The Democratic bench is looking stronger and stronger. Look for the Republicans to lie, cheat and steal in order to retain power in 2026 and especially in 2028. It may be their only chance to "win"!
This has already started in GA, where Raffensberger stated GA already sent voter registration data to the DOJ. Fortunately for the American people, several States have refused to do so.
They don't have to steal or cheat much in over ten heavily gerrymandered Red states to hold onto power. UNLESS we flip enough disgruntled conservatives sickened--or financially hurt--by the Trumpist pedo-enablers.
Which is why we can't afford to make any mistakes before next Fall. Or chase any sticks they throw into the woods, like DEI or transphobia. This election needs to be primarily how GOP rule has made >90% of us poorer, not richer, and that we're not going to take it anymore. The GOP Epstein coverup is just an especially pungent garnish.
All of these mentioned are the new leaders of the party. It’s time for the old guard to step aside and let the party refresh their focus and drive. I think this shift will be cumbersome and difficult, intrenched politicians like their power and comfort. It’s going to take a tremendous concentration and cooperation within the party to move ahead and win elections. I’m hoping the old guard will fade away, hope does spring eternal.
As a registered independent I have noted the high quality of mid level democrats. My personal beef with the DNC is the support for entrenched democratic leadership. We need disciplined, committed, America loving, high energy representation of “We the people” to combat the chaos that has been brewing in Washington.
It seems to me that our US Military is a great training ground for individuals with those characteristics. Mark Kelley of Arizona and Jason Crow of Colorado are two fine examples of what I’m looking for in Democratic Party leadership. Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher, running to unseat Rep. Boebert is another. Collectively, they have the ability to restore the security of American Democracy. Let’s give them support and recognition.
I agree wholeheartedly. That's why I support David Hogg and the group he co-founded "Leaders we Deserve." Because of that, he was kicked off the DNC board by Ken Martin, who is no Ben Wikler, and who continues to support the old bench warmers..
Those who retire could be mentors, helpers, promoters of good Democratic policy to those who replace them.
I still believe there is wisdom in age and long experience, for moving the levers in the right direction and cautioning against possible strategic and tactical errors.
Yes, there are definitely oldsters among us who still have much to give: Bernie, Ralph Nader, etc. It's when people become greedy about holding onto power and perks that they need to go.
I know that's the take of many people. I never agreed with that, I think it was a lot more multifaceted. Bill Clinton did little to help the Gore campaign. Nader offered to give up his campaign if he Democrats would support Kucinich, who was an early progressive. I had a classmate once who was, like Nader, very sure of himself, even arrogant at times. I could forgive that because he was brilliant at his job (public service law) and knew his stuff more than most ever would. Nader still soldiers on for the common good--unlike Obama who seems to be enjoying his ride on the gravy train since his terms ended, and Bubba Clinton.
Agree. There has been so much damage done that we can't afford to simply sideline the Dem elders who are past their "best by date."
The nature of the presidency has irretrievably changed: it is now as much a marketing position as it is a policy position, and marketing is something at which Dems generally fail. Obama and Biden were good presidents but had their heads down working, naively believing that the voting public would eventually see the wisdom of their work. That approach was insufficient to overcome the GOP message machine.
A future Dem president has to be out front constantly, and have a highly capable and motivated team of policy wonks making things happen fast. It's this team that needs the wisdom of the elders. Drastic revisions are now required to the economy and budget, the Supreme Court, tax policy, the military, international relations, and the rest of the cabinet departments. The incompetent GOP loyalists laced throughout government have to be evicted. The monopolies and oligopolies that are currently being built in the private sector must be dismantled. The Dems have to put ordinary people back at the center of their policy goals.
This is no time for the Dems to dump any expertise or willing workers.
I think Dems could repair a lot of the Trump damage if they gain control of both houses and the presidency in 2028.
But we will need expert messaging and clear policies that are designed to reduce costs and increase opportunities (and paychecks) for the working and middle classes. Pro-union and pro-healthcare access. Also, taxing the rich is actually a pretty popular concept right now.
He has done untold damage to the Democrats both in the Senate and party as a whole. When Sestak ran for the Senate nomination in PA, he was likely to win as hit checked all the boxes for this purple state. He wouldn't agree to bow to Schumer so Schumer blocked his nomination. The Democrats lost the seat.
My disappointment about Kamala can not be described in words. When the country needed a leader desperately she disappeared and wrote a book about her grievances. I remember the dark days a year ago. It was really people like Jen Rubin, Heather Cox Richardson, Robert Hubbel, Joyce Vance, Jay Kuo along with grass roots like Indivisibke and the Mighty Marc Elias who steered the ship of democracy. My hats off.
Kamala Harris, like Joseph Biden is yesterday's news. What is now needeed (and is beginning to happen) is a focused rejection of the current regime and planning for the future, from the midterm elections and beyond to 2028.
The people spoke….they would rather have a murderer ( dt is responsible for killing the police officers on Jan 6),insurrectionist and rapist for president than a woman. They would rather have someone who cheats and lies and is mentally disturbed! Disappointed in Kamala. No way. She bowed out gracefully knowing that white supremacy and misogyny won the election. What I am is disgusted with are those who were too lazy to vote or who voted for dump!🤬
Perhaps she doesn't see herself as effective and has chosen to step back. Let others who are more dynamic take her place. From this article, we seem to have a good stock of them.
As time moves onward, Harris is going to seem more and more out of date. The nation refused her skills the last time, and hope the Dems will not call on her again. She has the same issues but has chosen to remain silent and removed since the election?
Read study today that 55% of Catholics in this country voted for Trump. That says a great deal. We are going to have so many problems in three years that we have never had to cope with in past. It is going to be more than gender and race! We must appeal to the younger generation of voters and candidates! Or we will lose, again!
We need to face and update our views and goals! We need younger supporters and people who want to make changes and then accept them! It is the huge unknown lying ahead of us with a lot of restoration of principles, standards, and morals! Go get them!
As did I. I have been extremely disappointed. She ghosted us when we needed her the most. New leadership has stepped up, and I can and will support them.
Ms. Harris had to catch a deep fly ball at the wall in heels. As to the future I'll take her on my team gladly, Joe too, and Bill, Hillary, Barak a long list of Senators and representatives.
Republicans get to look to Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, Chuck Grassley, Mike Lee and 49 other senate gems for inspiration. Never mind the babble in the house, all led by ignominy.
Never mind the MAGAs! WE need to be concerned about OUR candidates and not re run the old campaigns. This is a new era-with different and newer problems and issues.
She did not retreat from public eye. Book tours were done, a few speeches were given. She could have been an excellent leader. In her speech after the loss she said, "I am not going anywhere". Yet she was nowhere to be found.
The indication from Ms. Rubin's good reporting here is that the pendulum is moving from the right to the center-left. People don't like to have their rights abridged. People also don't like it when promises made are not kept. And again, as the kitchen-table budgets of so many of our people are sacked by the unrelenting high prices of all necessities, it's still the economy, and it's the one that's closest to home.
What are your standards for "Right to Center" politics? How do you determine what "Center" means? Is a non-segregated American considered "Center"? Is public funding for Charter and religious schools considered "Center"? Are those Republicans who say they are opposed to most of the issues Trump and the Party have used to eliminate our Democracy, yet vote with the Majority, considered "Center"?
Your position sounds much like a Fox News report that is designed to misinform citizens of what is happening!
How is commenting on how people not liking to have rights abridged, promises broken, and a focus on shortchanging the kitchen-table economy in any way close to Faux Noise reporting? As for right-center-left, the regime we are experiencing is far right.
It is encouraging to see so many from all across the political spectrum standing up for diversity, equality and inclusion -- and the rule of law. Those elements are truly the foundation of our constitutional republic.
I'm sorry, but those of us living in places like the Fascist state of Florida need more encouragement. All politics is (and are) local.
Just this morning, I was reading the papers from Pennsylvania, which has a Democratic governor. Hundreds of thousands of children are uninsured and soon the Obamacare bills come due and maybe a million adults will forgo coverage. People are going to die.
All Democrats should already be on board. We need to convince Congressional Republicans.
The only silver lining in that black cloud is that you may not have to do much convincing at all. Republicans are RESIGNING rather than falling in line. MAGA is cracking. The dementia and depravity are accelerating.
This is going to be a bad year for them. And that is an encouraging thought.
I hope there will be *dancing in the streets*, by Democrats and progressives, after the mid-terms in November. I also hope of a definitive shift in power starting in 2026. Impeachment? Yes, if it becomes necessary!
Speaking as a Pennsylvanian, we not only control the Governor’s office, we also hold a slim majority in the General Assembly and a much firmer one in the state’s Supreme Court. Our AG is (unfortunately) a Republican and those folks also hold a small majority in the State Senate. Just over half our population—and a much higher percentage of our economy—is located in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and their associated suburbs (all Democratic).
While we’re a swing state, we’re a good deal closer to being blue than red.
We have an abundance of talent and energy on our side. Pete Buttigieg’s name should get thrown into that mix — he played a strong role in galvanizing those Common Cause protestors in Indiana.
Pete Buttigieg is exceptionally bright, an outstanding communicator, level headed, makes fact based decisions, and is an outstanding leader. Because he's gay we don't talk enough about him! We need to get over it. This country was not ready for a black president either!
We do need these lists recognizing those who are resisting "his" unlawful, cruel acts so valorously. We also need a list of those Democratic office-holders, especially those in Congress and statehouses, that NEED TO GO--NOW!! Starting with Schumer. We need to be rid of those who cling to power and perks for decades--no one is irreplaceable! We need to be rid of those who treat Israel like the 51st state. We need to be rid of those who rely on donations from lobbyists of industries which are destroying our social safety net and our planet. We need to rid from the Democratic leadership those who protect the wealth of the wealthy over the well-being of the working class and the poor.
Chuck Schumer kept the beast at bay more than once. Bernie speeches ignore the need to understand how the Senate and House actually function, rather than how you believe they should with an arithmetical minority in both chambers. We will need all the skill we can muster to reverse that reality this year.
Bernie may do what he does, speak passionately for the underclasses in America, precisely because he does appreciate the limits of being in the voting minority. As for Schumer, he fought for what we needed once upon a time. Now it's time for him to go. To pass the baton to someone who sees the world as it is today. Has he endorsed Mamdani yet?
I'm a big fan of Andy Bashear. He has kept Kentucky on an even keel in spite of a super majority of Republicans in the legislature. Did you know that he had training as a minister? He would make a great presidential candidate.
Definitely! She is not my mayor, because I live in a suburb but very close to Boston, I admire her very much and have been following her strong stands.
This is a great Happy New Year document. I am fortunate to live in the marvelous state of Massachusetts where great folks get elected. Thanks for all the good news and may all you the Contrarians have a fantastic 2026!!
Yes, there are definitely some excellent people who can help resurrect our country. I also want to support every poll worker and vote-counter who can honestly oversee our next election so that we can have new leaders that WE choose, not those designated by oligarchs.
Intro meetings and found each one was so warm, engaged, gifted, cooperative and enthusiastic. One said we have a group phone call each day- that was so encouraging. Might have been Force Multiplier or ACLU sponsored- both really excellent organizations. I hope that is repeated- my heart was encouraged at a time I really needed that.
Thank you for this optimistic and forward-looking inventory of our political assets, Jen!
The Democratic bench is looking stronger and stronger. Look for the Republicans to lie, cheat and steal in order to retain power in 2026 and especially in 2028. It may be their only chance to "win"!
This has already started in GA, where Raffensberger stated GA already sent voter registration data to the DOJ. Fortunately for the American people, several States have refused to do so.
They don't have to steal or cheat much in over ten heavily gerrymandered Red states to hold onto power. UNLESS we flip enough disgruntled conservatives sickened--or financially hurt--by the Trumpist pedo-enablers.
Which is why we can't afford to make any mistakes before next Fall. Or chase any sticks they throw into the woods, like DEI or transphobia. This election needs to be primarily how GOP rule has made >90% of us poorer, not richer, and that we're not going to take it anymore. The GOP Epstein coverup is just an especially pungent garnish.
Hope is bustin' out all over.
All of these mentioned are the new leaders of the party. It’s time for the old guard to step aside and let the party refresh their focus and drive. I think this shift will be cumbersome and difficult, intrenched politicians like their power and comfort. It’s going to take a tremendous concentration and cooperation within the party to move ahead and win elections. I’m hoping the old guard will fade away, hope does spring eternal.
As a registered independent I have noted the high quality of mid level democrats. My personal beef with the DNC is the support for entrenched democratic leadership. We need disciplined, committed, America loving, high energy representation of “We the people” to combat the chaos that has been brewing in Washington.
It seems to me that our US Military is a great training ground for individuals with those characteristics. Mark Kelley of Arizona and Jason Crow of Colorado are two fine examples of what I’m looking for in Democratic Party leadership. Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher, running to unseat Rep. Boebert is another. Collectively, they have the ability to restore the security of American Democracy. Let’s give them support and recognition.
I agree wholeheartedly. That's why I support David Hogg and the group he co-founded "Leaders we Deserve." Because of that, he was kicked off the DNC board by Ken Martin, who is no Ben Wikler, and who continues to support the old bench warmers..
I agree heartily, Gary.
Those who retire could be mentors, helpers, promoters of good Democratic policy to those who replace them.
I still believe there is wisdom in age and long experience, for moving the levers in the right direction and cautioning against possible strategic and tactical errors.
Yes, there are definitely oldsters among us who still have much to give: Bernie, Ralph Nader, etc. It's when people become greedy about holding onto power and perks that they need to go.
Nader? His ego campaign in 2000 helped George W. Bush win.
I know that's the take of many people. I never agreed with that, I think it was a lot more multifaceted. Bill Clinton did little to help the Gore campaign. Nader offered to give up his campaign if he Democrats would support Kucinich, who was an early progressive. I had a classmate once who was, like Nader, very sure of himself, even arrogant at times. I could forgive that because he was brilliant at his job (public service law) and knew his stuff more than most ever would. Nader still soldiers on for the common good--unlike Obama who seems to be enjoying his ride on the gravy train since his terms ended, and Bubba Clinton.
Agree
Agree. There has been so much damage done that we can't afford to simply sideline the Dem elders who are past their "best by date."
The nature of the presidency has irretrievably changed: it is now as much a marketing position as it is a policy position, and marketing is something at which Dems generally fail. Obama and Biden were good presidents but had their heads down working, naively believing that the voting public would eventually see the wisdom of their work. That approach was insufficient to overcome the GOP message machine.
A future Dem president has to be out front constantly, and have a highly capable and motivated team of policy wonks making things happen fast. It's this team that needs the wisdom of the elders. Drastic revisions are now required to the economy and budget, the Supreme Court, tax policy, the military, international relations, and the rest of the cabinet departments. The incompetent GOP loyalists laced throughout government have to be evicted. The monopolies and oligopolies that are currently being built in the private sector must be dismantled. The Dems have to put ordinary people back at the center of their policy goals.
This is no time for the Dems to dump any expertise or willing workers.
I think Dems could repair a lot of the Trump damage if they gain control of both houses and the presidency in 2028.
But we will need expert messaging and clear policies that are designed to reduce costs and increase opportunities (and paychecks) for the working and middle classes. Pro-union and pro-healthcare access. Also, taxing the rich is actually a pretty popular concept right now.
Agree. The top of your old guard to retire list is the Senate Minority Leader.
He has done untold damage to the Democrats both in the Senate and party as a whole. When Sestak ran for the Senate nomination in PA, he was likely to win as hit checked all the boxes for this purple state. He wouldn't agree to bow to Schumer so Schumer blocked his nomination. The Democrats lost the seat.
My disappointment about Kamala can not be described in words. When the country needed a leader desperately she disappeared and wrote a book about her grievances. I remember the dark days a year ago. It was really people like Jen Rubin, Heather Cox Richardson, Robert Hubbel, Joyce Vance, Jay Kuo along with grass roots like Indivisibke and the Mighty Marc Elias who steered the ship of democracy. My hats off.
Kamala Harris, like Joseph Biden is yesterday's news. What is now needeed (and is beginning to happen) is a focused rejection of the current regime and planning for the future, from the midterm elections and beyond to 2028.
Yes. But I still expected a bit more selflessness and leadership quality from Kamala. Possibly the poverty of my own mind.
The people spoke….they would rather have a murderer ( dt is responsible for killing the police officers on Jan 6),insurrectionist and rapist for president than a woman. They would rather have someone who cheats and lies and is mentally disturbed! Disappointed in Kamala. No way. She bowed out gracefully knowing that white supremacy and misogyny won the election. What I am is disgusted with are those who were too lazy to vote or who voted for dump!🤬
Harris lost due to two things: 1) race and 2) gender.
Catholics 55% voted for Trump! That is a bigly number when you start counting votes. Wake up voters! We must appear to a larger group the next time!
as a former catholic I am disgusted with the catholic community
Yes, I am disgusted by the folks who did not vote.
Perhaps she doesn't see herself as effective and has chosen to step back. Let others who are more dynamic take her place. From this article, we seem to have a good stock of them.
I suspect she'll try to make herself available for the office of president for 2028. She doesn't have what it takes.
Fortunately, we will have a democratic presidential primary election. If she runs, she will almost certainly be weeded out of the running.
Biden chose her for the wrong reason, because she was female and mixed race. He'd have done better with Liz Warren.
As time moves onward, Harris is going to seem more and more out of date. The nation refused her skills the last time, and hope the Dems will not call on her again. She has the same issues but has chosen to remain silent and removed since the election?
Read study today that 55% of Catholics in this country voted for Trump. That says a great deal. We are going to have so many problems in three years that we have never had to cope with in past. It is going to be more than gender and race! We must appeal to the younger generation of voters and candidates! Or we will lose, again!
We need to face and update our views and goals! We need younger supporters and people who want to make changes and then accept them! It is the huge unknown lying ahead of us with a lot of restoration of principles, standards, and morals! Go get them!
as a former catholic, I am extremely disturbed by the catholic vote!!!
As did I. I have been extremely disappointed. She ghosted us when we needed her the most. New leadership has stepped up, and I can and will support them.
Ms. Harris had to catch a deep fly ball at the wall in heels. As to the future I'll take her on my team gladly, Joe too, and Bill, Hillary, Barak a long list of Senators and representatives.
Republicans get to look to Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, Chuck Grassley, Mike Lee and 49 other senate gems for inspiration. Never mind the babble in the house, all led by ignominy.
Never mind the MAGAs! WE need to be concerned about OUR candidates and not re run the old campaigns. This is a new era-with different and newer problems and issues.
She did a phenomenal job in her campaign. It was joyful, inspiring, and beautiful. Perhaps that is why my disappointment runs so deep.
And with Coach Walz as her running mate, I was shocked she didn’t win!!! Tim Walz is such a normal guy; family man, former coach, etc…..
Me too- I still got the multicolored hat and Ka-ma-la button.
Kamala Harris had the right to retreat from the public eye.
She did not retreat from public eye. Book tours were done, a few speeches were given. She could have been an excellent leader. In her speech after the loss she said, "I am not going anywhere". Yet she was nowhere to be found.
The indication from Ms. Rubin's good reporting here is that the pendulum is moving from the right to the center-left. People don't like to have their rights abridged. People also don't like it when promises made are not kept. And again, as the kitchen-table budgets of so many of our people are sacked by the unrelenting high prices of all necessities, it's still the economy, and it's the one that's closest to home.
What are your standards for "Right to Center" politics? How do you determine what "Center" means? Is a non-segregated American considered "Center"? Is public funding for Charter and religious schools considered "Center"? Are those Republicans who say they are opposed to most of the issues Trump and the Party have used to eliminate our Democracy, yet vote with the Majority, considered "Center"?
Your position sounds much like a Fox News report that is designed to misinform citizens of what is happening!
How is commenting on how people not liking to have rights abridged, promises broken, and a focus on shortchanging the kitchen-table economy in any way close to Faux Noise reporting? As for right-center-left, the regime we are experiencing is far right.
The current regime is worse than far right: it's totalitarian.
It is encouraging to see so many from all across the political spectrum standing up for diversity, equality and inclusion -- and the rule of law. Those elements are truly the foundation of our constitutional republic.
This makes me smile!
I'm sorry, but those of us living in places like the Fascist state of Florida need more encouragement. All politics is (and are) local.
Just this morning, I was reading the papers from Pennsylvania, which has a Democratic governor. Hundreds of thousands of children are uninsured and soon the Obamacare bills come due and maybe a million adults will forgo coverage. People are going to die.
All Democrats should already be on board. We need to convince Congressional Republicans.
Now!
The only silver lining in that black cloud is that you may not have to do much convincing at all. Republicans are RESIGNING rather than falling in line. MAGA is cracking. The dementia and depravity are accelerating.
This is going to be a bad year for them. And that is an encouraging thought.
I hope there will be *dancing in the streets*, by Democrats and progressives, after the mid-terms in November. I also hope of a definitive shift in power starting in 2026. Impeachment? Yes, if it becomes necessary!
The entire administration needs to go NOW!
Speaking as a Pennsylvanian, we not only control the Governor’s office, we also hold a slim majority in the General Assembly and a much firmer one in the state’s Supreme Court. Our AG is (unfortunately) a Republican and those folks also hold a small majority in the State Senate. Just over half our population—and a much higher percentage of our economy—is located in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and their associated suburbs (all Democratic).
While we’re a swing state, we’re a good deal closer to being blue than red.
We have an abundance of talent and energy on our side. Pete Buttigieg’s name should get thrown into that mix — he played a strong role in galvanizing those Common Cause protestors in Indiana.
Pete Buttigieg is exceptionally bright, an outstanding communicator, level headed, makes fact based decisions, and is an outstanding leader. Because he's gay we don't talk enough about him! We need to get over it. This country was not ready for a black president either!
Yes! And we can $upport Pete at:
Our Story - Win the Era https://share.google/wU0dNpsYaKPYLP3uM
Definately! Pete Buttigieg, now our Traverse City "son" (Chasten grew up here), is doing great work across the nation! He could use our $upport!!
Our Story - Win the Era https://share.google/wU0dNpsYaKPYLP3uM
I’ve been so impressed with the Attorneys General from the beginning of this new presidency. I attended several online
We do need these lists recognizing those who are resisting "his" unlawful, cruel acts so valorously. We also need a list of those Democratic office-holders, especially those in Congress and statehouses, that NEED TO GO--NOW!! Starting with Schumer. We need to be rid of those who cling to power and perks for decades--no one is irreplaceable! We need to be rid of those who treat Israel like the 51st state. We need to be rid of those who rely on donations from lobbyists of industries which are destroying our social safety net and our planet. We need to rid from the Democratic leadership those who protect the wealth of the wealthy over the well-being of the working class and the poor.
Chuck Schumer kept the beast at bay more than once. Bernie speeches ignore the need to understand how the Senate and House actually function, rather than how you believe they should with an arithmetical minority in both chambers. We will need all the skill we can muster to reverse that reality this year.
Bernie may do what he does, speak passionately for the underclasses in America, precisely because he does appreciate the limits of being in the voting minority. As for Schumer, he fought for what we needed once upon a time. Now it's time for him to go. To pass the baton to someone who sees the world as it is today. Has he endorsed Mamdani yet?
I'm a big fan of Andy Bashear. He has kept Kentucky on an even keel in spite of a super majority of Republicans in the legislature. Did you know that he had training as a minister? He would make a great presidential candidate.
Glad we have all of them in the fight.
I didn’t see Boston’s mayor Michelle Wu mentioned. She’s another strong voice for democracy, as well as an extremely competent and popular mayor.
Definitely! She is not my mayor, because I live in a suburb but very close to Boston, I admire her very much and have been following her strong stands.
This is a great Happy New Year document. I am fortunate to live in the marvelous state of Massachusetts where great folks get elected. Thanks for all the good news and may all you the Contrarians have a fantastic 2026!!
To read this feels like a shot in the arm (of B12!) Thank you, Jen!
Yes, there are definitely some excellent people who can help resurrect our country. I also want to support every poll worker and vote-counter who can honestly oversee our next election so that we can have new leaders that WE choose, not those designated by oligarchs.
Intro meetings and found each one was so warm, engaged, gifted, cooperative and enthusiastic. One said we have a group phone call each day- that was so encouraging. Might have been Force Multiplier or ACLU sponsored- both really excellent organizations. I hope that is repeated- my heart was encouraged at a time I really needed that.