Called both my VA Senators -- Kaine and Warner -- this morning and spoke to staffers. What I said is something along these lines:
My name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
I'm calling to ask [REP/SEN NAME] to oppose Todd Blanche for Attorney General. Todd Blanche has shown that his loyalty is to the president, not the Constitution or the American public, making him unfit to serve as Attorney General.
Agree! Listening to SenatorAmy Klobuchar question Blanche - feels soft ball and makes him appear legitimate - he just keeps saying he will follow the law. But Blanche's behavior with the Epstein File and Maxwell was not by the book. While serving as Deputy Attorney General, Blanche personally interviewed Maxwell in July 2025, stating he wanted to give her a chance to speak about her past with Epstein. Interviewing her by himself is not protocol. We all know Blanche will do Trump's bidding. So Democrats need to not give him the benefit of the doubt. No one vote.
I had to stop too. I was afraid I was going to throw a brick through my TV! I live and vote in DC but still own property and part of a small business in WV. When I was growing up WV was solid Blue. I call Capito, Justice, and Carol Miller everyday. Even though my voice is probably not one they wish to hear I want them to know that not everyone agrees with the Dear Leader!
Simon, thanks for sharing those ads -- inspiring! It occurred to me that Trump may be making Jon Ossoff a leading candidate for 2028.
I called Congressman Raskin to ask him to weigh in on Blanche and Clayton and I said that Trump is out of touch with reality and needs to be removed from office as soon as possible. I called Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to ask them to vote NO on Blanche and Clayton and I said that Trump is out of touch with reality and needs to be removed from office as soon as possible. I'm writing postcards to Ohio voters today.
Not a MI voter, but my mom is. When you spoke about your experience working with Stevens, that she's currently in the House, that was info I shared with my mom. I personally feel that her experience is going to be an advantage when Dems take the House. They have a lot of work to do.
I wish she would take a more nuanced position on Israel. Jennifer Rubin has a great piece out today "Enough is Enough" on Israeli violence against Palestinians with even the President of Israel denouncing what settlers are doing with the approval of the IDF
I called both Sens. Cornyn and Cruz. Messages reminded that each are law school graduates- and should recognize that Blanche is a horrible nominee, who has already disgraced their profession. I suggested they vote as if Blanche was a Dem nominee.
Both Texans sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Josh Turek was on Lawrence last night, and the polling for his race is fantastic. I am so excited! Made the calls. Booker has been all over the airwaves opposing Blanche, and I expect his usual feistiness in today's hearing. I know Andy Kim is a no vote, should Blanche's nom come to the floor. Sadly, Rep. Chris Smith (Traitor-NJ04) is a bowl of jello, and despite the fact that he has a strong record on human trafficking legislation, he continues to stay silent on Epstein & will support Blanche. UGH. Looking forward to tonight's call.
Also, there is a Public Citizen call tonight at 8 in response to the killings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo & Johan Sebastian Guerrero. Also on the call will be local organizers, & they'll have info on actions we can take to honor their lives and work for justice for them and their loved ones. Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/disappearedinamerica/event/987861/
Yes, Lisa, I plan to hop on to the 8:00 call tonight (after Simon's weekly meeting) to honor Lorenzo Salgado Araujo & Johan Sebastian Guerrero, and to discuss actions we can take.
guerrero is from my wife's home town in colombia; it is having a devastating effect down there. it is a conservative state and the people there have always admired the usa; i can show you pictures of my sisters in law as kids wearing usa basketball shirts; basketball is played in south america, though argentina was always the powerhouse followed by legendary oscar schmidt and brazil; but everyone knew which country had the best team. and they also cheered each usa goal in the world cup as if it were their own team. trump is ruining a relationship with one of our closest and oldest allies in latin america. of course. looking at photos of the young man, he could be my son, who is around the same age. senseless, and people in maine are pissed off about it. again, as stuart stevens said recently, these ice agents are death squads. booker and kim can be relied on. collins is getting shit in maine because she voted for ice money; r's are blaming dems for the shutdown causing a lack of bodycams. you gotta hand it to the fascists, they've always got fingers to point elsewhere, brazenly and with no shame.
Lots of great info today--the polling data, the fantastic ads for several of our intrepid candidates, the editorial about Blanche's corruption. Thanks for uplifting and inspiring us to work even harder. Held my nose and called Blackburn, Hagerty and Rep. Tim (aliens are everywhere) Burchett (aka Tim Birdshit.) No on Blanche! No on Clayton (who I fear might slip through if Rs vote against Blanche and somehow try to tell constituents that was a brave vote)! No on (the misnamed) SAVE Act. Yes on Russian sanctions. That's about as much as I could work into one call. But tomorrow is another day.
I continue to believe that these political labels are useless as they tell me nothing about what the candidate believes or will support. Tell me what the candidate identifies as problems that must be addressed and how does the candidate propose to address them? Why do we insist on identifying a box that has no meaning?
I think the labelling is worse than useless, Russel. Once you label someone or a group of someones then you tend to automatically fill in the boxes of where they stand on all policies, when many of us are more nuanced and complex than that.
Once you label someone to a category it creates "us" and "them" depending on whether they fit your own self label or not.
I do it too when I think about MAGA, and I do it to defeat them. I don't care much about their nuances, if they even have them, when ICE is murdering innocent people on our streets, and Trump is grifting and destroying our country, economy, world standing, health outcomes and the rest. If you still support him, you are " the other"...period.
But on the pro-democracy side of the ledger, I want to embrace the diversity and nuances. I want to find the common ground of the people on my "left" and "right" so they aren't "other", but rather "different shades of us" i.e. people I respect as part of our shared community... our team.
I think that is essentisl if we are going to truly defeat these f*ckers for good.
Thank you as always! I called yesterday and will again today. I usually call different offices on big issues.
I have some more Mainer on the ground info too share, but I am way behind in my work and am going to discipline myself to hold off sharing until I finish this work this morning.
Excited to hear from Simon and our plucky patriots tonight!
MrsCQ, do I have to make a stop in CA to meet you when I visit CA in the fall????? You are so supportive and kind. I think I adore you. I just am so grateful for this community of amazing people. The one thing 45 did was bring so many amazing people together. Some of my best friends have become my resistance sisters I met on the bus to the women's march in DC in 2017.
I got through the bulk of my paperwork this am. Thx and have a good one!
I was out the door and saw you replied. Yes! Let me know when you are here and hopefully we can meet. Now, I have to go cuz Hopium makes me late when I check in - I think I'm obsessed. Actually, I know I am. Ok good luck with the paperwork!
Simon, Cornyn seemed soft in his questioning towards Blanche. If Tillis is the only no, does Blanche still get confirmed? Not confident either Collins or Cornyn will vote no. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be surprised if Fetterman even, votes yes. What do you think our chances truly ate? Not 💯sure exactly how many votes the GOP can afford to lose on tips one.
I think it is important for us to share things we think as long as we are not actively undermining messages or being a troll.
Blake's message can inspire folks to keep calling too! I love that you and Blake and so many others here work to balance the reality with optimism. It is often a challenge!
So discouraging. Moody started sending me emails sometime last year. I have no idea why she thought a leftie in Maine would want her propaganda. Scott makes my blood boil. What a cast of corruption we have. FInger's crossed for Jolly and Vindeman. Getting read to call my pearl clutcher now. She will not answer. it may be because people like my 90 year old dad calls almost daily and rant about her lack of spine.
As for what Simon has described as the New Left, I think a push for more progressive policies is warranted, but the National DSA types are the wrong people to be at the forefront as like Simon observes, they are more interested in fighting Democrats than Republicans, don't have the working class support they claim they do, have not thought out how to move from primary campaigns to a general election, and have put poorly vetted, high risk candidates into prominent races, most especially purple state Senate races.
I just called Senators Grassley and Ernst about Todd Blanche. Grassley is Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is interviewing Blanche today. In the call to his office, I emphasized his role in stopping this nomination. I actually got through to a staffer, which was good in the sense that I know my call was received and attended to but bad in the sense that it means that his office isn't being deluged with calls today. I left voice mail for Ernst.
Kate, I can't wait for the day, coming soon if there is any justice, that we have two Dem Senators and a Dem Governor in Iowa. Grassley is a stubborn old coot, but at 92, how much longer can he hang on to power?
Called both my VA Senators -- Kaine and Warner -- this morning and spoke to staffers. What I said is something along these lines:
My name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
I'm calling to ask [REP/SEN NAME] to oppose Todd Blanche for Attorney General. Todd Blanche has shown that his loyalty is to the president, not the Constitution or the American public, making him unfit to serve as Attorney General.
Agree! Listening to SenatorAmy Klobuchar question Blanche - feels soft ball and makes him appear legitimate - he just keeps saying he will follow the law. But Blanche's behavior with the Epstein File and Maxwell was not by the book. While serving as Deputy Attorney General, Blanche personally interviewed Maxwell in July 2025, stating he wanted to give her a chance to speak about her past with Epstein. Interviewing her by himself is not protocol. We all know Blanche will do Trump's bidding. So Democrats need to not give him the benefit of the doubt. No one vote.
I listened most of the morning, but had to stop. Hypocrisy, thy name is Republican.
I had to stop too. I was afraid I was going to throw a brick through my TV! I live and vote in DC but still own property and part of a small business in WV. When I was growing up WV was solid Blue. I call Capito, Justice, and Carol Miller everyday. Even though my voice is probably not one they wish to hear I want them to know that not everyone agrees with the Dear Leader!
I had same reaction to her questioning. She needs to fight harder!
Simon, thanks for sharing those ads -- inspiring! It occurred to me that Trump may be making Jon Ossoff a leading candidate for 2028.
I called Congressman Raskin to ask him to weigh in on Blanche and Clayton and I said that Trump is out of touch with reality and needs to be removed from office as soon as possible. I called Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to ask them to vote NO on Blanche and Clayton and I said that Trump is out of touch with reality and needs to be removed from office as soon as possible. I'm writing postcards to Ohio voters today.
Could not agree more. He is sure a big star on the rise, and from just the right state!
Not a MI voter, but my mom is. When you spoke about your experience working with Stevens, that she's currently in the House, that was info I shared with my mom. I personally feel that her experience is going to be an advantage when Dems take the House. They have a lot of work to do.
I wish she would take a more nuanced position on Israel. Jennifer Rubin has a great piece out today "Enough is Enough" on Israeli violence against Palestinians with even the President of Israel denouncing what settlers are doing with the approval of the IDF
Link to the piece you reference for anyone that is interested...
https://www.contrariannews.org/p/enough-is-enough
I called both Sens. Cornyn and Cruz. Messages reminded that each are law school graduates- and should recognize that Blanche is a horrible nominee, who has already disgraced their profession. I suggested they vote as if Blanche was a Dem nominee.
Both Texans sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Josh Turek was on Lawrence last night, and the polling for his race is fantastic. I am so excited! Made the calls. Booker has been all over the airwaves opposing Blanche, and I expect his usual feistiness in today's hearing. I know Andy Kim is a no vote, should Blanche's nom come to the floor. Sadly, Rep. Chris Smith (Traitor-NJ04) is a bowl of jello, and despite the fact that he has a strong record on human trafficking legislation, he continues to stay silent on Epstein & will support Blanche. UGH. Looking forward to tonight's call.
Also, there is a Public Citizen call tonight at 8 in response to the killings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo & Johan Sebastian Guerrero. Also on the call will be local organizers, & they'll have info on actions we can take to honor their lives and work for justice for them and their loved ones. Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/disappearedinamerica/event/987861/
Keep going!
Yes, Lisa, I plan to hop on to the 8:00 call tonight (after Simon's weekly meeting) to honor Lorenzo Salgado Araujo & Johan Sebastian Guerrero, and to discuss actions we can take.
guerrero is from my wife's home town in colombia; it is having a devastating effect down there. it is a conservative state and the people there have always admired the usa; i can show you pictures of my sisters in law as kids wearing usa basketball shirts; basketball is played in south america, though argentina was always the powerhouse followed by legendary oscar schmidt and brazil; but everyone knew which country had the best team. and they also cheered each usa goal in the world cup as if it were their own team. trump is ruining a relationship with one of our closest and oldest allies in latin america. of course. looking at photos of the young man, he could be my son, who is around the same age. senseless, and people in maine are pissed off about it. again, as stuart stevens said recently, these ice agents are death squads. booker and kim can be relied on. collins is getting shit in maine because she voted for ice money; r's are blaming dems for the shutdown causing a lack of bodycams. you gotta hand it to the fascists, they've always got fingers to point elsewhere, brazenly and with no shame.
Thank you for this. I can hop on right after our Hopium zoom.
Annie Andrews?
Not sold this is doable but she is a great candidate and will remain open to it as we watch the GOP process proceed.
Vindman?
Thank you sir, I have been supporting her along with the others you have highlighted
Lots of great info today--the polling data, the fantastic ads for several of our intrepid candidates, the editorial about Blanche's corruption. Thanks for uplifting and inspiring us to work even harder. Held my nose and called Blackburn, Hagerty and Rep. Tim (aliens are everywhere) Burchett (aka Tim Birdshit.) No on Blanche! No on Clayton (who I fear might slip through if Rs vote against Blanche and somehow try to tell constituents that was a brave vote)! No on (the misnamed) SAVE Act. Yes on Russian sanctions. That's about as much as I could work into one call. But tomorrow is another day.
I continue to believe that these political labels are useless as they tell me nothing about what the candidate believes or will support. Tell me what the candidate identifies as problems that must be addressed and how does the candidate propose to address them? Why do we insist on identifying a box that has no meaning?
Explain
I think the labelling is worse than useless, Russel. Once you label someone or a group of someones then you tend to automatically fill in the boxes of where they stand on all policies, when many of us are more nuanced and complex than that.
Once you label someone to a category it creates "us" and "them" depending on whether they fit your own self label or not.
I do it too when I think about MAGA, and I do it to defeat them. I don't care much about their nuances, if they even have them, when ICE is murdering innocent people on our streets, and Trump is grifting and destroying our country, economy, world standing, health outcomes and the rest. If you still support him, you are " the other"...period.
But on the pro-democracy side of the ledger, I want to embrace the diversity and nuances. I want to find the common ground of the people on my "left" and "right" so they aren't "other", but rather "different shades of us" i.e. people I respect as part of our shared community... our team.
I think that is essentisl if we are going to truly defeat these f*ckers for good.
Thank you as always! I called yesterday and will again today. I usually call different offices on big issues.
I have some more Mainer on the ground info too share, but I am way behind in my work and am going to discipline myself to hold off sharing until I finish this work this morning.
Excited to hear from Simon and our plucky patriots tonight!
Thank you. Make sure to catch up on your work. Will check in later and hopefully, won't miss your Maine update.
MrsCQ, do I have to make a stop in CA to meet you when I visit CA in the fall????? You are so supportive and kind. I think I adore you. I just am so grateful for this community of amazing people. The one thing 45 did was bring so many amazing people together. Some of my best friends have become my resistance sisters I met on the bus to the women's march in DC in 2017.
I got through the bulk of my paperwork this am. Thx and have a good one!
I was out the door and saw you replied. Yes! Let me know when you are here and hopefully we can meet. Now, I have to go cuz Hopium makes me late when I check in - I think I'm obsessed. Actually, I know I am. Ok good luck with the paperwork!
Simon, Cornyn seemed soft in his questioning towards Blanche. If Tillis is the only no, does Blanche still get confirmed? Not confident either Collins or Cornyn will vote no. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be surprised if Fetterman even, votes yes. What do you think our chances truly ate? Not 💯sure exactly how many votes the GOP can afford to lose on tips one.
Really do not want to be a downer, or bring negative vibes, but...
I think we have to brace ourselves for reality here.
But I would love to be wrong!!
I think it is important for us to share things we think as long as we are not actively undermining messages or being a troll.
Blake's message can inspire folks to keep calling too! I love that you and Blake and so many others here work to balance the reality with optimism. It is often a challenge!
called useless maga duo scott & moody left message of course. also called cornyn & tillis hoping they just might do the right thing!
So discouraging. Moody started sending me emails sometime last year. I have no idea why she thought a leftie in Maine would want her propaganda. Scott makes my blood boil. What a cast of corruption we have. FInger's crossed for Jolly and Vindeman. Getting read to call my pearl clutcher now. She will not answer. it may be because people like my 90 year old dad calls almost daily and rant about her lack of spine.
I called Wyden and Merkely.
As for what Simon has described as the New Left, I think a push for more progressive policies is warranted, but the National DSA types are the wrong people to be at the forefront as like Simon observes, they are more interested in fighting Democrats than Republicans, don't have the working class support they claim they do, have not thought out how to move from primary campaigns to a general election, and have put poorly vetted, high risk candidates into prominent races, most especially purple state Senate races.
Called Senators Murray and Cantwell about Blanche and Clayton, and Rep. Larsen about standing up for democracy.
I just called Senators Grassley and Ernst about Todd Blanche. Grassley is Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is interviewing Blanche today. In the call to his office, I emphasized his role in stopping this nomination. I actually got through to a staffer, which was good in the sense that I know my call was received and attended to but bad in the sense that it means that his office isn't being deluged with calls today. I left voice mail for Ernst.
Kate, I can't wait for the day, coming soon if there is any justice, that we have two Dem Senators and a Dem Governor in Iowa. Grassley is a stubborn old coot, but at 92, how much longer can he hang on to power?
I called my senators again today. I have their direct numbers but if you don’t have yours, this will get you to yours: 202/224-3121