The current batch of Dems are weak, especially the minority leader, Jeffries! He should have been prepared for these dirty tricks. I hope the newly elected House members are paying attention and elect someone stronger as the majority Leader. No more playing nice.
Jeffries just doesn't have a command presence. He is Caspar Milquetoast. As Adam says, wh have to bring our A Game. I'd much rather see someone like Jamie Raskin as Speaker.
yes, this is not the era when jeffries and schumer can behave like total gentlemen. if they can't get tough, they will be steamrolled. jamie raskin as speaker is a great idea.
Yes -- I just added a question about that for Adam's next AMA. Schumer for sure should go. I'd thought maybe it's best to keep Jeffries for a year before changing him out (too much chaos early on, and all the news would be about "the huge Democratic fight" in the House). But he is not on the ball, clearly. He'd be a ball and chain rather than a leader for the new batch of more energetic Dems. I'm for dumping him, too, now.
No. I don't think he's temperamentally able to do the job. He should know basic stuff like having a minority member standing by to demand a recorded vote. If he needs a coach for that, maybe the coach should be leader.
Everyone knows some stuff. No one knows all the stuff. I don't know the guy. I just think fighting over party leadership now is going to really weaken chances of making gains. ...As I think about all this, I believe, if Pelosi is on the list of 11, there may be a reason why this vote isn't as important as it seems to us now. She thinks things through. If it was vital, she would have voted. Was the bill certain to be shot down in the Senate? Would Trump just veto it? Can he veto an impeachment vote? I'm pretty sure, even after Dems take office in Jan, there won't be enough votes for veto-proofing. MAGA stays until GOP starts voting with Dems to get them out. This is why I'm really thinking radical priorities are not going to serve Dems well right now. Need to stay centered on weeding out corruption and sticking with things that will get the country back working again. Efficient govenment and getting help to people who really need it is great but more spending isn't so great. Social programs are usually very expensive. It's not hard to convince people that Dems will throw us into negative growth and financial troubles if they keep pushing for social programs when fed money is running out.
I disagree. He absolutely needs a command presence! The leader has to corral all of those giant egos and get them working in the same direction, while (ideally) also bringing along the other party (as much as possible) and the Senate. That takes at least a metric sh!t-ton of charisma.
[Regarding other comments below]
Meanwhile if they would quit steering money to billionaires, they would be able to pay for social programs.
The GOP is not the party of fiscal responsibility. That's a myth. Democrats are the ones who balance budgets, because they know that the programs that help actual people (vs. corporations) can only fly when there's funding. A lot of them learned this at local levels. We have a lot of nondiscretionary spending based on outdated models that make fiscal responsibility very hard - people used to live shorter lives, especially combat veterans - but the government could do a lot better in the revenue department if they didn't start wars, and stopped handing out breaks to the rich and corporations. Trickle-down has been proven not to work, and there's no faster way to suck the treasury dry than to go to war. Anyway I suspect you know this already; the point is that the Dems could do a lot of good if they show up and do it together.
Wow. I'm stunned at basic stuff that the Dems failed to do. This is totally unacceptable. I'm very disappointed in Jeffries for not covering his bases. Unacceptable.
Democrats don't just need a strong leader. They need a strong, smart, and very ethical leader so the balance stays tipped strongly in that direction. The battles need to be about 'good vs evil' and never 'evil vs evil'.
Lyndon Johnson was able to get amazing things done, but he wasn't always nice about it. Not sure what you mean by "ethical". No horse-trading, no strong-arming reluctant members? No threats to pull party support for members who don't go along with party plans? No taking advantage of parliamentary tricks? I'm pretty convinced that it takes some of that to get things done.
If the GOP is “playing dirty”, then the Democrats need to be even more on their game, but still being ethical and honest. No excuse is going to be OK with me for missing votes unless it’s from a Dr.
All of Congress should be working not sitting at a reception down the street eating lunch if there is a vote coming up!!!
DO BETTER, DO YOUR JOB, SUPPORT OUR CONSTITUTION!!
Brittany Petterson flew in from Colorado with a newborn baby to vote in the past. At this vote she was attending a PAC event (you can guess which PAC - starts with an A and has an I in it) and didn’t make it. Then she lied to local journalists stating she was stuck in traffic. When confronted with evidence by journalists, she admitted yesterday by a statement that she was not stuck in traffic, she just missed the vote because of the PAC event. Many of the other members who missed the vote were there. WTAF?
In this very serious time in our country, we need people in Congress who are VERY serious about why they are in Congress to right this ship and right this upside down world. I hope they all try to DO BETTER, DO THEIR JOBS WITH SERIOUSNESS, HONESTY AND ETHICALLY IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION. OUR CONGRESS DOES NOT HAVE ROOM FOR UNSERIOUS PEOPLE WHO DON’T WORK HARD AND WHO ARE NOT HONEST AND ETHICAL. THERE IS WAY TOO MUCH AT STAKE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
Sorry for all caps, I’m just so sick of people not being serious about their jobs and just doing for themselves and not the people they were sent to Washington to represent. PLEASE DO BETTER!!!
Everyone makes mistakes? Everyone makes mistakes? Really, you are out of touch! The Democrats had a job that day. Be there. In Congress. They weren’t. In the Real World, that would translate to failure to perform or dereliction of duty, with consequences.
Everyone makes mistakes? Everyone makes mistakes? Really, you are out of touch! The Democrats had a job that day. Be there. In Congress. They weren’t. In the Real World, that would translate to failure to perform or dereliction of duty, with consequences. Are they so naive as to not realize how critical the next 7 weeks are? Then they haven’t earned the right to represent us after all!
Well, the missed votes aren't 100% on him, it's also on the people who failed to show up to do their jobs. But, yes, it's on him too, and he's clearly asleep at the wheel, so I say ditch him for a real leader with both smarts and energy.
I say write in to the missing people and let them know we're watching. That works better than most people think. How do we get the names attached to the specific missing Congressional votes?
I tried writing to Jonathon Jackson. My zip isn't in his district. His site won't allow me to send anything. I have a few friends in his district and they're on alert now. I would hate to see this Dem opportunity to really contribute and save the country squandered. It is vital that MAGA runs down before a lot more damage is done. The US has taken some serious hits. This mid-term was the best chance voters had of stopping Trump's crazy and repairing the ship. Glad voters stepped up. Now the new and old Congressional Dems have to step up.
Stay positive! If the message just saps their energy, they won't listen. "Hey, I know you're on my team. The most important thing you do in Congress is VOTE and you missed a biggie. Please do better because we're watching and it matters.
This makes me completely sick. Get to work on time please. I do not get this AT ALL. This is too important. Everyone knows these people are going to play dirty. We knew that a long time ago. Agree Jude 100%.
Just as the President is responsible former the actions (or lack) of his cabinet and their subordinates. So is the Minority Leader of the Democratic Party responsible for the failure of action by the Democratic Representatives. He even has the Whip who’s primary responsibility is keeping the rep’s informed and on task. And if he was a leader he would have definitely not let the Vet bill get screwed right after the Hegseth debacle. And even after both, nothing but silence from him. That is not a leader!!
I agree that Jeffries is a dud, and I hope the Dems pick someone with more smarts and more fire-in-the-belly in January. However, the parallel with a president's cabinet members does not hold. The pres. hand picks cabinet members who report to him. The speaker of the house has to lead but cannot force members of Congress, who are elected by their constituents, not picked by the speaker.
I was just using the Pres. as an example. It applies to the CEO of companies, Military Commanders, etc. If the head dog is not keeping the pack in line, they get replaced. There are plenty examples of Genrerals and Admirals being removed from their positions do to the actions of their subordinates. Also in Law Enforcement. And Boards remove CEO’s and Stock Holders remove board members. It’s Accountability……
But you know what, Jude, he wanted to be Speaker and it's a very important part of that job to get the votes and he didn't do it. The buck stops at his desk, period.
Jeffries has to go. He is useless. I like Schumer. He has done a lot of good things. But he needs to go too. That was clear when he caved in the shutdown.
Schumer is not only old (and I'm older than him so that is no criticism, just the truth), he's also way too cozy with corporate interests and fully supports GENOCIDE.
Jeffries speaks gibberish. After a press conference, I have no idea what he said. He relies on the party to carry him. The party relies on him for leadership. Not sure what Pelosi saw in him.
What is wrong with them. They’ve been handed a gift. There’s no option to return it! When they make themselves laughing stock they make everyone that voted republicans out look bad. They’ll have no respect until they earn it. So EARN it!
Well Thomas my view is I shouldn’t need to explain it to anyone, however, here goes: plainly speaking, if you’re not going to vote for critical things, and yes I realize this isn’t the “new” congress, but it makes it seem to reasonable people, the democrats aren’t taking the midterm elections and what the “people” did seriously enough to vote.
What needs to be explained is that the voters are watching their actions and they will be accountable for them. My IL Congressman is a new guy and not in my district, but I have friends there and they're all writing in.
My great joy at the election results was tempered by fears that the Democrats would blow the incredible opportunities presented. I never expected their ineptitude to show up so quickly. Missing the Hegseth vote? Inexcusable.
This can be up to having great staff members than monitor what's going on and can contact Jeffries the minutes something urgent like this comes up. He needs to get organized. We need a list of the no-shows so we can write and call them directly, as well as Jeffries.
THANKS!!! One from IL will get a buzz from me for sure. People...make some noise about this! Mike Johnson is not stupid and should not be underestimated.
How could either of these events just slip past Democrats! I find this outrageous. Perhaps Jeffries is showing he is not up to the task of managing the Democratic caucus by establishing a structure and responsibilities that prevent these anticipatable practices by Republicans from overwhelming them. When will the Dems develop a tight and more aggressive strategy? A disciplined strategy!
The Democrats knew since the House was adjourned in September that this vote on Hegseth was going to happen as soon as they reconvened after the election. They should have been in the Capitol before the vote began, but as it was, even with the vote remaining open for over 30 minutes, some weren't at the Capitol at all, as the results of the vote showed. I don't blame Jeffries. These are grown men and women who should have known when such an important vote was to occur.
What do you suggest Leader Jeffries should have done to get them there? Maybe threaten their committee assignments if they missed the vote? Pick them up in a police-escorted van? Again, surely they all knew the schedule for this important vote that I thought they all cared about, and again, these are adults. Plus isn't it the Whip's job to actually corral members to the floor, not the Leader's? I say the anger here should be directed towards the individual members who didn't take this matter seriously enough, or if a leader should be blamed, it should be on Whip Katherine Clark.
Agree......are only hope is that we have a new batch of representatives. We need to rid ourselves of the old do nothings. The Hegseth vote proved that.
My concern is that the Democratic Party will view the blue wave as a mandate just as Biden, and Trump viewed their wins as a mandate. I fear the new Congress and Senate will forget the independent and swing voters who made it possible for that “blue wave” to occur. It is my belief that as long as every party in charge focuses only on agendas that represent the far left or the far right, very little - or anything - will get accomplished. I long for “give and take”, crossing the aisle, and working for ALL Americans.
I’m hanging on to hope. and It gets hard when partisanship cycles around every 4 years.
The Democrats have not been given a mandate, but an opportunity to demonstrate that it will not be business as usual for the next two years.
Adam - please tell me a time the last at least 20 years that Republicans didn't play as dirty as possible? When they weren't up to dirtiest of dirty tricks, they took every opportunity to divide - always lying about Democrats and dehumanizing them.
The current batch of Dems are weak, especially the minority leader, Jeffries! He should have been prepared for these dirty tricks. I hope the newly elected House members are paying attention and elect someone stronger as the majority Leader. No more playing nice.
Jeffries just doesn't have a command presence. He is Caspar Milquetoast. As Adam says, wh have to bring our A Game. I'd much rather see someone like Jamie Raskin as Speaker.
yes, this is not the era when jeffries and schumer can behave like total gentlemen. if they can't get tough, they will be steamrolled. jamie raskin as speaker is a great idea.
And Van Hollen for Senate Majority Leader.
Yes -- I just added a question about that for Adam's next AMA. Schumer for sure should go. I'd thought maybe it's best to keep Jeffries for a year before changing him out (too much chaos early on, and all the news would be about "the huge Democratic fight" in the House). But he is not on the ball, clearly. He'd be a ball and chain rather than a leader for the new batch of more energetic Dems. I'm for dumping him, too, now.
YES! He's just announced that he's running!
This is not about being "tough". It's about being ready and knowing what to do when the curve-balls come in.
Schumer is too old and it has been and he needs to go sit down and let other others lead. He’s had his chance.
He doesn't need to have a command presence. He needs to show up and do the right things at the right time. He might need a coach?
No. I don't think he's temperamentally able to do the job. He should know basic stuff like having a minority member standing by to demand a recorded vote. If he needs a coach for that, maybe the coach should be leader.
Everyone knows some stuff. No one knows all the stuff. I don't know the guy. I just think fighting over party leadership now is going to really weaken chances of making gains. ...As I think about all this, I believe, if Pelosi is on the list of 11, there may be a reason why this vote isn't as important as it seems to us now. She thinks things through. If it was vital, she would have voted. Was the bill certain to be shot down in the Senate? Would Trump just veto it? Can he veto an impeachment vote? I'm pretty sure, even after Dems take office in Jan, there won't be enough votes for veto-proofing. MAGA stays until GOP starts voting with Dems to get them out. This is why I'm really thinking radical priorities are not going to serve Dems well right now. Need to stay centered on weeding out corruption and sticking with things that will get the country back working again. Efficient govenment and getting help to people who really need it is great but more spending isn't so great. Social programs are usually very expensive. It's not hard to convince people that Dems will throw us into negative growth and financial troubles if they keep pushing for social programs when fed money is running out.
I disagree. He absolutely needs a command presence! The leader has to corral all of those giant egos and get them working in the same direction, while (ideally) also bringing along the other party (as much as possible) and the Senate. That takes at least a metric sh!t-ton of charisma.
[Regarding other comments below]
Meanwhile if they would quit steering money to billionaires, they would be able to pay for social programs.
The GOP is not the party of fiscal responsibility. That's a myth. Democrats are the ones who balance budgets, because they know that the programs that help actual people (vs. corporations) can only fly when there's funding. A lot of them learned this at local levels. We have a lot of nondiscretionary spending based on outdated models that make fiscal responsibility very hard - people used to live shorter lives, especially combat veterans - but the government could do a lot better in the revenue department if they didn't start wars, and stopped handing out breaks to the rich and corporations. Trickle-down has been proven not to work, and there's no faster way to suck the treasury dry than to go to war. Anyway I suspect you know this already; the point is that the Dems could do a lot of good if they show up and do it together.
Wow. I'm stunned at basic stuff that the Dems failed to do. This is totally unacceptable. I'm very disappointed in Jeffries for not covering his bases. Unacceptable.
I'm calling them GAGA democrats... "Go Along to Stay Along" useless for their constituents but great for parties
I think you mean "go along to get along!"
The Dems still need to stay in the game and do a better job and as Adam said…get your A game and do better!!!
I agree, but think that's putting it much too kindly.
True…but I didn’t want to be ‘banned’ from the site! 🤣
Democrats don't just need a strong leader. They need a strong, smart, and very ethical leader so the balance stays tipped strongly in that direction. The battles need to be about 'good vs evil' and never 'evil vs evil'.
Lyndon Johnson was able to get amazing things done, but he wasn't always nice about it. Not sure what you mean by "ethical". No horse-trading, no strong-arming reluctant members? No threats to pull party support for members who don't go along with party plans? No taking advantage of parliamentary tricks? I'm pretty convinced that it takes some of that to get things done.
Yes they do need to bring their A game
They at least need to be there!
Isn’t that the truth!
We need to contact as many of these democrats and demand that they get in the action RIGHT NOW!!!
For God’s sake, Jeffries, get it together. The dirty Republicans are wiping the floor with you.
Jeffries doesn’t seem to be in touch with what’s going on. We need someone else.
If the GOP is “playing dirty”, then the Democrats need to be even more on their game, but still being ethical and honest. No excuse is going to be OK with me for missing votes unless it’s from a Dr.
All of Congress should be working not sitting at a reception down the street eating lunch if there is a vote coming up!!!
DO BETTER, DO YOUR JOB, SUPPORT OUR CONSTITUTION!!
Brittany Petterson flew in from Colorado with a newborn baby to vote in the past. At this vote she was attending a PAC event (you can guess which PAC - starts with an A and has an I in it) and didn’t make it. Then she lied to local journalists stating she was stuck in traffic. When confronted with evidence by journalists, she admitted yesterday by a statement that she was not stuck in traffic, she just missed the vote because of the PAC event. Many of the other members who missed the vote were there. WTAF?
Everyone makes mistakes.
In this very serious time in our country, we need people in Congress who are VERY serious about why they are in Congress to right this ship and right this upside down world. I hope they all try to DO BETTER, DO THEIR JOBS WITH SERIOUSNESS, HONESTY AND ETHICALLY IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION. OUR CONGRESS DOES NOT HAVE ROOM FOR UNSERIOUS PEOPLE WHO DON’T WORK HARD AND WHO ARE NOT HONEST AND ETHICAL. THERE IS WAY TOO MUCH AT STAKE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
Sorry for all caps, I’m just so sick of people not being serious about their jobs and just doing for themselves and not the people they were sent to Washington to represent. PLEASE DO BETTER!!!
It is too late to make mistakes, we are fighting for our Democracy! Call those responsible and tell them this is unacceptable!
Everyone makes mistakes? Everyone makes mistakes? Really, you are out of touch! The Democrats had a job that day. Be there. In Congress. They weren’t. In the Real World, that would translate to failure to perform or dereliction of duty, with consequences.
Everyone makes mistakes? Everyone makes mistakes? Really, you are out of touch! The Democrats had a job that day. Be there. In Congress. They weren’t. In the Real World, that would translate to failure to perform or dereliction of duty, with consequences. Are they so naive as to not realize how critical the next 7 weeks are? Then they haven’t earned the right to represent us after all!
Well, it was 5:30 in the afternoon...more likely cocktail hour. Whatever it was, not good. Wake up call, I hope.
Exactly!
Two more stories that make it clear the Democrats need someone stronger than Jeffries.
Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way. Jeffries isn’t a leader.. These missed votes are 100% on him. He needs to get out of the way.
Well, the missed votes aren't 100% on him, it's also on the people who failed to show up to do their jobs. But, yes, it's on him too, and he's clearly asleep at the wheel, so I say ditch him for a real leader with both smarts and energy.
I say write in to the missing people and let them know we're watching. That works better than most people think. How do we get the names attached to the specific missing Congressional votes?
Excellent idea:
Melanie Stansbury (New Mexico)
Marilyn Strickland (Washington)
Julia Brownley (California)
Lou Correa (California)
Laura Gillen (New York)
Steven Horsford (Nevada)
Jonathan Jackson (Illinois)
Nancy Pelosi (California)
Brittany Pettersen (Colorado)
Haley Stevens (Michigan)
Frederica Wilson (Florida)
I tried writing to Jonathon Jackson. My zip isn't in his district. His site won't allow me to send anything. I have a few friends in his district and they're on alert now. I would hate to see this Dem opportunity to really contribute and save the country squandered. It is vital that MAGA runs down before a lot more damage is done. The US has taken some serious hits. This mid-term was the best chance voters had of stopping Trump's crazy and repairing the ship. Glad voters stepped up. Now the new and old Congressional Dems have to step up.
I have already called Brittany Petterson office and voiced my opinion.
Stay positive! If the message just saps their energy, they won't listen. "Hey, I know you're on my team. The most important thing you do in Congress is VOTE and you missed a biggie. Please do better because we're watching and it matters.
It's his JOB to make sure he gets the Reps in for a vote.
True, but it's also *their* job to effing show up for work. I never needed my boss to point that out to me, and I bet you didn't either.
This makes me completely sick. Get to work on time please. I do not get this AT ALL. This is too important. Everyone knows these people are going to play dirty. We knew that a long time ago. Agree Jude 100%.
Just as the President is responsible former the actions (or lack) of his cabinet and their subordinates. So is the Minority Leader of the Democratic Party responsible for the failure of action by the Democratic Representatives. He even has the Whip who’s primary responsibility is keeping the rep’s informed and on task. And if he was a leader he would have definitely not let the Vet bill get screwed right after the Hegseth debacle. And even after both, nothing but silence from him. That is not a leader!!
I agree that Jeffries is a dud, and I hope the Dems pick someone with more smarts and more fire-in-the-belly in January. However, the parallel with a president's cabinet members does not hold. The pres. hand picks cabinet members who report to him. The speaker of the house has to lead but cannot force members of Congress, who are elected by their constituents, not picked by the speaker.
I was just using the Pres. as an example. It applies to the CEO of companies, Military Commanders, etc. If the head dog is not keeping the pack in line, they get replaced. There are plenty examples of Genrerals and Admirals being removed from their positions do to the actions of their subordinates. Also in Law Enforcement. And Boards remove CEO’s and Stock Holders remove board members. It’s Accountability……
But you know what, Jude, he wanted to be Speaker and it's a very important part of that job to get the votes and he didn't do it. The buck stops at his desk, period.
Jeffries has to go. He is useless. I like Schumer. He has done a lot of good things. But he needs to go too. That was clear when he caved in the shutdown.
Schumer is not only old (and I'm older than him so that is no criticism, just the truth), he's also way too cozy with corporate interests and fully supports GENOCIDE.
At the least he supports parties that have probably caused a humanitarian catastrophe.
Both Jeffries and Schumer are AIPAC supported. If I recall correctly, Jeffries took 1.5 million dollars in AIPAC donations.
Brittany Petterson also takes a lot of $$$ from AIPAC.
And stated clearly he has no intent to change that
Jeffries speaks gibberish. After a press conference, I have no idea what he said. He relies on the party to carry him. The party relies on him for leadership. Not sure what Pelosi saw in him.
Yep.
And maybe Pelosi wanted to make sure her successor didn't outshine her. If so, congrats, Nance.
Wake up, folks! Jeez.
What is wrong with them. They’ve been handed a gift. There’s no option to return it! When they make themselves laughing stock they make everyone that voted republicans out look bad. They’ll have no respect until they earn it. So EARN it!
Um, Geri? ...how does Dems not showing up make "everyone that voted republicans" look bad?
voted republicans “out”
You knew what I meant. Thanks. I need to reread a couple times before I send.
Well Thomas my view is I shouldn’t need to explain it to anyone, however, here goes: plainly speaking, if you’re not going to vote for critical things, and yes I realize this isn’t the “new” congress, but it makes it seem to reasonable people, the democrats aren’t taking the midterm elections and what the “people” did seriously enough to vote.
What needs to be explained is that the voters are watching their actions and they will be accountable for them. My IL Congressman is a new guy and not in my district, but I have friends there and they're all writing in.
Amen to that, Geri!
Adam, stay on their back….the dems have to grow a spine!!
We all need to stay on their backs by calling, writing to our representatives and calling them all out for this!
This!
My great joy at the election results was tempered by fears that the Democrats would blow the incredible opportunities presented. I never expected their ineptitude to show up so quickly. Missing the Hegseth vote? Inexcusable.
Where was Jeffries when he was needed most? It's like Dem leadership is defanged already. Sheesh
This can be up to having great staff members than monitor what's going on and can contact Jeffries the minutes something urgent like this comes up. He needs to get organized. We need a list of the no-shows so we can write and call them directly, as well as Jeffries.
Melanie Stansbury (New Mexico)
Marilyn Strickland (Washington)
Julia Brownley (California)
Lou Correa (California)
Laura Gillen (New York)
Steven Horsford (Nevada)
Jonathan Jackson (Illinois)
Nancy Pelosi (California)
Brittany Pettersen (Colorado)
Haley Stevens (Michigan)
Frederica Wilson (Florida)
THANKS!!! One from IL will get a buzz from me for sure. People...make some noise about this! Mike Johnson is not stupid and should not be underestimated.
Wow! Nancy Pelosi didn't show for this vote?
Great idea! This screw up is unacceptable.
Amen to that!
Jeffries never had fangs.
Baby teeth.
Exactly, Jude.
How could either of these events just slip past Democrats! I find this outrageous. Perhaps Jeffries is showing he is not up to the task of managing the Democratic caucus by establishing a structure and responsibilities that prevent these anticipatable practices by Republicans from overwhelming them. When will the Dems develop a tight and more aggressive strategy? A disciplined strategy!
The Democrats knew since the House was adjourned in September that this vote on Hegseth was going to happen as soon as they reconvened after the election. They should have been in the Capitol before the vote began, but as it was, even with the vote remaining open for over 30 minutes, some weren't at the Capitol at all, as the results of the vote showed. I don't blame Jeffries. These are grown men and women who should have known when such an important vote was to occur.
Again, it's Jeffries JOB to get them there and he is clearly not up to the job. He needs to go asap.
What do you suggest Leader Jeffries should have done to get them there? Maybe threaten their committee assignments if they missed the vote? Pick them up in a police-escorted van? Again, surely they all knew the schedule for this important vote that I thought they all cared about, and again, these are adults. Plus isn't it the Whip's job to actually corral members to the floor, not the Leader's? I say the anger here should be directed towards the individual members who didn't take this matter seriously enough, or if a leader should be blamed, it should be on Whip Katherine Clark.
Democrats have been given a gift and an opportunity to run this country properly. I truly hope that they don't screw it up!
If they do, any chance of a democracy might just go right out the window because many people in this country will have given up.
Agree......are only hope is that we have a new batch of representatives. We need to rid ourselves of the old do nothings. The Hegseth vote proved that.
My concern is that the Democratic Party will view the blue wave as a mandate just as Biden, and Trump viewed their wins as a mandate. I fear the new Congress and Senate will forget the independent and swing voters who made it possible for that “blue wave” to occur. It is my belief that as long as every party in charge focuses only on agendas that represent the far left or the far right, very little - or anything - will get accomplished. I long for “give and take”, crossing the aisle, and working for ALL Americans.
I’m hanging on to hope. and It gets hard when partisanship cycles around every 4 years.
The Democrats have not been given a mandate, but an opportunity to demonstrate that it will not be business as usual for the next two years.
Wow. Telling it like it is, Adam.
Yes, indeed, and we love you for it.
Adam - please tell me a time the last at least 20 years that Republicans didn't play as dirty as possible? When they weren't up to dirtiest of dirty tricks, they took every opportunity to divide - always lying about Democrats and dehumanizing them.
We all KNOW this which is why not showing up for the vote and not being able to get them to show up for the vote is UNACCEPTABLE.
100%. This infuriates me to no end.
Hakeem clearly doesn't want the job. Dem's need to get new leadership asap
Yes, I’m a fellow badger, and I totally agree. Such a major fail!