I think it's time for me repost and pin this: My advice to both liberals and conservatives in 2022 about how to build a coalition, including the sage advice of "get over it" www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
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Once again, a great piece that reminded me of how proud I was when I entered federal service in the 1970s, joining Treasury and retiring 35+ years later from DHS. Here's the card I carried alongside my credentials every day as a CBP Officer. That same card has been on my fridge door since then.
aug 27, 2025, 12:34 pm • 0 0 • view
I followed the last days of “debate” here with growing anxiety. Please USA, get over it and fight all of… this… now. Together. You will have to do it anyway, sooner or later. Here attached the list of political ideologies of the Italian Resistance (They hated each other? Yes)
aug 27, 2025, 8:01 am • 0 0 • view
OMG...fucking read the article!
aug 27, 2025, 3:48 am • 3 0 • view
I'm center-left. The pragmatic kind. And everyday, I have to block lefties purists who whine about what's happening in Gaza or about LGBTQ[whatever] "rights" and how they won't ever vote for Ds (especially Newsom), not realizing they are enabling all they rage about. They enabled the Turd Reich.
aug 27, 2025, 3:38 pm • 1 0 • view
Point being, purist zealots are as responsible for the current situation as Rs. They make the building of coalitions pretty much impossible.
aug 27, 2025, 3:42 pm • 1 0 • view
What conservatives are willing to make a coalition?
aug 27, 2025, 3:31 am • 9 1 • view
Ah I see my mistake. Yes, there’s a few figures out there who call themselves conservative who seem willing to make coalitions. Sure. That’s fine. But I was assuming we were discussing already elected conservatives, those in Senate or the House of Reps. Because thats what’s really needed.
aug 27, 2025, 6:21 pm • 0 0 • view
We need everyone who isn't a maga freak to come together until the immediate threat is controlled. God willing, we will get to argue with conservatives over policy when our democracy is out of the ICU.
aug 27, 2025, 3:40 am • 22 1 • view
We tried that. It was the Biden Admin and look where it got us.
aug 27, 2025, 3:45 am • 5 0 • view
The Biden admin was pretty good. I'd take a lot more of that.
aug 27, 2025, 12:33 pm • 7 1 • view
No.
aug 27, 2025, 4:24 am • 3 0 • view
Yes.
aug 27, 2025, 6:19 pm • 1 0 • view
The Biden Admin was not remotely that - it was primarily made up of milquetoast left-of-center career politician Dems and terminally online progressive leftists. And they fucked us over repeatedly until it led to where we are now.
aug 27, 2025, 5:26 pm • 1 1 • view
If you want to blame Biden go ahead that is your choice. That is a lame excuse. I agree it is time to quit trying to recruit far left and right, quit picking fights that achieve nothing and stop attacking the party. Time to protect the constitution and its language. Time to remove those in the way.
aug 27, 2025, 6:25 am • 2 1 • view
We cannot do that without a coalition. We have to recognize who is pro-democracy and set aside our policy differences for now.
aug 27, 2025, 8:47 am • 2 0 • view
There are plenty of them here. All the folks at @lincolnproject.us like @therickwilson.bsky.social @reedgalen.bsky.social @tarasetmayer.bsky.social @mikemadrid.bsky.social
aug 27, 2025, 6:17 pm • 0 0 • view
The folks at @thebulwark.com @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social @timmiller.bsky.social @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social @gtconway.bsky.social @jvl.bsky.social @samsteindc.bsky.social There’s former Tea Party member @walshfreedom.bsky.social
aug 27, 2025, 6:18 pm • 0 0 • view
What the heck do you think the Never Trump Republicans have been doing for the last decade?
aug 27, 2025, 4:40 am • 5 1 • view
Failing.
aug 27, 2025, 5:30 am • 0 0 • view
So have we, if you want to get real about it.
aug 27, 2025, 8:58 am • 6 0 • view
Is it the people who decided to put their policy differences aside to vote for the candidate they normally wouldn’t in order to preserve democracy (up to 3X) that failed to be part of the coalition, or is it the people who won’t vote for their own side unless they’re excited and perfectly aligned?
aug 27, 2025, 11:07 am • 2 1 • view
Why would liberals even consider a coalition with a party that is out to destroy our democracy?
aug 27, 2025, 3:36 am • 2 0 • view
Don't equate small-letter-c conservatives with Republicans. Trump isn't a conservative!
aug 27, 2025, 3:38 am • 12 0 • view
Where are they?
aug 27, 2025, 3:41 am • 0 0 • view
Volunteering for your local Democratic Party will help you answer that question.
aug 27, 2025, 9:08 am • 1 0 • view
Please check out the Bulwark. Good place to start!
aug 27, 2025, 12:25 pm • 1 0 • view
I have 2 conservative friends who left the GOP after J6. Both are running for our town council as Democrats. One is a conservative, pro-life Catholic with a great job, loving husband & 4 kids. She doesn't agree with Dems on everything, but she decided she has more in common with Dems than with MAGA.
aug 27, 2025, 4:20 am • 1 0 • view
My other friend is the daughter of a Baptist minister. She wss horrified J6 & by the cruelty of Trump/MAGA. She is a humble woman. She is a teacher, wife, & Mom. She is very religious & doesn't agree with every liberal talking point. Therefore, it took several people to convince her to run as a Dem.
aug 27, 2025, 4:25 am • 1 0 • view
She doesn't agree with Dems on every issue so she thought she couldn't run as a Democrat, as if there was a purity test. Some local politicians convinced her that it was OK to disagree on a few issues. The Dems need to welcome small-c conservatived like my friends if they want to win elections!
aug 27, 2025, 4:33 am • 2 0 • view
And another thing: my friends probably won't win their elections because our town council is almost always Republicans. It is Very Important to run a Democrat for Every seat in every town in America!!! The Republicans are much better at fielding candidates for local elections. Dems need to catch up!
aug 27, 2025, 4:36 am • 2 0 • view
2 nationally known conservatives who are forming a coalition with Democrats to defend democracy are @adamkinzinger.substack.com and @judgeluttig.bsky.social
aug 27, 2025, 3:56 am • 4 0 • view
It's not a fight between bad and good. It's a fight between can and should. youtu.be/Gsy5sJy5_34?...
aug 27, 2025, 4:04 am • 0 0 • view
I listen to both of them, I haven’t seen or heard of any coalition.
aug 27, 2025, 4:01 am • 1 0 • view
I apologize, "Coalition" might be the wrong word.
aug 27, 2025, 4:13 am • 0 0 • view
It ain't an official alliance. They weren't drafted by an NFL team & signed a contract. There are lots of conservatives who have left the Rep party but they don't feel welcomed by the Democrats. If we want to beat Trump, then we need a big tent that includes GOP voters who have soured on Trump!
aug 27, 2025, 4:12 am • 4 0 • view
I follow some on Bluesky and I know some in real life. I recommend you follow @atticus59914029.bsky.social he is a lawyer in Southern Georgia, he is small-letter-c conservative. The GOP has moved too far right for him. So he is now attending protests. He retweets Democrat politicians.
aug 27, 2025, 3:55 am • 2 0 • view
One, conservatives aren't trying to destroy this country, many have working against Trump since the beginning. Two, liberals need to work with as many people as they can so Dems can take back power, because on their own they suck at winning elections.
aug 27, 2025, 3:40 am • 3 0 • view
Where and who are they? They’re all cowering in fear.
aug 27, 2025, 3:42 am • 1 0 • view
Tom Nichols The Lincoln Project Writers of The Bulwark Joe Walsh (now a Dem) Bill Kristol Judge Michael Luttig Every conservative judge on the bench defying the Trump admin … that’s off the top of my head
aug 27, 2025, 9:01 am • 2 0 • view
Scroll to the top of this thread, for starters. The Lincoln Project showed more fight than most liberals.
aug 27, 2025, 4:09 am • 1 0 • view
Only if you fucking progressives get a clue!
aug 27, 2025, 3:49 am • 1 0 • view
Mitch McConnell was right on that point at least. The coalition of the willing WILL get over it, or this problem won't be solved.
aug 27, 2025, 4:01 am • 0 0 • view
Conservatives aren’t conservative, they’re evangelical, Christian nationalist and fascist, they’re not interested in compromising because they don’t want the society that we want. Evangelicals will burn America to the ground as opposed to live in a free country with the secular government.
aug 27, 2025, 4:36 am • 1 0 • view
You're describing the current Republican party, and you're right. He's talking about the NeverTrump wing of conservativism, who disagree with liberals on wide range of policies but share the belief that we need democracy and the Constitution to make those decisions. Think of it as working with...
aug 27, 2025, 11:52 am • 2 0 • view
It was always there. Trump and MAGA grew from conservative policy, just like the Civil war grew from conservative policy. The war of independence grew from liberal philosophy. The core of conservative policy needed smoke and mirrors, that’s what Trump and MAGA use today.
aug 27, 2025, 2:12 pm • 0 0 • view
...those NeverTrump conservatives the same way P.J. O'Rourke (one of those conservatives) put it when he endorsed Hillary Clinton: "...wrong about virtually everything, but wrong within normal parameters."
aug 27, 2025, 11:55 am • 0 0 • view
The people that don't understand that the conservatives Tom is speaking of do not = MAGA.... you are the reason we can't have nice things.
aug 27, 2025, 3:46 am • 3 0 • view
I endorse this right-wing poopy-head's message. Such a poopy-head though.
aug 27, 2025, 3:34 am • 2 0 • view
are you ok?
aug 27, 2025, 3:40 am • 0 0 • view
Is it weird that I read all your stuff and kind of like you but also think you can go fuck yourself?
aug 27, 2025, 7:29 am • 0 0 • view
Is it weird that I read all your stuff and kind of like you but also think you can go fuck yourself?
aug 27, 2025, 7:23 am • 0 0 • view
It took a couple of years, but eventually Joe Walsh saw the wisdom in giving up on the GOP that you called for here.
aug 27, 2025, 11:46 am • 1 0 • view
Amen, Mr. Nichols.
aug 27, 2025, 3:08 pm • 1 0 • view
Wow everybody! Look at Tom's Big Beautiful Bullshit!
aug 27, 2025, 3:38 am • 0 0 • view
I say it in my profile, "Politically, some where between Cordell Hull-Elihu Root-Joseph P. Kennedy Sr-W.A. Harriman-Nader-Bill Maher. I drink raw milk too, just like Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. That said, ya'll need to grow the tent & I'm a willing ally. Just leave my raw milk alone."
aug 27, 2025, 6:42 pm • 0 0 • view
Were conservatives fascists in a cult back in 2022? Times have changed.
aug 27, 2025, 3:35 am • 2 0 • view
Great article! It also applies to us outside the US, fighting the threat from our own populist right wing parties.
aug 27, 2025, 5:22 am • 1 0 • view
Same 'ol conservative talking point. Make every concession and accept everything we jam down your throats through whatever means we see fit and THEN get over it! Fuck off with that shit.
aug 27, 2025, 3:38 am • 6 0 • view
It might help if you read the article because that’s not what it said at all.
aug 27, 2025, 6:20 pm • 0 0 • view
In fairness, it's a long piece, so I get that you didn't read it
aug 27, 2025, 6:38 pm • 2 1 • view
They totally messed up their own party and want to push liberals to the right.
aug 27, 2025, 3:46 am • 3 0 • view
I'm not a liberal, but I caucus to the left of the poli spectrum. What in this absolute shit show am I supposed to get over exactly?????
aug 27, 2025, 3:33 am • 0 0 • view
Yes! I am aboard.
aug 27, 2025, 8:16 pm • 0 0 • view
Good advice. Doing the same things over and over again yet expecting a different result is silly, as in this skit: youtu.be/aJyppEAWkmQ?...
aug 27, 2025, 4:10 am • 0 0 • view
This article is even more relevant now than it was when you wrote it, and when you wrote it you had your finger on the pulse of what might have averted the disaster we’ve gotten ourselves into. If only we could manage to form this kind of coalition. Why didn’t we? I don’t get it.
aug 27, 2025, 3:46 am • 0 0 • view
Gotta say as card-carrying left-wing nut, I am willing to partner with anyone who will help fight back against this authoritarianism. After we beat back this crisis we can all fight over the other stuff.
aug 27, 2025, 11:51 am • 2 0 • view