I'll throw my 2 cents of criticism in here

[EarlG]

Seems to me that there are bad outcomes no matter which way Senate Democrats vote on the CR. Blocking the CR will shut down the government, which will give Trump the opportunity to declare a national emergency and do whatever the hell he wants. If the government is shut down for more than 30 days, it becomes much easier to fire federal employees. And Trump will blame every single thing that has gone wrong over the past couple of months, including the crashing stock market, on the fact that "Democrats shut down the government." I can see why Democrats wouldn't want to hand Trump that weapon.

On the other hand, voting for the CR also gives Republicans want they want. It signs off on cuts that Democrats don't want. And Trump is going to attempt to impound the spending that they're signing off on anyway -- his goal is to make Congress irrelevant. I can see why Democrats wouldn't want to look like they're signing off on the GOP's latest insanity. And voting for the CR is obviously going to turn off a major portion of the base.

So it's an almost impossible choice either way. But to me, that's not the problem. The problem is that we don't seem to be able to make lemonade from lemons.

As long as Trump is president, this chaos is going to continue. No matter which way Democrats turn, they're not going to "solve" this just by voting on stuff -- it's not like there's a magic solution where things will get worse if Democrats vote one way, and better if they vote a different way. Things will continue to get worse no matter what.

The problem as I see it is that Senate Democrats have been faced with an impossible choice, and then they're publicly acting like it. They're dithering, they're being taunted by Republicans without seeming to be able to come up with a decent response, and they're not exactly flooding the airwaves and social media with a focused response. Frankly, they look weak, indecisive, and leaderless. They need to pick a direction, pick a message, and then promote that message relentlessly.

It is disturbing that no matter which way Democrats plan to vote, they don't seem to have a message. They don't seem to be able to explain what is happening in a coherent way. They can't even seem to come up with a unified message that attempts to assuage the concerns of their own base. In politics, looking like you're fighting goes a very, very long way. So when our side doesn't even look like it's fighting, then it feels like we've already lost before a vote has even been cast.

Recent polls are showing that Americans DO NOT LIKE what Trump is doing. He is giving Democrats a massive amount of political ammunition. As we know, his "gish gallop" style of politics makes it difficult to focus on one thing because the next day he's on to three more things. But at the same time, it SHOULD NOT BE THIS HARD for Democrats to come up with some kind of message -- something, anything! -- that makes it look like they have their act together.

Chuck Schumer is our leader in the Senate, and that's where this current action is taking place, and it's not like they haven't had time to figure out how they're going to message this. So I think the buck stops with him on this one.

[moonshinegnomie]

1. until schumer and the top democratic leadership is removed i will not donate a nickle to them

im done. they talk a lot but when push comes to shove they surrender. i'm going the bernie route. Ill vote for dems but no longer consider myself one,at least with teh current leadership of the party

[Raven123]

25. Same here. However I am sending Chuck a letter.

It is important for Dems to know why I won’t donate. They seem clueless.

[DENVERPOPS]

48. And the Dems

are clueless as to why they have seen a major decline in Donations...........Just as they are clueless on a lot of things, and thinking this will just "blow over.".......

[Capperdan]

85. Done donating

I'm guarding my nest egg carefully now. Groceries are more important. I have participated in two demonstrations in the last two weeks and that feels more empowering. Trump has got to be stopped quickly. He's freaking insane.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

62. In MANY ways, Bernie with his progressive populist principles is the most Democratic Democrat in Congress!!

[choie]

104. AOC as well.

no question about that.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

109. I completely agree, AOC is an absolute gem... but let's not forget she was influenced by Our Fearless Leader himself!!

[berksdem]

91. Amen moonshine...

I am tired of the barrage of texts, emails and calls on a daily basis for donations. Schumer just cemented my decision to refrain from donating more cash until this dolt is removed.

[Terry_M]

101. Unfortunately same place

They voted how they feel is best. Now what is best is to retire to not weigh the party down. Next time there's an act blue text message or email from Schumer I will have an immediate negative reaction. I'm less likely to donate or volunteer if I see his name when the spam begins next year.

[ImNotGod]

3. Guess what? tRump's already doing whatever the hell he wants, piss poor excuse but hey, its doesn't surprise me if they

cave so quick, they may even get the coveted GOP Garland award.

[Bengus81]

74. Yep...but we're supposed to belive that WITH Gov open Trump can't do anything?? ROFLMMFAO!!

Oh fucking please.............

[returnee]

100. Excellent point! n/t

[Think. Again.]

4. There have been quite a few Dems with a strong message of resistance to trump...

...unfortunately, those Dems are "young", and Dem leadership doesn't have a lot of respect for anyone who is guilty of that particular offense.

[sheshe2]

8. Good to know!

Sen. Warren gave a blistering speech on the Senate floor, so she is one of the "young" ones of which you speak?! Rep. Larson is a youngster too, with his attack on the MAGA/GOP.

[Think. Again.]

9. Why would you mention Warren when I explicitly spoke of the "young"?

Did you think ONLY young people are opposed to fascism?

[sheshe2]

15. I was being facetious...

When I named Warren and Larson since you intimated that only the young have a strong message of resistance!!! So I was thankin' ya for saying they are young!

4. There have been quite a few Dems with a strong message of resistance to trump...

...unfortunately, those Dems are "young", and Dem leadership doesn't have a lot of respect for anyone who is guilty of that particular offense.

I will toss this question back at ya:

Do you think that older people are not opposed to fascism?

9. Why would you mention Warren when I explicitly spoke of the "young"?

Did you think ONLY young people are opposed to fascism?

Have a great evening, Think Again.

[Think. Again.]

73. Oh, I see, you assumed I was saying something I did not say.

[intheflow]

81. Yeah, if there's one thing the Democratic leadership adores doing

it's trashing the younger elected Dems. I'm sorry you were all in with the Clinton era of moving ever-"center" (rightward) because of the supposed correlation between the stock market and the overall economy. That strategy made you rich. But now, Schumer, you got yours at the expense of many of us, it's time to peace out.

[Deuxcents]

5. Messaging has been our problem for too long.

I get we’re in between a rock and a hard place but very few Democrats are out in the trenches trying to listen to us and communicating with us. We just didn’t all of a sudden get to this place but here we are so what’s the plan? Do they have one? Can they explain the situation and let us give our input?

[regnaD kciN]

45. The magnitude of Schumer's failure is that it's a double fail...

A failure of politics and a failure of messaging.

I don’t know if it’s true that a shutdown would only help Trump destroy the government. (If true, won’t he find a way to engineer one no matter what?). But, if it is true, shouldn’t Schumer and the leadership have determined it in advance, and not had him make his “we will kill the CR” announcement yesterday, only to flip-flop today?

Personally, I suspect the real reason was, not that Schumer reached that conclusion, but that he found overnight that the Fettermanchin wing of the party had enough votes for cloture anyway, and so decided to put lipstick on a pig. Hint: it didn’t work. All it did was make Democrats look weak and ineffectual. And, as someone else noted on this thread, voters will choose someone who’s strong and wrong over one who’s weak and right. Guess what Democrats look like right now, even to those who will be hurt by the Trump agenda? If you think that won’t hurt come 2026, you’re dreaming.

[mzmolly]

6. Agree.

This is a failure no matter the situation we're in, because we don't appear to have a coherent opposition party.

"When people feel uncertain, they'd rather have someone strong and wrong than weak and right..." - Bill Clinton

[SnoopDog]

7. The Dems were not allowed any input to the CR

The Continuing Resolution (CR) is not a CR as other provisions have been added to it. One provision basically give trump his Enabling Act.

If Democrats allow this CR to pass then it is deemed bipartisan and the world would see that the Democratic Party is equally liable for the destruction of our country and our Constitution.

Shut it down until repubs negotiate with the Dems.

[PortTack]

108. The gop were fine with a shut down.

They would hold all the cards as to when to stop it. In the meantime weeks, possibly months later when thousands have walked away from their government jobs out of necessity, well we just did their work for them. More skeletonizing of the government….fits right in.

We would have absolutely no bargaining power as to when to restart the government period. And, May have been in a worse position than we are now. I know that seems impossible, but I would remind everyone that each day we think it can’t get any worse, but it does.

This is cruelty beyond the pale brought to you fully by the gop.

[highplainsdem]

10. I agree. They're failing badly on unified messaging.

Not only do we not have the media infrastructure (including podcasts) that rightwingers have, but we don't have enough spokespeople who can command media attention.

I'm usually not crazy about celebrities getting into politics, but at the moment we could use a few. Unfortunately, this is also a moment when most liberal celebrities would think it's almost suicidal to get into politics. Especially if Democratic politicians who've been doing this for years can't get their act together.

I saw a filmmaker I've corresponded with post today that we need a third party (first time I've seen that, so he's apparently giving up on Dems out of frustration). I disagree, though if we had a parliamentary system the anti-Trump parties could probably win. But we don't.

Just looked at Bluesky for the first time in a few hours, and among the first messages I noticed was Josh Marshall posting that "Chuck Schumer is a weak man and a fool."

Sigh.

Btw, having a unified message should NEVER mean reading from a script, identical speeches in videos. Dems have sometimes done that recently and were mocked for it. Not sure whose idea that was, but it was a bad one.

[EarlG]

12. With regard to your last point, I think that's important

It’s not just having a message, it’s delivering it with passion and sincerity.

I will say that with regards to commanding media attention, obviously that’s not something that’s given — it has to be earned, or taken, by whatever means necessary. If we don’t have people who can do that, we need to get some. I know we have people who can handle themselves with great skill in the media, but that’s not enough any more — we need people who can be in everyone’s faces, every day, to an annoying degree.

Thinking about it, that might be what Newsom is up to with his podcast and RW interviews. It’s a turnoff for the base, but it got him a lot of attention, and these days attention equals legitimacy in the eyes of many voters.

In fact, maybe the problem is less the messaging and more the fact that we’re currently so bad at delivering ANY message in a confident manner.

[democrank]

11. I hope it's not too late for some serious soul searching.

We need a down-to-earth, easily understood message directed toward ordinary people….and we need down-to-earth, easily understood messengers. I’m fed up with Beltway Babble and the worn out messages and playbooks of yesteryear.

We don’t have friends across the aisle. Most of those people are willing to destroy their own country in exchange for a crack at more power.

Folks out in the country are worried sick. They’re scared. They’re waiting for someone who speaks their language. I’ll bet most of them don’t give a damn about the latest imported cheese at the market. They want to know how on earth they’re going to get the extra money needed for a new truck battery or their kid’s school lunch.

We have to get out there and mingle. Listen. Respond. Gather. Organize. Fight.

[wordstroken]

22. Well said, democrank: Mingle. Listen. Respond. Gather. Organize. Fight.

Excellent advice.

[LymphocyteLover]

33. what Dems are talking aboiut imported cheese? All I hear is Dems talking in regular speak about

working class issues.

[LearnedHand]

103. I think corporatism and oligarchy are low-hanging fruit here

{ waits to hear a single Dem other than Sanders, Warren, EOC, and Pritzker pick this up }

[ancianita]

13. Schumer just explained that while a CR is terrible, a shutdown would cause a federal court shutdown and

a complete stripping of everything of the agencies while the felon and henchmen train their blame on the Democrats while they build their case for a corrupt Biden presidency, while they examine alleged US military "options" for Panama and other "properties."

We don't have to have a "clear message" about what's obviously "move fast and break things" chaos by design.

And while you say we don't look as if we're "fighting," every single day it is happening;
-- Democrats are running town halls in Republican districts in place of the cowards of Congress.
-- Protests, big, small, in between, are taking place against this administration's actions every single day all over the country.

Schumer convinced me tonight on Chris Hayes (who pushed back hard on him) that this vote to prevent a shutdown allows the Senate Democratic caucus to go into high conflict with "the bastards." He's right. As things deteriorate across the country, no one will buy the lies from Trump 2.0 anymore.


Thank you for your clear framing of the Democratic Party stance during this time.

[EarlG]

18. That doesn't sound unreasonable

This was always going to be a bad deal either way, but I do believe that there may have been significant unintended consequences to shutting down the government.

It’s not going to be popular but it is what it is. It unfortunately doesn’t change the fact that Dem leadership seems rudderless right now, which is the fault of poor, almost non-existent messaging. But in the absence of a strong counter-message, I guess all we can do is try to to keep the focus on Trump’s insanity.

[ancianita]

20. It's absolutely the only option. Tonight a big thanks goes out to Schumer for appearing immediately after the CR vote.

The Democrats are not rudderless.

They're only on Trump's sinking ship that will hurt so many millions who voted for him while -- and not for nothing -- Sanders, Warren, AOC and other Democrats are out there with voters explaining
-- i.e., messaging -- how and why the Republicans and this WH oligarch will ruin their lives and livelihoods.

Speaking of "insanity" (caps for EMphasis, not yelling) ...

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS THE PARTY OF SANITY. And we are the ONLY party acting like it.

I'm okay with this vote.

[Tbear]

19. Do Not Want the Courts to Shut Down

We are winning there.
Best point Schumer made.

[ancianita]

21. EXACTLY. They are the bulwark. We are the party of sanity and we ARE winning.

[SunSeeker]

64. Yup. That one one point convinced me.

I had assumed courts would stay open during a shutdown, but that does not appear to be the case. Courts are the only way we are restraining Trump right now.

[BComplex]

82. Plus the bill continues Social Security and Medicare spending, critical to about 75 million Americans.

The courts and the Social Security are huge, and, with a total shut down, there would be no employees to staff those offices. I am totally with EarlG on this.

It's a TERRIBLE choice for Dems to have to make. Republicans are snakes, and they have intentionally put the country, and the Democrats in the legislature, in this mess. They have pretty much won this round because they had the "cards", as their cult leader would say. But Democrats are not done. We just lost this round. We have not totally lost the war.

[thumper2547]

27. What a bunch of BS

-- Democrats are running town halls in Republican districts in place of the cowards of Congress.


Oh really? What Democrats? Where is footage of the town hall that Schumer ran in a Republican district? Oh you mean some of the HOUSE Democrats are doing that. So the Senate Dems are doing NOTHING.


-- Protests, big, small, in between, are taking place against this administration's actions every single day all over the country.

Protests not organized by anyone in the Senate or the DNC. They are doing this on their own because our leaders have no spine.

What a bunch of BS>

[ancianita]

44. The Democratic Party operates on different levels. Attack the congressional Dems all you want when they're

in the minority, but overall what you call BS is still showing up across the country and representing the fight of the party of sanity writ large. You do you, thumper.

[Lulu KC]

87. Here you are.

https://democraticunderground.com/100220138779

Attilatheblond (5,392 posts)
Fri Mar 14, 2025, 02:30 PM
4
REC'D
Democrats Plan Nationwide Blitz of Town Halls in Republican Districts

This is a method! Bravo, and I am loving our new DNC leadership & Reps

Friend on FB gave us the link, not sure it will work here to get you over the paywall.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/us/politics/democrats-town-halls-republicans.html?unlocked_article_code=1.304.EBKG.VFjIXy6focmR&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare]

The Democratic Party is planning an extensive series of town halls in Republican-held districts in all 50 states to draw attention to the Republican leadership’s recent warning that G.O.P. lawmakers should avoid such open forums.

The initial wave of what Democrats are branding “People’s Town Halls” is planned to target nine House Republicans in battleground districts, from Arizona to Pennsylvania, who Democrats believe will be vulnerable in the 2026 midterm elections.

The incursions into Republican territory come as the Democratic Party tries to find its political footing after a turbulent first 50 days of President Trump’s second term, and as Republicans control every facet of the federal government — and are exercising their power aggressively.

Party officials said the first nine town halls were just the start, with the goal of eventually holding events across the country to highlight some of the less popular proposals pressed by the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress.


One of the first districts for this action is the congressional district I live in.

[mzmolly]

29. Thank you for this.

[angrychair]

31. I cannot disagree more

How could Democrats push back if Democrats are the people that voted for the CR?!? Democrats, in the eyes of the public, will be blamed just as much as Republicans because they voted for that CR too.
We have no high ground in voting for the CR.
Better to at least appear to be fighting then to appear to be compitulating.

[LymphocyteLover]

36. they are not voting for the CR. They are voting to allow it to go to vote and be passed by the GOP

like in the House

[ancianita]

39. Fine. You're right. Whatever the House sent, the Senate still passed.

[angrychair]

46. I get that

I just misspoke but I know the difference, you know the difference and so does pretty much every member of this website.
The problem is the 100+ million people that can barely be bothered to even vote. They have no idea how bills are passed. They don't even know what cloture is or care what it is. They will get told Democrats voted for it to by voting yes on cloture and that will be all they hear.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

50. BIG mistake!! We need to take the fight to these fascists!!

[LymphocyteLover]

34. Thank you for that voice of reason. The courts issue is super important.

[voteragain]

14. buck stops

thanks, EarlG
to me you made good 2 cents

[crimycarny]

16. Good summation

Trump and the GOP are going to do whatever they are going to do regardless, so I think Schumer needs to understand that the Democratic supporters desperately need to see a Democratic party that is going to fight. Just because we won't win doesn't mean you go down without a fight. It's lose-lose, but losing without a fight is worse.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

40. 100+

[Bristlecone]

17. The party lacks strong leadership today. Sorry to say it

There are leaders, but no real guiding voice that everyone seems to be willing to get behind.

I am confident that that voice will emerge, but hopefully it is not too late.

As it stands now, we are getting our clocks cleaned by the right.

[Nasruddin]

23. Double bind

Sure, it was a double bind.
Probably the regime would go for martial law if this CR not passed.
That would be more overreach, and that's all you've got. If you sign up for this regime, then you are part of it and bear responsibility for it.

[Martin Eden]

24. Which option causes the least destruction and lasting harm?

I'm not qualified to answer that question with any certainty -- but I certainly agree with the OP on at least one thing:

Democrats have to be decisive with a strong consistent unified massage that casts the Party Of Trump in the public mind as the destructive threat that it truly is.

[Docreed2003]

26. K&R

Amen, Brother Earl...


Messaging and goals are needed in any protest, currently we lacking in both.

[obamanut2012]

28. 100% agree with every word of this

[regnaD kciN]

30. "Heads, they win. Tails, we lose."

Frankly, I’m fucking sick of those being the options. And the only way we can stop it is by taking the risk of upending the status-quo that only allows the Repugs to get away with whatever they want.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

55. At some point you have to take a principled stand... that time is NOW!!

[CentralMass]

32. I listened to Schumer explain his reasoning on MSNBC on tunein radio out on a walk

I think Chuck represents the financial industry and very wealthy in his district. The are his constituents, and I suspect they heavily influence his decision making. So the argument that it was it was a lose lose situation, so we we picked the lose without a fight option leaves me to think that the leadership is toothless.

[FakeNoose]

41. All true, but Schumer also knows what kind of mess happens when the government shuts down

Like EarlG says, if the government is down for 30 days, that's when the shit hits the fan. Chump can do anything he wants including declare martial law or worse. Schumer knows that can never be allowed to happen. It's the end of the line.

[ancianita]

47. Yes, he does.

And EarlG didn't talk about what happens with a shutdown. Senator Chuck Schumer did. And EarlG says it doesn't sound unreasonable.

[Pinback]

35. " In politics, looking like you're fighting goes a very, very long way."

+ 1,000

[FakeNoose]

38. I agree EarlG - the outcome is bad either way

But I think (I hope) the dithering ends now that Schumer has announced that he will not let the government shut down. I hope Schumer is still enough of a leader that the other Dems are listening and figuring out what our next step is.

The Repukes (right now) have us by the short hairs because we stood by and let it happen. The days of "standing by" are over.... we have to plan and act now for the future, while we still hope to have one.

[hamsterjill]

42. I think that's an excellent assessment.

Thanks, Earl.

[yellow dahlia]

43. Thank you! You're singing my tune.

I keep asking for a powerful and cogent message.

I had an OP earlier today where I talked about the need for the presence of strong messengers. I call them the good "explainers". They need to explain the process, with a little bit of civics, so that their message is not just rhetoric and viral talking points. My list includes (but is not limited to) Chris Murphy, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jamie Raskin, Cory Booker. New members Melanie Stansbury and Maxwell Frost deserve more air time. I think Bernie's anti-oligarchy tour is effective. I just saw Mike Levin speak to the CR and explain the choice. I am adding him to my list - he delivers just the right amount of wonk.

Earlier today, I said - we need to get John Larson out front, (if his blood pressure can tolerate it). I have shared the clip from yesterday's Ways and Means committee in several places.

Thanks again for your OP. It gives me inspiration to keep singing my song.

[defacto7]

49. With all due respect, just what strong counter-message do you suggest?

Last edited Fri Mar 14, 2025, 09:41 PM - Edit history (1)

Or are we waiting for the present leadership to offer us something bright and new? From what?

We have been brick walled into a position, whether by our own doing or by the construct of the Republicans, where all our most precious and prized positions are echoing off the damn wall. Oh, I think we have the most human, most civilized and most powerful messages that the world has ever produced, but they are growing dim, not because we haven't been shouting them but because they are overwhelmed by the pretty plastic trinkets the right wing dangle before the ignorant as well as the promises of righteous indignation against evil forces. They are overwhelmed by lies that tout "the ends justify the means."

Voting down the CR with a single voice is the one if not the only weapon we have to fight back with a clear strong counter-message that says NO, dammit, just NO. Anything else is weak and empty.

I disagree with those who think that the Republicans would be able to blame us for everything that comes out of a shutdown. No matter what they say or do, the world already knows what their words are worth. Nothing. They would be standing with a bag over their head. But what are our words worth? By joining hand-in-hand with the Republicans by voting yes, we immediately lose whatever credibility, whatever strong message, whatever leverage we could have had, and the world would not forget it. We would blend deeper into the background and into an abyss of powerless untrustworthy sycophants that … don't have a clear and strong counter-message worth listening to.

D7

[SunSeeker]

69. No, our best weapon against Trump, where we are actually winning, is the federal courts.

We just got 2 massive rulings today ordering all the fired probationary employees to be rehired.


I had assumed the courts would still operate during a shutdown, but Schumer said they won't, so we won't be anle to run to court for a TRO when Trump or DOGE does crazy fascist shit.

[Marvin Jones]

51. Change the Storyline

Introduce a resolution to enforce Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment, which he violated in plain sight. Simply declare that he is ineligible to hold Federal or State office. Do not refer to him by any title but Mister or Sir, as a matter of common courtesy. When he and the Republicans complain, call him Your Fraudulency. Then demand a vote to see if he could be made eligible, which, according to the aforementioned provision, requires a two-thirds vote of each House.

Read THE RETURN OF KING GEORGE III and THE END OF DEFERENCE at The Noah Commentaries.

https://marvindjones.blogspot.com

[Wild blueberry]

52. FIGHT, god damn it!

And then let the effing Maga-Rs own the shutdown.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

54. DING DING DING... we hava winna!!

[Lovie777]

53. This is Democracy.........

[highplainsdem]

56. EarlG, please see this Brian Beutler piece that Greg Sargent just posted about on Bluesky:

https://bsky.app/profile/gregsargent.bsky.social/post/3lkcivxe6a22d

https://www.offmessage.net/p/a-betrayal


I posted a DU thread about it here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220136277

[iemanja]

57. Nancy Pelosi would have used this situation

To negotiate a far better budget deal, like she did when she was speaker.

[Gimpyknee]

60. Seriously?

Trumps been doing whatever he wants from his first day in office. Firings have been going on for weeks.

[GP6971]

71. HaHaHaHa!!!! You're joking right???

[marble falls]

61. Pretty much how I feel about it. We're finally starting to hear stronger push back. But there's still no spark.

[Ilsa]

63. Rock and a hard place. So, the public needs to

start threatening the Republican bill after Rs have shown how selfish, greedy, and hateful they are, I guess.

At first, I was okay with a brief shutdown. But if Mango Mussolini forces the Rs to hold out for 30 days, I don't know how we get around his declaration of a national emergency. I think the (not-really-a-C.R.) C.R. has to pass to show trump voters how unreasonably Rs govern.

[crud]

65. SHUT DOWN DOGE

that should be the message

[oldsoldierfadingfast]

66. Advise I was given...

by an elderly MD who was long passed his retirement time:
Our hosp. was already full when a snow storm hit. Some patients made it in, but most of the staff couldn't.
Working as the 'charge' nurse on the night shift, I had 27 pre- and post-op female patients and one 19 yo brand-new LPN to help me.
The ER sent us a new patient with threatened abortion. (I had not had obstet, labor or delivery rotation and did not know what to expect or do.
Fortunately, the pt. had been medicated in ER and seemed comfortable on admission to the ward.
However, when she turned on the call light and I answered, I knew I was in trouble. (Could not get a supervisor as they were tied up with other serious problems.) Trying to stay calm, I checked her and seeing a lot of blood and what I thought to be tissue, I gloved, picked up the tissue and put it into a specimen cup with alcohol. Then, I cleaned her up, re-medicated, made her as comfortable as possible and tried to reassure her she would be o.k.

When this MD, who had been trapped in the hosp. by the snowstorm came by to ck. one of his patients, I told him what I had done.
After he had told me that he thought everything would be o.k., he told me that in life I would face many situations that required my making a decision and the only thing I could do was to use my judgement and do what I thought best.

Then he said, "Experience had taught him that when in a 'damned if you do and damned if you don't; it is always better to be damned for doing than don'ting."

[SSJVegeta]

67. They need their own "drain the swamp"

An anti-corruption message against the system that created Trump, rather than against Trump himself, is what's needed. Trump can be a metaphor for corruption to attack the system that enables and enriches people like him, but focus entirely on the injustice created around a government that has become revolved around money and greed, instead of justice and democracy. They need to embrace Bernie Sanders and fight the oligarchy!

[NewHendoLib]

68. My sense remains is that the Democrats thought that there was no way Kamala would not win -

and because of that there was no contingency planning in event that she lost.

Dems got caught with their pants down and still haven't pulled them up.

[multigraincracker]

70. I'm always thrilled when some else sees

there is always more than 2 sides to every story.
I’m not jumping on any bandwagon either.

[applegrove]

72. Thank you for your insight.

[Tom Rinaldo]

75. I agree with much of what you wrote. BUT...

Herein lies the problem with the picture you sketch:

"Chuck Schumer is our leader in the Senate, and that's where this current action is taking place, and it's not like they haven't had time to figure out how they're going to message this. So I think the buck stops with him on this one (emphasis mine)."

Schumer is is not the right leader for this moment. He fails to meet the zeitgeist of this time. Whether or not he should literally step down can be debated. Perhaps it would be sufficient for Senate Democrats to de facto promote a different voice to articulate our message while Schumer functions as a parliamentary tactician. But he is failing to adequately rally the base at a time when the full active participation of all Americans of good faith in defense of our democracy is required. Even worse, he is alienating many of them. Proper messaging constitutes 80% of our effective arsenal now against the Trump/Musk coup, Courts alone will be unable to hold the line without massive public resistance to the Trump/Musk agenda.

It is in that context that the showdown on the Continuing Resolution must be weighed. The overall perception will be that Senate Democrats caved if it passes.

[EarlG]

77. Maybe the answer is, as Barack Obama put it, that "we are the ones we've been waiting for"

I will say that I find it somewhat irksome how many Democrats are framing this as "Democrats voting FOR the CR." We know that Democrats will not actually vote for the CR (with the possible exception of Fetterman). What we are arguing about here is whether or not to filibuster. Filibustering is the "strong" move -- it shuts down the government, albeit without an endgame to open it up again. Not filibustering -- allowing a normal majority vote to take place (which, by the way, is something Democrats have been advocating for for decades) -- is the "weak" move. The "cave."

But ultimately, maybe all this parliamentary maneuvering is beside the point. I don't disagree with this: "He is failing to adequately rally the base at a time when the full active participation of all Americans of good faith in defense of our democracy is required. Even worse, he is alienating many of them."

The fact is that our institutions are likely not going to save us. Senate Democrats are in this position because Trump is tearing down the guideposts of our society and is trying to replace them with something distinctly un-American. It's starting to look like the only people who can stop this are regular Americans. We are already seeing Trump's approval ratings starting to crash, and we're seeing widespread anger at town halls across the country -- people are acting on their own initiative, stepping up and taking action.

As a long-time member of a fading establishment, Schumer does seem to be the wrong person for this moment in history. Senate Democrats are doing a poor job explaining all of this to their own base, let alone to all Americans. But perhaps this is a cue for rank-and-file Democrats to stop waiting for our leaders to get us where we need to be, and take the lead ourselves. Keep showing up at town halls. Keep the fight going at the local level, where we can reach real voters who are really hurting. It's situations like this that create new leaders.

[marble falls]

116. Bingo. If not us, who?

[JustAnotherGen]

76. As I understand it

This will continue the Tax and Jobs Scam (Act) of 2017 for 10 years.

10 more years of the Intolerable Act of the SALT Cap.

When middle class and higher folks in Blue States stop filing federal taxes - don't hold it against us. Don't say we are 'breaking the law'. Don't tell us transferring our hard earned money to people who literally (generally white folks in square states) are relieved from the work requirements of TANF and SNAP - in the same Intolerable is 'paying our fair share'.

I may get a hide for this - I don't care.

They are in my fucking way and I want every single one of those MagaPublicans to suffer cold, hunger, homelessness. They deserve ti.

Everything is the VOTER's fault. All of it. They permitted it - they promoted it.

Someday this regime will fall - and I want PUNISHMENT and REVENGE. #1789

[Hope22]

78. You make a good point EarlG.

As a result of these complicated times jury duty has been really difficult. Sometimes things need to be said. I feel we need another choice on the board with questions regarding Dem ‘bashing’. Maybe: It breaks the rule but no action needed. Just an idea. If this is a programming nightmare I’ll continue to follow my conscience!😊 Thank you for all that you do!!💗🙏🏼

[twodogsbarking]

79. Well stated EarlG. Do what you believe or do what you believe will cause the least harm.

These are not normal times.

[mamacita75]

80. analysis

TY EarlG for sharing your analysis. Very well done.

[HereForTheParty]

83. All but one Democrat in the house voted against this bill

And a large majority in the Senate will do the same. Yet, we are now supposed to believe that this is some kind of a close call or conflicting issue? I think the only reason Schumer didn't go through with this is a lack of courage. The lack of communications issue is valid but right now people are hiding behind it. We had a chance to actually do something and not just talk about it. We can't just jawbone our way out of this one and hope folks blame the other side. We have to act like an opposition party.

[Jakes Progress]

84. Don't shut down the government. Two bad choices.

It's what we got handed when America fucked around.

Trump will continue to do what he is doing and accelerate it either way.

But shutting down the courts and giving the magats something to blame on Democrats isn't the best way to go.

It feels good to stamp your tiny feet and yell "NO", but it won't change a thing. It will actually be worse.

It's going to be bad either way, but let all the bad, all of it, be on the republicans. America fucked around and we are only going to get better when they find out.

We do need a coherent message. Get our best explainers get on line and on social and on television to explain what the republicans are doing and why we are voting for a crap bill - because we care about the people and things that the republicans will sacrifice to stay in trump's favor. Find 8 or so Democrats who will vote for the bill. Explain that they did this heinous deed for the country. Let the shit fall on trump and the cowering republicans. Seriously. Have a caucus. Select the 8. Then go media to explain what shit bill this is, how badly the republicans are trying to fuck with our country. Explain the bill will pass, but that the 8 are martyr-heroes who will vote agains their beliefs because they don't want working people harmed even more by a shut down.

PS: The message to farmers and unions and soldiers and teachers and anyone who voted mega and are now getting beat up. "You have a way to register your disappointment. You were lied to and used. To fight back: Vote Democratic. In every election, mayor, council, judge, dog catcher, school board. Do that in great numbers until the republicans fear you more than they do being primaried by maga lunatics. Convince the Republican Party that the only way you will come home to them is when they quit running crazy liars."

[Prairie_Seagull]

86. We are not, let me repeat, not, in a time of business as usual.

Using the same tired playbook will likely get us similar results.

Need outside the box thinking and doing.

IMO

Thoughtful post EarlG, replies don't suck either.

[NJCher]

88. this is the message:

Corruption. That's all they have to talk about, point out, ad infinitum. There is no end to new corruption from trump.

In response to OP: "They need to pick a direction, pick a message, and then promote that message relentlessly."

Source: The Atlantic, "One Word Defines Trump."

https://archive.is/ZIeJK

The article describes the one weakness that cuts across all political lines. No one wants it: corruption.

The word is "patrimonialism." Think Hungary. The weakness of these governments is that they are there to steal. They do nothing for the citizenry.

[Festivito]

89. If this CR means Musk gets a position, then no, we cannot approve that.

We must message our reasons. Short, clear, distinctive messages.
. We cannot approve Musk getting a position.
. The reckless downsizing is too dangerous for our approval.
. We will show Republicans which areas can be shut with safety in mind.
. Why approve the same amount for so many fewer workers?

Not 100-word essays.
. I will not give an example.
. Anyone who does should be seen as a domestic enemy.

[mjvpi]

90. Whoops! Your 2 cents ae only worth $.0135.

[johnnyknj]

92. You are wrong about...

... that after 30 days it gets easier to fire Fed. employees, that is BS from apologist capitulators. Ask them to show the statute that says that. The actual law protects employees furloughed by a shutdown Now we have our own Dem leader lying to us. Sad.

[DallasNE]

93. My Problem Is That I Don't Know What Is In The Bill

Why won't the news media give us a summary of the differences and what those differences would cause.

[Daleuhlmann]

94. You've Nailed It!

I've long said that the Democrats seem incapable of agreeing to and sticking with one unifiying message and action of opposition to MAGA. I agree with you that this problem of miscommunication lies with our party's national leadership, and in the Senate, that means Chuck Schumer.

[question everything]

95. kick

[malaise]

96. Dems need a message

No to gate PERIOD

[LetMyPeopleVote]

97. While I hate the CR, I think that shutting down the government is not a good idea

I wish that the Democrats had a better message but I now think that passing the CR is the least bad choice

[senseandsensibility]

98. I agree

I've been calling for unity since the election. They keep being handed opportunities to look united and blowing them. This isn't nitpicking. Messaging is everything. From their scattered response at the SOTU (or whatever the technical term for it was) to this, they are all over the place and creating the impression that they're in the dreaded "disarray" that the media loves to accuse them of. No one is arguing that this is easy, but pick a position, unite, and stick with it! Thanks for taking the time to lay it all out so clearly.

[Godot51]

99. A Stand

It's already past time to make a Stand.

We/you/humanity/society/civilization cannot wait.

[LearnedHand]

102. Right to the heart of the matter as usual, EarlG

Thank you for this very cogent analysis. RE needing strong voices: There are some very passionate thinkers over on Substack and Bluesky. If Congressional Dems even recognize they have a serious problem -- and I'm far from convinced they do, given they are dissing the people who are urging them to do SOMETHING -- they would go over to Substack and Bluesky and start recruiting these people and their spot-on messages!

[JohnSJ]

105. Well said Earl.

[MayReasonRule]

106. Indeed. It's Time For A New Buck. I Say It's Time For Mark Kelly To Be The New Buck In Charge

It's time for...

A cool change...

You know that it's time...

For a cool change...

[bigtree]

107. the more we keep harping that Dems don't have a message, the more that becomes the cw

...no matter what Democrats are saying.

Look at the polls, and tell me what more Democrats are supposed to be doing to move that needle further?

I've never seen an incoming president polling weaker, and it's on EVERY key issue of his agenda, most in double digit disapproval.

I mean, where is this success in messaging supposed to manifest itself in an off-election year than against the policies of the opposition?

I could see questioning their messaging if there was some kind of increase in support for Trump, but what he's doing is wildly unpopular.

More than that, I question why anyone needs Democrats to convince them of the danger of Trump and republicans? So far, it looks like the public doesn't need much prodding, and Democrats are on the right side (the popular side) of most every issue.

And btw, personally, I don't have any problem getting the 'message' from our Democrats who are fighting the budget where they work. I don't need them to act out for me. I don't need them to hold performative rallies and yell things at me that I already understand.

People need to come to grips with the fact that no party does well when their opposition holds ALL branches of government. And, if I can be candid without anyone feeling I'm pointing at them, I don't feel that this community has used this platform to do enough to promote the things Democrats are actually doing and saying, that is until there's some internet meme, remark, or post deliberately circulated to poke at the party that's just so irresistible to share here among Democrats working to support the party.

I don't begin my day dreading what Democrats are doing, as much as I worry about republicans. It's not just that they're not in charge, but I don't have as short a memory as to forget that Democrats absolutely excel in the majority, and the nation always prospers -economically, socially, in our foreign policy and national defense.

I recognize that millions of other voters didn't bother to oppose Trump, but I don't blame Democrats we elected for that idiocy. There couldn't be a clearer choice between parties, on everything. What's the actual messaging on that?

How do you say Trump and his republican party is a danger? Trump is a danger, look! Look at them. Not hard. We're already doing that, so...

I posted the Dems rapid response here and it was treated like it had cooties. It became a platform for grousing about the party, at one point, leaving me to wonder just what is going to satisfy everyone, or anyone complaining?

They don't seem to be even posting advocacy that matches their concerns and interests stated. It's really hard to believe that there's something out there that Democrats haven't already been saying. Even harder to believe these same critics would bother to promote that, not even on the platform they have available to them. I don't believe it.

Bottom line. I come here to support Democrats.

I don't come here to publicly criticize elected Democrats. I use my phone for that, knowing full well that they're not very likely to read me here.

But we can see who is the beneficiary of all of the anti-party grousing: We are, not elected official, but DUers who come here to advocate for the party; as well as others we should want to attract and keep in our fold, and not just in election season.

This free-for-all criticism of Democrats we disagree with isn't going to candidates. It's more likely just repelling people away from the party, from our elected officials, from our candidates, and often from the site.

It promotes cynicism here about Democrats, and it's basically an invitation to apathy. We're not so much of a think tank as a message board, and I think we often forget to put our best foot forward here for the ONLY party that represents the interests and needs of Americans.

You can call that cheer leading, but promoting the interests of Democrats in winning elections and in advancing legislation isn't my only interest. It's just my only interest on this public forum. I don't believe it's politically effective or prudent to air our own party's dirty laundry in the middle of a campaign or a political fight.

Now that we have a game show host as president there's been this hue and cry for performative politics from Democrats to match the performative politics from Trump.

If all we expect out of these legislators is to entertain us, than we'll get nothing more than entertainers as candidates.

These elected officials are in politics both because they care about the issues, and because they are intellectually prepared for the task.

That expertise or knowledge doesn't always come with razzle/dazzle, and it's a damn shame more people are turning away from taking the time to listen to and understand issues that don't always comport with soundbites and short tweets.

I'll stop there. Thanks for the thread.

[TomSlick]

110. I agree. The buck stops with Schumer.

When Granny gets evicted from the nursing home, it's on Schumer and the Dems that voted with him.

[Sparkly]

112. No, would happen anyway.

Democrats aren't in a position to stop it.

As pointed out, they are only in a position to keep it from getting even worse.

Our elected representatives are in a very, VERY bad place right now.

[Sparkly]

111. Well stated!!

Thank you!

[msfiddlestix]

113. I applaud you for articulating with precision the situation as it actually is, and I must say it gives me hope.

We cannot fix a problem if we don't identify precisely as much as possible which needs to be fixed.

I don't think it's possible to educate Schumer. Nor Durbin. We have to come up with a serious plan of action, petitions or phone calls are not the solution apparently.

[NWArkansasDem]

114. I think everyone is overlooking something

If Schumer had supported the shutdown, all federal workers would have been sent home except for essential positions.

President Musk would have immediately said, "If you aren't essential, we don't need you. Stay home; you are all fired." The longer the shutdown went on, the more we would have heard this.

[marble falls]

115. I agree. Not wanting to either look guilty of interfering with granma's SSI check or let the GOP ...

... look like they brought the Democrats down, they got together and chose Schumer to pass the CR while all other Democrats voted against it.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

117. Welcome to DU

If there was a government shutdown, the recent rulings of the courts would be meaningless