For Democrats, the days of gentlemanly, old school, status quo politics are over.

[lees1975]

https://signalpress.blogspot.com/2025/01/for-democrats-days-of-gentlemanly-old.html

As long as Americans still have the right to vote, my "x" will now find its way next to the names of candidates who demonstrate understanding of the situation we now face, and how we got here, and who are willing, not only to make sure that they understand the electorate and the needs of the American people and are willing to sacrifice their own prestige and position to get it for them, but who are also willing to resist, at every turn, and in every way, the authoritarian bigotry and agenda of the far right wing extremist agenda of Trump and MAGA Republicans.

Is Trump the existential threat to American Democracy that has been a long running theme in Democratic Party politics now, going back to at least 2016? I believe he is. I want to know if the Democrats I plan to support, and for whom I will vote, really believe this to be the case. And I want to see them respond accordingly now that he has been elected. If he is an existential threat to democracy, then compromise will simply lead to the accomplishment of his agenda which, in spite of his rhetoric, is Project 2025.

What makes me doubt the belief Democrats have in their own rhetoric, that Trump is an existential threat to Democracy, is that opportunities to make sure he ceased to be a threat were squandered, when action was possible to prevent Trump from ever being able to run again. Congress impeached the man for incitement of insurrection on January 13, 2021. And while the Senate, of course, refused to convict, the groundwork was already in place to get a conviction on this charge.

How serious should this have been taken? Serious enough to break the Senate filibuster, and pack the Supreme Court to ensure that no potential immunity rulings or derailments could come from them, especially given their propensity to be so highly partisan and the appearance of owing favors to Trump for their appointment. Then, after the Congressional investigation concluded, using the full force and power of the Presidency, get that case into court, cutting the red tape, stopping the delays and getting Trump tagged as an insurrectionist. Bold moves, but a group of Democrats, serious about the threat Trump posed, should have been able to get that done. That's certainly my expectation.

If opportunities to demonstrate the same kind of boldness, and of strong conviction, to protect this nation and its Constitution, to which they all swear an oath, present themselves again, those Democrats who demonstrate boldness of the kind I've just described will get my vote and my support.