Deep breath: I don't care about the "Russia thing." Not anymore

[question everything]

Like many here, our "home base" is MSNBC. But the main topic is Russia and Mueller and Trump - whose face I really cannot watch - and the Huckabee Sanders empty words.

The other two evenings we did not even bother with the screamer - aka Matthews - and went straight to PBS NewHour. And there were two horror stories about Yemen

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/yemen-was-poor-before-but-the-war-just-finished-us

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/struggling-to-survive-in-the-rubble-of-yemens-war

And shortly after, back home, there was a young woman smiling, playing with her cell phone - Facebook story? - and I thought: how can we be so obsessed with "smartphones" and "social media" when so many people suffer. We no longer here about the Syrian and other refugees even though I am sure they are still there, suffering, moving.

His base certainly does not care about Russia. It is really only us, political junkies paying attention. Trump will not be impeached and now I am not so certain about our taking the House.

People in rural areas are happy with their $100 extra, probably do not even realize how inflation is eating this.

Meanwhile, this administration continues to appoint RW judged, to pass regulations that really affect, will affect, our daily lived for generations.

It is really our fault. If people get their "news" from Facebook I don't know that there is anything we can do.

If people pour their lives on Facebook, and elsewhere on the Internet, they should not be "shocked" when their lives then are being manipulated.

We, Democrats, have to spell why we are better. If Ryan - was it? - highlighted someone who was so happy with $20 extra a week, we need to highlight someone who is still struggling. Preferably from a small town, middle class, two parents and two kids. Let's be honest - and now I do stick my head out: Yes, inner cities people, people of color, single parents suffer the most, but it is easier for many to think: oh, it is them. Will not happen to me. We need to show that, yes, it can happen to everyone.

We have drugs and crime problems that used to be associated with inner cities but now are higher in rural areas. Let us go visit these areas - even by non candidate - to talk directly, to try to find the problem to offer - if we can - solutions.

Remember Robert Kennedy visiting Appalachia?

I do believe Republicans member of Congress who say that when they visit their districts no one cares about Russia meddling. I suspect that many Democratic members of Congress see the same but prefer not to talk about it.

This is why it was so refreshing to hear Beto O'Rourke on Bill Maher two months ago.

His top priorities: jobs, health, immigration.

Not Russia and the environment, asked Maher. Not the top three. He replied. The ones that he chose are the ones that are personal while, Russia and the environment are more abstract. Not a "kitchen table" topics for most voters.

OK, start shooting.

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. EXACTLY what the other side wants to hear, period.

Oh and I do care that the president is a traitor who has sold my country, my house, my business, etc to Valdmir Putin

[MFM008]

11. Times 1000

....

[Cha]

25. Yep.. I can multitask.. but the whole

trump stealing the election and America in league Russia.. and their fucking enablers, and all the shite that t&p and the doormats have done in collusion with Russian since the campaign.. needs to be RESOLVED.. hopefully with indicting the pervert who stole our country and is selling it down the ocean.. all the while adding more and more Swamp Things in his 1984 collection of "best people".

[dalton99a]

2. Democrats can multitask. The GOP's crimes against the American people must not go unpunished

[bobbieinok]

3. What happened to news about Puerto Rico? And BTW, whatever happened to 'the boat people' of yrs ago

[question everything]

6. Exactly. It is hard for us to imagine leaving for six months, or more with no power

We were shocked when Katrina showed us conditions that we would associate with third world countries. This has been worse.

[MontanaMama]

4. No shooting from this corner

of the peanut gallery. I agree with everything you said. If not for DU, I'd be losing my freaking mind more than I am. That said, most people I know not very concerned about Russia or the fact that we have a traitor in the WH and traitors in control of Congress. I said this on another thread - Dem candidates should keep Russia in the conversation but they'd do well to talk about the issues that effect the every day lives of Americans...economy, jobs, etc. And, they should do it, in part, utilizing social media because like it or not, that's where people live. I don't use those platforms often and you may not either, but social media ain't going away. I wish MSNBC and CNN would take a break from Russia to address domestic issues/stories too. The election of 2016 was a portend. It was no secret that the world knew that tRump was a horrible excuse for a human being and they voted for him anyway. If we don't change gears and talk about what we stand FOR instead of what a POS the pResident is, we will lose more than the election. We'll lose our country.

[yonder]

26. Yes, this:

"If we don't change gears and talk about what we stand FOR instead of what a POS the pResident is, we will lose more than the election." I want to see those who believe they're getting away with this heist face the consequences as bad as anybody.
BUT
A lot of work needs to be done to present our case for repair and progress. First order of business, IMO: Set the tone, create the memes, lock them into public discourse and keep hammering away. With luck, we take the house and show how we are different by working hard and achieving results. All the while, never letting folks forget what this country has been through because of poor choices and deceitful intent. AND, who was/is responsible. But the work of presenting that which we stand for has to come first.

[question everything]

56. Well said, thank you

And, I think that some of our winners -(almost) flipping VA, Lamb - have followed this line.

[underthematrix]

5. The ONLY news I want to hear is about that

Rusher thing. I won't be tired of it until the BREAKING NEWS is Trump and his criminal cabal have been taken custody

[vi5]

7. Too few Dems actually want to stick their necks out.....

....we're too often just content to play it safe and wait for the opponent to implode/explode and do something so beyond the pale that they'll HAVE to vote for us. I think that's at the root of what they are all hoping for on Russia.

It doesn't mean we shouldn't be supportive of the investigation and want it to proceed and want them to be held accountable.

But too often Dems on many issues important to voters Dems are content to say "Well it's in the Democratic party platform!" or "It's right there on the website!!!" but then also too quick when they do have control or power to think that "Well, we wanted that but some Dems i didn't so....nothing we can do about it. But hey, it's in the platform and on the website!!! Big Tent! Big Tent!! Will Rogers quote!!!" is going to cut it.

I've been encouraged by a lot of the newer Dems I see running. They seem more willing to get their hands dirty and to talk about things directly and truthfully.

[question everything]

8. Same here. I am encouraged by Joe Kennedy III, Conor Lamb, Beto O'Rourke

I don't know why and when Nancy Pelosi has become the monster with which to scare young children but either way, we need young Democrats who are not afraid to say: with all due respect for the leadership, this is where I stand.

[vi5]

9. Honestly.....

...I find Schumer much less effective a leader than Pelosi. The fact that he gets off with minimal criticism from our own and Pelosi is considered old and out of touch is.....well, it's something

[TheRealNorth]

42. I feel the same way

I have no problem if a Dem House member wants to vote for a different leader, but don't feed into the Republican narrative. Rep Tim Ryan from Ohio seriously pissed me off after he blamed Ossof's loss on Pelosi. And I really liked him before that point.

Don't they realize that once Pelosi is gone, they will just pick a new Dem (likely woman) to demonize? The only solution is to frame a new narrative and don't follow the Republican's script.

[vi5]

45. We've really got to start reversing course on our own ship.....

...enough of this "different kind of Democrat" bullshit that too many Dems run on. At this point in time a "different kind of Democrat" would mean one who is unabashedly progressive, fights for core Democratic positions and policies and is proud to call themselves a Democrat. Those are the ones who have a right to run as a "Different kind of Democrat". Because as far as I'm concerned if you are a Democrat who buys into some or all of trickle down/job creators/taxes are bad bullshit, or "abortion is icky but" bullshit, or welfare reform, "I'm not a liberal!" or in short any kind of centrist/third way/whatever Dem then you are a regular , common Democrat by 2018 standards.

I like a lot of what I'm seeing from these recent elections and recent candidates winning. I feel like they are getting back to our roots and that makes me hopeful and happy.

[emulatorloo]

10. Tiring of the recycled Bush Era 'Democrats have no ideas' talking point.

Also tired of the Trump Era talking point of “nothing to see here, no collusion, time to move on.”

If you have paid any attention to the special elections, Democrats are talking policy. The claims that they are obsessed with Trump exclusively is a hot take from the pundit class and a talking point from the GOP.

[Eliot Rosewater]

12. Multiple ANTI Democratic Party posts on this thread, yet there they are.

I dont know what I am doing here.

[northremembers]

13. Whoever gets the most airtime wins

We can talk about whoever we want, but the more we talk about Trump the more successful he is. I love the posters on this board who bring up what we don't get from network news. I don't want to hear about young Democrats having new ideas. I want to hear young Democrats tell me their ideas and I want to help them get their word out.

I think MSNBC spends too much telling us how crazy the Republicans are. It's nice to hear the validation once in a while, but we need to hear a lot more about what Democrats do right and how we can make America better. In some places we are making America better. It's no accident the donor states are blue and the welfare states are red. Would Congress look different if that fact was on the news every night?

I would be fine with a quick recap of what gets revealed by the ongoing investigation. Then all the rest of our time should be about us and our efforts. The best way to make Trump go away is to stop talking about him.

[question everything]

15. Well said. And when one realizes that these are 24 hours channels, one has to wonder

why they repeat the same analysis - by different hosts.

This is why I would visit Al Jazerra when it had its own channel. It would take a topic and offer a detailed summary. No celebrity hosts, just the stories.

During the wars in Afghanistan and in Iraq - the beginning, at least - a friend of mine, a moderate Republican, told me how well the online channel of Al Jazeera was covered the stories.

[northremembers]

76. I'm a BBC junkie

It's sad that we have to go to foreign news services to get real information, even about our own country. I feel like I'm in my own bubble when I read or watch stories about France, Ukraine, or Hong Kong and all anyone around me knows about is Megan Markle or Deflategate.

How is anyone on our side supposed to get their message out if our media covers the same 5 stories over and over? Some of what gets missed elsewhere gets picked up here, which I appreciate, but still I feel like getting information is harder now than when we had 4 networks and a lot of newspapers.

[Squinch]

14. A hostile foreign power hijacked my country. Yes, I care about it.

[question everything]

16. Why? Did you lose your job? Cannot afford medical treatment

for yourself or for a family member? Cannot afford basic food supplies? Cannot afford living expenses?

Yes, the Russians have taken advantage or our gullibility but for many voters, these are not the main concerns.

To put it bluntly, to worry about the Russia intervention as the only issue that matter is a bit of a luxury that the ones who cannot afford shelter, food, clothing and medical expenses could not care. At this point.

[Squinch]

17. Good God. That is the most ridiculous argument I have heard in a long, long time.

It goes right up there with the men's rights activist trolls who used to come here and say, "hey, women, the girls who ISIS kidnapped would be happy to be in your shoes, so stop complaining!"

Your government has been hijacked. The citizens of your country no longer choose our leaders.

That means you no longer get a say in whether we'll have affordable medical treatment, whether our food supplies will be protected, whether people are paid a living wage.

If that doesn't bother you, I don't know what to tell you.

[smirkymonkey]

18. +1000

Thank you for saying this. I don't know why it's so hard for some people to understand.

[question everything]

19. And do you really think that we can win in November with these arguments?

Try go knocking on doors and tell your neighbors to kick their Republican Congressman because he does not want to find out how Russia interfered in our elections. Perhaps even talk about Mueller investigation and see their eyes glazed over.

Or, you can try asking them how their lives are now. Of, yes, whether they can afford medical treatments. How far do the extra $100 a month take them. As written by Eugene Robinson: Trump’s economic policies punish the poor, the working class and all of our grandchildren so that the wealthy can have nicer vacations and bigger yachts. His initiatives on immigration, the environment and a host of other issues seek to defy the national consensus.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016206877

And once the voters to vote their interests and we do take the House, then we can look at Russia.

[JI7]

24. and Trump is in office because Russia helped Put him there.

and people can and do discuss everyday issues when out campaigning.

[Garrett78]

28. People do vote their interests.

It's just that their perceived cultural/social interests trump their economic interests. This is nothing new.

Democrats need to focus on inspiring the base, finding a way to motivate young people to vote Dem (millennials may be the largest voting bloc in 2018/2020), and raising hell about race-based voter suppression and gerrymandering.

[Squinch]

34. YMMV, but I can hold two thoughts in my head. And if we go quiet and quiescent, even

temporarily, about the act of war perpetrated against us by our own "president," we deserve whatever shit comes down on us.

I've always maintained that we suck at messaging, but the solution to that is NOT to drop news of the coup that Russia succeeded in waging against us.

[JI7]

23. Trump Administration to Tie Health Facilities' Funding to Abortion Restrictions

yes, this shit DOES affect our everyday lives. this would not be happening if Russia had not hacked into our elections to help Trump get into office.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/17/us/politics/trump-funding-abortion-restrictions.html

[question everything]

57. IF Russia HAD not hacked

in the past. There is nothing we can do about it now. Trump will not be impeached even if the House votes. We will not have 67 voted in the Senate to remove him from office. And, as others have pointed on these pages, such a failure will embolden him.

We have to take the house, based on everyday "kitchen table" issues. Then we can block him and perhaps even get some Republican senators to switch on laws, on confirming more judges before it is too late.

My hope is that when we do take the House, he will just decide that he does not need "this shit" and resign. Though I don't think that this is his nature.

What I would like to see is criminal charges on how he and his family use their offices to enrich themselves.

[standingtall]

74. If we abandoned the Russian we will not take back the house

your are not going win over brainwashed Trump supporters by talking about the economy and healthcare. The Russia stuff is part of the package of us taking back the house along with healthcare and economic issue. Just because the republican senate probably wont indict Trump even if there is a video tape of him sitting across from Putin discussing strategies to hack our elections doesn't mean the Russian investigation or even the impeachment process cannot be valuable for us. Only one President was impeached in his first term and not only did he not get reelected he lost in the primary Andrew Johnson. The only thing that will happen if Democrats stop trying to pursue the Russia stuff is it will suppress our base and absolutely ensure repukes retain the house.

[Demsrule86]

49. You can't have a foreign adversary like Putin calling the shots because of a compromised president..

if you don't get that, I don't know what to say.

[marlakay]

20. I hear ya!

I watched Bill Maher tonight and he is convinced Trump is going to get away with everything because even if we take the house we won’t have 67 votes in the senate to get rid of Trump.

I have actually been thinking this for long time. Very frustrating.

As far as Russia goes I live in southern Oregon the only conservative congressman here and no one around here talks about Russia. Even the liberal in Ashland talk about the environment and not liking Trump. Around here its guns and regular daily life, yes no politics I am surrounded by people who I read voted for Trump and no one talks about it.

I hear more about kids and religion. Not preachy more if you say anything is wrong its, I will pray for you.

I live in a neighborhood that seems to have a competition going for best yard. Keeps everyone busy from thinking about the Trump they voted for inbetween their jobs, kids and yard.

[Eyeball_Kid]

43. Southern Oregon has been that way

since the lumber companies moved from Arkansas and other southern states to Douglas, Josephine, and Jackson Counties many decades ago, and took their employees with them. That’s no surprise. But there have also been pockets of liberal folks all over the region. You must know this. I’ve always been amused by the mythological State of Jefferson, which seems to attract those who enjoy the relative isolation of the region and desire to make it official. Sure, it’s a misguided waste of time, but that’s the chance taken with romantic endeavors.

Nothing will change in southern Oregon until its citizens wake up one morning to find that some Russian oligarch or Saudi prince has taken their land by decree and turned all of them into 21st century sharecroppers or permanent renters. That’s no longer a far fetched concept when we see that Spanky has everything for sale as long as he gets his cut. Around your neck of the woods, education has never been the people’s strong suit, so folks tend to drift into authoritarianism. So you just have to work a little harder to find like- minded folks in your community and make do. You are not alone.

[Raine]

21. I would like some focus on environmental issues

and some of the judicial appointments that Trump is making.

[Demsrule86]

50. We have no way to stop Trump's appointments unless we get the Senate.

[noel1237]

22. Agree! Russia is a waste of time and

Those holding their breath are wasting energy. Focus on voting him out. The amount of focus on Mueller and the investigation on DU is frustrating. I don’t know why others don’t see this. Maybe want revenge and this is their best hope?

[catbyte]

27. If you think it's "trivial" and being "vengeful" for being alarmed that the

President of the United States is the #1 asset of a former KGB spy who's so scared shitless that Putin & the Oligarchs will cut off his cash that he will sell out the safety and security of the United States, then maybe you'd be more comfortable on another site. And now he's he's selling out our cybersecurity to save ZTE because China dropped $500M into his Indonesian "property." Yeah, nothing sleazy, suspicious, or treasonous about that. My big question is why aren't you bothered by all of this? Why don't you think it's a big deal?

Enjoy your stay.

[Squinch]

36. Gosh. This sounds familiar... now where have I heard this before? Hmmm.....

[MrsCoffee]

37. A year and a half and nothing? Actually it just hit the one year mark and there is plenty.

More than 100 criminal counts against 19 people and three companies. Of the 19 people, five — including three Trump associates — have pleaded guilty. Thirteen are Russians accused of meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

But you are free to pretend otherwise.

[Squinch]

38. No, no, MrsCoffee! None of that matters! Nothing to see here at all. We should just all move on.

Its the Bowling Green massacre we should be talking about!

Honestly, do they think we don't notice?

[MrsCoffee]

39. Silly me. I must have taken the red pill this morning.

[NRaleighLiberal]

48. so have you seen this? Note the duration of things?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210626067

Mueller has only begun.

[catbyte]

46. Watch it, pal. You're about to blow your cover. The only place I've seen that phrase is Freeperville

[dalton99a]

51. +1

[Tommy_Carcetti]

69. Yeah, I'm going to dispute that.

You know, the part about you thinking.

[catbyte]

73. Yeah, you "think for yourself", yet embrace lame right wing talking points.

And if you think the Mueller investigation is "going nowhere", then I suggest you study some history. It took almost 2 years to bring Nixon down, but Watergate was child's play compared to the treason and corruption Mueller is investigating. So I suggest you just spend your time elsewhere if you are so distressed by DU being concerned over the biggest scandal in US history. Impeachment isn't the only way to bring that orange bastard down. Nixon wasn't impeached. They didn't even start. And don't worry, I think Democrats can walk & chew gum at the same time--we can vote them out and support the Mueller investigation.

BTW, why have you been here since 2017 & only posted 24 times? That's interesting. Have a nice weekend.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

68. "It's been a year and half and nothing."

And cue Captain Picard.



Yeah, welcome to DU.

[marble falls]

70. Are you joking? Its been ONE year and he's indicted 15, trying three and jailed one. Where'ya ...

getting your information? Let the face rubbings begin.

[Squinch]

35. Kay.

[Nevernose]

29. If Trump were impeached tomorrow

If he got impeached and we somehow got 17 Republicans in the Senate to vote him guilty (which is only going to happen if Russia hacks the Senate’s voting software), it wouldn’t matter.

WE WOULD STILL BE STUCK WITH PRESIDENT PENCE.

Most of my friends and coworkers and neighbors — even the most politically astute ones — don’t give a shit about Russian political interference. Or, rather, they care about making sure it doesn’t happen again. In my weekend canvassing, though, they are concerned about the serious spike in homelessness in our neighborhood, potential cuts to food stamps, mass shootings and gun crime in general, income inequality, LGBTQ discrimination, a racist justice system, refugees and other immigrants, and a hundred other things.

We DUers and every one else even slightly left of center cares about these things, too. But you’d have no idea about all of those things when 90% of the news coverage seems to be either Russia-related or uncritically repeating Sarah Sanders’ lies.

It’s frustrating.

[question everything]

59. Thank you. Such reports from the field should instruct all of us running for office

and/or canvassing.

[renegade000]

30. Per usual, dems falling for false dichotomy...

Social justice vs economic justice.

Protecting democracy vs economic justice.

Fighting global oligarchy vs economic justice.

Frankly, the Russia investigation should be easy to tie into the economics...

We can't have durable progressive policies until the global mafia is defeated. They are always going to use wedge issues and economic anxiety induced by their corrupt and exploitative rule to keep everyone down...

[Garrett78]

33. It's a matter of understanding the cause and effect relationship.

People often bemoan the fact that millions vote against their economic interests. But the reason why is clear. They are voting *for* their perceived cultural/social interests.

Absent racism, the Republican Party would cease to be viable. The Democratic Party message is infinitely better on every issue that should matter to working people.

In Ohio, Rob Portman (a major advocate of NAFTA) outperformed Trump. So much for the issue of trade being oh so important to Trump voters.

As I've written before:

It's been postulated that social injustices are caused by wealth or income disparities. So, if we address the latter, we'll address the former. That reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the relationship between social and economic justice.

I'm sympathetic to what many dismiss as "far left" points of view, but this is one major issue that many leftists get wrong. In fact, you might even say people who make the above claim have it completely backwards. The fostering and exploitation of bigotry (along with race-based voter suppression and gerrymandering) is what enables Republicans to win political victories, which leads to right wing economic policies being enacted. Those policies hurt more than anyone those who are already most oppressed. Then, the wealth gap between white individuals and persons of color is justified using various stereotypes.

This has been the case since the founding of the US on the genocide of one people and the enslavement of another. Remember, race is a social construct. And "whiteness" (along with its supposed superiority) was an invention borne out of the need to prevent a united front by all poor, oppressed people. Whites would be indentured servants with light at the end of the tunnel, while Negroes would be kept in bondage. Poor whites would be thrown a bone (and a whole lot of propaganda), enough to make them feel superior, enough to make them feel like they had more in common with their oppressors than their fellow oppressed.

Social Security (initially), the GI Bill, access to housing and other investment opportunities, the right to vote, access to higher education, access to employment with a decent wage, access to a fair trial and so much more was essentially denied to persons of color and women. Those injustices (even those that were seemingly resolved) continue to impact the present, including the wealth gap between white households and black and brown households, between men and women. Therefore, a rising tide has not historically lifted all boats. Ta-Nehisi Coates makes "The Case for Reparations."

This is why social justice victories (legalizing gay marriage) and breaking barriers (first Black POTUS, first woman POTUS, first transgender state legislator, etc.) constitute more than mere symbolism. They are cracks in the facade, and crucial steps toward addressing economic injustice.

Much has been made of the *white* working class, or even white working class men. Democrats already do better than Republicans among the working class. In saying Democrats shouldn't go out of their way to appeal to *white* working class men, the point isn't to denigrate that subset of the population. The point is that the Democratic Party platform should already appeal to the working class. And, for the most part, it does, based on exit polls following every election.

Why speak specifically of *white* working class folks? We all know why. Either it's because there's this assumption that only white people work or experience economic anxiety (horribly racist and obviously false), or it's because a certain portion of *white* working class folks are voting based on factors that have nothing to do with candidate positions on wage stagnation, workplace safety, health care, equal pay, paid family leave and all of the other issues that should matter to the working class. If that's the case, and I think we all know that it is, what does one suggest Democratic candidates do?

Should Democratic candidates not talk about criminal injustice, the race-based "War on Drugs," race-based voter suppression, a path to citizenship and the fact that US policy has been a driver of immigration all around the world, reproductive rights, equal pay, a culture that suggests sexual assault is tolerable, and so on? If not talking about those things, or - worse - taking the opposite position is what it will take to win over a certain subset of the population, then that's just too bad. As Dr. King said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Just as some rich folks recognize the danger of extreme economic disparity, we should all want less disparity (in terms of wealth, criminal justice, medical care, housing, etc.) between white folks and persons of color, between men and women, between gay and straight. Get on board with Democrats or lose, because ultimately "the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice."

So, in summary, going back to the invention of race/whiteness, the fostering and exploitation of bigotries has enabled economic disparities in the US. Economic disparities aren't what enable racism and sexism, though economic disparities are used - after the fact - as justification for social/cultural wealth disparities (again, stereotypes are used to justify the wealth gap between black and white households, for instance). Racism and sexism are what enable economic disparities. Whiteness and patriarchy had to be invented as a means to divide and conquer.

We must address racism (including xenophobia) and sexism head-on. If we don't, there's no hope of substantially redistributing wealth or opportunity. A common response to what I’ve written is that “we must fight for both economic and social justice” or that “it’s not an either-or situation.” Of course it isn’t. Of course Democrats and all people of conscience should be fighting for progressive taxation and closing tax loopholes, paid family leave, universal health care, ending imperialism, and so on. My point, though, is that right wing economic viewpoints survive and prosper precisely because of bigotry. Absent racism alone (to say nothing of other forms of bigotry), the Republican Party would cease to be viable.

Liberals often lament that millions "vote against their economic interests." Lament no more, as the reason has always been quite clear. The reason is those millions are voting *for* their perceived cultural/social interests.

And we must recognize that a rising tide is not sufficient. Measures must be taken to reverse history, so to speak. A good place to start: https://policy.m4bl.org/platform/.

Lastly, a message for the young folks and others who are hoping for a viable left wing alternative to the Democratic Party in this 2-party system of ours. The first step is ending the viability of the Republican Party. And we do that by significantly diminishing racism, sexism, heterosexism and xenophobia (because that, and not right wing economic policy, is what's keeping the GOP alive). In the meantime, you need to support the only viable party that stands in the way of fascism. And you need to recognize that addressing social injustice is key to addressing economic injustice.

[TimeSnowDemos]

32. Funny how..

People still won't even talk about Yemen...

[question everything]

60. Sad. Yesterday was another installment still heart breaking

and welcome to DU.

[JI7]

40. i'm in Solid Blue California and Statewide Candidates Are Running on things like Health Care, Gun

Control, Education etc.

talk of the russia hack would not hurt candidates here either.

you are making claims that are not true.

democrats have been running across the country and they have always talked about many issues.

this is an attempt to downplay the russia investigation and it's findings.

[question everything]

61. Glad to hear this

but you'll never know this from watching cable news or from reading all the DU threads -a real task.

Always good to hear reports from the field.

Thank you.

[Demsrule86]

44. Sorry this is a criminal matter. We have a compromised traitor in the White House and that

can't be ignored. The Republicans agree with you by the way, but I do not.

[question everything]

62. Agree that this is criminal matter - and I am talking about using government as an ATM machine

But we still don't know whether he can be removed from office either way. And we know that nothing will change the minds - of whatever there is - of his base.

Thus, we need to get control of the House, and I am glad to hear reports from the field, on this thread, of what is working.

[Demsrule86]

75. I doubt he will be removed from office. I do think there is a chance he will resign...

but we can't simply excuse this behavior. We need to continue the investigation...the GOP would love for it to go away but it shouldn't.

[Demsrule86]

47. The GOP attained power not by their ideas but by relentlessly attacking Democrats and President

Obama so you are just plain wrong. The idea that we ignore Trump's criminality and earnestly toss out a laundry list of what we will do if we get back in power-much of which isn't possible without a 60 vote majority- is just not a good electoral strategy...and you don't ignore the fact you have a criminal for a president...you must fight back and protect the rule of law. Democrats have run on local issues in the specials...and had great success;there is not nor ever will be 'one message' for Democrats. We are a big tent party and this the sky is falling post is simply inaccurate and rather demoralizing... I will ignore all such suggestions as they are not based in reality in my opinion.

[Kilgore]

52. A view from the street

Work in a unionized environment with a few hundred coworkers. Traditionally you could count the number of republicans on one hand. But that was in the Clinton era. Today I estimate we are 85%+ Trump voters. Why?

Its mainly because folks see Trump as someone "gettings things done" and not someone who is "coming to take their guns away" or dosent "look down on those of us with a rural lifestyle" and "does not make fun of our religion" Plus he is "protecting our jobs" and "wants to keep out the bad guys" The items in quotes are actual statments I heard during the election and still do today.

At one point in time these points were of no concern while they were still Democrats but they are now. So whats changed? Its the same people, same lifestyle.

Could it be the party has lost touch with this portion of its base???????

We need a plan to get them to remove their MAGA hats......yes some proudly wear them. One shop steward who helped in the first Obama election actually wears one today.

Hey I know this will anger some of you, but its the actual view from the street.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

53. Are we to ignore lawlessness because it might or might not be popular ?

Should the investigation and prosecution of all crimes be subjected to a plebiscite before proceeding ?

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

54. This is the design...Don't fall for it.

It's not forever. Things will change, but, not if we just give up. I know myself the temptation is to just walk away from it. Until what? Until the next time you turn on the news and ask yourself, "Why hasn't this mess been cleaned up yet?" and then slip back into depression again knowing the reality that un-involved electorate end up far worse than where we are. We have to face it. EVERY DAY until it's gone, THEN take a deep breathe and tune out for a while. This has to never happen again.

[question everything]

63. Thank you. Yes, it is tempting to at least turn TV off

And we should not just walk away from it. I know that if I give up, the movers and shakers will not.

What I hope, and am glad from the reports from the field, on this thread - is to approach voters with everyday issues.

And welcome to DU

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

77. Not much happens from a friday late night to monday.

We aren't required to be tuned in like 'automotans' to understand which way the winds blowing. These crimes are self evident. We heard dt say things on camera that seemed to bolster, and to be evidence of the same. Just for absolute starters.
He's guilty as sin, and WE ALL KNOW IT. Mr Muellers reluctance to move should'nt be misunderstood that the majority of America agrees w his pace.
It's exhausting. But, we have to keep plowing forward, bc that's what they are counting on, us getting exhausted.
I reserve MY humanity in all this though bc I voted for the people that put OTHER people first as my representatives. That is my biggest job as a citizen, to vote. We/I DID vote, and they cheated us and are trying to dismantle as much of our govt as possible until they're stopped. We will have to crawl forward to re-advance everything they are undoing now. Rest assured. (President Hillary Clinton is my/OUR legitimate president right now, and has been the entire time. Lest any of us forget.)

That being said, I myself, I try to use the weekend the way UNIONS fought for us to have them...a couple of days to ourselves away from work. It's my ode to my fathers union, and every one in between and those today. ESPECIALLY the teachers union. They teach and instruct us through their actions everyday. Teachers at public schools are their own niche of American Hero. A gift that makes me proud everyday. Thanks for making things like my weekend....still a reality.
Nobody ever got anywhere, without a teacher.

[tazmaniac]

55. Both need to be tended to

1) 45 is a crook and needs to be punished and held accountable in order for the US to be a democracy again--that is priority #1.

2) Democrats need to campaign on what matters to peoples hearts and pockets....jobs, health & immigration

No campaigning on anti-45 will go very far & will not help us gain the needed seats.

[ismnotwasm]

58. What state are you from?

I am happy with my Democratic leadership, so which specific Democrats should we call, write to, try to engage, in your opinion?

I understand that this whole unholy clusterfuck is exhausting, but to not “care” is another level of being overwhelmed. How can we help?

[question everything]

65. Lucky you

Minnesota, which used to lead reliable blue states, all of a sudden is purple.

Hillary carried it by barely 1%.

And it appears that a reliable Democratic seat, the current occupier is retiring, might flip.

One hope: my current Republican member of congress, who has been elected the same year as Obama, has managed to appear as a moderate. Did not endorse Trump and in previous years declared that he had never signed any promise (I think this was about not raising taxes that all Republicans had to sign). This worked for him when Obama was in the White House . But now he can no longer hide as a "moderate." Hillary won the district so I hope that we will be able to capture it. And, no, his Democratic challenger is not talking about Russia. He is running about special interests and PAC money.

[ismnotwasm]

71. I am in Washington state--it's actually a purple state but mostly considered Blue

In Seattle, which is on the “blue” side of Washington. There are attacks on unions happening here, as well as other Right wing fuckery. My Rep., Pramila Jayapal, is a uniter, (she replaced the great liberal lion Jim McDermott) In my opinion she was Bernie Sanders best endorsement. She is an immigrant from India and works hard for immigrant rights. (She rather reluctantly supported the “head tax” here in Seattle—it was a tax imposed on large corporations to help with the homeless population. It passed in lesser form and will probably lose in courts) She is turning out to be a savvy politician. We have Jay Inslee for govener, Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell—all Democrats. Our Democratic AG Bob Ferguson is tireless and has been a part of several lawsuits against the Trump administration and locally does a great job trying to fight injustice. So in my personal local world I see Democrats working their asses off on real-time issues that are NOT Russia, which is, after all an investigation in the hands of the feds.

I think part of what we are seeing from Republicans is a desperate rebranding—they have tea-party types all over the place, Trump is inadvertently exposing them for what they are. There is bigotry, and there is complete ignorance on how politics work. There is complete intolerance. They aren’t looking pretty. Trump is a creepy asshole.


A lot of things are going on at once, so I understand the fatigue. I’ll try to pay more attention to Minnesota politics, I can’t do much but I can see which races to follow and support

[Blue_true]

66. It is rather interesting that a few days after Nunes got briefed by the FBI.

Trump came out of left field with the claim.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

67. This is an absolutely unprecedented story of almost literally unbelievable proportions

We still haven’t grasped the full scope and magnitude of it all and likely won’t until all is said and done

It has gotten attention from the media and the Democrats because it demands such attention. Sweeping it under the rug because you somehow find it distracting from other issues is doing a great disservice to our elected officials who—believe it or not—are capable of handling more than one issue at a time.

I’m sure your post has by now gotten some attention from the fine stalking folks at the Right Wing Neanderthal Dwelling Place as a sign of discord but be aware that most of us support giving it the attention it deserves.

Trussia should not go away and it will not go away, so with all due respect I really don’t care that you don’t care.

[standingtall]

72. Unwise to fall into the trap of softening the talk of Russian interference in our elections

You can bet as soon as we do Trump and congressional republicans approval ratings will improve significantly no matter how much we talk about the economy or healthcare making it harder for us to take back the house. We can a will talk about both, but know matter what we do or what we talk about the MSM will continue to say Democrats have no message blah blah blah and there will even be some Democrats tricked into agreeing with that narrative.

[Captain Stern]

78. You're absolutely right (unfortunately)

Most people don't care at all about the 'Russia Thing'. It's too damn complicated.

Most people don't watch MSNBC, or CNN, or fox news. All they know is that there is something being investigated about Russians and our elections. Most people don't know that the investigation has already resulted in indictments and guilty pleas. If they do know that, they don't really know who was indicted, or plead guilty to whatever. It's just a bunch of legal mumbo-jumbo nonsense.

It's kind of like the Whitewater thing with Clinton....most people didn't give a damn about it, until they heard about Monica Lewinsky, and her blue dress. Then, it got simple, and easy to understand.

In my opinion, anyone that is pinning their hopes on Mueller's investigation ending trump's "presidency' is going to be very disappointed.

I think that unless the orange clown has a stroke or heart attack before 2020 the only way we're going to be rid of him is to vote him out.....and that's not going to be near as easy as it should be.