Hi, all, and happy Thursday!
I hope you’re still basking in post-election joy and thrilling to the “Republicans in disarray” scenario we’re currently witnessing. We’re in an ugly time, and it’s likely going to get uglier, but for once, politically speaking, at least, the shoe is on the other foot. Republicans can’t find a coherent response to Tuesday’s beating—Johnson is going with “it was just blue states being blue states,” Trump is trying “we didn’t talk about ‘affordability’ enough,” and JD Vance is doing a full-on “nothing to see here.” Only Marjorie Taylor Greene, ironically, is asserting, truthfully, that Republicans are in big trouble if they don’t change course. You know the world is upside down when she’s making sense!
Regardless of what they’re saying publicly, Republicans all know what just happened. And they know it will only get worse for them from here. But what they do with that information next is almost immaterial.
Why? Their fate is sealed. They have tied their fortunes to Trump to such an extent, and for so long, that to leave him now would be akin to severing a major artery. He’s become an integral, essential part of their body politic, so to speak; without him they will perish.
And yet it’s becoming more clear every day that with him they are also doomed. It’s a perfect death spiral, and it’s all their fault. They can neither extricate themselves from his wizened grasp nor denounce him. They are stuck.
What we are witnessing now is the demise of the Republican party writ large. It may take more time for the patient to be declared dead, but Tuesday’s election was the final proof we needed that their condition is terminal.
Of course you wouldn’t know it to look at them. In fact, Trump and Republicans in Congress are busy holding hungry families hostage by refusing to comply with a court order to fully fund SNAP. It’s insane stuff, and we’re all going to have to work to help our communities survive as Trump capriciously deprives our friends and neighbors—maybe even us!—of needed sustenance.
Meanwhile, we must double down on our Senators—if they’re Republican telling them the time is now to separate themselves from this vicious and failing regime, and if they are Democrats telling them to stay strong and keep fighting.
So that is exactly what we’ll do.
Let’s get to work!
P.S. — The “How to defeat authoritarianism” webinar tonight now has over 2,000 registrants. Unfortunately, my Zoom has a 1000 person cap. I’m unable to spend $1000, which is what it would cost, to increase my Zoom room capacity for this meeting alone. The leaders of the workshop do not want to record it, so just know that if you get shut out tonight I will hold another session for you. So sorry about that! If you do want to be sure to get a spot tonight maybe come a few minutes early!
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
[If Democrat]
I’m calling because I hear that some Democratic Senators are considering giving in to Republicans. Do not! We must not give them any votes unless they agree to a PERMANENT extension of the ACA premium tax credits, as well as guardrails so that the Trump administration is forced to spend money Congress allocates. Do not fold! The Senator saw what happened on Tuesday. We are motivated. We are galvanized. We have his/her back. We will be furious if Democrats cave now, so please don’t. Thanks.
[If Republican]
Republicans need to sit down and make a deal with Democrats now. And that deal must include a PERMANENT extension of the ACA premium tax credits, as well as guardrails to ensure that the Trump administration spends the money Congress allocates. Americans are done with Republican leadership. We want lawmakers who will fight to lower our healthcare costs, root our corruption, and stand up to Trump. As you saw on Tuesday, we are ready and willing to replace any lawmakers who don’t. Republicans need to sit down with Democrats right now and give them what they want. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
[If Republican:]
I’m calling to say that Republicans need to come back to DC and get to work. Did they see what just happened on Tuesday? Americans have had it. We are tired of Republicans’ failed leadership. I want Congress to permanently extend the ACA premium tax credits and then reopen the government. In the meantime please push Trump to release full SNAP funding. People are hungry—it’s not a joke! Trump is a failed leader who is dragging his party to obsolescence and defeat. I expect the Congressmember to turn his back on MAGA policies and start working for his/her constituents, not against us. Otherwise s/he should start looking for a new job because we will vote every Republican out next year. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
I gave you the wrong email address for the Dodgers on Tuesday—sorry about that! The correct email address to ask them not to go to the White House to celebrate their victory is fanfeedback@ladodgers.com.
Also, please sign this petition to the Dodgers making the same request. This is a place where petitions can make a difference. Please sign and share!
Get Smart! 📚
The awesome data analyst Tom Bonier will be joining DemCast’s Democracy Briefing on November 17 to talk about the Elections 2025 and what this week’s victory means for 2026. He’s THE guy to break down the numbers, how the polls failed us (again) and the amazing demographic shifts we saw on Tuesday. Do go if you can!
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
DemCast’s library in Reach has a whole bunch of new posts about victories across the nation. Please share some!
Give 💰!
Again, Aftyn Behn needs money to win her seat in TN-07 on December 7. You guys, I really think she can do this—especially after Tuesday! If you need a little more incentive, Mike Johnson is likely refusing to seat Adelita Grijalva because he thinks that Republicans will win this election and cancel out her vote to release the Epstein files. LET’S MAKE HIM WRONG!
Please give if you possibly can…more ways to help below!
Win Races! 🗳
Postcards to Swing States is writing for Aftyn Behn!! I ordered 3,000 cards for my postcard hub. This seat would be out of reach during normal times, but these are NOT normal times!
From Postcards to Swing States:
We have an opportunity to flip Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District on December 2nd. This is an open seat following the retirement of GOP Rep. Mark Green in July. Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn won the Democratic primary last month, and she has a chance to shock the world by winning this fairly Republican district. The race is within 10 points — you could be the difference!
Sign up now to write postcards to rally Democrats to vote in this critical special election. Once you sign up, we’ll mail you free postcards within three days, so you should receive them within about a week or sooner. We’ll include a voter list and instructions with three short message options.You’ll have until Nov 17 or Nov 21 to mail the postcards depending on the instructions you receive. You’re responsible for providing the Postcard Stamps (currently $0.61).
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T ] [Text SIGN PQONFJ to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
(Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)
The federal government is shut down, and every day of delay damages our economy, our credibility, and the lives of ordinary Americans. Federal employees are missing paychecks, small businesses are losing contracts, and millions of families are caught in uncertainty while the House remains paralyzed.
The Constitution gives Congress — not any one Speaker — the duty to keep the government funded and functioning. Yet Speaker Mike Johnson has canceled regular sessions and refused to swear in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, duly chosen by the voters of Arizona more than six weeks ago. That denial of representation harms not only her district but the entire country, because the House cannot complete the appropriations process or negotiate a budget while one seat remains willfully empty.
[Read the rest of the letter here—it’s too long to post]
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
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