I second that! Which is why The Downballot is such a treasure – one that I recommend to all friends and acquaintances who have more than a passing (election-day-only) interest in American democracy.
Terrific op-ed from Dana Milbank today! His focus is Jeff Bezos’ recent order that “We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. …viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.”
Milbank writes: "[T]his much is clear: If we as a newspaper, and we as a country, are to defend his twin pillars, then we must redouble our fight against the single greatest threat to “personal liberties and free markets” in the United States today: President Donald Trump."
Here is the start of Milbank’s op-ed (which I urge you to read):
Over the last 48 hours, I’ve been receiving from readers and friends the sort of notes one gets upon losing a loved one, or perhaps receiving a terminal diagnosis.
“So very sorry.”
“Hang in there.”
“Sending you love and strength.”
“With appreciation and sorrow.”
The cause of death? The belief that Post owner Jeff Bezos has just ended the tradition of open debate that has guided this paper’s editorial page for generations.
Michael, this is why I posted a gift link. The article is not paywalled. I guarantee that it’s worth your time. If not, I owe you a pint if you’re ever in my neck of the woods – heck, I’ll buy you a pint regardless.
I agree that it's an excellent essay. Of course, Paleo is right that it takes as its premise that free markets should be taken for granted as a pillar of American society. But it's unfortunately too much to expect corporate media in the U.S. to give a platform to socialists who truly advocate socialism. And nowadays, even not kowtowing to a wannabe dictator in advance of the election was too much to expect. I have to wonder if Bezos would even allow this kind of op-ed to be printed next year.
If Jeff Bezos had owned the Washington Post in 1972, Richard Nixon would have been able to serve out his second term. And fascism would have come to the United States decades earlier.
This is why Lina Khan wasn't confirmed for another term. Her quixotic mission was hamstrung by the courts and only made people like Bezos don the black shirt.
After Congressman Cline's people left their own town hall in VA-6 without taking any questions, Democratic candidate Ken Mitchell has taken over answering questions for constituents. Lmaoo
In CA 45 in 2018, Katie Porter narrowly won after she pointed out that Mimi Walters was out of touched with voters by only meeting with constituents if they ponied up $1,000 for breakfast at the Balboa Bay Club. Walters had won the district in 2016 by 17 points. Trump hatred helped.
We may be in the same or better environment as 2018.
Trump and Vance are the absolute worst. No one from this backstabbing, corrupt, criminal, dictatorial, pro-terrorist administration is in any position to lecture any foreign leader (let alone Zelensky) about anything. If anything, the US owes Ukraine for wrecking Russia's military.
A coup seems farfetched, especially with Trump packing the top brass with stooges who seem less likely to push back against illegal orders. Dems might be able to insist on continued aid to Ukraine as a condition of signing off on a resolution to fund the government.
A huge number of extremely farfetched things have happened in the U.S. since 2000, especially since 2016, and even more so since late January. We certainly can't rule out military coups or civil war.
I know I’m an unusual vessel for such thoughts based on my typically skeptical posting history here but things are going off the rails much, much worse than I expected and defense/intelligence establishments, especially the American one, don’t usually take perceived threats lying down. I don’t think a complete mil/civ breakdown would be a positive thing for liberals, quite the opposite, but imo the natural conclusion of MAGA at its current trajectory is a time for choosing, if you follow.
I especially don’t think the “types” I’m talking about will be as deferential to the Musks and Yarvins of the world as they will to the White House, which at least has (for now) the trappings of constitutional legitimacy by way of the election.
But that’s enough conspiratorial rambling for one day.
Geopolitically I'm most worried about Taiwan. China's interests are not at all related to TSMC there, but so, so, so much of the US' economy (and the west in general) is either directly or indirectly reliant on TSMC that it's honestly hard to fully grasp. It gets worse when you factor in all the manufacturing done in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the rest of the region that could become inaccessible in a conflict.
A war over Taiwan, or even an uncontested annexation by China, could result in an economic decline that makes the 2008 financial crash look like the good years.
As I just noted elsewhere, these fascist jizzstains aren't 1/100th as much of a man or leader as President Zelenskyy. I avidly look forward to the day they meet the Almighty.
Yeah but still even where it's at 10% that is still a good chunk of the population. Some districts will be more receptive than others though but I doubt cutting medicaid is popular in most of those <10% districts. Stefanik's seat seems to be over 20% assuming we actually get the special hope the Dem focuses on that. If I remember right Paul Ryan's budget that sought deep cuts was part of the reason Hochul was able to win the Western NY House seat she won in 2011 and narrowly lost in 2012.
Yeah I think this will absolutely hurt them and in swing districts. Even 5% is still a lot of potential voters, especially since those people have friends and family that might get pissed off too.
I was more remarking on how hard to target the most Medicaid reliant districts are. Almost all of them are either deep blue or deep red, very little chance of them becoming competitive.
Although it would be amazing (and also hilarious) if Johnson pissed off enough of his district through this and similar bills that he got the Eric Cantor treatment.
The Democratic rebuttal givers to Donald Trump’s divisive liefest of a State of the Union-like joint address have been announced: Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) for the English version and Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) for the Spanish version.
I just didn't know if there was anything other than comity and decorum that compelled them to attend. Maybe instead of a boycott they walkout en masse.
Maybe it is, but the Democrats stand for comity and decorum, and they will lose some votes if they all boycott. They didn't do that during his first term. I think an organized walkout would be better.
I agree on both counts, but I would again remind everyone that so far, opinion polls have been very clear in showing that Democratic voters support comity, decorum and bipartisanship. Maybe that's changing, but we'll have to see that.
What I would want to see is one or more Dems call out "You Lie!" after some of Tr*mp's lies and exaggerations.
I don't expect this to happen, but we are not living in normal times. Pointing out Donald's lies would be part of the story of the speech, and any opportunity to get opposition out in the public's awareness would be a good thing.
I maintain that this is a trained preference, not a deeply held one, for our voter base.
It's also not like we have to be all that friendly and norm-respecting to have a huge gap in our favor on that front relative to republicans. Barely anyone is going to use this as their deciding factor for how to vote, and for the few who do the answer is obviously democrats even if our caucuses skipped the SOTU en masse.
This is a great newsletter. Just loaded with good info! Thanks for the work that goes into it. Politics is so much more than the presidency.
I second that! Which is why The Downballot is such a treasure – one that I recommend to all friends and acquaintances who have more than a passing (election-day-only) interest in American democracy.
PERSONAL LIBERTIES & FREE MARKETS?
Terrific op-ed from Dana Milbank today! His focus is Jeff Bezos’ recent order that “We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. …viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.”
Milbank writes: "[T]his much is clear: If we as a newspaper, and we as a country, are to defend his twin pillars, then we must redouble our fight against the single greatest threat to “personal liberties and free markets” in the United States today: President Donald Trump."
https://wapo.st/3DaSKxX
Here is the start of Milbank’s op-ed (which I urge you to read):
Over the last 48 hours, I’ve been receiving from readers and friends the sort of notes one gets upon losing a loved one, or perhaps receiving a terminal diagnosis.
“So very sorry.”
“Hang in there.”
“Sending you love and strength.”
“With appreciation and sorrow.”
The cause of death? The belief that Post owner Jeff Bezos has just ended the tradition of open debate that has guided this paper’s editorial page for generations.
He’s right - Trump is incompatible with either
Yeah
Not the point. He accepts the oligarch's dictate rather than saying there should be a variety of viewpoints.
Do you mean Millbank does? If you mean Bezos, he is an oligarch.
Yes and yes.
Ok, I'm not going to easily read the entirety of a presumably paywalled essay.
Michael, this is why I posted a gift link. The article is not paywalled. I guarantee that it’s worth your time. If not, I owe you a pint if you’re ever in my neck of the woods – heck, I’ll buy you a pint regardless.
I didn't realize. I'll read it.
I agree that it's an excellent essay. Of course, Paleo is right that it takes as its premise that free markets should be taken for granted as a pillar of American society. But it's unfortunately too much to expect corporate media in the U.S. to give a platform to socialists who truly advocate socialism. And nowadays, even not kowtowing to a wannabe dictator in advance of the election was too much to expect. I have to wonder if Bezos would even allow this kind of op-ed to be printed next year.
If Jeff Bezos had owned the Washington Post in 1972, Richard Nixon would have been able to serve out his second term. And fascism would have come to the United States decades earlier.
This is why Lina Khan wasn't confirmed for another term. Her quixotic mission was hamstrung by the courts and only made people like Bezos don the black shirt.
After Congressman Cline's people left their own town hall in VA-6 without taking any questions, Democratic candidate Ken Mitchell has taken over answering questions for constituents. Lmaoo
https://x.com/Mitchell4VA/status/1895185277943271749?t=Lhv1UIEnCsiGp-opVb3CYQ&s=19
In CA 45 in 2018, Katie Porter narrowly won after she pointed out that Mimi Walters was out of touched with voters by only meeting with constituents if they ponied up $1,000 for breakfast at the Balboa Bay Club. Walters had won the district in 2016 by 17 points. Trump hatred helped.
We may be in the same or better environment as 2018.
That’s a clever way to troll AND get name rec
That is how you do it.
Mea culpa
https://voiceofoc.org/2025/02/oc-supervisors-break-silence-publicly-blast-treasurers-alleged-workplace-hostility/
I have voiced strong support for Ms Freidenrich, OC treasurer, who is a personal friend and was a colleague in the 1980s.
I suspected it was a political hit job, but it appears it's bipartisan concern of management problems.
I'm hoping Shari retires.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c625ex282zzt#player
Holy shit, zelensky meeting with Trump almost erupts into WWIII.
I hope Europe is willing to step up in a big way. They need to.
It's just so sickening and shameful. But "women are too emotional" to be president.
Krasnov delivers.
Sorry, which one? The fictional character Krasnova mentioned on the Wikipedia disambiguation page for Krasnov?
Trump and Vance are the absolute worst. No one from this backstabbing, corrupt, criminal, dictatorial, pro-terrorist administration is in any position to lecture any foreign leader (let alone Zelensky) about anything. If anything, the US owes Ukraine for wrecking Russia's military.
Im very alarmed about the possibility of a variety of black swan events geopolitically, up to and including the US military couping Trump
A coup seems farfetched, especially with Trump packing the top brass with stooges who seem less likely to push back against illegal orders. Dems might be able to insist on continued aid to Ukraine as a condition of signing off on a resolution to fund the government.
A huge number of extremely farfetched things have happened in the U.S. since 2000, especially since 2016, and even more so since late January. We certainly can't rule out military coups or civil war.
I know I’m an unusual vessel for such thoughts based on my typically skeptical posting history here but things are going off the rails much, much worse than I expected and defense/intelligence establishments, especially the American one, don’t usually take perceived threats lying down. I don’t think a complete mil/civ breakdown would be a positive thing for liberals, quite the opposite, but imo the natural conclusion of MAGA at its current trajectory is a time for choosing, if you follow.
I especially don’t think the “types” I’m talking about will be as deferential to the Musks and Yarvins of the world as they will to the White House, which at least has (for now) the trappings of constitutional legitimacy by way of the election.
But that’s enough conspiratorial rambling for one day.
I follow what you're saying.
Geopolitically I'm most worried about Taiwan. China's interests are not at all related to TSMC there, but so, so, so much of the US' economy (and the west in general) is either directly or indirectly reliant on TSMC that it's honestly hard to fully grasp. It gets worse when you factor in all the manufacturing done in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the rest of the region that could become inaccessible in a conflict.
A war over Taiwan, or even an uncontested annexation by China, could result in an economic decline that makes the 2008 financial crash look like the good years.
Yes. It would be worse than somebody invading Chile before the Haber process was invented. If Taiwan is abandoned the world economy implodes overnight
Yeah, he'll probably blame Taiwan for demolishing their factories and fabs so the PRC can't have them if and when they invade the island.
What?
Unlikely as it may be I stand behind what I said.
As I just noted elsewhere, these fascist jizzstains aren't 1/100th as much of a man or leader as President Zelenskyy. I avidly look forward to the day they meet the Almighty.
I would, too, if I believed in a Supreme Judge.
The Times did a Medicaid enrollment by congressional district analysis.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/02/27/us/politics/medicaid-enrollment.html
Based on the data there, only two of those top 12 republican districts by Medicaid % are contestable for us. AK-AL and CA-22.
Yeah but still even where it's at 10% that is still a good chunk of the population. Some districts will be more receptive than others though but I doubt cutting medicaid is popular in most of those <10% districts. Stefanik's seat seems to be over 20% assuming we actually get the special hope the Dem focuses on that. If I remember right Paul Ryan's budget that sought deep cuts was part of the reason Hochul was able to win the Western NY House seat she won in 2011 and narrowly lost in 2012.
Yeah I think this will absolutely hurt them and in swing districts. Even 5% is still a lot of potential voters, especially since those people have friends and family that might get pissed off too.
I was more remarking on how hard to target the most Medicaid reliant districts are. Almost all of them are either deep blue or deep red, very little chance of them becoming competitive.
Although it would be amazing (and also hilarious) if Johnson pissed off enough of his district through this and similar bills that he got the Eric Cantor treatment.
The Democratic rebuttal givers to Donald Trump’s divisive liefest of a State of the Union-like joint address have been announced: Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) for the English version and Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) for the Spanish version.
https://rollcall.com/2025/02/27/elissa-slotkin-trump-address-adriano-espaillat/
Boycotting the address is the proper response.
Can they actually boycott the address? I'd love to see a half empty room with the other half being composed of barely trained seals.
They can do whatever they want.
I just didn't know if there was anything other than comity and decorum that compelled them to attend. Maybe instead of a boycott they walkout en masse.
Fine. But I don’t see the difference.
I really wish they would. It would certainly send a message but Dem Leadership would never, but I would love to be proven wrong.
The difference is that they wouldn't seem to be disrespecting election results but walking out in response to an absolutely unacceptable libel.
Maybe it is, but the Democrats stand for comity and decorum, and they will lose some votes if they all boycott. They didn't do that during his first term. I think an organized walkout would be better.
He’s worse now.
One of the reasons Trump is there now is because of Democrats’ “comity and decorum.”
It’s academic anyway because, with some individual exceptions, Democrats wouldn’t have the guts to do it.
I agree on both counts, but I would again remind everyone that so far, opinion polls have been very clear in showing that Democratic voters support comity, decorum and bipartisanship. Maybe that's changing, but we'll have to see that.
What I would want to see is one or more Dems call out "You Lie!" after some of Tr*mp's lies and exaggerations.
I don't expect this to happen, but we are not living in normal times. Pointing out Donald's lies would be part of the story of the speech, and any opportunity to get opposition out in the public's awareness would be a good thing.
That would be good. When that was blurted out to Obama, it was a lie. In this case, it would be true.
they won't do either one and, yes, they will come out the loser if they boycott or walk out
What do you think is a better strategy?
In 2016 I said trump would remain powerful until republicans, both in and out of government, turned on him. Nothing has changed!
He'll probably die before that happens.
I'll point out that there isn't any evidence I know of that Pelosi tearing up a State of the Union hurt Democrats.
I'm really glad we can edit our posts, unlike on DailyKos. I make typos with embarrassing frequency.
I maintain that this is a trained preference, not a deeply held one, for our voter base.
It's also not like we have to be all that friendly and norm-respecting to have a huge gap in our favor on that front relative to republicans. Barely anyone is going to use this as their deciding factor for how to vote, and for the few who do the answer is obviously democrats even if our caucuses skipped the SOTU en masse.
I wish I were convinced. I don't have any faith in the American electorate on any basis.
I think they should show up, but they should all wear all black.