by Eileen Powell

It seems like the only time  Democrats can find microphones and television cameras is when they are going after one of their own! So everyone doesn’t agree on the way to move forward…surely, you have heard the phrase, “don’t air your dirty laundry in public!”

Case in point: the GOP didn’t need to come up with a platform against then President Joe Biden in 2024 because the Democrats provided it for them. How do you think Republicans came up with the tag, “Sleepy Joe?” Each day after the first debate with Trump there were new headlines about Democrats calling on Joe Biden to withdraw from the race.

So, rather than think first about supporting Biden and going after Trump, recognizing that if Biden couldn’t fulfill another term, then we would have Kamala Harris to carry the ball, we ended up with dictator wannabe Donald Trump. Thank you so much!

Another case where, rather than think it through, Democrats were quick to grab the spotlight to demand that Chuck Schumer step down as Minority leader in favor of someone younger and more progressive. Why? Because one leg of the party thought he should agree with some other appendages to shut down the Federal government. Actually, what Trump, and his then sidekick Elon Musk, were trying to do was shut down the government! What a gift to Trump that would have been!

One wonders if Democrats know that the only federal branch of the government that remains open in a government shut-down is the Executive; the lower courts could operate, but not the federal. It has been the federal courts that have worked hard to stop Trump’s dismantling of our constitution. Without them Trump would have free rein to do whatever, whenever. He could also blame the Democrats for the carnage.

What’s the Solution?

There are some brave Democrats who are courageously standing up, but most can’t agree on the way out of the mess that is happening to our beloved country.

 Some are whining that the answer to winning is in getting young people to run. Others believe that we need experience instead of youth. Then there’s the group that believes we should focus on rural communities,while still others think we must reach out to the middle class. Why do we know this? Democrats air every thought they have.

This lawless president has 34 felony convictions. He led an insurrection against the United States of America on January 6^th, and has since pardoned everyone who took part in that horrible display, including those who beat policemen with the American flag. Can Democrats come together against Donald Trump?

Why not talk about what Trump is doing as the President? If you are unhappy that our country is now turned over to this fascist who has no regard for the suffering he is inflicting on so many, talk about that.

Whoever the candidates will be in the next election, here’s an idea: get together behind them to win. If you watch football you know that when the quarterback on the other team has the ball and is running toward the goal, the job of the opposing team is to take him down before he scores.

Democrats’ job now is to take Trump down before he scores any more wins. Find a microphone! Find a television camera. Talk to your neighbors! Show up at meetings! When you open your mouths publicly, it better be against Trump and his team, not our team.

Not anymore.

Eileen Powell is known affectionately (maybe not by everyone) in her community as the opinionated Yankee liberal. She rather enjoys the title having worked hard to earn it by writing countless letters to the editors of the local papers in support of Democrat office holders, candidates and ideals.

Bob Gatty Author, Podcaster, Blogger

For many years, Bob Gatty worked as a writer, editor, and communications consultant, based on the Washington, DC area with a focus on government and politics. He began at The Pittsburgh Courier, an African American weekly, covering crime and the courts. His salary was $55 per week before moving on to two local Pennsylvania dailies. At age 24, he began reporting for United Press International covering state politics in Pennsylvania and then New Jersey, where he was UPI’s state capitol bureau in Trenton.

Tempted by the allure of Washington, DC and big-time politics, at age 29 Bob became press secretary and chief of staff for two Congressmen – first Republican Edwin B. Forsythe, and then Democrat James J. Florio, who later became governor of New Jersey and until his recent death was a frequent podcast guest and co-host of Bob’s NFN Radio News podcast (now called Lean to the Left).

After seven years on Capitol Hill, Bob opened a communications business in Washington, first providing political media consulting to candidates and then freelance Washington coverage for business and trade magazines, plus creative communications services for trade and professional associations, including social media. This work involved articles and analyses of key governmental developments affecting businesses, such as the food and Health industries, retailing, and the environment.

His work as a communications consultant to trade and professional associations included launching and editing association publications, providing website content and social media assistance, and covering conferences and conventions.

Bob retired from G-Net Strategic Communications in 2016 and moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where he launched his blog site, first called Not Fake News, now known as Lean to the Left.

Hijacked Nation
In August, 2020, Bob and co-author Chris Waldron, one of Lean to the Left's most loyal and prolific contributor, published "Hijacked Nation-Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness," a two-volume compilation of blogs regarding Trump's presidency and the consequences for our nation. A followup volume was published by Luna Global Media in September 2024. It is available at https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7 .

In all three volumes, blogs from Not Fake News and Lean to the Left create a virtual play-by-play of key actions of the Trump administration and Congress. For more information, please visit https://leantotheleft.net/books/, and visit Bob's Author's Page on Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bob-Gatty/author/B08C7HWXZ5?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=4e603563-7251-4074-b54d-40800c4ce40a.

The Lean to the Left Podcast
The Lean to the Left podcast provides commentary and interviews with newsmakers and others with interesting stories to tell. Video and audio podcasts stream twice weekly on major channels. More info at https://podcast.leantotheleft.net.

The Lean to the Left YouTube Channel
You'll find all of the audio tracks for the Lean to the Left Podcast here plus original videos, including complete video versions of each podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft.