Couple things to keep in mind ahead of SCOTUS announcement today: 1) McCain is unlikely to vote 2) So if all Dems oppose, Trump needs every single GOP vote 3) GOP like Collins don’t want to be the deciding vote 4) But...three Dems voted for Gorsuch (Heitkamp, Donnelly, Manchin)
This is why the events this week are important. Swift, united Dem opposition across the country is critical for putting pressure on the swingable GOP. Regardless of your state, we need your voice this week to #SaveSCOTUS.
It’s also why @SenSchumer’s role is so important right now. As Minority Leader, it is literally his job to lead the Dem Caucus. This is why New York Indivisibles are holding events calling on him to “whip the vote.” We desperately need his leadership to get those 3 Dems back.
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I'm not seeing NEARLY enough press on how much of a hero @SenatorBaldwin is. It's incredible. This Senator is up for reelection in a Trump-won state THIS YEAR. And she's demonstrating more leadership to #SaveSCOTUS than all these blue state Dems. Quick thread on what this means:
This is a huge deal because we're NEVER going to get Collins or Murkowski against Kavanaugh if we can't even get safe blue state Dems onboard. Hell, we're not going to get Heitkamp, Donnelly, or Manchin onboard if we can't lock up these safe Dems ASAP.
Remember, the strategy to defeat Kavanaugh is simple:
Former congressional staffer here. I'm seeing a few different tactics/strategies being thrown out to #SaveSCOTUS, and a fair amount of misinformation. Here's a short thread on a few tactics that won't work.
1) Pressure on Senators who don't represent you. If you don't live in Maine, Sen. Collins doesn't care what you think. That's not even a knock on Collins - that's just how representative democracy works.
Exceptions: You are a millionaire, famous person, or big campaign donor.
2) Pressure on House members. Members of the House of Reps are very important for many things, but they have no vote on Supreme Court justices.
Exception: Could be worthwhile to get every Dem House member in red states to publicly oppose, creating contrast with GOP senators.
OK, I’ve got 4 thoughts to share on the passage of this historically monstrous tax bill in the House and now the Senate tonight.
I know, it's past 1am (blame the GOP for these midnight shenanigans), but I just gotta get this out.
1st thought: this really, really sucks. I've noticed some progressives want to paint this as a “win” because this will “hurt” the GOP in elections next year. That’s not a where I start. This bill will have real and awful human consequences. This is tragic.
If it wasn’t clear before, it’s very clear now: the congressional GOP are ideological extremists. They cared less about their constituents and our democratic institutions than about raw political power and the enrichment of themselves and their donors.