The momentum shifts in favor of Democrats
June 5, 2024
For the first time, it appears that the reconciliation bill may fail in its current form. That dawning recognition was followed by a series of court losses that apparently infuriated Trump, who promptly unleashed another series of illegal, retaliatory executive orders.
There is much ground to cover, and I spent most of the day driving to our remote cabin, pouring concrete to repair winter damage to a fire pit, and digging out a long-abandoned cesspool in our front yard that collapsed over the winter. Together with a “hard stop” to my internet access at 9 pm Pacific, I must be brief.
The reconciliation bill received two body blows on Wednesday. The Congressional Budget Office released a report that said the bill would increase the deficit by $2.4 trillion and force 10.9 million people off insurance.
Because the CBO report exposed the lies Republicans have been peddling about the reconciliation bill, Republican congressional leaders attacked the expertise and neutrality of the non-partisan CBO.
Then Elon Musk resumed his attack on the reconciliation bill, tweeting,
Call your Senator, Call your Congressman,
Bankrupting America is NOT ok!
KILL the BILL.
To be clear, Musk is not concerned about the provisions of the bill that will harm tens of millions of Americans. He is focused only on the increase in the deficit.
The double blow of the CBO report and Musk’s tweet attack emboldened some Republicans to begin speaking out against the reconciliation bill. Per a local Fox affiliate,
Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Ron Johnson, R-W.Va., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., along with Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Scott Perry, R-Pa., have all voiced concern about the bill, which the White House has promoted as the “most essential piece of legislation.’
The incipient threat to the reconciliation bill sent Trump into a rage-fueled tailspin in which he dashed off patently illegal executive orders and floated removing the debt ceiling as a way of distracting from his failing legislative agenda.
In quick order, Trump
Banned travel from twelve African nations and imposed severe restrictions on seven other nations around the world. NYTimes, Trump Signs Travel Ban on Citizens From 12 Countries: ‘We Don’t Want Them’ (Accessible to all.)
Banned entry into the US by international students with visas to study at Harvard. NYTimes, Trump Restricts Harvard’s International Students From Entering U.S. (Accessible to all.)
Threatened Columbia University’s accreditation (based on alleged failure to address antisemitism), a threat that would cut off all federal student loans for Columbia students. BBC, Trump administration threatens Columbia University's accreditation.
Proposed removing the cap on the US national debt. Politico, Trump calls for scrapping debt limit, in megabill twist.
Ordered an investigation to determine if President Biden and his aides covered up Biden’s mental state.
There is more, but I must move on.
Trump loses multiple cases on Wednesday.
Trump lost several significant court rulings on Wednesday. Judge Boasberg certified the class of Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador and ruled that they are entitled to due process to seek habeas corpus.
The First Circuit Court of Appeals refused to lift an injunction issued by a lower court that found Trump's effort to dismantle the Department of Education was unconstitutional and illegal. Trump cannot proceed with gutting US Education Department, court rules
Political donation fatigue.
Democrats gave until it hurt in 2024. And then the party substituted in Kamala Harris as its presidential candidate, and Democrats gave until it hurt, again. We supported key races in the US Senate like those of Jon Tester, Sherrod Brown, and Colin Allred with hundreds of millions of dollars. We supported GOTV efforts with tens of millions of dollars in key states like North Carolina, Florida, and Arizona. And we supported state and local races across the nation. It was a lot. We rose to the occasion. If asked to do so again, we should do so without hesitation.
Although we achieved some success in 2024, the presidential loss felt like a gut punch that colored every outcome—victories and defeats alike. We needed a minute to catch our breath, lick our wounds, decompress, and take our bearings.
But before the 2024 election results were final, the tide of fundraising emails and texts began to inundate our cell phones and computers. “Can you chip in $3 dollars so I can fight Trump?” Or, “I need to raise $870 by midnight to reach our goal.” Democratic candidates, office holders, and their fundraising arms were relentless and out of touch. People rightly exploded in anger and suspended political giving for several months.
When Trump began his reign of terror in January and February 2025, complacent and flat-footed Democrats in Congress began begging for money again, using the national emergency as a fundraising opportunity. Then DOGE layoffs and budget cuts swept across the nation, the markets wobbled, 401k retirement accounts buckled, and people began to worry as never before about their financial security.
On top of it all, when Democrats did donate to candidates and causes, the official Democratic fundraising organization ActBlue, seemed to turn donors into instant shark chum. A single donation could trigger a swarm of follow-on emails and texts asking tapped-out donors to give again.
Readers of this newsletter have told me repeatedly that they are fatigued and angry at the constant harping for donations and the scare-tactics used by professional fundraisers hired by candidates.
The fatigue and anger are justified. Democrats need a break—or at least to be treated with respect and civility in the fundraising process.
It is an inevitable fact of life that Democrats must fund candidates at the state and local if we are to defend the rule of law and reclaim our constitutional democracy.
What to do?
First, protect your mental health. Respond with “STOP” to every uninvited text and click “unsubscribe” at the bottom of every unsolicited email asking for money. I am not saying, “Stop giving,” I am saying, “Train the algorithm to leave you alone.”
Second, give intentionally and, when possible, in community. Groups like The States Project / Giving Circles allow people to come together in community to decide which candidates and what causes deserve their support. Look for guidance from your Indivisible group, PostCardstoVoters group, or activist groups like Markers for Democracy. Or join presentations from groups that specialize in identifying promising candidates like The Senate Circle, 31st Swing Left, or Focus for Democracy.
Third, don’t allow yourself to be pushed into giving more (or at all) than is comfortable. I have begun telling groups that I promote in this newsletter that I will do so only if there is a “low cost” option for their fundraiser—e.g., $25 or less. It is not enough that a fundraiser has an “Other” box for entering a different amount (which frequently follows the top tier suggested donation).
I want to help groups to help you identify worthy candidates and causes, but everyone who chooses to give at any level must be welcome at events I promote. If suggesting an entry-level minimum of $100 or $250 is a group’s fundraising strategy, that is a legitimate choice, but it isn’t consistent with the spirit of this newsletter community.
I invite all readers to add their voice to this discussion in the Comment section. (Open to all.) Expressing feelings of frustration and anger is understandable, but extra points to those who recommend positive strategies to help make the process of donating less painful and more productive.
Concluding Thoughts.
The momentum shifted dramatically against Trump on Wednesday, and he is thrashing about, seeking to divert attention from his mounting losses. His wild actions are illegal and unconstitutional and will be invalidated—just like most of his executive orders. The courts continue to exceed expectations!
We have the opportunity to defeat the reconciliation bill and force Republicans to negotiate with Democrats over the budget. That outcome is not assured, but for the first time in months, it is a possibility. Keep calling your Senators and Representatives! And show up in force on June 6 (D-Day Anniversary) and June 14 (No Kings Day.)
Great work, everyone!
Talk to you tomorrow!
How many times do we have to type STOP to really have these messages to be less…begging? I’ve given and given and at some point the well goes dry. My patience has certainly been tested. So far I’m still getting the begging letters from so many Democrats that I’d have to be Elon Musk to be able to fund them all. Yes, they are worthy, and yes, we must be willing to be supportive, but criminally, give us a break. And quit with the “I’m disappointed with you” message. It’s frankly insulting.
Thank you, I am so impressed that you managed to find time for another thoughtful and inspirational newsletter despite everything else that you have going on!