What Democrats should do with power
Democrats need to get ready to play hardball.
If Democrats do as well as it looks like they might in November, they're going to need to decide what their priorities will be when they have a majority in the House and perhaps the Senate. Many Democrats—from AOC to Jon Ossoff—appear to understand that the following two years will be a time for accountability and slowing down the authoritarians in the Trump administration, but some Democrats seemingly haven't received the message.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) recently gave many the impression that she doesn't understand how angry her constituents are, especially here in Illinois, and that she does not grasp the assignment that's in front of her. During an appearance at the Center for American Progress, Duckworth urged her Democratic colleagues to avoid impeachment proceedings and focus on getting things done.
"What I will encourage my colleagues to not do, especially those who have more fire in their belly in this area, is don't be impeaching anybody. Let's just get back to work, and maybe we can come to compromises," Duckworth said.
"I'm not interested in being in a confrontation with Donald Trump. I can be. I have been. It's not going to stop me. But I would rather move the ball forward and to the benefit of the American people. And if we can do it in a way that allows him to save face and he doesn't stop us, then that's better for everybody all around," she continued.
I think this is about as tone deaf as a senator could be at a time when voters are clearly hoping Democrats will push back against Trump's excesses and generally show some fight. We've been regularly talking about how voters are looking for fighters this year, and this doesn't sound like fighting.
The New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie did a great video response to Duckworth's statements recently.
I do not think Democrats will be able to get much legislating done if they retake Congress. While Donald Trump is still president, any bills they pass that he doesn't like will be vetoed. There will be certain bills that need to get passed, like budgets, and they can certainly fight for their priorities in those moments, but they're not going to come out of this with huge legislative accomplishments.
What they can do, regardless of how Trump feels about it, is begin sweeping investigations into the conduct of this administration and start holding people accountable. They can try to reduce funding for certain Trumpian projects in those budget bills I referenced. They can generally try to throw sand in the gears. These things are more realistically within their grasp.
Thor Benson
I'm not saying don't fight for the affordability agenda. Definitely put in some effort there. But what you're really going to be able to do, and what people want you to do, is fight against corruption and for democracy. That should be the priority.
I'm not trying to condemn Duckworth here as if she's now the enemy or something, but I think it's important to call out people on your side when they're wrong and when it's a critical moment to be getting it right. Perhaps she'll change her tune now that many people have surely angrily called her office over these comments.
The people have made it clear they want fighters, so next year will be a time for fighting. So will the year after that. Once Trump is out of office, Democrats can start talking about their legislative priorities.
