Are we, and the Democratic party, ready for the age of raw exercise of power politics?

[Yavin4]

I keep reading on here things like: we can't do "x" because they will do "y", or we cannot do that because Joe Manchin will vote against it, or the polls say that people are against a new SCOTUS justice before the election, or we have to keep our powder dry, or some other nonsense.

People, we don't live in some sort of Aaron Sorkin "West Wing" world of Ivy League-educated policy wonks finding some sort of moderate positions.

This is the world of raw exercise of power. They do not care about hypocrysy and going back on their words. They do not care about institutional norms. They do not care that the president violated the law. They do not care about justice. They do not care if we all die from covid. They only care about power.

My question is, do we have the stomach to match them. Or, are we too worried about how some suburban voters in MI feels about extending statehood to DC? Are we ready to fight power with power or are we going to listen to wonky consultants?

[dalton99a]

1. If you don't use the power given to you, then somebody will take it from you.

Namely, your enemy.

[soothsayer]

2. I think Joe will try to bring people together

Which is a worthy thing to try to do.

[Yavin4]

3. Like Obama tried?

How has that worked out for us?

[soothsayer]

8. Well maybe try a little. He's probably learned

[Crunchy Frog]

11. In today's political climate, I don't believe it will be possible.

I hope he won't waste too much precious time trying.

[soothsayer]

14. He probably knows what the story is

[JHB]

16. I don't mind if he tries. I will mind if "Plan B" isn't worked out and ready to implement...

...once they show that nothing has changed.

I figure he'll need to throw the switch to Plan B before midnight January 22, 2021.

Anyone more optimistic has not been paying attention to what they've become and how they can't turn on a dime.

[W_HAMILTON]

4. I'm certainly ready, and, judging the recent comments...

...from some of our more "traditionalist" Democrats, it looks like our Democrats may be ready for it as well.

[Hoyt]

5. I think we see how this plays out before making a bunch of threats that really won't

accomplish anything right now.

For example, I don't think it helps us to scream about packing the Supreme Court. First, it won't stop GOPers from nominating someone if they want to renege on what they've said before about election year vacancies. Second, we don't know that we are going to take the Senate. Even if we do, I bet there are some Democratic Senators who aren't enthusiastic about it. Third, it's not good optics except for those who like the yell empty threats trying to act tough.

Divisive , strictly partisan politics has got to stop, even if we are the ones who have to make it happen.

[Yavin4]

7. Your post is Exhibit A as to why we are in the position that we're in today.

Divisive , strictly partisan politics has got to stop, even if we are the ones who have to make it happen.

This is the weakness that the Republicans count on and exploit to their advantage.

[Hoyt]

9. Maybe your kind of politics is the problem. At least two primary candidates in 2016 helped put

us in this position. But carry on and see where the heck it gets us. It sure isn't going to stop GOPers from pushing through trump's nomination if we keep threatening stuff that won't work.

Meanwhile, nothing is getting done.

Plus, I think there is a reasonable chance 4 GOPer Senators will oppose pushing it through. There is no chance if we start throwing empty threats around.

[Thekaspervote]

13. Thank you! To the nay sayers, first and foremost stop just reacting!! Our best decisions are not

Made when reacting to someone else’s threats.

We know what they are going to do, we need to make a plan that works for us and stick to it with direct concrete action.

I think speaker Pelosi and Biden in today’s statements have shown measured patience with conviction to action. Can we go with that please??

[Hoyt]

15. Definitely think it will work better. I like "measured patience" in this case.

[Statistical]

6. We either have a stomach for it or we lose this country forever.

Asshole moves like how Mitch stole two Supreme Court justices will never stop. If something legally can be done by the letter of the law they will do it and sometimes they will do it even if it can't. Every move like that shifts the government a bit further to the right.

Democrats can certainly take the high road. If we have both chambers and the Presidency we can not expand the court, not open PR & DC to statehood, and not expand the house however at a minimum at least the Senate will eventually fall back into the hands of the Republicans. Will it be in 2 years or 6 years or 10 years? I have no idea but it will eventually happen and if Mitch (or someone like him) gets the chance to pull another 2016 or 2020 move again does anyone doubt he will?

The only thing I agree with is that there is no reason to threaten. If we can expand the court then we should but there is no reason to threaten to do it. It just comes off as small and weak. It is possible Trump wins making all this moot. I don't think he will but it is possible. It is also possible Biden wins but we don't flip the senate. It is also possible we flip the senate but enough dems defect that we don't have the votes. Threatening something you don't know for sure you can do just screams I am weak and powerless and feel the need to scream. However if we can IMHO we should. The same thing goes with implementing the Wyoming rule, and opening PR & DC for statehood and passing restrictions on the Presidency.

[COLGATE4]

12. Very well said!

[ooky]

10. If we sweep the election we'll have the power and use it.