Enjoy this timely, informative interview with one of Congress's most important national security leaders in what is a very important week in Washington
Done! And additional calls about a NO on the CR without significant concessions to the Dems such as enforceable guardrails for dog-e or the dissolution of same.
Good God, Musk, with zero history of service and only a history of sucking the American public dry of billions of dollars, even dares to call an American hero like Senator Mark Kelly a “traitor”? Elon is high on ketamine, power, and money, and desperately needs emergency psychiatric intervention before he destroys our country!
People are so afraid that, if the Democrats “allow” the government to shut down, that the Republicans will then blame them. I don’t see this as a relevant concern - the Republicans will blame Dems for everything, everywhere, every time. So, I see no reason to strategize around that as a factor.
I’ve been listening to the conversation and didn’t say it was easy. I am also sharing my thoughts - not judgment here. I just think that, having listened and observed the pattern for many years, the democrats cannot avoid the blame game. So, the strategic decisions should be made giving other factors more weight.
Yes, for one option is that we support the House bill and get credit for keeping things moving ahead in a time of chaos. And to be clear - we have never been blamed for a government shut down. Republicans have, which is why they always cave. But as Adam says this time is different, and we need to be very smart.
It feels like complying in advance. The Republicans won't be willing to make any concessions if we don't even threaten a shut down. Is there nothing to be gained by demanding some checks on Trump’s illegal actions?
Excellent, clarifying conversation with Cong Smith. My take away… why not have Dems in both houses filibuster the CR. With one issue repeated. We want to see our gov stay open , we are against x x x, we will give Rs the votes they need , exactly xxx whatever the number is, if they agree to…. That is smart fighting. Gets Dems position out so we can all hear it. Ie Dem votes are valuable, Rs need us, we are standing strong for…..reinstate congressionaly approved funds and intelligence for Ukraine.
Thank you for this interview and your summary, Simon. I am proud to say that Adam Smith is my Congressman. He definitely gets it.The point he made on how we need to give a little bit of space for representatives to make a strategic decisions, even as we apply pressure on them, is well taken. The letter that they have sent is excellent, and I have only learned about it here in your post.
I just listened to the discussion with Rep. Smith and I am going to revise and extend my remarks from earlier today in the morning chat. I withdraw my earlier comments on pushing for voting no on the CR. After listening to Rep. Smith, and his comments that there is no big win for Democrats here, my risk/reward calculation was changed and it seems to be too much of a risk relative to the potential win.
That said, I would really, REALLY like Leader Jefferies and Leader Schumer to explain this to our coalition. I realize they won't/shouldn't give away their strategy before this all goes down. But once it does, they really need to explain this to all of us the way that Rep. Smith just did. I would strongly encourage them to do that. I am going to post this in the morning chat as well to cover my bases, but I see better now why there is too much risk in getting blamed. When your opponent is lighting themselves on fire, give them gasoline and not water.
I understand, and appreciate your perspective - how to respond to the CR is an issue on which Democrats can have reasonable, good faith differences of opinions ... But to expound upon your metaphor, what is occurring is not merely that Trump/Musk are "lighting themselves on fire" (although they are doing that), they are also burning down, in perhaps irreparable ways, major portions of the federal government, as well as our Constitutional order.
I agree with you. I think we have to keep pushing/teaching our electeds on what we want and what we expect. If there isn’t a clear win for us who want to save our democracy, then we have to look for more ways to do so. Trust me, my initial instinct is to throw everything, including the kitchen sink at them, but I also believe we have pick our best outcomes because we don’t have unlimited tries to get this right. Just one guy’s thoughts, but for me, I have to trust that these people we elected on our side also know what they are doing. But I’m going to keep calling and challenging them and teaching them too.
Thanks for sharing. Disagree with the conclusion. PINO is going to only fund the parts of government they want to, court orders be damned. What is the enforcement mechanism? By agreeing to keep the government open, the Ds are only helping to memorialize these cuts.
Do you think tRump is a Russian asset? I feel it's more sinister than just wanting to be like Putin. There seems to be some evidence that Putin has bailed him out when he was on the verge of financial ruin in the 1980's.
Hi Sherry - I think they see him as an asset. And I bet they have been way more involved in our elections and our govt than we could ever imagine. It's a chilling thought.
This was so helpful! Thank you Simon and big thank you to Rep Smith! I’m in the 45th here in WA (he’s basically next door) and hadn’t heard of him before. He’s great! I love what Rep Smith said about the need for us to see the passion in the fight. Hakeem got that feedback and he seems to be acting on it. I LOVE that you’re pushing the second front and the letter idea out to everyone. It will take hold. I sent a portion of your post to Hakeem today about the letter to America. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Not on subject, but I get daily lots of requests for $, such as Stop Republican Judges. How do we know if requests are legit or will take our $ with a large slice for staff? So far, I am only giving through ActBlue. Still making calls to my GOP senators, governor and rep, AG, and Commissioner of Agriculture. I can tell they are getting inundated with other calls. by their exhaustion and huffs Governor now has an umbudsman.
I absolutely only donate to individual candidates and DNC and Wisconsin Dems. The PAC's are a way for someone to get paid to run them, and they could really be set up by musk as a scam to get our information. And - People like Fetterman are also asking for our money. I went to unsubscribe to get off his list. Then the page went to ask me why! I expressed my opinion. Whoever reads it, if anybody, will not like what I wrote.
THIS- I am really irritated. Give some money in the last election and now am inundated with daily texts from different and unknown places for a wide variety of reasons. Telling them to stop or blocking does not work. It is Dem spam.
Great conversation. "They (Putin, Iran, China etc) wish us ill" is a truism that worries me, because they know that Trump is in their pocket. And, our former friends HATE him and by extension will be less likely to help us should we need it. This is a significant problem! Our old friends know it isn't the American people, but...
I was so impressed with Rep. Smith, Simon, and I have to say I feel a bit choked up about what we've had for 80+ years ending because of that buffoon. I wrote my PhD dissertation about the beginning of the Cold War and to see him deliberately shit on it is just enough to make a grown man cry. Not to say we haven't made lots of dumb mistakes as a country, but the good will we've built around the world, the partnerships and allies we've formed - just gone. It's a hard pill to swallow.
Simon-Thank you for conducting this interview and sharing the House Armed Services Committee joint statement signed by all Ranking Democrat Representatives sitting on our foreign policy committees, and Ranking Democratic Senators. I hope this will continue throughout the Congress as the Second Front grows!
Rep Smith's insights about Democrats seeming weak, timid in their response to the rout taking place throughout the government, helped me understand the importance of them being very thoughtful in their response while showing their passion and commitment to protect and defend the Constitution so democracy lives on in the US......
It is up to all of US, We The People of the United States, acting in a unified effort to stand against tyranny through protest, emails, phone calls, video posts to make our demands known loudly to the Republicans and to the World.
I have felt quite conflicted about Dems response, but no more. We all have an important part to play in this and I am committed to carry on for as long as it takes!
We The People are the Leaders. General agreement is the goal, which gives room for our diverse ideas. Our unity is in CommUNITY. Simon has talked quite a bit about needing consensus and about how our grassroots, Ferocious Opposition brings about change.
I must be less politically savvy than I thought. If Smith is voting no on the continuing resolution, why is it wrong for us to push all Dems to do that? And I’m sorry—democracy dies in decorum. Dressing in pink and holding silly paddles does not stop facism. The institution of the Congress is the people elected to be in it. Why are they sitting quietly while the building is on fire?
Thx for hosting my congressman! He’s great as you all saw - been stepping up his virtual town halls. We’ve sat in on them. He’s such a pragmatic leader and speaks to all of the voices including those who disagree with him. We need more leaders like Adam Smith!
I’m from WA state and this is the first time I’ve heard him speak, love his pragmatic passion! I really like my Rep who is smart and committed but very different in communication style.
Timely and urgent conversation with Smith - thank you, Simon! I'm calling my reps right now to urge them to join in on this statement.
Done! And additional calls about a NO on the CR without significant concessions to the Dems such as enforceable guardrails for dog-e or the dissolution of same.
Good God, Musk, with zero history of service and only a history of sucking the American public dry of billions of dollars, even dares to call an American hero like Senator Mark Kelly a “traitor”? Elon is high on ketamine, power, and money, and desperately needs emergency psychiatric intervention before he destroys our country!
People are so afraid that, if the Democrats “allow” the government to shut down, that the Republicans will then blame them. I don’t see this as a relevant concern - the Republicans will blame Dems for everything, everywhere, every time. So, I see no reason to strategize around that as a factor.
Well, many Members of Congress do, as do I. Please listen to the discussion before passing judgement. Thank you. This is not simple or easy.
I’ve been listening to the conversation and didn’t say it was easy. I am also sharing my thoughts - not judgment here. I just think that, having listened and observed the pattern for many years, the democrats cannot avoid the blame game. So, the strategic decisions should be made giving other factors more weight.
And I’m slightly disappointed that my comment wasn’t received as being a thoughtful addition to the discussion rather than an uninformed judgment.
Yes, for one option is that we support the House bill and get credit for keeping things moving ahead in a time of chaos. And to be clear - we have never been blamed for a government shut down. Republicans have, which is why they always cave. But as Adam says this time is different, and we need to be very smart.
It feels like complying in advance. The Republicans won't be willing to make any concessions if we don't even threaten a shut down. Is there nothing to be gained by demanding some checks on Trump’s illegal actions?
Excellent, clarifying conversation with Cong Smith. My take away… why not have Dems in both houses filibuster the CR. With one issue repeated. We want to see our gov stay open , we are against x x x, we will give Rs the votes they need , exactly xxx whatever the number is, if they agree to…. That is smart fighting. Gets Dems position out so we can all hear it. Ie Dem votes are valuable, Rs need us, we are standing strong for…..reinstate congressionaly approved funds and intelligence for Ukraine.
Thank you for this interview and your summary, Simon. I am proud to say that Adam Smith is my Congressman. He definitely gets it.The point he made on how we need to give a little bit of space for representatives to make a strategic decisions, even as we apply pressure on them, is well taken. The letter that they have sent is excellent, and I have only learned about it here in your post.
I just listened to the discussion with Rep. Smith and I am going to revise and extend my remarks from earlier today in the morning chat. I withdraw my earlier comments on pushing for voting no on the CR. After listening to Rep. Smith, and his comments that there is no big win for Democrats here, my risk/reward calculation was changed and it seems to be too much of a risk relative to the potential win.
That said, I would really, REALLY like Leader Jefferies and Leader Schumer to explain this to our coalition. I realize they won't/shouldn't give away their strategy before this all goes down. But once it does, they really need to explain this to all of us the way that Rep. Smith just did. I would strongly encourage them to do that. I am going to post this in the morning chat as well to cover my bases, but I see better now why there is too much risk in getting blamed. When your opponent is lighting themselves on fire, give them gasoline and not water.
I understand, and appreciate your perspective - how to respond to the CR is an issue on which Democrats can have reasonable, good faith differences of opinions ... But to expound upon your metaphor, what is occurring is not merely that Trump/Musk are "lighting themselves on fire" (although they are doing that), they are also burning down, in perhaps irreparable ways, major portions of the federal government, as well as our Constitutional order.
I agree with you. I think we have to keep pushing/teaching our electeds on what we want and what we expect. If there isn’t a clear win for us who want to save our democracy, then we have to look for more ways to do so. Trust me, my initial instinct is to throw everything, including the kitchen sink at them, but I also believe we have pick our best outcomes because we don’t have unlimited tries to get this right. Just one guy’s thoughts, but for me, I have to trust that these people we elected on our side also know what they are doing. But I’m going to keep calling and challenging them and teaching them too.
If you have yet to do so, I strongly urge you to read Robert Kuttner’s thoughts about Democratic strategy vis-à-vis a government shutdown.
https://prospect.org/blogs-and-newsletters/tap/2025-03-07-impending-government-shutdown/
Thanks for sharing. Disagree with the conclusion. PINO is going to only fund the parts of government they want to, court orders be damned. What is the enforcement mechanism? By agreeing to keep the government open, the Ds are only helping to memorialize these cuts.
A different point of view.
https://www.politicususa.com/p/top-democrats-blasts-the-idea-that?utm_campaign=email-half-post&r=dcsiq&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Thank you!
Do you think tRump is a Russian asset? I feel it's more sinister than just wanting to be like Putin. There seems to be some evidence that Putin has bailed him out when he was on the verge of financial ruin in the 1980's.
Hi Sherry - I think they see him as an asset. And I bet they have been way more involved in our elections and our govt than we could ever imagine. It's a chilling thought.
This was so helpful! Thank you Simon and big thank you to Rep Smith! I’m in the 45th here in WA (he’s basically next door) and hadn’t heard of him before. He’s great! I love what Rep Smith said about the need for us to see the passion in the fight. Hakeem got that feedback and he seems to be acting on it. I LOVE that you’re pushing the second front and the letter idea out to everyone. It will take hold. I sent a portion of your post to Hakeem today about the letter to America. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Not on subject, but I get daily lots of requests for $, such as Stop Republican Judges. How do we know if requests are legit or will take our $ with a large slice for staff? So far, I am only giving through ActBlue. Still making calls to my GOP senators, governor and rep, AG, and Commissioner of Agriculture. I can tell they are getting inundated with other calls. by their exhaustion and huffs Governor now has an umbudsman.
,
I absolutely only donate to individual candidates and DNC and Wisconsin Dems. The PAC's are a way for someone to get paid to run them, and they could really be set up by musk as a scam to get our information. And - People like Fetterman are also asking for our money. I went to unsubscribe to get off his list. Then the page went to ask me why! I expressed my opinion. Whoever reads it, if anybody, will not like what I wrote.
THIS- I am really irritated. Give some money in the last election and now am inundated with daily texts from different and unknown places for a wide variety of reasons. Telling them to stop or blocking does not work. It is Dem spam.
Great conversation. "They (Putin, Iran, China etc) wish us ill" is a truism that worries me, because they know that Trump is in their pocket. And, our former friends HATE him and by extension will be less likely to help us should we need it. This is a significant problem! Our old friends know it isn't the American people, but...
I was so impressed with Rep. Smith, Simon, and I have to say I feel a bit choked up about what we've had for 80+ years ending because of that buffoon. I wrote my PhD dissertation about the beginning of the Cold War and to see him deliberately shit on it is just enough to make a grown man cry. Not to say we haven't made lots of dumb mistakes as a country, but the good will we've built around the world, the partnerships and allies we've formed - just gone. It's a hard pill to swallow.
Simon-Thank you for conducting this interview and sharing the House Armed Services Committee joint statement signed by all Ranking Democrat Representatives sitting on our foreign policy committees, and Ranking Democratic Senators. I hope this will continue throughout the Congress as the Second Front grows!
Rep Smith's insights about Democrats seeming weak, timid in their response to the rout taking place throughout the government, helped me understand the importance of them being very thoughtful in their response while showing their passion and commitment to protect and defend the Constitution so democracy lives on in the US......
It is up to all of US, We The People of the United States, acting in a unified effort to stand against tyranny through protest, emails, phone calls, video posts to make our demands known loudly to the Republicans and to the World.
I have felt quite conflicted about Dems response, but no more. We all have an important part to play in this and I am committed to carry on for as long as it takes!
We need an leader. We need someone person to step forward and unify Us in this fight. We are too fragmented.
We The People are the Leaders. General agreement is the goal, which gives room for our diverse ideas. Our unity is in CommUNITY. Simon has talked quite a bit about needing consensus and about how our grassroots, Ferocious Opposition brings about change.
Just listened to Rep. Adam Smith, I appreciated his straight talk style and energy
Thank you, Simon! Smith was great! He changed my mind about the CR. Really good
I must be less politically savvy than I thought. If Smith is voting no on the continuing resolution, why is it wrong for us to push all Dems to do that? And I’m sorry—democracy dies in decorum. Dressing in pink and holding silly paddles does not stop facism. The institution of the Congress is the people elected to be in it. Why are they sitting quietly while the building is on fire?
Thx for hosting my congressman! He’s great as you all saw - been stepping up his virtual town halls. We’ve sat in on them. He’s such a pragmatic leader and speaks to all of the voices including those who disagree with him. We need more leaders like Adam Smith!
I’m from WA state and this is the first time I’ve heard him speak, love his pragmatic passion! I really like my Rep who is smart and committed but very different in communication style.