Some Democrats, those who have also been baffled and frustrated by the irresolute stumbling of their party leadership, were an active part of the Saturday protests and rallies. Of course, with so many different locations, it's hard to tack the involvement of everyone who was out there. But from accounts I've read, most of the speakers were activists, authors, local leaders who aren't necessarily office holders. The Democrat who represents the state legislative district in Illinois, where I live, didn't even show up at a rally.

So, while it is difficult to imagine the Democratic party as part, but not the whole, of a Trump opposition movement, that's exactly where we are. And in order to defeat Trump, getting him out of the White House by whatever non-violent, constitutional means is possible, even forceful public opinion that convinces enough Republicans to force his resignation, it's probably going to take more than the Democratic party leadership is actually willing to do, in the long run, to bring this about. Democrats didn't use the tools they had available to them when they had the power in their hands, not to stop Trump, not even to save their holy grail, Roe v. Wade. Now that they don't have the tools, they've turned to fundraising appeals using this as a backdrop.

This is a grassroots movement. It's the evidence of a landslide election the Democratic party could have won if it had stuck to, and clearly communicated its message. It's the sign of a political shift that is coming, one that may eventually be identified as the Democratic party, but with a new set of leaders. Attempts to let the focus get distracted off into side issues won't be allowed by this movement. The Democrats can't advance their complicated policy platform now, anyway, so the focus must remain on the most effective course of action, and that is stopping Trump from completely demolishing the country.

There's progress, and movement in the right direction. But it has to come quicker and form faster if it is to be effective in stopping Trump.

If this is the beginning of a new politically progressive movement, slightly to the left, that will appeal to a lot of constituencies both parties have been unable to reach, then it's a good thing.