It's time for progressives to turn the page from mourning Hillary Clinton's loss, Bernie Sanders' loss, and Donald Trump's win. Here are 10 national Democratic leaders for the future, according to Mother Jones: CA. Senator Kamilla Harris, MN Senator Amy Klobuchar, IL Senator Tammy Duckworth, NJ Senator Cory Booker, NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, VA Senator Tim... Continue Reading →
A Shift From Zealotry to Pragmatism?
"Stop listening to the bombastic loudmouths on the radio, television and the internet. To hell with them. They don’t want anything done for the public good. Our incapacity is their livelihood.” -- Senator John McCain (R-AZ), casting the deciding vote killing the Republicans' extremely flawed plan to repeal and replace Obamacare. As Donald Trump and Republicans... Continue Reading →
2016 Paradox: Party That Won White House Was Doomed to Failure
The paradox of the 2016 election was that the political party that won the White House was doomed to frustrate and disappoint the hyper-partisans most invested in their success, and faced quite probably catastrophic losses in 2018. Republicans' 2016 victory is shaping up to be a disaster for them in terms of policy advances. Except... Continue Reading →
Will Republicans Offend Voters Enough to Lose the House in 2018?
A Republican Congressman from Nebraska wants to slash food stamps and refuses to say that Americans are entitled to eat. In other words, it's ok if they starve. A Republican candidate for Congress in Montana assaults a reporter but still manages to win a special election. Another declares that "nobody dies" for lack of health insurance,... Continue Reading →
Trump’s Supreme Court Nominee Wins Approval
With the support of three Democratic senators up for re-election in 2018 -- Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Manchin of West Virginia -- Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch won Senate confirmation, 54-45. It was a major victory for Trump, and validation for those conservatives who reluctantly voted for... Continue Reading →
Gerrymandering of Congressional Districts Threatens Democracy
Despite the abysmal popularity of Congress, only eight members lost re-election in 2016. More than nine out of 10 races were not the least bit competitive. The incumbents won overwhelmingly, with margins you would expect in North Korea, Russia or Zimbabwe. Lack of competition has a "seriously corrosive effect on the integrity of democracy...We must... Continue Reading →
Trump Week 1: Disastrous
Trump from Day 1 sewed needless division and controversy. On Day 7, he signed an executive order essentially banning Muslims from seven countries. Initial reports suggest this move is disastrous. The only good sign is that numerous Republican senators say this ban was poorly thought out and completely ineffectual. It hurts refugees, friends and allies.... Continue Reading →
Breaking Gridlock: Bipartisan Achievements in Obama’s Last 2 Years Are Few, But Do Exist
Despite its reputation for hyper-partisan dysfunction, polarization and gridlock, the 114th Congress did accomplish some significant things -- the most important being $1.75 billion for medical research into curing diseases, and speeding the drug and device approval process. WPost: Republicans boasted of their achievements over the past two years. Ryan reeled off a list including... Continue Reading →
In Trump Era, Filibuster Could Come in Handy for Democrats
The presidency of Donald Trump in its first two years may have a Republican majority in Congress, but in no way does he have a mandate, and by no means will he have a filibuster-proof majority of 60 votes in the Senate, as Barack Obama did for part of his first two years. Democrats may... Continue Reading →