Mark Twain once said, “Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself.”
His words are worth repeating. Over the last few weeks the questions I hear most from my Democrat friends are – where are the elected Democratic leadership? Why aren’t they standing up for us? Why are they not speaking more?
Fair questions. There are too many factors in play with the national media, so I did what I advise my students to do – go straight to the source. Evey member of Congress maintains a Newsroom section on their website where they can post Statements and Press Releases on any topic they want, as often as they want, and without edit.
I just completed my homework and reviewed what they have published over the last seven days. And I have graded them on their performance as our elected officials in leadership positions. I have also included the links to each so you can go to these as often as you like for updates.
Sen. Charles Schumer, Democratic Leader of the Senate
February 18, 2025. Schumer, Gillibrand Demand HHS Immediately Reverse Brutal Cuts To 9/11 Survivor Health Program
February 14, 2025. Schumer Announces United Airlines To Offer Second Daily Flight In Summer From Syracuse To Denver
February 13, 2025. Schumer Statement On 40th Anniversary Of 10th Mountain Division’s Reactivation At Fort Drum
Grade: D- Three releases in one week during one of the most turbulent times in our history? Only three? And only one of them tangentially about the Administration’s reckless approach to governing? I get that the last two may make some constituents happy at the local level (otherwise it would have been an F). But nothing is stopping him from publishing more. And he is the Democratic Leader of the Senate. This is not leadership. It is embarrassing.
Sen. Dick Durbin, Democratic Whip
February 19, 2025. Durbin Criticizes Trump And Musk For Dismantling Of USAID And Harming American Farmers In Senate Floor Speech
February 19, 2025. President Trump Is A Pushover For Russian President Vladimir Putin
February 19, 2025. Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Stopping The Exploitation Of Children Online
February 19, 2025. Durbin, Hawley Announce Reintroduction Of Stop CSAM Act
February 19, 2025. Durbin Condemns President Trump’s Comments About Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
February 19, 2025. Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Stopping The Exploitation Of Children Online
February 18, 2025. Durbin Condemns President Trump’s Art Of Appeasement To Russian President Vladimir Putin
Grade: A To be honest, I didn’t even include all the statements he made in two days, let alone over the last week. He is on top of his game. He demonstrates courage. He calls it the way he sees it. And while he has his eye on challenging the Administration’s malicious behavior, he still finds time to care about our children. I would vote for this man.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Leader
February 16, 2025. Leader Jeffries: “Republicans consistently promised that they were going to lower the high cost of living and they’ve done the exact opposite”
February 14, 2025. Leader Jeffries: “Their objective is to pass massive tax cuts for billionaires, donors and their wealthy corporations”
February 13, 2025. Leader Jeffries: “Their true goal is to enact massive tax cuts for their billionaire donors”
Grade: C- Based on content, I almost graded higher. At least he has the right priorities. But again, what could be worse than only putting out three statements in seven days? We need to act faster, speak more often, and keep up with the corruption of the Administration.
Rep. Katherine Clark, Democratic Whip
February 12, 2025. “The American People Did Not Vote for More Scams”: Whip Clark Slams GOP Shutdown of the CFPB
February 10, 2025. Whip Clark, MA Delegation Blast Trump’s Drastic Cuts to National Institutes of Health Funding
Grade: F Two. That’s my answer. Two is worse than three. And nothing since the 12th? Not on the 13th? Not on the 14th? Not on the 15th? Not on the 16th? Not on the 17th? Not on the 18th? I’m just some dude off the street working several different projects and jobs and raising children – and I have written so much more than she has. This is malfeasance for someone in a Democratic leadership position.
Rep. Pete Aguilar, Democratic Caucus Chairman
February 13, 2025. Chairman Aguilar: The Republican Rip Off will fuel inflation, hand out trillions in tax breaks for billionaires
February 11, 2025. Chairman Aguilar: The Republican War on Students will close neighborhood schools, increase class sizes and raise property taxes to finance a $5 trillion tax giveaway to billionaires
Grade: F Again, this is the best we can do? Nothing in the last six days. Notice both of his headlines talk about what “will” happen. There is a ton of material on damage that has already happened. The statements can almost write themselves. Just pick up the pen!
Conclusion
Charles de Gaulle taught us that “Politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.”
Our Democratic leadership has proven this quote to be true. Sen. Durbin can’t do it all alone. This leadership group lacks the courage, tenacity, and will to make the impact our nation and the Democratic party need and deserve.
They need to be held accountable.
Stoneking Strategic Communications (SSC) 