I am posting this comment by Steve Schmidt as a test for DU. Do you want the harsh truth or

[flashman13]

do you wish to hold on to many of the falsehoods and fantasies that have produced this mess. ALERT! He does not speak well of some Democrats. He is 100% correct in his assessments.

I don't know how to petition Senate Democrats, but here and now I am calling for the Senate Democratic caucus to call an immediate meeting in order to oust Chuck Schumer from his leadership position and replace him with Adam Schiff. Maybe Schiff can get the party up off the tracks and out onto the barricades. Schumer can't.

I have great respect for the wisdom, warmth and kindness of many fellow DUers. However, I feel that many others do not wish to acknowledge the fact that some Democrats share responsibility for this national crisis/disaster. The old guard will not save us. This post is a test to see which faction is is going to take us into the future. If the powers that be chose to remove this post - so be it. I will take that as a repudiation of myself and the truth and I will remove myself as an active member of Democratic Underground. Peace

https://steveschmidt.substack.com/p/we-are-under-attack

[MineralMan]

1. So, you feel qualified to put DUers to the test?

How so? You only post here rarely, so we don't really know much about you. How are you qualified to "test" other DUers?

I'll wait here.

[MineralMan]

27. I was not being snarky. I was asking questions.

You and I have been members of DU for almost exactly the same amount of time. In that time, I have posted quite a few times. So, if you were around regularly, you would have seen my posts, mostly in General Discussion.

You can judge my credentials from my posts. There are plenty of those to examine, if you wish. Or not. We all get to do as we please here, including asking questions of other posters. Those other posters are free to reply or ignore such questions.

So, I'm not going to attempt to answer your question. It would require a lot of words to do so. I'm not in the mood to write about myself today. I invite you to read every one of my posts on DU since 2008. I am the sum of all of those posts, for better or worse.

Sadly, the person I asked earlier have very few posts to read, so I don't have a good picture of him or her.

Edit to add:

The OP has been free to answer my questions, but has not reappeared in the thread he or she started. On the other hand, I have been back to this thread several times, since I promised to wait here for the OP's response. That's what I do. If I post, I return to take questions, as I did for your reply to my post in the thread.

I'm an active participant here on DU. I'm here. I post. I reply. I answer questions when people aske them of me. Perhaps those are the credentials you are looking for. Or, perhaps not.

[Jazz Jon]

86. Calm Down

[MineralMan]

93. LOL! OK...

Whatever you say, then...

[Moostache]

2. I am 100% in agreement that the Party needs to respond...

Schumer is ineffectual and looks every bit the doddering old guard without a vicious and vocal response to these atrocities and crimes that are happening by the goddamn hour.

Go-along/Get-along and sternly worded statements are worthless.
Actions - shutting down all committees, stopping all votes, filibustering everything not nailed to the goddamn ground is just the first step needed...and Chuck looks completely disinterested and overwhelmed.

When there is no strong response, no unified opposition then a so-called leader will turn around and realize he is not leading any longer. He's taking a walk.

Schumer is currently that guy.

[RiverStone]

65. Agree! Do we even have unified opposition in the Dem party?

If ever there were times for new leadership to step forward in the most vociferous and urgent way, it's now!

What other ways can We The People make that happen?

[radius777]

112. +1. Sheldon Whitehouse should be the leader,

he's sharp and articulate, and more in touch with the base. IOW, this is not just about age - but about political talent and media savvy.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Not Schiff

He's not strong enough.

Booker, Murphy, Whitehouse, Warnock.

Warnock in particular has the moral high ground against the theocrats.

Schiff is good - but he needs to focus on learning the job of a Senator in an EXTREMELY trying environment.

[yorkster]

12. 4 great suggestions. Murphy has been on fire

[yellow dahlia]

67. I think Murphy has it right, and is rising to the moment.

Whitehouse is also brilliant and creative.

I am annoyed w/ Booker right now, because of his yes vote on Bessent.

I think Warnock could use some more time to get to the point of leader, and agree with you about Schiff.

[niyad]

83. Whitehouse said he was going to vote to confirm brainworm bob,

his law school roommate.

[calimary]

68. This!

[J-9]

82. Yes in Murphy

Solid no on Booker. He's been a go-al9ng to get along type lately and that's not what we need. I like him, he's just not the fight we need at this current moment.

[Rebl2]

89. I like

all four you mentioned.

[flamingdem]

96. MURPHY!!!

He didn't need anyone to tell him to take charge

[flashman13]

100. Fine by me. I will support anyone on your list.

I suggested Schiff because he has been loud and proud in recent days. The old leadership is unable to rise to this emergency.

[flashman13]

101. Fine by me. I will support anyone on your list.

I suggested Schiff because he has been loud and proud in recent days. He acts like a leader. Did you see Schumer leading some ridiculous chant? That sort of silliness is not going to stop the Trump train.

[Renew Deal]

104. I like Murphy. He has experience in the Senate.

I’d be fine with Schiff. Don’t know Whitehouse well.

Jeffries should also go. Put in AOC. I’m open to others, but not Raskin.

[totodeinhere]

107. Also Schiff stabbed President Biden in the back.

I can't forgive him for that.

[BigmanPigman]

115. Ditto!

[Raven123]

4. Schumer is a good Democrat, but not the best leader

His rhetorical skills are uninspiring. Sadly this is the land of sound bites and his choice of words isn’t pointed enough to capture attention. I once made a comment on DU about him and my comment was flagged and removed. I get it, but I agree with those who would like him to step aside in favor of a better spokesperson for the Dems.

[Silent Type]

13. Good way to put it. I scream everytime I see his monotone reading of statements in an empty Senate Chamber.

[EdmondDantes_]

19. It can be, but people have held up Mitch McConnell as a leader

And he's a horrible public speaker.

[Raven123]

23. That may have been true in the past, but Mitch's power had been waning

Mitch was powerful enough to use Trump. But he was walking a tightrope. He Had a chance to dump Trump with impeachment. Failed to do so. I assumed he was plotting to let the Dems do the dirty work and then sit back and reap the rewards of pointing fingers at the Dems, and increase the GOP’s power. Well the GOP is in power and Mitch is on his too-little-too-late apology tour.

[Rcanouse]

25. Biden, Obama, and Clinton

Where have these three been during all of this?

All I have seen in the news is that Biden has signed with a talent agency.

[Raven123]

33. They have no power.

IMO their time has passed. Clinton is old and not in the best of health. Biden? Seriously? Given the questions about his cognitive abilities and his age, the fact that he just finished an exhausting presidency, and was basically told not to run by the George Clooneys I really don’t see what he can do. Obama gave it great shot supporting Harris, but here we are.

No. IMO, people like Whitehouse, Warren, Wyden, Murphy and others who have been strong against Trump and support the Dem issues along with the up and comers are the ones who most likely will be successful leading. We need newly elected officials like Slotkin to step up.

[birdographer]

48. Posted on FB by Elizabeth Warren (sorry it is a bit long)

Let’s be clear about what’s happening right now.
The Trump administration has allowed Elon Musk, an unelected billionaire—along with an unknown number of his unqualified flunkies—to access critical federal payment systems and illegally shut down government funding for certain departments and programs.
The system that he is now controlling is the same system that Americans rely on to receive Social Security payments, Medicare support, federal salaries, government contracts, grants, and tax refunds this filing season.
What happens now? Maybe you get paid, maybe you don’t. It all depends on what Elon Musk thinks. He can now turn on funding for his friends and turn off funding for anybody that he doesn’t like.
And as long as Musk has this access, he can retrieve people’s sensitive personal information. Social security numbers. Bank account numbers. Tax returns. Musk now has the power to extract that information for his own use, to boost his finances or strengthen his political power.
To say the least, this is an extraordinarily dangerous situation. I’m working to get specific answers from Donald Trump’s new Treasury Secretary on why Musk was given access to this information. And I’ve called on the Secretary to lay out what safeguards are in place to protect the privacy and economic security of the American people.
On Twitter (or “X,” as Musk wants us to call it), I made the point that no one elected Musk. His handpicked Twitter CEO wasn’t happy to hear that. She wrote back to me: “Actually, over 77 million people for exactly that.”
Actually, no. I can’t believe I have to say this, but over 77 million people did not vote for Elon Musk.
Over 77 million people voted for Trump.
Over 75 million people voted for Kamala Harris.
Elon Musk was not on the ballot.
Elon Musk did not win a single electoral vote.
Elon Musk did not win an election.
Elon Musk has not been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to a position in the administration.
And the Constitution doesn’t give him any power to cut off funding that Congress approved.
He’s in this position because he spent more than $290 million on the 2024 elections—and that bought him an opportunity to be “co-president” with Trump.
This situation is alarming. When unelected billionaires start ransacking our government offices, we cannot act business as usual. We are living a nightmare created by Trump and Musk, and we need to wake up and do something.
I’ll keep ringing every alarm bell I can find and continue doing everything in my power to get this under control.

[Raven123]

63. Thank you for posting. I appreciate seeing her speak loud and clear

[LNM]

77. Very similar to Senator Tina Smith's (Mn) post on FB

Why isn’t this in the press?

[Magoo48]

78. Loud and clear, Liz.

[vanlassie]

73. Welcome to DU.

That was a gratuitous dig at Biden.
Enjoy your stay.

[KPN]

59. Well and respectfully stated.

[valleyrogue]

5. B.S. Schumer is not the problem. This is the same exact garbage that was leveled at Daschle and Reid.

The pressure needs to be put on the GOP. There needs to be tremendous pressure for them to do the right thing. The Democrats do not currently have a majority in Congress.

The action against the administration is being taken through the system of the federal courts. No, the USSC won't go there and overrule anything, not if they care about their careers and even lives.

Schmidt knows a lot, but he wasn't alive when the 1960s turmoil happened. He was born in 1970. He has no clue how bad it can get, and it will--from the public.

[Alliepoo]

8. Schumer is a problem.

You want pressure brought on maga-don’t think Schumer is the guy to do it. He doesn’t have what it takes to fight the way Dems need to fight in order to take on maga. He’s an old time statesman with old ways and just doesn’t get what we need right now. He should offer his expertise behind the scenes but we need someone else out there that’s not conciliatory.

[valleyrogue]

11. You would be the first one to complain if he was replaced with somebody else.

They wouldn't be able to do it, either.

I wonder about the age of many of the posters here.

Steve Schmidt has utterly NO firsthand knowledge of the 1960s and early 1970s upheavals. NONE. He was preschool age when Nixon resigned.

[Alliepoo]

15. I doubt I'd be doing much complaining

If he was replaced as long as his replacement is younger and understands what needs to be done and how to do it. We’ve got to be on the ball and in magas face relentlessly. Schumer isn’t cut out that way and he can’t manage it. Like I said before he can offer guidance behind the scenes but we need someone else that can handle things. And fwiw, I’m pretty old.

[intheflow]

29. This is incredibly ageist.

"He was preschool school when Nixon was impeached." Yeah, so what? Schmidt isn't fresh out of college, he's in his 50s. He might have read something about Watergate once, maybe he had older siblings or family members who were impacted by Vietnam and so he was exposed in that way. I was 9 when Nixon was impeached, and I'm 61 now. Same with Harris. Are we too young to know about past strife? Do you think no one can know about history unless they experience it firsthand? I didn't experience the Holocaust firsthand but I know it was evil. Are you in your 90s that look look upon 50-somethings with such disdain?

[Lunabell]

32. I'm 63.

I agree 100% with the originalpost. I don't want bipartisanship appeasement. That's why we're here.

[Jilly_in_VA]

37. I'm 80

and I think it's time for the "old guard" to lead, follow, or GTF out of the way!

[Magoo48]

81. Thanks, Jilly. At 77, I agree with you. Fight and lead or stand back.

Leaders are now showing themselves, make way, let them through. They old paths and protocols got us here, now.

[BonnieJW]

88. Me too. 75

Schumer thinks about reelection before he says anything. He knows he's too old and he's afraid of losing anything he still has, which isn't much.

[electric_blue68]

75. What is it about the '60's, and '70's Protests that you want to point out? (I was there)

[LeftInTX]

57. Other senators can put pressure on Maga. Schumer's job is to work with his caucus.

Generally majority or minority leader goes to the most senior position. It's a position based on experience, not rhetoric.

[soldierant]

109. Senator Schatz (Hawaii) appears to have already started -

at least I am seeing his name and quotes.

I don't care about age as long as they are speaking up. At least in the short run.

OF course in the long run, sure, it would be nice to have a leader who is going to be around for a while. Right now, a powerhouseof any age would be appreciated.

[LeftInTX]

110. The position is based on being able to "whip" the caucus.

Making sure your senators are there when you need them etc.

Knowing procedures etc.

It really is based on experience.

[yellow dahlia]

74. Agreed

[berksdem]

30. Sorry, but Schumer is a problem.

He needs to go...

[Gore1FL]

34. I remember Daschle and Gephardt racing to the White House to see who could capitulate fastest and hardest over Iraq.

Maybe some of it was garbage, but not all of it.

[Skittles]

72. LOOK where Dems are now

any other "leader" with these results would have been bounced long ago

TIME FOR A CHANGE

[ismnotwasm]

6. That is almost unreadable.

Last edited Wed Feb 5, 2025, 02:38 PM - Edit history (1)

It is not a nuanced take but babble with *digs and name-calling

[sop]

7. I'll take the harsh truth, thank you.

[Arazi]

9. I vote for Senator Warren

But honestly I’m with you, Schumer isn’t the person we need at the front of the barricades

[demmiblue]

10. Steve Schmidt can go fuck himself, greedy opportunist that he is.

Not bothering reading anything he has to say.

[WarGamer]

20. thank you...

[GoCubsGo]

52. Yes, he helped create this fucking monster.

He can go fuck himself.

[standingtall]

16. Yes Democrats share some responsibility in this but so does Steve Scmidt

Not only, because he was part of the republican apparatus that help erode out institutions that ultimately lead to Trump, but also because he along with Jon Stewart and the like could not stand in total solidarity with Democrats and constantly ridiculed President Biden's age, because they thought they were smarter then everyone else. So now they have a corrupt President that will be even older then Biden was by the end of his term. Not to mention Scmidt tried to get the anti social security starbucks coffee guy to run for President in 2020.

[3825-87867]

35. Which Democrats stood solidly by Biden?

They quickly disappeared after he announced he wouldn't run again. Hop on the Kamala wagon and try to remember ol' 46. And the message we heard thereafter was how we were going to help the middle class get better jobs ($50,000 write off to start your business - like most had the cash to start something like that) and cheaper, affordable housing and healthcare for the middle class when more "lower class" asked what will you do for us and no one answered.

[standingtall]

46. Biden announced he wouldn't run again only after relentless pressure from Democratic

donors after they demanded it they wouldn't give any donations to Democrats until he stepped down and that was in the news like everyday. I'm not going to debate rather Biden could've won if he stayed the course, but to me if you force an incumbent to step down you better win. Trying to blame Biden doesn't work. Would be like if a basketball or football team benching it's star player in the 1st half for the rest of the game just, because they weren't playing well and then after they lose instead of taking responsibility for it they point the finger and say it's the fault of they guy we wouldn't let play anymore.

[3825-87867]

54. You are right.

BY the way, you sound like a Steelers Fan who knows the head coach can't win because he doesn't have the right people working for him.

[WarGamer]

17. Wasn't 2024 a lesson learned? Why do we care what neocon Steve Schmidt saya?

[tritsofme]

21. This is delusional nonsense. Schumer was unanimously reelected just a few months ago. He's not going to be ousted

let alone in favor of a newly elected freshman.

[BarbD]

22. Democracy will not be saved by any one person,

but by all of us working together. There is no super savior that will appeal to everyone, wave a magic wand and bring us back to normal. I was born in 1937 in Milwaukee and lived through the toxic McCarthy era. The fear of communism with the motto, "Better Dead than Red", the House UnAmerican Activities Hearings that destroyed so many lives. Kruschev banging his shoe at the United Nations yelling, "We will bury you!" Watched women screaming with hatred at black children being escorted to school by the National Guard. Cried when troops fired into a crowd at Kent State protesting the Vietnam war. We cannot afford to turn down any help. We are all in this together. We need to encourage one another. Let's take everyone's strength and forge a resistance. We shall overcome!!!!!

[mountain grammy]

24. Thank you

I’ve been reading his Substack for a year or so.

[muriel_volestrangler]

26. Now is not the time to form a circular firing squad.

"An immediate meeting" about an internal party matter? Oh, yeah, that's going to solve everything. Factional infighting is just what Musk wants to see now. Trump may even be intelligent enough to see how it would benefit him., Yes, it's that obviously a bad idea for the Democratic party.

[Jilly_in_VA]

38. This is not a circular firing squat

This is a call for REAL LEADERSHIP. Schumer ain't it.

[muriel_volestrangler]

45. You want to fire Schumer? Of course it's a firing squad. By definition.

And you want to do it to your own. So it's circular.

[yaesu]

28. I don't like tests, they make me feel icky and demand cat cuddles. nt

[Lunabell]

31. I agree 100%!

We need fighters. Not appeasers

[peggysue2]

36. I'll give Schmidt points on this:

What Elon is stealing doesn’t belong to him.

It wasn’t earned by him.

He is trying to steal our shared inheritance and its preservation for our children and generations beyond them from now, which is our most important trust and duty.


This is what it's always been about and I would remind you and Schmidt this is what Democrats warned the public about a gazillion times.

The so-called legacy media has been in on the fix for a good long time making excuses, sane washing, hurling one provocative headline after another to bash any and all Democrats while burnishing the balls of every Republican.

This coup goes deep and those who have the most $ and prestige to lose (as in Joe & Mika) folded early. It was okay to tout pro democracy programming until it threatened their bottom line. It's the way authoritarianism works--bow to the King or get sent to the tower. Or the rack if you're stubborn.

Here's a suggestion. We stop pointing fingers and the woe-is me-chorus and unite, all of us, every stripe to obstruct, delay, agitate Republicans while attempting to inform our fellow citizens of what's occurring beneath their sleepy eyes. They'll understand if this movement is successful but by then it will be too late to do anything without utter destruction. We missed our best chance with the 2024 election.

But that is done, over, zip.

People don't need a history lesson because history is being made in the moment, the biggest heist known to man.

The Way Forward is forward, not back!

One more thing: Christ on a Cracker, Stop Blaming Democrats!

This is a Republican debacle. They own it. They need to eat it, something we should be reminding them everyday. They want to walk into the light? That's good and fine. But if they continue to choose the darkness? We fight 'em like hell because this is our war and there's no one else to fight it.

Just to reiterate Schmidt's best line:

He (Elon) is trying to steal our shared inheritance and its preservation for our children and generations beyond them from now, which is our most important trust and duty.

Believe it.

[Basso8vb]

39. Schmidt is a loudmouth who had a heavy hand in getting in into this mess.

He can fuck right off.

[Felicita]

92. Well at least he's seen how ugly the Dump team is

and now has some scruples. I'd rather have him on our side then not.

[liberalgunwilltravel]

40. We can't and shouldn't rely on Congress

It will be up to us. We need to have multiple general strikes, shutting down the things the oligarchs care about. And they have to be sustained. Demonstrations should strive to be peaceful, but we already know that Trump has no reservations of using violence on peaceful demonstrators. So we have to be prepared. There are only 100 Senators, 47 are Democrats. There are over one hundred million of us. It’s time we used our power. The fascists should fear us, not the other way around.

[FirstLight]

41. Personally, I'll take AOC and Jasmine Crockett as my Dem spokeswomen for $1000000, Alex

We need some powerful female voices to shut down this old white male dominated culture in our govt!

[niyad]

90. YES!!!

[TA2020]

42. Schumer vs Schiff

I think he (Schmidt)makes a good point,
Schiff is a junior Senator but he is so whip smart and a firebrand!
And Schumer seems a little out of tune of late

We need leadership

[bluestarone]

43. I've always lived by the words " A Union is only as strong as it's members"

The leader of our party is only the leader. WE need to either get stronger and push what WE want our future to be. I 100% agree WE need to show a lot more resistance but WE also have to realize that today's courts will do NOTHING for us. To me, it's like the old west when the cattlemen run things. I believe the only way to win is shut this country down PERIOD. (How, i have no idea.) Hell if the best lawyers on our side are stuck, we are in deep doo doo! Congress Democrats need to find the way, and that will only work if we ALL stick together with their plan. Sorry but it comes down to ALL true AMERICANS that are willing to do what needs to be done. That's right Everyone of US!

[totodeinhere]

44. Schmidt was instrumental in helping GWB

Last edited Thu Feb 6, 2025, 05:03 PM - Edit history (1)

steal the 2000 election from Al Gore. So no thank you.

[PunkinPi]

71. Not only that, but he was behind the whole Dean Phillips "candidacy" that helped...

weaken Biden in 2024. Another no thanks here.

[Lemons UK]

47. Steve is EMITA.

[dobleremolque]

49. There's nothing in this post that violates the DU rules, imo .... but,

the new forum that EarlG created ...."The Way Forward" .... might be a better place to post it.

Earlier this week, EarlG said both General Discussion and The Way Forward are open to posts (sometimes even heated ones) about what Democrats need to do or should be doing. But if merited, discussions of this type will be moved to The Way Forward in the future. He said he'll let us know when/if that decision is made.

In the meantime, keep speaking truth to power.

[usaf-vet]

50. I'm with you! Something has to change or all we can expect is to get the same results.

Looking at
The adage is often attributed to Albert Einstein, though its origin is debated.
It goes something like this: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
It's used to suggest that repeating the same actions while expecting new or different outcomes is irrational.

How about these more appropriate targeted adages when discussing U.S. politics?

"In modern U.S. politics, it’s repeating the same partisan battles over and over again and expecting anything to change."
or
"In modern U.S. politics, it’s repeating the same partisan battles over and over again and expecting the gentleman or gentle lady across the aisle to suddenly cooperate to make progress."

Suggestion for the flashman13: Try posting in a new forum, "The Way Forward." The judging may be more accepting in that forum.

I just went this way yesterday after a post of mine was blocked. My appeal of the block got the block lifted. But I moved the post. Try it if you feel you might be pushing boundaries.

[3825-87867]

51. I don't think 5 commenters here even agree among themselves on what to do

let alone do Democratic politicians.Therein lies the "rub." Democratic Person A wants such and such. B wants something else. C has its own agenda because C thinks its idea is better of than A or B. A and B don't like C because C doesn't understand what they go through. C claims A and B should buckle up and fight for the ideas C espouses because..then almost everyone in a democracy could get almost what they want...for themselves...and of course, C.

A thousand Republican Magats asked if they'd dress up in stupid costumes and embarrass themselves to pay homage to a felon and there's no disagreement. They all hate the same things their idol does and have the same mentality and intelligence - one issue voters. So they follow and are happy because...A thousand Democrats wouldn't think of that because each KNOWS the correct way to go! Uh Huh!

20 Democrats have the same concept but 20 different ways of getting it, usually wanting to make sure it benefits them in some way. After all, it's their idea and they read and watch good news and programming and etc etc etc and those on the Right are only interested in what tramp says. Sure, they're actually ignorant and stupid. But they'll all charge the wall regardless of outcome if they are told to. Democrats won't...because, well, they really do think more. But mainly their opinion is more important and if it conflicts with others, they may take their ball and bat and just go home.

Until the Democrats unite behind something as brainless as Republicans and even vote to cut off their noses to spite their faces, the Right will and has Won. And there's no foreseeable future until ALL Democrats start agreeing on ONE thing, whatever that will be regardless whether A, B or C wants it. Compromise will be nice. But until then, unity matters. And Democrats want large unity and Patriotism,..but "I" still want mine, too. And until "I" decide to put the country first, "my" wants will continue to divide our party.

Disagree with me!

[Lunabell]

53. To some people here:

"YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!"

[jmbar2]

55. Welcome to all the new posters here.

[chia]

56. This is a time for bold action, not polite letters. To Congressional Democrats: Lead, Follow, or get out the way!

[wryter2000]

58. Nothing finer

Than a Republican telling the party in the minority what to do. Could he have a few words for his own party?

[sanduca]

60. Murphy or Whitehouse...

Would do a better job.
Not sure of why some Democrats are scared of the felon. They should be raising hell every day.
I see Steve's point. He's frustrated like I am to see most democrat's silence.

[czarjak]

61. 2Little2Late

SchmidtBitching now? Weren't you going to drag the scum kicking and screaming to Republican Conservatism because we were "scum "? You will not deny it without being a Total Tool. F-U still Steve. Thanks for N-O-T-H-I-N-G!

[Wiz Imp]

62. That is one of the biggest piles of crap I've ever read

Brought to you by a person who bears more responsibility for Trump reign of terror than any Democrat. (To be clear, I'm referring to Schmidt, not the OP)

[surfered]

64. Maybe run it up the flagpole in the Way Forward Forum. That's where DU's brain trust discusses strategy.

[FarPoint]

66. We need action

..it must be said

[dem4decades]

69. Murphy has my vote.

[Jilly_in_VA]

94. +1

[bigtree]

70. the fuck who picked Sarah Palin should keep the Democratic party out of his mouth

...he can regret that all he wants, but that's the long and short of his political wisdom.

He's good for ranting about Trump, though. He should stick to that.

[Jilly_in_VA]

95. You need to learn about forgiveness

I think Steve has damn well earned it.

[LeftInTX]

99. What about what he did in 2024?

CfA Asks FEC to Investigate Steve Schmidt, Dean Phillips Campaign for Illegal Coordination

https://campaignforaccountability.org/cfa-asks-fec-to-investigate-steve-schmidt-dean-phillips-campaign-for-illegal-coordination/

[bigtree]

102. I forgive him

...he still has no business telling Democrats what to do.

It's really something how these former republicans believe they can co-opt their politics with Democrats just because Trump has destroyed their party.

[totodeinhere]

106. But the question arises.

Is his conversion genuine or does he just have his finger up to the wind in order to further his career.

[Jilly_in_VA]

108. I believe him

and not people who hold grudges.

[JohnnyRingo]

76. Steve isn't at a loss for words anyway.

I for one am glad he sat at the keyboard and hammered out that warning.
He went in with a sharp ax.

[Pris]

79. GOP is to blame, not Dems

I laugh at many on the GOP "Never Trump" side who blame democrats when they voted for Trump on 2016.

Now they want us to save them.

[2 Meow Momma]

80. I've been here for 20 years. I already passed the test. nt

[betsuni]

84. Goldilocks obsession with just the right leadership as if this isn't solely a Republican problem they could

fix immediately. "Harsh truth" "Old guard" -- Blame Democrats.

THIS POST IS A TEST

[Rebl2]

85. I said

the same yesterday and day before. Remove Schumer.

[Scubamatt]

87. I'm not necessarily anti-Schumer . . .

for purposes of managing the caucus, but we need someone with energy, media savvy-ness and a sense of urgency to be our "face." We need to fight with every tool we have, and Schumer has done some good things, but having him as the spokesperson now, in this moment is a disaster. The media has been conditioned to react to confidence and "in-your-face" style bombast. We need someone to fill that role.

[LeftInTX]

97. I think Cory Booker would be good.

There are no rules that state our caucus leader needs to be our PR person. Cory has got a great presence, energy and strong speaking voice.

[Scubamatt]

105. Decent choice

[niyad]

91. Oh look, a new version of GBCW.

[mcar]

98. Isn't he the dude who brought us Sarah Palin?

No thanks.

[niyad]

103. Yes, he is.

[LudwigPastorius]

111. So, this Steve Schmidt guy, who worked for, and to elect, Republicans for 20 years...

blames Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, and the "woke" Democratic Party for Trump?

He can go fuck himself.

[krawhitham]

113. Adam Schiff, Hard Hard pass

[Hekate]

114. You say you don't know how to petition Democrats, & then proceed to act like you think they read DU

They don’t. At best — at the very most — they have some intern assigned to spend a small part of each day taking the temperature of our site, along with many others.

If you want to make sure Democrats in office get your message, call all their offices and speak to the staffs. They will kindly add check-marks to columns of constituent concerns on a yellow legal pad.

Also, get in touch with Indivisible and sign up. They are proving to be very effective in the arena of ginning up public opinion to push politicians. https://indivisible.org/

But “testing” us at DU? In this fashion? Please.