If voters in different parts of the country choose candidates who promote different policies, that is a natural state of affairs for a nation as vast and diverse as the United States. This is not a sign of disunity. It demonstrates the Democratic Party is a broad, tolerant, and inclusive coalition.

Rather than despair that we are too late or that we may never see the fruits of our labor, we should celebrate the fact that we have the courage and foresight to take action that will benefit future generations. Why? Because we were the beneficiaries of the efforts of those who came before us.

We are fighting not only to save our democracy, but also to reestablish the rule of law and rehabilitate America’s standing in the world, daunting tasks. We have already taken the first steps in a process that may take generations to complete. Trump: 50% strongly disapprove. 15% strongly support.

The news cycle is dominated by Trump’s failures and incompetence. Keep that in mind as we work to defeat Republicans in the face of predictions of voter suppression that exceed Trump’s ability to execute. Take his threats seriously, but don't exaggerate or give them substance they don't have.

The Middle East inches toward regional war. No good outcome for the US or the world comes from such a conflict. The unpredictability of war ensures the domestic political landscape will change in ways we cannot imagine. Our task is to raise our voices in opposition until Trump is forced to end it.

Much of the political battle over the next 98 days will take the form of psychological warfare designed to discourage and confuse Democrats. The instrument of choice in this psyops battle is designed to maximize clicks. It is an insidious form of warfare, directed almost exclusively at Democrats.

The feelings provoked by economic pain are real, and there is nothing Trump can say to persuade consumers that their feelings are unimportant. The abstract (and false) notion that Trump’s war prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon doesn’t cut it. People know that Trump is lying.

There is nothing Trump and MAGA wants more than for us to be fighting with each other and not with him. We have one job now - elect as many of these wonderful candidates running for the House and Senate as we can. It’s a year of opportunity for us across the country. We must seize it, together.

Democrats have reason for hope because, although "we are in a tough fight, . . . we have seized control of the narrative and are building momentum with voters.” In elections, the media narrative and electoral momentum matter, in ways difficult to quantify. Both favor Democrats at the moment.

Politico: “49 percent of MAGA Republicans and 57 percent of non-MAGA Republicans are considering “voting for a different party” because of gas prices.” As commentators spread the narrative that Trump will seize ballots by armed force, margins of victory could make intervention by Trump pointless.

We must remind everyone that Trump broke his promise to end “forever wars” and bring down prices “on day one.” Iran will get worse, unless we help stop it by raising the political cost to intolerable levels. It will take more of us speaking out. This will stop when enough of us say, “NO.”

Fascism has always been a vehicle for frustration with a system that was failing the people. But it has never been a solution for fixing that system. Democrats beat themselves up too much. The party is experiencing growing pains as it debates its future. That process can be painful and upsetting.

It is inconceivable that Hegseth has so mismanaged the military that he is at risk of failing to meet payroll—an event in the civilian world known as “bankruptcy.” The total military payroll which includes benefits appropriated by Congress for the 2026-27 fiscal year is $183.2 billion. Just say no.

Stephen Miller: You look at...photographs...(an) American street, you see an antifa protest. Why...is there not one normal looking person among them?...(Their) scarred bod(ies) and their...outer appearance becomes a manifestation of their inner hatred. Your hate speech, Stephen, speaks for itself.

The right-wing push to get rid of the modern state is deeply unpopular. Trump, Rubio, and Miller claim they are defending the US against a communist takeover. Miller: these violent antifa demonstrations...not one of the people...looks...normal. They’re all deformed in some way... We beg to differ.

Citizens Bank plans to “exit the credit facilities” for CoreCivic and GEO.  This policy shift would not have happened without the pressure.  Activism matters.  We let them, and other corporations, know that people will not stand idly by when their business harms our communities. Stay strong!

The one thing Trump cannot overcome is a wave election. It is swelling in the distance, gaining momentum and size with each new outrage. So long as we do not quit or surrender to anxiety, we will win. Trump’s weakness was on full display Thursday evening because he knows this. Good Trouble, Today!

ICE eagerly embraced Kavanaugh’s suggestion to use racial profiling to effectuate its mass deportation policy, which is why ICE agents felt empowered to stop and gun down an innocent man in Maine who appeared to be Hispanic, whose only crime was driving to work. Persist. Resist. Call. Write.

Why did it take the killing of a Maine resident to stir Susan Collins to action? Could it be that she doesn’t care who gets killed by ICE, but cares only that thousands of furious Maine residents protested outside her offices, calling for her ouster?Midterms: blue wave election of epic proportions.

Book report time: I will discuss this tome (almost 600 pages, not counting sources and footnotes) by Jill Lepore tonight with Ventura's Justice for All book club. It is worth the time and trouble for activists as it looks at 250 years of US history through the lens of our constitution.

Trump has re-ignited his war against Iran. Yesterday, ICE killed again, this time in Maine. Susan Collins has been Trump’s apologist, defender, explainer, and surrogate. The people of Maine can defeat her. We should trust that they will deliver the right result in November. We persist to resist.

There is one political story that matters in America today, and it is not the internal growing pains of the party trying to save democracy. Don’t let the chatter get you down. Your efforts matter more than what appears in the pages and on the websites of media conglomerates. Keep up the good work!

Bill Kristol of The Bulwark commented. “[M]ilitary troops under the direct control of Trump and Hegseth will be on the streets of our nation’s capital for the rest of Trump’s term. The rationale—they’re here to help with a crime emergency—is laughable. But of course the real reason is ominous.”

If you feel the last two months have been particularly hard emotionally, you are not alone. It is also important to say that if you need a break, take it! It is far more important for you to be part of the long-term renewal of America than for you to exhaust yourself with continued resistance today.

The wisdom of Robert Hubbell: We are going to make it through the challenging period. Do what you can, help when you can, and trust that someone will step in to fill the breach when you need a breather. And try to keep things in perspective.

The wisdom of Robert Hubbell: There are literally tens of millions of Americans who are engaged in this battle. No single person carries the fate of our nation on their shoulders, so do not make yourself feel guilty over how much effort you can contribute at any given moment.

Trump, at the NATO summit in Ankara, insulted, offended, and rambled during press conferences. Unable to distinguish between Japan and Iran, Putin and Zelensky, he also exposed a critical weakness in the new Qatari Air Force One. Unless he cedes control of the Strait of Hormuz to Iran, we are stuck.

The question of which Democrat ends up challenging Susan Collins in the midterm elections pales in comparison to Trump’s massive self-inflicted wound on the economy—the issue that ranks at the top of nearly every poll of voters’ concerns. Democrats are having a rough week, but compared to what?

The political landscape is confusing, noisy, and sometimes frightening. But by every objective measure, we have reason to hope for a wave election of historic proportions that will allow us to take major steps forward in a short period—if we are brave and bold enough to meet the moment.

And so the 251st year of American democracy begins with reality reasserting itself. The White House is not a business opportunity. The presidency is not a license to steal from the American people. The government of the United States doesn’t exist to make Donald Trump rich.