Nick TP
@nixotalkspoli.bsky.social
political science side account from my main. CO. he/him. left leaning. degrees in conflict resolution & political science. international politics & US domestic. 🏳️🌈🇺🇦🇵🇸
Pinned
Nick TP
@nixotalkspoli.bsky.social
· Feb 29
hello my name is Nico. I have a master's degree in conflict resolution, with bachelor's degrees in Political Science & International Studies. I wrote a thesis on frozen conflicts in Eastern Europe. now with hashtags, I'd like to post more to help make bluesky a useful tool for keeping up with news.
Reposted by Nick TP
As a basic rule of thumb, if you’re a Democrat, and your leadership is letting a bill pass that the House Freedom Caucus considers a major win, you probably need new leadership.
November 11, 2025 at 12:19 AM
As a basic rule of thumb, if you’re a Democrat, and your leadership is letting a bill pass that the House Freedom Caucus considers a major win, you probably need new leadership.
Reposted by Nick TP
Senators look at Trump's shameless corruption and say "give us some of that"
Buried inside the deal to reopen government is a provision that would give Senators private right of action to sue for millions in damages over their phone records being analyzed by Jack Smith's team.
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Shutdown Deal Would Let Senators Sue Over Jack Smith Searches
Senators whose phone records were sought by Special Counsel Jack Smith would gain authority to sue for millions in damages under a provision buried in the Senate-advanced deal to reopen the government...
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Senators look at Trump's shameless corruption and say "give us some of that"
Reposted by Nick TP
Why is the "we must be united!" hectoring directed at people who are mad at the Cavers and not to the Cavers? Everyone who's mad was united, then the Cave Caucus walked across the aisle and betrayed what the public had been told was the Dem position.
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 10, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Why is the "we must be united!" hectoring directed at people who are mad at the Cavers and not to the Cavers? Everyone who's mad was united, then the Cave Caucus walked across the aisle and betrayed what the public had been told was the Dem position.
Reposted by Nick TP
Politico is reporting that the breach at the Congressional Budget Office is "ongoing."
“Do NOT click on any links in emails from CBO. Do NOT share sensitive information with CBO colleagues over email, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom at this time,” the email to CBO staff reads.
“Do NOT click on any links in emails from CBO. Do NOT share sensitive information with CBO colleagues over email, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom at this time,” the email to CBO staff reads.
Cybersecurity breach at Congressional Budget Office remains a live threat
Library of Congress employees were informed to take caution when emailing the office of the congressional scorekeeper.
www.politico.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Politico is reporting that the breach at the Congressional Budget Office is "ongoing."
“Do NOT click on any links in emails from CBO. Do NOT share sensitive information with CBO colleagues over email, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom at this time,” the email to CBO staff reads.
“Do NOT click on any links in emails from CBO. Do NOT share sensitive information with CBO colleagues over email, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom at this time,” the email to CBO staff reads.
Reposted by Nick TP
"The provision, tucked into a measure to fund the legislative branch, appears to immediately allow for eight GOP senators to sue over their phone records being seized in the course of the investigation by Jack Smith ... into the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches
Republicans have voiced outrage that Jack Smith looked at G.O.P. lawmakers’ phone records surrounding the Jan. 6 attack. Legislation to reopen the government would allow them to sue for $500,000 each.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:34 PM
"The provision, tucked into a measure to fund the legislative branch, appears to immediately allow for eight GOP senators to sue over their phone records being seized in the course of the investigation by Jack Smith ... into the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Reposted by Nick TP
Trump trade war costs US Italian pasta: “Exporters say import and antidumping duties totaling 107% on their pasta brands will make doing business in America too costly and are preparing to pull out of U.S. stores as soon as January.” Via WSJ
Italian Pasta Is Poised to Disappear From American Grocery Shelves — The Wall Street Journal
Trump administration is set to impose duties of 107% on Italian pasta imports, among most punitive of tariffs it has levied
apple.news
November 10, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Trump trade war costs US Italian pasta: “Exporters say import and antidumping duties totaling 107% on their pasta brands will make doing business in America too costly and are preparing to pull out of U.S. stores as soon as January.” Via WSJ
Reposted by Nick TP
Right, the answer isn't to abandon the party to these weasels.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
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 4:49 PM
Right, the answer isn't to abandon the party to these weasels.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
Reposted by Nick TP
I think tonight shows why “moderate to win elections” is a real risk
the big divide in the Dem caucus, as many have noted, has been less moderate vs progressive than fight versus don’t fight
but it’s not a coincidence that basically everyone in the “don’t fight” camp is a moderate
the big divide in the Dem caucus, as many have noted, has been less moderate vs progressive than fight versus don’t fight
but it’s not a coincidence that basically everyone in the “don’t fight” camp is a moderate
November 10, 2025 at 4:17 AM
I think tonight shows why “moderate to win elections” is a real risk
the big divide in the Dem caucus, as many have noted, has been less moderate vs progressive than fight versus don’t fight
but it’s not a coincidence that basically everyone in the “don’t fight” camp is a moderate
the big divide in the Dem caucus, as many have noted, has been less moderate vs progressive than fight versus don’t fight
but it’s not a coincidence that basically everyone in the “don’t fight” camp is a moderate
Reposted by Nick TP
I will say, it’s somewhat refreshing that they’re just openly admitting that they do not think that the “concession” they “won” from the GOP has any chance of resulting in the restoration of the healthcare that this fight was supposedly all about.
Reporter: What do you say to your colleagues who say this isn't a fight, this is a capitulation?
Shaheen: We have a guaranteed vote by a guaranteed date…
Reporter: There is no guarantee that this will become law.
Shaheen: There was never a guarantee that it would be become law.
Shaheen: We have a guaranteed vote by a guaranteed date…
Reporter: There is no guarantee that this will become law.
Shaheen: There was never a guarantee that it would be become law.
November 10, 2025 at 2:50 AM
I will say, it’s somewhat refreshing that they’re just openly admitting that they do not think that the “concession” they “won” from the GOP has any chance of resulting in the restoration of the healthcare that this fight was supposedly all about.
Reposted by Nick TP
% of Democrats with a favorable opinion of Chuck Schumer 📉
47% in May 2024
43% in January 2025
35% in September 2025
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
47% in May 2024
43% in January 2025
35% in September 2025
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
November 10, 2025 at 2:28 PM
% of Democrats with a favorable opinion of Chuck Schumer 📉
47% in May 2024
43% in January 2025
35% in September 2025
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
47% in May 2024
43% in January 2025
35% in September 2025
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
Reposted by Nick TP
“We are at a moment right now where people are asking themselves why can’t the Democratic Party defend this assault on democracy . . . and I would submit to you that if you can’t draw the line at genocide, you probably can’t draw the line at democracy.”
-Ta-Nehisi Coates
-Ta-Nehisi Coates
November 10, 2025 at 12:07 PM
“We are at a moment right now where people are asking themselves why can’t the Democratic Party defend this assault on democracy . . . and I would submit to you that if you can’t draw the line at genocide, you probably can’t draw the line at democracy.”
-Ta-Nehisi Coates
-Ta-Nehisi Coates
Reposted by Nick TP
We are going on 15 straight years of Republicans chipping away at Obamacare and offering literally nothing to make it better
Shaheen on Fox & Friends: "I believe there are number of Republicans who are gonna join us in trying to address healthcare costs ... we are gonna be able to continue to right about healthcare because we're gonna have a vote in December."
November 10, 2025 at 1:31 PM
We are going on 15 straight years of Republicans chipping away at Obamacare and offering literally nothing to make it better
Reposted by Nick TP
Assume all the yes and no votes from Dem senators are strategic and not sincere votes. The party caucus made a decision. No way to know how many were in favor. Then the caucus decided who would vote yes and no based on what would protect each of them politically the most. That’s how this works.
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Assume all the yes and no votes from Dem senators are strategic and not sincere votes. The party caucus made a decision. No way to know how many were in favor. Then the caucus decided who would vote yes and no based on what would protect each of them politically the most. That’s how this works.
Reposted by Nick TP
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 2:43 AM
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.
Reposted by Nick TP
Ro Khanna calls for Schumer‘ ouster
November 10, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Ro Khanna calls for Schumer‘ ouster
Reposted by Nick TP
This shit is why people don’t trust the Democratic Party.
November 10, 2025 at 2:27 AM
This shit is why people don’t trust the Democratic Party.
Reposted by Nick TP
Important to understand this. There's a reasonable chance that your Dem Senator who voted against it and is acting mad now was in on the play. It's the same reason why they scheduled the surrender for AFTER the election this week. They didn't want people pissed at Dems right before an election.
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 2:11 AM
Important to understand this. There's a reasonable chance that your Dem Senator who voted against it and is acting mad now was in on the play. It's the same reason why they scheduled the surrender for AFTER the election this week. They didn't want people pissed at Dems right before an election.
Reposted by Nick TP
Yeah, I'm sorry, but you do not keep the government shut for more than a month and then NOT get a deal on the main item you have been messaging on without completely shifting the blame dynamic.
Major concession from Democrats here is enhanced ACA funds aren’t extended. Preserving them was Dems’ central demand in this fight. They secured a promise of a vote (which Thune has been offering for weeks), but that could still fail. Even if it passes, Johnson has made no promise of a House vote.
Tentative Senate deal to end shutdown, multiple sources tell me & @frankthorp.bsky.social:
—CR through Jan 30
—Approps minibus
—Fully funds SNAP
—Reverses Trump’s shutdown RIFs
—Promise of Senate vote on ACA subsidies by Dec second week (details/outcome uncertain)
—Led by King/Shaheen/Hassan
—CR through Jan 30
—Approps minibus
—Fully funds SNAP
—Reverses Trump’s shutdown RIFs
—Promise of Senate vote on ACA subsidies by Dec second week (details/outcome uncertain)
—Led by King/Shaheen/Hassan
November 10, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Yeah, I'm sorry, but you do not keep the government shut for more than a month and then NOT get a deal on the main item you have been messaging on without completely shifting the blame dynamic.
Reposted by Nick TP
Schumer, Kelly, Slotkin … I’m starting to wonder where the cave caucus is going to get the votes they need.
Mark Kelly a NO, notable as he was allegedly one of the cavers
November 10, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Schumer, Kelly, Slotkin … I’m starting to wonder where the cave caucus is going to get the votes they need.
Reposted by Nick TP
Why has the government been closed at all if Senate Dems cave now? Didn't they say that they could not go along with throwing millions of people off health care?
What's materially changed? A *promise* is not action. ALSO fascists lie and I've been told by some Senate Dems that the GOP is fascist.
What's materially changed? A *promise* is not action. ALSO fascists lie and I've been told by some Senate Dems that the GOP is fascist.
November 9, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Why has the government been closed at all if Senate Dems cave now? Didn't they say that they could not go along with throwing millions of people off health care?
What's materially changed? A *promise* is not action. ALSO fascists lie and I've been told by some Senate Dems that the GOP is fascist.
What's materially changed? A *promise* is not action. ALSO fascists lie and I've been told by some Senate Dems that the GOP is fascist.
Reposted by Nick TP
this “deal” is embarrassingly bad and every Dem who supports it deserves to be primaried
Trump is reeling right now, his popularity is crumbling, and he keeps flailing and making stupid decisions. bailing him out now is fucking insane
Trump is reeling right now, his popularity is crumbling, and he keeps flailing and making stupid decisions. bailing him out now is fucking insane
Welp, that’s the Senate side of the shutdown over, it seems.
November 9, 2025 at 11:56 PM
this “deal” is embarrassingly bad and every Dem who supports it deserves to be primaried
Trump is reeling right now, his popularity is crumbling, and he keeps flailing and making stupid decisions. bailing him out now is fucking insane
Trump is reeling right now, his popularity is crumbling, and he keeps flailing and making stupid decisions. bailing him out now is fucking insane
Reposted by Nick TP
correct.
Caving now means they literally did it for nothing and caused harm to people for nothing. Just absolute failure on every level.
November 9, 2025 at 11:51 PM
correct.
Reposted by Nick TP
If Trump openly supports it you can also forget the "the House won't vote for it anyway!" theory - Johnson and the House will pass whatever they're told to
If you need confirmation Senate Democrats are fucking this whole thing up here you go. Excellent way to destroy the enthusiasm with huge Dem wins throughout the country up and down the ballot that were not even one week ago.
November 9, 2025 at 11:45 PM
If Trump openly supports it you can also forget the "the House won't vote for it anyway!" theory - Johnson and the House will pass whatever they're told to
Reposted by Nick TP
Dems backed Trump into a corner where he’s advocating for starving Americans and hemorrhaging support. If they vote to let him off the hook in exchange for nothing it’s a cataclysmic failure. I know people are in pain but insulating Republicans from political consequences is not the answer.
November 9, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Dems backed Trump into a corner where he’s advocating for starving Americans and hemorrhaging support. If they vote to let him off the hook in exchange for nothing it’s a cataclysmic failure. I know people are in pain but insulating Republicans from political consequences is not the answer.
Reposted by Nick TP
Hey just a reminder that it only takes 23 Senate Democrats to remove and replace Chuck Schumer as minority leader. They don't do it because the majority of Senate Democrats approve of the way he does politics.
November 9, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Hey just a reminder that it only takes 23 Senate Democrats to remove and replace Chuck Schumer as minority leader. They don't do it because the majority of Senate Democrats approve of the way he does politics.