Chuck Schumer is bringing the fight to Trump and republicans right now

[bigtree]

...giving his first address as minority leader.

Check it out later. Not the portrait that's been presented by many here of Schumer knuckling under or sucking up to the new government.

Sen. Schumer: "America can't afford a Twitter presidency."

“Too many of his Cabinet picks support the same, hard-right, doctrinaire positions that many in the Republican Party have held for years — policies that the American people have repeatedly rejected. If Donald Trump lets the hard-right members of Congress and his Cabinet run the show … if he adopts their timeworn policies — which represent the elites, special interests and corporate America, not the working man and woman — his presidency will not succeed.”

[KPN]

1. Yeah, but who's listening really?

Isn't that the problem?

[think]

3. Schumer is working to redo the Senate Democrat's video department to focus on social media

This may help get the message out to people who want to listen but aren't seeing it through normal channels...

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/311203-schumer-cleans-house-in-senate-dems-video-department-report

[KPN]

7. Well, that's a step in the right direction as was leaning on

Bernie to serve as "Outreach" leader. Bernie reaches people. That's what the Party needs -- more people who "reach" people and more focus on them instead of the same old same old. We are getting there, but with a lot of kicking and screaming along the way -- including here at DU.

[bigtree]

4. a lot of us are not only listening, we're responding in force

...the furor over the secret vote to end the independence of the House ethics office, for instance, was withering, beginning last night and culminating in a reversal by republicans this morning, after getting deluged by calls from constituents.

I think you're selling the American public short. There's a great deal of anxiety over the new government out here and I don't think folks are anywhere near as apathetic or cynical as you suggest.

[KPN]

6. I agree. I just don't think the American public is listening to

Chuck Schumer. That was my only point. The majority of the American public are listening to Fox News and the MSM (which I view as all having a conservative bent -- oh, the irony), not Party leaders. If that's cynical, so be it ... but I assure you I'm not apathetic and am actually quite engaged and will continue to be so.

[bigtree]

9. I don't believe you're apathetic

...sorry if it read that way.

I do think it's going to be hard enough to get to that opposition, even with the understandable, but regrettable, cynicism over politics and politicians.

Let's see where this goes. I'm encouraged to see even this level of opposition coming from our side. I can remember much less contention and much more forced comity, in the recent past.

[DK504]

15. It would be great if the media would get some democrats

on the TeeVee. Ya' know, like MTP, 60 Minutes, Rachael, Chris Hayes. Maybe someone might notice what the hell is happening.

[onetexan]

11. Doesn't matter, just matters that we the sane people

are listening. Not realistic to expect the deplorables to be listening nor the idiots who've all come around to suck up to the biggest idiot in Washington. As long as we have Dem leaders who are doing their job standing up to the dystopian lot, us sane people should band together and support them in the fight.

[bdamomma]

2. they better not bend the rules for this

twitter jerk. Disgusting the republican party will go down in flames too.

I would love to see my senator Sheldon Whitehouse of RI to get on the floor too, he would have some choice things to say. I am always e mailing him

[bigtree]

5. I've been a fan of Sheldon Whitehouse since his House days

...gratifying to see him in action as a Senator.

[sellitman]

8. Too late

We control NOTHING.

[bigtree]

10. neither did republicans in the past

...but they still managed to block major planks of our Democratic and progressive agenda, even in the minority.

There's no reason our party can't do the same; especially with the added motivation of such a bumbling madman leading the opposition.

[BadgerMom]

12. Thanks for the reminder

I know we have to acknowledge where we are right now. I know we have to improve our situation. But, come on, we have a future. We gained seats in the House and Senate in 2016! We did that against historical headwinds (Comey's election tampering, the DNC hacking). Despair won't do. We have to resist with all we have.

Also, I have heard lots about our bleak chances in 2018. Enough! We've acknowledged our situation. Now, please, tell me what candidates I can begin helping. Who is going to run? Where can I contribute? Let's get this started.

[angrychair]

14. Take what I'm about to say

With a grain of salt because I do:

It's not about candidates or messages or money anymore. It's about heavily gerrymandered districts and a mainstream news media that are little more than propaganda shills for the Republican Party (I include all news media, including Hayes, O'Donnell and Maddow who refuse to ask questions and allow trump surrogates on their shows to monologue unchallenged).

Gerrymandering is the big one though and it will get worse after 2020 and they can redraw districts even more in their favor.

[jg10003]

13. True, but can Dems be as ruthless as Mitch McConnell and the Kochs?

[sellitman]

18. They vote together for the most part

Dems never do.

It's what we do. I'd love to see that change. I am not going to hold my breath.

[Cha]

16. Good... I'm glad to see him just do it.

[uponit7771]

17. +++++++++++ THAT'S TALKING NOT FIGHTING!!!!!!!!!!!! ++++++++++++

Shit, come on yaw... fighting denotes action and not just bumping gums...

[bigtree]

19. most of what Congress does is talk. It's a deliberative process of lawmaking

...and, sure as shit, if Schumer didn't say these things, someone would be castigating him for the omission.