It is not an act of loyalty to quash conversations about our own party's role in getting to where we are today.

[Scrivener7]

Last edited Tue Feb 17, 2026, 09:33 AM - Edit history (1)

It is an act of self-destruction.

In order to move forward, we need to examine and admit our mistakes. If we don't, when we regain power, our response to this rolling disaster will be as flawed and ineffective as it was in the past.

I love my country. I love my party. Because of that, I won't be a brainless cheerleader, I won't mindlessly spout any version of "my party, right or wrong."

Obviously we have not been effective in preventing the mess we find ourselves in. We have made mistakes. We need to face that so we can avoid those mistakes in the future. And asking how to respond when republicans ask difficult questions is not criticizing Democrats.

Efforts to prevent those conversations are disloyal to our principles.

ETA: I'm not talking about violating the TOS. I'm talking about conversations where a poster asks, "Why did we do thing X, did it hurt us, and how can we do differently in the future?" That is not bashing Democrats. That's what adults do when they find themselves in a bad situation.

[quaint]

1. Maybe that's why EarlG gave us The Way Forward forum.

Last edited Tue Feb 17, 2026, 01:22 PM - Edit history (1)

Apologies.
I think posting rules might be more relaxed.

[EarlG]

84. The posting rules are the same everywhere on DU

But remember, for the most part you all are the ones responsible for enforcing those rules. That’s why The Way Forward forum provides a reminder that there is an awful lot of wiggle room between “bashing” and “constructive criticism” and people are going to have different ideas on where those lines should be drawn. It also provides a common sense reminder about how to avoid getting posts removed.

This is the Statement of Purpose for The Way Forward forum:

Discuss the future of the Democratic Party and the left, strategies to rebuild the party's influence and reach, and tactics to retake political power from the right. REMINDER: Forum Hosts are only responsible for locking off-topic discussions in this forum, they are not responsible for locking discussions which may violate the DU rules. Please be aware that while the rules prohibit "bashing" of Democratic public figures, the rules also allow for constructive criticism. Between those two positions lies a large grey area, and if you want to avoid getting posts removed by Jury in this forum, remember that not everyone on DU may have the same appreciation or dislike for the same politicians that you do. If you treat your fellow DU members with respect and try to post in a civil manner, you will rarely have any problems. Posting derogatory nicknames for center-to-left politicians, groups of DU members, or individual DU members, will increase your chances of getting a post removed.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=about&forum=1324

[._.]

2. It's a bit tricky...

It is tricky because the rules on DU are so tight about saying anything even remotely negative about Democrats. It's just what it is.

[gab13by13]

7. Yup, what Jason Crow said last week on TV

would be a No No here for some.

[lapucelle]

3. Sorry, it's not the Democratic Party. It's Republican voters, third party voters, and petulant nonvoters

who got us to this place, beginning with the 2000 presidential election all the way to 2024 when "punishing Democrats" was more important than voting for harm reduction for marginalized people in both the US and abroad.

[gab13by13]

6. Kamala Harris won the election.

[Farmer-Rick]

30. Yup, pedo Trump cheated on the vote count

But we can all pretend otherwise because that's so much easier than actually fixing a terribly broken voting system.

Where's the Carter Center's impartial monitoring when you really need them? Oh that's right they are in Venezuela.

[yellow dahlia]

77. Yup!

[JustAnotherGen]

9. I'm noticing

Leftists and BOTS on Social Media are posting threats that if we don't vote correctly in 2028 they won't vote.

It's almost like they don't know the name of a single member of their school board or town/city council and that there are 2 years of elections where they could be building traction for their candidates now.

And when you ask them WHO they want - they never have a name.

[TBF]

93. I can count the leftists I've actually corresponded with online

on my two hands over the past 2 decades. Our "left" here - folks who actually subscribe to the socialist and communist parties that do exist - are so decimated. Nothing like the left that you see in Europe for example.

Seriously, it is just another smear tactic tptb are using to divide us. Stop fighting other liberals/left of various types and turn that energy against the GOP.

[JustAnotherGen]

119. I can't do that

Last edited Tue Feb 17, 2026, 01:15 PM - Edit history (1)

I serve with two on my local borough Council. Actual elected officials that couldn't get the WFP endorsement. That far left.

As well - when I look at someone like Hassan Piker and what he's saying?

I can't be in community with anyone like that.

[TBF]

140. Can you "be in community" with Donald Trump?

That's the thing that you really need to keep your eye on.

Ultimately it comes down to 2 in the election. Kamala Harris would not have been my choice in a primary versus some of the other likely candidates, but it didn't matter. She was our candidate and far superior to Donald Trump. So I not only voted for her, I donated a lot (for me). That's what it comes down to, whether we like it or not.

[JustAnotherGen]

145. I disagree

If you want Black women to stop resting and get in on the bare knuckled fighting - you have to engage us.

Sorry - not sorry. Until a few weeks ago I was a long time Democratic Committee Member - long enough to have flipped the NJ 7th from R to Malinowski in 2018. I'm a lot more savvy than your post indicates. I've also seen first hand the side-lining of Black women and our issues.

We've been taken for granted - so now we demand concessions from white Americans on the Left. We aren't going back to the status quo. As well, what the rest of America is going through now? We did from 1865 to 1965. It's not that hard. Everyone is going to have to toughen up.

I don't believe the end of the Magapub/CSA is a political solution. Take from that what you will. Eventually - white Americans are going to take up arms against each other. It may be small skirmishes - it may be across state lines.

This situation we are in is eerily reminiscent of the lead up to the Revolutionary (first Civil) War. The difference now? I won't accept a union at the expense of those of us here since 1619.

[TBF]

159. What is "Magapub/CSA" -

I think you are politically far more savvy than I am - sounds like you've run for office and I've never done that. The most I've gotten involved is sending donations, doing the phone calls, and walking door to door.

[JustAnotherGen]

163. Magapub

I know longer believe there is a Republican Party - it is the Magapub Party.

They are the direct descendants of the CSA - - Confederate States of America which were never punished, and got everything handed back to them on a silver platter. They won the peace, got America to uphold white supremacy - lost it in 1964 and 1965 . . . Then went underground so they could rise again between 2015 and 2025.

Yes, currently serving in Office and Committee Member. I also interned then worked for a congresswoman a lifetime ago.

The Democratic Committees in NJ are elected at the Local Level by Precinct - and then we select our State Party Leaders in the County.

In 2018 - my borough council was all red. Then in 2017 and 2018 we started flipping it. In my election in 2023 was when we went all blue. We are blue dot in a deeply red vulgarian backwards county. Or so I thought.

The old GOP would get crossovers from the Libertarians and Constitutional Party . . . Not anymore. They is pissed.

[PeaceWave]

166. What does any of this mean...Demanding concessions?...Taking up arms against each other?

[JustAnotherGen]

149. Full Disclosure - I'm in NJ

https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-states-where-support-for-seceding-from-us-is-rising-11515967
Map Shows States Where Support for Seceding from US is Rising

Support for seceding from the United States has increased in nine states since 2024, even as nationwide support for such action has decreased, according to a new poll.

Why It Matters
Rising support for secession in some states may signal a deeper erosion of national cohesion at a time when political polarization has risen. Shifts since 2024 reflect changes in the federal government. As President Donald Trump returned to office, support for secession in several Democratic states has risen, but in more conservative states, there has been a decline in support for seceding from the U.S.

https://www.nj.com/politics/2026/02/a-new-survey-shows-how-many-americans-support-seceding-from-us-where-does-nj-stand.html

Larger and more populated states — such as California and Texas — have a higher probability of backing secession, according to the survey. In New Jersey, 17% of residents are in favor of withdrawing from the United States, falling around the average of all states.

There's something going on in NJ - and I think the numbers are not accurately reflected. My biggest new pick-ups in support seem to be from Libertarians and the Constitution Party. It's chilling to me as a Democratic. These 'righties' are sick and tired of the Magapubs and they would rather sacrifice core beliefs to vote for people who would prefer to go it alone.

This election year is really going to be very weird in NJ. Never did I ever believe a Libertarian would knock on my door, ask me to run again, and volunteer for my campaign.

[Scrivener7]

36. This insists that any change must come from our opposition.

But I think even you and I can agree that our opposition will not change and will not stop doing those things we abhor.

So, by extension, your comment says there is nothing we can or should do to change our situation. We must simply stew in it and stew in our anger at those who are not with us and who will not change.

I fundamentally disagree. We HAVE made mistakes. We HAVE misjudged the situation. There ARE things we can do. There ARE ways to improve our outcomes.

And again, we know they won't change. So OUR improving our game is our only hope of getting out of this mess.

[lapucelle]

45. I work hard, every single year, to elect Democrats in races big and small.

I recommend that everyone do the same. This includes working hard to elect Democrats who can win in purple and red-leaning districts. Hopefully, by this point, purists finally understand the power of holding statehouses and majorities in Congress.

So much for my comment "by extension" saying there is nothing we can or should do to change our situation.

Recognize local Democrats who can win and work hard to elect them.

[Scrivener7]

48. I think we here all work hard to elect Democrats. And we have been doing so for years. And yet, here we are.

So now what?

"Hopefully our opposition will no longer be our opposition because I work really hard" doesn't fill me with hope of success.

[lapucelle]

52. Work harder to shut down opposition narratives, most especially those from purists and punishers

that specifically target depressing the vote of folks more likely to vote for Democrats.

As for the contention that "we all here work hard to elect Democrats", I'm wary of categorical statements. We flipped two Congressional seats in my county blue in 2024 and have been working ever since to ensure that they remain blue in 2026.

[Scrivener7]

53. Which, by definition, has nothing to do with shutting down discussions on DU.

[lapucelle]

66. To begin with, expressing an opinion on a topic is not "shutting down discussion" on a topic.

Secondly, I don't accept the blanket "definition". If there were no opposition narratives, there would be no need for rules against them.

[Cirsium]

92. Really?

Work harder to shut down purists - AKA those with whom you don't agree?

[lapucelle]

99. That's an odd definition of "purist".

[Cirsium]

117. Exactly

It is a very odd use of the word. It is used frequently here and of course it means people who hold certain opinions. Ergo, shutting down purists is a matter if suppressing the opinions of those with whom one disagrees. It is a smear against fellow Democrats, too, ironically, because those attacking "purists" are themselves attacking other Democrats.

[lapucelle]

127. Even given the definitional problems (and notwithstanding the random use of latin),

your conclusion does not follow from your premises.

[Cirsium]

128. hi back

[Just_Vote_Dem]

97. We shouldn't "shut down" speech

We should respond with an alternative view.

[choie]

49. Couldn't agree more with you more Scrivener.

Just like in therapy, we had to take responsibility for our mistakes or else we won’t grown and improve.

[flashman13]

71. I agree with you 100% Scrivener7. It is not a fluke that we are in this mess.

If you are not willing to understand that mistakes on the part of the DNC is what elected Trump, you are part of the problem. The DNC short circuited the entire primary process in 2024. The constant drum beat that Joe Biden was a great President and was fully capable of being even greater in a second term did not serve the best interests of the party. Outside of party stalwarts, the American public didn't believe he was capable. By the time of the debate debacle, it was too late to right the ship. Kamala Harris was a great candidate and would have been a great President, but in her abbreviated campaign she could not overcome the hangover of those early mistakes.

Take a look at all of the elections, both local and national, that were held in 2025. Across the board the Repugs got their buns kicked. At the grass roots level there is wide support for Democratic candidates and policies. But that doesn't necessarily translate to the upper echelons of the party. The message is clear. The American people want major changes to the system and the election of Democrats in 2025 point the way. Those changes are not going to happen until the younger members of the party take the leadership positions that they deserve. Obama said that very clearly in his recent interview. Demanding that that happen is not disloyalty. It is the recognition of the completely new political environment.

I'm looking forward to the up coming primaries. We are going to find out who can get the job done and who can't. We are going to find out who the people want rather than who the old guard wants.

[Scrivener7]

73. I'm really looking forward to the primaries too. We have an incredible bench, and

many of the names coming to the fore have a new approach grounded in understanding just how evil our opposition is. And just how hard we have to fight it.

I don't forget that, with the past two shutdown attempts, the vast majority of Democrats held fast.

[leftstreet]

103. +1

I'm looking forward to the up coming primaries. We are going to find out who can get the job done and who can't. We are going to find out who the people want rather than who the old guard wants.

[KPN]

132. Well said. Thank you again!

[SocialDemocrat61]

40. Isn't amazing that

someone would come to a forum who's purpose is to support democrats and attack democrats instead. And then lecture the rest of us as if they are morally superior for doing so.

[FoxNewsSucks]

65. Thanks for illustrating the problem.

Great example.

The OP is 1000% correct. It was NOT AN ATTACK.

[SocialDemocrat61]

75. The problem is Trump and republicans

They are the enemy, not democrats.

[FoxNewsSucks]

78. I have never seen anyone here say that Democrats are the enemy

I don't know why anyone would imply such a stupid and wrong thing.

[SocialDemocrat61]

88. Good

Have a nice day!

[CrispyQ]

100. And what Scrivener is asking is HOW did we get here?

Things would never have gotten this bad if we'd been a true opposition party & we should examine that, cuz more of the same won't get us out of this.

[SocialDemocrat61]

110. We got here because of Republicans

and Green party voters who decided their purity tests for democrats were more important to them than stopping Republicans.

[Cirsium]

94. What are you doing?

You are attacking fellow Democrats with that post.

[SocialDemocrat61]

98. Have a nice day!

[MorbidButterflyTat]

109. With deliberate misrepresentation

and snark.

Not my idea of an adult conversation.

[SocialDemocrat61]

111. Have a nice day!

[TBF]

112. Unrec. This is why we can't have nice things.

Stop attacking everyone who doesn't swear a party oath. Your post is pure strawman, and the last thing we need right now.

[Jose Garcia]

154. It's the Democratic Party which nominates candidates which voters either accept or reject

And if voters do choose the Democratic candidates, the performance of those candidates as officeholders can have a positive or negative effect on future candidates.

[lapucelle]

165. With the (somewhat) arguable exception of 2024, voters choose the candidates.

Anyone who is unhappy with their Democratic governor, two Democratic senators, and one Democratic congressperson's performance should make their grievances known to their elected representatives by contacting them.

Anyone who does not have a Democratic governor, two Democratic senators, and/or a Democratic member of Congress has some work ahead of them. Volunteer.

[gab13by13]

4. Thank you for this thread,

it needed to be said.

A lot of loyal Democrats were spanked for wanting Democrats to fight harder.

Last week I listened to Jason Crow say, (paraphrasing) the Democrats are in two camps, those who want to wait Trump out and those who are courageous and want to fight now.

Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie are the 2 faces leading the charge to release the Epstein files. Ro Khanna isn't even the ranking Democrat on the Oversight committee.

The Senate needs to stay strong in stopping funding for ICE. IMO the demands are even too weak. I would make the demand that the evidence in the Good/Pretti killings be turned over to local law enforcement before a nickel more is given to ICE.

[PatrickforB]

34. I'm firmly in the FIGHT NOW group. n/t

[FoxNewsSucks]

67. Same here. And I'm highly suspect of the motives of anyone demanding we do otherwise.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

5. Careful!

[Scrivener7]

8. Yep. And that's the problem. This has nothing to do with criticizing Democrats. It has to do with looking at

the past and seeing what the ramifications of our actions were so we can do differently in the future where we need to. THAT does nothing against the DU rules, but it seems to be too much for some of our friends to tolerate.

[gab13by13]

19. Jason Crow backs up your thread,

Politics take care of themselves when our Reps are seen out in the streets with the protesters or on picket lines or trying to access concentration camps.

I would even have Democrats consider nominating a Republican to run for president in 2028 - Miles Taylor. He isn't about politics, he is about fighting. He speaks with fire and brimstone every time I hear him on TV. We end up debating whether we should nominate a moderate or a progressive, we should nominate the person who fights the hardest.

[Scrivener7]

22. I'm with you right up until the part about nominating a republican. But I get your point.

[karynnj]

38. Miles Taylor has no political experience and we know

nothing about his position on most issues. We know he was early to speak against Trump, but so was the far better known Liz Cheney. We can admire Cheney 's principles, but disagree o almost every issue. She is a conservative Republican. On social media, Bill Kristol, long time neocon conservative is also starkly anti Trump, but likely still believes many things he advocated for in the Bush/Cheney years.

Another example is George Conway running for the solid blue seat currently held by Nadler. He was a long term conservative lawyer. Our agreement is that he is solidly against Trump.

I don't think we should vote for any of these conservative/neocons in OUR primaries. While they have rejected what their party is now, there is no reason to think they agree with any of our values on issues where the 2 parties fundamentally disagree.

[gab13by13]

57. Not fair comparing Miles Taylor with Liz Cheney,

you brought politics into it, Miles Taylor is not into politics.

Have you ever listened to him on cable news? He attacks Krasnov fiercely, he has had to pay for added security because of death threats, Krasnov fired him days before he was eligible for his pension.

I want a fighter as president and from what I hear from him he will hold the billionaires accountable.

[MadameButterfly]

63. I will listen to him but just based on what you said

he's into politics. If he runs for office he'll have to take a position on every political issue.
He's not the only one with good reason to be mad at Trump.

[MichMan]

64. I remember all the support here for Michael Avenatti for a presidential run.

Didn't age well did it?

[FoxNewsSucks]

68. That doesn't mean we shouldn't want fighters,

just that better background checks might be needed.

[karynnj]

74. I remember it and thinking it beyond stupid

I also remember when Anthony Weiner and Alan Grayson were very popular here.

[MadameButterfly]

62. While I'm grateful to Conservatives who have drawn a line and chosen to

oppose Trump, I see no reason, if we survive all this and actually have an election again, that we should hand power back over to Republicans. There should be overwhelming enthusiasm for the Democrats in coming elections and we have a lot of work to do.
These Consevatives who have just seen the light helped get us to this place and were very late coming around. That doesn't bode well for their future decisions.

The only time we should consider these recent converts is in districts where we're unlikely to elect a real Democrat.

I agree with choosing fighters, but fighters can be found among Democrats.

[yellow dahlia]

81. If we don't look at the issues of the Dem structure, and question it, then we are in a cult...

just like that other group.

[JustAnotherGen]

10. If you look at my sig line

You'll see my thoughts on this. No one wants to hear the core base's thoughts.

With the way this country is going - there might not be any of the base alive in 2 years. Let's be clear -we've always been the end game for the Heritage Foundation. If every Black Woman, Man and Child were dead -

The Magapubs would be at their happiest. That way they can have Medicare for all and a living wage. As long as we aren't part of the equation . . .

[gab13by13]

20. They want all poor people dead, depopulation is a part of Project 2025.

AI will take care of the billionaires.

[Ping Tung]

11. "I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever

"I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else, where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all." Thomas Jefferson

[lapucelle]

21. "I am a Christian and a Democrat. That's all": FDR, when asked to define his political philosophy.

[Ping Tung]

26. That was his choice. That's what democracy is supposed to be about...choice.

I've been a registered Democrat since 1965 but I'm not married to it and my vote is my own. it is not owned by any party. or dogma.

[lapucelle]

120. Yes, folks choose to vote for Republicans or third-party candidates or to withhold any vote as punishment

for perceived ideological sins, even when they run the risk of helping to elect Donald Trump.

In addition to owning their votes, they also own the Roberts Court, Justices Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Cony Barrett, and the gutting of food and environmental safety regulations, the demise of USAID, and the establishment of a masked police force that kills Americans in the street with impunity.

There's nothing wrong with calling out the folks who have promulgated this disaster for the last quarter of a century.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

125. And add mainstream media to that list

Occasionally I will see people complain about our lack of response to something, but it's only because MSM -somehow-"just happens" to overlook our response and thus people think we had nothing to say about the latest Repub outrage

[Ping Tung]

143. Just as there's nothing wrong calling out the politicians who support or vote for

repugnant policies/bills in the legislative branch.

Candidates are obligated to convince voters to vote for them by appealing to them rather than their opponents. If they fail to do that the loss is on them not the voters.

[Johnny2X2X]

12. Sir, this is a Wendy's

This is DU, the rules of DU are clear when you sign up for DU. We support Democrats, and while some constructive criticism is allowed, this isn't the place to rip on Dems.

[Scrivener7]

13. I'm not talking about ripping on Dems and I'm not talking about anything that violates the TOS.

Asking "Why did we do thing X and did it hurt us and what can we do differently in the future?" is not ripping Dems.

[FoxNewsSucks]

69. I'd be willing to bet that the same posters jumping all over you also

mock tRumphumpers for being lockstep-marching sheep, and like those sheep, they'll never see the hypocrisy or irony.

[yellow dahlia]

86. Fire the strategists and consultant class, The party needs to stop making the same mistakes.

If we donate money - we have a right to suggest improvements.

If we elect people to positions in Congress, we have a right to expect them to represent us.

[Bettie]

137. YES! The 'strategists' and 'Consultants" don't seem to have

done us any favors in recent years.

They do, however, drain the coffers very efficiently

I hope that eventually, we can get Citizens United overturned, because that was when things started moving to the level of toxic we're at now.

[Scrivener7]

144. That really is at the base of all of it.

[Bettie]

146. The other thing that would make a HUGE difference

would be a return to enforcement of anti-trust laws.

Media consolidation it is becoming worse as Ellison tries to buy literally everything...currently, there is very little media that isn't owned by the right wing. Wait, no, it is almost all owned by the FAR right wing, not even old style conservatives, it's the wingnut right.

And we have little ability to fight that, because we don't have the reach, because the media is mostly owned by a few people and that ownership is getting to be a smaller and smaller group by the day.

[hamsterjill]

14. Any time we stop speaking truth, we benefit those who want to hide the truth.

Great post!!!

[gab13by13]

23. Yours is a great post also,

Well said, and concise.

[hamsterjill]

24. Thank you.

I believe in that concept very strongly. Appreciate your response.

[yellow dahlia]

87. Agreed!

[Sympthsical]

15. It's just demographics

This is a (significantly) older space. The comfortable and familiar will prevail.

As an older Millennial, it blows my mind a little. That people can look at the past 40, 25, or 10 years and think to themselves, "We're doing amazing. Look at the state of the country. We need to keep doing what we're doing to keep this party going!"

Particularly when we discuss leadership.

At the end of the day, when it comes to politicians and the consultant class who've been around for decades, it's all full Bondi. "The stock market is at 50,000!"

When your portfolios are that good, and all your friends and family are on the train with you, it can be a difficult thing to voluntarily disembark. "The country can't be that bad, can it? Because we're doing great!"

Yes. You are.

[Scrivener7]

16. But at this point, none of us is. I'm that comfortable boomer you describe.

But yesterday a family friend, a 20 year old college sophomore and sweet kid, was picked up by ICE. Seeing his family and friends deal with this is heartbreaking.

We are all damaged by this disastrous administration and all the steps that led to it.

And I am aware that I am still feeling it second-hand, but those circles of damage are tightening fast.

[Sympthsical]

27. Absolutely

It's not a universal thing by any means. I worked in adult and aging for the state for over a decade, and that whole job was watching older people get economically shafted.

It's a difficult thing to describe, how people get attached to politicians and will eagerly keep them out of misplaced affection and perception that, "Not my kid! It's the other kid that's the problem. Everything my kid does is great!"

Just the gulf in perception between generations. The entire ramp up to the '24 election was wild. Basically everyone under 50 going, "Are you insane?" while most people over 50 were "Wheeeeee! This is a great idea! Don't be ageist!"

And then when exactly what you thought was going to happen does indeed happen, and the leadership whose job it is to avoid that kind of thing sat on their hands the whole time, we still sit at square one. "Not my favorite politician. All his decisions were good!"

I'm not sure you can even talk to people with that mindset.

[betsuni]

17. Cheerleaders, the party is always right, swarm, posse, toe the line, echo chamber, blind loyalty, marching in lockstep,

fall in line, bowing down, hive mind, cult. Why did Democrats allow/let/not stop all the bad things! Both sides both sides both sides both sides both sides.

QUASHERS! Help, help, I'm being repressed!

[MorbidButterflyTat]

116. And supposedly,

Dems with different opinions are the cheerleaders!

Lots of cheering going on here, good for you, OP!

[SunImp]

131. .

109. With deliberate misrepresentation
9:13 AM
and snark.

Not my idea of an adult conversation

Well I guess that wasn't true

[betsuni]

164. Finding out facts instead of leaping to negative conclusions about Democrats is mocked as mindless loyalty. Projection.

A: "Where are the Democrats? Why aren't they having press conferences? Dem leadership caved!"
B: "Schumer had a press conference yesterday and he and Jeffries were on the Sunday news programs this morning. Both of them said nothing has changed and it's up to Republicans."

This is B from the posse shutting down the conversation, preventing discussion, and mindlessly cheerleading Democrats. Apparently.

Yet we are supposed to take these grievances seriously. Come on, man.

[bucolic_frolic]

18. We failed to read history, but it's only now that history is understood at all

Money and elites drive society and are loyal to themselves. Democracy is not a natural state. It is a fluid state that depends on public opinion, legal structures including constitutions, prosperity, elites being okay with it. There were not insignificant minorities that supported the Axis during WWII. We ignored it, and failed to understand in the entire post-war era.

We need to drive political structure and stop catering to tax cut elites.

[harumph]

25. Somewhat related to your OP, discussions quickly sink...

when they admit that strategically, the Heritage Foundation outplayed us. Just the truth. Their philosophy isn't like the
Brookings or the Center for American Progress, and other liberal think tanks. They're aggressive and keep their eyes on
the goal (however detestable we find it). As a counter balance to what they term "woke" universities, right wing groups nurtured
and funded their own. The right wing was smart enough to purchase and retain licenses for cheap AM radio stations back in the day enabling them to propagandize rural voters while at the same time gerrymandering the districts to dilute urban voting blocks.
Many many posters on this board decry homeschooling because they associate it with religious indoctrination . Well folks, when the public schools themselves in red states are indoctrinating students in white power politics, you may think differently. Why are there no analog progressive home schooling curriculum/packages to counter the religious based ones? There will come a time (maybe) when
progressives have a window of opportunity and the the wind at our backs to (maybe) pass a constitutional amendment to try and
remedy our antiquated version. We have to be ready to pull the trigger - and have something ready for which consensus has been sought and obtained - because those chances do not last. I guess the upshot of what I'm saying is that I see democrats too often
reacting instead of planning 10 years ahead which we should be. Basically, we need to get off our asses and commit to paper exactly how we want it to be and have that plan ready to jam through when (if) we get a chance.

[Scrivener7]

29. So much yes to this! All those bad movies about evil conglomerates trying to rule the world?

Well, it turns out they were true. And we have been reacting to them as if the world is a different thing than it is.

Our main problem has been our lack of understanding just how bad they are.

Well, we know now. And that should make a fundamental shift in OUR actions.

[harumph]

42. My daughter quipped the other day - "Who knew the original Superman movie was a road map..."

You know, the one where Gene Hackman as Lex Luther plans to purchase beachfront property in Nevada and then sink California.

I told her "Our lives are being ruined by billionaire men having the emotional maturity of 13 year olds." Just reading some of the ridiculous Epstein emails written by grown ass academics no less (the ones that lean more pathetic than horrific), is just flabbergasting. I try not to be drinking whenever someone opines about the US being a meritocracy.

[yellow dahlia]

90. We are at a confluence of all the evil empire "Bond villain" types.

Who knew? I commented the same thought.

[yellow dahlia]

89. Time for a paradigm shift.

Who knew we would be living the dystopian fiction that was prevalent in the literature of our formative years. We need to start thinking like this is our reality - because it is.

[popsdenver]

39. As I have said before:

the perfect title for a book about the past 46+ years would be: WHILE THE NATION SLEPT

"Many" were walking down the jungle path, swatting at mosquitoes, and were oblivious to the herd of charging elephants.....
Pun Intended......

Anyone recall a large group called: "The Reagan Democrats" ????????

[demmiblue]

28. Amen, sis!

I have many of the finger-waggers on ignore, though, so I think I am missing a lot of the drama.

[Bettie]

142. I cleared my ignore list a while ago

but it is growing again....I'm sure primary season (if we actually have elections anymore by that time) will see more growth.

[dalton99a]

31. Trump 2.0 could have been prevented by closing the border and having a normal primary

focusing on general electability.

[intheflow]

32. Thank you!

I get so many jury summons here for people who don't understand the difference between constructive criticism and violating TOS. I don't get it for myself, but I imagine that some folks who live in less blue areas than I, or have more marginalized lives than I live, may feel the need to corral folks into a kind of lockstep because they feel the only way we break the R hold on the US is to be a united front. The thing is, we can be united under the Democratic umbrella and still understand the need to fix the umbrella when it develops a hole, because even though the umbrella worked fine in the past, a leaky umbrella umbrella serves no one very well.

[popsdenver]

43. I agree

but I think many here get totally frustrated with the Dem Party..........lack of direction by the majority of the 200+ Dem House and Senators, as well as the Leader???? of the Dem Party who ever that is at this point...........
I can't tell you when the last time I heard ANYTHING from our two Dem Senators and our Denver U.S. Rep..........
We need a whole lot more Dem firebrands like AOC, etc...........

[SSJVegeta]

33. ...

[Martin Eden]

35. In his diplomatic, inoffensive way, I think President Obama pointed the way

In his recent interview with Brian Cohen. Democrats need to take the pulse of young people who can be energized to participate, especially around leaders who speak their language.

But don't leave anyone out, or push anyone away. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Elections are won by building coalitions.

Are we ourselves, in our online activity and interpersonal interactions, pushing people away? Not everyone who voted for Trump is irredeemable racist. Some voted for Obama. Many are misinformed, or persuadable swing voters.

We may feel temporary satisfaction from insulting them and expressing hope they suffer miserably for the catastrophe they have brought down on all of us. While there is truth that everyone who voted for Trump shares the blame, if we openly hate them they will hate us back -- and will vote against Democrats out of spite. Emotions often trump rational thought. This includes us, when we push people away who are capable of a change of heart or mind.

[leftstreet]

37. DURec

[gab13by13]

41. For example,

We now have a partial shutdown, mainly to have DHS follow the law before they get any more money, to put it simply.

Am I allowed to say that I think that Democrats should have demanded more than they did?

Isn't a core tenet of negotiating, asking for more and then coming down for what was wanted?

Pressure is going to be put on Senate Democrats, I praise them for what they have done. (wanted them to do it back in March but that's water over the dam)

Stay strong Senator Schumer because your demands are not excessive, do not make concessions.

Today, do all Democrats agree that no more funding for DHS until the Democrats' demands are met?

[Scrivener7]

44. I think that's a perfect example because it's my opinion that, if Democratic leaders had not gotten so much

pushback the last two times, they would not be holding the line right now.

A change was needed. It was discussed on social media. The leaders got the message. They're responding better this time.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

46. Yep, things changed

I think in the past our Democratic reps were able to do some negotiating with the Repubs, but now the Repubs have lost their fucking minds, so all bets are off.

[Scrivener7]

50. And it seems like it took a little outrage to convince them of the fact.

[AloeVera]

102. That's the problem in a nutshell.

Leaders need their own sense of outrage, no prompting needed.

[dalton99a]

47. People are pissed at the wait-and-see say-nothing do-nothing approach.

[lapucelle]

113. We're in a partial shutdown at the moment.

The situation is very unlike March 2025 when Musk was still wielding his chainsaw and OMB director Russell Voss had removed all the contingency plans from the websites of every federal department and agency. (Even members of Congress were not privy to the plans.)

It is also unlike October 2025, when federal workers bore the brunt of the shutdown until a significant concession was won: the guarantee of SNAP funding through the remainder of the 2026 fiscal year, rather than merely until the end of January.

If folks on social media don't understand how things work, the best course of action is to keep them informed so that they can develop a more nuanced point of view.

[Scrivener7]

126. Eight Democrats voted to end the fillibuster in October, ten in March.

I'm happy to have the same "lack of nuance" as the vast majority of Senate Democrats. I guess they weren't kept informed.

[lapucelle]

133. Your vote counts in both instances are off by one.

I doubt very much that any senate Democrat confuses a full shutdown with a partial shutdown and the stakes as they existed in March (and even October-November) 2025 with the stakes that exist today.

But if the folks on social medial who are continually shaking their fists at and inveighing against Democrats credit the partial shutdown to their keyboarding, it wouldn't surprise me.

[Scrivener7]

134. So a groundswell of constituent opinion has no effect on your elected officials?

It does on mine.

[lapucelle]

167. Social media posts and constituent opinion are two very different things. N/T

[samsingh]

51. i completely agree with you. We should be able to speak freely if it is for constructive reason

trump 2.0 did not need to happen

trump 1.0 did not need to happen

The gop has declared war on America and we need to respond as such. i like the new slogan 'when they go high we hit back'. That's all maga understands. Being nice, looking forward absolves them and makes them stronger.

We are sitting here depending that the epstein files be released. We had Congress and the Presidency, why didn't everything get released about Trump then?

[Scrivener7]

114. That's a good example of a topic we should discuss in detail.

When republicans ask why it didn't get released, people think they have a good point.

Our answer is that there was ongoing litigation, but that ended in 2021. Then we say there was an appeals process. But that appeals process has not stopped us Democrats from calling for its release since Cankles entered office while the appeals were ongoing, so why would it stop the release while we had the power? There must be more to it. If a mistake was made, fine, but let's know that.

I want to know how to shut down my maga brother when he asks that question.

[samsingh]

121. exactly - and given the power trump is wielding

there was nothing stopping a Democratic President from declassifying a lot of specific material if not everything.

The mueller report was never released in full.

[Scrivener7]

122. So the lesson, which I hope we have learned, is that we release it all as soon as we are able.

There will be no "just move on and heal" about this. There will be no healing until we know what is going on with this global power network that is fed by child abuse.

[samsingh]

123. there can be no healing until the crimes are punished

[Escurumbele]

54. Concise and to the point. Well said.

[johnnyplankton]

55. 100% Agree, Scrivener 7. If we can't see our own part in something we can't improve...

[usonian]

56. Everything changes except one thing that was never addressed, and still isn't.

What never changed is the hideous wealth disparity that is at the root of 99% or more of the problems.

People always wanted a fair shake, and nobody offered it.

And that is the "revolutionary" Democratic Party that people demand.

Use the 80/20 rule.
You can spend 80% of your time gaining another 20% of votes, or
Spend 20% of your time deciding "This is what people want TODAY" and get 80% more votes.

KEEP IT SIMPLE AND WIN.

[Grim Chieftain]

58. It is important to note that WE elected our officials to represent us

If they fail to do so they should be held to account. Much has been said about Fetterman lately, concerns have been raised, and rightly so.

To give a full pass to someone because they were elected with a "D" after their name is dangerous. Our party deserves better and deserves accountability.

[SocialDemocrat61]

60. That's why we have primaries

And elected officials should represent all the people, not just those who voted for them.

[Grim Chieftain]

70. And if they don't uphold the promises they made in the primaries?

[SocialDemocrat61]

76. Really depends on the promises they made

and how far they stray from those promises and why.

[Scrivener7]

79. And it doesn't need to be a fight. I made mistakes in my job.

People pointed them out to me. And sometimes I didn't make a mistake, I did the treatment that was most often efficacious, but it simply didn't work. So I analyzed the situation and changed my approach.

We as constituents have a responsibility to let our elected officials know when they are not moving us forward. Most (Fetterman, who knows what he's thinking?) want to do what we want them to do.

I have my reps on speed dial, from Senate to neighborhood association. My calls with them are never a fight, and they often get stuff done.

[yellow dahlia]

95. Agreed.

[CaptainTruth]

59. Wanting to learn from the past & do better in the future...

...is the sane mature intelligent way to approach things.

So yes, I agree.

[ihaveaquestion]

61. Good Luck with that here. n/t

[Kid Berwyn]

72. When do we rank-n-file types get to see the Election 2024 Postmortem?

Democratic National Committee blocks release of its 2024 election autopsy

Despite a pledge from DNC Chair Ken Martin to release the post-election report, the committee announced Thursday it would not share it publicly.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/18/dnc-kills-its-own-public-2024-autopsy-00697403

Bet David Hogg would've voted to release the autopsy results.

[yellow dahlia]

96. Spot on!

[Joinfortmill]

80. Yup

[FoxNewsSucks]

82. This is what those finger-waggers really are

[Bluetus]

83. I do think the DNC is starting to realize that much of the grass roots is really pissed at the party leadership

But the nature of the beast is that Dems really love to think of themselves as free agents, so we can't ever agree on some pasic promises that every Democrat is committed to. We never have anything like Gingrich's Contract with America or the infamous Project 2025. Without an affirmative agenda shared proudly by the Party, we are left with little more than "Vote for Dems because we aren't as bad as Republicans."

[Scrivener7]

85. I think recent events have provided us with a pretty extensive list of things we

will reverse on day one, and the American people (not just Democrats) REALLY want those things.

[Bluetus]

105. I have a list. You have a list. The Party does not have a list.

Show me any candidate that has a clear 5-point plan (or 10 points, if you prefer). I'm not talking about some 300 page white paper written by some contractor, full of equivocations and contingencies. I'm talking about, "If Democrats are elected, we promise to put top priority on these 5 things."

And I'm not talking generalizations like "affordability", "national security", "quality of life". I'm talking about real, tangible specific actions. What are Democrats going to do, specifically, if we give them power once again? Tell me 5 things that will be different in my life if Democrats are in control.

What, specifically, are they committed to doing about the billionaires and the abuse of the economic power they hold? What, specifically, are they going to do to restore constitutional rule so the next Republicans can't just break it as easily as Trump did. What, specifically , are they going to do about a SCOTUS that has obviously been corrupted, and a system that allows all these extreme RWres to be on the court? (If the Justices were nominated by Presidents who came to office with the most votes, the only RWer on the court would by Thomas (appointed by GHW Bush, who did get a majority. The other 5 RW extremists were all nominated by Presidents who took office LOSING the popular vote.)

Tell us specifically what will be done about corporations off shoring jobs and profits and paying no taxes here? Tell us how the EPA and CDC will be put back together in a sustainable way.

Etc.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

91. Please link to these threads:

"Why did we do thing X, did it hurt us, and how can we do differently in the future?"

I must have missed them.

What I've seen are variations of "milquetoast Merrick," Schumer's sternly worded letters, old Dems don't want change, why did Dems let MAGAts get away with whatever, why don't Dems do this, why don't Dems do that, why don't Dems do what I want? Dems cave, Schumer caves, Jeffries dares mention his faith how dare he? Primary! Primary! Primary!

Having an opinion that isn't yours is not quashing your "conversations."

"That's what adults do..." Like call others with opinions that aren't yours the "posse"?

[Scrivener7]

107. There was one in particular this morning that was a good example. I can't link to it. For reasons I will not state.

[betsuni]

124. Milquetoast, strongly worded letters, old guard, status quo, gerontocracy, Vichy Dems, Surrender Dems,

cave, fold, throw in the towel, weak, spineless, don't meet the moment, out-of-touch, complicit, don't fight, remain silent, don't speak out, where are the Democrats, sit on their hands, do nothing, bring a butter knife to a gun fight, scared, failed leadership -- so many more (and that's just the polite stuff)!

"Why did we do thing X, did it hurt us, and how ...

The absud idea that the reason people don't vote or vote for Republicans or third party is that Democrats are somehow doing or not doing horrible things. Like, because the Democratic nominee had too many celebrities at her rallies, or didn't say the just the right thing on "The View," or would've won if she just had a couple more rallies in Wisconsin.

[c-rational]

101. Good post Scrivener7, and a worthwhile question to ask. I feel the biggest mistake we may have made is to underestimate

our opponent. Their long-term strategy starting with the Powell Memo, the money their side has, and their absolute ruthlessness which instilled fear in us as intended. We have a major disadvantage in the media, and our openness gets portrayed poorly. Our message per our platform is good. We have good candidates, but we fail to get our message across. Buying up several thousand raido stations and getting our own cable show would help.

[Scrivener7]

115. Definitely. I agree with all of that.

[Bettie]

147. Right? They see us as the enemy

We refer to them as "our friends across the aisle"....but they aren't our friends.

They never have been.

[yellow dahlia]

104. Well said, Scrivener.

I recall after the last election Earl G suggested the rules regarding criticizing Dems could be a little looser. I think he framed it as we have problems to solve. I hope I am remembering correctly. I was relatively new to DU at the time.

We have all been living the same nightmare now, since November 2024. My personal opinion is we are in a CRISIS! We are in a Constitutional crisis. Our Democracy is on the brink. This is not the usual political dilemma(s). We need to figure out how to save Democracy. We need to figure out how to get out of this Constitutional crisis. We need all hands on deck. We need all ideas on deck. We need to adopt a solution oriented paradigm on steroids.

Should we really have to worry about stepping on peoples' "old school" sensibilities? As long as we offer analysis and critique without engaging in "low blows", shouldn't the discussion be welcomed, rather than quashed? IMHO

Thanks for the great OP, S. And I appreciate the discussion it generated.

[PeaceWave]

106. What a great topic. Absent discussions like these, we Dems are merely REACTING to what the other side does.

[hamsterjill]

108. I see the same cheerleaders on this thread.

Look, if Democrats make a mistake, cannot admit their mistakes, talk about them, and figure out avenues to correct a course and move forward, how would we ever get ANYWHERE? Not every action is a mistake. There are many, many Democratic leaders who are to be respected and supported.

But when there is one or some or a few that are headed in a direction that I (or anyone) thinks isn't the right thing, I don't understand NOT being able to speak up and say so. Because THAT is free speech.

Don't talk to me about "working harder". Come on down to Texas and let me show you what working your ass off for TWENTY PLUS YEARS looks like when the whole system is rigged against you and isn't fair. Yes, Texas is finally seeing some strides and I am hopeful for the midterms. But I will not lose sight of the reality that it may very well be that nothing changes because there are still plenty of people down here who hate Democrats and refuse to listen to anything that a Democrat may have to offer. That is because they've been brainwashed for forty plus years.

[harumph]

150. I hear you.

Much of it is because of the outsized role conservative evangelicals have on the non-urban population.
Whole communities outside the major urban centers revolve around churches - mega or otherwise. I've met presumably educated
and monied Texans (very monied) that hold to the most absurd religious tenets. People have prayer groups in their McMansions.
They drink expensive Napa Valley varietals and drive new BMWs. Combine the Righteous Gemstones and Madmen and
you'll have some idea. Interestingly, due to the diversity and some self selection, the first generation suburbs around Dallas, for example, lean pretty blue. However, you get to places like Frisco and Southlake - and it's like wtf? The notion that some non-Texans have about MAGA and fellow travelers being barefoot and toothless is wrong. Moreover, these folks are politically engaged and have surplus $ to promote their republican fantasies.

So, point being, I hear you that the hurdles seem intractable and it's easy for some not to see the complexity involved in fighting the good fight.

[Quiet Em]

118. Our role in getting here today

was that we nominated two exceptional candidates, but because those exceptional candidates were women a large chunk of the electorate voted for the con atist because they could not handle a woman being Predident of the United States.

If the answer to that is only nominating white men, and not discussing any issue at all unless it appeals to white men, well, that doesn't feel like a winning or foreward moving strategy at all.

[Scrivener7]

139. Sadly, I think this is true. We have lost so much civil rights ground

I don't know how long it will take to make it up.

I had assumed I would see a woman President before I die. Now I'm not so sure. Now I'm putting my efforts into just trying to get them to stop killing us.

[Bettie]

151. I am 59

I don't think we will see a woman as president in my lifetime.

Misogyny is the most prevalent bias in this country and we don't seem to be able to change that.

[gulliver]

129. The adults

Our party needs to enforce recognition and respect of adult behavior principles like free speech and manners. Emotions need to drive thought, not enslave or replace it. That's true of individuals and groups.

Right now, honestly, we are mainly suffering from laziness and fear. The laziness produces neglect and self-indulgence. The fear keeps us from correcting ourselves.

[Scrivener7]

135. The Democrats I know aren't lazy, neglectful OR self-indulgent.

[gulliver]

136. "Romans and countrymen, lend me your ears?"

[KPN]

130. Thank you so much Scrivener.

[SunImp]

138. Great OP

Fortunately only a few bad faith posters got triggered by what you wrote & most are taking this issue seriously.

[canetoad]

141. Thank you for the thread

It needs to be said. I don't have skin in the game but it's plain that something is badly wrong in the US. My fervent hope is that Democrats can find a way to prevail and consign trump to the garbage pile of history.

[Torchlight]

148. Loyalty means being willing to examine our own missteps

because growth and effective leadership depend on self-reflection, not reflexive defense.

I think more often than not, members in good-faith are clear about the difference between objective critique as you reference and the kind of performative outrage that’s more chum in the water easily ignored or deleted than serious, measured examination.

(and a K&R for opening an honest dialogue that's been at times, surprising to read!)

[Melon]

152. It's not possible currently to discuss mistakes and we are doomed to repeat them again.

I see it coming with candidates supported here. We pick a proven losing path and try it again repeatedly until we’ve lost enough times to drive the lesson home. It’s happened here in Texas and it’s happened in our presidential elections.

I’m not likely to donate money again after the last presidential run and what I consider rampant waste of my donations. I am likely to donate time.

[SocialDemocrat61]

156. How is it happening in Texas?

And in what race?

[Melon]

162. Beto

[SocialDemocrat61]

169. What's he running for?

And what is he doing wrong?

[Scrivener7]

157. I have a relative running for the Senate, so luckily

all my donations are going there. I don't have to make any decisions

[W_HAMILTON]

153. It has nothing to do with being loyal. It's about fighting back against (often) unfair and unwarranted criticism.

And it's WELL past time it receive push back -- after all, if we had pushed back more against bullshit criticism, we probably wouldn't even be in the current state we're in. Oh, what a quaint time it was when email usage and paid speeches were """our""" biggest criticisms...

PS - When Republicans and Russians colluded to get Trump elected, they damn sure didn't pretend to be loyal Democrats fiercely defending the Democratic Party -- the exact opposite, actually!

[Ninga]

155. I may be late to this discussion, but I read it early this morning and just now thought I would add my 2cents.

Democrats have been snookered by their own inability to read how powerful and all consuming social media has become in most people’s lives.

Democrats have to find a way to do a run a round to the lies told by paid troll podcasters and On-lines trolls and Fox Snooze.
Our values have been used by maga as weapons to bludgeon our messages our candidates and even our voters.
I’m sorry If all of this has been said previously in this thread

[oldmanlynn]

158. We do not need to do this before midterms and publicly

It would be suicidal to bring any of this up now.

[Melon]

161. Suicidal has been the lack of transparency and free discussion

When is the right time?
Since the last list election any criticism is met with a “right wing talking points” warning. It’s very frustrating. If some voices an opinion on a the direction for what you feel is a wrong direction for the party, voicing opposition is at risk of your account. Meanwhile the path of wrong choice is cheerleaded ahead until it’s too late to make change, or until our own members or independents make a different voting decision.

[Orrex]

160. Absolutely agree! And I've noticed another of the cheerleaders' tactics:

Orrex: I wish that Schumer would have the toilet paper go over the roll.

Cheerleader: Bashing Democrats is exactly how we got into this mess.

In short, any criticism, however mild or well-reasoned or solidly justified, is characterized as "bashing," with the implication that the poster is violating the TOS.

If we're not permitted to voice our dissatisfaction with elected Democrats and their leaders, then I see little to distinguish ourselves from the drooling red-hat KKKult.

[Mblaze]

168. I would remark that biggest reason Dems "lost"

Is because we supported freedom. Freedom for our corporations, businesses, universities and municipalities to practice diversity, equity and inclusion. We stand for freedom for our gay neighbors, Freedom for those who want to transition. Freedom for women to manage their own reproduction. Freedom against authoritarianism. Freedom to study the truth of Americas treatment of blacks, native Americans and other minorities throughout our history. Freedom to read the books we wish to read. Freedom of and from religion. Republicans label that "identity politics" and hate it but those "identities" obviously need the support of government.

That stance for freedom is hard to consider a "mistake" that should be "avoided".