Dave Kamper
@dskamper.bsky.social
Avuncular unionist, uxorious husband, labor historian, cat guy. "Who's Got the Power?: The Resurgence of American Unions" coming in 2025 from New Press. Lives in Minnesota. Posts are personal. The cat in the profile pic is Laverne, aka Peanut.
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Dave Kamper
@dskamper.bsky.social
· Aug 23
Omigodomigodomigod it’s a real book and everything.
On sale October 14th!
On sale October 14th!
He was appointed by Bill Clinton in 1998, when he was SIXTY-FOUR YEARS OLD.
The judge in the Maduro case is NINETY-TWO????
January 5, 2026 at 8:17 PM
He was appointed by Bill Clinton in 1998, when he was SIXTY-FOUR YEARS OLD.
The judge in the Maduro case is NINETY-TWO????
January 5, 2026 at 8:06 PM
The judge in the Maduro case is NINETY-TWO????
Look, I don't live in NYC and in general I try to keep quiet on local races where I don't know the issues or the players, but I'll say this:
@lindseyboylan.bsky.social has the courage of her convictions, and that matters a lot. You can count on her to fight for what is right, no matter the cost.
@lindseyboylan.bsky.social has the courage of her convictions, and that matters a lot. You can count on her to fight for what is right, no matter the cost.
District 3 is my home and I would be proud to serve it in City Council. Stay tuned for more.
January 5, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Look, I don't live in NYC and in general I try to keep quiet on local races where I don't know the issues or the players, but I'll say this:
@lindseyboylan.bsky.social has the courage of her convictions, and that matters a lot. You can count on her to fight for what is right, no matter the cost.
@lindseyboylan.bsky.social has the courage of her convictions, and that matters a lot. You can count on her to fight for what is right, no matter the cost.
All proceeding to plan so far...
Here’s the play:
1) Klobuchar runs for Gov with a ticket-balancing progressive for LG.
2) They win, Klobuchar resigns Senate seat to become Gov with DFL trifecta.
3) Klobuchar appoints self to Senate, giving us a progressive governor and a trifecta.
1) Klobuchar runs for Gov with a ticket-balancing progressive for LG.
2) They win, Klobuchar resigns Senate seat to become Gov with DFL trifecta.
3) Klobuchar appoints self to Senate, giving us a progressive governor and a trifecta.
January 5, 2026 at 4:03 PM
All proceeding to plan so far...
Reposted by Dave Kamper
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Right.
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
a lot of problems wouldn't exist if we had a congress with even an ounce of self interest
January 4, 2026 at 11:52 PM
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Reposted by Dave Kamper
The death toll is now 80? I know the pandemic made life cheap amid mass death, but 80 dead is staggering
Other people are real and the United States should not murder them
12+ hours later we finally get an estimate of how many Venezuelans were killed
January 4, 2026 at 9:55 PM
The death toll is now 80? I know the pandemic made life cheap amid mass death, but 80 dead is staggering
In addition for being the go-to "jerk" for 80s movies, I also think William Atherton was the only actor to be the murderer in two different episodes of Murder, She Wrote.
January 4, 2026 at 7:12 PM
In addition for being the go-to "jerk" for 80s movies, I also think William Atherton was the only actor to be the murderer in two different episodes of Murder, She Wrote.
Reposted by Dave Kamper
Incidentally, as far as messaging and strategy, pretty much anytime we test a process argument (i.e. they didn't follow the rules) it is less convincing & far less galvanizing than outcome argument (i.e. it's going to result in this fucked up evil) with voters. Yes, swing voters too.
January 3, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Incidentally, as far as messaging and strategy, pretty much anytime we test a process argument (i.e. they didn't follow the rules) it is less convincing & far less galvanizing than outcome argument (i.e. it's going to result in this fucked up evil) with voters. Yes, swing voters too.
Reposted by Dave Kamper
So here’s the thing - in Normal Times, yeah, being the unnamed source is useful and can help head off problems.
We’re not in Normal Times.
Either sign your name to your resistance against the fascist regime, or back it up with sabotage receipts, otherwise you’re just clout chasing.
We’re not in Normal Times.
Either sign your name to your resistance against the fascist regime, or back it up with sabotage receipts, otherwise you’re just clout chasing.
A CBS News staffer told me this after Tony Dokoupil kicked off his CBS Evening News tenure tonight with a lengthy Pete Hegseth interview:
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
January 4, 2026 at 4:51 AM
So here’s the thing - in Normal Times, yeah, being the unnamed source is useful and can help head off problems.
We’re not in Normal Times.
Either sign your name to your resistance against the fascist regime, or back it up with sabotage receipts, otherwise you’re just clout chasing.
We’re not in Normal Times.
Either sign your name to your resistance against the fascist regime, or back it up with sabotage receipts, otherwise you’re just clout chasing.
Reposted by Dave Kamper
Disgusted by him and everyone who keeps on looking the other way when he does things like this.
He has found a new, crazy irresponsible and dangerous low point.
He has found a new, crazy irresponsible and dangerous low point.
Donald Trump is now reposting videos on Truth Social suggesting that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had Melissa Hortman assassinated.
This is objectively evil, and calling it out should not be political.
This is objectively evil, and calling it out should not be political.
January 4, 2026 at 4:30 AM
Disgusted by him and everyone who keeps on looking the other way when he does things like this.
He has found a new, crazy irresponsible and dangerous low point.
He has found a new, crazy irresponsible and dangerous low point.
Reposted by Dave Kamper
I keep thinking about how Trump has framed this as "law enforcement" -- going to back to my idea of "making the military more like police."
Law enforcement in this country is so violent, acting without regard to public safety, so the goal was the make the military more like cops.
Law enforcement in this country is so violent, acting without regard to public safety, so the goal was the make the military more like cops.
January 4, 2026 at 12:52 AM
I keep thinking about how Trump has framed this as "law enforcement" -- going to back to my idea of "making the military more like police."
Law enforcement in this country is so violent, acting without regard to public safety, so the goal was the make the military more like cops.
Law enforcement in this country is so violent, acting without regard to public safety, so the goal was the make the military more like cops.
Reposted by Dave Kamper
People will ask "What do you expect Dems to do when they don't hold the majority in either house?" And my answer is simply that they should state clearly what they *will* do the moment they have any leverage, and not just say how 'concerned' they are.
January 3, 2026 at 7:12 PM
People will ask "What do you expect Dems to do when they don't hold the majority in either house?" And my answer is simply that they should state clearly what they *will* do the moment they have any leverage, and not just say how 'concerned' they are.
Reposted by Dave Kamper
Impeachment is the obvious elephant in the room. But there are other things you could say! WPR resolution. New legislation. Standing firm on the upcoming shutdown for once. Literally anything. Just say what you would actually do if you had the votes and then vote that way. It's not that complicated!
January 3, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Impeachment is the obvious elephant in the room. But there are other things you could say! WPR resolution. New legislation. Standing firm on the upcoming shutdown for once. Literally anything. Just say what you would actually do if you had the votes and then vote that way. It's not that complicated!
Reposted by Dave Kamper
"but Rs will vote against it so we can't even say it" seems to be the line.
What this misses is you can't denounce and campaign against them for refusing to do something you won't even advocate. And it sounds pathetic to vaguely insist something must be done with zero about *what* should be done.
What this misses is you can't denounce and campaign against them for refusing to do something you won't even advocate. And it sounds pathetic to vaguely insist something must be done with zero about *what* should be done.
To @housedemocrats.bsky.social
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
Publicly and repeatedly demand impeachment or resign.
If you do neither, go ahead and pack your office because you’re losing your next election.
IMPEACH NOW.
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
Publicly and repeatedly demand impeachment or resign.
If you do neither, go ahead and pack your office because you’re losing your next election.
IMPEACH NOW.
January 3, 2026 at 7:02 PM
"but Rs will vote against it so we can't even say it" seems to be the line.
What this misses is you can't denounce and campaign against them for refusing to do something you won't even advocate. And it sounds pathetic to vaguely insist something must be done with zero about *what* should be done.
What this misses is you can't denounce and campaign against them for refusing to do something you won't even advocate. And it sounds pathetic to vaguely insist something must be done with zero about *what* should be done.
Reposted by Dave Kamper
On the "boots on the ground" question and Trump saying that it will mainly be about protecting oil operations.
Given this framing, we should expect a massive payday for politically connected mercenary companies, who will use this to expand their private armies.
Given this framing, we should expect a massive payday for politically connected mercenary companies, who will use this to expand their private armies.
January 3, 2026 at 5:38 PM
On the "boots on the ground" question and Trump saying that it will mainly be about protecting oil operations.
Given this framing, we should expect a massive payday for politically connected mercenary companies, who will use this to expand their private armies.
Given this framing, we should expect a massive payday for politically connected mercenary companies, who will use this to expand their private armies.
Reposted by Dave Kamper
none of this is legal. none of this is normal. feel free to tell anyone who says otherwise to fuck off.
January 3, 2026 at 4:02 PM
none of this is legal. none of this is normal. feel free to tell anyone who says otherwise to fuck off.
Reposted by Dave Kamper
Mark Kelly puts out a statement saying "The President of the United States just overthrew a foreign ruler and explained to the American people that this is about taking control of the oil reserves of a foreign nation." This is probably the strongest statement alongside Gallego's I've read.
January 3, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Mark Kelly puts out a statement saying "The President of the United States just overthrew a foreign ruler and explained to the American people that this is about taking control of the oil reserves of a foreign nation." This is probably the strongest statement alongside Gallego's I've read.
Reposted by Dave Kamper
In a lot of respects the public is dumb and full of suckers, but they draw straight lines for things like this. They might let you bomb somewhere if they have money in their pockets and food on the table. If they don't, well, why the hell aren't you spending it on them?
January 3, 2026 at 2:57 PM
In a lot of respects the public is dumb and full of suckers, but they draw straight lines for things like this. They might let you bomb somewhere if they have money in their pockets and food on the table. If they don't, well, why the hell aren't you spending it on them?
Reposted by Dave Kamper
i don't expect them to stop it. i expect them to do literally anything.
well, i should expect them to, i don't actually and that's the fucked part.
these replies are kind of sending me, in a bad way. americans have literally no concept of what an opposition party is
well, i should expect them to, i don't actually and that's the fucked part.
these replies are kind of sending me, in a bad way. americans have literally no concept of what an opposition party is
January 3, 2026 at 5:45 PM
i don't expect them to stop it. i expect them to do literally anything.
well, i should expect them to, i don't actually and that's the fucked part.
these replies are kind of sending me, in a bad way. americans have literally no concept of what an opposition party is
well, i should expect them to, i don't actually and that's the fucked part.
these replies are kind of sending me, in a bad way. americans have literally no concept of what an opposition party is
Reposted by Dave Kamper
If we’re honest with ourselves about who we are as a country, the reality is this goes back far further than Iran-Contra, or Watergate & Cambodia, all the way to U.S. Grant’s original sin of exonerating the racist traitors, Robert Edward Lee & co., at Appomattox in 1865
From Ron Chernow’s “Grant”:
From Ron Chernow’s “Grant”:
January 3, 2026 at 4:27 PM
If we’re honest with ourselves about who we are as a country, the reality is this goes back far further than Iran-Contra, or Watergate & Cambodia, all the way to U.S. Grant’s original sin of exonerating the racist traitors, Robert Edward Lee & co., at Appomattox in 1865
From Ron Chernow’s “Grant”:
From Ron Chernow’s “Grant”:
Reposted by Dave Kamper
Once again, one of the primary reasons we have arrived at this point (completely out-of-control & unconstitutional abuse of executive power to conduct wildly illegal foreign policy) is that no one, including the most senior people involved, went to jail for the rest of their lives for Iran-Contra.
January 3, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Once again, one of the primary reasons we have arrived at this point (completely out-of-control & unconstitutional abuse of executive power to conduct wildly illegal foreign policy) is that no one, including the most senior people involved, went to jail for the rest of their lives for Iran-Contra.
Reposted by Dave Kamper
It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
January 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
Reposted by Dave Kamper
The Trump administration’s illegal military action in Venezuela sets a dangerous precedent for national sovereignty. We must recognize that Maduro’s authoritarian government was illegitimate and oppressive, and that the president cannot unilaterally depose a foreign leader.
January 3, 2026 at 3:53 PM
The Trump administration’s illegal military action in Venezuela sets a dangerous precedent for national sovereignty. We must recognize that Maduro’s authoritarian government was illegitimate and oppressive, and that the president cannot unilaterally depose a foreign leader.
SERIOUSLY
A degenerate should be allowed to sleep in until 10:30 on a goddamn Saturday without war being declared
January 3, 2026 at 3:37 PM
SERIOUSLY
Gus the Neighborhood Feral Cat HAPPY update:
No Gus for over a month. Twice he’d visited in the middle of the night, but the last appearance was two weeks ago.
Tonight he was there. He’s clearly well fed and not suffering too bad from the cold. Our guess is he’s getting help from another neighbor.
No Gus for over a month. Twice he’d visited in the middle of the night, but the last appearance was two weeks ago.
Tonight he was there. He’s clearly well fed and not suffering too bad from the cold. Our guess is he’s getting help from another neighbor.
January 3, 2026 at 6:01 AM
Gus the Neighborhood Feral Cat HAPPY update:
No Gus for over a month. Twice he’d visited in the middle of the night, but the last appearance was two weeks ago.
Tonight he was there. He’s clearly well fed and not suffering too bad from the cold. Our guess is he’s getting help from another neighbor.
No Gus for over a month. Twice he’d visited in the middle of the night, but the last appearance was two weeks ago.
Tonight he was there. He’s clearly well fed and not suffering too bad from the cold. Our guess is he’s getting help from another neighbor.