We tried our best to stop it and they continued, they own it. It’s theirs. It’s not our fault in any way. I wish we could be more effective, but they are fighting so dirty.

A cheap and easy way to get clicks. Velshi should be ashamed of himself.

Every time. And those who defend Democrats are the ones who are bullied, harassed and punished. Weird.

Hell no! It works for him, and he and his team do it well and it pisses baby don off! It is a little juvenile, yet funny as hell and it works for him. He brings the 'juvenile' down to tsf's level and shines a light on how childish the 'Prez' of the US really is. I most certainly don't want to see Schumer, Jefferies or Pelosi doing that, they have more important issues at hand, like stopping MAG-gots any way they can under the law.

As the OP shows, there is a lot happening behind the scenes that is every bit as important as to what is happening in front of the camera.

Brilliant at who they are.. BUT Not everyone has to be the same.

And why do some Dems have to be torn down to build others up? Especially Those who are Doing the job they were elected to do.. and doing it well.

Not looking at the Big Picture.. like in 2016 when so many went for Jill Stein's LIES in the Swing States.. not caring about the Supreme Court. That one Thing was Everything.

We Need everybody.. not just those who are Shining now.

TY, she

Many Dems are working full time to resist and not getting credit.
It's hard to be a hero when the decks are stacked against you and the victories are small and never enough.
Yet we need these people and we need to support them.
There needs to be better publicity about what the Dems ARE doing.

Keep in mind that Republicans are afraid to speak up or vote against Trump--even in cases where they disagree with him.
Democrats take a stand despite the risks. And the potential risks are great..

They are brilliant at who they are.

* for no good purpose other than their own entertainment.

Good grief.

the key to this argument is that way too many americans are just lazy and ignorant. they are deceived by social media, a timid main stream media, and their friends and acquaintances. an ignorant electorate is an easily fooled electorate. the same technology that aids in the spread of misinformation can be used to stop it. the internet has the answers and the truth, if one is diligent enough to seek it. you can lead a dolt to a library, but you can’t make him/her read a book.

national TV special, maybe in Washington DC, maybe somewhere else, calling for legislation like trump got in 2017 which waived the automatic 4% cut to Medicare by trump's big chit bill; a healthcare transformation; tax changes; immigration changes, eduction; etc. All of this before the upcoming midterms. They should have done that months ago in some huge national convention.

Fighting is much more than making boring speeches in an empty Senate Chamber, writing letters, ranting about trump, etc.

My guess is we'll just run on the trump and GOPers are vile POS platform. Totally true, but hasn't been very effective for us.

Last edited Sun Aug 31, 2025, 06:13 PM - Edit history (1)

Dems should run on implementing their desires by decree, but with one caveat. All decrees will be rescinded and no more abusive decrees allowed as long as a series of constitutional amendments get passed to prevent such abuses now and in the future. If Dems are making decrees, it should be bipartisan to get behind preventing that by constitutional amendment.

He nailed it

He didn't mention any of the actual things Ds are doing.

are not the leaders in either chamber.
Sorry I agree with Ali on this one.
History has taught me that real change never comes from leadership

There are some Dems doing great work. Leadership is the weakest link, right now.

Seen on a protest sign - Schumer is not a war time consigliere.

So, there's that. He wants to listen more to what she has to say. 🤔Image that, he is giving credence to the issues she raised.

This from my post 45.

For everyone screaming at Velshi, he or his team did see my full thread. They are interested in discussing further. Please stop calling him out on my behalf.

I will let you know if this becomes anything. I really really hope it does.

— Ariella Elm (@ariellaelm.bsky.social) 2025-08-31T19:07:58.462Z

Last edited Mon Sep 1, 2025, 09:25 PM - Edit history (1)

Well as the Dem Reps.

The Real Change comes from All Hands on Deck.. Not Pitting them against each other.

for not doing a better job COVERING what the Democrats are DOING.

And of course the D's are not the leaders in either Chamber. The R's are the leaders because they hold the majorities.

I have watched it twice and shared it on this forum.

It was followed by a long discussion with Norm Ornstein and Jason Stanley. I am still waiting for that segment to show up online, so I can share it.

We lost the White House, the Senate, the House of Representatives and our favorability with the public hovers somewhere under 30%.

Somewhere under 30%.

That set of Democratic Party circumstances tells me something isn’t quite right….in spite of everything our leaders have done.

They don’t agree with the narrative that he’s trying to push.

think about Velshi... doesn't fit in with his Anti-Dem "rant".

not a fan

Please point them all out.

Then why are we getting our asses kicked so badly

Their machine is gaining momentum

narrative. They are always negative toward Democrats.

Some just listen to the soundbites from those that work for the corporate run media. Sadly, there are those that are too frightened about their own job security to seek out the truth, like Colbert, Wallace, Maddow and O'Donnell do. They speak truth to power. Ali should take a lesson.

Ugh.

... presumably for the sport of it and to piss off LOYAL Democrats and folks who know what's going on, and who understand political realities, and folks who do not live in a fantasy world.

Granted, the Dems need to do a better job of blowing their own horn, but the lazy media not doing their job isn't help, either. I guess it's easier to just continue parroting the same narrative, whether or not it's even accurate.

Democrats are usually too busy getting things, not blowing their own horn. And if the media doesn't cover their accomplishments, most people aren't aware it ever happened.

Some payoff or dark money somewhere in all of this.

isn't journalism.

first sentence. Totally corporate hype. He went there.

behaved like a pack of braying hyenas towards Biden EVERY FUCKING DAY for four years, and now butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths, Ali should turn his attention to his OWN PROFESSION. It’s deplorable.

+ 1000, vanlassie. Spot on.

And he would turn around amd answer those questions. Not with an insult, but with a truthful answer.

Mahalo!

BlueSky Priceless Posts, mcar!

This should be Pinned on DU as a Reminder that Anti Dem Vote Suppressing messages have no Place on Democratic Underground.

after the election Earl G gave permission for DU'ers to criticize Democrats (prior to previous policy) because the current situation is so dire. Fixing things is important and one needs to examine and analyze in order to do so.

Second of all - criticism of the Dem leaders does not equal voter suppression...actually quite the opposite.

in the Way Forward.. and it's ad nauseum.

It is Voter Suppression.. We've seen this before in 2016.. strangest thing it drives voters to 3rd fucking party.

Velshi should have opened his eyes more and included all that Dems are doing instead of his "Where's the Party?"

Ariella Elm told him what many in the Party are doing that he didn't seem to be aware of.

And, Good on her and other Activists who Actually Appreciate the Good Work that our Dems are Doing.

and doesn't know what Democrats are doing. He is one of the hardest working people in journalism? Ali Velshi is a perfect example of someone I describe as intellectually rigorous.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220601347

Peace, Cha!

Good to see you!

Fascist tsunami aside the Dems are making strides to go toe to toe with the GOP.

When we lose the country, if we havent already. Sick of peopoe merrick garlanding democrats who want to see something MORE. We get you have done some things, but if trump wins, you are all criminals, and horrible people in the eyes of histroy. Its like these people dont understand what we are up against. They will control the narrative, and you will be remembered as traitors if Trump actually gets away with taking the USA over. Does that make sense?

Does it make sense that if we dont stop him, the participation trophy really doesnt fucking matter?

Dems Winning!

Velshi is Vote Suppressing Dems by his Anti Dem Rants.. conveniently leaving out Exactly How Dems are Fighting for our Country and People.

He devoted two segments today to covering "We the People" who are in the streets protesting all over the country on a daily basis.

And "We the People" includes Dems, Independents, Former Republicans, and current Republicans.

Ariella and I will work together to make sure we are highlighting people who are doing the work of protecting our democracy. I welcome all fair criticism, though I’d prefer less name calling but I’ll take, that, too, if that’s what it takes :-)

— Ali Velshi (@velshi.com) 2025-08-31T19:07:02.094Z

He should be showcasing the work Democrats are doing. I appreciate that he acknowledged that.

I am certain every thing Ariella Elm refers to here is true. Velshi does sound like he is bashing Dems, and he does fail to mention all the things that the Dems are doing. Elm is right about that, too. So we don't care what Velshi says.

However, nobody in meaningful numbers hears about all the things Dems are really doing.

By "fighting", every day the Democratic leadership must be telling people what they are doing. What they are doing is enough to say they are fighting, but they do not say so. They do not corral the media, demand coverage, speak in aggressive or even assertive terms, using the substance of what they are doing as the proof that what they say is true.

That's all that's necessary today and for the moderate future to get this issue off their backs. We know they don't like nazis.

Velshi is talking shallow. What he says is what many people feel, a large number of people but he says nothing to change that feeling, because the feeling is based on impressions, not reality. So Velshi is worthless against the nazis.

The Democratic leadership needs to act like politicians. To a democracy, the politician is a member of a necessary professional class, and that professionalism includes telling people what they are doing on behalf of the people. The Democratic leadership is not doing that, so, in fact, they are not doing their jobs.

Most of what Ms. Elm mentioned was news to me. I just hadn't heard about it. I'm fairly well informed I think, but is it somehow my fault that I don't know everything the elected Democrats and the DNC is doing? Why? What research should I have been doing as a normal retired person who has lots of time on her hands? Balderdash and piffle! This is on them. They need to put their stuff out there and get it noticed.

No one notices you or what you do 'just because'! Democrats should be exhibitionists, prance around for the camera - act a fool if necessary. Stop believing that people will notice what you do just because it's the right thing or a good thing or whatever.

Be loud, be proud - get noticed!

They criticize Democratic candidates (see Harris, Biden, Obama, HRC) for not having any policies or plans when the candidates were all over the country touting their plans.

to take credit when credit is due. I didn't know about 70% of what Ariella Elm posted. Dems need much better PR.
Thank you for the post, mcar.

that Democrats are doing nothing or not enough or too stupid to understand or spineless and so on. Then when presented with what Democrats actually are doing, reluctantly mumble okay, but that's still not enough. Then five minutes later they go and scream Where are the Dems?! and wail about Dems not stopping Republicans while throwing darts at photos of Dem leadership, the Great Satans.

This is stupid.

They are lazy and take the easy way out and blame Democrats for not yelling at clouds. Democrats are in the minority. Elections have consequences —that should be their focus.

her background.

She has a Substack account. It's late and I had no chance to look further.

However, I have posted twice that Ali responded to Ariella and wants to talk further with her.

and the fascists are doing everything they can while shredding the book to pieces. Its like the blue team is playing football by the rulebook while the red team is kicking their ass making up their own rules.

For everyone screaming at Velshi, he or his team did see my full thread. They are interested in discussing further. Please stop calling him out on my behalf.

I will let you know if this becomes anything. I really really hope it does.

— Ariella Elm (@ariellaelm.bsky.social) 2025-08-31T19:07:58.462Z

We shall see.

Last edited Sun Aug 31, 2025, 07:16 PM - Edit history (1)

Fuck that fucking noise...JUST FUCK!!!! THAT

You know "where the fuck are the Democrats?"

They are using the fucking power that the voters fucking gave them...in other words...NOT MUCH.

Where are the fucking patriots? is a more appropriate question.

This fucking evil, distopian, authoritarian shit belongs to the fucking MAGAt voters...and to every God Damned voter who didn't vote for the Democratic ticket because...I don't know...they weren't mean enough to the Israelis, or they said; "yeah, we have the rule of law, so we can't just do whatever the fuck we want to do when we have the majority", or, maybe they said; "we can't just excuse every fucking student loan, or give everyone fucking ponies".

JFC! Asking "where are the Democrats?", is like asking a rape victim; "so, how short was the skirt you were wearing when you were attacked?"

The Democrats are fighting with the tools they have. Short of setting themselves on fire, what do you want?

"Where is Superman? I gave him that fucking kryptonite necklace, so where in the fuck is he?"

I can't wait until Sep/Oct 2026, so I can read all the fucking "DEMs aren't fighting hard enough, or pure enough...let's talk about this Green Party candidate"...and all the "I am not giving a dime to the DNC unless they fullfil my every fucking need" threads on DU.

That is, if I get past all the fucking "Sidney Sweeny is selling soap made out of her bathwater" threads.

LATHER, FUCKING RINSE, FUCKING REPEAT!

I didn’t get my pony, the democrats wouldn’t allow me to speak at the convention, we focus too much on identity politics and they didn’t talk to the working man. Oh yeah she didn’t go talk to Joe Rogan.

Sick to death of it.

You said everything I think when I see that shit.

You really should.

“take down”, more like a defensive response. Not unexpected.

I am tired of Democrats being attacked for doing nothing.

for doing something but not doing it exactly as the critic wants, etc., etc.

All is well, then. We can just keep doing the things we have been doing. You know, the things that got us where we are now.

Carlos Alazraqui said on the Stephanie Miller show that they keep repeating the lies so that it takes hold. We need to keep repeating the truth/facts over and over so that they take hold. It’s Too often, we say it once, like duh it’s the fact, and then leave it there, when we should be shoving it down their throats like the other side is doing with their lies. Repetition is how you break into the long term narrative. Make it catchy and short, aka “Lock her up”. “Build the wall”, “Let’s go Brandon”,“Trumps a felon”, “They are protecting pedophiles”, “My Grandpa was Antifa”, etc. Repetition is how it gets into the zeitgeist. Lather, Rinse, Repeat!

The problem is that we do not have control of the media like Trumpco does. Even on MSNBC, I often hear them parroting RW talking points when interview elected Dems.

... by your tireless diligence in ferreting out this information, but the thing is, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO! Even seemingly small victories should be made public knowledge as soon as they happen, especially in these dire times. Not everyone has the time, the resources, or the inclination, to be a policy wonk. Schumer & Co. should have been shouting these accomplishments from the rooftops! I am certainly reassessing some of my criticisms, to be sure, but somebody at the top of the DNC food chain is not doing their goddam job.This information should have been common knowledge by now, and the fact that it isn't is a disservice to loyal Americans putting themselves in the line of fire to save our democracy.

We need to stop thinking that Dems in the minority nationally, in the LEGISLATIVE branch, can take EXECUTIVE action. It is the constitution that people are mad at and that we actually believe in the constitution, unlike the MAGA cult. Saying WTF are the Dems nationally is like expecting the three sane Justices in the Judicial branch, on the Supreme Court, to write majority opinions right now. The math isn't mathing. That's why we need victory in 2026 and victory in 2028!


https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=20601464

not only hunky, but very dory.

should work like slaves: fighting 24/7, beating their chests, protesting, yelling, violating decorum 24/7, being bullies, shouting, being on TV 24/7, hold rallies all over the country, marching in the streets 24/7 as if they're the union cavalry, be in 100 places at once, oppose Trump, but getting mad when they oppose Trump because Trump shifts his tactics every 10 minutes and the Democrats are opposing what Trump's agenda was 10 minutes ago, stay up all night, skip meals, ignore their families, plus do their day jobs. The list is endless!!!

Was reading about Harry Reid somewhere, he never said goodbye on the phone, didn't like to go on TV or give rallies, yell. He got things done, what an excellent politician! I love that. Smart, damn good at his job. "Leader" is being redefined, I haven't figured out what people want yet. Authoritarian lite? Some kind of Republican envy?

Whining at Democrats to be one way isn't big tent. There are no magic words, no angry public performances that will fix this very complicated problem of extremist insane Republican Party. No magic beans.

Her Linked In doesn't show anything and if she worked for an elected official or if she was a delegate to the DNC or a party insider, she would put that on. (They all do, because they're always putting their info out there, because networking and because there is high turnover in those positions) She's active on SM and I've even come across her reels on FB previously.

She's very astute and focused! Good for her!

... they laughably and incorrectly characterize loyalty and defense of the Democratic party as "fealty" but it's all just projection, because in reality the only "fealty" here is from the other, and it's being given to just one person. It's all very cultish.

I think it's worth noting that those who refrain from praise of the anointed-one, or who remain indifferent, unimpressed and non-committal are often accused by his fan-base of "attacking him". (Perhaps in comparison to their ridiculous over-the-top adoration and cheer-leading... someone showing a bit of neutrality might seem--to them--as being an attack. But just noting this really helps to put things in perspective and it exposes what a warped view of reality they have on that side.)

Demands have been made continually that "Democrats should hold a press conference (or hearing) with the Epstein victims".

So when one such an event is announced and posted about, it gets a yawn -

Khanna and Massie to hold press conference with Epstein victims

And yes Massie is a retiring GOPer but Ro Khanna is a Democrat, and both are trying to keep the EPSTEIN FILES issue "in the news" while the GOP is furiously trying to bury it. And this is especially since it is at the core of the loon QAnon CT nonsense, and had been used as a RW and corporate media cudgel against Democrats for the past decade, with "pizzagate" and other crazy stuff.

I search through at least 3 dozen news sites daily to post about what Democrats ARE doing. The M$M often refuses to publish anything our elected officials do (or even anything about those organizations that affiliate with us and/or with causes that we support), and it falls on local media to do that. I.e., those local broadcast and print media outlets DO often report on those town halls that Democrats host in red districts, but the likes of AP or CNN or even MSNBC, ignore these because they would rather spend half their column inches and air time on 2 multimillionaire entertainers (Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce), who have been foisted into the news cycle once again, in an obsessive and unhealthy way to "distract". Their idea of "Bread and Circuses".

And as a local note here in Philly, right now a young, black gay firebrand elected PA state House member - Malcolm Kenyatta - (who has been posted about on DU a few times) is literally walking a 105 mile route from Philly to PA's state capital in Harrisburg, to protest the loon GOP state Senate here, who are not only holding up passage of the PA state Budget (that was overdue for passage since June 30), but who refuse to help fund the state's biggest mass transit systems - notably here in Philly, where dozens of bus, trolley, trackless trolley, subway, commuter train routes have been eliminated and fares increased (yesterday a judge put a TRO on the latest set of cuts/fare increases for now but the earlier stuff remains). And this applies to the current federal government that has slashed and burned funding for transit systems as well.

It is cheap and easy for MSM to continue the "Dems are doing nothing" lies rather than do the actual work of researching what they are doing and, oh yes, reporting on it.

I pointed that out to Velshi on Bluesky. He responded quite defensively, but did respond. It was a short while later that he agreed to communicate with Ariella Elm.

Here's another example: I was listening to Ana Cabreras' show on MSNBC the other day. She was reporting on Trump's threat to send NG to Baltimore and the back and forth between him, Gov. Moore, and the Balty Mayor. She then interviewed the mayor.

Her entire line of questioning was based on Trump's false framing of Baltimore as a "hellhole" of crime. She did say that crime had gone down, but really challenged the mayor on what he's doing to fight crime and why shouldn't he welcome Federal help?

The mayor did a good job but was dealing with a media "when did you stop beating your wife" moment. Never once did Ana point out that crime was higher in "red" cities.

I'm so old, I remember Judy Woodruff on PBS News Hour. First she'd interview a Republican about an issue. Then she'd have a Democrat on to respond to the claims (usually false) that the Republican had made. It was never the other way around.

Do I think Woodruff is a right winger? No. She's an excellent journalist. It's the favoritism toward Republicans that has permeated all levels of media.

They have been going around cherry-picking Democrats in these cities, some who are just politically unaware and others who I expect are "plants" who have declared that they "welcome" an invasion of military in their cities.

And with all of this, despite repeating that "crime has gone down" (yet never telling you WHY - much of it thanks to legislation that Biden pushed for and got passed that provided funds to deal with the "root of the problem" ), they ignore the "why" and who pushed for it.

So instead of focusing on what has been done to get the rates down, they find what is normal "crime" that happens every day in a city or suburb, and will amplify it to say "OMG SEE????? CRIME!!!11!!!11!!" and it's in a "'Democrat' city!!!11!!1!!".

So then what happened to the CDC anti-vax nut shooter story? That was quickly shoved out of the news cycle, even as CDC employees have begged for some kind of protection. But they are obviously in the process of being dismantled and discarded, as their presence is considered "Waste. Fraud. Abuse". Plus that happened in a "red state".

fall for the false framing. Yep, the CDC shooter got about 5 minutes of coverage, the Minneapolis school shooting got a day, the assassination of the MN legislator and her husband? What's that?

But Big Balls gets "carjacked" and the NG is swarming DC, arresting hoagie throwers and spreading mulch. And the media is hyper focused on crime.

Media is either not capable of doing actual reporting or they just don't care. It's cheap and easy to just keep saying "WTF are the Dems!!11"

some of the more conscientious "journalists", walking away (or even fired), and doing their own "podcasts" or "substacks" or other, "alternate media" reporting.

The corporate heads of the M$M have decided not to "rock the boat" and naturally, Democrats are bearing the brunt of the result of that. And it is particularly sad when those who you think were more "fair" with their reporting, fall for the manufactured narrative and false-framing, with some supposed "noble goal" of providing "critique", but instead, doing nothing more than regurgitating right-wing talking points.

Ali specifically took "Democratic leadership" to task.
So when you say he misses what individual senators (Van Hollen), reps (McGovern), or voters are doing, you are not arguing with him.

And to anyone saying that this suppress Democratic voters: Republicans are suppressing Democratic voters. They have been since at least the 2000 election (50,000+ in Florida alone that year). Crosscheck purged millions, and repugs concentrated on swing states this past election, purging close to 4 million.

Yes, corporate media is working hard against us, with the exception of a few people on MSNBC and online.

Yes, Republicans are fighting really dirty.

Ok, there are some initiatives that Democratic leadership are doing.

Is it working? No, so we all need to do more. Including the DNC, Schumer, and Jefferies. We don't get a participation prize in this contest.

and domestic has gone before the floor mic and called the orange convict and his crew domestic enemies. Go beyond stern words to fighting words. Nazi Stephen miller has called us extremist and enemies. We need to label them domestic enemies.

We are actually a majority on population, we are fighting to preserve/restore democratic norms this administration have recklessly trashed, and are using the courts to block and reverse lawless moves but this administration. We are fighting back in the media as well. There is a conspiracy to portray the Democratic Party as unpopular, ineffectual, and out of date. These are lies.

Follow ups to follow up questions.
Call lies lies.
Point out that if you are supporting Trump you are a fascist, too.

.... benefits, benefits, benefits, benefits, benefits, benefits, benefits, benefits. ARE you crazy? I'm staying right here until hell freezes over.

"vaunted" opinion.

I call bullshit. No worries.. I sure as hell will NOT "listen:.

Mahalo