David Rosen
@davidrosen12.bsky.social
Progressive strategy, political psychology, generational theory, and the dangers of gerontocracy. Not a work account.
Reposted by David Rosen
on the balance i think partisan gerrymandering is bad but the only way it ends is if democrats weaponize it against republicans everywhere they can. wiping out republican lawmakers in blue states might bring the GOP to the table to end the practice.
February 7, 2026 at 2:35 PM
on the balance i think partisan gerrymandering is bad but the only way it ends is if democrats weaponize it against republicans everywhere they can. wiping out republican lawmakers in blue states might bring the GOP to the table to end the practice.
This is the bare minimum required to be a serious opposition.
Yet most Democratic lawmakers -- including all of the party's current leadership -- are simply unwilling to go there.
Yet most Democratic lawmakers -- including all of the party's current leadership -- are simply unwilling to go there.
The way forward for Dems is to abandon the "turn-the-page/turn-the-cheek ethos" and replace it with "proud accountability for enemies of democracy," says @brianbeutler.bsky.social.
Post-Trump era must be about accountability, not hollow reconciliation.
www.offmessage.net/p/immigratio...
Post-Trump era must be about accountability, not hollow reconciliation.
www.offmessage.net/p/immigratio...
Immigration, Fascism, And The Politics Of The American Creed
We have to protect what's best about America from ALL threats, not just the easiest scapegoats.
www.offmessage.net
February 6, 2026 at 4:36 PM
This is the bare minimum required to be a serious opposition.
Yet most Democratic lawmakers -- including all of the party's current leadership -- are simply unwilling to go there.
Yet most Democratic lawmakers -- including all of the party's current leadership -- are simply unwilling to go there.
Some tough love...
The way I see it, virtually every major media outlet and the national Democratic leadership have *routinely and successfully* conned well-meaning liberals and mainstream Democratic voters out of both their money and their supposedly liberal values for decades. 1/6
The way I see it, virtually every major media outlet and the national Democratic leadership have *routinely and successfully* conned well-meaning liberals and mainstream Democratic voters out of both their money and their supposedly liberal values for decades. 1/6
February 5, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Some tough love...
The way I see it, virtually every major media outlet and the national Democratic leadership have *routinely and successfully* conned well-meaning liberals and mainstream Democratic voters out of both their money and their supposedly liberal values for decades. 1/6
The way I see it, virtually every major media outlet and the national Democratic leadership have *routinely and successfully* conned well-meaning liberals and mainstream Democratic voters out of both their money and their supposedly liberal values for decades. 1/6
I increasingly see the relationship between Democrats and Republicans as a highly toxic form of co-dependency, loosely analogous to Big Edie and Little Edie in Grey Gardens.
There are differences, but either way we're stuck in a dilapidated, dysfunctional mad house and never getting out.
There are differences, but either way we're stuck in a dilapidated, dysfunctional mad house and never getting out.
February 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM
I increasingly see the relationship between Democrats and Republicans as a highly toxic form of co-dependency, loosely analogous to Big Edie and Little Edie in Grey Gardens.
There are differences, but either way we're stuck in a dilapidated, dysfunctional mad house and never getting out.
There are differences, but either way we're stuck in a dilapidated, dysfunctional mad house and never getting out.
Yep. This is modern generational theory in a nutshell.
It's one of many examples of generation-driven periodicity in history.
It's one of many examples of generation-driven periodicity in history.
1776+84=1860
1860+84=1944
1944+84=2028
not tryna do numerology here but it does seem like there’s a rough periodicity component to our big crises
1860+84=1944
1944+84=2028
not tryna do numerology here but it does seem like there’s a rough periodicity component to our big crises
January 30, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Yep. This is modern generational theory in a nutshell.
It's one of many examples of generation-driven periodicity in history.
It's one of many examples of generation-driven periodicity in history.
Bookmark this post for down the road.
If 2027 brings a House Democratic majority, Jeffries will insist on outsourcing subpoena enforcement to Trump's lawless and illegitimate DOJ.
Instead Democrats could modernize inherent contempt, empowering the House majority to punish defiant officials.
If 2027 brings a House Democratic majority, Jeffries will insist on outsourcing subpoena enforcement to Trump's lawless and illegitimate DOJ.
Instead Democrats could modernize inherent contempt, empowering the House majority to punish defiant officials.
Jeffries: "We cannot trust the Department of Justice. They're an illegitimate organization right now under the leadership of Pam Bondi and the direction of Donald Trump."
January 30, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Bookmark this post for down the road.
If 2027 brings a House Democratic majority, Jeffries will insist on outsourcing subpoena enforcement to Trump's lawless and illegitimate DOJ.
Instead Democrats could modernize inherent contempt, empowering the House majority to punish defiant officials.
If 2027 brings a House Democratic majority, Jeffries will insist on outsourcing subpoena enforcement to Trump's lawless and illegitimate DOJ.
Instead Democrats could modernize inherent contempt, empowering the House majority to punish defiant officials.
Reposted by David Rosen
National politics is no longer a safe job. If you're not willing to literally pledge your life, your fortune or your sacred honor, do us all a favor and don't run for federal office.
January 30, 2026 at 4:41 PM
National politics is no longer a safe job. If you're not willing to literally pledge your life, your fortune or your sacred honor, do us all a favor and don't run for federal office.
Where I work, we measure corporate power in lots of ways. Just SOME of our metrics:
-campaign & lobbying expenditures
-corporate crime enforcement
-revolving door appointments
-favors for industry in a bill
-meetings with regulators
Never forget folks: Matty is ALWAYS completely full of shit.
-campaign & lobbying expenditures
-corporate crime enforcement
-revolving door appointments
-favors for industry in a bill
-meetings with regulators
Never forget folks: Matty is ALWAYS completely full of shit.
"nobody has any idea how to measure corporate power"
yeah, sure, ok...
yeah, sure, ok...
January 29, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Where I work, we measure corporate power in lots of ways. Just SOME of our metrics:
-campaign & lobbying expenditures
-corporate crime enforcement
-revolving door appointments
-favors for industry in a bill
-meetings with regulators
Never forget folks: Matty is ALWAYS completely full of shit.
-campaign & lobbying expenditures
-corporate crime enforcement
-revolving door appointments
-favors for industry in a bill
-meetings with regulators
Never forget folks: Matty is ALWAYS completely full of shit.
Whatever you think of these demands, this is the behavior of a junior governing partner, not an opposition.
Chuck Schumer just announced demands on DHS to avoid shutdown:
1. End roving patrols, tighten rules on warrants
2. Enforce accountability & unified code of conduct for agents
3. No more masks & require bodycams
There are *already* standards on much of this.
The issue is DHS isn't following them!
1. End roving patrols, tighten rules on warrants
2. Enforce accountability & unified code of conduct for agents
3. No more masks & require bodycams
There are *already* standards on much of this.
The issue is DHS isn't following them!
January 28, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Whatever you think of these demands, this is the behavior of a junior governing partner, not an opposition.
How will these restrictions be enforced, by whom, and will the penalties be harsh, swift, and certain enough to deter either the perpetrators or the administration officials behind them?
Dems coalescing around 5 restrictions on ICE, I'm told:
DHS required to cooperate with state probes (big)
CBP stays at border
warrants for arrests
IDs, bodycams
ICE out of churches, schools
"That package unites a lot of Dems," Sen Chris Murphy tells me on the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
DHS required to cooperate with state probes (big)
CBP stays at border
warrants for arrests
IDs, bodycams
ICE out of churches, schools
"That package unites a lot of Dems," Sen Chris Murphy tells me on the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
A Dem Senator’s Harsh Takedown of Trump Hits Home: “Breaking Point”
As Trump scrambles to contain the damage from the latest ICE horrors, Senator Chris Murphy offers a sharp indictment of Trump-ICE lawlessness—and explains how Dems can meet the urgency of the moment.
newrepublic.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:44 PM
How will these restrictions be enforced, by whom, and will the penalties be harsh, swift, and certain enough to deter either the perpetrators or the administration officials behind them?
Reposted by David Rosen
The US is collapsing into fascism and going to war with Europe and the opposition party is like “I’m here to talk about the important thing: how your average grocery bill has risen by two dollars over the last year, which I also have no plan or ability to fix”
January 19, 2026 at 2:03 PM
The US is collapsing into fascism and going to war with Europe and the opposition party is like “I’m here to talk about the important thing: how your average grocery bill has risen by two dollars over the last year, which I also have no plan or ability to fix”
Close to 100% of people have no clue how right-wing psychology works or how the modern world aggravates and fuels it.
This guy gets it.
Read this thread. Retain it. Base your strategies and tactics on it.
If you do, you'll be about 50 years ahead of the curve.
This guy gets it.
Read this thread. Retain it. Base your strategies and tactics on it.
If you do, you'll be about 50 years ahead of the curve.
This is literally what I've been writing and podcasting about for years. I was planning to do an essay on this, but here's a 🧵.
The main reason is psychology. Due to personal, family, and cultural histories, some people are inherently scared of the world.
The main reason is psychology. Due to personal, family, and cultural histories, some people are inherently scared of the world.
Fight and help win a world war.
Establish a global order that cements your national power for 80 years.
Blow it all up.
What am I missing?
Establish a global order that cements your national power for 80 years.
Blow it all up.
What am I missing?
January 18, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Close to 100% of people have no clue how right-wing psychology works or how the modern world aggravates and fuels it.
This guy gets it.
Read this thread. Retain it. Base your strategies and tactics on it.
If you do, you'll be about 50 years ahead of the curve.
This guy gets it.
Read this thread. Retain it. Base your strategies and tactics on it.
If you do, you'll be about 50 years ahead of the curve.
Reposted by David Rosen
"Congress" as described by civics classes, law professors, Democrats, and libertarians — an independent branch capable of executing designated responsibilities irrespective of the partisan balance of power — does not exist. It is a fiction. Every time these things happen, more Americans see that.
January 3, 2026 at 3:41 PM
"Congress" as described by civics classes, law professors, Democrats, and libertarians — an independent branch capable of executing designated responsibilities irrespective of the partisan balance of power — does not exist. It is a fiction. Every time these things happen, more Americans see that.
Reposted by David Rosen
As a member of the domestic opposition who believes Donald Trump to be illegitimate and unconstitutional executive, I hereby consent to any foreign power entering the US through force of arms, abducting Trump, and trying him under the laws of your own nation.
Since apparently this is how it works.
Since apparently this is how it works.
January 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
As a member of the domestic opposition who believes Donald Trump to be illegitimate and unconstitutional executive, I hereby consent to any foreign power entering the US through force of arms, abducting Trump, and trying him under the laws of your own nation.
Since apparently this is how it works.
Since apparently this is how it works.
Reposted by David Rosen
the biggest normalizer of gop extremism, aside from the media, is the democratic party. figures like biden and even obama talking about their good friends on the other side while the party literally undermines the fundamentals of americanism.
Bipartisanship is a Democrat derangement
December 19, 2025 at 6:47 PM
the biggest normalizer of gop extremism, aside from the media, is the democratic party. figures like biden and even obama talking about their good friends on the other side while the party literally undermines the fundamentals of americanism.
Reposted by David Rosen
We are living in the answer to the question: If Congress never exercises or defends Article I powers, do they even exist?
Like renaming the Defense Department the "War Department," the name of the Kennedy Center has not been legally changed, because Congress has not changed it-->
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday.com
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday.com
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington is now called the the "Trump-Kennedy Center," according to the White House.
www.usatoday.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:35 AM
We are living in the answer to the question: If Congress never exercises or defends Article I powers, do they even exist?
I've been a repeatedly-proved-right Cassandra for over two decades on a great many things, so I can relate to this.
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
The Americans Who Saw All This Coming—but Were Ignored and Maligned
Call them the Cassandras: the people—mostly not white and male—who smelled the fascism all over Trump from jump street. Why were they “alarmists,” and how did “anti-alarmism” become cool?
newrepublic.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:24 PM
I've been a repeatedly-proved-right Cassandra for over two decades on a great many things, so I can relate to this.
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
Reposted by David Rosen
EXCLUSIVE
New research shows for first time the impact influencers have on politics. Key findings:
• Creators are more impactful than traditional media
• Apolitical influencers have more impact than political ones
• Regular social media use pushes users to the right
www.wired.com/story/the-mo...
New research shows for first time the impact influencers have on politics. Key findings:
• Creators are more impactful than traditional media
• Apolitical influencers have more impact than political ones
• Regular social media use pushes users to the right
www.wired.com/story/the-mo...
The Most Powerful Politics Influencers Barely Post About Politics
New research shows that social media creators have enormous influence over their audiences' politics—especially those who don't normally share political content.
www.wired.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:24 PM
EXCLUSIVE
New research shows for first time the impact influencers have on politics. Key findings:
• Creators are more impactful than traditional media
• Apolitical influencers have more impact than political ones
• Regular social media use pushes users to the right
www.wired.com/story/the-mo...
New research shows for first time the impact influencers have on politics. Key findings:
• Creators are more impactful than traditional media
• Apolitical influencers have more impact than political ones
• Regular social media use pushes users to the right
www.wired.com/story/the-mo...
It's quite common for aging leaders to groom hand-picked successors who aren't capable of breaking with their methods and goals.
In practice, the successors function as an extension of corrupt, broken, sclerotic geriatric rule.
Jeffries is a product of the gerontocracy -- not a break from it.
In practice, the successors function as an extension of corrupt, broken, sclerotic geriatric rule.
Jeffries is a product of the gerontocracy -- not a break from it.
Party leaders get promotions after their parties win. But the truth is the skills that make a good legislator are different from the skills that make a good strategist or opposition figure. Elevating Jeffries for being there amid a Trump backlash is...questionable. www.offmessage.net/p/crisis-of-...
December 15, 2025 at 6:46 PM
It's quite common for aging leaders to groom hand-picked successors who aren't capable of breaking with their methods and goals.
In practice, the successors function as an extension of corrupt, broken, sclerotic geriatric rule.
Jeffries is a product of the gerontocracy -- not a break from it.
In practice, the successors function as an extension of corrupt, broken, sclerotic geriatric rule.
Jeffries is a product of the gerontocracy -- not a break from it.
Most Democrats have chronic lawyer brain.
They feel compelled to complicate straightforward political fights with arcane, legalistic, arduous, and unnecessary procedures.
There is nothing in the constitution, the law, House rules, or history that requires any of this of impeachment.
They feel compelled to complicate straightforward political fights with arcane, legalistic, arduous, and unnecessary procedures.
There is nothing in the constitution, the law, House rules, or history that requires any of this of impeachment.
This is the vice chair of the Democrat caucus straight up saying that even if Dems win the midterms, they might not impeach Trump.
December 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Most Democrats have chronic lawyer brain.
They feel compelled to complicate straightforward political fights with arcane, legalistic, arduous, and unnecessary procedures.
There is nothing in the constitution, the law, House rules, or history that requires any of this of impeachment.
They feel compelled to complicate straightforward political fights with arcane, legalistic, arduous, and unnecessary procedures.
There is nothing in the constitution, the law, House rules, or history that requires any of this of impeachment.
The position on impeachment is wholly incompatible with fighting fascism, holding Trump accountable, and being a minimally competent opposition party.
Significant statement from Jeffries and House Democratic leaders saying they will vote “present” on the motion to table Al Green’s resolution to impeach President Trump. They say they’re “laser-focused on fighting to lower the high cost of living” plus on health care and corruption.
December 11, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The position on impeachment is wholly incompatible with fighting fascism, holding Trump accountable, and being a minimally competent opposition party.
"Enjoy your media cycle" is the perfect distillation of the Democratic Party's institutional contempt for:
-their own voters
-comms and media
-fighting
-taking action
-reality-based political strategy
-holding anyone accountable
-their jobs as elected officials
www.axios.com/2025/12/11/i...
-their own voters
-comms and media
-fighting
-taking action
-reality-based political strategy
-holding anyone accountable
-their jobs as elected officials
www.axios.com/2025/12/11/i...
"Enjoy your media cycle": Infighting erupts as more Democrats go rogue on impeachment
"You have to have a plan," said one senior House Democrat. "If you don't have that, then it's just a campaign email."
www.axios.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:52 PM
"Enjoy your media cycle" is the perfect distillation of the Democratic Party's institutional contempt for:
-their own voters
-comms and media
-fighting
-taking action
-reality-based political strategy
-holding anyone accountable
-their jobs as elected officials
www.axios.com/2025/12/11/i...
-their own voters
-comms and media
-fighting
-taking action
-reality-based political strategy
-holding anyone accountable
-their jobs as elected officials
www.axios.com/2025/12/11/i...
Democrats already own Cuellar's corruption.
House Democratic appropriators will now hold a secret vote on whether to empower that corruption and make Cuellar's lawless, anti-immigrant, Trumpy policy agenda their own.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
House Democratic appropriators will now hold a secret vote on whether to empower that corruption and make Cuellar's lawless, anti-immigrant, Trumpy policy agenda their own.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Pardoned Democrat faces internal opposition as he seeks to regain powerful committee post
Henry Cuellar faces a vote of fellow Democratic appropriators Thursday, and some have doubts.
www.politico.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Democrats already own Cuellar's corruption.
House Democratic appropriators will now hold a secret vote on whether to empower that corruption and make Cuellar's lawless, anti-immigrant, Trumpy policy agenda their own.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
House Democratic appropriators will now hold a secret vote on whether to empower that corruption and make Cuellar's lawless, anti-immigrant, Trumpy policy agenda their own.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Fighting and ending fascism means -- among many things -- taxing billionaires and hundred-millionaires out of existence.
How many Democrats in either chamber of Congress would vote to do that right now?
You can count them on one hand, maybe two.
How many Democrats in either chamber of Congress would vote to do that right now?
You can count them on one hand, maybe two.
Thinking this is wrong isn’t radical.
Thinking it isn’t is.
Thinking it isn’t is.
December 10, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Fighting and ending fascism means -- among many things -- taxing billionaires and hundred-millionaires out of existence.
How many Democrats in either chamber of Congress would vote to do that right now?
You can count them on one hand, maybe two.
How many Democrats in either chamber of Congress would vote to do that right now?
You can count them on one hand, maybe two.