Have Schumer and Jefferies forgotten how to hold a press conference?

[Chasstev365]

* State that the Davos Speech shows that Trump is a raving loon and an embarrassment to the USA. Talk about Trump's dementia the way Republicans attacked Joe Biden.

* State that ICE is arresting children and the DOJ believes that ICE DOESN’T NEED A WARRANT TO BURST INTO PEOPLE'S HOMES! Hello: the 4th Amendment in the Bill of Rights?

* Explain the according the GOP, the Clinton's must testify to Congress or be held in contempt, yet numerous Republicans, including some on the very committee, blew off their own subpoenas with zero consequences

MY GOD: AT LEAST TRY TO FIGHT THE MADNESS AND EXPOSE THE GOP TO AMERICANS WHO AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION!

[LymphocyteLover]

1. Whatever they ARE doing, it's not enough. It's ridiculous they aren't capitalizing on this moment of abject madness by

the Republican POTUS

[Alliepoo]

92. I agree.

The silence from them is deafening.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Schumer and Jeffries can't believe what good luck they're having

If this holds til November, they're good to go. They don't want to do anything to upset the apple cart, ding the fundraising, nor undermine any of the extensive list of fine candidates they have recruited. They themselves don't want to become the problem. So they're going timid. Explain to us all how that is not a sound strategy. Viewed another way, Democrats don't need to take on political risk and blowback. They just need to trudge forward and let the mass of what they've banked pay off.

SO I find criticism of them ill-informed.

[AloeVera]

6. People are gonna vote for a party led by the "timid".

Sure thing.

[Paladin]

18. Yeah, because timidity has been such a triumph for Democrats, all these years.

At this point, I'd settle for a little public outrage from Democratic leadership. Is that just too much to ask for, as our country devolves into a Goddamned police state?

[FoxNewsSucks]

168. They're still "keeping the powder dry". Still.

Disgusting.

[bucolic_frolic]

88. Making themselves a target for MAGA and FauxNoise does nothing

Jeffries in particular could become speaker any week or month as the GOP implodes and retires.

Making loud noises and alienating everyone is not sound strategy. Dems need to peak in November, not win a shouting contest in February.

They are executing sound strategy, and have some considerable basis for its effectiveness in polling and past performance.

How is making a lot of noise working for Trump? He keeps plummeting in the polls.

Well guess what? We can plummet to and help Trump if we act that way. It goes both ways.

The people are deciding. We'll be out front leading them on Election Day. For sure.

[Cirsium]

98. Making themselves a target?

Last edited Fri Jan 23, 2026, 01:04 AM - Edit history (1)

All Democrats are "targets for MAGA and FauxNoise," no matter what any of us say or do. That is no excuse. Fear and weakness is not a winning strategy. It is what caused this nightmare, to a large extent.

A "shouting contest?" Is that how you see this?

[Alliepoo]

99. I don't think they're exercising sound strategy.

And I think they might be paying too much attention to pollsters. People are PISSED about Ice and the horrible things they’re doing, about the economy and healthcare and Greenland and Donvict and so much more. They want and NEED to see and hear action from the Dems snd all they’re getting is crickets. It’s not a good thing. If the pollsters are recommending this course of (what looks to the voting public as) inaction and impotence, they should probably be kicked to the curb. Now is the time for Dems to step up and take advantage. Folks want fire and fight and the Dems need to bring it now and keep it stoked till November.

[returnee]

71. Why did any dem vote for any of TSF's nominees? n/t

[Javaman]

72. exactly. nt

[Bozvotros]

118. Good question. NT

[LymphocyteLover]

111. I think you're confusing him with Se. Cory Booker.. people in the House don't vote to approve apointees.

[maxsolomon]

124. THANK YOU.

I was about to say the same thing.

[Javaman]

137. I stand corrected. I will pull my thread. :) nt

[Bozvotros]

117. The Supreme Court's decision to allow unlimited campaign donations and dark money

has caused our whole electoral system to reek of corruption and legalized bribery. dominated by the wealthiest corporations and individuals. SCOTUS wanted it that way because they clearly wanted in on it too. This ruling encourages or nearly forces some candidates to accept donations and make compromises they would otherwise reject. But Jeffries taking money from the Kushners should have been a bridge too far for him. Don't let me get started on Schumer.

The next time our party holds power, we have to, impeach Thomas, Alito, and any other judge who we know has accepted money and gifts. If that can't be done, we must enlarge the court and install Democratic or progressive judges to balance the SC. Other reforms, including no lifetime terms, strict ethical rules with congressional oversight are badly needed and long overdue.

Real electoral reform would also require a return to the Fairness doctrine for public airwaves. Primary and election funding must be public financing or limited individual citizen contributions only. No more bullshit about a company being a person too. Penalties for election finance violations would need to include large fines and mandatory jail time for repeated or egregious acts. It is also necessary to eliminate stock trading for members and family of the House and Senate, and anyone working in or for the White House.

But I'm just kidding myself. None of that can or will happen when states can redraw their districts whenever they want and make laws to limit and restrict voting. What I'm saying is we have a shit ton of work to do, starting with winning the upcoming midterms.

[lapucelle]

125. No, Hakeem Jeffries did not vote to confirm Kushner as ambassador to France.

Where did this piece of misinformation come from?

Let's review some basic civics and revisit the constitution. It is the US Senate that votes to confirm those whom the president nominates as ambassadors.

Article II, Section 2, Clause 2:

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S2-C2-3-4/ALDE_00013095/

====================

Hakeem Jeffries is a congressman, not a senator. He serves in the House, not the Senate.

Members of the House don't get to vote for or against ambassadorial nominations.


----------------------------------------------

Here is a link to the roll call confirmation vote to confirm Charles Kushner ambassador to France.

Roll Call Vote 119th Congress - 1st Session

Question: On the Nomination (Confirmation: Charles Kushner, of New York, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco)

https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00261.htm#position

=========================


Misinformation about Democrats should be corrected, lest it be repeated to the point that it morphs into disinformation.

Who benefits from misinformation and/or disinformation about our Party's congressional leaders?

Cui bono?

Not Democrats.

[yardwork]

33. I know that's their strategy but I don't agree with it.

[Tadpole Raisin]

43. If timid was the right strategy, he would never have gotten a

second term. The average person voting Republican has the attention span and memory of a gnat. They forgot how bad it was under him and with him constantly telling people how great his administration was they kind of went along with it.

And the Democratic tendency to wait until after Labor Day (the official start of the election season) to about the talk about what great things Dems have done and how horrible Republicans have been almost guarantees a loss. By that time they are so far behind the 8 ball they barely make a dent until just before the election.

This is a 24/7/365 day effort. It doesn’t have to be in your face but it does require regular reminders to the populace in the moment.

The OP is right, sorry!

[Hieronymus Phact]

46. i think this is milquetoast.

Risk is a required. People follow strength.
Most people don't pay attention to anything outside their own little daily bubble.
The more voices there are standing up and saying this is wacko, un-American shit going on, the more of a possibility that someone who's not paying much attention will hear it and say "yeah it seemed strange when i heard something like that last week, that's messed up".

Being in congress gives them a louder voice than average people, It's their duty to speak up and lead.

[choie]

61. Yeah, right

And we thought Kamala was going to win in 2024. No way should the Dems sit on their asses and do nothing, unless you want the same thing to happen in 2026.

[agingdem]

67. True..

Last edited Thu Jan 22, 2026, 01:17 PM - Edit history (1)

Woodrow Wilson once said “Never attempt to murder a man who is committing suicide”..

Schumer and Jeffries are savvy enough to know when to stay out of the way of a party (Republican), a movement (MAGA), and their psychotic dementia-addled leader are in the process of’ “committing suicide”..

[Cirsium]

101. Wishful thinking

Fear and denial, masquerading as caution.

MAGA is not "committing suicide," they are committing murder. "“Never attempt to stop a man who is committing murder” would be a more accurate description of that strategy.

[Ars Longa]

69. So we are fighting Trump/Republicans with Quietness & Timidity? OK, Got it!

There should be zero wonder the Dems approval is at 29%!
And Trump is marauding thru this country like a mad, lawless T-Rex.

[RoseTrellis]

80. Agreed.

Dem leadership is doing the exact proper thing- give the bastards enough rope to hang themselves.
When the enemy is self destructing- LET THEM!

I trust them to stay quiet until the repukes, emboldened by lack of resistance, inevitably go to far with their overreach.
THATS when we can lay all the cards on the table and say the emperor has no clothes!

[Cirsium]

104. Absurd

The Republicans have had more than enough rope to hang themselves for decades.

The Republicans always go too far with their overreach. Yes, that can result in some wins for Democrats, but the Republicans keep working and keep gaining in strength and come roaring back with a vengeance.

"THATS when we can lay all the cards on the table?"

Why would we ever hide our cards at all?

"...and say the emperor has no clothes!"

Why not say that now? Actually, why say it ever?

[SpankMe]

83. I get it, but...

1. Although polls are showing Repubs losing support, there's no evidence or valid analysis so far showing that this will result in electoral gains for Dems in the upcoming election. We're assuming that gripes over Greenland, ICE and authoritarian insanity will mean a Dem landslide in November, but polls are snapshots and voters are fickle.

2. Rocking the boat a little won't sully Dems and throw independents into Republican arms. I think that highlighting the authoritarian behavior with frequent press conferences and public statements keeps these issues on the front burner and tells the public that we're watching.

[PatrickforB]

84. This is NOT a sound strategy. How about talking about compassion, empathy and pounding on the moral compass? n/t

[Alliepoo]

93. I think you forgot the

Snark/sarcasm symbol.

[Cirsium]

94. That is the problem

They can't believe what good luck they're having?

That's the problem. The worse things get for us us, the better it is for them. Our misfortune is their good fortune.

That is true for a small army of people - politicians, consultants, pod casters, MSM pundits. Fascism is good for business.

What was it Carville recommended? Playing 'possum?

That approach is what brought us to where we are.

[Soul_of_Wit]

96. You answered your own question with

"If this holds til November". It won't. The tangerine toddler is in a second term because of timidity. If folks perceive a political party as doing nothing, then they won't vote for them. The lesson of "anyone but W" is that folks will give another term to W and reject the vague "anyone." That lesson is as old as DU.

[bucolic_frolic]

100. The flip side of that line of thought is Dems need to peak in November, not now.

We're in this fix because Republicans won the war of income taxes. They exempted their rich donor class to a great degree which put responsibility for the federal budget further and further down the income scale until it divided the middle class base into those who pay for, and those who receive, the social safety net. Gen Z is even in an uproar over Social Security.

[Cirsium]

103. Peak?

We need more than a "peak."

A massive campaign of lying is what "divided people into those who pay for, and those who receive, the social safety net," and failure by the Democrats to fight back strongly against that is why it succeeded. No, they were playing it safe, pussyfooting around with the Republicans, and waiting for Nixon Reagan Bush to self-destruct.

"Gen Z is even in an uproar over Social Security," to the extent that people are, because ignorant people are being deceived by malicious actors. Playing it safe is what allows that sort of crap to fly. Yet that is what you are advocating.

[LymphocyteLover]

113. Yes, I'm sure that's what they are doing but as others here have pointed out, that safe strategy is not enough for our

current fascist times.

[markpkessinger]

123. Because that strategy was SO successful in 2024 . . .

. . . NOT!

[oldmanlynn]

176. I agree with this, however

I think Democrats need to stop seeding the airways to the Republicans. They should get out there and put a better message out and be in the conversation. I have to admit that I don’t know what that message is, but there’s a whole bunch of good choices.

[SocialDemocrat61]

3. There's an old saying

Last edited Thu Jan 22, 2026, 11:14 AM - Edit history (1)

‘When your enemy is shooting themself in the foot, let them and don’t get in the way’. And frankly there are democrats who are better spokespersons than either of them.

[OldBaldy1701E]

24. And, the fact that they are also shooting other people while they are shooting themselves in the foot is okay?

I do not agree. They have already 'shot themselves in the foot' enough. If people cannot see how dangerous and insane he and his cronies are, then there is nothing we can do about them and they will just have to go down with their ship of choice.

So how many lives are worth the sticking to your adage and just waiting around until our broken system is used to try and fix our broken system?

10? 100? One percent of the population? (That's three million people, btw.)

[SocialDemocrat61]

73. So what is the solution?

I'm open to any constructive ideas.

[Cirsium]

108. Obvious

Play it safe is not exactly a "constructive idea," in my opinion, but if we accept that it is, the obvious alternative "constructive idea" would be don't play is safe.

[SocialDemocrat61]

120. Can you be more specific?

[Cirsium]

141. About what?

The general approach that Democratic leadership should be taking?

[SocialDemocrat61]

143. About stopping Trump and republicans

that’s not just blaming democrats for everything.

[Scrivener7]

150. The sea lion is here.

[JBTaurus83]

57. If there are better spokespeople

They should be the ones in charge. We have been hearing the “keep the powder dry” since Bush. That sure has worked out tremendously.

[SocialDemocrat61]

75. Two different skill sets

The job of minority leader in either house is not to be the top spokesperson. It's more of an organizational job. Too many confuse our system for parliamentary systems where the leader of the minority is the top spokesperson and who becomes Prime Minister if they win back the majority.

[Cirsium]

105. Press the advantage

When your enemy is weak and faltering press the advantage.

Fixed it for you.

[SocialDemocrat61]

119. How?

Please be specific.

[Cirsium]

156. LOL

Nope, not playing that game. Been down that road too many times. You well know the specific policies that Progressives have been advocating for decades.

Let's look back to the 1850s. Critics: "the Whigs should more aggressively oppose slavery." Whig leadership response - "What's your alternative? Be specific."

The Whigs thought that the pro-slavery forces would go too far, and that would then lead to Whig electoral wins. Ff they just played it safe, the opposition party would self-destruct - "commit suicide" - if "we got out of their way." But that didn't happen. It was the Whigs who self-destructed with their timidity and compromises.

[SocialDemocrat61]

157. How do they press the advantage?

Again, please be specific.

[Cirsium]

161. Addressed elsewhere

This was more than adequately addressed elsewhere.

[SocialDemocrat61]

163. Where?

How do they press the advantage?

[Cirsium]

178. Why?

That's my question.

[SocialDemocrat61]

180. Because you said above

Press the advantage

When your enemy is weak and faltering press the advantage.

Fixed it for you.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=20959534

I just want to hear the specifics.

[Scrivener7]

127. What's the old saying for when they're murdering Americans with impunity?

Invading people's homes without warrants? Shitting all over every clause of the Constitution? Doing their best to destroy our Democracy?

If they were shooting themselves in the foot, I'd be fine with letting them continue.

This is not that. This is a war.

[Autumn]

130. They are not shooting anyone in the foot. They are shooting people in the eye and in the face.

This is not republicans destroying each other or shooting themselves in the foot. They are killing Americans.

[SocialDemocrat61]

132. And what is your solution?

Please be specific.

[Scrivener7]

134. What is yours? Please be specific.

[SocialDemocrat61]

135. Nice deflection

You’re the one who said:

This is a war.

So do you have a solution or not?

[Scrivener7]

140. Can I solve this? What kind of moronic question is that? Of course I can't.

Did you think that was some kind of gotcha to point out that I can't solve this mess we're in? Really?

This OP talks about something that can be done. Why do you fight so hard against every suggestion of things that can be done against this crisis? Every single one. Every single time.

Whatever you think it's achieving, this weird little attempt at a gotcha question you have been asking throughout this thread has nothing to do with the subject at hand, and it's just dippy. And it certainly isn't the flex you seem to think it is.

[SocialDemocrat61]

142. Maybe because every suggestion is to blame democrats

instead of blaming Trump and republicans. Sort of like if FDR blame the British when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

So do you have an actual effective solution that is not just blaming democrats?

[Scrivener7]

144. Every single suggestion. Every single time.

[SocialDemocrat61]

145. And what are they?

[Rigpa108]

179. 'When your enemy is shooting themself in the foot, let them and don't get in the way'.

‘When your enemy is shooting themself in the foot, let them and don’t get in the way’.
If that foot is pressing agains you face you are already in the way. So do nothing?

'And frankly there are democrats who are better spokespersons than either of them.'
Unfortunately those are the democrats that the democratic establishment shuns away (AOC, David Hogg, etc).

Be an opposition party, or be nothing. Really.

[SocialDemocrat61]

181. So what should they be doing?

Please elaborate.

[Rigpa108]

183. I know what they should NOT be doing...

I know what they should NOT be doing, and that is doing nothing.

'When your enemy is shooting themself in the foot, let them and don't get in the way'
Let me counter that quote with:
'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing'
Now let that sink in.

An example of what the leaders of the party should be doing?
https://www.democraticunderground.com/132165129

My message to the leaders of the Democratic Party:
Do something or get the hell out of the way!

Being timid is not the answer when the country is facing an existential threat.

[SocialDemocrat61]

184. But they aren't doing nothing

The problem is you don’t understand what their job really is and just what is legal and allowed by the constitution.

[myohmy2]

4. I think...

...they're afraid of our fearless leader...

...what else could it be...?

...

[LiberalArkie]

19. And the files.... Have to remember that Epstein was a big Democratic Party supporter and financial guy.

[JBTaurus83]

59. Get another job, then.

[JI7]

5. What makes you think those who aren't paying attention

are suddenly going to pay attention to Schumer and Jefferies ?

I think Schumer needs to retire but these posts make no sense.

[ColoringFool]

28. Nothing Ventured,...... Etc.

[Orrex]

7. You're gonna get scolded for your lack of faith

And Those strongly-worded letters don’t write themselves, you know

[W_HAMILTON]

110. Can you give us a recap of today's press conference and your thoughts on it?

[Ray Bruns]

8. It called"just let him rave and rant" strategy.

Give him enough rope to hang himself

[werdna]

17. I think nine years of rope should be sufficient -

- so why is he still in office?

[Ray Bruns]

48. He's in the office because someone's eggs were supposedly to expensive. (Which is bullshit).

And he’s still in off because Trump keeps al the Republican’s spines in a closet in the White House.

[ColoringFool]

30. Yeah, No. More Like A Bungee Cord.

[choie]

63. Yeah

How’s that been working for us?

Answer: it hasn’t.

[Bettie]

9. They are keeping all of

That “powder” dry. If bad things ever happen, they will be ready…but , apparently what is happening now is not enough to even be particularly upset about.

[Bluetus]

90. Or maybe these guys just aren't that smart.

I mean, what evidence have we seen that tells us these guys are in the top 1% of leaders/fighters/strategists, or even the top 25%?

[Bettie]

95. I don't know what is up with it all

it could be that they aren't all that smart, it could be what their large donors are telling them to do...who knows?

I'm certainly not wealthy enough to understand why congresscritters do what they do...I don't have enough money to matter.

[Bluetus]

133. Citizen's United isn't just for Republicans

I can't say for certain about any individual's motives or ethics. But there are many people who see D.C. as a game and if you play by the rules, you can do very well for yourself. And this game often involves telling your constituents the opposite of what you tell your donors. We should not make the mistake of assuming that only Republicans do this. And Democrats will rationalize that with the argument that they have to raise money in order to compete.

Our system is a mess -- intentionally.

[Bettie]

147. Exactly correct

I tend to look at the Open Secrets page for various politicians.

It is about 90% predicative of what they will vote for and against. For some, more, for a very few, less.

And Citizens United made it so that donors and PACs are FAR more important than constituents.

I don't fully blame the elected officials, they have to play the game the way it is set up and Republicans have the advantage as they are, generally speaking, not hampered by ethics or human decency.

[gay texan]

10. "Oh Bullwinkle, that strongly worded letter never works"

"This time for sure, Rocky!!!!"

[Cirsium]

107. Fan mail

Maybe they are getting fan mail from a flounder. Or maybe they are just floundering?

[Baitball Blogger]

11. Something is very wrong with the Dem leadership right now.

[ColoringFool]

31. Equal Opportunity Epstein Files? 🤔 🧐 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷‍♀️🤷

[gab13by13]

12. Fuck speeches,

They should be out in the streets in Minneapolis and then Maine.

[democrank]

13. With things this bad, this dangerous in our country

EVERY member of Congress should speak up. It’s a matter of principles to me, not political calculations.

Imagine if there were grave problems in our family and someone suggested we just sit back and wait. Don’t rock the boat. Don’t make waves.

[NoMoreRepugs]

14. DemDUer's with absolute opposite opinions- in the end I sure hope we all pull on the same rope.

[angrychair]

64. We will

Because where we must because we won't have any choice but I will use the primary season to advocate for an other Democrat than a Democrat can calling to abolish ICE.
There is no fixing this. There is no smaller budget. It's abolish or out the door. Just like I will advocate against ANY candidate that votes to approve this latest budget that funds ICE.
I am more than willing to shut down the government to abolish ICE
If you find ice you support them kicking down doors without a warrant and shooting innocent people in the face with no consequences.

There is no other interpretation or opinion.

[Cirsium]

112. No choice

Of course everyone here will vote Democratic. There is no other option. The leadership depends upon that, they take us for granted.

The debate here is between those who think the rank and file should represent and fight for the interests of the leaders, and those who think the leaders should represent and fight for the interests of the rank and file.

"If we all get in lockstep behind the leaders, we win" is the thinking. But the opposite is true. When the leaders get behind the have-nots, then we win.

Of course a lot depends upon whom one sees as this "we" who will be doing the winning. When the wealthy, when the consultants, fund raisers, media moguls and talking heads, pod casters, pollsters, et al win, the rest of us lose. Unless one is waiting for that "trickle down" idea to finally take hold.

[werdna]

15. Yes, every single day! n/t

[Johonny]

16. They are good back room leaders, not charismatic

Leaders. In the age of TicToc clips, you need a charismatic leader that is good at 30 second sound bits. Democrats need to find and get those people out. They don't need to be house or senate leadership, but they sure should be your number 2. And they need to be our there constantly. Trump is a daily circus.

[ColoringFool]

34. Gavin. AOC. MIA: Obama, Big Bill, Gore, Dean, HRC.....

Too many stick to Tik-Tok or Bluesky.

[dalton99a]

20. We will win - because victory will come to us in due time - if we pray hard and wait long enough.

Last edited Thu Jan 22, 2026, 09:50 AM - Edit history (1)

Meanwhile, hold your fire until the stars are perfectly aligned

[ColoringFool]

36. I've Been Waiting Since, Oh, 1963.

[JBTaurus83]

60. Jeffries says God is still on the Throne!

Take heart, thousands of peasants in concentration camps!

[dalton99a]

62. Well, God did outlast Hitler and He will outlast Trump.

Our prayers will be answered in the order received. Eventually.

[JBTaurus83]

66. Fair point

[Autumn]

131. I don't remember god climbing down off his throne to help the people the Nazis murdered.

I'm not about to hold my breath to get him to come down off his fucking throne to help American and the immigrants they are killing.

[Gingermolly]

21. Cory Booker

needs to do another filibuster. But it shouldn't all be on him.

[Autumn]

22. I think they are waiting.

Until someone does something. Or when god steps down off his throne.

[Javaman]

25. in a time when we are surrounded by madness...

cool heads are always appreciated, but absence is not.

one would think, as leaders of the dems they would have a few things to say to counter the orange asshole, but alas.

time for fresh outlooks and energy.

[betsuni]

26. Ah, the magic fighting spirit press conference that Americans huddled 'round the TV like in the '60s

will all see and believe and be inspired by and finally, finally, Trump and the GOP will be exposed and stopped.

[ColoringFool]

37. Well, There WAS That "I Have A Dream" Speech. Plus,...

There WERE the "Pentagon Papers" that a hero like Daniel Ellsberg could replicate today with the "Epstein Files."

But faint heart ne'er won democracy.

[betsuni]

149. Not press conferences.

[littlemissmartypants]

27. Waiting for the "rope" portion of the 'rope-a-dope' program? 🤷‍♀️

I'm not going to share what I really think.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rope-a-dope

[Abstractartist]

29. IMO

In my opinion, when the democrats retake the house and maybe senate? Not sure on senate, but anyway, when this happens, the new majority should NOT elect Jefferies speaker and Schumer as minority leader. These two leaders have shown that they are NOT leaders when we need them to be NOW. Not when it’s convenient. AOC would make a phenomenal leader, and I’d like to see Mark Kelly or Amy Klobuchar as minority lead in the Senate. Time for change….

[4bonhoffer]

32. I agree. BUT

Democratic messaging has to get better, but remember, and I tend to forget this, the progressive caucus in the house hold press, conferences almost every day, and it is never covered by the mainstream media.
Republican press conferences almost always get covered.

[ColoringFool]

39. Then Our Guys Need To Actually CHALLENGE THE MEDIA, DARE THEM TO ...

Cover the Democrats! Say into the microphones, "Hey, networks! Televise THIS! What are you afraid of? Has Trump 'grabbed' you?"

[Easterncedar]

54. Wrong word.

[Skittles]

172. pussies are TOUGH

BALLS are the most delicate body part

[Clouds Passing]

38. LAME "LEADERS"

[murielm99]

40. Just what we need.

More whining and bashing of Democrats on a Democratic website.

[Cirsium]

114. There is a legitimate disagreement

There is a legitimate disagreement being discussed here, and calling the opinions of those with whom you disagree "whining and bashing" is divisive.

[murielm99]

121. I don't much care for

Bernie Sanders and AOC. If I say one word against them, I get all sorts of pushback. I have had posts deleted because I criticized them. But turnabout is not fair play, I guess. I see too much groupthink here. When I see it, I am going to point it out.

[Cirsium]

138. Fine

Apply the golden rule and all will be well.

[betsuni]

152. Makes me appreciate and support Democrats all the more!

This is not the place to come to learn about the Democratic Party.

[LittleGirl]

41. Absolutely

Where are they? How about former leaders? Where are they? I used to hear that Ds were feckless and I didn’t think that. Now? I’m so disappointed in anyone coming up and speaking out. I have to see Adam Mockler or Leigh The Politics Girl make great points instead. Come on! Our best voices are influencers? Sheesh. What have we done?

[LR3]

42. I don't think seeing them wobble around is going to be very inspiring

Milquetoast doesn't win a lot of elections.

Gallego has the right approach--call the insane MFer an insane MFer. All that our current leaders will be able to muster is bland admonishments, at best.

[ratchiweenie]

45. There are lots of Dems in both houses who would be much tougher than those two.

[Joinfortmill]

47. Should be out there every DAMN DAY, especially Jefferies

I love Nancy Pelosi, she was a rock star, but Jefferies? WTF, woman?

[dalton99a]

51. +1. Seriously. What the fuck are they doing?

It is The Party of Silence vs. The Party of Evil

[Cheezoholic]

49. Think they will slowly ramp up as we get into Spring. Citizens attention span is as long as a hummingbirds wing flap n/t

[QueerDuck]

50. Good grief. 🙄🥱

Demanding that our leadership have public temper tantrums helps nothing. If they're not paying attention to Trump, then they won't be paying attention to Democratic temper tantrums behind a lectern. Even if they did comply with these demands, it would change nothing.

Let them do their jobs and instead complain that the media isn't doing their job. Or, spread the word yourself rather than blaming everything on "lazy" Democrats or "do-nothing" Democrats or "fearful" Democrats.

I'm sure it feels good for some people to have convenient targets to blame for everything, but I assure you that it's not the Democrats and it's not Democratic leadership. Posts like that are divisive and counterproductive.

[Cirsium]

115. Pot meet kettle

"I'm sure it feels good for some people to have convenient targets to blame for everything."

That is exactly what you are doing.

[QueerDuck]

116. Oh, really? Tell me more.

[Cirsium]

154. No thanks

I appreciate the invitation, but in this case past results definitely do predict future performance. Good faith would be necessary.

[QueerDuck]

155. Yeah, I figured as much. 🙄

Okay, see you, bye.

[betsuni]

159. New definition of "divisive": supporting Democrats.

The caricature of a corrupt and immoral Democratic Party that must be taken over and transformed because the true roadblock to progress. This is so obvious that everyone must see it. If you don't you're the enemy too, the posse, the swarm, THEM.

Why the emotional lashing out. I blame the creator of this monster who is still hard at demonizing liberal Democrats for imaginary reasons and taking zero responsibility for anything (easy when you don't actually do anything except blame others).

[QueerDuck]

164. I do too. It's BS. It stinks. Sigh.

[Skittles]

173. sound advice during normal times

THESE ARE NOT NORMAL TIMES

[spanone]

52. K&R

[Tadpole Raisin]

53. Timid gets us every other election when we should be

winning them hand over fist all the time. I think they should be out there more but I also don’t think they are capable of it. It is not in their political DNA.

As proof I’m reminded of Schumer standing at a podium not too long ago chanting “We will win, We will win!”

Please….

[karin_sj]

55. Could not agree more

They are failing us miserably.

[JBTaurus83]

56. I'm very proud of we the people

And our responsive reps standing up. What I could say about these two and their supporters would get me banned I’m sure.

[ALBliberal]

58. Pelosi held regular conferences at least during Covid

As minority leader. Inexcusable for them to sit on their hands.

[JonAndKatePlusABird]

68. Not a Cuomo fan, but I appreciated his daily pressers during Covid

And sure, it was a fair amount of self-aggrandizement, but I felt like it was a welcome counter to Trump’s bleach-injecting lunacy.

[ALBliberal]

81. Same.

[hay rick]

65. When your enemy is making a mistake, don't interrupt him.

Everything that Trump and his sycophants are currently doing is getting negative and shocked coverage in the media. Let the media, which has so often defaulted to complicity, be the messengers. A Schumer or Jeffries press conference would be an opportunity to shift narratives away from Minneapolis, ICE, Greenland, Canada, NATO, etc.

[justaprogressive]

70. Would you feel this same way

If YOU were in a concentration camp?

I think not!

I've got a better quote for you:

“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

[hay rick]

77. It looks to me like Sun Tzu agrees with me (and himself since I borrowed his point).

"Let your plans be dark and impenetrable" does not sound like an argument for holding a press conference.

On your hypothetical question about being in a concentration camp- I would not be looking for press conferences, I would be looking for the intervention of allied bombers and soldiers.

[leftstreet]

74. DURec

[yellow dahlia]

76. So many topics to cover. Unambiguous topics!

My observation is - they still think they can skulk to the side and wait for the R's to implode, so they can pick up the pieces in the midterms.

[OneGrassRoot]

78. I think leadership and the consultant class...

are making a HUGE mistake by assuming people turning away from Trump and the GOP means they will turn toward Democrats. More and more people are disgusted because they don’t see anyone fighting hard and consistently for them, so they may ditch voting altogether even more than they have been lately.

[dalton99a]

82. Consultant advice so far seems to be silence and prayerful meditation.

In other words, wait for the tyrant to croak

[usonian]

79. Morning rant. TALK IS CHEAP. Show me the action.

Not blaming Chuck, but if he treated Trump like he was the rerun of Adolph Hitler (which he is) he would have strapped on a dynamite vest (or ketchup vest) to prevent ACB's confirmation and the BallBusterBill that enabled all this crap.

He did!



Chuck?




OK. so he didn't have the leverage, but he could have brought up Epstein, the cause of every bit of destruction you see since Jan 2025.

Sighted Achilles heel, Ignored it.

[Quanto Magnus]

85. It is sad

that we have such weak leadership in the Dem party right now....

Quite frankly (IMO) that's part of why Trump has managed to get so far in his fascist takeover.....

Sternly worded letters or press conferences won't have any effect on the Nazis....

[Scubamatt]

86. If we are to win the midterms

We are going to to have to have a blue tsunami, given all the vote suppression/vote stealing the cons are putting in place as we type this. You do not energize the average person who does not marinate in politics to take time away from their regular lives to go vote, by being silent. If folks don't see what you stand for, their attitude is "why bother." You have to energize them and lead them. Sitting around doing nothing except blasting the rank and file with hundreds of texts and emails asking for contributions is a sure recipe for losing.

[danieljsf]

87. It's a losing strategy to be quiet and timid

Democrats are not exactly rallying voters to their side by hiding and letting the monsters rule the day. Yes, people are tiring of Trump but they also say that they have no faith in the Democratic party because it stands for nothing other than "We aren't Trump." Stand up for something and speak out against what is happening, for God's sake.

[flashman13]

89. Au contraire , They want to talk about bipartisanship to solve the affordability crisis.

Insert thingy here.

Not just Schumer and Jefferies, but dozens of Democrats everyday hammering the MAGAts' miscreant deeds. They should start every press gaggle by reminding everyone that Trump is mad as a hatter.

[W_HAMILTON]

91. Ironic that as Jeffries is giving a press conference right now, no one here is talking about it.

Maybe those that wanted a press conference so badly can start a live thread here now to discuss it?

PS - Is the fascist threat to our country over with now that Jeffries has held his first press conference since his last one a week or two ago?

[LudwigPastorius]

97. "Maybe those that wanted a press conference so badly can start a live thread here now to discuss it?"

No.

The criticism will now switch to, "Why don't they do something besides just talk!11!! We want action! We want FiGhTeRz!!!".

[BaronChocula]

109. Hear, hear

I personally don't know how Jeffries and Schumer fill their days. I don't expect them to come out daily and assure me that they feel my feels. I defer to them what strategies work best for the long-run. For some reason I've been seeing expectations of Schumer that even Harry Reid couldn't achieve. And he was a master.

Just because you don't know what someone is doing doesn't mean they aren't doing anything.

[betsuni]

148. Then it's "Finally breaking their silence" -- they totally want a press conference, just not THAT press conference.

[QueerDuck]

182. Exactly right. Next it will be "all they do is whine and complain at press conferences" along with...

... "why don't they DO SOMETHING?!?" (Maybe a "sternly written letter" will help to appease their loudest and harshest critics, eh?)

Oh, wait. Never mind.

[senseandsensibility]

102. Two things can be true at once

Dems should have held a press conference that was targeted on the facts you describe YESTERDAY when the situation was unfolding in Davos. Today is too late. The press has moved on; they missed the moment. It is also true that there is no guarantee it will be covered, at least not as well as we would wish. Still. they have to try.

[creeksneakers2]

106. Here

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5694564-schumer-trump-greenland-tariffs/

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5676019-jeffries-trump-greenland-concerns/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/us-senate-democratic-leader-schumer-urges-trump-to-pull-ice-agents-out-of-cities/ar-AA1UiNnN

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5692032-democrats-dhs-funding-ice/

Why not attack Republicans?

[betsuni]

160. Thank you.

[SocialDemocrat61]

171. Never let the facts

get in the way of a good rant bashing democrats.

[malthaussen]

122. Probably keeping their powder dry.

Its what the Democrats do best.

Maybe if they switched to more modern firearms they wouldn't have that problem.

-- Mal

[orangecrush]

146. ...

[samsingh]

126. that's why we are not in power. trump would have been spouting crap and lies, but he

would be having news conferences.

where are our leaders?

[North Coast Lawyer]

128. Spineless! Useless!

Our Democratic leadership has proved over and over again that they are both spineless and useless.

We need new leadership who are not afraid to fight. Now is the time for bold action -- not another strongly worded letter.

[Evolve Dammit]

129. Apparently they are.

[red dog 1]

136. Holding a press conference would take more courage than either one of them has.

[Lucky Luciano]

139. They're discussing it with Merrick Garland as we speak.

[Pisces]

151. The lack of leadership is unbelievable!! Both can go as far as I'm concerned.

[Groundhawg]

153. Maybe

[DJ Synikus Makisimus]

158. But then they'd have to take a position on something.

That might turn the Party into an opposition that doesn't work together with the FRIENDS across the aisle.* Could endanger the bipartisanship they've worked SO hard for, not to mention all that free speech from Wall Street free speech manufacturers.

-------------------------------
* for the most recent example of wondrous bipartisanship, see: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220959969

[regnaD kciN]

162. They learned their triangulation from the best...

Do nothing while in opposition, and then, when midterms come along, present yourselves as The Reasonable Centrist Alternative and tell progressives “Heh, heh, heh…who else are you gonna vote for?”

[mr715]

166. Then lose in 2028 and wonder why,

but know why, but shhhh don't anyone say.

[FoxNewsSucks]

169. Exactly. And as one of those liberals

whose vote is taken for granted, I"M FUCKING SICK OF IT.

I want to vote FOR someone, someone who will act, and speak up. An AOC, a Jasmine Crockett, and a handful of others. Not just vote AGAINST republicon scum.

[flamingdem]

165. Clear from this thread that nobody knows

what the best course of action actually is.

But things DO look good for November.

[Scrivener7]

167. Oh, dear. Someone suggested that the leadership do more in the face of the existential crisis

our country faces.

So of course the posse has arrived to call that "bashing Democrats."

And they brought their pet sea lion.

I know, I know, Garland's got this, right guys?

[Jack Valentino]

170. Did they EVER 'KNOW how to hold one' in this particular situation ???

( just asking )....

[VGuerra276]

174. Exactly

And then you have lame Cory Booker stating LICE AGENTS need more training! Dems should be giving daily press releases about the daily atrocities, and all we hear is crickets. SO SICK OF THIS S#IT.

[flying-skeleton]

175. Schumer and Jeffries are passive pushovers

Schumer and Jeffries don't have balls.
Never had. Never will. Always playing catchup with their panties tied in knots.

[Bread and Circuses]

177. Bravo!

I’m hoping that it’s allowed for the discussion of high level representatives now.

We can point out the shortcomings, mistakes, and disappointments and still be a strong supporter of the overall policies of the Party.

I feel that these two leaders need to step aside.

Seat warmers.