Do you think Dem leadership realizes how demoralizing situations like this are for their base?

[senseandsensibility]

By remaining silent, they allow their voters to be painted as "celebrating" the murder of Charlie Kirk. And nothing could be farther from the truth. But the RW and the media ran with that narrative from the beginning while Dem leadership tried to play the "go high" game.

Now of course all Democrats should condemn the violence, send condolences to the family, etc. AND THEY DID. But that is different than allowing the media and magaworld to run wild and smear Democrats as violent, bloodthirsty radicals.

Remaining silent does not help calm the waters. Allowing this kind of narrative makes the situation more violent because a significant portion of the population is going to believe that Democrats are "cheering" this. And that just stokes more violence.

[Skittles]

1. they either don't know or they don't care

either one SUCKS

[senseandsensibility]

6. The maga politicians cater to their base 24/7

while Dems ignore theirs. They really should be standing up for us if they are going to depend on an energized base for the midterms.

[Nimble_Idea]

8. and then they wonder

why registrations are down almost everywhere.

but hey. what do I know.

[AllyCat]

28. And why I block Every. Single. Fundraising. Request.

There are a couple out fighting for us.

But I doubt M$M would report what they do.

[dalton99a]

13. Excellent point.

[senseandsensibility]

15. Thanks, but it's depressing that something

this obvious needs to be pointed out to the "professionals".

[slightlv]

23. It makes me wonder...

are we *really* they're base? Because they sure are ignoring the millions of us out there making noise for change!

[Autumn]

2. No.

[GreenWave]

3. The message should be for the repugs to calm their base the fuck down.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Writing the narrative no matter how untruthful

is how the Bolsheviks won in 1917. That's what's going on.

[usonian]

5. The "Sound of Silence" from leaders is going to get us all killed.

Last edited Tue Sep 16, 2025, 01:54 AM - Edit history (1)

repost of repost of repost ....
AND I'LL KEEP REPOSTING IT UNTIL IT SINKS IN

Repost from The Way Forward
https://www.democraticunderground.com/13244034

While lie after lie after lie is spread about “radical left wing terrorists”
Which, by the way DO NOT EXIST

Who is calling out the lies on the big stage?
As far as I can tell, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.


Joe needs to take care of Joe.
And sincere best wishes for his health.

Expect zero from most media.

Party and dignitaries with clout are not standing up to this false and illegal barrage of direct threats
illegal under accepted interpretation of the first amendment.

And the Democratic party leadership?
NADA, ZILCH, ZIP, NIL, BUPKIS, RIEN
You’re as useless as bowling shoes at an ice rink.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/13244015
^^^^^^^ Now is the time for the party to come to the aid of all good men. ^^^
And women and others.

Don’t wait for divine intervention. It ain’t happening.


So-called leaders.
Read this and get off your lame asses.
AND CALL OUT THE LIES FORCEFULLY AND REPEATEDLY
Or we all lose ours.

[JanMichael]

7. Don't worry it'll all be okay.

Haha haha.

[johnnyfins]

9. Im hoping for some super duper sternly

worded letters this week.

[yellow dahlia]

10. Absolutely!

By not pushing back on the lies and incendiary narrative, they are allowing targets to be painted on the backs of all Democratic congress critters....and on our backs.

[senseandsensibility]

11. All so they can maintain the high road

which gets them exactly nowhere, since the media will still paint them as "equally to blame".

[yellow dahlia]

12. I wish someone from Dem leadership were monitoring this site.

There are observant, smart, analytical participants on DU, from whom they should be getting a "clue".

[senseandsensibility]

16. Yes, I've read some really good posts the past few days

I think the Dem leadership could learn a lot here, actually.

[yellow dahlia]

17. I wonder if some of them have lost sight of the need to learn...

constantly.

[dalton99a]

14. People like to vote for fighters, not scaredy-cats

[Paladin]

21. Democratic leadership should be paying attention to Newsom and Pritzker.

They are both fighting trump's evil influence, and they're gaining more and more power and respect, every day. The rest of party leaders need to do the same, immediately. Anemic, wimpy responses to a growing police state are just not acceptable, anymore.

[RazorbackExpat]

36. You said it!

[LeftInTX]

18. It's always the Democrats fault!

[choie]

26. That is a tired old trope.

the Democratic leadership has to start getting some balls and respond to the moment. It has nothing to do with "fault" it has to do with fucking at least trying to defend their constituents and, by the way, their country. Words and statements matter, even if they're not in the majority.

[LeftInTX]

32. Well make a list of what they are supposed to do and send it to them!

Do you want them to go on TV?
Do you want them to file bills?
Do you want them to hold rallies?
Do you want them to retaliate? Wear masks? Carry torches? Carry guns themselves? Punch Nazis?
Yell and scream?
Do you wan them to order the media around and tell the media what to do?
Arm everyone and start a civil war?
Create their own network?
Doxx Charlie Kirk supporters?
Doxx ICE agents?
Pull masks off ICE agents?

I can't figure out what people want, except they like to complain.

[Captain Zero]

34. I think doxxing Ice is fair because of

The blatant violation of the 4th amendment.
And all ICE's Atrocious tactics.

The SC court is fair for doxxing too..

They are surrendering the Constitution to Trump.

[betsuni]

40. I don't understand what people want them to do either.

[Bread and Circuses]

54. YES. I expect them to organize a sustained defense of all of US . Be Like Lech Wałęsa!!!

I expect them to be in the front of the protests .

Leading the Defense of the constitution and calling out the lies all the time,


Just like Lech Wałęsa!!!

[Tetrachloride]

19. I am in favor of Meek Merrick

and many other softsell Dems. because


what am i saying??? no, i don’t like meek
nor fetterman
nor lieberman

and a lot more

[Ol Janx Spirit]

20. It's baffling. They don't even need to mention Kirk's name, but start the drum beat of...

...where the hell was all of this outrage when x, y, or z school shooting happened? When a school is attacked it is always the lone shooter's responsibility--not gun culture, assault rifles, or anything else; but a lone shooter kills a conservative commentator and all Democrats should be jailed immediately?

Weak, weak, weak, weak, weak, weak, weak!

Stand up and shout it Democratic leaders!

And that's only one approach. There are many that still allow you to take the highroad and point out the rank hypocrisy.

Where are you???

[senseandsensibility]

22. Yes, exactly

Very good points. No one is asking them to "speak ill of the dead" or anything like that. Just point out the hypocrisy. Use the situation to advocate for gun control, which is supported by a majority of Americans. Put the R's on the defense. It's infuriating.

[womanofthehills]

53. Dems need way more podcasts of young Dems

The youth get their news off of podcasts. Tucker had 1.5 to 2 million viewers on Fox but his podcasts get 10 to 40 million views.

Why are the Dems so behind in podcasts? We need to sponsor some of the brightest of our young Dems to start podcasts. As the kids are mostly anti war - it probably needs to be from our progressive wing.

[pcdb]

55. Yes, but don't forget the lessons of Air America trying to compete with Limbaugh.

They had a handful of radio veterans then added a bunch of hosts that had zero experience doing a radio show. Of course it failed. I'm not sure how you go about manufacturing the reach of a Joe Rogan, but people will only listen if the host is compelling. Throwing a bunch of money at the problem won't work.

[choie]

24. I''m beginning to think they don't give a good god damn.

[slightlv]

25. Face it... the people who own this country

are not going to be happy until we all start killing each other. It's what they're banking on, what they're rooting for. And I agree with Biden. Silence is complicity.

[3825-87867]

27. When the "Old" Democratic response is

we go high or we'll just send sternly worded letters or what's worse that their "words, like silent raindrops, fell
And echoed in the wells of silence (so to speak)."
It's almost , to me at least, as though they are saying, "I got mine, you get yours."
The times have been changing, but Democratic leadership hasn't. Dylan's song is more apropos than they think.
Let's hope it's not like Carol King's "Too late, Baby"
Be a hell of an epitaph for the Democratic Party...

And it's too late, baby, now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it (We can't make it)
Something inside has died
And I can't hide and I just can't fake it

[Just Jerome]

29. The party mandarins

answer to their donors. Gotta keep things on an even keel.

[Abstractartist]

30. Many of my past post say the same thing.. where are the leaders

[Zackzzzz]

31. Please, What Do You Mean?

Newsweek

Published Sep10, 2025 PM EDT / Updated 11, 2025nat 9:05AM EDT

Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, Top Democrats Condemn Charlie Kirk Shooting

What more do you suggest be done?

[sheshe2]

33. Democrats ****K!

Did I do it right?
Cool thread here on Democratic Underground.

[betsuni]

39. OMG, yer kool now! But that means you have to marry "Dem leadership" and spend all day nagging them

for things you think they didn't do or say but of course you never listen or pay attention, just assume what they aren't doing so have no idea, and when they do say things get mad anyway because it's not just right, then cry because you need someone strong to tell you what to do even though you think Democrats are all bribed and both sides and stuff so you go back to not listening and nagging...

[sheshe2]

41. OMG! I am kool now?

I'm excited to me a member of a very elite club. I will have to learn the correct terms now.

-Spinless
-Grow a pair
-Hold their feet to the fire
-VOTE THEM OUT

Nah, can't do that, it's just not me. I support my Democrats and always will.

[betsuni]

42. MEET THE MOMENT

I'm glad I'm a liberal Democrat, too.

[sheshe2]

45. I am with you, betsuni.

PS. Something no one mentions, the courts have been holding.

[senseandsensibility]

49. Thanks for calling me cool

I'm sure it was a sincere compliment. Any thoughts on what I actually posted?

[Quiet Em]

35. I'm not demoralized.

I have absolutely nothing in common with Charlie Kirk or Tyler Robinson.

[betsuni]

37. Allowing, remaining silent. "Mommy, why don't mean old Dems stop allowing Republicans!" Everything's always their fault!

Allowing allowing allowing allowing. Nevar forgit the rule: Government is the enemy and only Democrats are the government, only they can stop/allow bad things. Blame Democrats!

[Bayard]

38. Use whatever old meme you want--

Circular firing squad. Herding cats.

Its been a long time since Dems had a unifying, charismatic figure to get behind and follow. Like the rethugs have trump. If this person isn't already waiting in the wings, we better start cultivating and training a couple pretty quickly.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

44. What?

"Its been a long time since Dems had a unifying, charismatic figure to get behind and follow. Like the rethugs have trump."

Yep, just what Dems need!

[Bayard]

50. trump has unified the right.

I don't think there's a question about that. We need another Obama.

[WarGamer]

43. The problem is... the Right Wing content producers online are AMPLIFYING the Celebration.

I've seen it on X and other places... there are dozens (not thousands) of accounts who laugh and yuck it up about CK...

But a hundred different RW influencers pick up each one, dox them and spread their content everywhere.

This creates the "image" that there are thousands or more people on the Left who enjoy the death.

It's called the "libs of TikTok Effect" where small things are amplified to make it look like it's mainstream on the Left.

[BannonsLiver]

47. I'd love to see the IRL social media posts of a few folks on this forum.

[LeftInTX]

58. Here is the Twitter of one of our youngest DNC members

https://x.com/andrebttx?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

It's respectful when it comes to Charlie Kirk. Shared a few posts from MN and that was it. Don't think it mentioned Kirk's name

I post political stuff, but it's generally "get out the vote" stuff. Sometimes it's negative about a GOP person, especially if it's funny or totally horrific. I posted a bunch of Gavin Newsom memes, because! I do get negative posts about GOP tagged in my name. I will remove the tag, if I find it too OTT or fake.

I didn't post about Charlie Kirk.

I don't post negative things about Democrats, even Henry Cuellar.

[senseandsensibility]

51. That sounds like a good explanation

I'm not discounting it, but the bottom line is that that "effect" is distorting the truth. And Dem leadership should be savvy enough about social media to counter it in some way or at least call it out effectively.

[WarGamer]

56. 100% agree...

[DownriverDem]

46. I disagree

Perhaps folks need a new news source. Go to YouTube (free one) and search MediasTouch. They are awesome and will keep you up to date.

[LearnedHand]

48. I'd like to hear vocal pushback on the idea that the left are domestic extremists

Nothing has demoralized me more than the leader of this country denouncing the left as domestic terrorists FROM THE OVAL OFFICE and apparently with no vocal pushback from Dems in Congress. They may not get coverage by broadcast media but there are plenty of ways to speak to the rank and file.

[senseandsensibility]

52. Yes, exactly.

This is politics, not a graduate level college course. Learn to play the game.

[Scubamatt]

57. I counted how many posts

this thread was allowed before the inevitable "what are they supposed to do?" responses start rolling in. I've not been a member as long as many of you have, but I have noticed that whenever a poster criticizes our leadership, they tend to get quickly flamed as "complainers" or patronized with "you just don't understand how our system works" messages. Agreed, we control no official reigns of power. But that didn't stop the Republicons from throwing monkey wrench after monkey wrench into the Obamacare negotiations. They used the power of their bully-pulpit, in the broadest sense, to partially re-frame the debate, such that Obama had to abandon any notion of the public option in order to quiet the opposition. Newsom, Pritzger, Crockett and others are gaining traction because they are regularly pushing messaging that resonates with our media driven polity, all the while showing that they are fighters who are not going to passively accept this this authoritarian takeover. It may not result in one change in policy, but it energizes people and gives them hope - critical things in these dark days. I want a broader segment of our leadership to follow those examples.