Democratic Party

Elizabeth MacDonough, Senate Parliamentarian, A Light In The Darkness!

Ronald 7 Comments

Elizabeth MacDonough has been the nonpartisan Senate Parliamentarian for the past 13 years since 2012.

She has a high level of respect and regard by most members of the Senate, and has been seen as the “guardian” of Senate rules, who does what is best for the Senate and its reputation. This is true even when some disgraceful Senators, like presently Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, have called for her to be fired for refusing to back all of the demands of Donald Trump.

She has presided over periods of Democratic and of Republican party majorities, and been part of the institutional history of the upper chamber in a very distinguished manner.

MacDonough has enforced the so called “Byrd Rule”, named after the late Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, which allows elimination of “extraneous” proposals that interfere with reconciliation of provisions of legislation, with 60 votes needed to overrule the Senate Parliamentarian, a high barrier.

It seems likely that Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota will not listen to a few Senators who want her fired, as she is well respected, and Thune is reluctant to interfere with her nonpartisan approach to Senate rules.

Already, with North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, opposed to aspects of the House bill, it is possible that the Trump “Big And Beautiful” bill might fail to get past the Senate, if on final passage, other Senators, such as Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, and Josh Hawley of Missouri, vote to reject the legislation as it is constituted right now, particularly regarding Medicaid cuts.

Shocking, Stunning NYC Mayoral Democratic Primary!

Ronald 12 Comments

New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a mostly obscure politician with only brief experience in government at age 33, born in Uganda of Indian parents, with his father Muslim and his mother Hindu, with him professing to be a Muslim who is pro Palestinian in his views, has stunned the Democratic political establishment in New York City and nationwide, with his shocking, stunning, seismic first round victory in the NYC Democratic Mayoral Primary, over highly favored former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo!

Mamdani, seemingly, came out of “nowhere” and has a seven point lead on Cuomo, with ranked choice voting system adopted by NYC having to wait until July 1 or later, before having a final victory in the primary, but with a solid seven point leader for Mamdani likely to hold up in the end.

The ultimate Democratic nominee for Mayor will be a heavy favorite to win in a city strongly loyal to that party. But present Mayor Eric Adams, under a cloud of corruption, will be on the ballot as an Independent, and Cuomo had previously planned to run on an Indepedent line along with what he hoped would be the Democratic nomination. So if Cuomo does that, it will be a”wild and wooly” campaign, with Mamdani, despite his strong left wing views, likely to win, but no certainty at the result in November.

At age 33, which would make Mamdani the youngest Mayor since John Purroy Mitchel (1914-1917), he would with his Muslim heritage have to combat both Jewish groups that in most cases would be against him; African Americans, who would favor Adams; Establishment figures who would favor Cuomo; and with the likelihood of great conflict in the future between a potential Mayor Mamdani and the Trump Administration.

Ranked Choice Voting is only used widely in three states–Maine, Alaska, and Hawaii, along with a number of states in local elections, and some cities, including Washington DC; New York City; Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota; Portland, Oregon; and Oakland and San Francisco, California.

Mamdani, with his Democratic “Socialist” ideas, would be, likely, the most leftist Mayor of New York in modern times, and possibly, of any major city, and with his backing and endorsement by New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, makes “fireworks” likely in NYC politics by the various opposing groups in the city and in the national government.

It reminds one of Mayor Fernando Wood, who served two rounds as NYC Mayor (1855-1858) and (1860-1861), becoming a leading critic of Abraham Lincoln, and a supporter of the Confederacy in the first year of the Civil War as a “Copperhead”, northern supporter of the South against the Union. He even proposed NYC secede from the Union!

Wood also served in the US House of Representatives from 1863-1865, as well as later terms, and promoted continuing opposition to Lincoln and the Civil War, and opposed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, ending slavery. He was also married three times, including his third marriage at age 48 to a 16 year old!

Most certainly, Mamdani will shake up American politics if he becomes Mayor of NYC, with its 8 plus million people, larger than all but 12 of the 50 states in America!

Back From Vacation Break, And Total Mayhem! :(

Ronald 58 Comments

This author and blogger took a well deserved and needed vacation, and avoided following news of public affairs for the past ten days!

Now I am back, and total mayhem is in process on so many levels!

The continued violation of civil liberties, with the arrest by ICE of unjustified individuals; the arrest of a Democratic Mayoral candidate and New York City Controller Brad Lander; and the decision to back up Israel’s war on Iran by Donald Trump taking the bold action, without Congressional consultation or approval under the War Powers Act of 1973, to bomb Iranian nuclear sites—this all causes a sense of total mayhem in action!

We have a President who has taken a controversial action without any consultation, and his mental stability seems lacking in a sense of giving confidence that he knows what he is perpetrating, a possible major Mideast War, having learned nothing from the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War.

40,000 US troops are in danger in the Middle East by the unstable, emotional reaction of Donald Trump, who is continuing to alienate our long term allies in Europe, Canada, and in Asia.

We have just passed the five month point of this four year term, and there is no comparison possible for the tumultuous, overwhelming, and shocking series of events that have taken place in both foreign and domestic policy!

One has to wonder how the survival of American democracy and the rule of law, and our 80 year stable set of allies in the world, can be accomplished with the reality that there are three years and seven months until the next Presidential Inauguration, and one year and five months until the next Congressional Elections, which the Democrats need to win to attempt to put controls on the most dangerous President in American history!

It is hard to be optimistic as we look to the future!

Trump-Musk Split A Major Boon For Democrats!

Ronald 10 Comments

The sudden end of the “bromance” between Donald Trump and Elon Musk may have surprised many observers, but there were many others who predicted it would happen, but maybe not so rapidly.

At this point, Trump seems to have all the cards in the battle, as it seems highly unlikely that many, if any, Republican officeholders in Congress, particularly in the House of Representatives, are going to rush to Musk’s side.

But Musk’s threat to form a third political party, and to finance opponents to many Republicans in the House and US Senate who face election contests in 2026, throws a “fly in the ointment”, complicating the hope of Trump and Republican office holders to keep their majorities, particularly in the lower chamber, but even possibly in the Senate.

So this split can be seen as a major boon for Democrats, looking forward, if they can manage the breakup of Trump and Musk in a way that benefits their party.

Odd Change Of Support For Both Political Parties: Will It Affect The Future?

Ronald 7 Comments

The tradition has been that African Americans and Latinos, and people who are working class and less educated voters, tend to vote Democratic, and that white suburbanites and wealthy, educated voters vote Republican.

That changed in the Presidential Election Of 2024, but it is hard to know if it is simply a one time occurrence.

What is clear also is that young women are moving more toward the Democrats, while younger men are moving toward the Republicans, but again, that may be an outlier as well.

It makes trying to project ahead for the Midterm Congressional and state elections of 2026, and the Presidential Election of 2028, a massive challenge for both parties.

At this point, Democrats have a tremendous, talented group of Governors, along with a few Senators and Representatives, who are seen as potential national candidates.

Having so many potential candidates may be a blessing, or a curse, while the Republicans, seemingly, have far fewer potential candidates.

Recruitment of candidates for state and national office is in full swing now, as the talent pool will be particularly urgent for Democrats!

Whether the Democrats can reorganize much of the coalition that won the Presidency twice for Barack Obama ins 2008 and 2012 is a crucial matter, as we plan ahead for 2026 and 2028.

Essential To Have Younger Voices Advance In Democratic Party

Ronald 8 Comments

If the Democratic Party is to recover from the defeat in the Presidential Election of 2024, and the losing of seats in the US Senate races of 2024, it is essential that younger voices be advanced in the party structure and leadership.

With a few members of the party in both houses of Congress deciding to retire in 2026, this is the time for “new blood” to play a major role in the future.

So in the House of Representatives, this includes such members as:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
Jasmine Crockett of Texas
Maxwell Frost of Florida
Ro Khanna of California
Robert Garcia of California
Joe Neguse of Colorado
Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania
Greg Casar of Texas
Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts

and includes such members of the Senate as:

Ruben Gallego of Arizona
Chris Murphy of Connecticut
Jon Ossoff of Georgia
Cory Booker of New Jersey
Andy Kim of New Jersey

The call by Democratic National Committee Vice President David Hogg, who is just 25 years old, for a youth movement in the party in future elections, and the advancement of younger members of the party in Congress, makes total sense!

Illinois Democratic Governor J B Pritzker Throws The Gauntlet Down To Donald Trump!

Ronald Leave a comment

Illinois Democratic Governor J B Pritzker has thrown down the gauntlet to Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and MAGA Republicans.

In a speech in New Hampshire, Pritzker said it is time for Democrats to engage in mass protests, mobilization, and disruption, and not give Republicans a moment of peace.

The cruelty and callousness of Trump, Musk, and MAGA Republicans must be confronted directly and constantly.

Pritzker was NOT calling for violence, as White House Deputy Chief Of Staff Stephen Miller stated, as the reaction of the Trump Administration to the speech.

But Americans have the First Amendment right to march, demonstrate, hold the Trump Administration accountable in mass gatherings, as they did in the past, including most notably in the era of the Vietnam War!

Pritzker, the billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, is totally correct and inspiring, and he has been seen as a potential candidate for the Presidency in 2028, and with his Jewish heritage, he would mark a new direction if he were the party’s nominee.

Imagining A Ronald Reagan-Donald Trump Meeting!

Ronald 14 Comments

Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, is honored and really worshipped by tens of millions of conservatives, seen as an icon of their beliefs in limited government.

But if Ronald Reagan was alive today, it seems very clear that he would be vehemently opposed to everything Donald Trump believes in and promotes.

Ronald Reagan believed in dialogue, and managed to work with opposition Democrats on major issues, and had Democratic Speaker of the House Thomas “Tip” O’Neill at the White House on a regular, friendly basis. Most famously, on the crucial issue of Social Security reform, the two men came up with an agreement in 1983 that helped promote the long term survival and extension of Social Security.

Ronald Reagan believed the solution to undocumented immigration, a constant reality over the decades at the US-Mexico border, was to promote immigration reform, as was agreed to in 1986.

Ronald Reagan understood the threat of the Soviet Union, and while supporting all efforts for dialogue and diplomacy, he knew that the nation needed to work to undermine Russian aggression as part of the Cold War.

Ronald Reagan clearly knew the danger of high protective tariffs, having lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s, with a major cause of that horrific economic disaster being the Smoot_Hawley Tariff signed by President Herbert Hoover in 1930, despite the entreaties of hundreds of economists.

Ronald Reagan believed in the power of oratory, and avoided “stirring the pot” of turmoil, and worked to unify the nation through his speeches and public utterances in times of celebration and also, of tragedy.

Ronald Reagan’s children, Ron Reagan Jr. and Patti Davis, have made clear their vehement opposition to everything MAGA Republicans promote under Donald Trump, and as do multitudes of conservative commentators, assert that Donald Trump is NOT a conservative of the Ronald Reagan stripe in any way!

Donald Trump lies incessantly, more than any President in American history.

Donald Trump works to divide and denounce anyone in his Republican party who dares to challenge him, as well as any opposition in the nation, as he conducts himself as an authoritarian figure.

Donald Trump is extremely nativist, connected to racism, and has no concern for the plight or the rights of any undocumented immigrant, and even is out to remove any foreign born individual that has moved toward citizenship, instilling fear by his massive deportation efforts without any common decency, compassion, or empathy.

Donald Trump is a known collaborator with the Russian Federation uncer Vladimir Putin, and is ready to give up our alliances with democratic nations around the world. He and his team, including JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and others in the Cabinet engaged in national security, are ready to abandon Ukraine, and cozy up to our long term rival that does not have our safety and security as their goal.

Donald Trump is ready to cause a new Second Great Depression in his incessant drive to impose high tariffs, which history tells us is suicidal economic policy. And Trump representa a threat to the longevity of Social Security, in his quest to cut government spending.

This author and blogger is NOT defending Ronald Reagan, who he considers terrible in many ways, BUT in comparison to Donald Trump, he is to be seen as in the main wave of conservatism, while Trump is clearly NOT a conservative, just an unprincipled opportunist, who is conducting himself in a Fascist authoritarian manner!

55th Anniversary Of Earth Day, But Trump Is Promoting Defiance On Environmental Issues!

Ronald 4 Comments

Wisconsin Democratic Senator Gaylord Nelson is considered the brainchild of Earth Day, first celebrated on April 22, 1970, and embraced by President Richard Nixon, who went on to accomplish one of the best environmental records of all Presidents, considered just behind Theodore Roosevelt.

Later Presidents, and especially Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton (with the encouragement of Vice President Al Gore), Barack Obama, and Joe Biden—all Democrats—advocated for the environment, while Ronald Reagan in particular, and even more so, Donald Trump, have worked against facing the threat of climate change and global warming.

Instead, Trump is promoting drilling for oil and natural gas, mining for coal, and cutting down forest lands, all undermining the future of the planet, and American conservation of natural resources.

Already, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin is on a campaign to reverse the great progress made under Joe Biden and earlier Democratic Presidents.

Odd Combination Of 83 Year Old Bernie Sanders And 35 Year Old Alexandria Ocasio Cortez On Rallying Americans Against Donald Trump Abuses Of Power!

Ronald 35 Comments

In the midst of the Trump First Hundred Days Of Chaos, Confusion, and Retribution, there are some leading Democrats who are not just staying silent, or just making statements.

Some are actively campaigning all over the nation against the horrors being perpetrated, and rallying everyday Americans to being activists in speaking out, marching, and demonstrating with strong commitment.

And the two most active political leaders doing so are indeed an “odd couple”—83 year old Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders,who caucuses with Democrats; and 35 year old New York City Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Imagine such a combination of two committed individuals who are, literally, 48 years apart in age!