It was so good to wake up hopeful today... Mamdani made a statement last night I believe will echo, ring, sing across our country... it works for me..this 79 yo hippie/nonna.....
‘To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us,’
Thank you, Steven! The patriotic passion infused in your writing is always a welcome source of hope that American Democracy will find a way to survive during our current corrupt and chaotic regime!
This essay, as a written reflection after yesterday’s elections, is a reminder to your readers that democratic activism works!
As a middle-aged white man who has been disgusted by too many of my own sex's continued politics of hate and division (especially here in beet-red IN--looking at you, Jim Banks and Mike Braun), I was especially heartened by the winners (and their respective messages) of the gubernatorial races in NJ and VA. As the late-great Ruth Bader Ginsburg reminded us, "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made." Congratulations to Mikie Sherrill, Abigail Spanberger, and all the Democrats who won well-deserved election to public offices last night.
What a relief is right!! I'm so very happy I was a part of it by making my voice heard at the polls. I love reading your take on things, Steven. Keep up the good work :-)
It was an opportunity to not only enjoy a series of victories, but experience renewed hope that Americans are paying attention, that they don’t like what they see and they will say so at the ballot box.”
I embrace this moment with a cautionary note once the euphoria has worn off. Raining on the parade? Perhaps. Democrats and Independents (like me) must use this moment as a springboard / launch pad. This is not the time to rest on one's laurels.
If we think things have gotten ugly, just wait. Republicans will respond like the rats in a corner they are. They will use every dirty and illegal gimmick in the book to impede last night's successes. The Party of Enemies Domestic lacking morals and scruples will find every cruel and crude way imaginable to sate the ire of their Orange Satan. Democrats must learn to get down and dirty. Politics is a blood sport. Time for Dems to take off the gloves and go for the throat. If they lack the stomach for that, then get the hell out of this game.
You nailed it: last night showed that the Democratic party’s diversity isn’t the big-tent liability pundits like to slag. It’s the party’s strength. It allows the party to represent the diverse interests of a large and unwieldy electorate, but only when the candidates focus on the people’s priorities.
The other big takeaway is that meanness is out of touch with the American people, all of them, not just the red hat crew. A person can have conservative values and be disgusted with the ill treatment of immigrants, people of color, women, people of different faiths, and trans people. In fact, true conservatism denounces MAGA.
It was a great night for democracy. My takeaway is "all aboard." The big tent should be maintained. We have room for a Democratic Socialist and the more careful centrists. The Dems remain the one viable counterpoint to full-blown Fascism. Stephen Miller's face should be splattered all over the place on future political ads for Dems... Is this what you want, America?
Yes, it was a good night—but let's not let victory obscure the hard lessons we should have learned by now. It feels good to stretch and breathe in the fresh air of a few victories. At the same, time, we must be careful in overreaching with references to permanent realignments
After Obama's historic 2008 win, Democrats celebrated a "new era" and assumed the country had fundamentally shifted. Two years later, we lost the House and surrendered state legislatures that resulted in the gerrymandering frenzy. Then after Biden's 2020 victory, we heard similar declarations that Trumpism was finished. Yet here we are.
These wins are real and matter deeply, especially for preserving democratic institutions at the state and local level. But they won't stop Trump or MAGA overnight—particularly in formerly purple states like Ohio, Iowa, and Florida that have gone from swing states to deep red. Trump's movement has embedded itself in governorships, state legislatures, election boards, and courts across vast stretches of the country.
One night of victories, however sweet, is not a political realignment. Last night's victories are proof positive that the President does not need to be on the ballot, but still generates. residential-level energy. (I learned Spanberger rarely mentioned Trump in her campaign-did not have to. This does not translate into a template for the country; for all of social media and the internet, the same mobilizing feelings towards Trump tend to moderate the further in land one travels. )
Celebrate tonight. If recent history teaches us anything, it's that complacency after victory is how we lose. It feels good to stretch and breathe in the fresh air of a few victories. At the same, time, we must be careful to avoid overreaching with claims made by several writers (not Steven) to permanent realignments of the body politic.
I really respond to your talking about the need for a template for our country.
I believe we can make a permanent realignment of the public through policies that make good on FDR's Four Freedoms.
The 2 we never got were: Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear.
I'd argue they are intertwined, because when you're hungry you're intrinsically fearful.
I would like to see Democrats (and I identify as one) promote a Universal Basic Share of All Income paid for by a Fair Tax on All Income, and a redefinition of Fiduciary Duty, and separating the Attorney General from the Power of the President (break up the unitary presidency).
Maybe this is the sea change that was needed. California voters were not voting to support change they wanted for CA but to support an idea. People talked about it as showing up to participate in a movement to defend democracy.
‘Smaller’ shows a similar trend away from DJT / maga ideas and candidates.
Maine voted down a proposal to make it harder to vote (more ID and fewer drop boxes).
JD Vance’s half brother received an embarrassingly small number of voters as a candidate for Cincinnati mayor.
PA which is recognized as a swing state, voters resisted the GOP push to reject the 3 seated state Supreme Court Justices who were up for a ‘retention’ vote. They kept the same Court — the Court that protected voters from GOP bogus legal challenges.
AOC was asked who is the face of the Dem party now? (She was at the Mamdani celebration.) Her answer was basically that the party doesn’t need one face. It has many faces just as the country has many faces. (Naturally that is not the answer reporters were seeking.)
MSNBC and perhaps others reported that 30% of voters identify as maga. 43% identify as belonging to the No Kings movement. 😊 May that 43% grow and grow.
It was so good to wake up hopeful today... Mamdani made a statement last night I believe will echo, ring, sing across our country... it works for me..this 79 yo hippie/nonna.....
‘To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us,’
Thank you Virginia, New Jersey, California and New York City!
And Pennsylvania!
Thank you, Steven! The patriotic passion infused in your writing is always a welcome source of hope that American Democracy will find a way to survive during our current corrupt and chaotic regime!
This essay, as a written reflection after yesterday’s elections, is a reminder to your readers that democratic activism works!
Totally agree!!!
I believed. I had faith. We prevailed. 💙
As a resident of NJ, I was thrilled to have a Democratic woman as our governor. Mikie Sherrill will be the antithesis of the regime in Washington.
As a middle-aged white man who has been disgusted by too many of my own sex's continued politics of hate and division (especially here in beet-red IN--looking at you, Jim Banks and Mike Braun), I was especially heartened by the winners (and their respective messages) of the gubernatorial races in NJ and VA. As the late-great Ruth Bader Ginsburg reminded us, "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made." Congratulations to Mikie Sherrill, Abigail Spanberger, and all the Democrats who won well-deserved election to public offices last night.
Thank what ever God’s may be for our unconquerable soul. WE WON!
What a relief is right!! I'm so very happy I was a part of it by making my voice heard at the polls. I love reading your take on things, Steven. Keep up the good work :-)
Thank you, Teresa.
Pure Joy
We The People!
We the Majority!
We will sustain this energy!
Excerpt from Steven’s words:
“Last night was a good night, a night to savor.
It was an opportunity to not only enjoy a series of victories, but experience renewed hope that Americans are paying attention, that they don’t like what they see and they will say so at the ballot box.”
💙🇺🇸💙
I embrace this moment with a cautionary note once the euphoria has worn off. Raining on the parade? Perhaps. Democrats and Independents (like me) must use this moment as a springboard / launch pad. This is not the time to rest on one's laurels.
If we think things have gotten ugly, just wait. Republicans will respond like the rats in a corner they are. They will use every dirty and illegal gimmick in the book to impede last night's successes. The Party of Enemies Domestic lacking morals and scruples will find every cruel and crude way imaginable to sate the ire of their Orange Satan. Democrats must learn to get down and dirty. Politics is a blood sport. Time for Dems to take off the gloves and go for the throat. If they lack the stomach for that, then get the hell out of this game.
Much work to be done. Take a breath and renew the battle.
Democrats must learn how to be pugilists.
Thank you always Stephen for your perspective keeping democracy front and center.
Last night’s elections, proved the quality of the candidates does matter .
You nailed it: last night showed that the Democratic party’s diversity isn’t the big-tent liability pundits like to slag. It’s the party’s strength. It allows the party to represent the diverse interests of a large and unwieldy electorate, but only when the candidates focus on the people’s priorities.
The other big takeaway is that meanness is out of touch with the American people, all of them, not just the red hat crew. A person can have conservative values and be disgusted with the ill treatment of immigrants, people of color, women, people of different faiths, and trans people. In fact, true conservatism denounces MAGA.
And it’s a big middle finger to the oligarchs.
Why aren’t you talking about what happened in Mississippi? Democrats won new seats in the state senate and house. That is more a bell weather warning.
Another positive sign indeed!
Yes, it is great and a warning. What is the message that the GOP got?
“Each district where Democrats gained seats was in an area where a federal court ordered lawmakers to redraw lines to make majority-Black districts.”
https://mississippitoday.org/2025/11/04/mississippi-2025-special-elections-see-the-results/
It was a great night for democracy. My takeaway is "all aboard." The big tent should be maintained. We have room for a Democratic Socialist and the more careful centrists. The Dems remain the one viable counterpoint to full-blown Fascism. Stephen Miller's face should be splattered all over the place on future political ads for Dems... Is this what you want, America?
Yes, it was a good night—but let's not let victory obscure the hard lessons we should have learned by now. It feels good to stretch and breathe in the fresh air of a few victories. At the same, time, we must be careful in overreaching with references to permanent realignments
After Obama's historic 2008 win, Democrats celebrated a "new era" and assumed the country had fundamentally shifted. Two years later, we lost the House and surrendered state legislatures that resulted in the gerrymandering frenzy. Then after Biden's 2020 victory, we heard similar declarations that Trumpism was finished. Yet here we are.
These wins are real and matter deeply, especially for preserving democratic institutions at the state and local level. But they won't stop Trump or MAGA overnight—particularly in formerly purple states like Ohio, Iowa, and Florida that have gone from swing states to deep red. Trump's movement has embedded itself in governorships, state legislatures, election boards, and courts across vast stretches of the country.
One night of victories, however sweet, is not a political realignment. Last night's victories are proof positive that the President does not need to be on the ballot, but still generates. residential-level energy. (I learned Spanberger rarely mentioned Trump in her campaign-did not have to. This does not translate into a template for the country; for all of social media and the internet, the same mobilizing feelings towards Trump tend to moderate the further in land one travels. )
Celebrate tonight. If recent history teaches us anything, it's that complacency after victory is how we lose. It feels good to stretch and breathe in the fresh air of a few victories. At the same, time, we must be careful to avoid overreaching with claims made by several writers (not Steven) to permanent realignments of the body politic.
I really respond to your talking about the need for a template for our country.
I believe we can make a permanent realignment of the public through policies that make good on FDR's Four Freedoms.
The 2 we never got were: Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear.
I'd argue they are intertwined, because when you're hungry you're intrinsically fearful.
I would like to see Democrats (and I identify as one) promote a Universal Basic Share of All Income paid for by a Fair Tax on All Income, and a redefinition of Fiduciary Duty, and separating the Attorney General from the Power of the President (break up the unitary presidency).
All of those can be done with simple statutes.
I describe how at my wiki and Substack: www.ProjectLiberty2029.info and www.ProjectLiberty2029.com.
Maybe this is the sea change that was needed. California voters were not voting to support change they wanted for CA but to support an idea. People talked about it as showing up to participate in a movement to defend democracy.
‘Smaller’ shows a similar trend away from DJT / maga ideas and candidates.
Maine voted down a proposal to make it harder to vote (more ID and fewer drop boxes).
JD Vance’s half brother received an embarrassingly small number of voters as a candidate for Cincinnati mayor.
PA which is recognized as a swing state, voters resisted the GOP push to reject the 3 seated state Supreme Court Justices who were up for a ‘retention’ vote. They kept the same Court — the Court that protected voters from GOP bogus legal challenges.
AOC was asked who is the face of the Dem party now? (She was at the Mamdani celebration.) Her answer was basically that the party doesn’t need one face. It has many faces just as the country has many faces. (Naturally that is not the answer reporters were seeking.)
Election night was a good night for my sanity. It gave me hope. America, we can do this! No kings. No tyrants. Democracy for all.
MSNBC and perhaps others reported that 30% of voters identify as maga. 43% identify as belonging to the No Kings movement. 😊 May that 43% grow and grow.
43% really blows 3.5% out the water!