Reposted by Charles Taggart
The Dem cavers’ “the shutdown wasn’t working” message shows how much they still don’t understand the current GOP. They still think this is a negotiation with relatively normal political actors. As @joshtpm.bsky.social says, it’s actually a fight for public opinion.
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
The Dem cavers’ “the shutdown wasn’t working” message shows how much they still don’t understand the current GOP. They still think this is a negotiation with relatively normal political actors. As @joshtpm.bsky.social says, it’s actually a fight for public opinion.
It sounds like he wants to be on the internal recriminations list.
The sooner we get past internal recriminations and back to fighting united, the better off we all are — the likelier our victory next November.
November 11, 2025 at 3:36 AM
It sounds like he wants to be on the internal recriminations list.
Reposted by Charles Taggart
Whenever some sanctimonious Dem announces that America needs a functioning Republican Party, I always think “I’d settle for a functioning Democratic Party.”
November 10, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Whenever some sanctimonious Dem announces that America needs a functioning Republican Party, I always think “I’d settle for a functioning Democratic Party.”
Reposted by Charles Taggart
Well here, it’s not complicated. It’s not hard. The American economy is much larger than a few decades ago and much of those gains (not enough! But a lot) have been spread across the income distribution. Economically speaking, you’d almost certainly rather live today than any prior time.
November 10, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Well here, it’s not complicated. It’s not hard. The American economy is much larger than a few decades ago and much of those gains (not enough! But a lot) have been spread across the income distribution. Economically speaking, you’d almost certainly rather live today than any prior time.
Reposted by Charles Taggart
I am not a crazy ideologue. I just think that the richest society in human history has a moral responsibility to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, treat the sick, and house the homeless. If doing that requires forcing comfortably-housed people to accept neighborhood change, I'm ok with that.
Probably the key part of this piece. It comes down to the following: "What does prioritizing millionaire homeowners’ aversion to change over the needs of the poor and unhoused do to our souls?"
November 10, 2025 at 11:04 PM
I am not a crazy ideologue. I just think that the richest society in human history has a moral responsibility to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, treat the sick, and house the homeless. If doing that requires forcing comfortably-housed people to accept neighborhood change, I'm ok with that.
Reposted by Charles Taggart
If you believe it was just 8 senators I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. This was a Schumer operation.
November 10, 2025 at 12:33 PM
If you believe it was just 8 senators I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. This was a Schumer operation.
I wonder how many non-Mets fans realize that Edgardo Alfonzo put up almost 29 WAR (three 6-win seasons in four years from ‘97-‘00).
11/8 Birthday Team (text version)
C:Yasmani Grandal (20.2 WAR)
1B:José Offerman (17.1)
2B:Tony Cuccinello (34.0)
3B:Edgardo Alfonzo (28.8)
SS:Jeff Blauser (20.9)
LF:Henry Rodríguez (2.4)
CF:Wally Westlake (14.7)
RF:Giancarlo Stanton (46.8)
SP:John Denny (32.2)
Others: G.Lucas, N.Punto, B.Harris
C:Yasmani Grandal (20.2 WAR)
1B:José Offerman (17.1)
2B:Tony Cuccinello (34.0)
3B:Edgardo Alfonzo (28.8)
SS:Jeff Blauser (20.9)
LF:Henry Rodríguez (2.4)
CF:Wally Westlake (14.7)
RF:Giancarlo Stanton (46.8)
SP:John Denny (32.2)
Others: G.Lucas, N.Punto, B.Harris
November 11, 2025 at 1:40 AM
I wonder how many non-Mets fans realize that Edgardo Alfonzo put up almost 29 WAR (three 6-win seasons in four years from ‘97-‘00).
Reposted by Charles Taggart
Some thoughts on the CR/minibus.
1 The Dems negotiating with Rs were not freelancing. They coordinated with Sen Schumer. A few were ready to give in on day one, others worked to maximize appropriations wins.
Those voting for the 'deal' are the ones furthest away from electoral consequences.
1 The Dems negotiating with Rs were not freelancing. They coordinated with Sen Schumer. A few were ready to give in on day one, others worked to maximize appropriations wins.
Those voting for the 'deal' are the ones furthest away from electoral consequences.
November 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Some thoughts on the CR/minibus.
1 The Dems negotiating with Rs were not freelancing. They coordinated with Sen Schumer. A few were ready to give in on day one, others worked to maximize appropriations wins.
Those voting for the 'deal' are the ones furthest away from electoral consequences.
1 The Dems negotiating with Rs were not freelancing. They coordinated with Sen Schumer. A few were ready to give in on day one, others worked to maximize appropriations wins.
Those voting for the 'deal' are the ones furthest away from electoral consequences.
Reposted by Charles Taggart
OSCAR ISAAC, on whether he'd return to "Star Wars":
".. Yeah. I mean, I’d be open to it, although right now I’m not so open to working with Disney. But if they can kinda figure it out and, you know, not succumb to fascism, that would be great."
@variety.com $DIS
variety.com/2025/film/ne...
".. Yeah. I mean, I’d be open to it, although right now I’m not so open to working with Disney. But if they can kinda figure it out and, you know, not succumb to fascism, that would be great."
@variety.com $DIS
variety.com/2025/film/ne...
Oscar Isaac Was ‘Not So Open to Working With Disney’ After Jimmy Kimmel Suspension, Said He’d Return to ‘Star Wars’ if Disney Does ‘Not Succumb to Fascism’
Oscar Isaac was not open to working with Disney after Jimmy Kimmel's suspension and will only return to 'Star Wars' if the studio avoids fascism.
variety.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
OSCAR ISAAC, on whether he'd return to "Star Wars":
".. Yeah. I mean, I’d be open to it, although right now I’m not so open to working with Disney. But if they can kinda figure it out and, you know, not succumb to fascism, that would be great."
@variety.com $DIS
variety.com/2025/film/ne...
".. Yeah. I mean, I’d be open to it, although right now I’m not so open to working with Disney. But if they can kinda figure it out and, you know, not succumb to fascism, that would be great."
@variety.com $DIS
variety.com/2025/film/ne...
Which is why this should be remembered as Chuck Schumer’s (second) Cave.
The caucus meeting was just to orchestrate who would fall on the sword but not be up for a vote in 2026.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Which is why this should be remembered as Chuck Schumer’s (second) Cave.
Reposted by Charles Taggart
Very good news. Now to take this sip of coffee and read up on Democrats’ plans to use this as leverage over Republicans to only reopen the government if they agree to preserve ACA health care subsidies.
BREAKING
The 1st Circuit REJECTS Trump DOJ's request to pause a judge's order to pay up Nov's SNAP funds to the states.
The SCOTUS stay will expire within 48 hours absent further action from the justices, per its terms.
Doc ecf.ca1.uscourts.gov/n/beam/servl...
The 1st Circuit REJECTS Trump DOJ's request to pause a judge's order to pay up Nov's SNAP funds to the states.
The SCOTUS stay will expire within 48 hours absent further action from the justices, per its terms.
Doc ecf.ca1.uscourts.gov/n/beam/servl...
November 10, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Very good news. Now to take this sip of coffee and read up on Democrats’ plans to use this as leverage over Republicans to only reopen the government if they agree to preserve ACA health care subsidies.
Reposted by Charles Taggart
Harm to SNAP recipients, federal workers, and others is real. In a normal democracy it’d make sense to prioritize reducing that harm in the short term.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Harm to SNAP recipients, federal workers, and others is real. In a normal democracy it’d make sense to prioritize reducing that harm in the short term.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
Reposted by Charles Taggart
Not that he didn’t already know, but now Trump knows for sure he can roll the Dems every time and there’s no need to negotiate for anything
November 10, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Not that he didn’t already know, but now Trump knows for sure he can roll the Dems every time and there’s no need to negotiate for anything
Reposted by Charles Taggart
there is a world in which it would make sense for Dems to cave and help reopen the government, for example, if we just got crushed in VA/NJ and voters were blaming us for the shutdown
we are not in that world. we are in the opposite world. trump is taking all the blame and flailing. jesus christ
we are not in that world. we are in the opposite world. trump is taking all the blame and flailing. jesus christ
November 10, 2025 at 2:03 AM
there is a world in which it would make sense for Dems to cave and help reopen the government, for example, if we just got crushed in VA/NJ and voters were blaming us for the shutdown
we are not in that world. we are in the opposite world. trump is taking all the blame and flailing. jesus christ
we are not in that world. we are in the opposite world. trump is taking all the blame and flailing. jesus christ
Reposted by Charles Taggart
I am not personally willing to pull the lever in the trolley problem but I didn't sign up to be one of the 535 trolley problem lever pullers.
November 10, 2025 at 1:39 AM
I am not personally willing to pull the lever in the trolley problem but I didn't sign up to be one of the 535 trolley problem lever pullers.
Reposted by Charles Taggart
Remember all those Democrats who voted to give a George Bush blank check to go to war to Iraq paid political price during primaries - this cave is even more humiliating considering how deeply unpopular Trump is now compared to Bush in 03-04. There is just no spinning this one.
agreeing to make a terrible deal while your main opponent is quite literally being boo'd on live tv by an entire stadium of people is the kind of political instinct you'd normally only find in a 3 week old dead goldfish
November 10, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Remember all those Democrats who voted to give a George Bush blank check to go to war to Iraq paid political price during primaries - this cave is even more humiliating considering how deeply unpopular Trump is now compared to Bush in 03-04. There is just no spinning this one.
Reposted by Charles Taggart
Blame *all* Democratic incumbents for this surrender. Not just the ones voting for it. The others could have voted to remove Schumer long ago and install a leader capable of formulating a strategy and holding his people together. They were content to stay with a proven loser.
I will not support a deal that does nothing to make health care more affordable.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
November 10, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Blame *all* Democratic incumbents for this surrender. Not just the ones voting for it. The others could have voted to remove Schumer long ago and install a leader capable of formulating a strategy and holding his people together. They were content to stay with a proven loser.
How do they get to ten?
But I cannot support a deal that still leaves millions of Americans wondering how they are going to pay for their health care or whether they will be able to afford to get sick.
November 10, 2025 at 1:30 AM
How do they get to ten?
Reposted by Charles Taggart
And I mean both resign as minority leader AND resign from the Senate. You're done, pal. Let someone else do the work.
November 10, 2025 at 12:57 AM
And I mean both resign as minority leader AND resign from the Senate. You're done, pal. Let someone else do the work.
Reposted by Charles Taggart
If Schumer votes AGAINST this but enough Ds vote FOR it that it passes, he needs to RESIGN immediately.
He will have shown himself to be absolutely ineffective as a minority leader. He has to go.
Literally resign tonight.
He will have shown himself to be absolutely ineffective as a minority leader. He has to go.
Literally resign tonight.
November 10, 2025 at 12:57 AM
If Schumer votes AGAINST this but enough Ds vote FOR it that it passes, he needs to RESIGN immediately.
He will have shown himself to be absolutely ineffective as a minority leader. He has to go.
Literally resign tonight.
He will have shown himself to be absolutely ineffective as a minority leader. He has to go.
Literally resign tonight.
Reposted by Charles Taggart
This is not a deal — it's an empty promise.
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Senate reaches deal on ending the shutdown
Democrats are coalescing around a bipartisan agreement to fund the government.
www.politico.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:50 AM
This is not a deal — it's an empty promise.
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Charles Taggart
i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
November 10, 2025 at 12:56 AM
i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.
Reposted by Charles Taggart
the angry base has been right and the savvy "calm down" caucus has been wrong every step of the way for the last 10 years
This seems significant
November 9, 2025 at 10:39 PM
the angry base has been right and the savvy "calm down" caucus has been wrong every step of the way for the last 10 years
Between this and his support for Cuomo, Schumer needs to be considered an opposition member of the regime at this point.
That’s how I see it too.
Schumer wants to help Trump but knows it’s wildly unpopular with Democratic voters and is trying to hide his support.
Schumer wants to help Trump but knows it’s wildly unpopular with Democratic voters and is trying to hide his support.
November 10, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Between this and his support for Cuomo, Schumer needs to be considered an opposition member of the regime at this point.