We have every reason to be hopeful, but no reason to be complacent
April 2, 2025
From 2017 through 2024, I frequently used the closing tagline, “We have every reason to be hopeful, but no reason to be complacent.” I haven’t used that closing since Kamala Harris’s loss on November 5, 2024—because I feared that readers would react negatively to the optimism in the statement.
As of Tuesday evening, it is appropriate to resurrect the long-standing, optimistic closing. Between the Florida and Wisconsin election results and Senator Cory Booker’s astounding filibuster in the Senate, everyone who values the rule of law should be looking forward to 2026 and 2028 with new confidence and hope.
Indeed, the electoral results in Florida and Wisconsin were so strong that Democrats have reason to hope for relief long before 2026. Dozens of Republicans who won their 2024 races by less than 15 points should reconsider their unquestioning commitment to Trump and Musk. The American people have given Republicans a job review that is tantamount to a “second warning” before termination.
The electoral results in Florida are encouraging despite the losses by Democrats seeking to flip seats in the House. Although votes are still being counted, it appears that both Josh Weil (FL 06) and Gay Valimont (FL 01) cut in half the 2024 winning margins of the Republicans who vacated those seats (NSA Mike Waltz and failed US Attorney nominee Matt Gaetz). Politico, Republicans win — but underperform — in both Florida special elections. The Florida results reflect the surge of voter anti-Trump-Doge-Musk sentiment sweeping the nation.
Susan Crawford’s successful bid for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court is encouraging on many levels.
First, it is a tremendous victory for the people of Wisconsin, who can heave a collective sigh of relief that their civil liberties will be protected by an enlightened state supreme court that will adhere to the rule of law.
Second, we have witnessed the outer limits of the corrupting influence of Musk’s obscene and malign fortune. Musk invested $25 million in his attempt to buy a seat on the Wisconsin supreme court—an investment that does not include payments to Wisconsin voters for performing a civic duty.
Third, Susan Crawford’s resounding victory serves as a strong rebuke to the lawless policies and mean-spirited, rapacious dismantling of social services and intellectual treasure of the federal government that protects the health and safety of all Americans.
Fourth, Susan Crawford’s strong win serves as a personal rebuke of Elon Musk, who lacked the self-awareness to understand that injecting himself into the race hurt the GOP candidate and boosted Susan Crawford’s prospects. As an added bonus, Musk will forever be branded as a loser in Trump's eyes. And the photo of Musk awkwardly leaping into the air wearing a cheese-hat will be his legacy.
For an excellent analysis of why Musk is the “biggest loser” in Wisconsin on Tuesday evening, see Dan Moynihan’s discussion in To the Contrary, The Biggest Loser in Wisconsin.
Moynihan writes,
Musk’s candidate lost by about 10 points. In Wisconsin terms, that is a landslide. By contrast, a GOP-backed referendum to add voter ID to the constitution, intended to boost Schmiel, passed. Dems won a less visible race, for State Superintendent for education, but only by about five percent even with an incumbent candidate. All signs suggest that Musk was a drag, rather than a boost, to the candidate he invested so much personal and financial capital into. [¶¶]
The change in the national mood is real. Sometimes political leaders direct followers, and sometimes they are directed by their followers. And right now, voters are angry and want pushback against the Trump-Musk agenda.
All in, it was a very good day for Democrats.
In the Senate, Cory Booker’s 25-hour speech from the floor of the Senate was in equal measure majestic and poignant, plain-spoken and brilliant, fiery and tender. He gave Democrats a reason to hope about the future of the resistance in the Democratic Party. Rather than whining about “being the minority” and “having no legislative power,” he used his only political asset: His voice.
And did he ever use his voice! Senator Booker did what desperate Democrats have been begging their leaders to do: Speak up, make good trouble, raise a ruckus, and rally the faithful! Senator Booker did so in a way that surpassed everyone’s expectations. It was his finest moment.
Senator Booker ended his speech with these words:
This is a moral moment. It is not left or right. It is right or wrong. Let’s get in good trouble. Madame President, I yield the floor.
The above closing was delivered after 25 hours of non-stop “on-his-feet” filibustering. An obviously exhausted Senator Booker nonetheless delivered an emotional and powerful closing. See ABC News / YouTube, Cory Booker ends record-breaking Senate speech with tribute to late John Lewis.
By daring to step into a leadership role in the resistance, Senator Booker is now the Senate Minority Leader in all but name only. Chuck Schumer should do the right thing and step aside.
And Senator Booker has placed himself at the head of the Democratic presidential pack for 2028. Good! Senator Booker’s historic effort should motivate other Democrats to engage in bolder, more aggressive pushback than has been the status quo in Congress to date.
And there is evidence that Democrats understand that more leadership is needed from everyone in the party. They are establishing a “Social Security war room” to help coordinate efforts to stop the GOP’s secret plan to gut Social Security. See Axios, Senate Democrats to launch Social Security war room. (“Senate Democrats will launch a war room Tuesday dedicated to fighting back against the Department of Government Efficiency's cuts to Social Security.”)
As Senator Booker was speaking on the Senate floor, House Democrats were holding a “shadow hearing” on the Republican assault on Social Security. See WNEM Michigan, Democrats hold hearing on Social Security. And Senators Warren and Schumer held a press conference in which they assailed the GOP stealth plan to dismantle Social Security.
In another welcome sign of resistance on Tuesday, Senator Adam Schiff announced that he is placing a hold on the confirmation of acting US Attorney Ed Martin in the District of Columbia. See Statement: Sen. Schiff Announces Hold on D.C. U.S. Attorney Nominee Ed Martin.
Senator Schiff said the following in announcing the hold:
No one embodies Donald Trump’s personal weaponization of the Justice Department more than Ed Martin. He is unfit to serve as a lawyer, let alone one with the resources – and cover from the Senate – to further twist the power of the law and law enforcement to go after Americans who stand up for the rule of law and for our democracy.
With all of the power I am afforded as a United States Senator, I intend to place a hold on his nomination and block attempts to jam through his appointment at every stage.”
That’s exactly what we need from Senate Democrats—and more of it!
While Republicans may ultimately be able to overcome Senator Schiff’s hold, it will consume significant time and effort, while giving all Senate Democrats a platform on the floor to attack Ed Martin.
All of the above suggests that Americans are disgusted with Trump's agenda of revenge and destruction. Despite the reasons for hope, we cannot be complacent. Instead, we must redouble our efforts. Trump isn’t letting up despite his losses on Tuesday. We must not let up either. But we should move forward with a new spring in our step and confidence in our hearts!
Trump continues the cuts that fueled the GOP's weak electoral showing on Tuesday
Even as voters punish and warn Trump and Musk to stop their dismantling of government programs, Trump continues his rampage unabated.
On Wednesday, Trump will announce a new round of tariffs, which will likely inject new uncertainty into the stock markets (never a good thing for stock prices). See The Guardian, Trump set to announce new round of tariffs on his so-called ‘liberation day’.
And the tariffs follow massive layoffs and forced retirements across Health and Human Services. The cuts will approximate 25% of HHS’s staff—which account for less than 1% of its budget. See AP, Mass layoffs are underway at the nation's public health agencies.
The cuts will affect the FDA, NIH, and CDC. See AP, Here's where jobs and programs are being cut at the nation's top health agencies.
According to a report from Rachel Maddow on Tuesday evening (which I cannot independently verify), the HHS cuts will close all HHS programs that provide care and support for Alzheimer’s victims and their families. If true, this is a particularly cruel and heartless move, especially given that the savings will be converted into tax cuts for billionaires and millionaires.
These cuts—and more to come—will continue to fuel the resistance to larger scale and greater involvement by Americans. That resistance will eventually stop Trump’s campaign of revenge and destruction.
Law Firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher surrenders to Trump
The law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher surrendered in advance to Trump, agreeing to work for Trump for free while dismantling diversity and inclusion programs. Willkie Farr is the law firm where Kamala Harris’s husband works. See Reuters, Doug Emhoff's law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher reaches deal with Trump.
The law firm released a statement saying that it would donate $100 million of pro bono legal services to areas specified by Trump that, inter alia, reflect “conservative ideals.”
Per the firm’s press release,
Willkie’s pro bono Committee will ensure that new pro bono matters are consistent with these objectives, and that pro bono activities represent the full political spectrum, including Conservative ideals.
Trump should have NO role in determining which clients Wilkie Farr represents. Willkie Farr’s surrender to Trump is disgraceful.
And in case Doug Emhoff doesn’t realize what just happened, Willkie Farr has fired him by making it impossible for him to stay. He should have quit before the deal was announced. The sooner he quits the firm, the better for all concerned.
Concluding Thoughts.
It was a good day—and there will be more to come. We arrived at this pivotal moment because you raised your voices in protest and resistance. You should be proud of yourselves! Take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished.
For the first time in five months, I feel confident in saying, “We have every reason to be hopeful, but no reason to be complacent.”
Talk to you tomorrow!
Daily Dose of Perspective
A big day deserves a big galaxy—the Andromeda Galaxy, our nearest “complete spiral” neighbor, located more than 2 million light years from Earth.
A big pat on the back to the many who worked to support the campaigns of Gay Valimont and Josh Weil in Florida and Judge Susan Crawford in Wisconsin--through donations and getting out the vote with postcards, letters, texts, and phone calls!
"First, it is a tremendous victory for the people of Wisconsin, who can heave a collective sigh of relief that their civil liberties will be protected by an enlightened state supreme court that will adhere to the rule of law."
Ever since the 2012 recall effort to remove Trump-before-Trump Gov. Scott Walker, Democrats in Wisconsin have been working their hearts out to take back their state. They've done well state wide. Step by step. In part through the formidable organizing strategy/tactics of Ben Wikler.
(ThankYou a millions WI for saving all of Western Civilization;)