And in Georgia, two Democrats were elected to the Public Service Commission, which sets rates for the power industry in the state. For the first time in more than a decade! Onward!
I wrote postcards forthe GA race with Postcards to Voters (https://postcardstovoters.org/volunteer/). I know Environmental Voter Project (www.environmentalvoter.org) wrote postcards as well although I did not participate in that EVP campaign. (i have done others).
For any postcard writers, Postcards to voters is currently writing for Aftyn Behn in her Dec 2nd special election in TN-07. It is a red district, but after Tuesday's results, I think the seat is within reach.
Many Congressional Republicans privately admit Trump is nuts.
I keep posting. According to Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) Trumpepstein may cause an "Epstein bomb" causing over 100 Republican members to "jailbreak" from Trump.
It’s similar to the ending of The Wizard of Oz in many ways, where Dorothy clicks her heels and finds she had the power to get herself back home all along. So do we. We – the citizens, the voters, the people! – have the power, not one pathetic orange man.
I agree, they will not go quietly. Neither will all their financial backers like Bezos, Musk, Murdoch, Theil. They will use all the power they have to lie, cheat and steal next year's elections. If they actually happen, there will be National Guard at the polls, ICE at the polls, etc.
Trump has shown that he will withhold money and benefits if it keeps him in power. I will be watching to see if SCOTUS remembers that there are three branches of government reagarding Trump's tariffs. Trump might want to remember that there are Republicans in every state that need the SNAP benefits that he is withholding against a court order.
Can a State AG issue an arrest warrant for Trump for violating a court order?
Doubtful, as the Supremes have already held that he cannot be prosecuted for any act while in office. However, after the 2028 elections, state charges may be able to be applied. Not a lawyer, but thinking of a way to make the orange menace accountable.
EPSTEIN. The whole sordid mess just has to come to the surface. Mike Johnson throwing a fire blanket over it won't make it all magically disappear. But he will, I trust, be properly reviled for his cover-up.
I just heard a comment on NPR radio about Trump's sympathy for the family of former Prince Andrew. The speaker noted that he had feelings for that family but none for the girls whose lives have been effected.
It made me realize Trump is always on the side of the felon, that he forgives. He sees the plight of Epstein's helper, so much he has sent her to a spa-prison. After all, as a felon himself, they are his people.
I like to think that there are some in the MAGA crowd who are revolted by the delay, delay, delay over releasing the Epstein Files and finally helping the numerous victims get some closure. Mike Johnson having not evidenced one whit of sympathy or compassion for them.
Dagmar, so true. It is so transparent how he sides with felons. Good point that those are “his people.” It’s certainly not his MAGA followers, whom he could care less about.
I think the interesting thing will be whether some Republicans do decide to make a "jail break" - smartest thing they could do, if only on a human conscience/save-face-before-it-is-beyond-'too-late' level (a level rhe shelf life of which is way past due) - or if some fall in line with Trump's Truth Social post about Republicans losing last night because "Trump wasn't on the ticket." (Again, that third person reference, which is a clear sign of malignant narcissism if not out-and-out mental illness.) Buying into his bloviating, ego-centric, "Only I can save the Party" braying could therefore bolster the idea (his idea) of a third term, a toxic carrot which he continues to dangle in that sadistic/"clutch your pearls, Democrats," way of his, and which has, I think, already been introduced as a bill in Congress. Regardless, last night's results point to two things: the Democratic Party is a big tent with room for many, and there is a way out of this spiraling, endless nightmare if we do the work. (On a more subjective, personally reflective note, I do wonder how much ketchup hit the dining room wall last night.)
In a symbolic way, Trump was very much on the ticket in yesterday's elections - - as he was even in the Canadian national election earlier this year, to the dismay of the Canadian Conservatives.
He's held them in thrall by threat of being primaried, as well as his supporters threatening individuals. But if enough of them make a break, he's out of luck IMHO.
Exactly! I just posted the exact same thought on another of my subscriptions. It may be the REAL reason old Mr. Johnson won't gavel the House back into session.
I think you're right. Mikey knows that he would have to swear in the Arizona congresswoman, that a vote to release the Epstein files will follow. Maybe with even a few more Republicans joining the vote. He's such an insipid little stooge!
Last nights election results might suggest to Republicans that Trump's endorsement doesn't carry much weight anymore.
I'm filled with joy and hope this morning, ecstatic democracy triumphed last night. Now, forward indeed so it may triumph on a far larger stage next November!
Yesterday, Newsom correctly noted that Diaper Donnie didn’t expect people to fight back against his dirty tricks — he assumed “we’d all hold hands or maybe write an op-ed in the LA Times.” Newsom correctly gambled that California (and the nation) would not be in an op-ed writing moment last night.
Sometimes history just happens. And sometimes it gets deliberately made. Last night was an example of the latter, not the former. Let that distinction not get lost on us in days to come.
It's good to hear about the progress we have made in the last-held elections, though with the list of detractions leveled upon Trump, it's surprising that the win percentages weren't higher. This means that there is still significant support for "The Republican Way". As Jennifer Rubin pointed out, it is not time to become complacent. We have more work to do, and must keep the pressure on all the way to November 2026.
That is a surprise. I used to live in the area and remember hearing people and their attitudes. Many were still fighting the Civil War and oppising the demise of slavery.
And remember it was the Supreme Court that kept Gore from winning the election. How different the world would be if he had won. He and Clinton knew Saddahm Hussein wasn't the real villain in the attack on the World Trade Towers. We need to focus on the Supreme Court.
Indeed, talk about an institution that needs reformation and intelligent non-partisan supervision! It should have to adhere to the code of ethics that lower courts and federal agencies abide by. Since Roberts won't enforce them, put a commission in place that will. Term limits should be part of the reformation. Reverse the Citizens United and Dobbs decisions, and restore the Voting Rights Act for starters. Impeach the justices who lied during their confirmation hearings. It's asking a lot, but a lot needs to be done.
Jen said percent when she should have said percentage points. As percentages, Spanberger's margin is 34; Sherrill's is 30; and Prop 50's is a whopping 76.
Now Democrats need to make their message clear of what we are for. We can't just beat down Trump. We have to be clear how we are going to fix things when we are elected.
though be wary of the 15 page memo or even 15-item powerpoint. It's the cultural and political narrative that sells, not the policy analysis. One has to DO the analysis so one can defend one's policies, but if the policies alone were the point, then Harris would have won. One has to fight the culture wars as well as formulate policy.
IT'S TIME TO GO TO WAR AGAIN! THIS TIME IT'S NIGERIA!
Why? A CNN Poll Reports That Trump's Approval Plummets to 37%.
Have you noticed an increasingly obvious pattern of Trump threatening or actually engaging in warfare against foreign countries or on the high seas whenever he suffers a public humiliation?
The idea of taking the country to war to distract the public from heinous acts or public humiliations was Trump's brainstorm right after his public humiliation on June 14 when the draft dodger-in-chief got the military parade he deserved.
June 14, 2025 was billed as the military parade to end all parades, which would lead to the glorification of Donald Trump on his 79th birthday as The Master of the Universe, which would even transcend his claim that he "rules the country and the world".
As we all know, the line of straggly soldiers slovenly marching out of step with a proud display of indifference was a huge fiasco, and a total humiliation to Trump.
So was it then a mere coincidence that at that very moment, he just happened to do a quick turn-around, reject the assessment of his own intelligence organizations and tell Iran and the world that unless Iran agrees to "unconditional surrender", the U.S. would join in Israel's attack on Iran, which is exactly what Trump ordered?
Did it work? You bet it did. It took the entire world's attention off the egg on Trump's face and onto the question of whether he was leading us into a nuclear war.
Since then, a long list of domestic political setbacks for Trump and his menagerie of political clowns and servile politicians became increasingly interspersed with threats of invading Venezuela, Mexico, and also of doggedly blowing up and murdering 60-61 people in 13-15 boats on the high seas off Latin and South America who were suspected of being drug traffickers, regardless of whether women or children were on board.
Have all these brutal attacks, threats of invasions, and sending one of our huge aircraft carriers into the waters off the coast of South America distracted the America people from the Trump family's huge grifting campaigns, Trump's demolition of the East Wing of the White House to build a ballroom to host his billionaire contributors, his use of blackmail to force the Democrats to vote for his bill to reduce medical care for the lower and middle classes, and from the efforts of the vast majority of Americans to force the opening of the Epstein files to the light of day?
Not exactly, but with CNN reporting today that Trump's approval rating has plummeted to an all-time low of 37%, Trump needs another big distraction, like another war.
And sending our paratroopers into Nigeria by portraying himself as The Last Great Crusader leading a Holy War against the infidels who are allegedly persecuting Christians in Nigeria is just what his MAGA cult and evangelical followers will eat up.
Our new Department of War, headed by a former celebrity newscaster and TV host, stands ready, willing and able to launch our military forces against whomever Trump has the sudden urge to attack
Trump, once again, has misread the room. His attacks on foreign countries haven't overshadowed what is happening here at home. People are more worried about the rising prices of healthcare insurance, the loss of any and all SNAP benefits and inflation. The taste of a 20+ year war with costs in blood and treasure are still clear in our minds; our interest is not in new foreign involvements with no real value or end.
The MAGAs don't like the idea of our military being sent all over the world(albeit liking this at home). This and Epstein may lose him a few supporters.
As long as Trump keeps it in his demented imagination, it would be no problem. As we know, this is not the case. Bombing boats and crews to smithereens so there is no evidence possible as to what they were doing, and sending troops to Nigeria, where we have no business does not paint us in a good light. Instead of being a leader in the western world, we're looking like aggressors and bullies.
What I keep wanting to tell Trump is ... With his war on Americans he will never win the
Nobel Peace Prize. The world is watching as he starves Americans, takes away their healthcare, attacks its universities, demonizes Tylenol and agrees we don't need vaccinations. No Peace Prize for you Mr. Trump.
Religion plays a huge role, despite Trump's lack of faith and amorality. He wants to save Christianity because white Evangelicals and Christian Nationalists are his strongest voting blocks. In addition, since Trump's first presidency, a right-wing Evangelical Pastor Ralph Drollinger of Capitol Ministries has been holding weekly Bible study for members of the House and Senate, and Cabinet and high level staff members.
And at least 40 Republican Congressional members, including Majority leader John Thune, Speaker Mike Johnson (who Drollinger considers a Christian Soldier), members of the Cabinet group, specifically Russell Voight, Director of OBM, Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, and Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture are members.
Other religious people who played a large role in the Trump Administration are: Kevin Roberts, CEO of The Heritage Foundation and Mastermind of Project 2025, who is a member of Opus Dei, and JD Vance was mentored by an Opus Dei priest before he converted to Catholicism, and Leonard Leo, Chair of the Federalist Society, is a Roman Catholic with ties to Opus Dei, who stacked SCOTUS with the six conservative members, and was given $1.6 Billion in 2021, to extend his reach, is involved and there are other billionaire donors.
Thanks for the details of his religious support. Yes, religion is very important to many Americans. I just can't, for the life of me, understand how they tolerate, let alone support, this president. I don't think he'd know a commandment or a beatitude if one came up and shook hands with him--or even made a donation. He's the personification of selfishness, greed, avariciousness, pride and all the other "capital sins," as they used to be called.
Agreed. In addition, the Founding Fathers strongly believed in the separation of church and state, and Pastor Drollinger even bragged that his Senator's Bible study group had a huge part in adding the work requirement to Medicaid, which already has been proven not to work in Arkansas and Georgia. But, he made it clear they added it based on his teachings. He doesn't believe in entitlement programs, and that means Medicaid and SNAP.
Your comment belongs in a full page ad in the New York Times, or at least as an op ed piece.
But it remids me that we have been accepting the actions of a psychopath. He is out to destroy just anything he wants to. Isn't this reason for going for an impeachment ... again...
Oh, I forgot. George Santos is the poster boy for the Republican party. They march to a different drummer and so Trump is just one of them. That is until we can fill seats in Congress with Democrats. We have a big job ahead of us and we can't let up on the pressure.
Yes, I'm braced by yesterday's results. But I'm already concerned. I'm already seeing the summoning of the circular firing squad when I hear "Will.Mamdani be the face of the Democratic Party? Spanberger? AOC?" Schumer never endorsed his own candidate?
We're a big party that includes varying viewpoints. We don't banish people for lack of ideological purity. That's the other guys. We all get to make our point and then we vote.
Fun fact - Mamdani won only about 100,000 less votes than the grand total of all votes in the 2021 NYC mayoral election.
He had nearly as many volunteers knocking on door as there were total votes for Curtis Sliwa.
Rubin can continue her back door dismissals of Mamdani, but his election was not just about Cuomo. It was a slap to the billionaire backed, consultant driven Democratic Party, as well as Trump.
There’s a reason Mamdani is by far getting the most national and international coverage today.
Ps - NYC is not Portland or Berkeley. It’s the city that elected Giuliani twice, followed by the billionaire Republican Democrat Bloomberg.
"consultant driven Democratic Party" - I think that's a telling observation. To many consultants and not enough real people. On old observation - A consultant is a person who borrows your watch, then tells you the time. Then he makes off with your watch.
All the Democrats dramatically outperformed their polls, including down ballot Democrats in Virginia - more Democrats in the House of Delegates, a new Attorney General (thank goodness), and a Democratic Lieutenant Governor. I can't stop smiling....
And let's also give a shout-out to Maine voters, who rejected MAGA attempts to make it harder to vote by a huge (YUUUUUGE!) margin and also passed, by a similar margin, a measure to prohibit access to deadly weapons by individuals judged to be dangerous.
I heard a Republican pundit say none of those three Democrats who won would be able to win anywhere else in the country but you could put Marco Rubio in any of those states and he would win. I've been worried about the possibility of a Vance presidency and now I have to worry about a Rubio one. No rest for the weary.
I think that Republican pundit is whistling past the graveyard, so to speak. There is not another state besides Florida where Rubio would win. Conversely, moderate Democrats with solid national security backgrounds have won in very different states.
Where did you see this pundit’s comment? I would suggest if it was Fox News or Newsmax or any other MAGA right wing organization, I would not trust what they are saying.
I don't watch any of those channels. It was on CNN, on Audie Cornish's show. I should have said “ strategist” instead of pundit. I don't watch TV in the early mornings, I'm usually too busy reading, but I was looking for election results.
Americans appear to have awakened and come out of their torpor regarding the onslaught of tRumpism. Democrats need to build on this and come up with a coherent message to voters that can ring with many. Diversity and pluralism are not evil. Cruelty is evil - and needs to be eradicated from Government and society. Having rule books and a way to enforce the rules is what makes an ethical and beneficial society possible. Having disagreements is not intrinsically bad as long as we are striving to make a better society for everyone. And I would say that now is the time to shout from the rooftops that a few possessing obscene amounts of wealth and paying little or no taxes is the cornerstone of the evil which has been visited upon us.
That is the ongoing problem I see with the Democratic side: no cohesive advertising campaign.
Why hasn’t the Democratic Party hired a PR firm to hit Republicans hard? We also have a talented entertainment industry that can produce top notch messages. Billboards in purple areas, social media, etc.
Conceptually, I agree, about the advertising campaign, social media, billboards etc. The problem is that Democratic so-called leadership has no policies, but the status quo. In my opinion, they do not represent the majority of Democrats. They never developed a comprehensive strategy for dealing with Trump and Republicans, weren't willing to endorse Mamdani (Jeffries did it at the last minute), and need to be replaced with a new team.
Peggy, when certain areas of our brains are stimulated by optimism, confidence, faith and general benevolence towards humanity, we experience a rush of synaptic release by a specific neurotransmitter called "Hope-Amine"...we must keep-up our enthusiasms and passions for happier times ahead. Herrons Hope Together.
This means the Dems in a few states had a good night - and these are states that often vote democratic. The challenge will be to see if this - their message - turns into something that resonates with voters in other states - especially those 7 or 8 that decide presidential elections.
Fred, you misread the results. Every single county voted less MAGA more We the People. Thats the real story. Every single county, even those that had moved more MAGA in 20 & 24.
And in Georgia, two Democrats were elected to the Public Service Commission, which sets rates for the power industry in the state. For the first time in more than a decade! Onward!
Yippee! I hadn't heard this yet, and I addressed postcards for the cause, so my prayer was answered.
A YouTuber brought out hundreds of young voters. It was a great day! I am an assistant precinct manager and everyone was so energized!
Excellent news! I wrote postcards to Georgia voters in support!
me too!
I wrote postcards forthe GA race with Postcards to Voters (https://postcardstovoters.org/volunteer/). I know Environmental Voter Project (www.environmentalvoter.org) wrote postcards as well although I did not participate in that EVP campaign. (i have done others).
For any postcard writers, Postcards to voters is currently writing for Aftyn Behn in her Dec 2nd special election in TN-07. It is a red district, but after Tuesday's results, I think the seat is within reach.
She could also use help in raising money for the final push: www.aftynforcongress.com
Great article, great photo!
Makes me weep with joy and hope.
Now, forward!
Many Congressional Republicans privately admit Trump is nuts.
I keep posting. According to Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) Trumpepstein may cause an "Epstein bomb" causing over 100 Republican members to "jailbreak" from Trump.
Massive Congressional visits November 18.
https://www.instagram.com/flare.usa/p/DP_mdOyjdiG/
Visit CongressionalRepublicans.
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/851451/
I think that if we play our cards right, many can be convinced tby the election to come forward.
It’s similar to the ending of The Wizard of Oz in many ways, where Dorothy clicks her heels and finds she had the power to get herself back home all along. So do we. We – the citizens, the voters, the people! – have the power, not one pathetic orange man.
In Trump's case, let's pay attention to the malevolent men behind the curtain, Vought and Miller.
BBB, and that's only two. Remember Leonard Leo's subjects. I'm looking forward to seeing SCOTUS "rearranged."
I agree, they will not go quietly. Neither will all their financial backers like Bezos, Musk, Murdoch, Theil. They will use all the power they have to lie, cheat and steal next year's elections. If they actually happen, there will be National Guard at the polls, ICE at the polls, etc.
Trump has shown that he will withhold money and benefits if it keeps him in power. I will be watching to see if SCOTUS remembers that there are three branches of government reagarding Trump's tariffs. Trump might want to remember that there are Republicans in every state that need the SNAP benefits that he is withholding against a court order.
Can a State AG issue an arrest warrant for Trump for violating a court order?
Make it a state crime, not federal?
Doubtful, as the Supremes have already held that he cannot be prosecuted for any act while in office. However, after the 2028 elections, state charges may be able to be applied. Not a lawyer, but thinking of a way to make the orange menace accountable.
Withholding money & benefits *won’t keep him in power tho.
Not without taking out a few goddam wicked witches along the way, thank you very much.
It's not over yet, but it's a great start.
EPSTEIN. The whole sordid mess just has to come to the surface. Mike Johnson throwing a fire blanket over it won't make it all magically disappear. But he will, I trust, be properly reviled for his cover-up.
I just heard a comment on NPR radio about Trump's sympathy for the family of former Prince Andrew. The speaker noted that he had feelings for that family but none for the girls whose lives have been effected.
It made me realize Trump is always on the side of the felon, that he forgives. He sees the plight of Epstein's helper, so much he has sent her to a spa-prison. After all, as a felon himself, they are his people.
I like to think that there are some in the MAGA crowd who are revolted by the delay, delay, delay over releasing the Epstein Files and finally helping the numerous victims get some closure. Mike Johnson having not evidenced one whit of sympathy or compassion for them.
Dagmar, so true. It is so transparent how he sides with felons. Good point that those are “his people.” It’s certainly not his MAGA followers, whom he could care less about.
I think the interesting thing will be whether some Republicans do decide to make a "jail break" - smartest thing they could do, if only on a human conscience/save-face-before-it-is-beyond-'too-late' level (a level rhe shelf life of which is way past due) - or if some fall in line with Trump's Truth Social post about Republicans losing last night because "Trump wasn't on the ticket." (Again, that third person reference, which is a clear sign of malignant narcissism if not out-and-out mental illness.) Buying into his bloviating, ego-centric, "Only I can save the Party" braying could therefore bolster the idea (his idea) of a third term, a toxic carrot which he continues to dangle in that sadistic/"clutch your pearls, Democrats," way of his, and which has, I think, already been introduced as a bill in Congress. Regardless, last night's results point to two things: the Democratic Party is a big tent with room for many, and there is a way out of this spiraling, endless nightmare if we do the work. (On a more subjective, personally reflective note, I do wonder how much ketchup hit the dining room wall last night.)
In a symbolic way, Trump was very much on the ticket in yesterday's elections - - as he was even in the Canadian national election earlier this year, to the dismay of the Canadian Conservatives.
How wonderful. Last night he said of the elections.... his name wasn't on the ballot... if it was they would have won.
What an ego! It's almost as big as his heart is small.
He's held them in thrall by threat of being primaried, as well as his supporters threatening individuals. But if enough of them make a break, he's out of luck IMHO.
Exactly! I just posted the exact same thought on another of my subscriptions. It may be the REAL reason old Mr. Johnson won't gavel the House back into session.
I think you're right. Mikey knows that he would have to swear in the Arizona congresswoman, that a vote to release the Epstein files will follow. Maybe with even a few more Republicans joining the vote. He's such an insipid little stooge!
Last nights election results might suggest to Republicans that Trump's endorsement doesn't carry much weight anymore.
I'm filled with joy and hope this morning, ecstatic democracy triumphed last night. Now, forward indeed so it may triumph on a far larger stage next November!
We have to keep the pressure on with monthly marches and postcards and whatever we
can do. We can't let King Midas think we have forgotten or forgiven him for his behavior.
Trump is the reverse King Midas: everything he touches turns to 💩.
Exactly!
Very true!
Me, too! I'm a little teary this morning...
It is simply Americans in array against the rise of fascism. It makes me happy to see people trying to take back the reins of our republic.
Yesterday, Newsom correctly noted that Diaper Donnie didn’t expect people to fight back against his dirty tricks — he assumed “we’d all hold hands or maybe write an op-ed in the LA Times.” Newsom correctly gambled that California (and the nation) would not be in an op-ed writing moment last night.
Sometimes history just happens. And sometimes it gets deliberately made. Last night was an example of the latter, not the former. Let that distinction not get lost on us in days to come.
Love this: "not ... an op-ed writing moment" - perfect phrase!
Wonderfully said!
It's good to hear about the progress we have made in the last-held elections, though with the list of detractions leveled upon Trump, it's surprising that the win percentages weren't higher. This means that there is still significant support for "The Republican Way". As Jennifer Rubin pointed out, it is not time to become complacent. We have more work to do, and must keep the pressure on all the way to November 2026.
Every county in Virginia bled red last night — even the ruby-reddest. Every one.
I can’t even think when that happened last.
That is a surprise. I used to live in the area and remember hearing people and their attitudes. Many were still fighting the Civil War and oppising the demise of slavery.
It ain’t your granddad’s Ole Virginny any more.
At 77, I could be that granddad. Gore, VA was a familiar place.
And remember it was the Supreme Court that kept Gore from winning the election. How different the world would be if he had won. He and Clinton knew Saddahm Hussein wasn't the real villain in the attack on the World Trade Towers. We need to focus on the Supreme Court.
Indeed, talk about an institution that needs reformation and intelligent non-partisan supervision! It should have to adhere to the code of ethics that lower courts and federal agencies abide by. Since Roberts won't enforce them, put a commission in place that will. Term limits should be part of the reformation. Reverse the Citizens United and Dobbs decisions, and restore the Voting Rights Act for starters. Impeach the justices who lied during their confirmation hearings. It's asking a lot, but a lot needs to be done.
Jen said percent when she should have said percentage points. As percentages, Spanberger's margin is 34; Sherrill's is 30; and Prop 50's is a whopping 76.
A notable clarification. Thank you.
Now Democrats need to make their message clear of what we are for. We can't just beat down Trump. We have to be clear how we are going to fix things when we are elected.
though be wary of the 15 page memo or even 15-item powerpoint. It's the cultural and political narrative that sells, not the policy analysis. One has to DO the analysis so one can defend one's policies, but if the policies alone were the point, then Harris would have won. One has to fight the culture wars as well as formulate policy.
Yes, the first time trump one in 2016, I knew it was a culture war. Culture and cults, with endless propaganda from Fox, are tricky to turn around.
IT'S TIME TO GO TO WAR AGAIN! THIS TIME IT'S NIGERIA!
Why? A CNN Poll Reports That Trump's Approval Plummets to 37%.
Have you noticed an increasingly obvious pattern of Trump threatening or actually engaging in warfare against foreign countries or on the high seas whenever he suffers a public humiliation?
The idea of taking the country to war to distract the public from heinous acts or public humiliations was Trump's brainstorm right after his public humiliation on June 14 when the draft dodger-in-chief got the military parade he deserved.
June 14, 2025 was billed as the military parade to end all parades, which would lead to the glorification of Donald Trump on his 79th birthday as The Master of the Universe, which would even transcend his claim that he "rules the country and the world".
As we all know, the line of straggly soldiers slovenly marching out of step with a proud display of indifference was a huge fiasco, and a total humiliation to Trump.
So was it then a mere coincidence that at that very moment, he just happened to do a quick turn-around, reject the assessment of his own intelligence organizations and tell Iran and the world that unless Iran agrees to "unconditional surrender", the U.S. would join in Israel's attack on Iran, which is exactly what Trump ordered?
Did it work? You bet it did. It took the entire world's attention off the egg on Trump's face and onto the question of whether he was leading us into a nuclear war.
Since then, a long list of domestic political setbacks for Trump and his menagerie of political clowns and servile politicians became increasingly interspersed with threats of invading Venezuela, Mexico, and also of doggedly blowing up and murdering 60-61 people in 13-15 boats on the high seas off Latin and South America who were suspected of being drug traffickers, regardless of whether women or children were on board.
Have all these brutal attacks, threats of invasions, and sending one of our huge aircraft carriers into the waters off the coast of South America distracted the America people from the Trump family's huge grifting campaigns, Trump's demolition of the East Wing of the White House to build a ballroom to host his billionaire contributors, his use of blackmail to force the Democrats to vote for his bill to reduce medical care for the lower and middle classes, and from the efforts of the vast majority of Americans to force the opening of the Epstein files to the light of day?
Not exactly, but with CNN reporting today that Trump's approval rating has plummeted to an all-time low of 37%, Trump needs another big distraction, like another war.
And sending our paratroopers into Nigeria by portraying himself as The Last Great Crusader leading a Holy War against the infidels who are allegedly persecuting Christians in Nigeria is just what his MAGA cult and evangelical followers will eat up.
Our new Department of War, headed by a former celebrity newscaster and TV host, stands ready, willing and able to launch our military forces against whomever Trump has the sudden urge to attack
Trump, once again, has misread the room. His attacks on foreign countries haven't overshadowed what is happening here at home. People are more worried about the rising prices of healthcare insurance, the loss of any and all SNAP benefits and inflation. The taste of a 20+ year war with costs in blood and treasure are still clear in our minds; our interest is not in new foreign involvements with no real value or end.
The MAGAs don't like the idea of our military being sent all over the world(albeit liking this at home). This and Epstein may lose him a few supporters.
It's more than just MAGAs who don't like the idea or our military being sent all over the world at this point.
True, I don't like it either. But I was thinking that maybe he'd lose support from at least some of them over this.
Probably more Independents would be swayed than MAGAs, though any defections would be welcomed.
He wants to declare more wars so that he can claim to stop more wars--all in his imagination.
As long as Trump keeps it in his demented imagination, it would be no problem. As we know, this is not the case. Bombing boats and crews to smithereens so there is no evidence possible as to what they were doing, and sending troops to Nigeria, where we have no business does not paint us in a good light. Instead of being a leader in the western world, we're looking like aggressors and bullies.
What I keep wanting to tell Trump is ... With his war on Americans he will never win the
Nobel Peace Prize. The world is watching as he starves Americans, takes away their healthcare, attacks its universities, demonizes Tylenol and agrees we don't need vaccinations. No Peace Prize for you Mr. Trump.
I think likes to destroy things and the military is a good way for him to feel powerful.
Our "peace maker" king has threatened to use or used the military against
1. Yemen
2. Iran
3. Venezuela
4. Columbia
5. Canada
6. Greenland
7. Mexico
8. Nigeria
9. United States
Some of that is for distraction but some is because he likes to hurt people.
When he starts claiming he wants to save world Christianity, we know it's the dementia speaking.
Religion plays a huge role, despite Trump's lack of faith and amorality. He wants to save Christianity because white Evangelicals and Christian Nationalists are his strongest voting blocks. In addition, since Trump's first presidency, a right-wing Evangelical Pastor Ralph Drollinger of Capitol Ministries has been holding weekly Bible study for members of the House and Senate, and Cabinet and high level staff members.
And at least 40 Republican Congressional members, including Majority leader John Thune, Speaker Mike Johnson (who Drollinger considers a Christian Soldier), members of the Cabinet group, specifically Russell Voight, Director of OBM, Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, and Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture are members.
Other religious people who played a large role in the Trump Administration are: Kevin Roberts, CEO of The Heritage Foundation and Mastermind of Project 2025, who is a member of Opus Dei, and JD Vance was mentored by an Opus Dei priest before he converted to Catholicism, and Leonard Leo, Chair of the Federalist Society, is a Roman Catholic with ties to Opus Dei, who stacked SCOTUS with the six conservative members, and was given $1.6 Billion in 2021, to extend his reach, is involved and there are other billionaire donors.
Drollinger has written on his Capitol Ministries site that he is involved with 535 legislators in Washington D.C. He has ministries for politicians in 43 states, and worldwide. I wrote about it two days ago on Substack. https://sbwrites1.substack.com/p/an-evangelical-pastor-leads-50-republican
Thanks for the details of his religious support. Yes, religion is very important to many Americans. I just can't, for the life of me, understand how they tolerate, let alone support, this president. I don't think he'd know a commandment or a beatitude if one came up and shook hands with him--or even made a donation. He's the personification of selfishness, greed, avariciousness, pride and all the other "capital sins," as they used to be called.
Agreed. In addition, the Founding Fathers strongly believed in the separation of church and state, and Pastor Drollinger even bragged that his Senator's Bible study group had a huge part in adding the work requirement to Medicaid, which already has been proven not to work in Arkansas and Georgia. But, he made it clear they added it based on his teachings. He doesn't believe in entitlement programs, and that means Medicaid and SNAP.
Your comment belongs in a full page ad in the New York Times, or at least as an op ed piece.
But it remids me that we have been accepting the actions of a psychopath. He is out to destroy just anything he wants to. Isn't this reason for going for an impeachment ... again...
Oh, I forgot. George Santos is the poster boy for the Republican party. They march to a different drummer and so Trump is just one of them. That is until we can fill seats in Congress with Democrats. We have a big job ahead of us and we can't let up on the pressure.
Thanks Dagmar.
Thanks for this, Jen. A balm for my anxious, angry, liberal soul. Thanks for being clear-eyed and positive.
Yes, I'm braced by yesterday's results. But I'm already concerned. I'm already seeing the summoning of the circular firing squad when I hear "Will.Mamdani be the face of the Democratic Party? Spanberger? AOC?" Schumer never endorsed his own candidate?
We're a big party that includes varying viewpoints. We don't banish people for lack of ideological purity. That's the other guys. We all get to make our point and then we vote.
Please don't screw this up this time.
Fun fact - Mamdani won only about 100,000 less votes than the grand total of all votes in the 2021 NYC mayoral election.
He had nearly as many volunteers knocking on door as there were total votes for Curtis Sliwa.
Rubin can continue her back door dismissals of Mamdani, but his election was not just about Cuomo. It was a slap to the billionaire backed, consultant driven Democratic Party, as well as Trump.
There’s a reason Mamdani is by far getting the most national and international coverage today.
Ps - NYC is not Portland or Berkeley. It’s the city that elected Giuliani twice, followed by the billionaire Republican Democrat Bloomberg.
"consultant driven Democratic Party" - I think that's a telling observation. To many consultants and not enough real people. On old observation - A consultant is a person who borrows your watch, then tells you the time. Then he makes off with your watch.
All the Democrats dramatically outperformed their polls, including down ballot Democrats in Virginia - more Democrats in the House of Delegates, a new Attorney General (thank goodness), and a Democratic Lieutenant Governor. I can't stop smiling....
And let's also give a shout-out to Maine voters, who rejected MAGA attempts to make it harder to vote by a huge (YUUUUUGE!) margin and also passed, by a similar margin, a measure to prohibit access to deadly weapons by individuals judged to be dangerous.
Well done, Ms. Rubin.
I heard a Republican pundit say none of those three Democrats who won would be able to win anywhere else in the country but you could put Marco Rubio in any of those states and he would win. I've been worried about the possibility of a Vance presidency and now I have to worry about a Rubio one. No rest for the weary.
I think that Republican pundit is whistling past the graveyard, so to speak. There is not another state besides Florida where Rubio would win. Conversely, moderate Democrats with solid national security backgrounds have won in very different states.
Where did you see this pundit’s comment? I would suggest if it was Fox News or Newsmax or any other MAGA right wing organization, I would not trust what they are saying.
I don't watch any of those channels. It was on CNN, on Audie Cornish's show. I should have said “ strategist” instead of pundit. I don't watch TV in the early mornings, I'm usually too busy reading, but I was looking for election results.
Americans appear to have awakened and come out of their torpor regarding the onslaught of tRumpism. Democrats need to build on this and come up with a coherent message to voters that can ring with many. Diversity and pluralism are not evil. Cruelty is evil - and needs to be eradicated from Government and society. Having rule books and a way to enforce the rules is what makes an ethical and beneficial society possible. Having disagreements is not intrinsically bad as long as we are striving to make a better society for everyone. And I would say that now is the time to shout from the rooftops that a few possessing obscene amounts of wealth and paying little or no taxes is the cornerstone of the evil which has been visited upon us.
That is the ongoing problem I see with the Democratic side: no cohesive advertising campaign.
Why hasn’t the Democratic Party hired a PR firm to hit Republicans hard? We also have a talented entertainment industry that can produce top notch messages. Billboards in purple areas, social media, etc.
Conceptually, I agree, about the advertising campaign, social media, billboards etc. The problem is that Democratic so-called leadership has no policies, but the status quo. In my opinion, they do not represent the majority of Democrats. They never developed a comprehensive strategy for dealing with Trump and Republicans, weren't willing to endorse Mamdani (Jeffries did it at the last minute), and need to be replaced with a new team.
I agree v
Great idea to tear down half the WH before elections. What a stable genius! 😉
And withhold SNAP! Stable genius indeed.
Even in an actual stable - like with horses - he wouldn't stand out as a "genius".
Yesterday’s election results give us hope that we can move forward …thank you for this article. Our work continues…onward!!
Peggy, when certain areas of our brains are stimulated by optimism, confidence, faith and general benevolence towards humanity, we experience a rush of synaptic release by a specific neurotransmitter called "Hope-Amine"...we must keep-up our enthusiasms and passions for happier times ahead. Herrons Hope Together.
This means the Dems in a few states had a good night - and these are states that often vote democratic. The challenge will be to see if this - their message - turns into something that resonates with voters in other states - especially those 7 or 8 that decide presidential elections.
Fred, you misread the results. Every single county voted less MAGA more We the People. Thats the real story. Every single county, even those that had moved more MAGA in 20 & 24.
I am still dismayed that we have a wannabe dictator and the percentages are still 52-48, when it should be 65-35.
Mississippi went blue in certain places. Maybe listen a bit more?