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Kasumii's avatar

Since the election I’ve been astonished at the lack of leadership shown by those already holding positions of leadership and authority. Not at all surprised mind you - every single one of them are Corporate Democrats and complicit with leaving trump and his fellow criminals in place so they can continue to reap the financial benefits. But still, as a veteran, it is mind-boggling to me that not a single person who should have stood up to lead has done so. No one on the Democratic Leadership Team. Not a single former President or VP.

(I understand Buttegieg wanting to spend time with his children now that he is no longer in office but I have been surprised that he hasn’t been more of a public figure in leading or at least trying to help reach all those who currently aren’t paying attention to the destruction of the country they live in. Those who stay silent now will not get my vote in the future. That includes Harris.)

When leadership is called for, it is the responsibility of those holding the positions, including those down the chain of command, to step up. If they won’t, then they need to promptly get out of the way - or, as in the military - be removed for dereliction of duty, cowardice or complicity.

(The silence of our former Presidents and VPs is disgraceful.)

I do not grant Schumer as much grace as you do Charlotte. I think he has long been for himself. His actions since 2016 prove that and especially his most recent actions.

I commend you for calling for him to step down. I signed your petition as soon as it arrived and I hope many more will do so or will speak up in other ways.

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James Kerti's avatar

Exactly! As Charlotte alluded to in a prior post, one of two things is true:

Possibility 1: Democratic leaders — for some reason — didn't really believe that Trump would start enacting Project 2025 the way he has been — even though these same leaders spent months telling us that he would and trying to fundraise off it — and are caught off guard and unprepared.

Possibility 2: Democratic leaders saw this coming, as so many of us did, but given months to meet exactly this moment, came up with ... whatever this vague, hand-wavey strategy is?

Either scenario is unacceptable.

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DorGal's avatar

The only thing I believe could not have been fully anticipated, if at all, was the extent to which Musk is involved. DOGE was announced before the inauguration, but did anyone fully imagine the way that’s unfolded? I think they were counting on using the courts against the onslaught of EOs. Should have even more set up for those I think.

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Amazon Anne's avatar

Spot on. We need new, fresh leadership in the party. And I say that as a 70-year old white woman. The old guard needs to step aside and let the younger people take over. This is embarrassing.

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DorGal's avatar

The more Sen Schumer tries to defend his choice, the less convinced I am that he truly understands the direness of our country’s situation. He offers no vision, no solution, no direction; he does not even offer up a need for his party to be on the same page. In cancelling his book signings for security reasons he showed his cowardice. He is no better than the GOP representatives who either refuse to do town halls or turn them into GOP rallies by refusing admittance to those who are Democrats or Independents. That he even thought it wise to go on a book tour (same for Hakeem Jeffries), he is showing precisely how little he understands that we are in the midst of the death throes of democracy.

He has not shown the leadership necessary to keep his party united in opposition to the Trump regime. Far too many democratic senators are voting for nominees and policies in a situation where they are not necessary. He has not succeeded in turning his gym-time conversations into actually winning votes away from across the aisle. Republicans do not break rank. They break rules, but not rank. He has not made it clear that democrats must not break rank.

Unfortunately he is my senator and even if he resigns from the leadership position, I still have to deal with him. I still have to write to him and Gillibrand to ask them to support or fight against various policies. Let me tell you, my trust in them has waned and I feel like my calls and emails don’t necessarily carry weight. This in and of itself is not good for our Democratic Party.

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Steve's avatar

Three thoughts. (My quota for the month.)

First, before we select a new leader, we need a new plan. The Democratic Party is still oriented towards trying to be a legislative institution. Looking for avenues to pass legislation, or block legislation. It needs to continue that, but shift its focus to being more of an opposition party, in the British sense of the term. Its primary mission should be to coherently and forcefully attack and expose each Trump initiate and show why it will hurt the country. Use their position in Congress to make the specific cases, often at the local level, that Trump's closing of Dept of Ed, will hurt schools in red states; that cutting VA staff will harm veterans; that the suspension of NIH grants will delay research in the following specific areas. Etc.

Second, the Dem. Party needs to become a rallying point for the opposition. It needs step up and let people know there is a national opposition, and galvanize people to become involved. This means immediately establishing local focal points and organizations who can connect and organize at the local, state and municipal level.

Finally, this is an "all hands on deck" moment. Democrats--in the sense of those dedicated to saving democracy--need to move beyond distinctions, such as "Progressive" "Moderate,"" "Corporate" Democrats. The only qualifier that matters is are they willing to fight to preserve our democracy and for the principles on which that democracy has been based. . Kudos to AOC and Bernie, who have largely taken the position that we fight against Trumpism NOW, and can haggle over single-payer healthcare, later.

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Richard's avatar

I agree with you 100%!

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