They should walk out and call on the American people to take part in mass nationwide protest.

This impotent bluster from Democrats is getting tedious.

When Hakeem Jeffries lays it down like this, he is often successful. Remember when he said not just no, but "hell no" to the idea that the Dems should help raise the debt limit? He won that one. I like what he said to FAUX. And I think he would back it up if it came to it.

I don't know it is in the character of Jeffries as leader that he is often successful. I think it is more a function of the Democratic party being extremely risk averse and when they do make strong, declarative statements it usually means the caucus is lockstep.

Jeffries hasn't demonstrated to me, anyway, a particular gift for offensive tactics in leadership. I struggle to see how he isn't institutionally undermined by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi remaining in Congress, and I don't believe for a minute she isn't a de facto party leader.

I agree with you though that this is a clear line in the sand, it is a legit one, and it was articulated effectively. Jeffries did a good job.

I wish some Dem folk would pass the baton already, it is WAY past due.....especially after the results of the last election.

but accusations of "ageism" get thrown around.

and I AM a geezer....

I am ready for the young upstarts to take charge.

SO READY

stuck my brain back in the late 20's and 30's. I would hate to go through the rest of my life old like them.

I guess that is what I like Bernie, I think he is stuck in his 30's also. Just trying to take care of the people older than him that are in their 60's +.

I remember telling a coworker with Aspergers SOMETIMES I REALLY WISH I COULD THINK LIKE YOU

It is willingness to accept that Trump broke it.

The club is ruined. Those friendships with "colleagues from across the aisle" aren't mutually compatible with allowing people to live and love and breathe free.

Some Democrats have spent decades paying their dues to the club, some have not. It is a shame membership into the club is broken.

All occupations have their "norms" regarding how you do the job, treat colleagues, etc. If you spend your entire adult life in that bubble, it is very hard to break free if the rules change.

In the case of Speaker Pelosi, I feel that as minority leader and Speaker she was actually uniquely good at leveraging power and getting/counting votes. Like, gifted at it.

dynamic, but the fact remains that he is the speaker and he is smart enough to know that. He knows that he will be held responsible for whatever decisions are made in his name. Besides, and you may feel differently, Pelosi was a brilliant speaker. If he is relying on her advice, he could certainly do worse.

Speaker Pelosi is perhaps the most consequential Democrat in American politics. She was an immensely shrewd legislative later and even more gifted opposition force. She made the sausage, she got her hands dirty, and she knows how to cut people dead before they know they're bleeding.

I suspect that Rep. Jeffries relies very heavily on her advice. My intuition is that decisions don't get made unless Pelosi is consulted.

I think the dynamic would (will?) be different with a Speaker Jeffries. Speaker emerita Pelosi has been a household name for Democratic policies and governance for a generation. I'd wager when you run into MAGA folks and ask them who they hate in government they'll say 'the Democrat party and that Pelosi' etc.

Oversight committee chair was an informative struggle within the caucus. I was honestly somewhat surprised that it happened the way it did, and how much laundry was aired in public.

My point, I guess, is that I think Jeffries made a necessary statement, and I am happy he did. I really, really, really hope he maintains an offensive posture because as minority leader, it is the only rational, tactical stance to take. And I shouldn't even say "offensive posture" because we're just tired of getting kicked in the face and arrested in the streets. Call it unequivocal.

It is, also, a significantly more appealing posture than the one taken by his equivalent in the Senate, whom I believe has made a... few... lets say mistakes in the last few weeks.

This was a declaration from the leadership of the opposition, such as it is.

IF - IF homeland security goes on to arrest members of Congress and then there is no escalatory response (as if it is easy to conceive of things worse than a breach so bad) following Mr. Jeffries statement, then... well, it is over.

a well thought out battle plan ready to go the nano-second they do this. Having drawn the red line, we know two things: 1) Trump will cross it because that's what bullies do; and 2) If Jefferies hems and haws and focus groups it and dithers - instead of taking swift, decisive action, we will have lost all credibility, will invite further attacks, and likely will have lost our democracy.

I hear the complaints, but that is all. The Dems have been fighting back along with left leaning organizations. The first line of defense is filing lawsuits which total over 100. They have won cases and rulings too. They are holding town halls in red states and red districts. Jefferies is holding press conferences that is getting attention. They have filed bills & amendments. The Dems are preparing for the 2026 Midterms with good candidates. So do those complaining want bodily harm to happen?

fairly recently. I am fairly satisfied with what they're doing now. They have changed and responded to the criticism. I hope they keep doing so.

If they happen that way.

Over and over
They count on us playing by the rules

Last edited Tue May 13, 2025, 05:35 PM - Edit history (1)

would be on our side on this one.

AOC and Crockett will show up on their doorstep and they really don't want that

That would have actually put some fear into their hearts.

What the red line is? What action would be taken? If its just going to be sits in holding hands forget it.

Jeffries never actually answered the question definitively.

Either means that dems have no power and this IS all bluster, or that they have an info bomb that they can drop at any time on these nazis. Time will tell...

if those are our only two options. I think he has a plan, though.

You have to bait these angry goons.
You have to mock these angry goons.
You have to humiliate these angry goons.

And no doubt the GOP would go there - they are that drunk and mad with power.

won't? They will at least investigate, maybe even issue warrants, publicize how much trouble dems are in. They may act on it until a court decides otherwise. They would love to see protests and more exposure.

They will push boundaries, intimidate, get away with whatever they can. To assume otherwise is intentional blindness.

And what was done?

a sternly-worded letter of many pages to be written and mailed via first-class postage.