The Democratic House Caucus' decision to pass over AOC in favor of a 74 year old white guy for a key oversight post is further proof the party is out of touch and unwilling to let a new generation rise. Read my analysis now!
We LOVE your pod on YouTube—and now are so glad we signed up to receive your Substacks. You just said what we've been swearing under our breath. Gerry Connolly instead of AOC?? Democratic Party! WTF??!
this is far beyond grotesque! AOC is wonderful for all the reasons you have mentioned - so to have an old white retread in an important and potentially visible position is so f'ing stupid. Does one weep or scream, or both? Why not have the press - with whatever crediibility it still clings to - turn first to AOC for comments on the latest barbarity of Trump and the MAGAts?
Pelosi intervened due to the stock issue. AOC will encourage accountability through enforcement of the STOCK Act. Pelosi and even Tuberville are against greater enforcement. Check into the stock trades by Connelly. Yesterday President Biden supported going further than the STOCK Act by forcing Congress members to divest or put all stocks in blind trusts. This is Pelosi doing another back-handed slap against Biden and AOC who supported no trading by Congress members.
I just have one thing to say today about what just happened. I am FREAKING PISSED OFF at Pelosi!! This should be the LAST time she buts her nose in. She must think she's still speaker! >>:( First she ruined Joe, and Now THIS with AOC! She's BURNT! She and a few others NEED TOO RETIRE NOW!!! She should be done! As far as I'm concerned, after thinking this through, I blame HER for losing this election! The reason she did this was for HER OWN interests in stocks and conflicts of interest! Was Trump right about her?????????????????????????????????????????? >:'(
Few people piss me off as much as Nancy. Supposedly, she stepped down to make way for Hakeem - but she's still in the House!! You really think that she isn't telling him what to do way too often?!
Thank you for this much needed critical assessment of the Democratic Party. I’m so disgusted with Pelosi holding AOC back (top down, “wait your turn” management of the worst kind) that I’ve left the party. I first voted in 1976 (for Jimmy Carter). As of last night, I’m a registered Independent. 😡
Democrats have learned nothing - NOTHING - this past year. We aren't going back they said and then they went back to their grumpy old men ways right after the election. I don't believe them anymore. Good luck getting any younger person than me to believe them too.
I had no idea what had been happening with the democrats in Congress. I now understand more fully what you have been saying about the Democratic Party leaders all along. You are right about AOC. She would make the news. And she is clear headed. There are some other younger members that seem capable also. Political speak and maneuvering are not my specialty, but it is disappointing to hear about the good old boys, etc. Thanks, Reed, for all you do.
I'm ready to abandon the sell outs like Pelosi. The Democratic Party will always sell out because white liberals live money and order more than freedom. We need a new political movement that doesn't sell out to oligarchs.
@democrats are as sorry as the day is long. Voters must hold them accountable for their antics and make them pay at the ballot box. @repjeffries need to take control and ensure @aoc gets up front and center to put Republicans on notice!!
Well..... great post Reed, thank you. I'll say this, I never had complete trust in Nancy Pelosi. It's been so long ago now, but I remember being very pissed off about her tanking a "healthcare for all" proposal, I don't recall exactly what she'd done now, but I just recall that it was a critical bill for all Americans. I was VERY angry at the underhanded tactics she used to throw President Biden under the bus, then, after the fact, suggests it's all his fault for not stepping down further. That had he done that, we'd have won the election. Well, I love Kamala Harris and did all I could to help. BUT, I honestly think IF the damned democratic party had gotten behind Joe 1000%, and flooded the ignorant media with tactical information and a solid campaign strategy, HE WOULD HAVE WON ! They simply DON'T UNDERSTAND nor seem to CARE about HOW to message properly. How to use all the tools available to them. As several people here said, despite her age, I don't see Nancy Pelosi retiring or yielding power in any fashion.
Now, you said "When presented with Harris and Donald Trump, far too many of them chose to stay home."
Well, what EXACTLY does that say ??? I'll suggest that it REALLY says that those who chose to"stay home " and not vote for Kamala are NOT as bright and concerned about this country as so many have postulated. They're also completely UNINFORMED and incapable of critical thinking/analysis of the issues at hand. Period.
I understand that none of us agrees with EVERYTHING a particular elected official does, or position they may take. That's NORMAL. What's NOT normal is the complete inability to realize what's at stake IN THE MOMENT and to simply think it's ok to take NO ACTION at all. It's not like they ALL didn't get a PREVIEW of what that vile orange bastard was all about!! There were 4 fucking YEARS of preview ffs !
Now, because of their inactivity and selfishness, the rest of us will have to suffer, AGAIN. So, I think, instead of solely focusing on bashing the democratic party, lay the BLAME where it TRULY BELONGS. The blame goes directly to those who didn't vote for Kamala for whatever LAME reason they latched onto.
Had they gotten off their dead asses (and taken their collective heads out of their asses) and voted for Kamala, she may very well have ushered in a whole new energy for making change within the party. But, we'll never know because they didn't give her the damned chance to do so!!!
What's the phrase?? "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me TWICE, SHAME ON ME!!"
They ALL knew the mango wanker was a sociopathic ignoramus and pathological LIAR, but somehow came to the conclusion that HE would be BETTER for the country (and the world) than a vibrant, experienced, whip smart WOMAN OF COLOR who genuinely CARES about people and their well-being. Apparently, a convicted FELON and adjudicated sexual abuser of women is a BETTER CHOICE??? !! 🤬
THAT speaks volumes about what kind of people THEY really are.
It is beyond sad for the party that is purportedly most pro-democracy, and the last hope in the USA to fight against the oligarchial rule we are about to face, is putting our future in the hands of old, establishment, white men. Instead of with youthful, progressive, fighters for justice, equality, and democratic policies for all peoples. No wonder we're losing in just about every demographic. What do the old establishment Democrats in the House and Senate think they are accomplishing by shutting out youthful leaders? Certainly not winning elections, apparently.
There are plenty of Americans (those that actually voted and those that did not - who are now seeing the errors of their ways - and even those who voted for the dictator) who see what is about to happen and are gearing up (it is already happening all across America) to deal with the Bullshit. They are not afraid and are going to stand and fight. It will take shape in many different kinds of defense and offense (like it should) against Trump, his corrupt family, and his goons and thugs. Who do not care about people that they are "supposed" to "serve". They only care about themselves and power and control and money. Almost everything they do will be on display for everyone to see and sadly feel. People and the planet are going to get hurt, that is what Trump, his corrupt family, and his goons and thugs do - hurt people. So what to do: (1) Keep the Receipts, (2) Make them Own It, (3) Show and Tell ALL damage they are doing to real people and real lives, and (4) Show a Better Way. Get in the fight and do whatever you can from wherever you are, in whatever way you can. Hit them from multiple directions and do not let up. This is our country, our future, your lives, and your families, and friends, and neighbors and communities.
We LOVE your pod on YouTube—and now are so glad we signed up to receive your Substacks. You just said what we've been swearing under our breath. Gerry Connolly instead of AOC?? Democratic Party! WTF??!
this is far beyond grotesque! AOC is wonderful for all the reasons you have mentioned - so to have an old white retread in an important and potentially visible position is so f'ing stupid. Does one weep or scream, or both? Why not have the press - with whatever crediibility it still clings to - turn first to AOC for comments on the latest barbarity of Trump and the MAGAts?
Pelosi intervened due to the stock issue. AOC will encourage accountability through enforcement of the STOCK Act. Pelosi and even Tuberville are against greater enforcement. Check into the stock trades by Connelly. Yesterday President Biden supported going further than the STOCK Act by forcing Congress members to divest or put all stocks in blind trusts. This is Pelosi doing another back-handed slap against Biden and AOC who supported no trading by Congress members.
Well, after my rant just now, I forgot to say thank you Reed. Thanks for your dedicated hard work and thanks for loving democracy. <3 : )
I just have one thing to say today about what just happened. I am FREAKING PISSED OFF at Pelosi!! This should be the LAST time she buts her nose in. She must think she's still speaker! >>:( First she ruined Joe, and Now THIS with AOC! She's BURNT! She and a few others NEED TOO RETIRE NOW!!! She should be done! As far as I'm concerned, after thinking this through, I blame HER for losing this election! The reason she did this was for HER OWN interests in stocks and conflicts of interest! Was Trump right about her?????????????????????????????????????????? >:'(
Few people piss me off as much as Nancy. Supposedly, she stepped down to make way for Hakeem - but she's still in the House!! You really think that she isn't telling him what to do way too often?!
Thank you for this much needed critical assessment of the Democratic Party. I’m so disgusted with Pelosi holding AOC back (top down, “wait your turn” management of the worst kind) that I’ve left the party. I first voted in 1976 (for Jimmy Carter). As of last night, I’m a registered Independent. 😡
Democrats have learned nothing - NOTHING - this past year. We aren't going back they said and then they went back to their grumpy old men ways right after the election. I don't believe them anymore. Good luck getting any younger person than me to believe them too.
I had no idea what had been happening with the democrats in Congress. I now understand more fully what you have been saying about the Democratic Party leaders all along. You are right about AOC. She would make the news. And she is clear headed. There are some other younger members that seem capable also. Political speak and maneuvering are not my specialty, but it is disappointing to hear about the good old boys, etc. Thanks, Reed, for all you do.
I'm ready to abandon the sell outs like Pelosi. The Democratic Party will always sell out because white liberals live money and order more than freedom. We need a new political movement that doesn't sell out to oligarchs.
@democrats are as sorry as the day is long. Voters must hold them accountable for their antics and make them pay at the ballot box. @repjeffries need to take control and ensure @aoc gets up front and center to put Republicans on notice!!
Well..... great post Reed, thank you. I'll say this, I never had complete trust in Nancy Pelosi. It's been so long ago now, but I remember being very pissed off about her tanking a "healthcare for all" proposal, I don't recall exactly what she'd done now, but I just recall that it was a critical bill for all Americans. I was VERY angry at the underhanded tactics she used to throw President Biden under the bus, then, after the fact, suggests it's all his fault for not stepping down further. That had he done that, we'd have won the election. Well, I love Kamala Harris and did all I could to help. BUT, I honestly think IF the damned democratic party had gotten behind Joe 1000%, and flooded the ignorant media with tactical information and a solid campaign strategy, HE WOULD HAVE WON ! They simply DON'T UNDERSTAND nor seem to CARE about HOW to message properly. How to use all the tools available to them. As several people here said, despite her age, I don't see Nancy Pelosi retiring or yielding power in any fashion.
Now, you said "When presented with Harris and Donald Trump, far too many of them chose to stay home."
Well, what EXACTLY does that say ??? I'll suggest that it REALLY says that those who chose to"stay home " and not vote for Kamala are NOT as bright and concerned about this country as so many have postulated. They're also completely UNINFORMED and incapable of critical thinking/analysis of the issues at hand. Period.
I understand that none of us agrees with EVERYTHING a particular elected official does, or position they may take. That's NORMAL. What's NOT normal is the complete inability to realize what's at stake IN THE MOMENT and to simply think it's ok to take NO ACTION at all. It's not like they ALL didn't get a PREVIEW of what that vile orange bastard was all about!! There were 4 fucking YEARS of preview ffs !
Now, because of their inactivity and selfishness, the rest of us will have to suffer, AGAIN. So, I think, instead of solely focusing on bashing the democratic party, lay the BLAME where it TRULY BELONGS. The blame goes directly to those who didn't vote for Kamala for whatever LAME reason they latched onto.
Had they gotten off their dead asses (and taken their collective heads out of their asses) and voted for Kamala, she may very well have ushered in a whole new energy for making change within the party. But, we'll never know because they didn't give her the damned chance to do so!!!
What's the phrase?? "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me TWICE, SHAME ON ME!!"
They ALL knew the mango wanker was a sociopathic ignoramus and pathological LIAR, but somehow came to the conclusion that HE would be BETTER for the country (and the world) than a vibrant, experienced, whip smart WOMAN OF COLOR who genuinely CARES about people and their well-being. Apparently, a convicted FELON and adjudicated sexual abuser of women is a BETTER CHOICE??? !! 🤬
THAT speaks volumes about what kind of people THEY really are.
It is beyond sad for the party that is purportedly most pro-democracy, and the last hope in the USA to fight against the oligarchial rule we are about to face, is putting our future in the hands of old, establishment, white men. Instead of with youthful, progressive, fighters for justice, equality, and democratic policies for all peoples. No wonder we're losing in just about every demographic. What do the old establishment Democrats in the House and Senate think they are accomplishing by shutting out youthful leaders? Certainly not winning elections, apparently.
This is a good illustration of why I, a lifelong MA resident (former R, now Independent), will never register as a Democrat.
There are plenty of Americans (those that actually voted and those that did not - who are now seeing the errors of their ways - and even those who voted for the dictator) who see what is about to happen and are gearing up (it is already happening all across America) to deal with the Bullshit. They are not afraid and are going to stand and fight. It will take shape in many different kinds of defense and offense (like it should) against Trump, his corrupt family, and his goons and thugs. Who do not care about people that they are "supposed" to "serve". They only care about themselves and power and control and money. Almost everything they do will be on display for everyone to see and sadly feel. People and the planet are going to get hurt, that is what Trump, his corrupt family, and his goons and thugs do - hurt people. So what to do: (1) Keep the Receipts, (2) Make them Own It, (3) Show and Tell ALL damage they are doing to real people and real lives, and (4) Show a Better Way. Get in the fight and do whatever you can from wherever you are, in whatever way you can. Hit them from multiple directions and do not let up. This is our country, our future, your lives, and your families, and friends, and neighbors and communities.
I would say there's more at play here.
Pelosi’s inexcusable move follows a litany of power moves designed solely to maintain the status quo of the donor base.
Pelosi, Schumer, et al would rather lose their base than their donors.
There's no other rational explanation.
Pelosi has succeeded in keeping centrism and incrementalism on life support, but 2026 turnout will be abysmal.