Eric Michael Garcia
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Eric Michael Garcia
@ericmgarcia.bsky.social
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Washington Bureau chief at The Independent, MSNBC Columnist. Author: We’re Not Broken. Tar Heel. He/Him Eric.garcia@the-independent.com
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ericmgarcia.bsky.social
A press release from NRSC defends Collins saying "Susan Collins always fights for Mainers" and says "Mainers trust Susan Collins to keep doing what she always has and put their needs first, while Democrats like Janet Mills and Graham Platner support refusing to fund critical benefits and services"
A press release from the NRSC Saying "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, November 10, 2025 CONTACT Joanna Rodriguez Susan Collins Always Fights for Mainers WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) voted today to open the federal government and ensure critical funding gets to families in need. Senate Democrats have held the federal government hostage for over 40 days now in a ridiculous effort to give illegals free healthcare. "Senator Collins has not only voted 16 times to open the government, but she has championed legislation to ensure families receive their SNAP benefits," said NRSC Regional Press Secretary Samantha Cantrell. "Mainers trust Susan Collins to keep doing what she always has and put their needs first, while Democrats like Janet Mills and Graham Platner support refusing to fund critical benefits and services."
November 11, 2025 at 2:54 AM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Email from @aoc.bsky.social fundraising off Senate Democrats' cave on the shutdown. Says "the interesting part is that when you are an anti-government party, and win an election, you become the government — and you don’t know what to do."
A fundraising email showing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's campaign logo and text saying "Someone on Instagram recently asked me, “If Republicans have the majority, why are they blaming Democrats for the shutdown?” Because they are bad leaders, and they don’t take accountability for a damn thing. It’s kind of interesting, because Republicans are an anti-government party — they fundamentally do not believe in governance. That is why they’re all about cuts, ending things, stopping things, etc. And so, the interesting part is that when you are an anti-government party, and win an election, you become the government — and you don’t know what to do. You can’t lead, you can’t make decisions effectively, you can’t make government a force for good in people’s lives, so the corruption continues." These guys don’t want to be in charge, they want to complain. Being in a place of perpetual grievance is their home base. The problem is that when you run on grievance, and then you have to cross a threshold into leadership — leadership is about ownership. Leadership is about, “Success is due to everybody, and failure is on who’s on top.” These folks are allergic to accountability. They are allergic to trying to get anything done. That’s why the only thing they can accomplish is shutting the government down. You ask these guys, “Can you have an honest assessment of yourself, and name a single thing that could be done?” — they can’t give you an answer. Everything is everybody else’s fault. It’s the most weenie stuff I’ve ever seen. A party that’s in charge of the House, Senate, and Presidency — and complete partisan takeover of the Supreme Court — is going to somehow turn and tell people that anything is anything but their fault? Give me a break.
November 10, 2025 at 10:12 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Trump says any money leftover from the tariff stimulus checks "will be used to SUBSTANTIALLY PAY DOWN NATIONAL DEBT."

He really is speedrunning Biden 2021
A Nov 10, 2025, 10:43 AM post from Donald Trump saying "All money left over from the $2000 payments made to low and middle income USA Citizens, from the massive Tariff Income pouring into our Country from foreign countries, which will be substantial, will be used to SUBSTANTIALLY PAY DOWN NATIONAL DEBT. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT"
November 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Trump goes after Air Traffic Controllers and says they "must get back to work, NOW!!!" Says "Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially 'docked'" and promises he will recommend a $10,000 bonus for any air traffic controllers who didn't take any time off during the shutdown.
All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially “docked.” For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the “Democrat Shutdown Hoax,” I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country. For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU. You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country. You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record. If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind! You will be quickly replaced by true Patriots, who will do a better job on the Brand New State of the Art Equipment, the best in the World, that we are in the process of ordering. The last “Administration” wasted Billions of Dollars trying to fix antiquated “junk.” They had no idea what they were doing! Again, to our great American Patriots, GOD BLESS YOU - I won’t be able to send your money fast enough! To all others, REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY. GOD BLESS AMERICA! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
November 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Lori Trahan says she will vote against the agreement
Trahan Statement on Senators’ GOP Shutdown “Deal” LOWELL, MA – Today, House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Co-Chair Lori Trahan (MA-03) issued the following statement regarding the “deal” reached by a handful of Senators to potentially end the ongoing GOP government shutdown without taking action to lower Americans’ health care prices: “I’m reviewing the details of the Senate deal, but from day one my focus has been clear: lowering health care costs for the American people.” “Movement toward reopening the government is good, but any deal must deliver real relief for working families, and this one isn’t there yet. I’m not throwing in the towel. I’ll keep pushing for an agreement that helps hardworking Massachusetts families afford their health care.”
November 10, 2025 at 1:48 AM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Schiff says he will vote "No" on the agreement
“The current Republican funding bill leaves this crisis unaddressed, and I am adamantly opposed to it. “Senate Republicans refused to negotiate, House Republicans went on a two-month taxpayer-funded vacation, and President Trump played golf, held parties and worked on plans for his gilded ballroom. “At the same time, Donald Trump used the shutdown to inflict maximum pain on working families – fighting all the way to the Supreme Court to withhold food assistance from the hungry, threatening states that are trying to feed their own residents, illegally firing federal workers and promising to withhold pay from others, canceling funding for job-creating projects in blue states, and using taxpayer dollars for state-run propaganda “This fight was primarily about which party was striving to reduce health care costs for the American people. But make no mistake, it is also a fight over our democracy and whether we will stand up to a corrupt president who is trying to nullify each and every check on his power. The American people clearly understand the stakes and we must act with the same urgency they feel. “Today, there is no question that Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress own the deepening cost-of-living crisis that is at our door. And their empty promise of future votes to address it has less substance than a mirage. When facing a President who doesn’t ‘want to hear about affordability,‘ after an election that was wholly about affordability, history will quickly reflect that this was the exact moment to stand strong and together, and fight back. “My vote today is a reflection of that conviction. I will be voting no.”
November 10, 2025 at 1:46 AM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Minority Whip Katherine Clark puts out a stinging statement on the senate deal. "A GOP budget that spikes health care premiums and everyday costs to fund tax cuts for billionaires is a grave betrayal of everyday Americans. That was true in July. It was true in September. And it remains true today."
MALDEN, MA – Democratic Whip Katherine Clark issued the following statement on the Senate’s budget vote: "A GOP budget that spikes health care premiums and everyday costs to fund tax cuts for billionaires is a grave betrayal of everyday Americans. That was true in July. It was true in September. And it remains true today. “Republicans eliminated the ACA tax credits and slashed $1 trillion from Medicaid, $500 billion from Medicare, and billions from medical research. As a result, Americans are seeing soaring costs – doubling, tripling, and quadrupling families’ premiums. Democrats have called on Republicans to work with us to protect health care and lower costs since March. They’ve refused at every turn. “Let’s be clear: Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress own this health care crisis. They own the pain of every American facing a premium hike. And they own the hopelessness of every parent who can no longer afford health insurance for their family. “House Democrats are not giving up. The American people deserve affordable health care, we will continue to fight back on their behalf.”
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 AM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Mark Kelly is a NO on the continuing resolution deal
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly released the following statement on his opposition to advancing the Continuing Resolution in the Senate tonight that does not address rising health care costs: “In the richest country in the world, families shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table and their health care. But that’s exactly what Donald Trump has done to Americans with this shutdown. “There should’ve never been a shutdown in the first place, and I worked to find a solution with Republicans and this administration. But Donald Trump has proven he doesn’t care about rising costs, skyrocketing health care premiums, or working families struggling to put food on the table. He has spent more time working on his ballroom than working to open the government. He sued to block food assistance for hungry families. “I’ve spent the last month hearing from Arizonans worried they can’t afford health care and families who were going broke and hungry because the government was shut down. That’s who I’m fighting for. But Donald Trump rejected a straightforward compromise that would have best served all Americans by reopening the government and keeping health care from becoming unaffordable and out of reach for millions, including thousands of Arizonans. If he’s ready to get serious on a solution to keep health care premiums from spiking, I'm ready to work, but everything he’s done suggests he just doesn’t care.” Kelly spoke on the Senate floor on Friday in support of a compromise that would extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits for one year and reopen the government.
November 10, 2025 at 1:09 AM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Mike Johnson is comeback era Shawn Michaels:
-Don't let the Bible verses fool you. He's a savage
-Ultimately, a company man.
Mike Johnson, a middle-aged white guy in a suit. He has glasses and black hair. Shawn Michaels, a white man in a cowboy hat and a red shirt and jeans, in the middle of a wrestling ring.
November 7, 2025 at 10:39 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Nancy Pelosi is Becky Lynch:
-The Man
-Sometimes people are contrarian and dispute her status, but real ones know
-Maybe past her prime, but still knows ball
Nancy Pelosi, an older white woman in a green suit, pointing her finger in the air Becky Lynch, a white woman with red hair, standing on a wrestlin runway, holding two championship belts.
November 7, 2025 at 10:33 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Ted Cruz is Edge/Adam Copeland:
-In the tail end of his time after reaching the pinnacle
-Canadian
-Relishes being the bad guy to his opponents
Edge, a shirtless tattooed white man with white hair, crouched down ready to attack, in the middle of a wrestling ring. Ted Cruz, a bearded Latino man in a suit, smiling
November 7, 2025 at 10:29 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Chris Murphy is CM Punk:
-Loves social media (maybe a little too much)
-Unafraid to pick a fight with the McMahons
-Mouths off to the point of being a little abrasive (even when he's right)
CM Punk, a tattooed white man with a beard wearing a tank top and taped knuckles. Chris Murphy, a middle-aged white man with a beard in a blue suit, speaking in front of a woodpanel.
November 7, 2025 at 10:26 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Via @tonyheyl.bsky.social:
Zohran Mamdani is Sami Zayn
-Secretly a savage
-Kind of came from nowhere but can take down some of the best
-Hot on the mic who can cut up his opponents with words
Zohran Mamdani, a skinny South-Asian man, wearing a black suit on a state with various flags. His hand is over his chest as he speaks at a podium. Sami Zayn, a white man with a ginger beard, wearing a keffiyeh bandana, holding a belt
November 7, 2025 at 10:20 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Barack Obama is The Rock
-The most electrifying man in politics
-Doesn't show up much, but when he does, it's a treat
-Always been pretty much his own man
Barack Obama, an older Black man in a blue dress shirt, speaking at a podium that says "Vote." Behind him are supporters at a campaign rally. Mikie Sherrill, a white woman, is seated. The Rock, a muscular man in a white suit, in the middle of a ring. He's wielding a white belt that says "Mama Rhodes.
November 7, 2025 at 10:16 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is AJ Lee
-Pugnacious, aggressive
-Treated poorly by management
-Much more skilled than even her fans realize
AJ Lee, a muscular Latina woman in a spider tank top and jean shorts, seated in the ring barriers at a wrestling match. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a young Latina woman in a blazer speaking in front of the Capitol.
November 7, 2025 at 10:12 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Donald Trump: Hulk Hogan

Need I say more?
Hulk Hogan, a muscular white man with a red bandana and handlebar mustache, ripping a yellow shirt. Donald Trump, an older white man in a blue suit and tie dancing outdoors.
November 7, 2025 at 10:08 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Ok screw it! Politicians as WWE wrestlers.

1. Jon Ossoff: Cody Rhodes
-Son of Georgia
-Unafraid to support Black women
-Shows plenty of promise, but can he electrify the way his predecessors did?
Jon Ossoff, a skinny white man in a dress shirt and slacks, speaking at a podium during a political rally. Cody Rhodes, a white man frosted tip hair and a gray suit, holding a microphone with the WWE logo. He has the undisputed WWE championship slinged over his shoulder.
November 7, 2025 at 10:06 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Trump starting to sound like Joe Biden and is talking about Greedflation. Says he has asked DOJ to "begin an investigation into the Meat Packing Companies who are driving up the price of Beef through Illicit Collusion, Price Fixing, and Price Manipulation."
A Donald Trump post from Nov 07, 2025, 1:39 PM saying "I have asked the DOJ to immediately begin an investigation into the Meat Packing Companies who are driving up the price of Beef through Illicit Collusion, Price Fixing, and Price Manipulation. We will always protect our American Ranchers, and they are being blamed for what is being done by Majority Foreign Owned Meat Packers, who artificially inflate prices, and jeopardize the security of our Nation’s food supply. Action must be taken immediately to protect Consumers, combat Illegal Monopolies, and ensure these Corporations are not criminally profiting at the expense of the American People. I am asking the DOJ to act expeditiously. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
November 7, 2025 at 8:52 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Democrats after thinking Mikie Sherrill might blow the whole thing this year. #NJGov
Left: Black background with white text saying “I owe you an apology. I wasn’t really familiar with your game.” Below says “Shaq to Christian wood after his 27-point performance vs the Spurs.” Right: Shaquille O’Neal, a large, bald-headed Black man wearing sunglasses, a ble dress shirt and gray dress vest.
November 5, 2025 at 3:18 AM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
I wrote this for @the-independent.com Liveblog. Mamdani's coalition is in many ways a perfect marriage of Bernie Sanders's working-class Latino and non-college educated coalition and Elizabeth Warren's of upwardly mobile college-educated whites. It could be a template for progressives.
Eric's takeaway: Mamdani's coalition is in many ways the perfect blend of Bernie Sanders's 2020 presidential coalition of non-college-educated voters, Latino voters and men alongside Warren's coalition of college-educated white voters. In the end, those disparate factions failed to beat the normal vote that catapults a Democrat to the nomination: majority support from the African American community. That bolstered Joe Biden in 2020. But a fusion of these disparate coalitions might give progressives a foot in the door and–more importantly–convince Black voters they can win.
November 5, 2025 at 2:08 AM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Democrats when someone mentions Loudoun County election drops
An image of a soldier in Vietnam with a glazed and traumatized look.
November 4, 2025 at 11:33 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Looks like the NRSC is already cooking up their messaging. Tying Graham Platner (who shares a lot of Zohran Mamdani's consultants), James Talarico, Roy Cooper and Zach Wahls to Mamdani.
A press release from the NRSC saying "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, November 4, 2025 CONTACT Joanna Rodriguez Roy Cooper Would Bring Mamdani Radicalism to the U.S. Senate" A press release saying "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, November 4, 2025 CONTACT Joanna Rodriguez Zach Wahls Carrying Mamdani's Torch in Iowa" A press release "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, November 4, 2025 CONTACT Joanna Rodriguez James Talarico is Modeling Himself After Mamdani" A press release saying "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, November 4, 2025 CONTACT Joanna Rodriguez Graham Platner is Maine's Mamdani"
November 4, 2025 at 6:09 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
When I asked Speaker Mike Johnson about Trump holding a Mar-a-Lago Gatsby-themed party he said "I reject the premise of the question" and said "The president had an annual Halloween league party every year at Mar a Lago. That's what he went back to, his obligatory tradition."
November 4, 2025 at 4:05 PM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Another example? Lucy McBath, who flipped what was then #GA06 in 2018 after Jon Ossoff tilled the filed in 2017. Here she is behind Barack Obama when he announced executive orders on guns.
Barack Obama crying in 2016 at the White House. The Chyron from CNN says "Obama unveils new gun control measures." Behind him are multiple parents, including a Black woman to his left named Lucy McBath.
November 4, 2025 at 5:04 AM
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Trump doubles down on nuking the filibuster.
A Nov 02, 2025, 9:37 PM post from Donald Trump saying "TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, NOT JUST FOR THE SHUTDOWN, BUT FOR EVERYTHING ELSE. WE WILL GET ALL OF OUR COMMON SENSE POLICIES APPROVED (VOTER ID, ANYONE?) AND MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! REMEMBER, THE DEMOCRATS WILL DO IT IMMEDIATELY, AS SOON AS THEY GET THE CHANCE. OUR DOING IT WILL NOT GIVE THEM THE CHANCE. REPUBLICANS, BE TOUGH AND SMART! THE DEMS ARE CRAZED LUNATICS, THEY WILL NOT OPEN UP OUR COUNTRY NO MATTER HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IRREPARABLY HARMED!"
November 3, 2025 at 2:49 AM