Why aren't the Democrats really pounding away

[avebury]

on Trump's competency? Most people realize that Trump is suffering from some type of medical issue (alzheimer, dementia, whatever). If he could be forced to undergo a thorough independent medical evaluation and if it could in fact be proven that Trump is in face incompetent the Democrats would have the grounds to challenge everything that Trump has signed. They could go after the Republicans for knowingly taking advantage of Trump. The Democrats could be asking why is no one filing for a court appointed guardian to determine what is in he best interest.

Trump may threaten to sue but he won't. If he did, he would have to undergo the necessary medical tests to prove that he is competent and I doubt he would pass.

[MontanaMama]

1. I wonder why Dems

aren’t pounding away on a lot of things...such as Dotard’s assault on the Justice Department, the Gopers not funding CHIP...there’s so many things! They should be shouting from the rooftops.

[dalton99a]

2. And the tax scam

Just voting no is not enough - there should be messaging, constant and repeated

[MontanaMama]

18. Oh yes.

The elephant in the room - the tax scam.

[George II]

87. Once again, there IS messaging, constantly (which is also "repeatedly")

I just don't understand why people feel the need to criticize, even things that ARE happening. One only needs to turn on CNN, MSNBC, and yes even Fox, to see it. Or go to a news website, or even DU! You'll see it.

[earthshine]

32. You want an answer? -- Democratic leadership

Schumer was more concerned about taking out Franken.

Pelosi just wants peace.

I want fighters in leadership positions. Just being a fundraiser is not enough!

[MontanaMama]

45. I tend to agree.

I'm also weary of hearing Dems tell us how horrible the Gopers are. We already know that. America knows that too and it doesn't seem to matter. I want to Dems to show us how they are different, how they can make our lives better through responsible policies. The head shaking and disapproving looks from Dems is tiresome. I'd like to see some passion and fire in the belly - as you said "leadership".

[renate]

116. yep. it's so tempting to focus like a laser on how horrible the GOPers are

If I just saw a horrible train wreck, I'd be obsessed with telling everyone I meet about how terrible the train wreck was. But that's not going to actually change anything, no matter how much I may want to fully communicate how terrible it was. I think that's why we keep fixating on how awful the administration is. It's such a horror show and we as humans desperately want to share our feelings about it. Which actually changes nothing.

As I heard on MSNBC today (can't remember who said it), there is no point in trying to convert Trump supporters by talking.

They need to see (we all need to see) action--attempts, even if they're doomed for now, to improve things for regular people.

[tikka]

49. I agree 100% about Schumer n/t

[Ken Burch]

110. The leadership is always the problem.

It always seems to think it needs to fight against progressives and activists and its own base with much more vigor than it fights the Right.

And it always seems to think it has to defer to the Right.

This is a fatal mindset and it's why we need an entirely new leadership.

[NurseJackie]

111. WRONG! Democratic leadership does not do that, or think that.

Our party leaders are not incompetent. Our party leaders are not corrupt.

It serves no good purpose for anyone to suggest such things.

[earthshine]

114. Your description fits my definition of "centrism."

I've been a voting Dem since 1980. I don't like this trend of centrism.

We used to be the party of labor and the common man.

Since then, both major parties shifted to the right, because that's where the easy money is.

Ken, I read your posts often, and always like them.

Peace.

[Ken Burch]

117. Thank you.

Have an excellent weekend.

[RKP5637]

127. Same here! Democrats today are far too passive. IMO they are totally ineffective in

dealing with the tRump regime. In my youth, democrats were fighters.

[treestar]

132. You need examples if you want to convince

anyone of that general conclusion.

And they were better in my youth? LOL, so was everything else. People are like that when they get older.

[RKP5637]

133. I don't think LBJ or JFK, for example, would have put up with this bull of today. n/t

[treestar]

141. They did not have to, so we will never know

Chances are it would overwhelm them. They lived in a time when certain lines were not crossed.

Now they are. How do we know they could handle it any better?

[RKP5637]

142. That's a good point. The outrageousness today is incredible. n/t

[treestar]

131. Then you have to go and BE the leadership

This is just too easy. Without having to get there oneself, criticizing them as not good enough gets nothing accomplished. You wish they had different characteristics, different experience, different flaws? You wish they were other people? Then elect these other people. And you aren't the only one, so you have to convince a whole lot of other people.

[earthshine]

139. Since no one can unseat Pelosi and Schumer, your post is a whole lotta nothing.

You are criticizing me for criticizing them.

Supposedly, they work for us, and thus should be open to criticism.

I suppose you like them just the way they are.

I suppose you like losing all those elections.

[treestar]

140. If they aren't good enough someone has to be elected to replace them

They work for the voters in their respective states, not all of us. That is how the system works.

Of course they can be unseated. That is specifically provided for in the Constitution. Every 6 years the voters of those states have a chance.

And the other Democrats can pick other speaker/majority leader or minority leaders. You have to elect the people who will.

Just telling the rest of us Democrats we did not elect those to your liking is not enough and accomplishes nothing.

[earthshine]

144. I agree with the things you write, but when you add it all up, the will of the voters is NOT respect

Who will primary Pelosi and Schumer? No one.

I am not happy with the Dems losing so many seats for so many years, but you seem to want status quo. Let's lose some more.

How do you feel about the establishment removing Franken, when he was elected by the will of the voters?

[smirkymonkey]

138. Exactly! When will they realize that we want them to fight!

And the only way they are going to prove to those complacent voters that they are different is if they do come out swinging. They have been far too passive given all the material there is for them to go up against. I'm so tired of their spinelessness.

[Skittles]

145. so sick of DUers swooning over Pelosi / Schumer

ENOUGH ALREADY

[Hortensis]

63. Montana, because we don't want to DISTRACT.

Haven't you noticed the media are doing just that?

Diverting away from the corrupt slough on the right would be a Very Bad Idea.

Especially since profits must be chased and they'd be looking for something--anything minutely useful--to turn into a distort and blow up into competing marketing opportunity?

Maybe next time a frustrated, knee-jerk "they're-stupid" impulse hits, maybe just slow down and wonder if there's something they know that amateur outsiders don't?

This one's actually extremely time-honored, though: When the other side's busy shooting themselves in the foot, don't get in the way of the cameras.

[madinmaryland]

109. Absolutely. When you have a gang that make the Keystone Kops look well organized, it's

just better to let them destroy themselves. There really isn't much more they (the dems) can add.

[Eliot Rosewater]

64. How would they do that, physically? Can any house member get on any news show anytime they want

to do this?

[shenmue]

76. We do

[lindysalsagal]

3. They're reluctant to be tied to the morass, but they have to speak up.

Or else, they're complicit in the cover-up.

[Demsrule86]

21. Total crap...Dems are not complicit and are speaking out...I wish some would stop blaming

Democrats for Republican behavior.

[Eliot Rosewater]

65. What? Democratic politicians who voted AGAINST the madness are complicit if they dont do WHAT?

[Wounded Bear]

4. In a month or so, the election cycle will be ramping up...

I suspect that Trump will be a target in many districts, if not all.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. What would they pound? This is entirely new territory...

usually it's Democrats in disarray while Republicans sit back and let it happen. Now it's Republicans in their own civil war while Dems are sitting back watching in an unusual lack of strife.

Best thing may be to just wait-- they are doing a damn good job of destroying themselves.

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. How much dry powder do we need to keep?

[Demsrule86]

22. I don't usually see some on this thread with a good word to say about Democrats ever.

So...again. The GOP is responsible for what they do or don't do.

[TheCowsCameHome]

24. ...and some Dems are simply tired of losing.

Put me in that group.

[Demsrule86]

77. And some Dems who criticize the party and drive voters away cause losses.

(not talking about you). Next they hop back on DU and opine that the party needs 'fixing'. The party need loyalty from its members in order to win.

[TheCowsCameHome]

96. The party needs new blood and ideas in order to win.

The old guard is getting more and more out of touch.

[Demsrule86]

121. No we don't... while fresh ideas are always welcome...there are good ideas in the current party.

What we need is less people to criticize and more to roll up their sleeves and help...and of course vote Democratic always...none of you who espouse this magical Dem party will ever achieve it as everyone has a different idea of what it should be...I believe we don't win without a big tent in a center left country period...when we have had the majority, it is always with Democrats who have various beliefs...some moderate and some liberal. Criticizing the party drives voters away...those who do it enable Republicans...and in 16, they helped elect Trump...blood on their hands. And they have helped create an ecological disaster as well.

[treestar]

129. Then get involved and do something

If you already are, keep doing it rather than complaining about everyone else.

Were you supportive during the health care bill, or did you complain it was not enough, and help turn Congress red?

[Eliot Rosewater]

66. There is a group here, who do seem to bash dems routinely and I thought that was against

the rules here, oh well.

[Demsrule86]

75. It is...and if you call them on it they could have trouble. But unless it is over the top, I don't

do that...just argue with them.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. Let the news sink in for a bit and let the GOPers fight among themselves.

Bannon has started an internecine war in the GOP. There's no need to pound away yet; let the GOP eat itself up.

[bluecollar2]

8. They're taking the "moral high ground"...

Thus maintaining the tradition of failing to seize the initiative.

[avebury]

9. And that always works out so well for them.

[doc03]

31. Like they took the moral highground

and thru the only senator that had the guts to call a liar a liar under the bus.

[treestar]

130. Well, face it, if they did not

The media would pound them about it. No one ever faces the fact that the media would then make it all about Dem faults. While ignoring the R's faults. Letting the Rs on TV to say how bad the Dems are with no pushback on how bad the Rs are.

[CK_John]

10. Banging head against wall just changes the wall.

[stevenleser]

11. That's a losing strategy if I ever heard one. All Trump has to do is find an unscrupulous doctor who

will dutifully pronounce him "A-OK" and then any Democrats doing the "pounding" would look like stupid partisan opportunists.

[avebury]

12. What about the military doctor that is supposed

to do Trump's physical? Is he duty bound to do his job as a doctor or to provide cover for an incompetent President? If the military doctor realizes that there is a problem with Trump's mental competency, what exactly is his responsibility as a military doctor who also took the oath to protect this country from threats foreign and domestic?

[stevenleser]

16. Even worse. A military doctor is examining his Commander in Chief.

Now, there are plenty of military doctors who are used to examining higher ranking officers and issuing reports that are adversarial to the interests of those higher ranking officers. Air Force doctors who examine pilots are a good example. Doctors in the rank of major to Colonel have to be able to write reports that will essentially revoke flight status for officers of higher rank.

But I am sure there are Doctors who would be susceptible to intimidation or assertions that they have to write a report a certain way for matters of national security.

[jberryhill]

27. Are you suggesting ANY doctor would violate patient confidentiality?

No, there is no exception.

[avebury]

30. It is typical for the Drs to provide a brief

comment that the CIC is in good health. What I expect is that the Dr would not provide fraudulent information. If the Dr is not able to provide a summary comment to Herr Trump's liking then best to say nothing at all. Silence would speak volumes without saying anything.

[fescuerescue]

147. I can't imagine this happening

Essentially you need a Doctor who

1) Would be psychologically cleared to be near a President
2) Have a career so distinguished, that he or she is allowed near a President
3) Willing to throw away a medical career, and a military career.
4) Accept a likely prison term and spend the rest of his life fighting for employment.

With the result being that

1) Trump gets a some bad press for a week. Maybe even two.
2) Trump gets to made a few extra tweets about how the medical profession needs to be reformed
3) His supporters rally around him once more.


FWIW, It's the same reason that it's extremely extremely rare that Secret Service agents speak out against a former President. It just doesn't happen. (I know a former Bill Clinton SS agent and he wouldn't discuss even the tiniest, most mundane detail of the President. Even super mundane things that have been commonly known for decades). And the SS has about 10,000 times more access to a President than his doctors do.

[cwydro]

13. Wondering same. nt

[ismnotwasm]

14. What do you think Democrats are doing?

Or are you on an area without many Democrats—I live in Seattle and our Democrats are busy.

[NewJeffCT]

15. The problem is that very few Democrats

can get regular media coverage outside of evenings on MSNBC, and if a Democrat gets on TV, they almost always have at least one Republican on with them to give a counter-argument.

[mcar]

35. CNN has Democrats on all the time

And they do a good job with their interviews, IMO.

[ismnotwasm]

53. Yeah I dont watch regular news so Im not seeing what people who do, see

I know they are fighting, introducing legislation, just listened to Seattle’s new mayor Jenny Durkan. on Sessions latest move—she’s pissed— and our AG is one of several always sueing the Trump administration, making themfight for everything he tries.

My personal Rep is Pramila Jayapal, who is uniquely situated to represent the aspects of the Democratic Party that got broke during the primaries—endorsed by Bernie, a vehement advocate for DACA and immigrants. Both Hillary supporters and Bernie supporters like her, because she’s a badass and incredibly wise.

[Thrill]

17. They never learn from Republicans

They are the worse at messaging. It’s sad

[Orrex]

19. I expect that Pelosi will soon reassure us that impeachment is off the table.

[TheCowsCameHome]

25. It's in a storge locker, out on the high road.

[mcar]

37. Other progressives, including one who caucus with Dems

Publicly said the same last week and got praise for it here on this very board.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210028073

Why does Pelosi get criticized for the same stance?

[Orrex]

39. Didn't see that--thanks.

Where were they praised for it? The responses I saw in that thread seem pretty uniform in their criticism.

Jill Stein can go fuck herself, full stop. She is not a Progressive--she is a either a knowing accomplice or a stupid patsy.

As for Bernie, well, he should shut his trap about it, too. What does the brave Independent suggest that we do to rein in Trump's horror, if impeachment isn't an option?

[mcar]

40. Most of the replies on that thread

that actually pertain to the subject, agree with the Sanders stance and say it is practical. Whether you agree with that stance or not (not really the point I'm making), I find it...odd that some get criticized here while others get praised for having the same position.

[Orrex]

41. Fair enough

I will criticize any Democrat or ally (or Trump stooge, in Stein's case) who preemptively hobbles Democrats' ability to perform the duties of their office.

[questionseverything]

57. pelosi "took impeachment off the table" for bush, too

when we regained control of the house....it still hurts for some of us old peops I guess

the only reason not to impeach trump is...pence,ryan,mcconnel are the downline

hopefully Mueller does his job and takes out the rnc critters that give the repubs the house majority

[JI7]

98. Bernie also opposed impeachment of Bush

[mcar]

113. He did? Why don't we have dozens of posts here

about that? Why does he get a pass?

[stevenleser]

143. He can do anything, go on Fox News, etc. and that group will give him a pass.

[mcar]

146. He does go on Fox a lot

Not that there's anything wrong with that!

[dalton99a]

73. Message: He is not unfit - leave him alone - let him MAGA

[GulfCoast66]

92. I hope she does...If we regain the house and immediately push for impeachment, we are done

First, the Senate will never, never, never agree. Even if we control it. Not happening. My first rule in life is do not fight a battle you know you will lose. Doing so is just stupid.

Second, we will energize the low information/non reliable voter. To most Americans, taking out the presidency just seems wrong. They may not like Trump, but unlike we here on DU, they consider him the legitimate President duly elected(which he was) Trying to take him out will rally them to support him where in an election they would not. I think the electoral college is the worst idea since canned peas, but it is the law of the land.

Third, having Trump as president helps us. If Pence were to get in, the White House would go quiet, there would be no drama, and most Americans, who are not at all like us here on DU, would assume that the danger is over and they can stop paying attention.

I love DU. But we are not a snapshot of the average American. Not even the average member of the Democratic Party. I regularly read post here where DU members tout how they have removed all Trump voters from their life. And we often see post, even tonight, where members have stopped watching even MSMBC because it offends their pre-conceived beliefs so they consider it too conservative. That is a poor place from which to make political decisions.

Shit, even Sanders, who I pretty much have distain for understands this fact. Which brings up another question...why do so many people on DU attack Pelosi for this stance, but give Sanders a pass? Things that make you go hummm.

[Orrex]

102. If we gain the House and we don't impeach him, then we are explicitly endorsing him

His horrors will become our horrors, forever and irrevocably. History, scuh as it is, will look back and say "they had a chance to stop him, but they chose to keep their powder dry. Again."

[GulfCoast66]

103. But we will not stop him

The Senate will never convict.

[Orrex]

105. Then that is the GOP Senate's failure

Because, as noted above, if a Democratic House declines to impeach, then it be an explicit endorsement of Trump and all things Trump.

Frankly, There is no gray area here.

[GulfCoast66]

106. I guess I will just respectfully disagree

[Orrex]

120. Fair enough. We're still on the same side, after all!

[Skittles]

101. I will never understand the rabid support people have for her

NEVER

[msongs]

20. dems have offered a "better deal" does that sound like any kind of pounding? nt

[regnaD kciN]

26. Oh, yes. Counter with a PR-firm-generated slogan!

[Kirk Lover]

23. I wondered the same thing, but then I thought trashbag is doing a pretty good job at pounding

away at himself...so let him carry on...and now this book.

[Irish_Dem]

28. They know they will be attacked for conducting a political witch hunt.

Like McConnell threatened to do to Obama when
Obama told McConnell about Russian election interference.

I would think however Dems may be having some talks behind the scenes.
And have been doing so for months.

The other thing, when your enemy is making a fool of himself, don't interfere.

[shanny]

33. ex post facto

things signed before a determination of mental incompetence (a legal procedure) cannot be challenged--legally--later.

certainly the Republicans in Congress and the swamp things on the Cabinet should be taken to task--loudly and often--for aidin' and abettin'

it's a campaign issue, not a legal one

[mcar]

34. Oh goody, another bash Dems thread

The dotard and his corrupt admin is imploding and could take the whole ugly party down with them. It's the perfect time for our several times weekly blame Dems OP.

[Scurrilous]

38. Yep.

The @#$% hits the fan for Trump and the GOP ...so let's bash Dems.

It's freakin' pathetic.

[sheshe2]

46. Yep, mcar...

Like clock work.

[NurseJackie]

47. Exactly. Predictable AND tiresome.

[mcar]

61. 4 days in and there've been how many already?

[ismnotwasm]

60. I dont get it

My Democrats are always doing something, fighting, getting as much legislative work done as possible—what Aren’t they doing? I’m serious

[mcar]

62. Why don't they get credit for all they are doing?

Here on Democratic Underground, at the very least.

[brer cat]

70. +++

Never fails to happen.

[RhodeIslandOne]

88. Yeah but its nooooooot enooouggghhhh

Democrats should form a committee or something!

I’m on Twitter. I see Dem Senators and Reps commenting every single day. Unfortunately America decided to turn the country completely over to a criminal element. Not much can be done right this minute.

[mcar]

89. I see them on Twitter too

And on Facebook, and on CNN.

No matter what they do, it will never be good enough, or pure enough, for some.

[Demsrule86]

118. It is never enough for these folks...they simply don't like Democrats in my opinion. Surely they

understand that if you tell someone the Democratic Party is no good, you discourage that person from voting Democratic? It is not a hard thing to see...so what motivates them? I have no idea...some are long term Du'ers.

[lapucelle]

95. Lots of the posts are using "they" when referring to Democrats.

[treestar]

123. +1

Apt observation

[LanternWaste]

36. Trump is not-too-slowly uncoiling more and more rope from which to hang himself with.

All things being equal, Trump, by himself and on his own, is not-too-slowly uncoiling more and more rope from which to hang himself with. No need to grease his hands.

I believe Trump's incompetence and volatility will be more than enough fuel for a Democratic victory in the 2018 mid-terms.

[WyattKansas]

42. Trying to stay warm by the Trumpster fire blazing out of control?

By all means, don't do anything that would diminish the fire.

[onenote]

43. A couple of reasons come to mind

First, Trump isn't really acting appreciably more nuts than he did during the campaign. Not saying he wasn't nuts then - he was. Indeed, lots of folks argued he was unfit. So re-litigating the claim of unfitness based on mental health is just going to be an exercise in beating one's head against the wall.

Second, a case can be made that he has not been shown, nor would an "independent" (and exactly how would one determine the "independence" of those conducting the exam?) medical examination likely show that he is, to use the terminology of the 25th amendment, "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office." What are the powers and duties of the office? Well, appointing cabinet members, judges, ambassadors, making treaties, informing the Congress as to the state of the union. Signing or vetoing bills. Issuing executive orders. He can and does do all of those things. Sure he does them badly and his behavior is abominable and hurting our standing in the world. But the 25th Amendment is pretty narrowly drawn and if push comes to shove, I doubt you'd ever get Pence and a majority of the cabinet, all appointed by him, to publicly declare that they were appointed by someone unable to discharge the duties of his office. Again, beating one's head against the wall is a waste of time.

So instead of demanding medical examinations that won't take place and won't establish his inability to discharge the duties of the office, Democrats are going about the business of tying repubs to Trump and relying on public dissatisfaction with not just his behavior, but his policies, to rally turnout and victories.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

44. Because the high ground.

[yardwork]

48. When our enemy is self-destructing, why interfere?

Trump in the White House is helping to get Democrats elected. If we get back control of just one side of Congress, let the investigations begin!

I don't want Trump forced out of office, only to get President Pence, Republicans still in charge of Congress, and everything swept under the rug. I want the whole enchilada. I want Republicans out of power, not just in Congress but in states across the nation. I want not just Trump in prison, but Pence, Ryan, and McConnell in prison too.

[sprinkleeninow]

56. Mueller. (no text)

[yardwork]

59. If Trump leaves too soon, then the Republicans will say that the problem is solved.

They'll sweep it all under the rug and Pence will continue the evil, only nobody will be watching. The country will breathe a sigh of relief and move on without a backward glance and things will get worse and worse.

[sprinkleeninow]

81. The BIg 'I' word is not doable, '25' isn't either.

Short of a Divine Intervention of sorts, Mueller bringing indisputable and beyond damaging evidence will surely be the inception of an eventual, albeit involved, downfall.

[Iahotdog]

84. I totally agree

Republicans and trump are doing quite a number on themselves, why interfere unless something gets seriously out of hand.

[brer cat]

97. *This*

Exactly, yardwork. If trump and only trump leaves, we gain little and still have the devil as President with republicans claiming to have solved the problem. Self-destruction is how that evil party will be crippled. I want voters seeing that evil and producing a huge blue tsunami.

[BoneyardDem]

50. ooohhhh.....rather that bashing GOPes, lets bash Dems...awesome thread!!

thanks for reminding me what whining and complaining look like.....I'd almost forgotten what it's like to have Dems complain when there is a Asshole in the WH that is having a horrid week. What a distraction.

[earthshine]

52. Thanks for reminding us what blind loyalty looks like.

The Dems lost 1000 seats under the Obama admin.

If you don't want to take a look at why, then we will lose more.

[BoneyardDem]

55. Nothing is stopping any Dem from voicing their concerns as described in the OP

but those same Dems complaining that "someone else" should be doing it is a farce,...and we all know it.

There is no blind loyalty in my post...except what you want to see and use as a bashing tool.

[earthshine]

68. You really don't make any sense here.

The op asks why Democratic elected officials don't do more. It asks why they are so timid.

And I agree that these questions need to be asked.

It's far too easy just to hurl stones at the GOP.

Just because I am a lifelong Dem does not mean I will simply accept the lack of action of Democratic leadership and other officials.

[BoneyardDem]

74. You don't like that someone else is *not* saying something?

then say it out loud yourself. Is that any clearer?

I am stating outright that anyone complaining about what other DEMS are saying or not saying, should take on some of the responsibility they are so quick to foster off on others.

[earthshine]

80. Okay, enough of you. You really don't understand the OP. nt

[BoneyardDem]

94. I understood it just fine.....Trump having a horrid week so bash Dems nt

[Cha]

67. There was no "blind loyalty" in

BoneyardDem's post.

[treestar]

124. It is probably the other way round

Rs won those seats with "blind loyalty." It does not have to be "blind." Not if you bind together to win.

[HAB911]

51. Dems: want a blue wave in 18? 20?

Then be Dems. Be the party you are, unapologetically and unflinchingly. Zero support for a regime that attacks rule of law, Patriotism, decency, compassion. Zero cooperation with a regime installed by an enemy. Isolate hate. No quarter...

Link to tweet

[earthshine]

69. Hellboy has spoken and I agree!

These are "fighten words."

We need to fight in all 50 states.

[Squinch]

54. Lots in this thread see this as bashing Democrats. I see it as a request for republican bashing.

And I see republican bashing as a completely honorable pursuit.

I really wish it would happen. I share your confusion as to why it isn't.

[Demsrule86]

79. It's a bashing thread...no matter how you see it.

[Squinch]

91. Well... that sure convinces me!

[Demsrule86]

122. I am not trying to convince you...just stating it as I see it...those who engage in criticizing

Democrats and the party help elect Republicans.

[Eliot Rosewater]

83. Motives are important, the problem is we dont seem to have learned much

from our recent past.

Proof of millions of bots and posts of kgb agents and gop hits attacking dems, Hillary, liberals

It is still going on, including here. i am not saying the OP is one of them, that is not at all my point, but they are here so the smart thing to do until the nazi's are out of power is provide a 100% unified front of support for our party.

Elect any democrat, ANY democrat , get the power back, then deal with getting the exact house member you want or senator.

[Squinch]

90. To elect Democrats, we need messaging. We suck at messaging. Republicans wipe the floor

with us on messaging.

The country still sees them as the fiscally conservative party. The country still sees them as the family values party. The country still sees them as being something other than radical and destructive. That is OUR failure of messaging.

[treestar]

125. This has been said for ages

without recognition that the media is not available to Dems the same way as it is to Rs.

[Squinch]

134. I agree, and we have yet to work out a way around that.

I think, for example, Tom Steyer is showing us one way to reach people. I feel certain there are others and we need to be better at availing ourselves of those methods.

[zipplewrath]

58. Has to be done right

I think to a great degree it should start with statements like "If I didn't know better I'd say..."
Maybe transitioning to "In anyone else I'd be concerned..."
Each step of the way it gets a bit closer to an actual concern.
"I really don't want to believe..."
"I hope someone closer is making sure..."
"I'm no doctor but..."
"Can anyone assure us..."
"It's getting hard not to question..."

[alarimer]

71. I think they should stick to what he actually does and not make it personal.

Any speculation on what MAY be wrong with him is dangerous. They don't know and neither do we.

They need to stick to hammering him and the GOP on issues. There is plenty there.

[George II]

72. You don't think they have? Did you see Blumenthal just minutes ago on CNN....

...."pounding away on trump's competency"??

It's happening. Every day and almost every hour. Why complain about something that IS going on?

[NurseJackie]

99. People who think the Democrats aren't doing anything are the same ones who think that Hillary...

People who think the Democrats aren't doing anything are the same ones who think that Hillary didn't have a message, or that she was a weak candidate, or that she had no vision.

People who think the Democrats aren't doing anything aren't paying attention. Or, they're living in a Sarandonesque world where they feel the need to burn it down and start over. Or, they're too immature and too impatient to realize that what they want to happen will not happen overnight.

It's very naive of them to believe that simply because they WANT something, they can have it (provided they whine long enough and trash Democrats loud enough).

Unfortunately, the constant trashing and demeaning of the Democratic party and Democratic politicians only serves to WEAKEN and DIMINISH the party. Their attacks only SLOW DOWN the arrival of the thing they want so much.

Pity they don't see that. But, I suppose they DO get a lot of self-satisfaction and gratification from having these regularly-scheduled temper tantrums. (Sigh.)

[George II]

100. +1,000,000

I have a theory, but will keep it to myself.

[betsuni]

108. +1

[treestar]

126. Plus they never think that the strategy they want

might not work. They have this obvious strategy that shows no thought and no knowledge. If they were in charge and things done as they wished they were done - does it occur to them it might turn out worse?

[C_U_L8R]

78. Trump seems to be pounding it pretty good

Come the midterms, the dems will be unleashed

[AlexSFCA]

85. democrats want trump to stay and destroy

GOP. If you are a dem politician, now is a good time to run for office. It would be harder with pence.

[Squinch]

135. That is just not the case. If it were, the dems would be just as dangerous as the GOP. They aren't.

[AlexSFCA]

136. not quite

dems have no power to impeach now so why bother. Let’s milk the clown until after the midterms.

[Squinch]

137. You may be right that this is their attitude, but if it is then therein lies our problem.

[Oneironaut]

86. Because Democrats right now are like barking dogs,

thinking that if they bark enough, the murder of America happening right in front of them will stop happening. Beware our fearsome hashtag campaigns and Facebook posts, you evil doers!

[lapucelle]

93. The're waiting to see if Pence is implicated in the corruption.

They don't want President Pence and whomever he would select as VP to have the incumbency advantage in 2020.

[peggysue2]

104. Dems are concentrating on First Priorities

getting their ducks in a row for 2018, shaping the Blue Tsunami to wash the filth away, as well as lining up political strategies to the Trumpster's on-going psycho-dramas and mean-spirited policy pronouncements. You know like taking away healthcare for children, or nutrition to the poor, or sending DACA kids back to their country of origin, etc., etc., etc. Gotta save money after that windfall to corporations and big 'R' donors. Wonder how that sales pitch is going with the masses??

In the meantime, Dems are standing back and allowing the Republicans to eat their own, diminish themselves as the Trumpster's fawning courtiers and giving them plenty of room to suffocate one another within Mueller's ever-tightening noose.

Democrats are still the minority, so there's no sense wasting time and energy screaming at the sky or pushing for things that can't be delivered, yet. Better to save our resources for the date that matters--this November--while the rats scurry for the exits as the Tattered Ship Lollipop sinks to the bottom of the Deep Blue Sea.

That's the sort of pounding I can fully support. As a Democrat, as an American citizen.

[ecstatic]

107. We're hanging all our hopes on Mueller, when it doesn't matter

what the investigation says, trump is dangerously unfit either way. So I agree with you.

[Anny61]

112. They have been for a year. Clinton did and many blamed her for doing so as the reason for loss.

[betsuni]

119. +1

[Kirk Lover]

115. They need to start POUNDING AWAY NOW with the bullshit that these used scumbag

Republiskanks are purporting.

[RKP5637]

128. K&R!!!!! n/t