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Richard Weingarten's avatar

No they don't. I have reason to be concerned that the Democratic Party is putting all its eggs in the basket of throwing them against Trump and the GOP Congress for the dire consequences of their Big but Not Beautiful Bill instead of advancing a positive, populist message. When the next year and a half of a fairly stable economy (absent tariff shenanigans), is experienced, people will look at the Democratic challengers in the 2026 midterms as false prophets.

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Jessica Weingarten's avatar

I'm more sanguine than you, unc. I think the populist message will get out -- I expect to see a lot more far left candidates. And I believe that the economy will falter before Christmas. This year.

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Sophie Kandler's avatar

Fetterman is MAGA. Maybe he always was

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Jessica Weingarten's avatar

He wasn't. I KNEW him. Met him in 2009, spoke with him many times, he attended political events I ran -- during the primary for Lt. Governor, we spoke at least weekly. This is an outgrowth of his stroke, plus the depression, and potentially the meds he takes. This is NOT the man I once knew.

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Susan D Miner's avatar

Thank you. It's good to hear your voice. The instruction to focus on electing Democrats at every single level of government is very helpful.

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Jessica Weingarten's avatar

I wish I had enough time to write more (although I actually couldn't help myself - my letter to Elmo is publishing tomorrow morning....) but seriously -- there is a time to to work within in the system, and a time to work outside of it. The gravity of the current political climate means we, as a party, need to get it together to elect Democrats. This is NOT the time to say this one isn't pure enough, and that one isn't messaging correctly -- EVERY ELECTED DEMOCRAT stood up and said "NO" to the worst economic bill of our country's existence.

We need to make sure that all of our incumbents are re-elected, and that when we have open seats, we choose candidates who can win.

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Richard Weingarten's avatar

I think we may all be barking up a wrong tree in fixating upon all the tsoris in the BBB bullshit. We must bear in mind that all of the tax cuts, including those on tips and overtime, will take effect immediately, while the cuts in benefits, including Medicaid and Medicare. will not take effect until 2027, after the 2026 midterm elections. Hence, the voter who pays minimal attention to details will be called upon by GOP din to note all the good things that have come from the BBB while also noting that none of the dire consequences predicted by the Socialist-Communist Dems have occurred. Net result: 2 more terrible years of a GOP Congress.

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Richard Weingarten's avatar

What does any of that have to do with the very clever political trap for the unwary that is hidden in this bill, to wit: immediately providing one and all with benefits, such as they are, while postponing all of the cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, etc., until after the 2026 midterm elections? Unless Herr Trompf screws the economy up with tariffs in the interim, it should do well for almost all until 2027.

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Democ's avatar

I'm hoping they are all flipped. Fitzpatrick has been in step with Maga for quite some time so one vote doesn't forgive him. I'll even send some money to his opponent. Never have I ever been so ashamed to be an american and never have I feared that my benefits would be taken away. I worked 45 years for Social and still work and put my $ in. I feel we are all screwed.

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Jessica Weingarten's avatar

No, you misunderstood… I CANNOT disagree with you….I AGREE with what you wrote .

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Democ's avatar

I'm sorry, I miss read your comment. Than we agree!

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Jessica Weingarten's avatar

I cannot disagree with you.

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Democ's avatar

We'll agree to disagree.

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