country right now At least 40% of those are overstayed visas, etc
I had not heard of Welch before, but having read Gabe's NYT gift link about her I probably won't seek her out. I try and avoid "Conflict Entrepreneurs" and "Attention Economy" aficianados. As Gabe points out, the ideology is lacking in most of this social media political arguing. I want a stronger Democratic Party that can unify around clear positions on major issues.
I like the terms
Considering how many of our country’s biggest problems were solved legislatively when the Tea Party was at maximum influence — none — perhaps millions of Americans will join me in preemptively saying no thank you to a Democratic version of the Tea Party. Emphasizing “fight,” rather than digging into complex policy challenges that will make life better and more affordable (eg, immigration, health care, housing), will make Congress more dysfunctional than it already is, thereby enabling the President to wield more power. I’m older, but now Schumer and Trump older, and recommend candidates willing to stay out of the spotlight once elected, putting their nose to the grindstone to consider complex solutions to complex problems and doggedly working to win support from across the aisle. Americans deserve workhorses not show horses. As a Texan, I would love to see a Senate general election between John Cornyn and James Talarico (though I have no idea if he is a workhorse . . . ).
As someone who remembers well the rise of the GOP Tea Party, I'm amused at the idea that the movement came to power because of rational ideology rather than being anti-the-current-guy. The movement probably wouldn't have gone anywhere had we not elected our first Black president, thus exposing the power of racism to motivate activists and voters. If you don't remember the Tea Party protestors' signs, look at some examples from 2009-2010 and beyond. It wasn't America's finest hour, but it did set the stage for our current problem of establishment Dems trying to maintain power by compromising with bigots and billionaires.
It's all about the left behinds The Latino vote is ready to start going back to the Democratic party as well as some of the independent vote
The Dems will steal defeat from the hands of victory again if they don't focus on solutions to the economy
One could make the argument that the Tea Party was indeed successful in pulling the GOP into positions that are now party orthodoxy--and which helped the current president win re-election. It could be said that without the Tea party, we wouldn't have had Project 2025 and the DOGE shredding of government. I don't think any of these are good things, BTW, but we ought not to dismiss the long-term effects of that particular movement, just as we ought not to dismiss Democratic efforts that look similar. The successful Democratic politician will be the one who can create a large enough tent to include the various factions, sort of like what Barack Obama did. Unfortunately, the guy who has been most successful--so far--in doing that for his own party is the current president. Gabe's earlier post about Dick Cheney's funeral made exactly that point, by showing how utterly impotent the old-line GOP lions have become. I hope the smart guys in the Democratic party are taking notes.
The Tea Party was a symptom, not a cause, of the sentiment behind Project 2025.
Interesting, I have never heard of Welch. She doesn't represent my views of where I'd like to see the Democratic Party go. I don't really have a comparison to Limbaugh though.
Re: Totenkopf tattoo guy - of the two polls showing him ahead in the primary, one was paid for and written by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and the other by his campaign’s manager
It's pretty obvious that the Republicans would rather face Totenkopf tattoo guy than the woman who beat LePage.
For good or bad, “inflammatory thing person said” is no longer a metric for whether a candidate gets a vote or not in this country and feels like lazy analysis.
Would love to write a bit about this in the newsletter if it’s alright with you!
I’d love that, Gabe. Thanks for asking
ALOHA. ...On the COCONUT WIRELESS. ................
¡Aloha! How's the weather? I just got back from a great ski day in Northern AZ. Although where I live near Sedona it was mid 60ºs and sunny.
ALOHA. ...On the COCONUT WIRELESS. ................
Read the New York Post today about a memo just found where Biden knew what he was doing re: an open southern border - was warned against it by some aides - but did it anyway under pressure from progressives….the Democrats are going to be digging out of that hole for some time to come.
I didn't like Biden's border policy but the senate did writ one that was very aggressive and as we know Trump's sycophants in the house wouldn't discuss it because Trump told them not to
That was at lease the third time a bipartisan (once including Rubio) senate had passed a bill and a Republican house had sat on it in committee
So we need to point fingers both ways
Not really - Biden let in 12 million before he even lifted a finger to do anything about it - and he got his just desserts.
I'm not disagreeing with you on Biden I'm saying the Republicans are as much to blame as well
The 12 million is Trump talking points It is estimated there are about 11 million illegals in the country right now At least 40% of those are overstayed visas, etc
Here is a breakdown
https://cmsny.org/correcting-record-false-misleading-statements-on-immigration/
I'm not sure I would believe anything in the Post without independent confirmation from a reputable news source.
The New York Times broke the story....check it out...the NYPost credited the Times ...and hopefully times-they-are-a-changin...
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/07/us/politics/biden-immigration-trump.html