Bringing a pillow to a gunfight has been a disaster for Democrats and the country. We're in a war against reactionary traitors much like the antebellum South that started the Civil War no matter how much the North bent over backwards accommodating them. Enough is enough.
The democrats are not going to sweep in 2026. And I doubt they’re going to show up and do much at all. The Democratic Party isn’t doing anything to defend this democracy. They’re weak, apathetic, and playing by old-school, gentlemen’s rules.
It’s a pathetic thing to watch, really. Their only strategy is to hope that voter outrage over Epstein will cause a ground swell of support to tilt the balance of power in their favor.
This is their only messaging. No, I don’t see democrats sweeping the mid terms. At best, maybe, they hold a slim, useless majority in the house until 2028.
When either JD Can’t or Trump Jr. is elected president should The Donald slump over from heart failure.
The democrats refuse to listen to anyone who wants to help them win. Making
Matters worse, they have no messaging or ideas.
Trump wins on simple ideas. The democrats only try and win in attacking Trump.
They have Chuck Schumer, that’s it. A wrinkled old nursing home patient who answers the age old question: “What if a wrinkled testicle could talk?”
I’ll continue to try and help you all win.
But at this point, I feel like I’m shitting into my own mouth.
Eric, this defeatist attitude increases the likelihood of losing. Why is it so important to give up the fight before even starting to fight?
This mess will be a long, hard slog to overcome. It will take many years perhaps even one of more decades. It won't be won by throwing up our hands and just saying game over. Black folks endured CENTURIES of oppression and never stopped fighting despite the struggle and the cost. If we could do that, then it's critical that everyone step up and do the same and especially now.
Who said I threw up my hands and said game over? I’m here, aren’t I? But if the democrats think that the Epstein scandal is going to suppress conservative voter turnout in the next election cycle they’ve got blinders on.
And what kind of democracy-saving strategy is that?
That the Democrats’ only winning message is, “Vote for us, because Trump is a sex creep!”
People voted from Trump the whole time knowing he was a was a perv.
So what’s the strategy to win, then? ‘Cause Epstein ain’t it.
Yes, Eric, you are absolutely shitting into your own mouth. Your grandiose, self-important arrogance makes you kind of impossible to take seriously.
What Epstein / Maxwell will do is depress the GOP base turnout. Epstein has next to nothing to do with Democrats who suspected these things about Trump since he rode down the escalator. What will positively help Democrats is focusing on the Bad Bullshit 'Bomination and the idiot trade deals, plus the increasing revulsion at ICE raids.
I reposted some of your advice over at The Bulwark. JVL has a piece, “Why Don’t the Democrats fight?”
I love you Rick because you’re a fighter. You were made for this time. I hope and pray Dems listen to you. If they don’t, they will never serve again, because we the people will banish them forever.
NY's Hochul said (today?) she'll add more seats if TX tries to. And we know Gavin has already threatened the same. We need folks in other Dem states to ring the phones off the hooks in governors' offices!!
I tried to send this amazing strategy to the DNC, but can't seem to send the link. PLEASE get this to the people you mentioned above in the Democratic party. They have to LIGHT A FIRE NOW. This is so serious. Thanks Rick for always putting the truth out there along with great strategic thinking.
Who do the Dems listen to? As others have noted, this is not the time for strongly worded letters. Before the Republicans burn the house down, the democrats have to unleash fire hoses on them. Time to get seriously tough! This is no longer politics as usual.
Rick, you’ve shouted these sorts of warnings at the Dems for years. Their sclerotic senior leaders are always too fucking genteel to fight dirty, as they need to. They go out with the wrong messages, ie, dwelling on trans while ignoring the growing economic plight of the average American.
Yes. Yes. And Yes. Dems have got to stop playing by the rules. The gloves MUST come off. The Republicans have been playing the Dems like a fiddle for years. Weak, short-sighted, calamitous, lackluster responses from the Dems seem to be the rule. The Republicans know it.
And I am curious, what sum of money helps make a particular post free for all to see? I subscribe to so many worthy substacks. I am fortunate that I am able to do so. However, it is primarily those who cannot afford getting behind the paywall that need exposure to the wisdom shared by the likes of you, Heather Cox Richardson, Steve Schmidt, Joyce Vance, Barbara McQuade, etc. Hitting paywalls prevents those who are most in need from seeing the truth. We need more philanthropic deep pockets to fund the unbiased writers/researchers such that all may have access to your writings. Clearly legacy media can no longer be trusted.
How do I find Stonekettle Station? Is it a book? By the way, did you know Escambia County turned out for the Democrat in Congressional race? Jimmy Patronis was endorsed by Trump, but Escambia County didn’t care. The Dem Party has been demonized in my area, but some of us are pushing back. As mayor of my hometown in Santa Rosa County, I pushed back against council members who tried to demonize Democrats, and so did dedicated citizens who attended meetings. Thankfully, the voters sent home one of the worst offenders in 2024. He is no longer in government and I hope that is how it stays. No one should be demonized. What Republicans have done to promote fear and distrust is not solved with more anger and rejection, but Democrat anger is totally understandable. My job is non-partisan, and I appreciate the other Republicans in my area who respect Democrats and the freedom we have as Americans to disagree without being disagreeable.
Great article Rick Wilson. It’s such a relief to see people sharing ideas and also fighting back against such obvious corruption. Agree too that the time to start pushing back is now I believe Mark Elias has a lawsuit now in Texas. Not sure
Bringing a pillow to a gunfight has been a disaster for Democrats and the country. We're in a war against reactionary traitors much like the antebellum South that started the Civil War no matter how much the North bent over backwards accommodating them. Enough is enough.
The democrats are not going to sweep in 2026. And I doubt they’re going to show up and do much at all. The Democratic Party isn’t doing anything to defend this democracy. They’re weak, apathetic, and playing by old-school, gentlemen’s rules.
It’s a pathetic thing to watch, really. Their only strategy is to hope that voter outrage over Epstein will cause a ground swell of support to tilt the balance of power in their favor.
This is their only messaging. No, I don’t see democrats sweeping the mid terms. At best, maybe, they hold a slim, useless majority in the house until 2028.
When either JD Can’t or Trump Jr. is elected president should The Donald slump over from heart failure.
The democrats refuse to listen to anyone who wants to help them win. Making
Matters worse, they have no messaging or ideas.
Trump wins on simple ideas. The democrats only try and win in attacking Trump.
They have Chuck Schumer, that’s it. A wrinkled old nursing home patient who answers the age old question: “What if a wrinkled testicle could talk?”
I’ll continue to try and help you all win.
But at this point, I feel like I’m shitting into my own mouth.
Eric, this defeatist attitude increases the likelihood of losing. Why is it so important to give up the fight before even starting to fight?
This mess will be a long, hard slog to overcome. It will take many years perhaps even one of more decades. It won't be won by throwing up our hands and just saying game over. Black folks endured CENTURIES of oppression and never stopped fighting despite the struggle and the cost. If we could do that, then it's critical that everyone step up and do the same and especially now.
And Thornton, about 50% of minority men broke FOR Trump. Not against him in 2024.
Any thoughts on why?
Who said I threw up my hands and said game over? I’m here, aren’t I? But if the democrats think that the Epstein scandal is going to suppress conservative voter turnout in the next election cycle they’ve got blinders on.
And what kind of democracy-saving strategy is that?
That the Democrats’ only winning message is, “Vote for us, because Trump is a sex creep!”
People voted from Trump the whole time knowing he was a was a perv.
So what’s the strategy to win, then? ‘Cause Epstein ain’t it.
Yes, Eric, you are absolutely shitting into your own mouth. Your grandiose, self-important arrogance makes you kind of impossible to take seriously.
What Epstein / Maxwell will do is depress the GOP base turnout. Epstein has next to nothing to do with Democrats who suspected these things about Trump since he rode down the escalator. What will positively help Democrats is focusing on the Bad Bullshit 'Bomination and the idiot trade deals, plus the increasing revulsion at ICE raids.
You honestly believe that? That Epstein makes a difference?
To the GOP base, yes.
🤣
The ever-persuasive emoji defense ;)
Thank you, thank you, thank you Rick.
I reposted some of your advice over at The Bulwark. JVL has a piece, “Why Don’t the Democrats fight?”
I love you Rick because you’re a fighter. You were made for this time. I hope and pray Dems listen to you. If they don’t, they will never serve again, because we the people will banish them forever.
NY's Hochul said (today?) she'll add more seats if TX tries to. And we know Gavin has already threatened the same. We need folks in other Dem states to ring the phones off the hooks in governors' offices!!
I tried to send this amazing strategy to the DNC, but can't seem to send the link. PLEASE get this to the people you mentioned above in the Democratic party. They have to LIGHT A FIRE NOW. This is so serious. Thanks Rick for always putting the truth out there along with great strategic thinking.
Who do the Dems listen to? As others have noted, this is not the time for strongly worded letters. Before the Republicans burn the house down, the democrats have to unleash fire hoses on them. Time to get seriously tough! This is no longer politics as usual.
Rick, you’ve shouted these sorts of warnings at the Dems for years. Their sclerotic senior leaders are always too fucking genteel to fight dirty, as they need to. They go out with the wrong messages, ie, dwelling on trans while ignoring the growing economic plight of the average American.
When Republicans go low,
Democrats should go as low as possible— or lower.
They wont. I think we are doomed.
Fight like hell!
Excellent piece on all counts. The high moral ground gets us nowhere .
Love the perfectly placed Untouchables reference 🤌🏻
But I’m wondering what you think about Mike Madrids take?
Yes. Yes. And Yes. Dems have got to stop playing by the rules. The gloves MUST come off. The Republicans have been playing the Dems like a fiddle for years. Weak, short-sighted, calamitous, lackluster responses from the Dems seem to be the rule. The Republicans know it.
And I am curious, what sum of money helps make a particular post free for all to see? I subscribe to so many worthy substacks. I am fortunate that I am able to do so. However, it is primarily those who cannot afford getting behind the paywall that need exposure to the wisdom shared by the likes of you, Heather Cox Richardson, Steve Schmidt, Joyce Vance, Barbara McQuade, etc. Hitting paywalls prevents those who are most in need from seeing the truth. We need more philanthropic deep pockets to fund the unbiased writers/researchers such that all may have access to your writings. Clearly legacy media can no longer be trusted.
Is there anything we can do in the Florida Panhandle?
Burn it down? Seriously, read Stonekettle Station for the panhandle situation. It's grim for Dems.
How do I find Stonekettle Station? Is it a book? By the way, did you know Escambia County turned out for the Democrat in Congressional race? Jimmy Patronis was endorsed by Trump, but Escambia County didn’t care. The Dem Party has been demonized in my area, but some of us are pushing back. As mayor of my hometown in Santa Rosa County, I pushed back against council members who tried to demonize Democrats, and so did dedicated citizens who attended meetings. Thankfully, the voters sent home one of the worst offenders in 2024. He is no longer in government and I hope that is how it stays. No one should be demonized. What Republicans have done to promote fear and distrust is not solved with more anger and rejection, but Democrat anger is totally understandable. My job is non-partisan, and I appreciate the other Republicans in my area who respect Democrats and the freedom we have as Americans to disagree without being disagreeable.
How do you get the dem
leaders attention? Pause
your donations till they
get off their butts and
fight. They want our
money? Make them fight
for it.
the GOP is a Soviet Leninist entity. Said that in 2015, now more than ever.
What he said.
Great article Rick Wilson. It’s such a relief to see people sharing ideas and also fighting back against such obvious corruption. Agree too that the time to start pushing back is now I believe Mark Elias has a lawsuit now in Texas. Not sure