Democratic Party

Republicans And Male Sexual Assault And Abuse Becoming A Norm!

Republicans and Sexual Assault and Abuse are becoming a norm, and the lack of a moral and ethical standard surrounding Donald Trump is maddening!

Trump himself has been convicted of sexual assault and abuse, but apparently will not pay the price, since he was elected to return to the Oval Office.

But Trump is surrounding himself with a slew of immoral, unethical characters, who have a record of sexual assault and abuse, and or cheating on wives, including

Matt Gaetz
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Pete Hegseth

And this is just the tip of the iceberg!

In the past, people with such low morals would be prevented from serving in a President’s cabinet, and in many cases, their political career was destroyed by scandals.

One thinks back to Gary Hart and Al Franken, as just two examples of Democrats, who were destroyed by revelations of sex scandals, that were, actually, quite minor by comparison, but the Democratic Party worked against them, and their careers in public elected office came to an end!

But now, Republicans, particularly those surrounding Donald Trump, have no accountability for their misbehavior!

And yet, millions of Americans seem unphased by this reality, which demonstrates how ethical and moral standards have declined precipitously in recent years!

Unqualified And Controversial Trump Appointments Abound In Early Selections!

When one observes Donald Trump’s early appointments, one concludes that he has decided to name unqualified individuals to a multitude of major positions.

When one can say that Florida Senator Marco Rubio becoming Secretary of State is the “best” appointment of a horrendous list, that summarizes what a disaster the nation is facing!

Rubio has 14 years of Senate experience, and is on the Senate Intelligence Committee, and while no great intellectual, he meets the minimum requirements to lead our foreign policy establishment, but is no star in any sense.

But then, one looks at other appointments:

Pete Hegseth, a Fox News Host, as Secretary of Defense
Kristi Noem, South Dakota Governor, as Secretary of Homeland Security
Elise Stafanek, NY Congresswoman, as United Nations Ambassador
Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas Governor, as US Ambassador to Israel
Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii as Director Of National Intelligence
Lee Zeldin, former NY Congressman, as head of the Environmental Protection Agency

Pete Hegseth is a total surprise to the Pentagon with no real credentials to head the Pentagon.

Kristi Noem has ZERO experience to head Homeland Security, and has been an embarrassment as Governor of a very small state, South Dakota.

Elise Stefanik is an ultimate example of an individual who transformed, conveniently, from being a moderate Republican to a MAGA Republican, as a way to advance her career.

Mike Huckabee is a Christian Zionist, whose ultimate aim is to convert Jews to his radical brand of Christianity, the last thing that American Jews would support, but may be acceptable to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as he works to take over the Palestinian territories.

Tulsi Gabbard is a former Democratic Presidential contender, who has gone over to the Republican Party, after going off the rails in her foreign policy views, and now will be more powerful over intelligence gathering than anyone else .

Lee Zeldin has no desire to promote environmental protection, so can be described as a fox put into a chicken coop.

It seems clear that the major qualification to be in the Trump Cabinet is to be slavishly loyal to his agenda, with no concept of considering what is constitutional and legitimate!

Add to this list Robert F. Kennedy Jr. possibly being Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Billionaire Elon Musk everywhere, trying to have a major influence.

This list will become even more controversial as the days pass, and fireworks are possible on some of the appointments.

And now, as I am writing, controversial Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has been chosen to be Attorney General, which would seem extremely divisive.

It also means now THREE Republican House members, including Mike Waltz of Florida as National Security Adviser, along with Stefanik and Gaetz, will be removed from that chamber, endangering, at least for the short term, having a Republican majority, which seems a lunatic move!

The last 24 hours have been shocking, and will continue to be in the coming hours and days!

A Multitude Of Qualified Democrats For 2028, As Party Assesses The Future!

A week after the disturbing defeat of Kamala Harris, causing great distress and dismay among Democrats, including this author and blogger, it is important to learn from the disappointment and plan for the future.

The Democratic Party cannot move toward the center Right, if it means ever to offer a reasonable alternative.

However, that does not mean that it should adopt Bernie Sanders Left Wing type progressivism, which, despite what some say, would never be accepted by voters at large as an alternative in the future.

The party needs to continue to promote mainstream progressivism and liberalism, including labor rights, protection of the environment, and enforcement of basic civil rights for the growing Latino minority, African Americans, Asian Americans, gays and lesbians, and women, along with promotion of more voter education as to the details and effects of government policies.

The idea that Latino males, young people, and white women would think of Donald Trump as the better alternative is shocking, so therefore the need for greater voter education is essential.

And as the Democrats ponder their future, it is blessed with a multitude of qualified Presidential contenders!

This includes the following Governors:

Gavin Newsom, California
Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania
Wes Moore, Maryland
Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan
Andy Beshear, Kentucky
J D Pritzker, Illinois
Jared Polis, Colorado
Tim Walz, Minnesota
Josh Stein, North Carolina

Additionally, there are US Senators in the mix, including

Christoper Murphy, Connecticut
Jon Ossoff, Georgia
Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
Cory Booker, New Jersey

Also, present Transportation Secretary and former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is rumored to be planning to run for Michigan Governor, to succeed Gretchen Whitmer, who is term limited from running for reelection in 2026.

To assume that Donald Trump and his party will be able to keep public opinion on his side over the next four years is failing to realize that it is certain there will be a major negative reaction to the agenda that is now being imposed on America by aggressive and extreme Right wing forces!

Democrats must be optimistic and willing to work hard for the future of common decency and empathy as part of American principles!

Joe Biden’s Ego Helped Cause Democratic Defeat!

This author and blogger has been a longtime fan and supporter of Joe Biden, going back decades!

Biden has had an historic Presidency, and has been listed as number 14 in Presidential rankings by the American Political Science Association.

Biden is a decent, compassionate leader, a model of what a President should be. He saved American democracy in winning the Presidency in 2020.

But sadly, when one looks back now at the Presidential Election Of 2024, it must be said that his ego helped to cause the Democratic Party defeat!

Being an advanced age, Biden should have announced after the midterms in 2022, that he would finish his term, but leave the future of the party to a primary contest of Democrats who wished to succeed him.

It is possible that Kamala Harris, who ran an heroic 107 day race, would have been the nominee in any case, but Biden allowed his ego to get in the way of what was best for the Democratic Party and the nation at large.

Biden is being “blamed” by many for his refusal to accept his age as a limit, and the realization that he was not the same person in 2023 and later that he was in 2020.

That reality will tar, somewhat, his reputation, which is highly regrettable.

It will not mar this author’s view of the 46th President, but history will record that it was a mistake for Biden to remain in the race when he should have announced his withdrawal.

Stunning Reality: About 10 Million Fewer Americans Voted In 2024 As Compared To 2020!

One of many shocking realities of the 2024 Presidential Election is that an estimate 10 million FEWER Americans voted in 2024, as compared to the Presidential Election of 2020.

This, with a growing population, and millions of new potential voters, and it seems inexplicable!

And clearly, those who did vote based their decision on lies, deceit, ignorance, and thinking only OTHER people would be hurt by what Donald Trump proposes to do!

And clearly, no matter what is denied, there are many millions of Americans, who have no issue with white supremacy, racism, nativism, anti semitism, and misogyny, and this in a nation in which many profess to be “religious”, but do not believe in or follow the teachings of Jesus Christ!

The only hope is that once Americans see the reality of the second term of Donald Trump, that the reaction against it will affect the Congressional Elections of 2026 and the Presidential Election of 2028, and lead to a Democratic Party revival.

Bright Moments For Democrats In Election Results

At a time of so much feeling of disappointment and concern about the election results of 2024 for the Democratic Party, there are bright moments to applaud.

Josh Stein became the first Jewish Governor of North Carolina.

Angela Alsobrooks in Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester in Delaware became the first combination of African American women elected to the US Senate, and only the fourth and fifth such women in American history. They also became only the 13th and 14th African American Senators, including nine men.

Two new Jewish American Senators were elected, including Adam Schiff of California and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan; and the first Korean American Senator, Andy Kim, was elected in New Jersey.

Realignment Seems To Have Occurred, But It May Not Last Past Next Presidential Election!

The Democratic Party has received a heavy rebuke from voters, who once could be counted upon to remain in support of the party.

It is mind boggling that 46 percent of Latinos, 39 percent of Asian Americans, 20 percent of African Americans, and working class Whites abandoned the party that promoted civil rights and social justice reforms over the 90 years since Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal in the 1930s.

But their “abandonment” is more centered around the key issue of the economy, the reality that the COVID 19 Pandemic created high inflation which finally, but belatedly, has been overcome in recent months.

Overall, the economy has done well, but since people think first about the issue of groceries, gas, and other costs that had been mounting, they decided to avoid dealing with the other issues so important out there, such as survival of democracy, abortion rights, and foreign policy concerns.

The inability of Joe Biden to deal with the problem of immigration at the border also was effectively used by Republicans, along with creating the false issue of transgender rights.

Donald Trump is not going to keep the support of the groups who voted for him, once they realize he is only concerned about corporations and the wealthy, and is on the road to another massive tax cut, adding trillions to the national debt, and imposing tariffs that will raise the cost of living for the people who decided to support him.

Donald Trump is assured to antagonize and alienate groups that will realize they have been taken advantage of, and as long as the Democratic Party comes up with new proposals and plans and have a dynamic primary season for the 2028 Presidential nomination, the party will be able to retrieve what they have lost!

The Role Of Women Likely To Decide Presidential Election Of 2024!

This author and blogger writes as Election Day has begun!

A final thought: The role of Women Voters seems likely to decide the Presidential Election of 2024.

There are more women voters than male voters, and a major gender gap has opened, according to numerous surveys.

Even in Iowa, considered a “red” state, the Des Moines Register poll surprises everyone, showing that Kamala Harris has a three point lead, primarily based on Independent Women and Women over the age of 65.

If this poll, which has been very accurate over many years, proves to be accurate, and Iowa, with its 6 electoral votes goes to Kamala Harris, it would insure a Democratic victory, as it would be sign that nearby states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, would likely have similar results!

Predictions On 119th Congress (2025-2027) Races

This author and blogger senses that the Democrats will regain control of the House of Representatives in the 119th Congress, since the Republicans have had a disastrous two years under Speaker Kevin McCarthy for nine months and then Speaker Mike Johnson, having the fewest accomplishments in legislation in more than a century.

While it is very difficult to project on 435 House races, it seems likely that some Republican seats in New York and California are likely to go to the Democrats, along with some gain of seats in the South, specifically in Alabama and Louisiana.

Likely, the majority will be, however, only on a few seats, as is now the situation.

The Senate will likely see a slight Republican majority, with the retirement of Joe Manchin, insuring that a Republican will replace him.

However, if all Democrats running for reelection, and those running to replace fellow Democrats, seem likely to win, that sets up a possible 50-50 Senate, which the Vice President would organize.

It depends on whether Republicans Ted Cruz in Texas, Rick Scott in Florida, and Deb Fischer in Nebraska can keep their seats. If any of them lose, we would see a Democratic controlled Senate.

If however, Democrats Jon Tester in Montana or Sherrod Brown in Ohio lose their seats, the Republicans would have the majority of the Senate.

Democrats Have Cleaned Up Republican Economic Messes Since 1953!

It is amazing how Republicans have lied incessantly for the past 70 years about the economy under Democratic Presidents, when it is such Democratic Presidents who have revived the economy after Republican Presidents managed to preside over economic recessions.

John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson presided over economic prosperity in the 1960s, after three recessions under Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Jimmy Carter presided over an economic recovery from the Recession of 1974-1975 under Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, but sadly had to deal with another short lived, six months, recession in 1980, which was one of the factors, but not the most important, in his defeat, as the only Democratic President who had an economic decline since 1953.

Bill Clinton presided over an economic recovery from the recession under George H. W. Bush in the early 1990s, having a long period of economic prosperity.

Barack Obama presided over a long economic recovery from the Great Recession of 2008-2009 under George W. Bush, over 75 months from 2010-2017.

Joe Biden presided over revival of the American economy, from a great economic recession in office in 2020 under Donald Trump, a time of dramatic economic loss due to the Covid 19 Pandemic.

While there were moments of high inflation under Joe Biden due to the aftermath of the Pandemic, as with all Democratic Presidents, there was job growth, with most jobs created under them, and the percentage under Republican Presidents being very few under Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and the Bushes, and a massive job loss under Donald Trump.

These are economic facts, no matter what Donald Trump and Republicans claim to be the truth!