80 Comments
User's avatar
Victoria Pawlick's avatar

This is exactly what needs to be said. I have been on numerous social media, political and financial websites and have never seen so many comments from Democrats say they are changing their affiliation to Independent because the Dems, with the few exceptions you mentioned, are doing nothing. Does the Dem leadership really believe they can win the midterms with the weakness they have shown? Capitulating to Trump and MAGA is going to sink their chances in 2026. People are furious - not only with Trump et al but also with the Dems. Everyday my email is filled with a hundred or more requests for money from Democratic politicians and groups. I have given thousands of dollars per year in the past to these requests but will not give one more penny until I see some vigorous action opposing the sh#tstorm we are experiencing. Thank you for expressing so eloquently what MILLIONS of us are feeling.

Expand full comment
Lisa Charles's avatar

Thank you. The only Dems who earn my donation are the progressives whose work deserves it(none to lying sack of sh.. Fetterman. And going forward only those brave enough to do their job for us.

Expand full comment
Elle J's avatar

What good does changing their affiliation do though? It’s performative.

Expand full comment
Victoria Pawlick's avatar

Seems like much of politics today is performative. I think changing affiliation expresses to the Dem leadership that people have lost faith in the party to represent their interests and values. This could translate into an unwillingness to support Dem candidates with their time and money. Regardless, it is not a positive development for the party.

Expand full comment
Bill Ejzak's avatar

Where is the Democratic political leadership? The people are ready to take to the streets. Where are the student protesters on university campuses? We must act before the orange turd destroys our constitution, our democracy, the rule of law, our institutions, our people, our country. The orange turd is implementing Project 2025 after disavowing it during the campaign. Time to break through the pernicious make believe of the orange turd’s lies. Who will lead the way?

Expand full comment
Marie Newman's avatar

We all need to speak up - somebody will emerge. Pressure works every time

Expand full comment
Beth Ashton-Mierzwa's avatar

AOC!!!! She has the balls to start leading us in a direction. Then one will rise after that to bring us out of this shit storm. IF we make it. IF. Having 12000+ nuclear weapons world wide, f..king around like the current administration is doing is dangerous beyond words.

Expand full comment
Donna Hepburn's avatar

You are fantastic Marie Newman!!!!

I've taken the liberty to copy your Substack opinion verbatim to senior Democratic leadership. I've asked my social network to do the same.

Expand full comment
Nancy Folgmann's avatar

Where Is KAMALA? She hasn't said anything since conceding. Where are all the donors? The millions of people who did vote, knock on doors, donated are being left in the dust. Yes, we are scared, but we are energized to FIGHT and fight back.

Expand full comment
Lindsey Ferreira's avatar

Kamala doesn’t owe us 💩. Only 30% of the population bothered to vote and of that 53% of white women while 92% of Black women voted for Kamala. I’m not the biggest fan of Kamala(I voted for her), but she endured more hate, racism, sexism, misogynoir, and threats of violence against her during the Biden presidency and election than any human should endure. She did her job. She tried warning us, but over 100M people (including those who chose not to vote) gave her the middle finger. Kamala doesn’t owe us 💩.

Additionally, that question is marinated in racism and misogynoir, and if you don’t understand why, you need to deconstruct from white supremacy and learn its tenants.

Expand full comment
Alison Eccleston's avatar

Actually there have been marches you just won’t hear about them on Fox.

Expand full comment
Amy Rubin's avatar

Thank you for articulating what I and millions of others have been feeling. I’m re-energized by your words and will spend some time today sending the message to my Democratic Congressman and Senators.

Expand full comment
Suzanne's avatar

P thank you so much this meant everything in the world for me to read!! I have been finding comfort and information in the attorneys that have been sharing what they know and what they are trying to do! I have called my Representatives I have called my AG's office, I am trying to do what I can as one citizen in a red state 😡 please, please help us! It is so well stated in this article we are all behind you!

Expand full comment
Marie Newman's avatar

We all need to speak up! Good on you! keep going! Here's my Fight Back Guide:

https://marienewman.substack.com/p/the-2025-every-day-every-body-every?r=1siuym

Expand full comment
Christopher's avatar

It is time Congressman Hakeem Jeffries leads all the Democrat Congresspersons out on the steps of the Capitol and support the real “contract with America” called the Constitution of the United States.

Expand full comment
Gordy's avatar

Watched Chuck Schumer press conference talking about Trumps pause on spending, fell asleep. Klobucher and another person in background giggling. Schumer is not inspirational, definitely not a man of action. These people have to go, leaders lead, this group does not, no connection with the people. They serve the donors and that is who they connect with. Bernie, Khana, AOC and others in the group need to step forward and lead, filling the vacuum.

Expand full comment
william beaulieu's avatar

Schumer is a corporate Democrat.

Expand full comment
Jeanne Elbe's avatar

Ow say it to their faces. Do a “I must say the leadership is MIA so like on a battlefield I must take command speech. We are ready, you are ready. Tell them to get going to their faces. At one of your meetings.

Expand full comment
Marie Newman's avatar

Yes! I have and it works.

Expand full comment
Brent Abrahamson's avatar

💯 This is precisely what we need. We citizens are getting angry. You mentioned good people to bring the message. Some of the old guard needs to step up or get out of the way! Thank you. https://brentabrahamson1.substack.com/p/true-blue?r=3tcdr4

Expand full comment
william beaulieu's avatar

Part of the problem is a corporate media that literally created the character of Donald Trump as a successful businessman. Millions of Americans think that "Celebrity Apprentice" was a documentary, and they are similarly misinformed about many other issues.

Expand full comment
Kathy Freeman's avatar

Thank you Marie, we'll said. We also I need to encourage voters to flood their Senators & Reps with phone calls. Let them know we demand that they work for "the people".

Expand full comment
Ellen's avatar

Thank you for these amazing recommendations to our leadership. They need to act NOW and include all of those helpers you referenced! All hands on deck…as you stated, tell us what you need, we are ready. Asking for $$ is getting very old. We need to see ACTION - nonstop. Fight, fight, fight.

Expand full comment
TeeJAY's avatar

This essay is SPOT ON‼️‼️‼️‼️ Marie Newman makes excellent suggestions that Dems should heed.

This post needs to be read and shared widely, especially to ALL elected Dems, who must get a backbone and begin to FIGHT‼️‼️‼️ please SHARE!

Expand full comment
Joan Metz's avatar

Thank you for saying this and sharing it. I am so disappointed and disheartened by the MIA elected democrat politicians who are so silent right now. I wonder, did you hear from any of them after sending this?

I am guessing not.

We need leaders!!

Expand full comment
Marie Newman's avatar

I did . I think we are starting to see some strength

Expand full comment
John pauli's avatar

Yes, if they would only read and listen.

Expand full comment
Georgi's avatar

I emailed this to those it was addressed to, hoping they actually read it. A few wouldn't allow anyone outside of their district contact them though. Thank you for writing this.

Expand full comment
MN KAP's avatar

I’m from MN and can send to Klobuchar. There is an ongoing standoff in the MN House right now- Repubs were running sham committees, elected a sham Speaker all because they decided to take power with 50% membership, NOT 50% +1 for quorum. Our Supreme Court weighed in and they won’t promise to seat a duly elected Dem because they want a Special Election do-over because he only won by 14 votes. I’m a state Rep and we’ve been not showing up at the Capitol to prevent their heinous agenda from moving forward and the GOP is LIVID! When Dems STAND UP they don’t expect it, but we will not stand by and let them break our democracy and harm Minnesotans just because they’re hungry for unearned power.

Expand full comment
Lynn Chebanyuk's avatar

And your constituents are proud of you for doing this. I wish there were more press coverage about it!

Expand full comment
Colette Clarke Torres's avatar

How can I, just a citizen, amplify this so the Democrats will hear & heed? I have worked and donated to elect Democrats since before I could vote. Where are they? I am replying to all donations requests with "not until the party shows me" but I am ignored. I have been meeting with a group in my community that formed after the election. We were all Democrats. Last meeting we had all given up. Thank you for this. Please know that there are groups & individuals ready to go. Leadership from the party that we thought believed that democracy was at stake would be helpful. Fighting as one will be more effective than fighting as individuals but fight we shall. We are the majority. We plan on keeping and improving our democracy.

Expand full comment
Marie Newman's avatar

Write directly to them and call them

Expand full comment
Colette Clarke Torres's avatar

I write & call. It feels fruitless but I will keep it up. Thank you.

Expand full comment