Jeff Lazarus
@jlazarus.bsky.social
On here way too much. Political scientist at Georgia State University. Congress & elections. My feed is mostly politics but you’ll get some sports takes and terrible dad jokes along the way.
Pinned
This is what I mean. The fold itself isn't necessarily on Schumer.
The bungled messaging is.
The bungled messaging is.
This is actually good spin, or would have been. But the fact that the Democratic cave happened without even a coordinated, agreed-upon message like this indicates the depth of the leadership void.
November 11, 2025 at 5:24 PM
This is what I mean. The fold itself isn't necessarily on Schumer.
The bungled messaging is.
The bungled messaging is.
I'm on record saying Schumer's not up to the moment but "controlling his caucus" is just a ludicrous standard to hold a legislative leader to, particularly and especially a U.S. Senate caucus leader. Those groups are held together with spit and bubble gum, if they're held together at all.
Schumer led Senate Democrats in fighting Trump over healthcare, period.
If you think Senate leaders can control members of their caucus, you don’t know much about the Senate. And before you say “McConnell,” remember why we still have the ACA when Trump and McConnell wanted it gone.
If you think Senate leaders can control members of their caucus, you don’t know much about the Senate. And before you say “McConnell,” remember why we still have the ACA when Trump and McConnell wanted it gone.
November 11, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I'm on record saying Schumer's not up to the moment but "controlling his caucus" is just a ludicrous standard to hold a legislative leader to, particularly and especially a U.S. Senate caucus leader. Those groups are held together with spit and bubble gum, if they're held together at all.
Farewell Nico. Lakers fans all over the country thank you for your service.
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are expected to fire Nico Harrison, sources tell The Athletic.
The former Nike executive drove the decision to trade Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers eight months after Dončić led Dallas to an NBA Finals appearance.
The former Nike executive drove the decision to trade Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers eight months after Dončić led Dallas to an NBA Finals appearance.
November 11, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Farewell Nico. Lakers fans all over the country thank you for your service.
<stares in political science>
Propaganda does not rely entirely on unassailable evidence and impeccable logic to discipline its targets. Neither can the response, writes Calum Matheson, an associate professor and chair of the Department of Communication at the University of Pittsburgh.
Scholars Must Recognize the Role of Affect and Emotion in Disinformation | TechPolicy.Press
The tactics of digital emotional manipulation are many and varied, but many of the most prominent exploit frustration and rage, writes Calum Matheson.
www.techpolicy.press
November 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
<stares in political science>
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Imagine killing 600,000 black and brown people with a few keystrokes and not having a care in the world but one little old white lady drags you on Twitter and you spiral for a week.
November 11, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Imagine killing 600,000 black and brown people with a few keystrokes and not having a care in the world but one little old white lady drags you on Twitter and you spiral for a week.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Who uses SNAP?
My friend, who works, raising 5 kids, husband bailed and won’t pay child support
My neighbor battling cancer and her life-saving meds are so expensive, she chooses between meds or food
My friend who’s a vet and struggles with mental health issues.
Not one of them chose this.
My friend, who works, raising 5 kids, husband bailed and won’t pay child support
My neighbor battling cancer and her life-saving meds are so expensive, she chooses between meds or food
My friend who’s a vet and struggles with mental health issues.
Not one of them chose this.
Trump claims that food stamps "puts the country in jeopardy. People that are able-bodied can do a job, they leave their job because they figure they can pick this up, it's easier."
November 11, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Who uses SNAP?
My friend, who works, raising 5 kids, husband bailed and won’t pay child support
My neighbor battling cancer and her life-saving meds are so expensive, she chooses between meds or food
My friend who’s a vet and struggles with mental health issues.
Not one of them chose this.
My friend, who works, raising 5 kids, husband bailed and won’t pay child support
My neighbor battling cancer and her life-saving meds are so expensive, she chooses between meds or food
My friend who’s a vet and struggles with mental health issues.
Not one of them chose this.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
The fight tonight was over about $25 billion. Thats about 2.5% of the Defense budget. Would cover a year of the enhanced ACA credits. Republicans said that’s unaffordable.
November 11, 2025 at 3:50 AM
The fight tonight was over about $25 billion. Thats about 2.5% of the Defense budget. Would cover a year of the enhanced ACA credits. Republicans said that’s unaffordable.
There is so much ζ in Katherine Jones
there is so much μ in cows
there is so much Ψ in tires
November 11, 2025 at 3:51 AM
There is so much ζ in Katherine Jones
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
![Joyce Carol Oates quoting a tweet that says “wherever he [Elon Musk] goes, he wants to leave”:
"wherever he goes, he wants to leave"-- that's because when he gets there, he has brought his own self along; & whatever club he's invited to join has been devalued by the invitation.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:buy3qvqcj3o76leo6ap7pn2p/bafkreifilfbsxemfsambf4kqwolr24ld2ekqcrz4ybgv3bv7kzi5e6kppm@jpeg)
Yeah, people will be so much happier when they negotiate their own insurance because folks definitely have enough information to navigate that process without getting fleeced. And we all famously love negotiating prices - that’s why everyone loves used car salespeople.
Trump: "I want the money to go into an account for people where they buy their own health insurance. It's so good. The insurance will be better. It'll cost less. Everybody is gonna be happy. They're gonna feel like entrepreneurs. They're actually able to go out & negotiate their own insurance"
November 11, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Yeah, people will be so much happier when they negotiate their own insurance because folks definitely have enough information to navigate that process without getting fleeced. And we all famously love negotiating prices - that’s why everyone loves used car salespeople.
Taking over a party from within is a real thing that happens. There’s precedent for it at multiple points in American Trump JUST DID IT to the GOP.
Creating a new viable party hasn’t happened since 1856.
Creating a new viable party hasn’t happened since 1856.
There’s a two party duopoly in this nation.
Is it great? No! Is it reality? Yes.
Creating a third party means building up an entirely new infrastructure from scratch and then fighting both R & D.
Taking over the Dem Party is an easier and more effective route. It’ll take time, but it’s worth it.
Is it great? No! Is it reality? Yes.
Creating a third party means building up an entirely new infrastructure from scratch and then fighting both R & D.
Taking over the Dem Party is an easier and more effective route. It’ll take time, but it’s worth it.
November 10, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Taking over a party from within is a real thing that happens. There’s precedent for it at multiple points in American Trump JUST DID IT to the GOP.
Creating a new viable party hasn’t happened since 1856.
Creating a new viable party hasn’t happened since 1856.
Yeah, this is an easy one for Thune. He didn't promise the ACA subsidies would pass, just that there'd be a vote. So they'll hold a vote & Dems will lose largely along party lines.
Whoa -- Sen. Durbin went to up Leader Thune during the vote last night to tell him that on the shutdown vote and ACA promise that "8 of us are sticking our neck out that you're going to keep your word. I hope you will. He said 'I assure you I will,'" Durbin says just now
November 10, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Yeah, this is an easy one for Thune. He didn't promise the ACA subsidies would pass, just that there'd be a vote. So they'll hold a vote & Dems will lose largely along party lines.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
It's both simultaneously true that shutdowns are a bad tool for winning policy concessions and that Senate Democrats played this really poorly, managing to piss off most groups involved in the process.
I received this email about Democrats caving to end the shutdown from one of the SNAP recipients I spoke to:
November 10, 2025 at 6:14 PM
It's both simultaneously true that shutdowns are a bad tool for winning policy concessions and that Senate Democrats played this really poorly, managing to piss off most groups involved in the process.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Really important point here about Trump and the administration simply not caring about his own popularity. It's a real, if screwy, negotiating edge - but (obviously!) a major electoral liability.
One way to look at the shutdown deal: Tiny Tim is dying, and Dems were negotiating with Scrooge (without ghostly assistance). My thoughts: open.substack.com/pub/goodpoli...
Open Wide
Senate Democrats agree to shut down the shutdown.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Really important point here about Trump and the administration simply not caring about his own popularity. It's a real, if screwy, negotiating edge - but (obviously!) a major electoral liability.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
like this is basically it, the melts melted under pressure
November 10, 2025 at 4:27 PM
like this is basically it, the melts melted under pressure
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Public opinion folks: I know there are surveys about optimism/pessimism for family finances & national economy in 1 yr.
Have you seen any polls on public optimism focused several years into the future? Like 5, 10, or more?
Have you seen any polls on public optimism focused several years into the future? Like 5, 10, or more?
November 10, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Public opinion folks: I know there are surveys about optimism/pessimism for family finances & national economy in 1 yr.
Have you seen any polls on public optimism focused several years into the future? Like 5, 10, or more?
Have you seen any polls on public optimism focused several years into the future? Like 5, 10, or more?
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Also, your local Dem Party needs to know your registration so they can mobilize you!
Don't exit, use your voice and get involved with your county party. ITs much easier to influence and they desperately need people who can work to change things.
Don't exit, use your voice and get involved with your county party. ITs much easier to influence and they desperately need people who can work to change things.
Hey, a lot of people are talking about changing affiliation from Democratic to Independent.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
November 10, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Also, your local Dem Party needs to know your registration so they can mobilize you!
Don't exit, use your voice and get involved with your county party. ITs much easier to influence and they desperately need people who can work to change things.
Don't exit, use your voice and get involved with your county party. ITs much easier to influence and they desperately need people who can work to change things.
BTW, this is a really important message. For better or for worse, there's only one vehicle for effective opposition to democratic backsliding in this country, and that's the Democratic Party.
I have always been a Democrat and I always will be. To walk away from them now is exactly what Republicans want. After last week's election they are worried. Trump is terrified. Show them we are disappointed but united, and that they have a reason to be worried. It will make them very nervous.
November 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
BTW, this is a really important message. For better or for worse, there's only one vehicle for effective opposition to democratic backsliding in this country, and that's the Democratic Party.
A rare bit of good news.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. apnews.com/article/supr...
Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide
The Supreme Court has rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
apnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:56 PM
A rare bit of good news.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Leaders don't have this kind of power. They do not direct senators' votes. They can pressure or persuade but this notion Schumer can block senators from breaking ranks is pure myth.
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
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 1:25 PM
Leaders don't have this kind of power. They do not direct senators' votes. They can pressure or persuade but this notion Schumer can block senators from breaking ranks is pure myth.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Dems had the upper hand and caved for the guy that is abusing executive power to an astonishing degree
Trump Pardons Giuliani and Others Involved in Effort to Overturn 2020 Election www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Trump Pardons Giuliani and Others Involved in Effort to Overturn 2020 Election
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Dems had the upper hand and caved for the guy that is abusing executive power to an astonishing degree
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
DONALD TRUMP: [asleep, drooling on long red tie]
SENATE DEMOCRATS: fine, we give in
SENATE DEMOCRATS: fine, we give in
November 10, 2025 at 2:37 AM
DONALD TRUMP: [asleep, drooling on long red tie]
SENATE DEMOCRATS: fine, we give in
SENATE DEMOCRATS: fine, we give in
I've typed out and deleted half a dozen posts about what all this means going forward, and the truth is, I don't know. No one really knows. We're in uncharted waters in so many different ways. Anything could happen ranging from textbook 2026 election to completely unprecedented turnover.
November 10, 2025 at 4:29 AM
I've typed out and deleted half a dozen posts about what all this means going forward, and the truth is, I don't know. No one really knows. We're in uncharted waters in so many different ways. Anything could happen ranging from textbook 2026 election to completely unprecedented turnover.