All I see is appeasement and acquiescence

[edhopper]

Are there any Dems in office with a backbone, who aren't rolling over for this fascist?
It's very discouraging. We are the Party of Chamberlains

[Gore1FL]

1. The Neville Chamberlains, at least.

Not a Joshua to be found.

[lame54]

5. Or a Wilt

[Prof. Toru Tanaka]

53. As much as I liked and respected Chamberlain as a basketball player,

he was a Republican and Nixon supporter. That was part of the reason that there was animosity between him and Kareem.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

56. And

Toru Tanaka studied judo with Wally Jay in Hawaii.

[NoRethugFriends]

6. Or a Wilt

[dalton99a]

2. Perhaps they don't want to be Kash Patel's targets

[edhopper]

3. That sounds like

Cowardice.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

7. It's

It's either 100% cowardice, or it's complicity. There's no other way around it. They were voted in to represent a side they are now turning against.

[dalton99a]

11. +1. Or both

[BeerBarrelPolka]

12. Point!!

[Blue Full Moon]

23. Controlled opposition?

[BeerBarrelPolka]

48. Whatever it is

it reaks.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

4. Please

Please don't take this that I'm disagreeing with you or arguing with you. I agree with your sentiment.

My comment: Then they shouldn't hold political office. Resign and have some dignity and learn to channel your fear and cowardice into something creative. Perhaps writing limericks for Hallmark cards.

[lame54]

8. The front line is crumbling

[BeerBarrelPolka]

10. Then

Then it looks like I will have a front row seat.

[DeeDeeNY]

50. Not Adam Schiff

He has been outspoken on this topic.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

60. I hope he stays strong.

[Cha]

74. Good to know.. TY DeeDee. I was just wondering

how Rep Hakeem Jeffie's was handling this. I know Adma Kinzinger is Strong!

[Bluetus]

51. Or demand that Biden actualy do something that is 100% within his power

Of course, if Biden did issue pardons for them, they would find other reasons to justify their continuous acquiescence.

One does wonder what motivates so many of them to seek office. Evidently it was some combination of girls and graft, because few of them display much of a passion for actually legislating and governing.

If they are not willing to be warriors in this moment of national need, then why should we support them in 2 or 4 years when they want to return office?

[BeerBarrelPolka]

61. I agree

I will not support them. They work for us, not the other way around.

We should freely bash them as much as we want, since their actions and words are bashing us. We as people, owe them nothing. They as politicians, ask for our vote. It's a barter system. If we vote, then they owe US. I think a lot of people lose track of that. We are their boss, not the President.

[Bluetus]

71. There is an organization, I forget the name

I heard their leader on one of the Sirius Progress programs this week. It was called XXXX's List, but I can't remember the name.

Their mission is to find progressive candidates to run in every seat they can, up and down the ballot. That is probably a mischaracterization because the spokesperson was specific that they were very strategic, trying to identify the places where they could have the greatest impact.

If anybody can help identify this group, I'd like to learn more about them. It isn't just about primarying existing office-holders. There are many, many offices where we don't compete at all or don't ever get competitive candidates.

IMHO, this could be a good place for us to channel our frustrations. We are going to have a new Party chair, and I'm not suggesting that we should automatically be in opposition to the Party apparatus. Indeed, it would be best if the Party shared our desire to be much more vigorous in advancing the things Democrats supposedly believe in. But it also wouldn't hurt tor the people who have just been warming a seat for decades know that there is a real challenge.

[Nigrum Cattus]

57. Doesn't matter -

They wilful still be any Republican A.G.'s list.

[Blue_Tires]

77. Obeying in advance...

[OneGrassRoot]

9. It's absolutely demoralizing. n/t

[CrispyQ]

13. This talk of pardoning Trump is vomit inducing.

[creeksneakers2]

73. If you are talking about Fetterman's call

to pardon Trump its only for the New York case, not the cases your photos match.

[sop]

14. While they're trying to come up with more effective "messaging,"

Trump is all about retribution, corruption and destruction.

[senseandsensibility]

15. I'm sorry to have to agree

What's more, this reaction by Dem leadership is more painful and alarming to me than the actual loss. I can find no excuse for it except the obvious ones, which probably don't need to be spelled out.

[tenderfoot]

16. They're doing a great job giving people reasons not to vote for them aren't they?

[Demobrat]

17. As someone called Bob Dylan once said

“You just want to be on the side that’s winning”.
I’ve been having trouble getting that song out of my head lately.

[Mike 03]

18. The United States is like a human body with no immune system

We could not defend ourselves. We couldn't defend ourselves against someone who tried to overthrow the country! We couldn't remove congressional reps who helped him try. We couldn't prevent MAGA politicians from purging voters, suppressing voters through gerrymandering. We allowed our leaders to receive death threats, bomb threats and every kind of threat with minimal solutions to these problems.

When we had a chance to pass two Voter Rights bills, we were betrayed by two of our own: Sinema and Manchin--who betrayed us again today!!!!!!!!!!!

We allowed rogue lunatics like "Gen" Mike Flynn to roam around the country calling for four star generals to be executed.

Everything is permitted. (Except when Democrats do it.)

We have behaved like a totally helpless animal that did not evolve to survive the 21st Century.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

62. Because

Because of cowardice and complicity.

[bigtree]

19. of course there are Democrats "who aren't rolling over for this fascist"

...what is this shit attacking the party?

[mtngirl47]

26. This is the 2nd time I've seen a thread with a title like this one

[WinstonSmith4740]

38. Of course there are some wno aren't rolling over.

But too many ARE rolling over for this shit. Why are ANY Dems, much less Jim Clyburn, calling for Trump to be pardoned to "clear the air"? Sorry, but I'm real tired of Dems cleaning up Rethugs crap. I tired of them constantly giving ground, constantly being the ones who have to reach across the aisle and compromise. I can't remember who he was, but a few years back some Rethug asshole in Congresss said his idea of compromise was "the Democrats doing what we tell them to", and absolutely nothing has changed.

Unfortunately, right now, we don't have enough Eric Swalwell's, AOC's, Ted Lieu's, Jasmine Crockett's, or Jamie Raskin's in the House. We don't have enough Adam Schiff's or Elizabeth Warren's in the Senate. We need more, and badly.

I'm not here to bash Democrats. I'm 76 and have been a proud Democrat since I registered to vote at 21. But I'm tired of them letting Republoicans set the agenda, and the ground rules. You know the old adage about bringing a knife to a gun fight? Dems haven't even been bringing a knife...they've been bringing a rule book. It's got to stop, because now they're dealing with people who don't believe the rules pertain to them, ever.

[Cirsium]

42. No one is "attacking the party"

The party consists of all of us who have supported and voted for Democrats, some of us for decades. The Democratic party politicians are supposed to represent us, we are not supposed to represent them no matter what they do. They are there to fight or us, not to demand that we protect and coddle them. That is fundamental to a representative democracy. No wonder we can't defend that!

You feel free to criticize loyal rank and file Democrats with whom you happen to disagree - punching down. But you object to any criticism of the leadership - punching up. What sort of democracy is compatible with that?

How about we go after the right wingers with the same sort of zeal that some here go after fellow Democrats with, and demand that our representatives do the same?

[bigtree]

45. the op literally attacked the party as a 'Party of Chamberlains"

..it's not only deragatory, it's false.

[leftstreet]

46. Elected Dems themselves have called for reaching across the aisle

...for fucking decades.

If they've inadvertently painted themselves as Chamberlains, that's not on the base

[bigtree]

47. most Americans have ALWAYS polled the same

...they want the parties to work together.

God forbid someone elected acknowledges that.

There's miles between working together and appeasement. ALL of Barack Obama's major legislative victories, other than the ACA, had at least one republican vote.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

59. The "parties"

In all honesty, the republicans are no longer a political party in any sense. They are a blatant criminal organization that already has shown contempt for the law and Constitution . Trump has vowed more of the same tactics. Every elected official in the House and Senate takes an oath to the Constitution, not an oath to work across the aisle. The repubs are violating laws and the Constitution and it is therefore a requirement of oath that Democrats fight them. It's really that simple.

[Cirsium]

70. Misleading

Yes, the public want to see things accomplished, and has been told that "both sides" are the problem. Your point?

Who trashed Congress? The Republicans. How does "working together" with the saboteurs help the public? When do the Republicans ever worry about bipartisanship? It is a sucker's game.

Democrats compromise with Republicans to please their donors, not because the public is demanding bipartisanship.

Compromise only works when those other side are negotiating in good faith. The Republicans are not negotiating in good faith, ever. That makes it extortion, not compromise.

[Cirsium]

49. As I said

"Dems in office." Our representatives.

[senseandsensibility]

69. Wow

Good points.

[Autumn]

67. I would say became some people in the party deserve it.

That's what happens when politicians say vote for me and I will fight for you and then acquiesce with the party who is on record wanting to hurt us.

[Diraven]

20. A lot of people apparently went from

"Trump will be a fascist dictator" to "we look forward to working with him".

[Evolve Dammit]

21. Wait. Merrick the Meek hasn't spoken yet....

[Crowman2009]

22. Well I know who is going to get primaried two years from now!

A certain song by The O'Jays comes to mind. I'm sure most of you know what I'm talking about.

[moniss]

41. I was going to use it but the lyric

is about friends trying to hit on your wife. I could have tried to make a symbolic toss to Lady Liberty but I thought the UT was more direct.

[orleans]

24. backbone. i remember in the bush era there was a cartoon

with a bunch of donkeys all piled up in a corner and a reference to grow a spine

i have thought of that so much lately

[edhopper]

30. They do

Smile in your face.

[CrispyQ]

31. It's a classic.

Where did Mr. Fish go?

[orleans]

78. i think this was it! (there might have been another similar one but i loved this one too!) how the hell did you find it?

LOL -- i tried looking for it recently but either google sucks, i suck trying to do a google search, or BOTH!

thanks for posting this!

[WarGamer]

25. How are they supposed to resist?

Wear their hats backwards and wear blue t-shirts?

Seriously...

[edhopper]

34. At the least

Not talking about pardoningvTrump and looking forwards to working with him.

[WarGamer]

36. I look back to 17-20 and think the Democrats and the media stonewalled Trump pretty effectively.

I think we'll see a repeat.

[edhopper]

63. I don't think so this time

More Trumpets in Congress. All Dept. Run by idiots.

I hope I am wrong and you are right.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

66. I don't think you're wrong

We have some Dems that are openly showing fealty to Trump now by asking for a pardon on his behalf. A convicted felon and adjudicated rapist. I don't want those Dems in public office another day if I had my way.

[Mike 03]

27. There's also the condescension....

Whether it is Joe Scarborough or a pretentious lecture from a governor who wants to be president, we are being spoken down to quite a bit--chastised, chided, put in our place.

[quaint]

52. Which governor are you referring to?

[BeerBarrelPolka]

64. Shapiro

[Prairie Gates]

28. Kinzinger and Cheney the only ones telling the Republicans to fuck off

Pretty interesting, that.

[onecaliberal]

35. Indeed. I have made the same observation.

[quaint]

54. Californians Newsom and Schiff are fighting for us.

[quaint]

55. Really? No one else?

[ThePartyThatListens]

29. How is this any different than the response to the

Bush II Regime that led up to, and followed,the response to 9/11 OP?

Now it's en vouge for the likes of Michelle Obama to cuddle up with the scumbag.

And for DUers to beam with pride how they love members from his Administration that are now on MSNBC.

What will happen ten, fifteen years from now?

[edhopper]

32. Good point

It feels worse now.

[ThePartyThatListens]

37. It's not

You're just experiencing a short memory.

I haven't forgotten and never will.

Fifteen years from now, DUers will treat Trump and his supporters like how they currently treat Bush's Administration members.

Just watch...

[mtngirl47]

33. Give me some links of Democrats rolling over. n/t

[Fiendish Thingy]

39. I don't see it that way.

Yes, there are some pretty high profile appeasers, a few unexpected ones, and many unsurprising ones.

Then there are many, many more who, while not making a lot of noise or wringing their hands in a very attention getting manner, nevertheless seem resolute in their intentions to oppose the new administration.

There isn’t much of substance to say or do in this pre-inaugural period. The rubber hits the road on January 20, and I will reserve my judgement until then.

[moniss]

40. It is reminiscent

of the Vietnam years and even before. Much of our fight then was to get people in our own party to fight with us.

[moniss]

43. Same horrible feeling as when our folks

rolled over and saluted when Ford pardoned Nixon. Betrayal.

[bucolic_frolic]

44. Trump owns the outcome, lock stock & barrel

[Bettie]

58. They are still asking for money

every single day though.

Fundraising for some resistance that...well, won't really come, but they want some cash on hand. Maybe they're going to buy welcome baskets for the orange anus.

[betsuni]

65. What proof is there of that? It's called politics. Why wouldn't you encourage your opponent to do what the

American people always, always say they want when asked: that the parties work together. Democrats can't be politicians? Why not? Is it the "flawed" thing? They're breathing and walking around, how dare they? Why are so many people positive they know everything, automatically assume the worst and never give the benefit of the doubt to Democrats, knee-jerk ascribe nefarious motives, think everyone' s stupid.

POLITICS. It's, like, a real job.

[Dem4life1970]

68. Jasmine Crockett, AOC, Hakeem Jeffries....

I don't see appeasement nor acquiesce from any of them

[Rebl2]

72. Isn't that

the truth. My husband has been saying they need to get a spine for years now. He’s pretty unhappy with democrats the last few weeks.

[whathehell]

75. Besides Fetterman, who are you referencing?

I certainly see nothing that merits characterizing our party as "The party of Chamberlains".

[Gore1FL]

76. Sadly this isn't new.

I remember Daschle and Gephardt falling all over themselves to placate Bush and his Iraq fever-dream.