Far more important to confirm as many Biden-appointed judges as possible. Imho, it’s a bad idea to spend our valuable, extremely-limited Senate floor time on performative legislation proposals that has Zero chance of being passed in the House and making it to President Biden’s desk.
I am calling both my Senators and my Rep every day. In the Senate, I want them to confirm judges quickly and BE VERY LOUD about Trump’s terrible, unqualified cabinet picks meant to debase our government. They are not being loud enough if I know more about what MTG thinks about any damned thing than what my Senators think!!
"If you think President Biden should request these background checks, join me in spreading the good word..."
Struggling to keep track of Trump's nominations whose backgrounds be should be checked? Who's from Fox? Has been accused of sexual harassment or assault? Worked on Project 2025? A billionaire donor? Use this interactive map.
Question: Is there anything preventing President Biden from ordering thorough FBI background checks on Trump’s nominees, to Cabinet positions as well as other key posts?
(Obviously this is something Trump should have done but has failed to do.)
Here is the message that I sent to President Biden regarding "Trump’s Outrageous 4" identified by Simon. It's a good start.
President Biden, I am asking you to order FBI background checks for Trump’s cabinet nominees to begin immediately. This is allowable under the current MOU between the Department of Justice and The Office of the President and under the Presidential Transition Act. We Democrats must ferociously oppose the most outrageous of the cabinet nominations at every opportunity and build a national campaign to bring other Americans to join us.
We Oppose Tulsi Gabbard who is a Russian propagandist and therefore unfit for Director of National Intelligence. We Oppose Pete Hegseth who was selected for being a Fox News host and a Christian nationalist. He lacks the qualities and experience we need in our Defense Secretary. We Oppose Matt Gaetz who has been accused of illicit and potentially illegal behavior by members of the House, and does not have the character or experience for Attorney General. We Oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary because he promotes vaccine misinformation and other medical misinformation. Subsequent policies will undermine the public health system of the United States and threaten our educational system as more students in the public schools are left unvaccinated.
I am happy to see the endorsement for Congresswoman Spanberger. Can I also make a suggestion that we get behind Judge Susan Crawford for the WI Supreme Court race? Keeping the current balance on the Wisconsin Supreme Court is essential to helping to grow a Democratic legislative presence in Wisconsin and to eventually keep the state ungerrymandered. It's also going to be the first major battle to help our party come back in the next cycle.
Also, about what others have asked re Russian interference? And the possibility of a hand recount in the swing states at least? The results truly seem suspicious in a number of ways given the indications of a Harris win and momentum in both the polls, and even the media. Many thanks!
I found the post I link to below informative. It addresses claims that the 2024 election was stolen and includes this:
"We cannot become like the election deniers who attempted to stop the peaceful transfer of power because of rumors about Italian satellites controlling Chinese thermostats.
Election fraud is illegal. It should be investigated and prosecuted. But making an allegation of election fraud requires more than an assertion that “It could happen” or “I think the results are suspicious.” And beware any allegation of a conspiracy that meets every objection by positing a new conspiracy to rebut obvious holes in the original conspiracy."
Long time before replying but i wanted to thank you for introducing me to Hubbell. I have since subscribed and find him the best balance of info, warning, and positivity. Thanks, Ben!
I'm glad another commenter mentioned Robert Hubbell's column today; I found it helpful too. And, as someone who monitors voting trends closely in Boston elections (as an example), I can say there are a lot of bullet-voters here, whole neighborhoods where that's a common practice and long-term pattern, and lots who vote for some offices rather than all, mostly higher offices. The percentage of voters here who vote for every office is small.
Okay, Simon. I rarely call Senators Ossoff and Warnock because mostly I'm pleased as punch at the way they represent the Peach State in the US Senate, but I have them on speed dial now and am calling them daily to WAX POETIC about the dangers of these four special little nutbags that Donny T wants on his cabinet.
Especially Ossoff, who is up for reelection in two short years and who represents the generational turn of the Democratic Party wheel in Georgia. He needs to be LOUD about saying NO to these appointments. LOUDER!
Abigail Spanberger is incredible. Our small, rural county's Democratic Committee supported her in her races for VA 07 (until redistricting) and she showed up and spent time with us. Abigail is a very smart campaigner and effective public servant. Virginia absolutely needs her to be our next Governor. Simon, I'm so proud she is your first endorsement! Thank you?
Eugene Vindman was elected. She didn't run. Worth taking a look at her Congressional website. Good messaging, including stats of what she has done for her constituents displayed prominently.
Thank you Simon for today's post and all you have offered in recent days & this first endorsement -- I agree about moving forward ! but for today, amidst so much other noise from the incoming crew... writing to ask if you might advise /comment to Stephen Spoonamore's posts re: vote recounts and irregular ‘bullet ballots’ in the swing states / relative to Musk’s registration promotion & re: Starlink access / control.
I am attaching two links:
1
Letter to VP Harris from Stephen Spoonamore --
This is his second letter to the VP that outlines what appears to be (?) a persuasive account of significant amounts of single-race ballot votes for candidate DJT / president and ONLY in the swing states (where Musk had his ‘lottery’ and gained the street addresses of those who registered.)
Even if Spoonamores claims seem far-fetched, other concerns regarding software have been raised. And did the bomb threats from Russia, in key swing states, have a measurable impact? It only took 1 out of 100 votes in key battleground states to swing this election. Then there is the voter roll purges and the right to “challenge” a voter’s right to vote.
Why aren’t the bomb threats alone being investigated and acted on?
Spent yesterday afternoon at the NCGA watching the Republicans take away authorities from our incoming Governor Stein and AG Jackson that had been in the NC Constitution for over a century. Mark Robinson held the gavel and cleared the gallery when we clapped for NC Senator Lisa Graffstein when she said the move was weak especially when considering more votes were cast in NC for Democrats than Republicans two weeks ago. We were then pushed out, including incoming Senator Woodson Bradley. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCm6UmfJyTC/?igsh=MWY2NTBuM2g4MzZ2Yw==
Y'all, please keep working to help us in NC. We need you!
I was there with my husband yesterday, Christine! Thank you for being there! It wasn't a large crowd, but I adore Lisa Grafstein! I do communications stuff for County-to-County NC and I couldn't agree with you more about our continued need for attention! The NYT did a good piece yesterday. I posted it above, but here it is in case you didn't see it. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/20/us/politics/north-carolina-bill-governor-elections.html
One more thing, Christine and all: Thomas Mills of Politics NC just posted this, and I'm going to call these three NC Republican legislators who voted no on the "Hurricane Relief Bill" (which is actually packed chock full of power grabs) and thank them: "Every Democrat and three mountain Republicans stood against the bill. We should praise Representatives Mike Clampitt, Karl Gillespie, and Mark Pless. They’ve taken a principled stand in opposition to their colleagues and in support of their constituents. It’s not easy to go against a caucus organization. Those legislators have shown real political courage."
I sent a message to President Biden and forwarded Frank’s message on to a small network. Thanks for the heads up and action step. Connecting with Jessica Craven (Chop Wood, Carry Water) on these action steps would be helpful since she is geared towards that and puts out clear scripts and phone numbers or email contacts. She makes it easy to understand and do.
"America: meet your new Secretary of Homeland Security [Kristi Noem]. She’s Trump without the empathy."
. –Andy Borowitz
“I’m a business guy so I think the more business people we get up here [in the Senate], the better off we are. I’m excited to serve with [Dave McCormick].”
. – Rick "Medicare Fraudster" Scott, R-FL
""When the Clown moves into the Palace, he doesn’t become a Sultan – rather, the Palace becomes a Circus."
Hopium Chronicles - What's Next? How to Cut the Head Off the Snake Worldwide
🔸️FITNESS FOR DUTY EVALUATIONS that are mandatory, like the military for high responsibility positions, would have stopped Trump before he got within a mile of the White House. True for every dictator, authoritarian, and oligarch worldwide.
Bandy X Lee, Steven Hassan, and 100 other psychiatrists agree Trump has five dangerous mental illnesses as listed in the books "The More Dangerous Case of Donald Trump" and "The Psychology Of Trump Contagion - An Existential Threat to American Democracy and All Humankind".
In one fell swoop, Fitness for Duty Evaluations worldwide, stops every dictator, authoritarian, and oligarch.
"Containing Trump Contagion and Healing from Mental Pathology in Politics"
🔸️Fitness for Duty Evaluations start with everyone who interacts with the individual in question, and when red flags start to appear, 'say something.'
The US Military has procedures to follow that require individuals in question to have a Fitness for Duty Evaluation. Voters must demand the House and Senate do the same.
"Stephen Xenakis- Fitness for Duty Exams: Preventing Autocratic Abuse"
🔸️Outside the military are professionals like Dr. Bandy X. Lee who has several dozen colleagues all of whom are highly qualified to do Fitness for Duty Evaluations.
The U.S. House and Senate have several mechanisms to enforce their rules, including:
* Leadership
* Committees
* Floor Procedures
* Party Discipline
It's important to note that these mechanisms are not always used consistently or effectively. The more voters demand mentally fit leaders the more the House and Senate will comply.
all is quiet on DNC chair front?? heard martin O'malley?? is Hopium going to jump into this?? do we have a candidate that can modernize and digitize the Dems attract youth and hispanics? Also, will the DNC correct the narrative about landslide election?? think this is critical going forward. havent seen any dems on tv working on this. do they send out press releases anymore with data to correct media????? just curious. we need to create comprehensive to do list for joe!!!
My biggest worry is that we are still playing the game by the rules; rules that republicans have already ignored and rules that they will dump in a New York minute. Like the filibuster. Our greatest liability is that we don't know what will happen on January 20th.
Far more important to confirm as many Biden-appointed judges as possible. Imho, it’s a bad idea to spend our valuable, extremely-limited Senate floor time on performative legislation proposals that has Zero chance of being passed in the House and making it to President Biden’s desk.
I am calling both my Senators and my Rep every day. In the Senate, I want them to confirm judges quickly and BE VERY LOUD about Trump’s terrible, unqualified cabinet picks meant to debase our government. They are not being loud enough if I know more about what MTG thinks about any damned thing than what my Senators think!!
I think more Democrats answered the polls than Republicans. Yes, the Democratic party needs to be strengthened from the ground up.
"If you think President Biden should request these background checks, join me in spreading the good word..."
Struggling to keep track of Trump's nominations whose backgrounds be should be checked? Who's from Fox? Has been accused of sexual harassment or assault? Worked on Project 2025? A billionaire donor? Use this interactive map.
https://thedemlabs.org/2024/11/21/trump-nominees-mapped/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/share/
Question: Is there anything preventing President Biden from ordering thorough FBI background checks on Trump’s nominees, to Cabinet positions as well as other key posts?
(Obviously this is something Trump should have done but has failed to do.)
Apparently not. Here's Frank Figliuzzi's article: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/biden-trump-cabinet-picks-fbi-background-checks-rcna180698?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Excellent! Thank you for sharing that!
Here is the message that I sent to President Biden regarding "Trump’s Outrageous 4" identified by Simon. It's a good start.
President Biden, I am asking you to order FBI background checks for Trump’s cabinet nominees to begin immediately. This is allowable under the current MOU between the Department of Justice and The Office of the President and under the Presidential Transition Act. We Democrats must ferociously oppose the most outrageous of the cabinet nominations at every opportunity and build a national campaign to bring other Americans to join us.
We Oppose Tulsi Gabbard who is a Russian propagandist and therefore unfit for Director of National Intelligence. We Oppose Pete Hegseth who was selected for being a Fox News host and a Christian nationalist. He lacks the qualities and experience we need in our Defense Secretary. We Oppose Matt Gaetz who has been accused of illicit and potentially illegal behavior by members of the House, and does not have the character or experience for Attorney General. We Oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary because he promotes vaccine misinformation and other medical misinformation. Subsequent policies will undermine the public health system of the United States and threaten our educational system as more students in the public schools are left unvaccinated.
Thank you.
Where did you send it?
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/share/
Thanks!
Totally bonkers to nominate RFK Jr to head what all-too-soon would become the "Disease Efficiency Advancement Department" (DEAD).
I am happy to see the endorsement for Congresswoman Spanberger. Can I also make a suggestion that we get behind Judge Susan Crawford for the WI Supreme Court race? Keeping the current balance on the Wisconsin Supreme Court is essential to helping to grow a Democratic legislative presence in Wisconsin and to eventually keep the state ungerrymandered. It's also going to be the first major battle to help our party come back in the next cycle.
Spanberger is terrific. She is good news all around.
SIMON - could you give us your thoughts or any info about the issues brought up in this article? https://kmac.substack.com/p/rigged-cyber-security-experts-in
Also, about what others have asked re Russian interference? And the possibility of a hand recount in the swing states at least? The results truly seem suspicious in a number of ways given the indications of a Harris win and momentum in both the polls, and even the media. Many thanks!
I found the post I link to below informative. It addresses claims that the 2024 election was stolen and includes this:
"We cannot become like the election deniers who attempted to stop the peaceful transfer of power because of rumors about Italian satellites controlling Chinese thermostats.
Election fraud is illegal. It should be investigated and prosecuted. But making an allegation of election fraud requires more than an assertion that “It could happen” or “I think the results are suspicious.” And beware any allegation of a conspiracy that meets every objection by positing a new conspiracy to rebut obvious holes in the original conspiracy."
https://roberthubbell.substack.com/p/addressing-claims-that-the-2024-election
100% Agree!
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" -(The great) Carl Sagan
Thanks for the link - will read and hope what you say is true.
Thank you for being open to considering different perspectives.
Long time before replying but i wanted to thank you for introducing me to Hubbell. I have since subscribed and find him the best balance of info, warning, and positivity. Thanks, Ben!
I'm glad another commenter mentioned Robert Hubbell's column today; I found it helpful too. And, as someone who monitors voting trends closely in Boston elections (as an example), I can say there are a lot of bullet-voters here, whole neighborhoods where that's a common practice and long-term pattern, and lots who vote for some offices rather than all, mostly higher offices. The percentage of voters here who vote for every office is small.
Okay, Simon. I rarely call Senators Ossoff and Warnock because mostly I'm pleased as punch at the way they represent the Peach State in the US Senate, but I have them on speed dial now and am calling them daily to WAX POETIC about the dangers of these four special little nutbags that Donny T wants on his cabinet.
Especially Ossoff, who is up for reelection in two short years and who represents the generational turn of the Democratic Party wheel in Georgia. He needs to be LOUD about saying NO to these appointments. LOUDER!
LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hot damn! My calls worked and Gaetz has been forced out!
Well done! Your call was "the straw that broke the hebephile’s back!"
That thought gets me out of bed with a smile on my face each & every morning!
I emailed both of them yesterday about this and will call them now. We are SO lucky to have these 2 DEM Senators leading GA!!
Thank you, Stacy Abrams!
Abigail Spanberger is incredible. Our small, rural county's Democratic Committee supported her in her races for VA 07 (until redistricting) and she showed up and spent time with us. Abigail is a very smart campaigner and effective public servant. Virginia absolutely needs her to be our next Governor. Simon, I'm so proud she is your first endorsement! Thank you?
How likely are Democrats to hold Spanberger’s congressional district after she leaves the House?
Her seat was up in this election & held by Eugene Vindman.
Excellent! Thank you, I did not realize that was the seat Vindman ran for.
Vindman winning made me so happy!
She’s already left - well technically didn’t seek reelection to the House to focus on Gov race - Eugene Vindman held the seat for Dems.
Eugene Vindman was elected. She didn't run. Worth taking a look at her Congressional website. Good messaging, including stats of what she has done for her constituents displayed prominently.
I clicked on the Tran ballot curing phone bank and got an error message.
Should redirect to Mobilize page: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/742562/
Thank you Simon for today's post and all you have offered in recent days & this first endorsement -- I agree about moving forward ! but for today, amidst so much other noise from the incoming crew... writing to ask if you might advise /comment to Stephen Spoonamore's posts re: vote recounts and irregular ‘bullet ballots’ in the swing states / relative to Musk’s registration promotion & re: Starlink access / control.
I am attaching two links:
1
Letter to VP Harris from Stephen Spoonamore --
This is his second letter to the VP that outlines what appears to be (?) a persuasive account of significant amounts of single-race ballot votes for candidate DJT / president and ONLY in the swing states (where Musk had his ‘lottery’ and gained the street addresses of those who registered.)
https://substack.com/home/post/p-151721941
Please read the letter before the next link, for context to Mr. Spoonamore's most recent post:
2
An Update on getting a Recount for 2024 / dated last evening.
https://substack.com/home/post/p-151923500
Thank you / from Chicago where we have the first snow.
Even if Spoonamores claims seem far-fetched, other concerns regarding software have been raised. And did the bomb threats from Russia, in key swing states, have a measurable impact? It only took 1 out of 100 votes in key battleground states to swing this election. Then there is the voter roll purges and the right to “challenge” a voter’s right to vote.
Why aren’t the bomb threats alone being investigated and acted on?
Spent yesterday afternoon at the NCGA watching the Republicans take away authorities from our incoming Governor Stein and AG Jackson that had been in the NC Constitution for over a century. Mark Robinson held the gavel and cleared the gallery when we clapped for NC Senator Lisa Graffstein when she said the move was weak especially when considering more votes were cast in NC for Democrats than Republicans two weeks ago. We were then pushed out, including incoming Senator Woodson Bradley. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCm6UmfJyTC/?igsh=MWY2NTBuM2g4MzZ2Yw==
Y'all, please keep working to help us in NC. We need you!
I was there with my husband yesterday, Christine! Thank you for being there! It wasn't a large crowd, but I adore Lisa Grafstein! I do communications stuff for County-to-County NC and I couldn't agree with you more about our continued need for attention! The NYT did a good piece yesterday. I posted it above, but here it is in case you didn't see it. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/20/us/politics/north-carolina-bill-governor-elections.html
Thank you. I did not see this. Hise is a fascist, by the way.
One more thing, Christine and all: Thomas Mills of Politics NC just posted this, and I'm going to call these three NC Republican legislators who voted no on the "Hurricane Relief Bill" (which is actually packed chock full of power grabs) and thank them: "Every Democrat and three mountain Republicans stood against the bill. We should praise Representatives Mike Clampitt, Karl Gillespie, and Mark Pless. They’ve taken a principled stand in opposition to their colleagues and in support of their constituents. It’s not easy to go against a caucus organization. Those legislators have shown real political courage."
Mike Clampitt:
919-715-3005
Mike.Clampitt@ncleg.gov
Karl Gillespie:
919-733-5859
Karl.Gillespie@ncleg.gov
Mark Pless:
919-733-5732
Mark.Pless@ncleg.gov
Just got this, too. On it!
I sent a message to President Biden and forwarded Frank’s message on to a small network. Thanks for the heads up and action step. Connecting with Jessica Craven (Chop Wood, Carry Water) on these action steps would be helpful since she is geared towards that and puts out clear scripts and phone numbers or email contacts. She makes it easy to understand and do.
QUOTABLE
"America: meet your new Secretary of Homeland Security [Kristi Noem]. She’s Trump without the empathy."
. –Andy Borowitz
“I’m a business guy so I think the more business people we get up here [in the Senate], the better off we are. I’m excited to serve with [Dave McCormick].”
. – Rick "Medicare Fraudster" Scott, R-FL
""When the Clown moves into the Palace, he doesn’t become a Sultan – rather, the Palace becomes a Circus."
. – Turkish proverb
I sent this to
Hopium Chronicles - What's Next? How to Cut the Head Off the Snake Worldwide
🔸️FITNESS FOR DUTY EVALUATIONS that are mandatory, like the military for high responsibility positions, would have stopped Trump before he got within a mile of the White House. True for every dictator, authoritarian, and oligarch worldwide.
Bandy X Lee, Steven Hassan, and 100 other psychiatrists agree Trump has five dangerous mental illnesses as listed in the books "The More Dangerous Case of Donald Trump" and "The Psychology Of Trump Contagion - An Existential Threat to American Democracy and All Humankind".
In one fell swoop, Fitness for Duty Evaluations worldwide, stops every dictator, authoritarian, and oligarch.
"Containing Trump Contagion and Healing from Mental Pathology in Politics"
https://youtu.be/HTkCqU5LM-k?si=f6g0PolglC21w1nR
🔸️Fitness for Duty Evaluations start with everyone who interacts with the individual in question, and when red flags start to appear, 'say something.'
The US Military has procedures to follow that require individuals in question to have a Fitness for Duty Evaluation. Voters must demand the House and Senate do the same.
"Stephen Xenakis- Fitness for Duty Exams: Preventing Autocratic Abuse"
https://youtu.be/vdtChF07ryU?si=VJ5dauWFoUQg10uH
🔸️Outside the military are professionals like Dr. Bandy X. Lee who has several dozen colleagues all of whom are highly qualified to do Fitness for Duty Evaluations.
The U.S. House and Senate have several mechanisms to enforce their rules, including:
* Leadership
* Committees
* Floor Procedures
* Party Discipline
It's important to note that these mechanisms are not always used consistently or effectively. The more voters demand mentally fit leaders the more the House and Senate will comply.
all is quiet on DNC chair front?? heard martin O'malley?? is Hopium going to jump into this?? do we have a candidate that can modernize and digitize the Dems attract youth and hispanics? Also, will the DNC correct the narrative about landslide election?? think this is critical going forward. havent seen any dems on tv working on this. do they send out press releases anymore with data to correct media????? just curious. we need to create comprehensive to do list for joe!!!
My biggest worry is that we are still playing the game by the rules; rules that republicans have already ignored and rules that they will dump in a New York minute. Like the filibuster. Our greatest liability is that we don't know what will happen on January 20th.