rachel craddock
@idiosyncraddock.bsky.social
loved this so much i reposted the whole thing. read this *in its entirety* if you're angry about chuck schumer, so you know what a good replacement might look like- because it's not gonna be who you might have thought before reading this very informative post. thanks, ariella!
This is going to be very nuanced and very divisive. I hope you will do me the courtesy of reading the whole thing and digesting it before commenting.
Okay?
Good, here goes:
I think many people in our party misunderstand what a congressional leader is.
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Okay?
Good, here goes:
I think many people in our party misunderstand what a congressional leader is.
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November 12, 2025 at 8:25 PM
loved this so much i reposted the whole thing. read this *in its entirety* if you're angry about chuck schumer, so you know what a good replacement might look like- because it's not gonna be who you might have thought before reading this very informative post. thanks, ariella!
Reposted by rachel craddock
A House Dem or Senate Dem leader must be able to have as much influence in a room of Progressives as a room of Blue Dogs.
They must be able to understand all points of view, to best shape how to bring them all together, to make sure something can actually pass.
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They must be able to understand all points of view, to best shape how to bring them all together, to make sure something can actually pass.
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
A House Dem or Senate Dem leader must be able to have as much influence in a room of Progressives as a room of Blue Dogs.
They must be able to understand all points of view, to best shape how to bring them all together, to make sure something can actually pass.
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They must be able to understand all points of view, to best shape how to bring them all together, to make sure something can actually pass.
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Reposted by rachel craddock
I just watched Lawrence O’Donnell’s segment on Chuck Schumer and while, I think, because of his years working in the Senate, he’s a bit precious with it, I also think he made some really good points.
The leader is not supposed to be the most popular person in the party, that’s not the point.
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The leader is not supposed to be the most popular person in the party, that’s not the point.
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I just watched Lawrence O’Donnell’s segment on Chuck Schumer and while, I think, because of his years working in the Senate, he’s a bit precious with it, I also think he made some really good points.
The leader is not supposed to be the most popular person in the party, that’s not the point.
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The leader is not supposed to be the most popular person in the party, that’s not the point.
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Reposted by rachel craddock
They are the person who has the best shot of persuading the most people, and they surround themselves with those that can do the same.
Keep in mind, the best shot doesn’t mean they can do it flawlessly, in fact, as O’Donnell said in last night’s episode,
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Keep in mind, the best shot doesn’t mean they can do it flawlessly, in fact, as O’Donnell said in last night’s episode,
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
They are the person who has the best shot of persuading the most people, and they surround themselves with those that can do the same.
Keep in mind, the best shot doesn’t mean they can do it flawlessly, in fact, as O’Donnell said in last night’s episode,
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Keep in mind, the best shot doesn’t mean they can do it flawlessly, in fact, as O’Donnell said in last night’s episode,
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Reposted by rachel craddock
there has never been a Democratic Senate leader who kept the party together 100% of the time.
Think of your choice to take Schumer’s place. Do you think they could work with the Blue Dogs as effectively as with the Progressives? I’m not saying I think Schumer should stay leader,
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Think of your choice to take Schumer’s place. Do you think they could work with the Blue Dogs as effectively as with the Progressives? I’m not saying I think Schumer should stay leader,
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
there has never been a Democratic Senate leader who kept the party together 100% of the time.
Think of your choice to take Schumer’s place. Do you think they could work with the Blue Dogs as effectively as with the Progressives? I’m not saying I think Schumer should stay leader,
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Think of your choice to take Schumer’s place. Do you think they could work with the Blue Dogs as effectively as with the Progressives? I’m not saying I think Schumer should stay leader,
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Reposted by rachel craddock
but I don’t know who would take his place. I don’t know who has the most impact in the LBJ room.
Not to mention, in the middle of this fight, and we are in the middle of it, there will be a vote on the ACA in Dec and we have until then to work our asses off to make Rs as unpopular as possible.
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Not to mention, in the middle of this fight, and we are in the middle of it, there will be a vote on the ACA in Dec and we have until then to work our asses off to make Rs as unpopular as possible.
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
but I don’t know who would take his place. I don’t know who has the most impact in the LBJ room.
Not to mention, in the middle of this fight, and we are in the middle of it, there will be a vote on the ACA in Dec and we have until then to work our asses off to make Rs as unpopular as possible.
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Not to mention, in the middle of this fight, and we are in the middle of it, there will be a vote on the ACA in Dec and we have until then to work our asses off to make Rs as unpopular as possible.
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Reposted by rachel craddock
Making someone else learn the ropes on the job, at a time when we need all hands on deck, might not be the right move.
But let’s say it is, let’s say it would help. Who? I don’t know, but I do know it’s not necessarily the person who is best at social media.
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But let’s say it is, let’s say it would help. Who? I don’t know, but I do know it’s not necessarily the person who is best at social media.
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Making someone else learn the ropes on the job, at a time when we need all hands on deck, might not be the right move.
But let’s say it is, let’s say it would help. Who? I don’t know, but I do know it’s not necessarily the person who is best at social media.
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But let’s say it is, let’s say it would help. Who? I don’t know, but I do know it’s not necessarily the person who is best at social media.
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Reposted by rachel craddock
And I do know that no matter who it is, they’re gonna have to make hard choices that you will not like, and before long, people will be calling for their resignation.
Cause it’s not simple. It might look easy from the outside, but listen to any Democratic Senator,
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Cause it’s not simple. It might look easy from the outside, but listen to any Democratic Senator,
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
And I do know that no matter who it is, they’re gonna have to make hard choices that you will not like, and before long, people will be calling for their resignation.
Cause it’s not simple. It might look easy from the outside, but listen to any Democratic Senator,
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Cause it’s not simple. It might look easy from the outside, but listen to any Democratic Senator,
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Reposted by rachel craddock
it’s one of the hardest job in government, in their opinion. The Democratic Party is a massive tent, and that’s no different in the Senate itself. Somehow leadership has gotten most of them to vote the same way most of the time.
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
it’s one of the hardest job in government, in their opinion. The Democratic Party is a massive tent, and that’s no different in the Senate itself. Somehow leadership has gotten most of them to vote the same way most of the time.
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Reposted by rachel craddock
Could someone have done better than Schumer at keeping the Dems 100% in line for the last month? Remember, 5 of these people (and another 5 who we don’t know), started negotiating day 1. Schumer successfully kept them from doing anything about it till AFTER the election.
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Could someone have done better than Schumer at keeping the Dems 100% in line for the last month? Remember, 5 of these people (and another 5 who we don’t know), started negotiating day 1. Schumer successfully kept them from doing anything about it till AFTER the election.
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Reposted by rachel craddock
Would Leader Warren, Klobuchar, Murphy or Booker have been able to keep them in longer?
I don’t know. Maybe so. Maybe they could have said something to change the minds of these eight. But, if they could have, wouldn’t they have? Sitting in the LBJ room,
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I don’t know. Maybe so. Maybe they could have said something to change the minds of these eight. But, if they could have, wouldn’t they have? Sitting in the LBJ room,
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Would Leader Warren, Klobuchar, Murphy or Booker have been able to keep them in longer?
I don’t know. Maybe so. Maybe they could have said something to change the minds of these eight. But, if they could have, wouldn’t they have? Sitting in the LBJ room,
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I don’t know. Maybe so. Maybe they could have said something to change the minds of these eight. But, if they could have, wouldn’t they have? Sitting in the LBJ room,
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Reposted by rachel craddock
wouldn’t they have been able to do it even without the title of leader?
And the thing is, I don’t actually think Schumer should have been leader this term to begin with. I think that, when you lose seats, that probably means it’s time for someone else to take the reigns.
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And the thing is, I don’t actually think Schumer should have been leader this term to begin with. I think that, when you lose seats, that probably means it’s time for someone else to take the reigns.
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
wouldn’t they have been able to do it even without the title of leader?
And the thing is, I don’t actually think Schumer should have been leader this term to begin with. I think that, when you lose seats, that probably means it’s time for someone else to take the reigns.
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And the thing is, I don’t actually think Schumer should have been leader this term to begin with. I think that, when you lose seats, that probably means it’s time for someone else to take the reigns.
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Reposted by rachel craddock
I don’t think social media is the most important aspect of the job, but it’s not the least either, and he’s not great at getting people outside the Senate to understand his reasoning or even trust that he has any at all. That’s not a small thing.
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I don’t think social media is the most important aspect of the job, but it’s not the least either, and he’s not great at getting people outside the Senate to understand his reasoning or even trust that he has any at all. That’s not a small thing.
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Reposted by rachel craddock
But I also don’t think this ultimatum of “kick him out or else” is helpful. Because we don’t know what is happening behind closed doors. We don’t know who is fighting the hardest in that room. We don’t know when it almost comes to blows.
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
But I also don’t think this ultimatum of “kick him out or else” is helpful. Because we don’t know what is happening behind closed doors. We don’t know who is fighting the hardest in that room. We don’t know when it almost comes to blows.
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Reposted by rachel craddock
We only know who makes US feel good, US feel seen and US feel heard. But that’s only a fraction of what the job of the Senate leader is, and a very new part of their job description at that.
So it’s not at all about who OUR ideal leader is.
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So it’s not at all about who OUR ideal leader is.
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
We only know who makes US feel good, US feel seen and US feel heard. But that’s only a fraction of what the job of the Senate leader is, and a very new part of their job description at that.
So it’s not at all about who OUR ideal leader is.
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So it’s not at all about who OUR ideal leader is.
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Reposted by rachel craddock
This isn’t President, this isn’t a position elected by American citizens, this is a person who has been around long enough to know the ropes AND how to mediate between Senators and acknowledge their needs individually.
So, if the Senate Dems decide, as it seems they’re going to,
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So, if the Senate Dems decide, as it seems they’re going to,
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
This isn’t President, this isn’t a position elected by American citizens, this is a person who has been around long enough to know the ropes AND how to mediate between Senators and acknowledge their needs individually.
So, if the Senate Dems decide, as it seems they’re going to,
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So, if the Senate Dems decide, as it seems they’re going to,
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Reposted by rachel craddock
that they aren’t willing to replace Schumer right now, acknowledge that maybe they have a reason for that, maybe it’s as simple as no one else wants the job.
But if that does change, which I do hope it does for the 120th Congress, when you’re theorizing who would replace Schumer,
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But if that does change, which I do hope it does for the 120th Congress, when you’re theorizing who would replace Schumer,
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
that they aren’t willing to replace Schumer right now, acknowledge that maybe they have a reason for that, maybe it’s as simple as no one else wants the job.
But if that does change, which I do hope it does for the 120th Congress, when you’re theorizing who would replace Schumer,
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But if that does change, which I do hope it does for the 120th Congress, when you’re theorizing who would replace Schumer,
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Reposted by rachel craddock
hink of who can actually do the best job, not just who would make you happiest to see with Leader before their name. And, when whoever it is make that first decision you don’t like, don’t start screaming “resign!” “step down!”
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
hink of who can actually do the best job, not just who would make you happiest to see with Leader before their name. And, when whoever it is make that first decision you don’t like, don’t start screaming “resign!” “step down!”
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Reposted by rachel craddock
Remember how, when there are 47 different people with 47 different opinions, the only way to make anything happen is some form of compromise.
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November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Remember how, when there are 47 different people with 47 different opinions, the only way to make anything happen is some form of compromise.
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Reposted by rachel craddock
The opposite of that compromise is right where the Republican party is now, a cult. We’re proud that we’re not a cult, but that means you’re not gonna like every decision.
@lawrenceodonnell.msnbc.com clips:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqe0...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGnf...
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@lawrenceodonnell.msnbc.com clips:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqe0...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGnf...
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Lawrence: With Trump's shutdown ending, Dems are closer than ever to forcing Epstein files release
YouTube video by MSNBC
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The opposite of that compromise is right where the Republican party is now, a cult. We’re proud that we’re not a cult, but that means you’re not gonna like every decision.
@lawrenceodonnell.msnbc.com clips:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqe0...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGnf...
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@lawrenceodonnell.msnbc.com clips:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqe0...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGnf...
20/
Reposted by rachel craddock
Maybe dumping poop on voters from an airplane is not a surefire electoral strategy
November 5, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Maybe dumping poop on voters from an airplane is not a surefire electoral strategy
find the lie
As premiums skyrocket for millions of Americans, @baldwin.senate.gov and I sat down to rank the Republican health care plans that address this imminent crisis!
October 29, 2025 at 6:06 PM
find the lie
#Ohioans: THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. please take a moment to submit written testimony. follow the link for instructions. this bill would severely limit every ohioan's ability to vote AND to get citizen led initiatives on the ballot!
🚨OPPONENT TESTIMONY NEEDED🚨
#Ohio's version of the #SAVEAct has a hearing this Tuesday 10/28 🤬🤬
Use this toolkit to submit (in-person OR written-only) testimony: bit.ly/OhioSAVEAct
#Ohio's version of the #SAVEAct has a hearing this Tuesday 10/28 🤬🤬
Use this toolkit to submit (in-person OR written-only) testimony: bit.ly/OhioSAVEAct
October 26, 2025 at 12:18 AM
#Ohioans: THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. please take a moment to submit written testimony. follow the link for instructions. this bill would severely limit every ohioan's ability to vote AND to get citizen led initiatives on the ballot!
Reposted by rachel craddock
They're basically asking people if they're cool with fewer people (special needs, the elderly, military, etc) having a voice in government. This matters a ton, people!
#ElectionsHaveConsequences
#ElectionsHaveConsequences
October 21, 2025 at 11:51 PM
They're basically asking people if they're cool with fewer people (special needs, the elderly, military, etc) having a voice in government. This matters a ton, people!
#ElectionsHaveConsequences
#ElectionsHaveConsequences
my local @indivisible.org chapter, @indivisiblemov.bsky.social, asked me to create a presentation about authoritarianism and i wanted to share it. i hope you find it helpful. thanks to the talented @angiecibisdesign.bsky.social for the design! 1/2
October 21, 2025 at 2:26 AM
my local @indivisible.org chapter, @indivisiblemov.bsky.social, asked me to create a presentation about authoritarianism and i wanted to share it. i hope you find it helpful. thanks to the talented @angiecibisdesign.bsky.social for the design! 1/2