i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.

This is the way.

"Is there a more feckless, spineless opposition party anywhere in the democratic world? Why do Democrats insist on repeatedly snatching defeat from the jaws of victory?" Me for Zeteo's First Draft this morning on the Democratic surrender in the Senate:

Just saw a Fox News chyron in the airport: “Democrats were winning - why did they stop?” Yeah, maybe the only time I’ve ever had the same thought as Fox News.

The original Dem demands were: 1) Permanent ACA subsidies 2) Medicaid funding restored 3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission) They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today. The Senate Democrats!

American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.

Nobody in American politics hates their own voters more than the Democratic Party

Imagine possessing both the arrogance and incompetence of Dick Durbin. We understand how the Senate works, dude. That's the fucking problem.

Even the corporatist Hill reporters are gobsmacked by how complete @schumer.senate.gov's collapse is: "And this does absolutely zero on Obamacare. The most Democrats get is a Senate vote. After 40 days."

Here are the accts of Senate Dem/Indy quislings. Shun them all. @senangusking.bsky.social @kaine.senate.gov @sencortezmasto.govpeeps.us @fetterman.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov @senatorhassan.govpeeps.us @shaheen.senate.gov @rosen.senate.gov @schumer.senate.gov

cc @senangusking.bsky.social @kaine.senate.gov @sencortezmasto.govpeeps.us @fetterman.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov @senatorhassan.govpeeps.us @shaheen.senate.gov @rosen.senate.gov

The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it. Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.

In the hierarchical scheme of things, basing the shutdown comeback initially on ACA subsidies was dumb AF. CAN YOU PEOPLE NOT SEE THE NAZISM IN OUR FEDERAL AGENCIES, kidnapping American citizens, the conditions at Broadview, etc etc etc etc. The Cave Caucus will never live this down. SHUN THEM.

-Oct 18, more than 7 million Americans stand up and stand together. -Nov 4, millions of Dems turn out for landslide wins in VA, NJ, NY, CA, GA, many other places. -Nov 9, eight "Dems" say "Oh, this nice Mike Johnson and Mr. Trump say they care about health. If they don't, well shame on them..."

remember tuesday? that was 86 years ago

As Nancy Pelosi told me a few years back about Democrats: “We’re enablers. We’ve become enablers. We can’t be that anymore.”

Any deal that counts on GOP being good faith partners in governance misunderstands the modern Republican Party. Idiotic and out of touch!

2/2 You think Dem voters would have turned out in the numbers, and with the enthusiasm, they did JUST FIVE DAYS AGO if they thought the party was going cave like this? Jesus

Senate Democrats had the power to do one thing: This shutdown. And this is what they did with it. Maybe this is some brilliant political calculus, in which case I'll happily eat my words. But right now, it feels like the beginning of the end of the party in its current form--and by its own hand.

The arrogance of a Senator who is not even running again to take the lead in undermining the Caucus and the voters.

This is really good to see: Miki Sherrill just put out a statement sharply criticizing the Senate Dems' pending cave in the government shutdown, ripping it as "malpractice" and a betrayal of the people who are "counting on us to fight for them." Sherrill knows what drove her victory. Wake up, Dems.

Can't wait for tomorrow's fundraising email from the Democratic Party.

apropos of nothing I wrote a book a long time ago about how the DLC and Bill Clinton redefined winning for an entire generation of Democrats as "getting something done" through bipartisanship and compromise rather than achieving (or even having!) a specific outcome in mind, and, what do I know.

This is the way!

we know shaheen is running this so i encourage her constituents to reach out

Making sure you see this @heinrich.senate.gov @lujan.senate.gov @schatz.bsky.social @schumer.senate.gov

This is why you DON'T stop the shutdown. Clearly the voters know who's responsible for the shutdown and now it's gonna be even worse. Since the news isn't willing to be honest with Americans about what Trump was and is, this will have to do so they can get the message.

Hey! @lujan.senate.gov and @heinrich.senate.gov This is the truth.

Why a bunch of Senators who are retiring are leading the negotiations is something to really think on

I have so much contempt for Schumer but his defenders who insist that he’s actually a master tactician who’s working for us are arguably even more contemptible

TELL YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATORS TO KEEP HOLDING THE LINE IN THE FUNDING FIGHT act.indivisible.org/sign/funding...

Dear @lujan.senate.gov Your voicemail box is FULL! How are we supposed to register our concerns about the news that Schumer is leading a gross capitulation? Please stop that and clear your voice mail, too. Thank you, a concerned, disappointed, and frustrated constituent.

I called them both! New Yorkers, so should you (To reach your state's senators, you can always go through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121)

A male Locust Blowfly on Tunbridge Wells Common today

NSO's new executive chairman is a Trump former official, in case you're wondering how hard the company is gunning for those sweet, sweet US government contracts. www.wsj.com/tech/israeli...

"The Poet's Wife" is defying the frigid temperatures and showing off her beauty. #gardens #gardening #Bloomscrolling 🌱

It's Go To An Art Museum Day! Our current exhibitions include: Sandroing: Tracing Kastom in Vanuatu, 12th SITE SANTA FE International: Once Within a Time, Appearances Deceive: Embroideries by Policarpio Valencia, and iNgqikithi yokuPhica / Weaving Meanings: Telephone Wire Art from South Africa.

In the midst of all that we are facing, I want us to think about who we are being told to look to for understanding in this moment, who is being propped up as the voice of wisdom, and ask how right were they in predicting this, a year ago, 5, 8 years ago, and then ask why they are being centered now

Friends, the Morning Walk ☀️ feed is gorgeous on this late fall morning. Thank you to our Mayor, @joshuajfriedman.com , for creating it! Bonus pic attached of a family of 3 deer. You can add it to your feeds here: bsky.app/profile/did:...

If there ever was a day for a #forest hike, this was it. Perfect #weather, light #fog, #sunbeams piercing the wet and #fungi filled forest floor, southbound Canadian geese flying overhead, and the most incredible peak #fall colors the eyes can witness. Warms the soul. #ecology #environment #pnw

"Only lost souls that slipped through from the dry land above us." For the readers drawn to darker waters—this one’s still waiting. @martinkennedyyates.bsky.social #ThisWilderness www.amazon.co.uk/Wil...

Hello, 🌞 SUNday! The cottonwoods are clinging to their golden light. The birds are singing, the sky is deep blue, the doggy is wandering the woods. Come join us on our morning walk. 🔊 on, full screen, and wait for the surprise ending, if you view full screen! 🐕

Bonus: you will love working with him!

It gets even worse: Due to the Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929, small states are also over-represented in the House, so less populated states have multiple veto points in the system. There is actually no place in our federal system where the national majority rules.

Senate Dems, do not cave. Ensuring healthcare premiums don’t surge is an 80-20 issue. They want to gut the ACA because their disdain for Obama far outweighs their concern for anyone’s health.

A Structured Forest Therapy Intervention Enhancing the Nature Connection, Mood States, and Satisfaction with Life of U.S. Veterans with PTSD: A Pilot Study | Journal of Veterans Studies%20/articles/10.21061/jvs.v11i2.746

A lovely resource for poetry fans

Just remembered this favorite from on top of Haleakala on Maui! When was the last time you felt “on top of the world?” Make it happen today. #BlueSkyArtShow #Evening