They may not be able to stop it eventually but they are "making GOOD TROUBLE" which is what people need to hear and do..... And yes the other states need to do the same and beat them at their own game..
Not sure of the point of the post. No one thinks the Ds can stop the re-districting. They had a choice: just roll over and let this shameful move fly by or make the nation focus on yet another Trump era anti-democratic move.
Chris (and all of the media) keeps pounding away at the recent poll showing the Democratic Party with deep disapproval.
What most ignore is the reason for that disapproval is because DEMOCRATS are pissed off that the Dems don’t FIGHT BACK enough.
The Dems have heard that message and since the corrupt Texas GOP does hold all the levels of power, this is the only way they can fight back.
That and blue states doing the same thing. The Dems need to realize, as William Kristol wrote in The Bulwark https://tinyurl.com/yx2dbw2a ...
“The New York Times quotes (https://tinyurl.com/3am8dxrm ) “one person close to the president” as summing up the approach of the Trump White House as “maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time.”
Time to start fighting against this “maximum warfare” in any way possible.
You are spot on about Dem disapproval. A big chunk is Dems pissed at national level Dems not showing any real fight against Trump and his Republican sycophants.
In '21 their absence allowed for more light to be shed on what the Texas Republicans were doing and the resulting outrage caused the gop to gut their own bill. The gop may have won but they did not win all that they had intended. .
It's a race to the bottom. What I don't get is why Republicans are so quick to go scorched earth? It's their first choice, always, no matter the issue and it's doing enormous damage.
Gah I hate it. But I understand why, on the set of political levers at least, there is not much else to do.
How's the kicking the can down the row saw go, "While the music is playing, you have to get up and dance." Or as an example I heard once went, I don't like the 3 point line but until they get rid of it, teams have to use it.
The problem with that, is I have no doubt that the Republicans in those states will sue to stop it, and the Supreme Court will ignore what happened in Texas and block it, and then when the Texas Democrats sue to stop the new Texas Map, the court will make up some time issue or something else to protect the new Texas Map
Get a load of those stock prices. Maybe Trump can just decree they have to go up and any losses are "fake news." We already know he's going to start lying about the softening job market and uptick in unemployment. Inflation already on the rise. Trump OWNS this economy.
Meanwhile the MAGAts are cheering the increased taxes WE have to pay under his bonkers tariff regime because they don't understand the tariffs aren't paid the exporting countries, but by us.
Yes, those job numbers and the uptick inflation are not good signs. Keep whistling pass the graveyard and pretending that the stock market is the economy.
You're right, but this buys them time. And if Texas sees that the effort is futile (it's already unpopular IN Texas) because other states are doing the same thing to counteract this attempt to steal Congress for Trump, that may cause Abbott to back down.
So what’s wrong with them slowing down the process, isn’t that what they can do? All over this nation we are asking Democrats to do what they can do and fight back. And you are just nay-saying because …? How does that help?
Dude. The certainty with which you made this statement displays a stunning arrogance.
First of all, the denial of a quorum has worked before. In 1979, the "Killer Bees" quorum break was successful in forcing the state to not change its presidential primary date.
Secondly, the quorum break brings attention, and grants time to blue states to start working on plans to do their own map-redraws, and to give federal GOP Members time to weigh-in on the fact that this is going to cost them their seats. It also raises awareness of Democratic voters in Texas, who you are going to need if you hope to turn this into a "Dummy-mander" if it winds up passing.
Thirdly, there is literally no reason why Democrats cannot sustain this. They have more than the numbers needed, so they can rotate in and out of the state at need. They could pretty much do two or three weeks outside the state, and then one week back home. They can't be held and arrested for long periods of time without a judicial order, so that won't work -- and would tie everything up in the court with their appeals. Tom DeLay found out that there are limits to ordering the Texas Rangers to act as a political tool. Also, there is national support and financing this if need be. They can stay at an AirBnB, or hotels, etc. The idea that Abbott can vacate their seats is Constitutionally laughable, and still doesn't solve the problem of a quorum. If anything, vacating their seats would mean that a quorum isn't even possible until those members have been replaced via a special election. Good luck setting a precedent that a governor can just declare any legislator he is angry at to be no longer an office holder, and then holding votes with only members of your own party present. Just asinine logic, and legally it is a complete joke -- but you could sure as hell hold up everything while it worked its way through the courts. So, they just need to be gone through the 30 days of the special election. There is a need to pass flood relief in the state, and that can't get done until the redistricting quorum break goes away. If Abbott just calls another special session, they leave again. Rinse and repeat. Regardless of your assertion, they can't just push back the filing deadlines, as that requires -- guess what -- legislative action. Election deadlines are not set by executive order, but are in statute. At a certain point, counties need to be able to print ballots and prepare for an election, and voters need to know what fricking district they are voting in. Courts do have flexibility in applying the Purcell principle, but at a certain point it really does become too close. I would add that this is seen as a crisis moment for Democrats, and just staying away for a performative length of time, and then just giving in after a month is not going to cut it for most Democratic voters. They are going to expect those representatives to put up with a few months of personal inconvenience in order to prevent an additional two years of unchecked Trump rule. They need to be prepared to pay the price, and I am more than assuming that donors and the party will happily open the wallets to put those folks up in Chicago, Boston, or wherever for as long as is necessary.
The GOP likes to glory in "Liberal Tears". This is a time where Democrats really want to enjoy the reverse, and glory in impotent Republican outrage.
You may wind up being right if the Dems do cave, but it is not a foregone conclusion that they well. This is a bit of an extraordinary moment, and you believing that the normal rules apply is a pretty bold assumption.
Dems are in a 'Catch 22' situation. Pundits, the media, critics of Democrats, Ds themselves are screaming 'Dems need to 'fight, fight, fight', we're tired of Ds not doing anything', 'Ds bring a plastic spoon to a gun fight', etc.
Then when Ds do something like the Texas Ds, we get the 'it's futile', 'it won't work', 'just doing it for funding', 'take the high road, not the Republican road', 'speeches don't work', etc.
Then Ds in House and Senate get the 'why don't you stop them', etc.
Well folks, we didn't give the Ds anything to fight them with. We were too busy fighting each other that we didn't elect majorities which is the only way to power. We disarmed in 2024. It is time to decide if we are going to do it again in 2026 or if we will decide to take the advice of Texas Paul who said something like this. 'Work like hell for your candidate in the primaries but once a Democratic Candidate is chosen, work like hell to elect them instead of bickering about why you don't like them.'
Also, if you’re Deep in the Heart of (my home state), I think you should do your Northeast subscribers a favor and give a first-hand report of a trip to your nearest Buc-ee’s! Would help educate Mr Tony as well…
Honestly, not sure if this post makes any sense. Because,I think most supporters know the the outcome. But, are you saying they should do nothing and just roll over without trying to bring attention to what’s happening?
Glad to see a few Democrats fighting. They will eventually lose this battle but hopefully it will lead to other battles which may save American democracy.
I am genuinely disappointed with this post. We should recognize their bravery and give them the credit they deserve for standing up, rather than minimizing their efforts and dismissing them as if they won’t matter.
Chris, attention is exactly why they are doing it -- may not change anything in Texas but may help anger the electorate in Blue States to start this redistricting war to get back 5+ seats -- sad it has come to this, but these Texas congressman do care about their national vote being meaningful so the 218 number is important (for what they believe Texas needs), so it matters!
Those voices opposing this bill in the public hearings from July 24 meant nothing to the Republicans. From reports available they represented the majority of those who participated.
Shouldn’t they be helped to make a stand? Or just let them go home and lose all remaining faith in democracy? It is evident that the system as it is is weak. Laws were created to allow those in power to remain in power. And they keep telling us the need to be in power to make people lives better.
Are people’s lives getting better?
It is time the People rejoin the game - not only on the day of an election - but also everyday and especially today, when they are being reduced to silent slaves - paying their taxes and working to build their community and getting screwed by those in power all day.
They may not be able to stop it eventually but they are "making GOOD TROUBLE" which is what people need to hear and do..... And yes the other states need to do the same and beat them at their own game..
Nope. Performative bs meant for fundraising
Both things can be true.
Agreed. A big reason why I don’t support politics with money or votes. These tactics on both sides alienate more people than they win over.
Not sure of the point of the post. No one thinks the Ds can stop the re-districting. They had a choice: just roll over and let this shameful move fly by or make the nation focus on yet another Trump era anti-democratic move.
Of course, the Dems fleeing won’t work.
That's not the point of doing it.
Chris (and all of the media) keeps pounding away at the recent poll showing the Democratic Party with deep disapproval.
What most ignore is the reason for that disapproval is because DEMOCRATS are pissed off that the Dems don’t FIGHT BACK enough.
The Dems have heard that message and since the corrupt Texas GOP does hold all the levels of power, this is the only way they can fight back.
That and blue states doing the same thing. The Dems need to realize, as William Kristol wrote in The Bulwark https://tinyurl.com/yx2dbw2a ...
“The New York Times quotes (https://tinyurl.com/3am8dxrm ) “one person close to the president” as summing up the approach of the Trump White House as “maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time.”
Time to start fighting against this “maximum warfare” in any way possible.
You are spot on about Dem disapproval. A big chunk is Dems pissed at national level Dems not showing any real fight against Trump and his Republican sycophants.
Agreed. But it still seems important to make the statement and force Abbot's hand.
Chris, then what is left? Just roll over like a dog?
For Democrats? As I say in the video -- try to do what Republicans are doing to them in Texas in CA or IL or NY.
In '21 their absence allowed for more light to be shed on what the Texas Republicans were doing and the resulting outrage caused the gop to gut their own bill. The gop may have won but they did not win all that they had intended. .
It's a race to the bottom. What I don't get is why Republicans are so quick to go scorched earth? It's their first choice, always, no matter the issue and it's doing enormous damage.
This isn’t old Conservative Party. First of all they are scared of trump
Secondly there are a bunch of hardcore white male supremacists in this group who only care about getting their “rightful” position back
Good points. Fear is Trump's coin of the realm.
Agree but it's just not right to do it voters but I guess this is where we are now
Gah I hate it. But I understand why, on the set of political levers at least, there is not much else to do.
How's the kicking the can down the row saw go, "While the music is playing, you have to get up and dance." Or as an example I heard once went, I don't like the 3 point line but until they get rid of it, teams have to use it.
The problem with that, is I have no doubt that the Republicans in those states will sue to stop it, and the Supreme Court will ignore what happened in Texas and block it, and then when the Texas Democrats sue to stop the new Texas Map, the court will make up some time issue or something else to protect the new Texas Map
Texas Dems are like Republicans in Massachusetts, Vermont or California. Very irrelevant….
Get a load of those stock prices. Maybe Trump can just decree they have to go up and any losses are "fake news." We already know he's going to start lying about the softening job market and uptick in unemployment. Inflation already on the rise. Trump OWNS this economy.
Meanwhile the MAGAts are cheering the increased taxes WE have to pay under his bonkers tariff regime because they don't understand the tariffs aren't paid the exporting countries, but by us.
I guessing you did not see the market at all today
YUGE gains, took back everything from Friday’s downturn…. Bulls running 😎
Not for long. All the economic signs are for a downturn thanks to Trumpflation.
Ok, yeah, heard lots & lots of that yet we keep hitting ATHs!
The sky is falling the sky is falling 😂
Yes, those job numbers and the uptick inflation are not good signs. Keep whistling pass the graveyard and pretending that the stock market is the economy.
9% inflation incoming!
O no! Wait that was the last guy ( he he he ) 😂
Or like mermaids in Florida
Or like mermaids in Florida
You're right, but this buys them time. And if Texas sees that the effort is futile (it's already unpopular IN Texas) because other states are doing the same thing to counteract this attempt to steal Congress for Trump, that may cause Abbott to back down.
Here's hoping. This crap only adds to the already jaundiced view of government held by the population at large.
So what’s wrong with them slowing down the process, isn’t that what they can do? All over this nation we are asking Democrats to do what they can do and fight back. And you are just nay-saying because …? How does that help?
Why Chris Cillizza is Wrong:
Dude. The certainty with which you made this statement displays a stunning arrogance.
First of all, the denial of a quorum has worked before. In 1979, the "Killer Bees" quorum break was successful in forcing the state to not change its presidential primary date.
Secondly, the quorum break brings attention, and grants time to blue states to start working on plans to do their own map-redraws, and to give federal GOP Members time to weigh-in on the fact that this is going to cost them their seats. It also raises awareness of Democratic voters in Texas, who you are going to need if you hope to turn this into a "Dummy-mander" if it winds up passing.
Thirdly, there is literally no reason why Democrats cannot sustain this. They have more than the numbers needed, so they can rotate in and out of the state at need. They could pretty much do two or three weeks outside the state, and then one week back home. They can't be held and arrested for long periods of time without a judicial order, so that won't work -- and would tie everything up in the court with their appeals. Tom DeLay found out that there are limits to ordering the Texas Rangers to act as a political tool. Also, there is national support and financing this if need be. They can stay at an AirBnB, or hotels, etc. The idea that Abbott can vacate their seats is Constitutionally laughable, and still doesn't solve the problem of a quorum. If anything, vacating their seats would mean that a quorum isn't even possible until those members have been replaced via a special election. Good luck setting a precedent that a governor can just declare any legislator he is angry at to be no longer an office holder, and then holding votes with only members of your own party present. Just asinine logic, and legally it is a complete joke -- but you could sure as hell hold up everything while it worked its way through the courts. So, they just need to be gone through the 30 days of the special election. There is a need to pass flood relief in the state, and that can't get done until the redistricting quorum break goes away. If Abbott just calls another special session, they leave again. Rinse and repeat. Regardless of your assertion, they can't just push back the filing deadlines, as that requires -- guess what -- legislative action. Election deadlines are not set by executive order, but are in statute. At a certain point, counties need to be able to print ballots and prepare for an election, and voters need to know what fricking district they are voting in. Courts do have flexibility in applying the Purcell principle, but at a certain point it really does become too close. I would add that this is seen as a crisis moment for Democrats, and just staying away for a performative length of time, and then just giving in after a month is not going to cut it for most Democratic voters. They are going to expect those representatives to put up with a few months of personal inconvenience in order to prevent an additional two years of unchecked Trump rule. They need to be prepared to pay the price, and I am more than assuming that donors and the party will happily open the wallets to put those folks up in Chicago, Boston, or wherever for as long as is necessary.
The GOP likes to glory in "Liberal Tears". This is a time where Democrats really want to enjoy the reverse, and glory in impotent Republican outrage.
You may wind up being right if the Dems do cave, but it is not a foregone conclusion that they well. This is a bit of an extraordinary moment, and you believing that the normal rules apply is a pretty bold assumption.
You've hit the nail on the head about Arrogance! That is precisely how I felt while listening to this—it was a complete turnoff!
Dems are in a 'Catch 22' situation. Pundits, the media, critics of Democrats, Ds themselves are screaming 'Dems need to 'fight, fight, fight', we're tired of Ds not doing anything', 'Ds bring a plastic spoon to a gun fight', etc.
Then when Ds do something like the Texas Ds, we get the 'it's futile', 'it won't work', 'just doing it for funding', 'take the high road, not the Republican road', 'speeches don't work', etc.
Then Ds in House and Senate get the 'why don't you stop them', etc.
Well folks, we didn't give the Ds anything to fight them with. We were too busy fighting each other that we didn't elect majorities which is the only way to power. We disarmed in 2024. It is time to decide if we are going to do it again in 2026 or if we will decide to take the advice of Texas Paul who said something like this. 'Work like hell for your candidate in the primaries but once a Democratic Candidate is chosen, work like hell to elect them instead of bickering about why you don't like them.'
BTW Chris, you’re rockin’ the smedium tee well. Gary Braun would be proud!
Women's medium
Also, if you’re Deep in the Heart of (my home state), I think you should do your Northeast subscribers a favor and give a first-hand report of a trip to your nearest Buc-ee’s! Would help educate Mr Tony as well…
Buc-ee's is the second most over-hyped thing in Texas, right after the Alamo...the other 4 Missions in San Antonio are much better....
Honestly, not sure if this post makes any sense. Because,I think most supporters know the the outcome. But, are you saying they should do nothing and just roll over without trying to bring attention to what’s happening?
Glad to see a few Democrats fighting. They will eventually lose this battle but hopefully it will lead to other battles which may save American democracy.
I am genuinely disappointed with this post. We should recognize their bravery and give them the credit they deserve for standing up, rather than minimizing their efforts and dismissing them as if they won’t matter.
Chris, attention is exactly why they are doing it -- may not change anything in Texas but may help anger the electorate in Blue States to start this redistricting war to get back 5+ seats -- sad it has come to this, but these Texas congressman do care about their national vote being meaningful so the 218 number is important (for what they believe Texas needs), so it matters!
Those voices opposing this bill in the public hearings from July 24 meant nothing to the Republicans. From reports available they represented the majority of those who participated.
Shouldn’t they be helped to make a stand? Or just let them go home and lose all remaining faith in democracy? It is evident that the system as it is is weak. Laws were created to allow those in power to remain in power. And they keep telling us the need to be in power to make people lives better.
Are people’s lives getting better?
It is time the People rejoin the game - not only on the day of an election - but also everyday and especially today, when they are being reduced to silent slaves - paying their taxes and working to build their community and getting screwed by those in power all day.
Give your energy to the right side