I just can’t believe how many Democrats believe that the path back to victory rests on some sort of magical transformation that will happen in the country—or even within the Republican Party itself—as Trump flails and fails. James Carville and Chuck Schumer need to realize that their political MO is stuck in a bygone era where all you had were knife fights so all you needed to pack was a knife! No longer, my friends. Democrats that don’t stand up for what they believe in, speak clearly, consistently, and in plain English about that, and FIGHT like hell, are simply not cut out for this moment.
This one cuts through the fog. For too long, Democrats have acted like policy will save us while the other side plays for power—with no shame, no brakes, and no apologies. Ryan nails the deeper truth: you can’t govern if you don’t win. Purity tests and polite nonprofits don’t stand a chance against billionaires with bulldozers.
The truth, is that the war started a long time ago and this is a brawl with a bunch of hypocritical bullies who act like they have all the power. I for one am done being nice with the likes of people like Daines, Sheehy, Downing or Zinke. When I contact them I tell them exactly what I think of them and their non-action. I point out their cowardice, their bootlicking, lack of backbone and total lack of moral integrity. I say fight hard and give ‘em hell on a regular basis!
Me too Dave on a daily basis and I have actually started using many curse words. I also call numerous times a day when I have the time so I can fill their VM boxes with comments with long pauses. I’m wasting their time like they’ve wasted mine. I didn’t vote for any of them either.
Interesting read. Winning elections is the goal. Without power, obviously, all of our good intentions do no good. We need to shout down single-issue and third-party advocates. But winning takes more than showing up in an election year. We need to build a base year-round, based on non-political community engagement and organizations. Be the people other people want to vote for and with, regardless of party affiliation. And we need to get involved with the non-sexy elections. School boards, county clerks, dog catcher, whatever.
🔥 This hit like a wake-up slap with a cold Montana river rock.
You nailed it: Republicans built a war machine while too many Dems were still writing policy papers and hoping vibes would carry the day. But vibes don’t win elections—conviction does. Strategy does. And yes, a little righteous fire in the gut helps.
This isn’t just about politics anymore—it’s survival. Of rights. Of public lands. Of democratic norms. Of truth itself. What you’re outlining isn’t some abstract strategy—it’s triage. It’s what you do when the patient’s flatlining and you still believe there’s a heartbeat worth saving.
I just can’t believe how many Democrats believe that the path back to victory rests on some sort of magical transformation that will happen in the country—or even within the Republican Party itself—as Trump flails and fails. James Carville and Chuck Schumer need to realize that their political MO is stuck in a bygone era where all you had were knife fights so all you needed to pack was a knife! No longer, my friends. Democrats that don’t stand up for what they believe in, speak clearly, consistently, and in plain English about that, and FIGHT like hell, are simply not cut out for this moment.
This one cuts through the fog. For too long, Democrats have acted like policy will save us while the other side plays for power—with no shame, no brakes, and no apologies. Ryan nails the deeper truth: you can’t govern if you don’t win. Purity tests and polite nonprofits don’t stand a chance against billionaires with bulldozers.
The truth, is that the war started a long time ago and this is a brawl with a bunch of hypocritical bullies who act like they have all the power. I for one am done being nice with the likes of people like Daines, Sheehy, Downing or Zinke. When I contact them I tell them exactly what I think of them and their non-action. I point out their cowardice, their bootlicking, lack of backbone and total lack of moral integrity. I say fight hard and give ‘em hell on a regular basis!
Me too Dave on a daily basis and I have actually started using many curse words. I also call numerous times a day when I have the time so I can fill their VM boxes with comments with long pauses. I’m wasting their time like they’ve wasted mine. I didn’t vote for any of them either.
https://substack.com/@davegarding/note/c-104228006?r=45tib&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Interesting read. Winning elections is the goal. Without power, obviously, all of our good intentions do no good. We need to shout down single-issue and third-party advocates. But winning takes more than showing up in an election year. We need to build a base year-round, based on non-political community engagement and organizations. Be the people other people want to vote for and with, regardless of party affiliation. And we need to get involved with the non-sexy elections. School boards, county clerks, dog catcher, whatever.
🔥 This hit like a wake-up slap with a cold Montana river rock.
You nailed it: Republicans built a war machine while too many Dems were still writing policy papers and hoping vibes would carry the day. But vibes don’t win elections—conviction does. Strategy does. And yes, a little righteous fire in the gut helps.
This isn’t just about politics anymore—it’s survival. Of rights. Of public lands. Of democratic norms. Of truth itself. What you’re outlining isn’t some abstract strategy—it’s triage. It’s what you do when the patient’s flatlining and you still believe there’s a heartbeat worth saving.
Preach my man!