I cannot stop thinking of the fear in the eyes of Lisa Murkowski...

[kentuck]

It was real. And she said as much. She fears retaliation.

It is easy to hate some of these people for their cowardice and treasonous loyalty to this malevolent dictator now in charge of our government. But Lisa Murkowski has shown courage in some of her votes, for example, she voted against Hegseth for Defense Secretary, and she voted to convict Donald Trump in his impeachment trial. But she has had some terrible votes also.

But, the point is that many Republicans are afraid to speak out against Donald Trump. They have no where to go. Some of these folks need a lifeline. They are desperate.

In my opinion, the Democrats should offer to work with those Republicans that are willing to work in a coalition to preserve our democracy. This is no time for purity in politics. This is not the time to be afraid of a few conservatives that think differently than us.

We should offer the opportunity to caucus with the Democratic Party, even if they vote totally different from the Party, on most issues. They can be part of the Independent caucus, along with Angus King of Maine. They do not have to stay where they are at present. They need to make a change.

In my opinion, the Democratic Party should assist them as much as possible without requiring a litmus test of any sort. I cannot escape the fear exhibited by Lisa Murkowski.

We should be able to work together as a coalition to defeat this scourge that we now face. Just my opinion.

[rich7862]

1. When you are as afraid as Lisa Murkowski you have no business in congress. Your job is to fight for us.

[kentuck]

2. And she may be one of the more courageous ones?

Republicans are imprisoned by their fear.

[LuvLoogie]

23. Most are complicit.

They have been on this path since at least Reagan.

I have no sympathy for Lisa Murkowski. Not when LGBTQ BIPOC are getting othered, lynched, and beaten actually and legislatively. While school children are being detained. While their parents are being kidnapped. While Shit Mouth sells out this nation on a daily basis.

Fuck her fear.

[MLAA]

4. She is speaking up on record, i think this is and example of what FDR was talking about.

[img][/img]

[MadameButterfly]

11. Thank God she has remained in Congress

Most Republicans with her qualms have stepped down or been removed. We need her. She is relatively safe electorally in Alaska which helps her to speak out. But that doesn't protect her physical safety.

Bravery is not having no fear. It's having fear and acting courageously anyway.

[bdamomma]

15. The last lesson

in On Tyranny, Timothy Snyder handbook,

Last listed 20th lesson: BE AS COURAGEOUS AS YOU CAN.

If none of us is prepared to die for freedom, then all of us will die under tyranny.

[MadameButterfly]

30. The whistleblower at the NLRB

has shown us that. He may be a turning point.

[bdamomma]

37. We need

more whistleblowers it should all of us, protests are a must.

[MadameButterfly]

41. I think this whistleblower will lead to more

and we all need to come out in force tomorrow!

[bdamomma]

44. .................

[richdj25]

21. Bernie isn't afraid....

I believe Murkowski is full of absolute shyt.

[MadameButterfly]

33. Bernie has always been fearless

He gets hero status.

I don't mean to be defending Murkowski so much but we can't hold everyone to the Bernie standard to accept whatever help they can offer. When the Republicans come around, if they do, it will be timidly, late, and never enough to make up for the damage they have done in getting us here. Yet, we need them, any that we can get, and we need to recognize their courage when they do. We only need a few to turn this thing around. If a handful of Republicans do this, it can save democracy but they'll have crosshairs on their backs.

[JI7]

34. Why would Bernie be afraid ?

[madamesilverspurs]

59. What the hell???

She's bringing buckets of guts to her job. As for the look in her eyes, I've seen that look before, sometimes in the mirror. It's the look of someone who recognizes the bully, the abuser -- and trump sure as hell has a long history of threatening and bullying women. There is nothing in the congressional job description that compels her to be braver than her male colleagues in dealing with the bully who happens to hold the presidency, and suggesting that she's wimping out is every bit as offensive as the bullying to which she's reacting. And being the abusive bully that he is, you can be sure that trump revels in the knowledge that members of congress, especially the women, are afraid of him as a person.

I've not often agreed with her votes, but have appreciated when she's stepped across the party line to support good measures. That she's speaking up IN SPITE OF HER FEAR speaks volumes about the strength of character that keeps her in the fight, a character attribute not exhibited in her quivering male counterparts. I'll not join in condemning her.

.

[Blue Owl]

3. Somewhere an orange fat fucking fuck is feeding off that fear

Time to stand up to that weak, cowardly piece of shit who thinks he’s some kind of “strong man” — fuck him….

[DoBW]

5. her little bubble burst... must be very concerning *nt*

[MadameButterfly]

12. I think Collins is the one with a problem with concern

[cachukis]

6. Great OP.

[H2O Man]

7. Recommended.

Very well said.

[Xipe Totec]

8. If she's afraid she should resign. Period.

This is not a game for the meek or the timid.

[Hekate]

20. See my post 14. NONE of those people were or are "meek & timid"

[33taw]

48. She has more courage than any other Republican. I am sure there are many as afraid as she is, let them resign.

At least she spoke up and is a swing vote.

[Chicagogrl1]

9. I'd like to know what they are afraid of

Losing their jobs, being primaried, or what exactly? No congress person should expect to have their job for their entire life. It’s ridiculous. If they are being physically threatened, then they should say so. Isn’t it against the law to threaten a Congress person???????

[Hekate]

14. Death. Arson (Gov. Shapiro) . Hammer blow to the head (Paul Pelosi, permanent brain injury) ...

Direct shot to the head, death of aides (Gabbie Giffords, permanent brain injury) . Shooting death of son in doorway to home (Judge Esther Salas: son murdered, husband injured)

You think they might be afraid for themselves or their family members dying or being maimed? With good reason?

[electric_blue68]

50. For better or worse,I agree. Hideious actions! I Did Not Know about Judge Salas and family! 😩

I really don't think Reps & Senators signed up for physical endangerment, or worse!

Of course, after J6....

[radical noodle]

57. Going against trump is like going against the mob

And that's exactly what he's doing. Extorting people, threatening people, retaliating against people. He's a crime boss.

[electric_blue68]

58. Yup. Some are happy w that. More aren't and I blame the non-voters of 2024. NO Excuse....

though some long time political acquaintances on a totally different site say there are too many "low information voters".

I mean, o k being on DU is a more politically concentrated type of observance; but was I shocked on hearing on how a bunch of people still thought Biden was running a week out from election day!!!
JFC!!!!


Really. REALLY?!!!!

[Hudly]

17. The Law?

The law? Ha! The law! What law? Where’s the law?
Deliverance - 1972

[MadameButterfly]

27. They are afraid for their safety and their family's

You have to be a hero to stand up to this kind of threat. Few people will actually do it, and Republicans don't have a record of being profiles in courage when the stakes are much lower.

We are being run by Brownshirts and Mafia style threats.

Republicans need more than an offer of a coalition. They need security details and for things to get bad enough that they sleep even worse if they don't do something. I don't know what it would take.

But it would help if there wasn't also a risk of being sent to a foreign gulag if you displease the dear leader.

[Walleye]

31. Senator Van Hollen risked his life going to El Salvador.

It takes a lot of courage just to be a Democrat in this atmosphere. I do feel sorry for the Republicans. They’re not used to being treated this way by opposition because we don’t play this way.

[MadameButterfly]

39. Democrats are all at risk sooner or later

They just aren't all getting the same level of focus from the Brownshirts as a renegade Republican would, if they are just acting like Democrats. I think some prominent Democrats already are, like AOC. But I expect if Trump isn't stopped in his current trajectory he'll be using his power to silence or punish Democrats until he gets his way on everything. Every Democrat understands the stakes, and we are lucky to have so much talent willing to put themselves on the line for us.

[GemDigger]

42. I think the threats may be more sinister than that.

Considering that both orange asshole and hacker asshole with his group of assholes, I can come up with a bunch of possibilities.

[SSJVegeta]

10. Resignation is an option if they are too afraid to do their jobs

[Karasu]

24. This. They can resign and be no less the worse for wear, never having to worry about retaliation as long as they keep

their mouths shut. Just like they're doing now. The difference, of course, being that as long as they're in Congress, their silence is acquiescence, and therefore incredibly destructive.

This crime syndicate of a party has had a million opportunities to stand up and do the right thing over the last decade. They chose to go all-in on fascism. Frankly, I have no pity for anyone who still identifies as a Republican after the events of last 1/6/21. Even the so-called "good ones."

[SSJVegeta]

26. I highly encourage republicans in states with Democratic governors to do this.

Perhaps Susan Collins has become concerned enough to finally resign?

Ron Johnsons been awfully quiet lately too 😒 🤔

And what about Dave McCormick? He was useless before and even more useless now. I put a hundred thousand dollars on the idea all those assholes don't have an ounce of courage to compare to Murkowski.

Time to find the door...

[MadameButterfly]

36. Ron Johnson is a Russian spy

He's all in for what is happening

[SSJVegeta]

38. Hes been really quiet lately

I'm wondering if even he's starting to worry things are going too far

[MadameButterfly]

40. Or maybe with Trump/Musk being so flagrant

he's scared of being caught

[leftstreet]

51. +1

[TnDem]

13. re: Murkowski

Murkowski will end up in the political dustbin of what the Bible calls "lukewarm" when the timing is bad...

Manchin, Cheney and a slew of others found this out the hard way...Either stand hard for what you believe or get chewed up by the voters that DO value standing up for something rather than wishy washy bullshit.

She'll end up hated by her own party and us.

[MadameButterfly]

22. Murkowski is pretty popular in Alaska

Overcame losing in a Republican primary to a teaparty guy and ran as an independent and won. She may be exactly what Alaska wants.

[Celerity]

52. not just an independent, she ran that year as a write-in candidate and won!

[TnDem]

54. re: Murkowski

For now...Until a popular populist goes hard right or left and beats her.

Who was it that said, " There's nothing in the middle of the road except yellow lines and dead possums"?

[moniss]

16. She has a place to go as do

any others like her. They can switch parties and give us the Senate or they can declare as Independent and then caucus with us. The time for action is now. Otherwise come 2026 it's going to be "I could have, I should have" while we watch either no election taking place or one in which the suppression is off the charts and there will be major efforts to overturn results that are unfavorable to the fascists.

[ALBliberal]

18. At first? I was thinking that she needs to resign.

Now? I wonder if she has been threatened. You will remain will not retire and you will toe the line.

Oddly? Any Republican standing up … it will be more difficult than any democrat

Or thats how I am looking at it.

And if she retires she doesn’t have the security detail.

This man is a scourge on humanity!

[W_HAMILTON]

19. I don't buy it. They've been pulling anti-democratic, anti-American shit for years. They are who they are.

[Demovictory9]

25. 8 republican Senators or house members get together... they have all the power in the world. Only risk is losing their

jobs next election. but what price do you put on your soul... eh Rubio??

[Mopar151]

28. The Main Street Caucus

A shelter from the Trump storm...

[Walleye]

29. I agree with this. This is the approach we need to take. We should tell them we welcome them with open arms.

And show a little bit of sympathy, explaining that they were conned by the best con man ever. Could happen to anybody.

[Bluethroughu]

32. If she is not willing to fight against hhidcfascist take over,

Then get out of the way and make room for someone who is. Enough with the pitty party and align yourself with the Democratic party, and get these people out of office.

[FHRRK]

35. I agree in theory

But, she would be the only R Senator that I would trust.

With that, she can step up and switch parties, or flip to Ind. and caucus with the Dems.

If there are House members willing, the same, but I can’t think of any with courage.

They literally have days to do the right thing. You going to be a chicken shit Nazi in 1933 or be a Patriot?

Seems like a very easy choice, but I’m not a gutless Repub.

[DET]

43. I Applaud Lisa Murkowski

She told the truth. That takes courage in this administration - especially when your colleagues stay silent. I think we’re way past the fear of being primaried. She and her family undoubtedly have been physically threatened, and we know what they’re capable of. I wish that some male Republicans would show bravery when it counts. Anyone who speaks up should be given security, although I’m sure TSF would not approve it..

[kentuck]

45. If enough Republicans joined the Independents or the Democrats, we could get a majority....

...and form a "shadow" government to make sure a vote is taken on everything. If the Congress doesn't pass it, it isn't a law. That's in the Constitution. Only a majority can hold him to account.

[Safe as Milk]

46. It was a rare moment of sanity within the GOP,

but let's not expect a groundswell of defiance. Since her disclosure, it's been crickets. It's mobilized NO ONE. That's how strong and pervasive the terror is. GOPers can read about fascism and dictatorial takeovers until their eyes fall out. It doesn't matter. They'll never have the integrity to gain their own voice. Never.

[AverageOldGuy]

47. Republicans can start by growing spines

I’m not holding my breath

[JustAnotherGen]

49. I'm serving in local office

In a blue dot in a Ruby Red rural NJ county.

The racist violent screeds sent via email, on my council phone, through the mail slot of my front door . . .

Its part of serving in office in America in 2025. She's going to have to.stay the course and get used to it. She's not the only one dealing with blood thirsty maga savages.

[electric_blue68]

53. I'm So sorry you are enduring this digital, verbal, and written violence!

....

[I believe in "woo", so white light of protection around you, office, and family]

[calimary]

55. Nice to see honesty break through. And I'm sure she's scared to be so candid.

Well, I'd offer this:

COME ON OVER, LISA! Have you considered joining the good guys? Might be a nice change for ya, girlfriend! It's always refreshing and reinvigorating to consider new things! A change of "scenery" can be the breath of fresh air you've been yearning for, deep-down.

New people! New friends! New ways of looking at things! New ideas! New approaches! New solutions! And as the old saying attributed to a big Irish family once put it: "there's always room for one more!"

Consider it, Lisa! The water's warm. And we don't bite!

[Humanityfirst]

56. Caucus

Lisa can join the Democratic caucus. She knows politics and she should be working to get rid of rump. I realize she is frightened but she does not need the Dems to invite her.

[lamp_shade]

61. Welcome to DU, Humanityfirst.

[Bread and Circuses]

60. Yes, the Democrats reached out to Senate Republicans during TWO Impeachments...and still are

At some point , we need a human being who has national stature to say.:
No More, We’re shutting it all down.

And we’re hanging the traitors after they receive due process.

[marble falls]

62. Democrats have voted for her to keep her from being successfully primaried by MAGAts. She needs ...

... to start dancing with those what brung her to the dance.