Jeffries: It's important to have 'strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence' at Trump address

[HereForTheParty]

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called for Democrats to have a “strong, determined and dignified” presence at President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.

“The decision to attend the Joint Session is a personal one and we understand that members will come to different conclusions,” Jeffries wrote in a “Dear Colleague” letter sent Monday.

“However, it is important to have a strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber,” the Democratic leader continued. “The House as an institution belongs to the American people, and as their representatives we will not be run off the block or bullied.”

Jeffries said he and other members of Democratic leadership will attend the speech “to make clear to the nation that there is a strong opposition party ready, willing and able to serve as a check and balance on the excesses of the administration.”

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5174260-jeffries-its-important-to-have-strong-determined-and-dignified-democratic-presence-at-trump-address/

[DemMedic]

1. My hope is that they laugh at him the whole time

:yes:

[bluedigger]

2. More important to him than me.

How do we send a message to those who aren't listening?

[groundloop]

55. In my most humble opinion every single Democrat should walk out at a predetermined point in tRump's word salad

We need to be getting press attention and THIS, I believe, would grab more attention than showing up and acting dignified.

I strongly disagree with Jeffries on this one, now is not the time to be dignified.

[58Sunliner]

3. This isn't business as usual. I suggest they all dress as Zelensky.

[CrispyQ]

73. I loved your idea so much I included it in my message to my reps today.

[bamagal62]

4. Maybe strong and determined..

But, I want to hear “you lie!” And lots of laughter. (So, maybe not dignified!)

[Rebl2]

47. If you do that

be ready to be dragged out if you yell out you lie, even though it’s true!

[bamagal62]

68. True. But, then the

Whole world will see it.

[Prairie Gates]

5. For fuck's sake

Oooof.

[Bengus81]

6. Oh gosh Jeffries, the last thing I want to be is undignified when my

social security is FUCKING stolen from me.

Thanks for the memo which proves just exactly what I suspected.

[Ferrets are Cool]

7. BULLSHIT

What you are doing is "dignifying" a criminal. Fuck that.

[rzemanfl]

54. I agree 100%.

Glorifying a fascist, rapist, Russian agent is insane.

[suegeo]

67. Plus he's a convicted felon x34 (or is it only x32?)

[LSparkle]

8. As long as whistles are considered dignified ...

As is laughter. Walking out a few at a time when TSF lies is also dignified ...

Shaking heads and rolling eyes WON’T BE ENOUGH tonight though. TSF behaves like a ringmaster so make it a circus.

[durablend]

9. Clearly we need new leadership

[Initech]

70. Playing nice clearly isn't working. We need to kick them in the ass hard.

Especially for what they have done to this country. We need strong opposition to everything he's doing.

[Nanjeanne]

10. Why? Why is THAT important? Isn't that business as usual? What a dreadful "leader" for this time in history.

[Autumn]

56. I'm beginning to think all the dangers of trump that they warned us about for the last 8 years

was to just get us in line with what they wanted.

[Nanjeanne]

74. Frightening thought - but must say I've gone there too . . .

[Katinfl]

11. Democrats need to make a statement tonight.

I don’t know how but they cannot just sit there as if all that is going on is normal. If the situation was reversed, you can damn well be sure the republicans would stage some sort of protest. The Dems cannot sit and listen to lie after lie after lie and be silent. OTOH, I wonder how the GOP will react. Will they give him a standing ovation and be all lovey dovey when he walks down the aisle? Some, not all, of them know how bad he is and I wonder if they will show it. I usually tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, and I have usually been wrong. Of course, I will not watch. Daily Kos or TPM may be live blogging.

[DaBronx]

12. I just feel

Like he is Hitler aspirational. And so I ask why give Hitler an audience? No one in their right mind would sit there tonight. There is no fighting back in that forum. The only thing that would be acceptable is wearing blue and yellow and being very loud, so loud that they get thrown out by the sergeant at arms.
It’s more productive to hold town halls and get them televised in the news. I hope the govt fired the teleprompter team so he has to riff for three hours.

[superpatriotman]

13. What is the proper way to vehemently disagree with a Democrat leader

On DU without getting an alert, trial by jury or ban?

Because if I knew I would possibly vehemently disagree with this sentiment.

[EarthFirst]

14. Boo.Hiss.

A unified Democratic Party boycotting the SOTU sends a powerful prevailing message.

The media will be looking for any series of events they can to nitpick and control the messaging; by boycotting the Democrats control the messaging in one single act.

By all means; go sit on your hands and be “dignified”

SMDH

[durablend]

15. All he's signifying to the world by doing this is "We're okay with what he's doing"

[pinkstarburst]

16. I think that will look weak and whipped

which is how we've looked ever since we lost back in November. We need to fight back. Maybe AOC needs to lead a walk out? Why would we sit there politely and listen in a dignified way while he spews his propaganda? Really? That's the best Jeffries can come up with? He and Schumer are really disappointing me.

[displacedvermoter]

26. Jeffries was Pelosi's pick

And we keep hearing how much better she can "read the room" than anybody there ever was, so seemingly he is the best we have. Hasn't panned out yet.

And Schumer is another institutional figure I fear we are stuck with, till it is too late. So just like when the former Presidents went to the Inauguration and legitimized the new regime, we will see Democrats sitting through two hours of lies, and insults directed at them and their constituencies, and most of them will see this as their duty to just sit there. And their chamber leaders will sit right there with them looking weak and oblivious.

Just looking forward to whatever AOL decides to do.

[kacekwl]

17. Bullshit. If you are going to

"Dignify" trump with your presence then you better be loud and disruptive or just stay away. Good grief.

[dalton99a]

18. "The captives must maintain good behavior at all times"

"Sit still and be quiet"

[Hotler]

19. And the decision to vote along side the fascist is a personal one and we understand that members will

come to different conclusions. And I wish the American people would stop calling us.

[Nanjeanne]

20. If they are going to be there - here's what I would do. After every lie - one or two get up and walk out. Keep

going - a sentence. An applause line. A R standing ovation. Each time one, two or three get up and walk out. So by the end it’s a completely empty side of the chamber. Have it orchestrated so they know who in advance is taking the next round of walk out. Make it visually stunning and continue it throughout the speech.

[jalan48]

21. Must maintain the facade of normalcy. Must maintain the facade of normalcy. Must maintain the facade of normalcy.

[dalton99a]

24. +1. And be respectful.

[Wicked Blue]

22. Is he prepared to have a 'strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence' in prison?

When they start rounding us up and sending our dignified"leaders" to Gitmo?

[jrthin]

23. More messaging from an old, failed play book.

[dalton99a]

25. +1. Timid as a mouse

A real profile in courage

[gab13by13]

27. Is this the Onion?

Doing town halls at the same time, getting the truth out to the people would have been better than sitting on one's hands and listening to lies.

[claudette]

28. Maybe it's just me but

I think if they all attend it shows weakness in not fighting back peacefully against the orange felon’s lies That he will spew tonight. Stay away.

[travelingthrulife]

29. Maintain normalcy, huh? More of the same bs from these guys.

There better be plenty of booing amongst your pretty decorum.

[dalton99a]

30. It is important to maintain decorum while watching your house burn down and the arsonist is bragging about it

[LoisB]

31. How did "When they go low, we go high" work out for us?

[thinkingagain]

32. As long as those who are still

There at the end stand up and do a Nancy Pelosi and rip the speech in half
Turn and walk out

[albacore]

33. Why not stage a walkout...a few at a time leave?

When he talks about immigrants...one group leaves. When he talks about Ukraine....another. And so on.
Drag it out. For the cameras.

[kwolf68]

34. I absolutely won't be watching this shit tonight

I may go over to the History channel and watch some Nuremburg rallies instead.

[gab13by13]

40. I'm going to watch the Curse of Oak Island

Maybe the brothers found some old wood tonight?

[IzzaNuDay]

63. I'm watching Food Network tonight

New episode of Chopped, as my life is being chopped bit by bit.

[RoeVWade]

35. All put on Putin masks and "Sieg Heil" Trump in unison. then walk out. (Putin/Hitler mashup)

nt*

[Paladin]

36. Fuck this. The era of goody-two-shoes Democrats needs to END---immediately. (nt)

[dutch777]

53. Yes! Scream "Liar" and ask "Where are the lowered costs!", early and often. And in unison! Practice!

[Think. Again.]

37. In my opinion...

In my opinion, Jeffries is ignoring the voice of Democratic constituents time and time again.

I can hope that as House minority leader, he has some insight and a solid plan to overcome the NAZIfication of the U.S., but all I keep hearing and seeing from him is Democratic Party self-victimization and non-action against the most serious threat to our Democracy we have ever faced.

I sincerely hope his previous message that a god will appear to do our work for us wasn't his actual plan of action.

[CrispyQ]

38. CALL YOUR REPS TODAY!!

Tell them you don't want to see polite acquiescence & if ever there was a time to get in good trouble that time is NOW!!

How many of us take five minutes to call our three reps every single day? I made three days last week but missed yesterday. It's hard to make it a routine but I've decided even if I say the same damned thing every day, which is pretty much, "Where the hell is the unified democratic voice against the fascist takeover of our government?" at least they are getting a call from me. I read that they do pay attention to how many calls/emails they get but calls weigh more for them. Even if your reps are repub, make the call!

This app/website tracks issues being voted on & even has sample messages you can leave. Also, if you want to share your location info the app helps you make your calls. I just put my reps in my contacts under P for Politician.

https://5calls.org

Seriously, it matters less what you say & just that you call. Be sure to leave your name, address, & zip code so they know you're a constituent.

PS - I love the idea above that they all dress like Zelensky! It would certainly qualify as strong, determined & dignified!

[BootOutTheGoons]

49. Done

I just called and said I hope he doesn't even show up for Krazy Komrade Krasnov's bullshit. But if he does to make himself heard and not sit there quietly or act in any manner that is respectful or dignified

Sure that's "not nice" but what is going on right now is abnormal and sick because Donald bin Laden is tearing up the Constitution, destroying the economy and working to kill millions of Americans

[CrispyQ]

72. I made my calls.

It took less than 10 minutes to write my message & make the calls. So I stole another DUers idea & made a suggestion.

Hello!

I read that leader Jeffries wants a strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence tonight, so here's an idea. Tonight, every democratic member of congress should dress like Zelensky. That would certainly qualify as strong, determined and dignified! It would make a unified statement to the country that the dems recognize & aren't going to stand by this shit show of a presidency.

Do Congressman Lewis proud! Stir up some good trouble!

Name, address, zip.

[bluestarone]

39. I'm split 50/50 on what to do. One thing i'm thinking is TONIGHT would be the BEST time to get your message out.

The message has to be on target and to the point. Hopefully the Democrats get the right message. (i will NOT watch), but i will be HERE reading.

[gab13by13]

41. Doing town halls instead of sitting on one's hands

would have been a better way to get our message out.

[bluestarone]

43. I want Ukraine colors, Ukraine, European flags in every Democrats hand tonight, and

LOUD BOOS, and lots of YOU LIE!!

[betsuni]

42. He's correct. Fill the chamber with Democrats and workers affected by Trump's policies. Working class, remember?

All the whining and bullshit that Democrats ignore the working class? That they're sitting on their hands doing nothing? Here they're representing the people with those people. Most Americans blame both sides in Congress and Republicans like it that way. Don't be the enemy they need.

As always, Democrats give the people what they say they want and then it's still should've/shouldn't have, too much/not enough.

[CanonRay]

44. I once had high hopes for this guy as a leader

Very disappointed

[Biophilic]

45. I tell you what, if even one Democrat claps or shows any kind of appreciation/support for trump I'm done.

[Kid Berwyn]

48. Don't forget "Respectful," too!

If ya wanna get ahead these days, ya gotta show loyalty to royalty.

[Autumn]

50. Sure. Make sure god attends sitting on his throne. That ought to be dignified enough for you.

[RJ-MacReady]

52. Very disappointing

I don't understand this insatiable need to constantly "go high". It hasn't worked and it makes us look weak and unwilling to fight for the people.

[yaesu]

57. Maybe invite garland, watch reruns of Mr Rogers and have milk and cookies

that will show them fascists just how sweet we are, kill them with kindness

[Scubamatt]

58. More from the . . .

"When they go low, we go high" playbook. How about actually fighting for a change? The Republicans who repeatedly disrespected President Obama and Biden were portrayed by the media as speaking truth to power and never paid any ounce of political cost for their shenanigans. The American public needs to see the Democratic Party as a strong voice that will be in this mal-administration's face. If ever there was a time to dispense with false civility, now is it.

[Marcuse]

59. When you mudwrestle with pigs everyone gets dirty but the pigs love it because it works.

[SamKnause]

60. Nonsensical bullshit.

Does he even know all the shit that is happening ???

He acts clueless.

I don't get it, I truly don't get it.

[Duncan Grant]

61. Definition of insanity?

Personally, I’m looking for different results. I don’t need these lunkheads telling me everything is fine — because we’re dignified. Out. Of. Touch.

They clearly don’t see the emergency.

[ananda]

62. Why?

It won't change a damm thing.

[The Unmitigated Gall]

64. He just doesn't get it. nt

[republianmushroom]

65. Queensberry Rules, and we wonder why ?

[hurl]

66. He is "ready, willing and able to serve as a check and balance on the excesses of the administration"?

Only days ago (February 7) he said that, "It's their government. What leverage do we have?" I missed what changed.

[Initech]

69. Fuck that shit, I hope we go full Bluto tonight.

[themaguffin]

71. sitting quietly isn't dignified in this situation