Wannabephd
@wannabe-phd.bsky.social
Burner account because I work for a red state university, Poli Sci PhD Candidate moving into the private sector, mostly hot takes, sometimes well thought out empirical analysis
Trump actually brought him back to US soil?
This is going to absolutely blow up in his face. You kind of need every judge up and down the line to be compliant for a show trial, and last I checked Aileen Cannon wasn’t a judge in New York.
This is going to absolutely blow up in his face. You kind of need every judge up and down the line to be compliant for a show trial, and last I checked Aileen Cannon wasn’t a judge in New York.
⚡️Update: Venezuelan President Maduro lands in New York following US capture.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro landed at a military base in New York around 5 p.m. local time following his capture by U.S. special operations units earlier on Jan. 3.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro landed at a military base in New York around 5 p.m. local time following his capture by U.S. special operations units earlier on Jan. 3.
Venezuela will be governed by US until 'safe, proper, and judicious transition,' Trump says
"The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of...
kyivindependent.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Trump actually brought him back to US soil?
This is going to absolutely blow up in his face. You kind of need every judge up and down the line to be compliant for a show trial, and last I checked Aileen Cannon wasn’t a judge in New York.
This is going to absolutely blow up in his face. You kind of need every judge up and down the line to be compliant for a show trial, and last I checked Aileen Cannon wasn’t a judge in New York.
He really said … like actually … history is definitely being written by a third grader at this point. The Donroe Doctrine… really?
Trump: "All the way back it dated to the Monroe Doctrines. And the Monroe Doctrine is a big deal. But we've superseded it by a lot. By a real lot. They now call it the Donroe Document. I don't know. It's Monroe Doctrine. We sort of forgot about it."
January 3, 2026 at 7:36 PM
He really said … like actually … history is definitely being written by a third grader at this point. The Donroe Doctrine… really?
Go ahead and ask Charles I, or The Girondins, or Charles X, or Nicholas II how their “quick and easy” wars worked out for them…
January 3, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Go ahead and ask Charles I, or The Girondins, or Charles X, or Nicholas II how their “quick and easy” wars worked out for them…
The most devastating criticism I’ve received on a paper is “I see the beginnings of an argument here...”
This gives the same vibes…
This gives the same vibes…
⚡️ G20 leaders say Trump's Ukraine peace deal has 'important elements' but needs 'additional work.'
"We welcome the continued US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine," a statement read.
"We welcome the continued US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine," a statement read.
G20 leaders say Trump's Ukraine peace deal has 'important elements' but needs 'additional work'
"We welcome the continued US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine," the leaders of the European Union, the U.K., France, Germany, Canada, Japan, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway, and Finland...
kyivindependent.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:59 AM
The most devastating criticism I’ve received on a paper is “I see the beginnings of an argument here...”
This gives the same vibes…
This gives the same vibes…
There’s way too much weird shit going on right now.
Trump is best friends with Mamdani, MTG resigns, and both of these things come a few weeks after Dems cave on the shutdown.
Idk what it all could mean, but like it’s weird…
Trump is best friends with Mamdani, MTG resigns, and both of these things come a few weeks after Dems cave on the shutdown.
Idk what it all could mean, but like it’s weird…
November 22, 2025 at 4:01 AM
There’s way too much weird shit going on right now.
Trump is best friends with Mamdani, MTG resigns, and both of these things come a few weeks after Dems cave on the shutdown.
Idk what it all could mean, but like it’s weird…
Trump is best friends with Mamdani, MTG resigns, and both of these things come a few weeks after Dems cave on the shutdown.
Idk what it all could mean, but like it’s weird…
I’ve thought about where the parties move after Trump leaves and I’ve low key settled on a populist vs establishment/business split
The thing I can’t figure out is if we end up having less polarized parties because each party has a populist and establishment wing, or the populists bolt to one party
The thing I can’t figure out is if we end up having less polarized parties because each party has a populist and establishment wing, or the populists bolt to one party
this is your brain when your entire politics is just a set of aesthetics
just bleak, man
November 22, 2025 at 3:52 AM
I’ve thought about where the parties move after Trump leaves and I’ve low key settled on a populist vs establishment/business split
The thing I can’t figure out is if we end up having less polarized parties because each party has a populist and establishment wing, or the populists bolt to one party
The thing I can’t figure out is if we end up having less polarized parties because each party has a populist and establishment wing, or the populists bolt to one party
Cue the surprised pikachu faces and the “I’m very disappointed they didn’t negotiate in good faith.”
In the most predictable development ever, Mike Johnson is not committing to hold a House vote on ACA subsidies
November 10, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Cue the surprised pikachu faces and the “I’m very disappointed they didn’t negotiate in good faith.”
Narrator: They did not, in fact, have a guaranteed vote.
Angus King: "This initial strategy didn't work. And now we have one. We're gonna have a guaranteed vote on the ACA, and it may not succeed. I grant that. But a reasonable chance -- 10, 20, 30% -- is a lot better than 0% which is where we were."
November 10, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Narrator: They did not, in fact, have a guaranteed vote.
Narrator: They were not, in fact, ready to work with them…
Shaheen: "We've heard from a number of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle that they're willing to come to the table, they're willing to work with us once the govt is open to get this done. We've heard the same thing from the White House. So now we'll see if they're really gonna work w/us"
November 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Narrator: They were not, in fact, ready to work with them…
This aged poorly…
Newsom: 'Democratic Party of old' is no more
Newsom: 'Democratic Party of old' is no more
California's governor said Democrats proved they would just not accept President Donald Trump's actions lying down.
dlvr.it
November 10, 2025 at 4:57 AM
This aged poorly…
Reposted by Wannabephd
when you've rallied enough votes in favor of eliminating access to healthcare for millions of americans that you can vote against without messing up the plan
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 AM
when you've rallied enough votes in favor of eliminating access to healthcare for millions of americans that you can vote against without messing up the plan
In today’s bit of extremely, ridiculously obvious news.
Yet, despite this, instead of doubling down on their leverage to get literally any kind of concession, they use this knowledge to cave knowing full well they won’t face electoral consequences.
Yet, despite this, instead of doubling down on their leverage to get literally any kind of concession, they use this knowledge to cave knowing full well they won’t face electoral consequences.
Jeffries: Democrats will ‘definitely’ win back House in 2026
Jeffries: Democrats will ‘definitely’ win back House in 2026
The House minority leader was less certain (but still hopeful) about Democrats' chances in the Senate.
dlvr.it
November 10, 2025 at 4:41 AM
In today’s bit of extremely, ridiculously obvious news.
Yet, despite this, instead of doubling down on their leverage to get literally any kind of concession, they use this knowledge to cave knowing full well they won’t face electoral consequences.
Yet, despite this, instead of doubling down on their leverage to get literally any kind of concession, they use this knowledge to cave knowing full well they won’t face electoral consequences.
Reposted by Wannabephd
New Dem slogan: "Snatching defeat from three jaws of victory for 25 years"
November 10, 2025 at 12:32 AM
New Dem slogan: "Snatching defeat from three jaws of victory for 25 years"
That’s what I deserve for getting my hopes up about the filibuster.
I should know better by now, we don’t get to have nice things in America.
I should know better by now, we don’t get to have nice things in America.
November 10, 2025 at 4:26 AM
That’s what I deserve for getting my hopes up about the filibuster.
I should know better by now, we don’t get to have nice things in America.
I should know better by now, we don’t get to have nice things in America.
Color me surprised if they actually are held accountable.
I’d put more money on a formal split in the Democratic coalition before I’d bet anyone faces any consequences for this.
I’d put more money on a formal split in the Democratic coalition before I’d bet anyone faces any consequences for this.
Please don’t think this beltway game of having retiring Dem senators vote yes while everyone else votes no is going to shield leadership from the end result. We see what is happening and can’t be fooled by those games.
November 10, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Color me surprised if they actually are held accountable.
I’d put more money on a formal split in the Democratic coalition before I’d bet anyone faces any consequences for this.
I’d put more money on a formal split in the Democratic coalition before I’d bet anyone faces any consequences for this.
Reposted by Wannabephd
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.
Except they won’t, because you gave up the leverage that you had.
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social are getting played. Then they’re going to do their best impression of Susan Collins and be disappointed that Reps don’t follow the same institutional norms they’ve spent the last twenty years breaking.
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social are getting played. Then they’re going to do their best impression of Susan Collins and be disappointed that Reps don’t follow the same institutional norms they’ve spent the last twenty years breaking.
Hassan: With the government reopening shortly, Republicans now finally have to come to the table. Or make no mistake, Americans will remember who stood in the way.
November 10, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Except they won’t, because you gave up the leverage that you had.
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social are getting played. Then they’re going to do their best impression of Susan Collins and be disappointed that Reps don’t follow the same institutional norms they’ve spent the last twenty years breaking.
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social are getting played. Then they’re going to do their best impression of Susan Collins and be disappointed that Reps don’t follow the same institutional norms they’ve spent the last twenty years breaking.
Reposted by Wannabephd
I'd like for someone in the dem caucus to tell us which senators were real no votes and which ones voted no because they were allowed to.
November 10, 2025 at 3:12 AM
I'd like for someone in the dem caucus to tell us which senators were real no votes and which ones voted no because they were allowed to.
Reposted by Wannabephd
Insulating Republicans from consequences is never the answer
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 10, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Insulating Republicans from consequences is never the answer
I don’t buy it. He’s grandstanding because he doesn’t have to be the 60th vote, and he knows he’d lose leadership over this.
November 10, 2025 at 3:47 AM
I don’t buy it. He’s grandstanding because he doesn’t have to be the 60th vote, and he knows he’d lose leadership over this.
We have an opposition party fundamentally incapable of meeting the moment. There is a small minority of the caucus who will not acknowledge that politics today is fundamentally different from politics ten or twenty years ago. As Obama said, they’re stuck in a Cold War time warp.
Ok, here is why this Alt is pissed off.
They got a promise, pinky swear, from the GOP (known liars) on a vote 40 days from now on the subsidies. After the subsidies have expired, after the rates are locked.
40 day from now, meaning there isn't going to be any ACA help for 2026.
They got a promise, pinky swear, from the GOP (known liars) on a vote 40 days from now on the subsidies. After the subsidies have expired, after the rates are locked.
40 day from now, meaning there isn't going to be any ACA help for 2026.
November 10, 2025 at 3:20 AM
We have an opposition party fundamentally incapable of meeting the moment. There is a small minority of the caucus who will not acknowledge that politics today is fundamentally different from politics ten or twenty years ago. As Obama said, they’re stuck in a Cold War time warp.
In 30 years my kids will ask why everything sucks, and I’ll say “well the Democrats got the promise of a vote on ACA in exchange for letting Republicans systematically destroy the administrative state.”
There’s a minority of the Senate caucus that are just absolute garbage representatives.
There’s a minority of the Senate caucus that are just absolute garbage representatives.
November 10, 2025 at 3:10 AM
In 30 years my kids will ask why everything sucks, and I’ll say “well the Democrats got the promise of a vote on ACA in exchange for letting Republicans systematically destroy the administrative state.”
There’s a minority of the Senate caucus that are just absolute garbage representatives.
There’s a minority of the Senate caucus that are just absolute garbage representatives.
If only there was some way we could have predicted this behavior…
I mean I, for one, am flabbergasted. I have been absolutely bamboozled. To think that the President who has decades of experience not paying people would consider… not paying people while he was president?
I mean I, for one, am flabbergasted. I have been absolutely bamboozled. To think that the President who has decades of experience not paying people would consider… not paying people while he was president?
November 7, 2025 at 1:33 AM
If only there was some way we could have predicted this behavior…
I mean I, for one, am flabbergasted. I have been absolutely bamboozled. To think that the President who has decades of experience not paying people would consider… not paying people while he was president?
I mean I, for one, am flabbergasted. I have been absolutely bamboozled. To think that the President who has decades of experience not paying people would consider… not paying people while he was president?
Anyone have or seen data on the average margin of victory for Dems last night?
November 5, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Anyone have or seen data on the average margin of victory for Dems last night?
Kinda crazy how my post with the most replies is someone defending a crackpot conspiracy theorist and saying they won’t engage with a burner account.
Still not entirely convinced they aren’t a bot, but idk at this point …
Still not entirely convinced they aren’t a bot, but idk at this point …
October 25, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Kinda crazy how my post with the most replies is someone defending a crackpot conspiracy theorist and saying they won’t engage with a burner account.
Still not entirely convinced they aren’t a bot, but idk at this point …
Still not entirely convinced they aren’t a bot, but idk at this point …