Nadler just came out and said he intends to impeach Justice Kavanaugh.
So the Democrats have just launched the first attack in this so called partisan war.
Clarence Thomas could choose to retire now, and Trump could replace him with someone 20 years younger and even further right (if that is possible). Ditto Alito. Two such nominations and confirmations would exhaust and demoralize Democrats to the point that when Ruth Bader Ginsburg has to step down, there's nothing left in the arsenal to save her (liberal) seat.
@Scott Somerville
We can only hope.
As for other potential openings, don’t forget about octagenarian Stephen Breyer.
1
During his first mid-term election, Obama lost 63 House seats and 6 Senators. Trump lost about 30 House seats and ADDED 3 Senators. If Dems think they had a "blue wave", they are deluding themselves.
2
You don't have a clue about Kansas. Kansas House is now 86-39 R's a gain of 1 and Senate is 30-10 R's. Every other statewide position was won by a Republican. Every other Governor for a long, long time has been a Democrat. Nothing new to elect a Democrat for Governor in this state.
Dems, you must fight SMART! Don't fall into the trap where he defines the House and they become hit as unpatriotic and obstructionist. First and most important: Protect Mueller!! Just lay out wonderful bills to establish your chops as legislators. There is time for subpoenas but be smart and strategic. He can be out maneuvered.
2
Don't forget the US Senate voted to confirm judge Brett Kavanaugh to the supreme court, handing Donald Trump a major victory and America a bench expected to tilt to the right for the next generation.
The last two years have shown mr trump to be unqualified and unfit to be potus. Why would a Democrat controlled house change that. Let’s stop acting and talking as if this clown is presidential in any regard.
2
Depressingly, Trump has been vindicated in his belief that, as Josef Goebbels taught in the 1930s, lying repeatedly and shamelessly works well enough to get and keep power.
He has turned the Republican party from a party of people with whom it is possible to have a principled discussion into the White Nationalist Party. Demography will ultimately render them irrelevant, but for now Democrats must deal with them as with any odious regime - strategically, and with careful cynicism.
2
Time to call the bully's bluff.
1
As always, Trump is making it all about him. These Republicans who lost did so because they didn't "embrace" him and what he stood for. He claims he will work with the Democrats on those legislative initiatives such as infrastructure. Let's see how long that lasts. His tone still radiates hostility.
While the balkanized Blue House under Pelosi is hysterically "investigating" Trump, he can simply do what Obama did his last two years.
Trump can and will legislative with executive orders.
While a herd of Democrats is preening and posturing to win the brass ring at the Democratic National Convention in 2020, Trump will place more judges on the federal courts.
When a Democrat absentmindedly mentions the pressing need for a national infrastructure policy and lower prescription drug prices, Trump will point out that he has been working on those issues for two years with absolutely no support from liberals and progressives.
The Democratic Party will contribute nothing of importance to those who voted for it, because it has only resistance to Trump as a unifying issue.
Being against something is not a substitute for being for anything.
11
@Albert Edmud You have a highly selective memory. The Dems campaigned on healthcare, a pragmatic solution to immigration, and presidential accountability. The GOP campaigned on Trump's lies and fear-mongering. And you appear to have forgotten that, for the previous 8 years, Republicans were the party of 'no' - anti-TARP, anti-ACA, anti anything proposed by Obama. Being against something is not a substitute for being for anything
14
@Albert Edmud
You must not be paying attention, because all the democrats who won were running on health care, infrastructure, and justice for all. What has the Republican party and or Trump been for except for tax cuts to the wealthy and taking away health care? Nice projection though.
12
@Albert Edmud Well, it is apparent that you subscribe to Trump's eternal victimhood.
Perhaps you will be surprised that the House may put forward very good legislation. Trump didn't need liberals to pass his agendas with such majorities in Congress.
Trump has contributed "nothing of importance to those who voted for it"; he has bamboozled gullible people who thought the tax cut was for them. He has stolen--yes, theft--from taxpayers with the excesses and corruption of his cabinet and himself.
Democrats are "for" lots of things, but nothing probably that you value.
12
Great. Two years of the Mueller investigation with apparently nothing on Trump and now the democrats are going to waste time "delving deeping" into Trump's activities instead of coming up with their own platform to beat him in 2020. This is how they lost to him in the first place.
20
Nothing on Trump? Gee, I must have missed the report! If he is not impeached, at least the voters will be informed this time of his tax fraud and money laundering schemes. The Electoral College won't save him.
17
@Jim I said "apparently." What impeachable offense have they come up with so far?
I would not call 11 indictments "nothing." otger than that you are correct.
7
Trump just wants to "win", no substance,no principles, no values, no vision. Just one word -- "win".
Previously, he was not anti-abortion but to "win" supporters who are, he simply became anti-abortion.
When supporters saw photos through the White House windows of Trump chatting and laughing with Rep. Pelosi and Sen. Schumer during talks about DACA, they went ballistic. Trump reneged on the deal to keep his supporters happy.
When asked if he thought Dr. Ford Blasey was truthful, he said "It doesn't matter. We won."
Trump wants to "win" 2020. He'll do whatever gets his supporters to vote for him so he can "win".
3
Trump only cares about himself. To suggest he has some sort of political agenda beyond that is fool's play. His goal is to cover the world in one big golf course complete with fancy hotels and restaurants that most of us could not afford. His only legislative accomplishments thus far have been to dismantle regulations that are in his way. I don't think we can expect any different regardless of who controls the House.
I voted for a Democrat to stand up to Trump. I hope to see Democrats be equally combative. It is time to check Donald Trumps power and egregious flouting of ethical behavior.
1
I see no one has the sense yet to be panicking about Trump winning re-election with a supermajority in two years. That's not good. Wake up folks, please, please,, wake up out of your rage-filled self-satisfied sanctimonious two year stupor and start doing something. Yesterday was nice, but, not nearly enough. Look at the map for 202 and be sufficiently afraid that it motivates you.
1
NYTimes, are you calling for more divide, more partisan inactivity and waste of our tax dollars when we need, more than ever, bipartisan effort and work out of DC?
2
The coalition of urban and suburban voters that took down powerful incumbent members of Congress in suburban Texas outside big cities like Houston and Dallas is growing. On to 2020.
Does anyone really believe that Trump, the bull in the china shop, will attempt across-the-aisle conciliation.
That word is most certainly not in his vocabulary, and should he use it in a tweet he would spell it consillyashin.
3
"The new House may press far more deeply into his personal and political affairs, demanding the tax returns he has kept secret, delving deeper into any ties with Russia and exploring any conflicts of interest."
- Perfect. That's just what we need more of: Dems wasting the country's time worrying about Trump's former business activities that have nothing to do with running the country. Since Trump is a Mensch and was a former Dem, I'm sure he'll find a way to steer Major Loser 'Hairy' Pelosi through his agenda rather than along the Do-Nothing Road the Dems have followed over the past two years.
2
Democrats, take my advice.
1. Don’t gloat.
2. No, do not ‘kick ‘em’ when they’re down.
3. Admit to the Trump voter that the economic convulsions since 2001 were little understood and you let them down. That you will pursue economic growth.
4. Come to grips with that Americans care about Democratic Party ideals BUT that kitchen table economics win out over gauzy ‘camelot-like’ wishes.
5. Beware of unintended consequences of good intentions.
Thank you.
1
Don't trust any writer who talks about Impeachment in the House and fails to mention that Conviction in the Senate is a political impossibility. The divisiveness generated by winning a battle and losing the war is impossible to calculate.
3
The only thing Trump will reach across for is the last roll on the plate. Totally egocentric. Isn’t it clear that bipartisanship and the good of the country are last on Trump’s list.
Look at Florida- Senate seat and Governor total Red where Trump made command performances. Trump will be more combative then ever.
1
A bill a week out of the House of Representatives demanding his tax returns is what this country needs!
3
What you are really saying is that Trump should adopt the attitude of former Republican Presidents when attacked, often without merit, by the Democrats and the mainstream media. They should b allowed to attack without Trump offering any counter or defense.
This did not work for George W Bush and the unfair attacks on his honesty and intelligence continued unabated. Is it natural for Americans not to counter unfair attacks? Are they to be considered the bully when they punch back when punched? Should the mainstream media cry foul when their efforts to damage Trump are ridiculed when inaccurate?
I applaud Trump for taking them on and find out refreshing not un-presidential. To paraphrase "he is not a potted plant". Get used to it or let his attackers change their ways.
1
Peter Baker's analysis assumes the economy remains strong. I'm not convinced it will. A recession could develop in 2019 which would then completely deflate Trump's presidency.
7
A partisan war might suit Trump? Isn't that the equivalent of saying that living in water might suit a fish? The man is a thuggish junk yard dog looking for a fight, looking for someone to demonize. And he got his wish.
A Democratic House alone is not enough to put him in check. He was handed the best of all outcomes.
1
@Alex
Please don't insult junk yard dogs by comparing them to Herr Drumpf.
A Democratic House can indeed put him in check by not putting certain bills on the floor to be voted on, just like Republicans have done ad infinitum.
And don't forget the subpoena power of recalling witnesses who had lied under oath when testifying, one of them being Don Jr.
1
President Trump will immediately start to turn the slim Democratic majority in the House against one another. All he needs to do is announce that, in lieu of an Executive Order, he's welcome legislation passed by Congress to the effect that the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction therof" in the 14th Amendment, means that U.S. birthright citizenship is limited to children born inside the United States, to parents at least one of which is a (a) US citizen himself/herself, or (b) a LEGAL resident of the US, him/herself. Poll that question nationwide, and you'll get well more than majority agreement (heck, half the NYT commentators oppose birthright citizenship when parents are both illegally present in the US). Enough red state Democratic Representatives would support that, to pass the House (together with unanimous Republican support). Even starting the process will trigger a civil war within the Democratic party, red state vs blue state.
1
@Richard
Nonsense. There are not many Democratic Representatives in the hinterland of deep red states. They are in the large cities and their suburbs where the voters are highly educated.
The fact that the race in Texas for Senate was extremely close, proved that many voters even in red states had it with the vulgarian racist, misogynist, homophobic, anti-Semite, low IQ and unfit president and with the most hated Senator of 100, Ted Cruz.
He still controls the country. His base will be angrier than ever & violence will increase. God help people who are non-white. His base cannot tell a Hispanic from a Native American from a Middle Easterner. Of course it doesn’t matter anymore, he has them scared of anyone darker than white milk. If you are not white carrying a Bible then you are the enemy of the state (party of trump...p.o.t.). Be afraid America...they are coming for you.
1
Thank you voters of America for putting the House in Democratic control. Finally a check on this president. If Trump continues on his negative path, lying constantly, he is looking at a chance to lie to Mueller under oath.
Impeachment proceedings in the House could put a choke hold on his crazy ideas. That alone will make me happier.
4
@Patsy
Not crazy ideas but dangerous ideas--he is occupying the oval office, remember. And he is abusing the power of the office constantly. His cabinet is unravelling their offices and budgets behind the scenes. Herr Steven Miller is in the background, orchestrating any number of executive order blueprints that are hidden, until they explode (like the southern border immigration orders).
The dangerous ideas that dribble out of djt's mouth are the distractions to keep citizens from monitoring Miller's blueprints. None of this is 'crazy.' Rather, it is all carefully orchestrated to satisfy the retooling of the structure and function of our government in the image of a male white supremacist-nationalist.
1
What do you (the Times) mean by using wording like “...may have to choose...” in the intro to this article? Donald Trump weighs no pros and cons when deciding to be combative. He has no ambivalence about attacking, vilifying and alienating non-supporters. And the number of other ideas in his head, strategies on the table, arrows in his quiver (etc.) is exactly zero. That’s not an insult; it’s the well-established, blindingly obvious truth. I love the Times. I do not understand this paper’s unwillingness - when the lesson has been delivered 1,000 times over - to recognize the categorical difference between this Presidency and past ones. The way the paper describes this Administration as “weighing strategies” and “considering options” borders on absurdity. Whether we’re talking about “questions” of whether or not to support some chummy totalitarian leader, pull out of some important international agreement, admit some catastrophic mistake, or pursue some nihilistic and divisive political strategy, we know now that Trump typically has exactly one preferred course of action. Pretending otherwise isn’t objectivity, it’s denial.
@Andy Gersick Agreed! I suspect it's wishful thinking on the part of the Times. That, or hoping that they are putting a bug in his ear...trying to steer him towards doing the right thing. In either case...a lost cause.
Despicable Trump already took up his fall from grace by attacking the democratic newcomers, as he intuits that they will go on unmasking his malevolence...and put a stop to his flagrant abuse of power. And hopefully achieve something unheard yet, that his lies lose traction by educating people of their nepharious aims, and unmasking subconscious bias we all harbor and must shed, given the richness of our diversity and the need to include each and everyone to rebuild this society. Justice may finally be given it's place, so that peace becomes our aim again. Trump is a disgrace for these United States, something his ego is unable to grasp, hence, in need to be driven into his miserable brain...by ousting him. Without constant applause by his mob he won't survive for long. And that is the rub.
3
Utterly irresponsible title, NYT, given the high tensions and divisions and recent hate-crime murders of Jewish Americans in their house of worship, the shooting of Black folks in KY, etc. And the recent articles about US law enforcement failing to attend to the rise of violence-oriented and activated white supremicist neo nazi far right, and the recent NYT Op-Ed by a former Marine about, among other things, the misuse of language when discussing war.
Real war, as in politically- or ideologically-based violence on a larger scale currently feels too much of a haunting fear these days for the NYT to blithely use the world to describe non-violent challenges or conflict. Please, NYT, don’t subtly push us in a direction we as the UNITED states don’t want to go.
1
During the Korean War Chesty Puller's Marine scouts reported to him that the North Koreans had them surrounded. Chesty replied with enthusiasm "That is great because now we know for sure where the enemy is". It is all about the dog in the fight.
The center has officially collapsed. The three Democratic Senate candidates that lost all made a point of being centrists.
We are not at a point in history where we are making incremental improvements to government by compromising at the center.
We are engaged in a war for the soul of the USA, started by the right. The Republican Party has gone all in with their base of tax cheats, liars, white supremacist, misogynist, anti-lgbt, anti-Semitic (even though they want to unite Israel to start Armageddon) terrorist base. it's no coincidence that a rise in right wing terror coincides with the rise of Trump. It is a symbiotic relationship created by extremist propaganda from Fox, right wing radio, and alt-right media, all financed by billionaires who sow divisions to increase their wealth and power.
The right started it. The left must win. You can't win by refusing to take a side. We have to actively oppose the Party of Trump and push in the opposite direction. The last pary to compromise wins, not the first.
Essentially, the battle is between the young and the old. Democrats need to stop lecturing the young and idealistic and make sure that they aren't disillusioned with a Democratic Party that wants to sacrifice its values at every opportunity.
Find out what young people want and help them fight to get it. That is how we win the long game.
The left has good values, policy ideas, truth, youth, population, education, love, generosity, and peace.
Fight for your values to win!
2
I am not holding my breath that he will be more "conciliatory."
Elected, ostensibly, on "health care" (because it worked out so well for the left last time), the Democrats are already indicating their priorities will be obstructionism and investigation that are either blatantly partisan - if not blatantly personal (i.e. his taxes, which the IRS already has access to); or which will expend large amounts of money and time and energy to duplicate the efforts of a man (mueller) the left supposedly has full confidence in.
I'm sure the voters who just delivered you a very narrow victory...and barely helped you head off absolute disaster in the Senate...will love that
1
The Democratic Party didn’t earn the suburban Congressional and northern gubernatorial wins. The stench of Trump’s misogyny, fear-mongering, and vicious style drove voters to flip. Impeachment or exposure of Trump’s corrupt tax and business practices will only fuel him and his further unite his base. He’ll intensify his rhetoric and racist, authoritarian Executive Orders to show he’s protecting white, Christian America. Democratic voters want economic security, moral leadership, and a future for their children, but the Party establishment lacks the needed vision, program, strategy, and courage. Only a transformation of the Democratic Party can prevent a flip back to Republicans in 2020.
3
Why does Don have so much time to stump and campaign ? Who’s running the country in his absence ?
2
The big story is Trump's slow but steady consolidation of power. The rest is mostly background music. If the Times were more honest and less partisan, it would see this.
2
If all this turmoil leads to Trump and Dems lowering drug prescription costs, it was all worth it. His money is not connected to anything but golf and hotel licensing and hotels.
He needs nothing from big pharma. That’s the plus of his financial situation...and why he can work with Dems on that issue.
1
If Pelosi gets Speaker, Dems are done. If a younger, more progressive Dem gets Speaker, Dems have a chance in 2020. Nothing real will get done until 2020, and, maybe, not even then. We are living in dangerously "conservative" (code for fascist, since conservatives aren't really trying to conserve anything but a vanishing white majority) times. The world is becoming more and more polarized (see Brazil, Germany, Italy, England etc.,), as sea levels rise, endangered species are extincted and resources depleted. Humanity looks more and more like a drowning child, desperately grasping at known power structures it hopes will save it, but instinctively fears will crumble in its dying hands.
2
Donald Trump will blame all his failures on Congress and so called "liberal socialist mob" controlling the Congress and will get away with it because Democrats do not have a leader who can fight back fire with fire. The first order of the business for democrats should be new leadership and aggressive messaging and live wire response.
Therefore unless a star Democrat emerges, expect Trump to win 2020 and carry both houses with him also.
@Freesoul
Elizabeth Warren knows how to speak basic truths with passion. And she gets things done (Google the Consumer Peotection Bureau)
The three Democratic senators that just lost their seats put themselves forward as centrists.
Warren in 2020!
Ironically the Democratic capturing of the House gives Trump the fuel to continue to play the victim and we will see him do his "woe's me" act through 2020. Pelosi would be wise to cede leadership ASAP to a more centrist colleague. Trump's base is greater in number than the base of the far left. A Democratic victory in the next presidential election will depend less on their achievements from now until 2020 and more on how they are viewed by right-leaning independent voters, who don't care for extreme, attack dog politics. Yes, the Democrats won the House, but the last thing they should do is play the role of sore winners.
This election shows us little we didn't already know. One worry that Liberal Democrats should have is:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg - age 85
Stephen Breyer - age 80
These will be the next 2 supreme court justices to retire. Both of them are liberal. The Republicans retained control of the senate, which votes on judges. President Trump could have possibly 2 MORE supreme court picks over the next 2 years and there is NOTHING Liberal Democrats can do about that now. We could see a supreme court that is 7 Republicans v.s. 2 Democrats if this happens.
@Paul
We will have to pass Amendments to the Constitution to keep the court in line.
“…the president may now have to choose…”
Oh, please. Trump will have no choice.
The Democrats in the House will be in attack mode from Day -60. The goal isn’t to investigate, it is to weaken. As such, the only thing we can all be sure of is that the investigations will last until the 2020 election, at least.
No legislation will be passed. Government will be paralyzed.
Thank goodness everything is back to normal.
1
President Trump was elected according to the rules and he seems to be popular. All the same, I would like to see his tax returns; wouldn't you?
History of the United States is replete with instances of transformative people whose impacts have crossed the shores of the nation.
In fact,the chosen few have created the modern world.
They were disbelieved by the wider population.
President Trump is an outsider propelled into the cauldron of Washington’s caustic atmosphere.
He has survived & has Trumped his adversaries in an manner befitting that of a transformative President.
He is most capable of walking across the aisle & working with Democrats,Demagogue or even the Devil himself.
He has a rare personality trait of subsuming personal interest for the larger good of US & the free world.
President Kennedy reached out most successfully to GOP majority houses during his 3 years,very productively.
Expect President Trump to show his multifaceted talent in reaching out to Congress & to the Press.
Expect the unexpected.
1
There is no chance that Trump will reach across the aisle, if anything this will ramp up his attacks on the Democrats and the media blaming them for any and everything that goes wrong.
I definitely agree with your opening comments, those regarding setting and (doggedly) pursuing a legislative agenda. My hope is that the House realizes it has a job to do . . . and gets after it. Nothing will get my attention faster than that! How long has it been since we had a House that did anything?
2
@VM The main thing the House has to do is keep Trump from having legislative victories.
Every time Trump signs a bill his approval goes up.
If we are not getting more than them its a bad compromise. Period.
1
We have a historical low unemployment quote in the US. Why is Mr. Trump not winning? He characterized the midterm elections as a referendum on his presidency. Interesting.....
Now that pot has been more widely legalized, a lot more people are smoking a lot more of it. I think mainly of Democrats who think last night's results a big deal.
It is all very well and good for Democrats to think of the power of the subpoena as a tool of oversight (aka, in some part, revenge), but they need to rethink what they stand for as a party. Plainly, the Republicans have learned to play identity politics as well as the Democrats, so that strategic policy had best be abandoned.
What gives the Democrats power is the purse. A clever use of what is included and excluded in spending bills can advance Democratic causes and punish Republican troublemakers. Imagine defunding certain embellishments in Kentucky, for instance, or Florida and Texas.
1
@Michael L Hays
Identify politics comes from the right. It always has.
IDENTITY POLITICS IS:
Killing 90% of the native population of America because they're not white.
Slavery by race.
Erecting and protecting monuments to the white supremacist terrorists who attacked our Republic because democracy was not going to let them expand slavery into the new territories.
Opposing the woman's vote.
Jim Crow, a terror campaign against black people.
Banning Chinese Immigration.
Racial profiling.
Stop and frisk based on racial profiling.
Declaring that kneeling is now disrespectful for the first time in history because a black man knelt to demand respect for the Constitution.
Banning immigrants based on their religion.
Ignoring white supremacist terror while concentrating on international terror, even though white supremacists kill more Americans.
Calling Mexicans rapists.
Burning black churches.
Shooting up a gay nightclub.
A guy with a MAGA hat shooting up a black church.
A guy with a MAGA hat sending pipe bombs to victims of Trump's bullying campaign.
Killing 11 Jews in their synagogue.
Giving targeted tax breaks, subsidies, and regulations to the owners of capital, paid for by higher taxes on high-tax-state workers.
The right invented identify politics ten thousand years ago when they created nobles, kings, and emperors
Conservatives were loyalists who supported the King's terror campaign against the revolution.
Stop helping Republicans invert the truth.
Left is Justice.
History is not on Trump's side for a second term. George W. Bush is the only minority president to win a second term, and he had a war to help him. Trump doesn't have one, yet, and Mueller hasn't spoken. Still, a Pelosi speakership is not helping the Democrats.
1
The antidote to Trump's negativity and divisiveness is the opposite: Instead of focusing energy on attempting to tear down the other side, build your political focus on the positiveness of your own ideas. This is not easy to do. Demonizing the other becomes a form of habit, a form of addiction. Catch yourself. Recognize that impulse when the temptation arises. Weed out the negative words about the other. Build on the positive within you. The difference will become clear, and a powerful alternative will grow and grow; the nation will grow with it.
2
Trump was important in that he campaigned and in tight races they have held off the blue wave where Dems expected to win 50 house seats.
Losing seats in the Senate is the real loss for Dems. Power is held in the Senate and there will be a split between moderate and far left democrats. The GOP will unite and in 2020 the house and Senate could both be in GOP hands again.
Pelosi as House leader will be a gift to the GOP in 2020.
2
This is the time for the Dems to shine. They can show who are the grownups in the room. By doing the right things, partisan or not, they might even get the Senate and the White House back in 2020
2
We just played ourselves right into his hands
2
@Greg Kraus What...? No.
"Combative by nature, happier in a fight" versus "Hell Hath No Fury like a Woman Scorned"
I'll bet on Nancy Pelosi and all those wonderful Democratic Women just voted into the House.
5
he can blame the House now for all his troubles and maintain his victimhood for the die hards in 2020...
1
There's no 'might about it. Trump lives for squabbling and chaos. It creates the illusion of accomplishment while picking people's pockets.
7
Yes, Trump would like nothing better to get in the ring with Nancy Pelosi---that is why, Ms. Pelosi, must not get into the ring or if she does, do a rope-a-dope. The winning strategy against Trump---one which the voters have signaled---stop making Trump the issue---make policies the issue--that is Trump's achilles heel. Listening to Ms. Pelosi last night, I feel she gets it: bury Trump is a list of middle class policies---health care, infrastructure projects, student loan relief---that corner him into a attacking the policies rather than personalities. Not that Trump will not do that anyway---but, entering 2020 with only sexists attacks aimed at Ms. Pelosi and no legislative victories would place the democrats in a great place.
8
Partisan war might suit Trump? Yes, but compared to what? He would surely relish continued control of both houses far more: who in Republican ranks would then dare to question his most inflammatory, unhinged impulses for the next two years?
2
Trump likes to have enemies. Well he's got them now, in Congress, and thank heavens for that. The Dems can now exercise their constitutional duty of congressional oversight on the mad emperor in the Oval Office, something his spineless Republican toadies were too scared to do.
6
Yes, The Con Don is so insatiably greedy, morally/ethically bankrupt, socially unconscious that he would love to have a "war" with OUR U.S. House.
He thinks this is a boxing match.
WE THE PEOPLE must not allow him to turn OUR lives into a sports fight. This is not a football game. This is not a frat brother fight. This is OUR lives on the line.
The Con Don, his Robber Baron brethren, the Russians and supposed "authoritative" dictators who are trying to take over the world do not care.
WE THE PEOPLE are the only ones who can/will stop them by staying engaged and challenging them every day. NOW is the time - before they can start WW3.
9
The dumbest thing Democrats could do is try to impeach Trump. The country would be left with Pence, and Trump would be able to energize his base to vote Pence in 2020. They’d come out in droves to vote for Pence and seek vengance on the Democrats for overthrowing their king. Right now Democrats need to focus on bringing good ideas for health care and immigration to the table and dare Senate Republicans and Trump to block them. If Trump loses in 2020 I’m sure his supporters will fade with him into the bowels of history.
9
Quite the opposite. First, it takes conviction in the Senate to remove an impeached politician from office. Trump's cult holds the Senate, so that's not happening. Impeachment now would rally the Trumpswabs, but they are no more than 30% of eligible voters. For Democrats, it would give them the argument they are attempting to rein in an unpopular and out of control extremist, and Trump will add to that negative image through his own statements and actions. That may be the Democrats' best hope for 2020.
3
@Josue Azul
Nope.
Pence is damaged goods. He's got no charisma, no "base" and no political strength.
1
I don’t want impeachment. I want him to continue on his path of hate & crime until he is voted out & can be indicted, arrested & found guilty of all crimes against the state & the country. Of course by then he will play the old “I didn’t know what I was doing because I suffered from dementia while in office”.
2
It's too bad that all these elected officials spend so much time and resources strategizing on how to gain power, instead of serving the American people.
By many metrics voting Republican is bad for constituents in the long term. Climate change denial, disassembling the social safety net, regressive tax policy, to name a few, will negatively affect all Americans, no doubt catastrophically.
I worry that conservatives will not realize that they have been played, and will follow the frothy vitriole where ever it may lead.
6
@JC
I see so many women voting for the gop, do they even realize they are voting against their own interests? Female reproductive rights; healthcare for pre-existing conditions? Do they not read or do they just follow blindly and hope for the best?
When multiple caravans of thousands of people are trying to rush the border, they must be stopped or the border means nothing. It is not "divisive and racially charged" for Trump to say that. This is good example of how the liberal media can take an issue and try to cement a false narrative about it ... also known as Fake News.
3
@Lester B: Democrats would also say that multiple caravans of thousands rushing the border should be stopped (at the border, that is - I hope you don’t suggest to invade Mexico). Fact is, there are no multiple caravans of thousands rushing the border. Even Fox News doesn’t say that. There is one, hundreds of miles from the border, dwindling by the day from 7000 to now about 3500, of which maybe a few hundred will reach the Mexican-American border. The USA can deal with that. There are more arriving daily by plane on temporary visas they let expire than there are trying to illegally cross the border. And requesting asylum is not illegal, just so you know.
5
They are hundreds of miles away. Even further for you. They do not threaten civilization as we know it. Trump was clearly playing the fear card for votes. Looks like it worked on you. The US is clearly no longer the home of the brave.
7
@Lester B
So, now the lie is that there are "multiple" caravans?
Why is it that Americans are ok with a caravan of Irish rushing the border?
This election shows that democrats can win in suburban districts with a unpopular president. However, these are the same districts that have previously supported moderate republican candidates. I fear Democrats will overplay the anti Trump rhetoric and attempt to do too much too fast. Suburbs don’t like trump at this point, but they also don’t like increased taxes as previous elections have shown. Left candidates performed poorly as a whole in competitive districts. This means the Democrats will have to focus on concrete, popular policies and dare the Republicans to oppose them. They can not delve too deeply into investigations. This ruined Gingrich and the Benghazi hearings were just political theatre. Substantive legislation is required to cement these gains. I also think a new house leader should be selected. Seeing all the older Democratic leaders on stage with the new, younger coalition winning big clearly shows a leadership change should occur.
38
What increased taxes? My tax rate has consistently gone down since after Reagan, despite my income consistently increasing.
5
@Steve
This election tells us little we didn't already know. Maybe one could say that progressive candidates are still not viable in mainstream politics (i.e. Gillum, Abrams, O'Rourke)? Neither side decisively won. Expect partisan gridlock.
@Steve if Pelosi gets Speaker, Dems are done. If a younger, more progressive Dem gets Speaker, Dems have a chance in 2020. Nothing real will get done until 2020, and, maybe, not even then. We are living in dangerously "conservative" (code for fascist, since conservatives aren't really trying to conserve anything but a vanishing white majority) times. The world is becoming more and more polarized (see Brazil, Germany, Italy, England etc.,), as sea levels rise, endangered species are extincted and resources depleted. Humanity looks more and more like a drowning child, desperately grasping at known power structures it hopes will save it, but instinctively fears will crumble in its dying hands.
4
Congrats to the Dems. for getting the majority in the House. But...Trump is very good at PR, has millions and loves a fight. He will use all the dirty tricks available. The Dems will need a candidate in just two! yrs. to get the Presidency back. It's quite unbelievable and weak that still we don't see young interesting candidates are coming up from the ranks. Silly to contemplate the Dems. can win with Pelosi, Biden or Sanders. Sorry, no doubt a lot of quality there but really, that part needsa new young inspiring face with boxing gloves, guts and a very good PR strategy to get rid of this horrid president and his nasty government. It is the same everywhere, the establishment in a party does seldom want to make space for new people. Internationally Trump is wrecking so much and of course I wish the american people a better administration too, so Dems, freshen up your party and get to work now please before you lose it from that loose cannon.
8
@Sas
Trump loves battles, not fights, but only the ones he can walk away from if need be.
In other words, he's no trooper. He's a lightweight who has successfully portrayed himself as a heavyweight.
10
'Just might suit him'? He's going to love it. The man loves nothing more than having a target to go after. And now with the Dems controlling the House he's got no shortage of targets. Maxine Waters, Pelosi, Schumer....it''s going to be marvelous entertainment.
4
Everyone please go to Wikipedia and put in "narcissism". Wikipedia has a list of attributes that explains the disorder of our current president. Go there and do the mental check off when reading the list with what you know about him or others in your life. The normally thinking people need to get educated about narcissistic people because they are in the home, in the workplace, and in government.
2
Now that November 6 has passed I anxiously await Felony Friday and Robert Mulluer's fight killed team sharing what they have learned!
6
Two years of nonstop voter exposure to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Committee Chairs Maxine Waters and Jerold Nadler will more or less guarantee President Trump’s re-election in 2020, when the Republicans will re-take the House. Pelosi will do her best to tamp down the crazy but she will not succeed.
2
I think voter exposure to the nutty Trump will be enough to turn the tide—especially after his corruption is fully exposed.
3
It might suit him to have actual Congressional oversight?
Yeah, I don’t think so.
2
The article’s assertion that President Trump will wake up this morning to a Democratic-run House armed with subpoena power and empowered to block his legislative agenda” is untrue. The newly electric representatives will not take their seats until January 3, 2019. Trump still has two months to push legislation through a Republican-control Congress no longer reluctant to vote on controversial issues during an election year. The House is likely to act on such measures as immigration reform before the year is out.
However, other than tax reform—which has already been achieved—Trump never had much of a legislative agenda. His most controversial acts have been to enforce existing laws. For example, existing laws already calls for the arrest and detention of illegal border crossers and the removal or deportation of all aliens unlawfully residing in the United States, not just those who commit violent crimes. The newly elected Democratic representatives can’t change these laws or make new laws to counter the Trump agenda because Republicans will still control both the Senate and the White House on the morning of January 3,
5
There is no way Donald Trump will reach across the aisle. Especially if Democrats in the house start investigating him and subpoenaing tax returns. All indications are that this President will get even crazier.
5
@Aurora Is that even possible?
1
Forget about any political compromises with Trump.
Democrats now have the House. The time has come to bring this vile and corrupt con man to justice. That should be Job #1.
Bring on the inquiries on Trump's obstruction of justice, emoluments clause violations, taxes, crooked foundation, money laundering, nepotism and self dealing.
25
@Civic Samurai
Yes, impeachment is a waste of time, because we don't have the Senate, but we must investigate ALL of Trump's corruptions, from his broadcasting of policy to our enemies over his unsecured cell phone to Ivanka's licencing deals in China. Trump Voting Machines? Really?
Trump's base is all in. Your will never change their minds. The center is small compared to the half of eligible voters that didn't show up yesterday.
We must grow the left base by asking workers (who are the country's largest voting block) and young people (who are future votes and being driven to the left by the right's viciousness) what they want and do everything we can to get it for them.
I am a student of system design and love improving quality with incremental changes driven by statistical analysis. I know leaders in the field.
However, none of that can happen while an out of control Party of Trump is trying to start a new civil war based on lies, hate, greed, and violence.
They are not interested in incremental improvements. They are interested in using their terrorist base to rip up the Constitution and make our country into a capitalist country without democracy, like China and Russia.
If you want your children in re-education camps learning to be good Christians as defined by those that don't do anything Christ did, keep compromising with the Party of Trump.
If you want to move the world into the future, base everything you do in your values and principles, and fight for them.
1
The election is a major disappointment.
Yes, the democrats took the House. But also yes, enough Americans preferred to continue down the path to 1930s Germany to limit the democratic gain (Chris Collins was re-elected???????) and to expand the republican Senate (Texans are exactly what they appear to be).
The democrats should not elect Nancy Pelosi as Speaker. The party needs new and younger blood in its leadership positions. She has had her chance. Did well in many areas, not so much in others. Her major drawback is that she is so clearly associated with failed strategies centered on identity politics and others too numerous to list. The point is that she is the face of the democratic party and it is the face of failure.
Robert Mueller. Well, we'll have to wait and see just what his investigation reveals. My concern is that those Americans who voted republican yesterday just won't care whether Trump laundered money for the Russian mob or that Trump conspired with the Russians to sway the last election. Those Americans are republican jihadists and they are very proud of themselves.
15
@TDurk
Republicans attack Pelosi all the time. She can't be all bad.
It's Chuck Schumer that keeps handing Mitch McConnell win after win in the Senate, letting him steal Obama's Supreme Court Seat, fasttracking judges, and generally not trying to stop the Trump agenda at all.
McConnell shut down the Senate for eight years under Obama, but Chuck Schumer refuses to punish him for that, instead helping Trump score labor wins like a budget the blew up Obama's hard won sequester, giving them massive new military spending with little new realistic spending.
Republicans want you to get rid of Pelosi but they like Schumer. Don't take their advice!
5
Massive victory for Trump. Unheard of that a sitting president actually expands his party's hold of the senate. By far the most important element of this election as he will continue to stack the courts unimpeded. Control of the house means gridlock which helps no party but is something trump could take advantage of and place blame.
4
@Garth
Victory for Trump is defeat for the Constitution, our Republic, and We the People.
In the long run, We the People will win.
Hate, greed, and violence are the past.
Love for world's human family, generosity toward your family, peace in the family is the future.
No one is perfect but you have to choose a side.
If the 2018 midterms deliver a stalemate to the GOP then they're celebrating this morning. I don't think even the most delusional Republican expected to keep the House. From the GOP's perspective losing the House is irrelevant. They've won the Senate ...increasing their majority. Control the Senate & you control the most important lever of power: the judiciary. That means the Republican's will continue to nominate more conservative justices. The courts are the source of the Republican's power in the cultural war that divides us. The GOP is not going to have to worry about confirmation battles anymore. They're not going to have to worry about appeasing moderates. They will put up whoever they want...the more to the right the better...and get them confirmed. The GOP is playing the long game. Trump will be gone soon. They will still be here. The GOP can wait him out & achieve all of their objectives. Their goal is to nominate 3-4 very conservative Supreme Court justices. Trump has gotten two SCOTUS appointments, he may get more. He’s moved much faster on lower-court appointments than Obama did. The legal arm of the conservative movement is the best organized & most far-seeing sector of the Right. They truly are in it — and have been in it — for the long term goals. Control the Supreme Court, stack the judiciary, and you can stop the progressive movement, no matter how popular it is, no matter how much legislative power it has. Nothing will get in the way of that goal.
71
@Bill Brown
Maybe we can get Schumer to stop fasttracking their judicial nominees!!!!???
12
@Bill Brown Thanks Bill, I was wondering what the best term was to describe VP Pence. Then you gave it to me, Pence is delusional.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2018/11/03/pence_republicans_will_keep_control_of_house.html
I also agree, in all seriousness with your ending summary, this has to be just the beginning for the Democratic Party, because their opposition always takes a long view.
2
@McGloin Truthfully Schumer needs to go. He hasn't been very effective. The fact that the GOP increased their Senate majority during a wave election will have a lot of Democrats questioning his leadership.
7
To sup with the devil, use a long spoon. Trump's negotiations have left a trail of broken agreements and treaties, marriages, and bankrupt casinos behind him.
16
Leave it to DJT to raise the level of stupidity in DC to a new high, now that he faces a split congress.
Let the tweeting begin ... It's all their fault! Waaaah!
13
Once again, a writer for a mainstream media organization chooses to describe Trump like he's just your run-of-the-mill, ordinary, normal president.
1) "pitched conflict that has torn Washington apart in recent years."I think you mean the lies, incompetence, hateful rhetoric, and fascist agenda by Trump and the Republicans and the non-stop obstructionism during the Obama years that has torn this country apart. Your phrasing above sure sounds like it's just "partisan bickering," and if only those Democrats and Republicans would just work together.
2) "[Trump] could craft bipartisan solutions for prescription drug costs and infrastructure" (a quote) and "[Trump] is a more flexible political figure than many..." (your words). Ok, you must be absolutely kidding here.
When did you learn in journalism school that you should completely close your eyes to reality when writing an article? You're a reporter for the New York Times -- report on the facts! Stop kissing up!
34
@Jeff
Just because global corporate mass media calls itself liberal doesn't mean that it is true.
The controlling shares in EVERY mass media company are owned by the global 1%. Some of them are wholly owned by a single billionaire.
They hire writers and pundits that believe in Supply Side Economics, who conveniently forget that it has never worked each time that another round of tax cuts for global corporations comes around, because these corporations benefit from those tax cuts.
Those that benefit from tax cuts for corporations and the rich have mostly decided that try will live with Trump because he is making them money.
The global rich think that the Constitution is extreme because it demands that we tax the rich to invest in We the People. Read it.
The Party of the Rich, led by Trump is not above manipulating hate and right-wing terrorism through mass media, to give massive tax cuts and favors to their benefactors. That is extreme.
The establishment center keeps helping the right make corporations into citizens, and creating trading systems that are designed to give all advantages to global corporations above labor, small business, and small farms. That is extreme.
The left, from socialists to progressives to liberals keep trying to implement the Constitution.
The Constitution says that we should tax and regulate trade to invest in Justice and the General Welfare. It says We All have Equal Justice Under the Law.
The left is not extreme. The left is the middle.
Democrats in the House should remember the adage: " I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw
11
@tom
Sometimes the pig jumps you from behind and you have no choice.
Democrats do not need to go low. The point is not to become Republicans.
Democrats need to use truth, logic, science, and passion to grow its base.
Forget about trying to pick off swing voters. Anyone still supprting Trump is not going to change their minds. They do not care about truth, logic, or science, or he debt or families or the troops. They care about tax cuts for the rich and deregulation.
50% of eligible voters didn't vote. It is the non-voter that you need to understand. It is the non-voter you have to give a reason to vote. That it's how you build your base.
The viciousness of the right is driving young people to the left. Democrats have a habit of disillusioning idealistic young voters, because you think you have to be reasonable to win the center. That strategy is killing your base and voter turnout.
Stop lecturing young people and workers about how they have to compromise with the Party of Trump (who have nothing to give but hate, greed, and, violence), and start asking them what they need and helping them get it.
You can't win tug of war by moving to the center. You have to pull the opposite direction. Young people are grabbing your end of the rope. If they see you moving to the center they are going to give up on you.
Show them you are pulling for them and with them, with passion and integrity, and as bad as the Party of Trump makes things, they will grow up to fix it.
Dear Democrats:
When I was a kid, I had a bully who made me miserable for the entire fourth grade, and my grandfather, Louie, a first generation Russian Jew, could see it had gotten to me.
“You know how to handle a bully?” He said
“No” I replied
Making his boxers fist, and waving it in front of my face, he said: “You punch them straight in the nose.”
I took his advice and the next day, sitting detention, my life was forever changed, because I realized I actually had the power to change things. I just didn’t know it because the bully convinced me I didn’t. Once I learned to stand up to him, he never bothered me again.
Trump is a bully. If we’re going to fight him, the first punch needs to be overwhelming, damaging and proof we will stand up for ourselves. We need to exercise the power we have been granted and send a clear message to our bully that we’re going to take it anymore. We elected you to stand up for us, and we expect you to do it.
Don’t be afraid. Be brave. Be Louie.
Love,
The Majority
63
@Jeffrey Schantz
Exactly.
We don't need to go low. We need to be brave and strong and stand up for justice.
2
Trump to soften his tone to achieve his legislative goals? Don't hold your breath on that.
Besides, what legislative goals? Trying to roll back everything your predecessor did due to lack of genuine ideas is hardly a platform. The only consistent message has been frothing xenophobia... which even his own party hasn't supported in full.
Fully expect the rancor to deepen and the President's inability to govern materialize in endless finger pointing and demonization of the newly blue House of Reps.
We know the President's character too well - he never hides it. The immigration fear mongering and vitriol will only increase now that there's a scapegoat checking power in Congress. You can bet the farm on it.
21
Its simple, everything that goes wrong will be the Democrats' fault.
15
@Sailboat Captain
Yes, Democrats do love taking the blame for Republican disasters.
Every time Democrats compromise with Republicans to implement their bad policies, they leave Democrats holding the bag.
If you vote for a war based on lies, you own the disaster. If you vote for supply side economics, you own the disaster.
Wise up Democrats. Don't vote for anything Trump will sign.
House Democrats now face 2 imperatives. They must work with the office of the president in order to get something done--an infrastructure plan would be nice. But they should make clear that justice must also be done. Trump is a traitor and a thief. With their newfound subpoena power, Democrats must lay out the case for putting Trump behind bars for the rest of his life. They must insist on making an example of Trump so that never again will someone of his filthy ilk even think about running for the highest office in the land. Impeachment isn't required. Just build a criminal case so that Trump can be placed in handcuffs the moment a new president--who would be crazy to scuttle his political career by pardoning a traitor--is sworn in.
In order to accomplish this, Democrats will need assurances from our armed forces that they will defend the constitution, not the criminal in the Oval Office. Trump's presidency--and yes, it's ironic that he didn't really want it--can rightly be seen as one long, frenetic effort to stay out of prison. He will foment a civil war in the coming months, and he knows that his armed-to-the-molars base far outnumbers America's standing army. Note that he uttered not a peep when armed militiamen--private citizens--went to the border last weekend to oppose the coming caravan of refugees. Secretary of Defense Mattis may very well be our last, best hope to preserve our democracy. He must remain at his post and refuse to resign or be fired.
11
As an American expatriate living in France for the last fifteen years, I dread Trumps visits to Paris and with the French president.
He’s like a contamination that soils every thing he touches leaving an unpleasant aura behind.
We Americans are beginning to realize, after yesterday’s election, that the frightening existence of Trump has brought us to our senses and spurred all of us to try harder at being a responsible citizen!
13
@michael kittle
Have fun paying EU income tax.
@matty......the treaty between France and the USA requires that I pay all my income tax to America, none to Europe. My taxes are about the same as when I live in the US.
1
@matty
I bet he pays more tax than Trump has.
Or is that different.
Democrats in the house should co-opt Donald Trump's ten percent tax cut for the middle class and promise to pay for it by cutting back the Republican tax give aways to the very wealthy and big corporations, while adding taxes to stock buybacks. Let the Republican Senate and Donald Trump oppose that.
18
@Michael
Yes, that would be strategically intelligent.
1
Trump is as predictable as a broken clock. He will make a deal with the person who is in front of him, that does the most good for Trump.
6
@Keith
The fact that Trump measures everything he does by how it affects Trump, instead of We the People, makes every official decision he makes an act of corruption.
Investigate Trump's crimes.
It is typical of Dems to start talking about bipartisanship and equally typical of Repubs to reflexively return to stalemate. There are no political points in bipartisanship, and the next two years are entirely about 2020. As far as taking up serious governance (e.g. infrastructure), the Repubs haven't done it with complete control of congress, so why expect progress if it now comes with kudos to the Dems. The R base will penalize their leadership for compromise, given the divisiveness that has become the party platform. This will take years to change. And that's before factoring in Trump's personality.
41
@Robbi
Yes propose good policies and wait for them to compromise.You hold the last card they need to pass anything. Make them compromise.
Every time you give voted to bad Republican policy, from NAFTA, to the Iraq War they take no responsibility for the resulting disaster and leave Democrats holding the bag. Stop falling for it.
Bipartisan legislation is not always good legislation.
Impeachment is a waste of time, because they hold the Senate, but
You must investigate ALL of Trump's High Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Prove over and over that Trump is corrupt and a danger to the Constitution until the Republicans demand impeachment.
@Robbi
At some point someone has to be willing to compromise. Harry Reid's decision to change Senate rules on judges and cabinet appointees should be a warning that obstructionism only leads to worse outcomes. Republicans stopped some of what President Obama wanted to accomplish and Democrats have stopped some of what President Trump wanted. maybe we should be asking both sides to step back and try to work together.
These times call for leadership from both sides and a willingness to compromise. That will not happen if the public prefers to think of people with different views as the enemy.
1
In any negotiation, an important first step is considering your opponent's perspective and recognizing what that person needs. So, what does President Trump need from Democrats? Nothing. He's already demonstrated he's not interested in legislative wins unless they help him with his base. He already knows he'll never get votes based on working out bipartisan deals. President Trump only cares about his own reputation, and he loves nothing more than a fight. Plus, fights make for excellent viewership and readership, which in turn fires up his base.
While it's hopeful Democrats regained the House, if anything, internecine fights will get worse. Given the last two years, do we really expect President Trump to reach across the aisle now? From his twisted perspective, what does he personally gain from that?
61
@jrinsc When the economy turns, as it likely will before 2020, an infrastructure plan to provide a Keynsian stimulus will be a good idea, and will be supported by Trump's base. Likewise improving rather than replacing Obamacare. Trump will need Dem support to overcome GOP objections about the cost of both of these.
@jrinsc
President Trump offered a compromise on immigration that many Republicans hated (1.8 MM illegal immigrants allowed a path to citizenship) but Democrats didn't want to come to the table. It isn't about either side "reaching across the aisle", it's about Democrats and Republicans offering something the other wants. It's called negotiating.
Can Trump do it? I don't know; I hoped President Obama could have done a better job working with the GOP. He felt it was better politically not to do so (we won, you lost, elections have consequences, Etc...). For the sake of our Republic let's hope BOTH SIDES can learn to compromise.
If Mueller can wound Trump, then Gov. John Kasich of Ohio may well be able to upend Trump for the nomination. Kasich will find out if Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and PA, just prefer to be mean. Joe Biden is the only person who would have a chance as a Democrat. Sadly, I want the party to elevate Beto O'Rourke somehow. The nation is in for two more years of very destructive politics.
9
@Mark
The three Democratic senators that just lost election were the ones holding themselves up as centrists.
The center has collapsed. Centrist candidates are losing left and right. Hillary and Jeb both lost.
I love systems and incremental improvements. I know leaders in incremental system redesign.
But Republicans are not interested in incremental improvements. They are trying to rip up the Constitution, so they can make the U.S. a capitalist country without democracy, like China and Russia.
You centrists say you are realistic, but it is not realistic to expect sanity from the Party of Trump.
It is not realistic to try to win elections by having no passion and no agenda.
You have to pick a side to win.
And if you want a government that can do incremental change and implement smart policies, them Republicans need to be punished until they grow up enough to want to do that.
Stop putting the cart before the horse.
Compromise is the end of a negotiation, not the beginning.
All this is very interesting and a welcome change of direction, but it is now Robert Mueller whose voice we need to hear. He has been busy, and now that a Democratic doorstop to the President has been put in place, the whole truth behind this corrupt administration's rise to power needs to be heard.
13
@Not Amused
Yes the new Congress needs to investigate ALL of Trump's High Crimes and Misdemeanors until the Republican Party begs for his impeachment.
I do hope the next two years of American politics is not a bitter stalemate. That surely will help no-one.
10
@DW " I do hope the next two years of American politics is not a bitter stalemate. That surely will help no-one."
Did you feel the same about the 6 years of obstructionism during the Obama administration?
The Republicans have been masters at lying, deception, and obstruction, and it's obvious they're trying to drag our country (and by extension, most of the world) into fascism. If you have any advice on *how* to avoid a stalemate, by all means let us know. But a stalemate -- if that's what occurs -- is a lot better than a run-away freight train toward fascism.
16
@DW
You can have a bitter stalemate, or you can hold Trump's coat while he sheds the Constitution.
Shred the Constitution? He can't do that!
He will try. He has already atarted with the 14th Amendment, unpopular with his base.
Trump wants to decide who is a citizen or not. If the Republican majority on the Supreme Court decides to back him, Trump will be able to decide who is a citizen by executive fiat.
And once he is confident that his Supreme Court will back him, he will keep attacking clauses of the Constitution until there is nothing left but article two and the second amendment.
Trump has said his base should apply "2nd Amendment remedies." That amendment is about guns. Right-wing terrorists already kill more Americans than international terrorists
I have spent four decades studying countries that to rip their constitutions and start torturing and murdering people by the tens of thousands, while they call it law and order. Trump is the classic dictator.
Compromise with the Party of Trump is not realistic. It is suicide.
I'll take the bitter stalemate, please!
1
"In his time in politics, Mr. Trump has been at his most comfortable and confident when he has an enemy to joust with."
No kidding! Well, he's got one now. But do not underestimate this man. He's more than the cat that has seven lives, and he knows it.
Like many, I so wished for a miracle to win the Senate. It was never very probable, as I kept texting to my angry sister in law. And how I wish Georgia and Florida could have told me voter suppression and racial animus finally lost their power.
The Democrats did what they had to do, but it's not enough, not when you have a president so willingly eager to exploit conflict and shape the narrative.
Remember, we still have FOX to contend with, with its obnoxious reality-denying megaphone and Sean Hannity who as the Times noted, has crossed the line by conspiring with " the man he allegedly has to cover."
OK, the country is changing. Just not enough.
48
Rahm Emanuel , by accounts I have read , has no room to talk. Chicago it seems is one of the worst run cities in America with one of the highest crime rates. Get rid of him and Nancy Pelosi.
4
You shouldn’t believe everything you’re told. Chicago is one of America’s jewels. Yes, it has its problems, but so does every large metropolitan area. They are also not the fault of Rahm Emanuel, no matter how much you want them to be.
10
@Jennifer Cook now that Illinois has a Democratic governor Illinois taxpayers are about to take a beating in the form of massive new taxes to bail out Chicago and its unions. This is exactly why the Trump tax bill capped the state and local tax deduction.
You've never actually been to Chicago, I take it.
American big city mayor is the toughest, most thankless electoral office in the country. Anyone with a cursory knowledge of the makeup of urban and suburban tax bases know, US mayors are faced with tough -- often intractable -- problems and inadequate resources.
And yet, Chicago remains a jewel of a city. Go figure.
1
Our liar-in-chief, will not change. He can't and won't. He will have to be smacked in the face to do so.
Not impeachment, which will never be approved by his Senate. But protection of Mueller so he can complete his investigation, with daylight shown as to Trump's private, illegal self-aggrandizement.
Trump is no longer "king" of the hill!
26
I spent Election Eve listening to a discussion led by my newly elected Congressman, Tom Malinowski. I am hopeful that the Democratic Congress will put forward a robust legislative package focusing on healthcare, infrastructure, tax reform, immigration, trade, and much more. Stephen Miller will no longer be in charge of setting America's immigration policy.
Donald has never had to work collaboratively in his life and has shown little aptitude for doing that. His personality disorder is an impediment to doing so because he cannot share credit; at the age of 72, my bet is that his ability to work in a bipartisan way is on parallel with his ability to act presidential.
There will surely be investigations as well. The current GOP Congressional delegation is noteworthy for its dereliction of duty in performing its role as a check to executive power. The Trump administration, like its progenitor, the Trump Organization, is a corrupt enterprise. This will be investigated and exposed systematically.
I hope impeachment is off the table unless there is overwhelming bipartisan consensus in both chambers that Donald needs to be removed from office. While it only requires a majority in the house, removal requires 2/3 in the Senate. A partial verdict, as it were, would give the king of grievance the greatest gift of all to exploit for his 2020 run. He'd be the ultimate martyr, which I would hate to see. Better to shine the light on his vast corruption and incompetence.
103
@NJLatelifemom
I agree with much of what you've written but you hoping impeachment is off the table unless both chambers agree Trump needs to be removed is a mistake. If Mueller releases a report that offers proof Trump conspired with Russians or other foreign powers - or obstructed justice - I hope the House will draft articles of impeachment regardless of whether the Senate is willing to put him on trial or convict him. Allowing Trump to remain in office when there's evidence from Mueller that Trump's ethically, morally and legally unfit to remain in office - without at least trying to remove him - would be a shocking abrogation of duty by the House. We've seen ample evidence the Senate Republicans are willing to allow Trump to do literally anything without any consequences and they likely won't put him on trial if the House tries to move impeachment forward - no matter what's in the Mueller Report. But Senate Republicans will only do that because they've abandoned any pretense they care about democracy and the rule of law. We don't want the House to do the same thing even when they know the Senate GOP can't be bothered to protect the rule of law and democracy. The House must take appropriate action, even if the Senate is willing to let Trump get away with obstruction, conspiracy and possibly treason. Trump can't get a pass from the House because the Senate GOP is too corrupt to care.
20
@fast/furious
If Mueller shows the goods the republicans should visit Trump and tell him it's over, if not out of love of country at least for self interest. Maybe he'll fold like a cheap suit. Maybe he'll resist and waste the country a couple of more years. Better than implementing his 'agenda'. Meanwhile 5000+ troops are still waiting for the migrant horde of drug dealers and Isis agents to show up.
You couldn't make anything this wacky up.
8
@CD. It is not just Mueller. If Rep. Schiff uses the House Intelligence Committee as an educational instrument, the public awareness the Trump-Putin axis will be enhanced.
2
A surprisingly good summary of how Trump stands after this election.
For the next two years, Trump will continually to loudly blame the Democrats for literally anything that does not go his way.
And his Republican lawmakers will all nod in agreement in front of the media cameras because they have to to win re-election in their districts.
Pence is the vampire waiting in the wings. Silent and always waiting to pounce if Trump stumbles.
17
@K Henderson
"For the next two years, Trump will continually to loudly blame the Democrats for literally anything that does not go his way."
And this would differ from the last two years exactly how?
1
"And this would differ from the last two years exactly how?"
I wasnt suggesting otherwise.
". . . the president may now have to choose between escalating the pitched conflict that has torn Washington apart in recent years and attempting the sort of reach-across-the-aisle conciliation that has rarely marked his presidency so far."
Three guesses as to which option he'll take. If the Republicans had lost both the senate and the house, like a snake shedding his skin Trump would have become a glad-handing across-the-aisle-reacher overnight. Alas, he has the senate, and with it the ability to stymie much of what the house might want to do (impeachment comes to mind).
Probably Trump will fire Mueller before the current congress ends, and then ratchet up the rhetoric when the house takes up the investigation once the new congress begins. And if the Democratic house manages despite this to get anything done, such as infrastructure spending, you can be sure Trump will take all credit for it come 2020, with Fox News bringing up the rear.
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Donald Trump only enjoys fighting when the opponent cannot or will not fight back ie Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren. Mueller will be a game changer now.
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@IGUANA When a person does not play by any rules at all it is impossible to fight back. Nothing will stick to him. Reagan was the Teflon president. I don't even know what to call Trump's ability to repel attacks. Reptilian? Nothing seems to describe him well enough. He does however sometimes accidentally speak the truth. With the House going Democratic maybe those times will increase and he will actually defeat himself if Mueller doesn't get to him first.
Trump is happier in a fight and miserable in defeat. Does anyone really believe that he’d become reasonable in face of humiliation?
There were some who expected him to become presidential when he was elected.
How did that turn out?
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The Democrats will begin investigating Trump on Day One. Gerald Nadler and Adam Schiff have a long list of things to investigate including Russia, Tax Returns and the overall sleaze that oozes from every pore of Donald J. Trump and his administration.
Playing nice does not work with Trump or any of his toadies in Congress. That was Hillary's mistake. She thought she could stay above the fray. When Trump stalked her in the debates she should have wheeled around and kneed him in the euphemism. By her own admission she did not know what to do. He made her look weak.
Next up: Robert Mueller and the Sword of Justice.
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@Emile DeVere - Sadly it was Democrats mistake in presenting their least electable candidate. Unfortunately when you are under FBI investigation you have no other option but to play nice. Hillary should have stepped aside but chose self over party and country. Donald Trump’s own pollster acknowledges that Bernie Sanders would have beaten Donald Trump. And we remember when Donald Trump challenged Bernie to debate and wasted no time backing down.
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@Emile DeVere - I think the Democrat voting base made a huge mistake when they chose Obama over Hillary.
Hillary would have been a far superior president despite her faults and the Democratic Party would have been in a far better position than it is today.
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"Playing nice does not work with Trump"
But dont you see the major problem with Trump?
Literally non-stop daily public name-calling and horrible behavior uniquely works for Trump. Trump calls everyone an enemy until they comply. Then bullies and name calls some more. Saying that Hillary Clinton or anyone else should do that is not going to work because Trump is a crazy person. It only works for him.
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Trump won't change. He will pretend to reach out, but renege on anything he publicly agrees to with Pelosi. Then he will lie about it, Fox News will support his lie, and his supporters will believe him. Pelosi already knows his game, I hope she has a strategy to deal with it.
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Democrats should consider helping Nancy Pelosi recognize her advanced age, out of touch status with mainline Democrats, and, compliment her for years service.....
and force her into retirement where she really does belong.
Then, Dems should come up with a strategy; like, extricate ourselves from pointless war underpinned by for profit goals and do something other than pelt Trump with rocks.
Otherwise, in 2020 things will reverse.
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Who do you put in her place though? That's the thing. Many elected Dems do not want to placed front and center to Trump. Their political careers are more likely to poof than benefit. So many see Pelosi as a buffer to their own political careers for the next two years and the next election. Paul Ryan (a Repub of course) stepped away from politics to return in two years for much the same reason. It is easier/safer to sit this President out until he is out of the white house.
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@K Henderson
"Who do you put in her place though?"
Adam Schiff.
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@Michael
First things first, Michael. For the moment we will need a seasoned veteran who is well versed in the intricacies of Congressional power and has the detailed workings of the House at her command.
Many important events are coming down the pike--crucial committee investigations, results of Mueller's investigation, etc. A neophyte holding the Speakership, while he/she may provide a refreshing new face, is not necessarily the way to go at the moment.
I say this as a dedicated progressive. We have to think strategically as we are at a dangerous crossroads with this abomination of a president.
The Republicans' vilification of Pelosi is a sure sign that they fear her competency. There will most assuredly be a change in the future, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
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Is he really happier in a fight? He seems happy to trash talk others, but gets furious when he faces backlash.
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@Kari Narsisstic people develop narcissistic rage when any person/group disagrees with them. If a person/group handily goes against a narcissist, watch the narcissist rage and turn to smear campaigns against the person/people who did the narcissistic injury to them. It is part of the attributes/Toolkit of a narcissist, they develop a smear campaign complete with lies and spread it around with glee. Narcissists are never wrong and cannot be reasoned with as we have seen in the two years of dealing with Trump's mechanisms.
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Now that Trump has lost one part of his rubber-stamping Congress, we can finally see for ourselves the dealmaking skills he’s so proud of.
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President Trump may be combative by nature, and happier in a fight, but he's also a coward and a bully. He picks his opponents with care, from people he perceives to be weak, like woman and minorities, or those who are [in his worldview] unfortunate enough to be both. When challenged, he claims victory while boarding the last chopper out of town. We'll see what he does when faced with a combative congress, should the Democrats unexpectedly develop a spine.
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When a bully loses power he is generally exposed as the coward that he is. However, the mayhem he has caused has effects way beyond his expiration date. Be strong America. We’re going to need it.
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"Combative by nature, happier in a fight" - you surely mean "in a brawl". Our fearless leader loses all his bravado at the thought of a real fight, with the possibility of bodily harm. He takes cover behind a podium and dodges drafts. He's one of those "all bark, no bite" tough guys, covering their cowardice with a big mouth.
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Although he avoids all human contact and never engage in a physical fight, don’t think for a minute that he will hesitate for a moment putting other lives at stake. This is a man who threatened to bomb North Korea which would have caused millions of people in North and South Korea, as well other places to die. He implemented a number of tariffs which have caused hardship for effected businesses.
"Reach across the aisle" ? Why should The President do this? In the last two years have the democrats made any effort to do it? Nope.
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@Brewster Millions Well, yes they have. Both sides of both houses have reached out to broker deals on healthcare and tax, only to be rebuffed by the Freedom Caucus, or Mr Trump. What they haven't done is voted for his undiluted partisan agenda.
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Man oh man. We are in for a world of hurt if this is the attitude. Trump's behavior, appointments, and policymaking have been nothing short of outlandish, churlishly partisan, regressive, instigatory. Not ten years ago he would have been completely excoriated for his divisive performance.
Now we have people blaming a majority party with a minority voice for not acceding to an entire platform built on dismantling civic and social institutions, and enabling graft. These same people apparently stood resolute as McConnell subverted eight years of centrist constructive policy making and conciliatory action from the previous president. Yes, I know the echo chamber told you Obama was a gross partisan. If you believe that, I have an underwater bridge to sell you.
This attitude, that Trump is a victim of Democratic intransigence, is intellectually and emotionally lazy, or incapable. Neither is a good look.
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Don’t forget immigration reform.
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It's not a radically new political environment. Obama lost both the House and the Senate - that was a radical environment.
This is a much easier environment. Trump only needs to convince 14 Democrats to agree with him, and he's already done that a number of times.
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@Mannyv Examples?
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“Happier in a fight". He must rue, to this day, the bone spurs that so cruelly kept him from participating in the Vietnam war.
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We will now see whether Democrats actually care about the Dreamers or just use them in a cynical wash-rinse-repeat to obtain enough Latino votes to keep power. Likewise, we will now see whether Democrats care about low-skilled Americans who face intense labor competition depressing wages from the 22 million undocumented aliens in the US (citation: the Yale-MIT study from September 2018).
With Democrats in charge of the House, and a naturally more moderate Senate, we could actually have comprehensive immigration reform, which this country desperately needs.
The moment of truth has arrived for Democrats.
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