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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHave Schumer and Jefferies forgotten how to hold a press conference?
* State that the Davos Speech shows that Trump is a raving loon and an embarrassment to the USA. Talk about Trump's dementia the way Republicans attacked Joe Biden.
* State that ICE is arresting children and the DOJ believes that ICE DOESNT NEED A WARRANT TO BURST INTO PEOPLE'S HOMES! Hello: the 4th Amendment in the Bill of Rights?
* Explain the according the GOP, the Clinton's must testify to Congress or be held in contempt, yet numerous Republicans, including some on the very committee, blew off their own subpoenas with zero consequences
MY GOD: AT LEAST TRY TO FIGHT THE MADNESS AND EXPOSE THE GOP TO AMERICANS WHO AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION!
LymphocyteLover
(9,460 posts)the Republican POTUS
Alliepoo
(2,778 posts)The silence from them is deafening.
bucolic_frolic
(54,241 posts)If this holds til November, they're good to go. They don't want to do anything to upset the apple cart, ding the fundraising, nor undermine any of the extensive list of fine candidates they have recruited. They themselves don't want to become the problem. So they're going timid. Explain to us all how that is not a sound strategy. Viewed another way, Democrats don't need to take on political risk and blowback. They just need to trudge forward and let the mass of what they've banked pay off.
SO I find criticism of them ill-informed.
AloeVera
(4,016 posts)Sure thing.
Paladin
(32,343 posts)At this point, I'd settle for a little public outrage from Democratic leadership. Is that just too much to ask for, as our country devolves into a Goddamned police state?
Response to Paladin (Reply #18)
Post removed
bucolic_frolic
(54,241 posts)Jeffries in particular could become speaker any week or month as the GOP implodes and retires.
Making loud noises and alienating everyone is not sound strategy. Dems need to peak in November, not win a shouting contest in February.
They are executing sound strategy, and have some considerable basis for its effectiveness in polling and past performance.
How is making a lot of noise working for Trump? He keeps plummeting in the polls.
Well guess what? We can plummet to and help Trump if we act that way. It goes both ways.
The people are deciding. We'll be out front leading them on Election Day. For sure.
Cirsium
(3,447 posts)All Democrats are "targets for MAGA and FauxNoise," no matter what any if us say or do. That is no excuse. Fear and weakness is not a winning strategy. It is what caused this nightmare to a large extent.
A "shouting contest?" Is that how you see this?
Alliepoo
(2,778 posts)And I think they might be paying too much attention to pollsters. People are PISSED about Ice and the horrible things theyre doing, about the economy and healthcare and Greenland and Donvict and so much more. They want and NEED to see and hear action from the Dems snd all theyre getting is crickets. Its not a good thing. If the pollsters are recommending this course of (what looks to the voting public as) inaction and impotence, they should probably be kicked to the curb. Now is the time for Dems to step up and take advantage. Folks want fire and fight and the Dems need to bring it now and keep it stoked till November.
Javaman
(65,231 posts)why?
because jared's daddio help fund Jeffries campaign.
that's enough for me to oust him as leader.
returnee
(846 posts)Javaman
(65,231 posts)Bozvotros
(955 posts)LymphocyteLover
(9,460 posts)maxsolomon
(38,301 posts)I was about to say the same thing.
Bozvotros
(955 posts)has caused our whole electoral system to reek of corruption and legalized bribery. dominated by the wealthiest corporations and individuals. SCOTUS wanted it that way because they clearly wanted in on it too. This ruling encourages or nearly forces some candidates to accept donations and make compromises they would otherwise reject. But Jeffries taking money from the Kushners should have been a bridge too far for him. Don't let me get started on Schumer.
The next time our party holds power, we have to, impeach Thomas, Alito, and any other judge who we know has accepted money and gifts. If that can't be done, we must enlarge the court and install Democratic or progressive judges to balance the SC. Other reforms, including no lifetime terms, strict ethical rules with congressional oversight are badly needed and long overdue.
Real electoral reform would also require a return to the Fairness doctrine for public airwaves. Primary and election funding must be public financing or limited individual citizen contributions only. No more bullshit about a company being a person too. Penalties for election finance violations would need to include large fines and mandatory jail time for repeated or egregious acts. It is also necessary to eliminate stock trading for members and family of the House and Senate, and anyone working in or for the White House.
But I'm just kidding myself. None of that can or will happen when states can redraw their districts whenever they want and make laws to limit and restrict voting. What I'm saying is we have a shit ton of work to do, starting with winning the upcoming midterms.
lapucelle
(20,954 posts)Let's review some basic civics and revisit the constitution. It is the US Senate that votes to confirm those whom the president nominates as ambassadors.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S2-C2-3-4/ALDE_00013095/
====================
Hakeem Jeffries is a congressman, not a senator. He serves in the House, not the Senate.
Members of the House don't get to vote for or against ambassadorial nominations.
----------------------------------------------
Here is a link to the roll call confirmation vote to confirm Charles Kushner ambassador to France.
Question: On the Nomination (Confirmation: Charles Kushner, of New York, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco)
https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00261.htm#position
=========================
Misinformation about Democrats should be corrected, lest it be repeated to the point that it morphs into disinformation.
Who benefits from misinformation and/or disinformation about our Party's congressional leaders?
Cui bono?
Not Democrats.
yardwork
(69,016 posts)Tadpole Raisin
(1,976 posts)second term. The average person voting Republican has the attention span and memory of a gnat. They forgot how bad it was under him and with him constantly telling people how great his administration was they kind of went along with it.
And the Democratic tendency to wait until after Labor Day (the official start of the election season) to about the talk about what great things Dems have done and how horrible Republicans have been almost guarantees a loss. By that time they are so far behind the 8 ball they barely make a dent until just before the election.
This is a 24/7/365 day effort. It doesnt have to be in your face but it does require regular reminders to the populace in the moment.
The OP is right, sorry!
Hieronymus Phact
(728 posts)Risk is a required. People follow strength.
Most people don't pay attention to anything outside their own little daily bubble.
The more voices there are standing up and saying this is wacko, un-American shit going on, the more of a possibility that someone who's not paying much attention will hear it and say "yeah it seemed strange when i heard something like that last week, that's messed up".
Being in congress gives them a louder voice than average people, It's their duty to speak up and lead.
choie
(6,710 posts)And we thought Kamala was going to win in 2024. No way should the Dems sit on their asses and do nothing, unless you want the same thing to happen in 2026.
agingdem
(8,776 posts)Last edited Thu Jan 22, 2026, 01:17 PM - Edit history (1)
Woodrow Wilson once said Never attempt to murder a man who is committing suicide..
Schumer and Jeffries are savvy enough to know when to stay out of the way of a party (Republican), a movement (MAGA), and their psychotic dementia-addled leader are in the process of committing suicide..
Cirsium
(3,447 posts)Fear and denial, masquerading as caution.
MAGA is not "committing suicide," they are committing murder. "Never attempt to stop a man who is committing murder would be a more accurate description of that strategy.
Ars Longa
(471 posts)There should be zero wonder the Dems approval is at 29%!
And Trump is marauding thru this country like a mad, lawless T-Rex.
RoseTrellis
(121 posts)Dem leadership is doing the exact proper thing- give the bastards enough rope to hang themselves.
When the enemy is self destructing- LET THEM!
I trust them to stay quiet until the repukes, emboldened by lack of resistance, inevitably go to far with their overreach.
THATS when we can lay all the cards on the table and say the emperor has no clothes!
Cirsium
(3,447 posts)The Republicans have had more than enough rope to hang themselves for decades.
The Republicans always go too far with their overreach. Yes, that can result in some wins for Democrats, but the Republicans keep working and keep gaining in strength and come roaring back with a vengeance.
"THATS when we can lay all the cards on the table?"
Why would we ever hide our cards at all?
"...and say the emperor has no clothes!"
Why not say that now? Actually, why say it ever?
SpankMe
(3,667 posts)1. Although polls are showing Repubs losing support, there's no evidence or valid analysis so far showing that this will result in electoral gains for Dems in the upcoming election. We're assuming that gripes over Greenland, ICE and authoritarian insanity will mean a Dem landslide in November, but polls are snapshots and voters are fickle.
2. Rocking the boat a little won't sully Dems and throw independents into Republican arms. I think that highlighting the authoritarian behavior with frequent press conferences and public statements keeps these issues on the front burner and tells the public that we're watching.
PatrickforB
(15,365 posts)Alliepoo
(2,778 posts)Snark/sarcasm symbol.
Cirsium
(3,447 posts)They can't believe what good luck they're having?
That's the problem. The worse things get for us us, the better it is for them. Our misfortune is their good fortune.
That is true for a small army of people - politicians, consultants, pod casters, MSM pundits. Fascism is good for business.
What was it Carville recommended? Playing 'possum?
That approach is what brought us to where we are.
Soul_of_Wit
(15 posts)"If this holds til November". It won't. The tangerine toddler is in a second term because of timidity. If folks perceive a political party as doing nothing, then they won't vote for them. The lesson of "anyone but W" is that folks will give another term to W and reject the vague "anyone." That lesson is as old as DU.
bucolic_frolic
(54,241 posts)We're in this fix because Republicans won the war of income taxes. They exempted their rich donor class to a great degree which put responsibility for the federal budget further and further down the income scale until it divided the middle class base into those who pay for, and those who receive, the social safety net. Gen Z is even in an uproar over Social Security.
Cirsium
(3,447 posts)We need more than a "peak."
A massive campaign of lying is what "divided people into those who pay for, and those who receive, the social safety net," and failure by the Democrats to fight back strongly against that is why it succeeded. No, they were playing it safe, pussyfooting around with the Republicans, and waiting for Nixon Reagan Bush to self-destruct.
"Gen Z is even in an uproar over Social Security," to the extent that people are, because ignorant people are being deceived by malicious actors. Playing it safe is what allows that sort of crap to fly. Yet that is what you are advocating.
LymphocyteLover
(9,460 posts)current fascist times.
markpkessinger
(8,887 posts). . . NOT!
SocialDemocrat61
(6,971 posts)Last edited Thu Jan 22, 2026, 11:14 AM - Edit history (1)
When your enemy is shooting themself in the foot, let them and dont get in the way. And frankly there are democrats who are better spokespersons than either of them.
OldBaldy1701E
(10,428 posts)I do not agree. They have already 'shot themselves in the foot' enough. If people cannot see how dangerous and insane he and his cronies are, then there is nothing we can do about them and they will just have to go down with their ship of choice.
So how many lives are worth the sticking to your adage and just waiting around until our broken system is used to try and fix our broken system?
10? 100? One percent of the population? (That's three million people, btw.)
SocialDemocrat61
(6,971 posts)I'm open to any constructive ideas.
Cirsium
(3,447 posts)Play it safe is not exactly a "constructive idea," in my opinion, but if we accept that it is, the obvious alternative "constructive idea" would be don't play is safe.
SocialDemocrat61
(6,971 posts)JBTaurus83
(924 posts)They should be the ones in charge. We have been hearing the keep the powder dry since Bush. That sure has worked out tremendously.
SocialDemocrat61
(6,971 posts)The job of minority leader in either house is not to be the top spokesperson. It's more of an organizational job. Too many confuse our system for parliamentary systems where the leader of the minority is the top spokesperson and who becomes Prime Minister if they win back the majority.
Cirsium
(3,447 posts)When your enemy is weak and faltering press the advantage.
Fixed it for you.
SocialDemocrat61
(6,971 posts)Please be specific.
myohmy2
(3,715 posts)...they're afraid of our fearless leader...
...what else could it be...?
...
LiberalArkie
(19,385 posts)JBTaurus83
(924 posts)JI7
(93,289 posts)are suddenly going to pay attention to Schumer and Jefferies ?
I think Schumer needs to retire but these posts make no sense.
ColoringFool
(346 posts)Orrex
(66,737 posts)And Those strongly-worded letters dont write themselves, you know
W_HAMILTON
(10,146 posts)Ray Bruns
(6,034 posts)Give him enough rope to hang himself
werdna
(1,204 posts)- so why is he still in office?
Ray Bruns
(6,034 posts)And hes still in off because Trump keeps al the Republicans spines in a closet in the White House.
ColoringFool
(346 posts)Hows that been working for us?
Answer: it hasnt.
Bettie
(19,347 posts)That powder dry. If bad things ever happen, they will be ready but , apparently what is happening now is not enough to even be particularly upset about.
Bluetus
(2,370 posts)I mean, what evidence have we seen that tells us these guys are in the top 1% of leaders/fighters/strategists, or even the top 25%?
Bettie
(19,347 posts)it could be that they aren't all that smart, it could be what their large donors are telling them to do...who knows?
I'm certainly not wealthy enough to understand why congresscritters do what they do...I don't have enough money to matter.
gay texan
(3,172 posts)"This time for sure, Rocky!!!!"
Cirsium
(3,447 posts)Maybe they are getting fan mail from a flounder. Or maybe they are just floundering?
Baitball Blogger
(51,804 posts)ColoringFool
(346 posts)gab13by13
(31,391 posts)They should be out in the streets in Minneapolis and then Maine.
democrank
(12,239 posts)EVERY member of Congress should speak up. Its a matter of principles to me, not political calculations.
Imagine if there were grave problems in our family and someone suggested we just sit back and wait. Dont rock the boat. Dont make waves.
NoMoreRepugs
(11,835 posts)angrychair
(11,776 posts)Because where we must because we won't have any choice but I will use the primary season to advocate for an other Democrat than a Democrat can calling to abolish ICE.
There is no fixing this. There is no smaller budget. It's abolish or out the door. Just like I will advocate against ANY candidate that votes to approve this latest budget that funds ICE.
I am more than willing to shut down the government to abolish ICE
If you find ice you support them kicking down doors without a warrant and shooting innocent people in the face with no consequences.
There is no other interpretation or opinion.
Cirsium
(3,447 posts)Of course everyone here will vote Democratic. There is no other option. The leadership depends upon that, they take us for granted.
The debate here is between those who think the rank and file should represent and fight for the interests of the leaders, and those who think the leaders should represent and fight for the interests of the rank and file.
"If we all get in lockstep behind the leaders, we win" is the thinking. But the opposite is true. When the leaders get behind the have-nots, then we win.
Of course a lot depends upon whom one sees as this "we" who will be doing the winning. When the wealthy, when the consultants, fund raisers, media moguls and talking heads, pod casters, pollsters, et al win, the rest of us lose. Unless one is waiting for that "trickle down" idea to finally take hold.
werdna
(1,204 posts)Johonny
(25,618 posts)Leaders. In the age of TicToc clips, you need a charismatic leader that is good at 30 second sound bits. Democrats need to find and get those people out. They don't need to be house or senate leadership, but they sure should be your number 2. And they need to be our there constantly. Trump is a daily circus.
ColoringFool
(346 posts)Too many stick to Tik-Tok or Bluesky.
dalton99a
(92,479 posts)Last edited Thu Jan 22, 2026, 09:50 AM - Edit history (1)
Meanwhile, hold your fire until the stars are perfectly aligned
ColoringFool
(346 posts)JBTaurus83
(924 posts)Take heart, thousands of peasants in concentration camps!
dalton99a
(92,479 posts)Our prayers will be answered in the order received. Eventually.
JBTaurus83
(924 posts)Gingermolly
(22 posts)needs to do another filibuster. But it shouldn't all be on him.
Autumn
(48,803 posts)Until someone does something. Or when god steps down off his throne.
Javaman
(65,231 posts)cool heads are always appreciated, but absence is not.
one would think, as leaders of the dems they would have a few things to say to counter the orange asshole, but alas.
time for fresh outlooks and energy.
betsuni
(28,797 posts)will all see and believe and be inspired by and finally, finally, Trump and the GOP will be exposed and stopped.
ColoringFool
(346 posts)There WERE the "Pentagon Papers" that a hero like Daniel Ellsberg could replicate today with the "Epstein Files."
But faint heart ne'er won democracy.
littlemissmartypants
(31,979 posts)I'm not going to share what I really think.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rope-a-dope
Abstractartist
(424 posts)In my opinion, when the democrats retake the house and maybe senate? Not sure on senate, but anyway, when this happens, the new majority should NOT elect Jefferies speaker and Schumer as minority leader. These two leaders have shown that they are NOT leaders when we need them to be NOW. Not when its convenient. AOC would make a phenomenal leader, and Id like to see Mark Kelly or Amy Klobuchar as minority lead in the Senate. Time for change .
4bonhoffer
(151 posts)Democratic messaging has to get better, but remember, and I tend to forget this, the progressive caucus in the house hold press, conferences almost every day, and it is never covered by the mainstream media.
Republican press conferences almost always get covered.
ColoringFool
(346 posts)Cover the Democrats! Say into the microphones, "Hey, networks! Televise THIS! What are you afraid of? Has Trump 'grabbed' you?"
maliaSmith
(159 posts)Time to vote out these two and vote in leaders with fire in their blood. I'm disgusted with both of these men. JFC
Easterncedar
(5,636 posts)Clouds Passing
(7,195 posts)murielm99
(32,739 posts)More whining and bashing of Democrats on a Democratic website.
Cirsium
(3,447 posts)There is a legitimate disagreement being discussed here, and calling the opinions of those with whom you disagree "whining and bashing" is divisive.
murielm99
(32,739 posts)Bernie Sanders and AOC. If I say one word against them, I get all sorts of pushback. I have had posts deleted because I criticized them. But turnabout is not fair play, I guess. I see too much groupthink here. When I see it, I am going to point it out.
LittleGirl
(8,960 posts)Where are they? How about former leaders? Where are they? I used to hear that Ds were feckless and I didnt think that. Now? Im so disappointed in anyone coming up and speaking out. I have to see Adam Mockler or Leigh The Politics Girl make great points instead. Come on! Our best voices are influencers? Sheesh. What have we done?
LR3
(138 posts)Milquetoast doesn't win a lot of elections.
Gallego has the right approach--call the insane MFer an insane MFer. All that our current leaders will be able to muster is bland admonishments, at best.
ratchiweenie
(8,174 posts)Joinfortmill
(20,246 posts)I love Nancy Pelosi, she was a rock star, but Jefferies? WTF, woman?
dalton99a
(92,479 posts)It is The Party of Silence vs. The Party of Evil
Cheezoholic
(3,555 posts)QueerDuck
(1,121 posts)Let them do their jobs and instead complain that the media isn't doing their job. Or, spread the word yourself rather than blaming everything on "lazy" Democrats or "do-nothing" Democrats or "fearful" Democrats.
I'm sure it feels good for some people to have convenient targets to blame for everything, but I assure you that it's not the Democrats and it's not Democratic leadership. Posts like that are divisive and counterproductive.
Cirsium
(3,447 posts)"I'm sure it feels good for some people to have convenient targets to blame for everything."
That is exactly what you are doing.
QueerDuck
(1,121 posts)spanone
(141,134 posts)Tadpole Raisin
(1,976 posts)winning them hand over fist all the time. I think they should be out there more but I also dont think they are capable of it. It is not in their political DNA.
As proof Im reminded of Schumer standing at a podium not too long ago chanting We will win, We will win!
Please
.
karin_sj
(1,333 posts)They are failing us miserably.
JBTaurus83
(924 posts)And our responsive reps standing up. What I could say about these two and their supporters would get me banned Im sure.
ALBliberal
(3,256 posts)As minority leader. Inexcusable for them to sit on their hands.
JonAndKatePlusABird
(368 posts)And sure, it was a fair amount of self-aggrandizement, but I felt like it was a welcome counter to Trumps bleach-injecting lunacy.
ALBliberal
(3,256 posts)hay rick
(9,405 posts)Everything that Trump and his sycophants are currently doing is getting negative and shocked coverage in the media. Let the media, which has so often defaulted to complicity, be the messengers. A Schumer or Jeffries press conference would be an opportunity to shift narratives away from Minneapolis, ICE, Greenland, Canada, NATO, etc.
justaprogressive
(6,365 posts)If YOU were in a concentration camp?
I think not!
I've got a better quote for you:
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
hay rick
(9,405 posts)"Let your plans be dark and impenetrable" does not sound like an argument for holding a press conference.
On your hypothetical question about being in a concentration camp- I would not be looking for press conferences, I would be looking for the intervention of allied bombers and soldiers.
leftstreet
(39,059 posts)yellow dahlia
(4,870 posts)My observation is - they still think they can skulk to the side and wait for the R's to implode, so they can pick up the pieces in the midterms.
OneGrassRoot
(23,934 posts)are making a HUGE mistake by assuming people turning away from Trump and the GOP means they will turn toward Democrats. More and more people are disgusted because they dont see anyone fighting hard and consistently for them, so they may ditch voting altogether even more than they have been lately.
dalton99a
(92,479 posts)In other words, wait for the tyrant to croak
usonian
(23,770 posts)Not blaming Chuck, but if he treated Trump like he was the rerun of Adolph Hitler (which he is) he would have strapped on a dynamite vest (or ketchup vest) to prevent ACB's confirmation and the BallBusterBill that enabled all this crap.
He did!

Chuck?

OK. so he didn't have the leverage, but he could have brought up Epstein, the cause of every bit of destruction you see since Jan 2025.
Sighted Achilles heel, Ignored it.
Quanto Magnus
(1,307 posts)that we have such weak leadership in the Dem party right now....
Quite frankly (IMO) that's part of why Trump has managed to get so far in his fascist takeover.....
Sternly worded letters or press conferences won't have any effect on the Nazis....
Scubamatt
(262 posts)We are going to to have to have a blue tsunami, given all the vote suppression/vote stealing the cons are putting in place as we type this. You do not energize the average person who does not marinate in politics to take time away from their regular lives to go vote, by being silent. If folks don't see what you stand for, their attitude is "why bother." You have to energize them and lead them. Sitting around doing nothing except blasting the rank and file with hundreds of texts and emails asking for contributions is a sure recipe for losing.
danieljsf
(13 posts)Democrats are not exactly rallying voters to their side by hiding and letting the monsters rule the day. Yes, people are tiring of Trump but they also say that they have no faith in the Democratic party because it stands for nothing other than "We aren't Trump." Stand up for something and speak out against what is happening, for God's sake.
flashman13
(2,123 posts)Insert
thingy here.
Not just Schumer and Jefferies, but dozens of Democrats everyday hammering the MAGAts' miscreant deeds. They should start every press gaggle by reminding everyone that Trump is mad as a hatter.
W_HAMILTON
(10,146 posts)Maybe those that wanted a press conference so badly can start a live thread here now to discuss it?
PS - Is the fascist threat to our country over with now that Jeffries has held his first press conference since his last one a week or two ago?
LudwigPastorius
(14,288 posts)No.
The criticism will now switch to, "Why don't they do something besides just talk!11!! We want action! We want FiGhTeRz!!!".
BaronChocula
(4,087 posts)I personally don't know how Jeffries and Schumer fill their days. I don't expect them to come out daily and assure me that they feel my feels. I defer to them what strategies work best for the long-run. For some reason I've been seeing expectations of Schumer that even Harry Reid couldn't achieve. And he was a master.
Just because you don't know what someone is doing doesn't mean they aren't doing anything.
senseandsensibility
(24,284 posts)Dems should have held a press conference that was targeted on the facts you describe YESTERDAY when the situation was unfolding in Davos. Today is too late. The press has moved on; they missed the moment. It is also true that there is no guarantee it will be covered, at least not as well as we would wish. Still. they have to try.
creeksneakers2
(7,951 posts)https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5676019-jeffries-trump-greenland-concerns/
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/us-senate-democratic-leader-schumer-urges-trump-to-pull-ice-agents-out-of-cities/ar-AA1UiNnN
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5692032-democrats-dhs-funding-ice/
Why not attack Republicans?
malthaussen
(18,447 posts)Its what the Democrats do best.
Maybe if they switched to more modern firearms they wouldn't have that problem.
-- Mal
samsingh
(18,272 posts)would be having news conferences.
where are our leaders?