Since Donald Trump won the presidency, the Democrat Party has committed to a strategy of resistance. Three days ago, Virginia Senator and defeated VP-Nominee, Tim Kaine called on Democrats to take the fight against Trump to the streets. While Republican pundits have insinuated that this was a call for violence, I think we all know, deep down, that it was a call for civil unrest (not violence). Understand, on November 8th, all Democrats knew, for sure, that Hillary Clinton was the next President of the United States, that they’d have a chance to take control of SCOTUS for 50 years, that all GOP resistance to the tax, welfare, and regulatory state would be futile for a decade. Then, they woke up to hear that Trump had won and Hillary Clinton couldn’t even wheel her bones to a microphone.
They are angry. I think they are angrier than Republicans were when Obama won. They aren’t going down without a fight.
So what does this fight look like?
I spoke at a candidates forum in Hanover, Virginia last week with Congressmen Dave Brat, Tom Garrett, and Rob Wittman. Denver Riggleman, Frank Wagner, Corey Stewart, Ed Gillespie, Jill Vogel, Bryce Reeves, Glenn Davis, Chuck Smith, and John Adams were also speakers. Around 18 to 20 protesters showed up to protest Congressman Brat.
These same 18-20 protesters have been trolling his social media pages all day, every day, for the last week. Every other Republican Congressman is having their phones blown up by angry liberals armed with the same histrionic talking-points. This is why, last week, I wrote an article encouraging Republicans to call their representatives in D.C. and Richmond and encourage them. The pressure our representatives are feeling is real. The folks working in the local offices of Republican Congressmen are describing last week in language fitting the end of a Shakespearean play.
This is an organized political tactic orchestrated by Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, George Soros, and the DNC. Media in the Commonwealth will be more than happy to cover a handful of protesters, but they’ll never cover rooms packed full of Republican supporters. This partnership between Democrats and the media will serve as wave after wave of resistance and unrest directed at elected Republican officials. The vivacity of these waves will depend on the margin of victory these representatives enjoyed in the last election.
There is a reason why Congresswoman Comstock felt it necessary to immediately come out against Trump’s hiring freeze and vetting orders. There’s a reason why Congressman Dave Brat, the most accessible Congressman in all of Virginia held an emergency online townhall to address constituents caught up in an orchestrated campaign by the Democrat Party smearing Brat for being inaccessible to his constituents. This is what the Alinskites do. They will attack you for your strengths. Democrats in the 1st District have even tried to smear Congressman Wittman as being neglectful of the US military. That would be like saying that Senator Mark Warner neglects the teachers union.
I understand that many of these Democrat protesters are paid to spend their time and energy bullying Republican legislators, but that is no excuse for Republicans to sit on their hands. When the going gets tough, Republicans get busy with something else. We think our job is done the day after an election, when in truth, that is only the beginning of our civic duty. When Republicans fold (as they are folding left and right in the General Assembly today), we get furious with them and call them RINO’s, yet we never consider the fact that their offices are getting thousands of phone calls every day threatening them, demanding they vote against X, Y, and Z, and they have absolutely zero Republican support. What do you expect them to do?
If average Republicans are going to sit on their hands for the next four years, fine. I’ll speak to the Trump voters.
Trump Voters – if you want President Donald Trump to have any chance of fulfilling his promises, then he needs you to call every Republican and Democrat Congressman in the Commonwealth and demand that they support the president. You guys were active during the campaign – not just active. You guys were omnipresent. You couldn’t find a thread without a Trump Supporter whipped into a frenzy on behalf of their candidate. If you want Trump to be successful, then you need to rediscover the energy you had during the campaign and Up…Your…Game!
Trump Supporters – you need to blow up every phone of every state delegate, every state senator, every Congressman and Congresswoman, and even your two far-left-wing Democrat Senators, and demand that they get on board with Trump’s agenda, and demand that they support regulatory and tax reform in Richmond and Washington D.C.
You discovered your power in 2016. Now is not the time to let up. Now is the time to show America that if they thought you were loud during Trump’s campaign, that they ain’t seen nothing yet!
49 comments
Absolutely agreed with you, Steven.
Republicans, Rally and support your President as being above the Constitution! Who do these so-called constitution defenders think they are? Judges? Courts? Who are they to ignore the election?
Republicans need to support Putin and Russia and get in line with their President’s embrace of the Kremlin.
What have you been waiting for? Your principles? Forget them. It’s time to support the President. Love him or leave him.
Thank you for pointing this out. Even Tom Garrett has felt the pressure as about 200 pro-Obamacare protesters surrounded his Charlottesville office last Tuesday (http://www.nbc29.com/story/34392089/protesters-at-rep-garretts-albemarle-co-office-show-support-for-aca). (“Healthcare is a Right!” signs always get my blood going.)
Call your gop reps to remind them that none of these protestors voted for them, or will ever vote for them, and that we’re still here. THEN make a call to at least one of your favorite progressive elected officials. Four of us did this at Lobby Day with Dem. Senator David Toscano. David arrived to dart through our group to his office without comment or eye contact (maybe he recognized me). His receptionist then informed us that he wasn’t available and that we should have made an appointment (Isn’t Lobby Day for drop ins?). However, one of his policy staff did meet with us in the hallway.
I very politely told her, “We are your opposition. Please tell Senator Toscan to Stop It. Stop helping us. We can handle most of these problems on our own without your help. Thank you very much for meeting with us today.” She was composed but clearly surprised and politely thanked us for our visit. I’ve always avoided our opposition assuming it was a waste of time but they need to hear from us. They need to know that not everyone is their best friend while also asking for preferential benefits at public expense. It makes a difference that they know we are more than a vague, stereotyped group of “undesirables” that they never experience.
HEY Steven, while I got you here, before delving into the intricacies of monetary policy, I want to know what Lady Gaga thinks. We need to spend more time listening to Matt Damon and Jay Z, that’s what I’m sayin
I here you loud and clear Gator, sad people think they have a right to the property or hard work of someone else, that measure of thinking is the quickest way to societal rot
The main reason Democrats are demonstrating is that literally half a billion dollars was spent by the Clinton campaign to go negative against Trump in an attempt to make the entire campaign about him instead of her own (and Obama’s) failings. She knew that if it were about her she would never win, so she and her campaign people consciously decided to do everything in their power to make the idea of Trump Presidency so poisonous, so repugnant, that nobody would ever vote for him. How was she (in her urban bubble) to know that voters wanted someone that Washington DC hates to be President, in a weird way she was fueling Trump’s election.
Now that Trump has won, the people who were convinced by Clinton that Trump was an evil dictator unsurprisingly still believe that to be true, so now the white knights are out to save the world from the imagined fascism they believe to be real, and in some cases they actually do believe that it is real. Capitalizing on that is a Democratic party who has no other option, having lost both houses of Congress, the Presidency, and basically everything else worth having, but to go directly to the people with their agenda and try to drum up support that way. Like a President who doesn’t have Congress who has to use the people to put pressure on Representatives to push his agenda forward, so too the Democratic party has no other options but to try to sway public opinion, and they more than happy to support protests to the point of riot if that gets them what they want.
Meanwhile, you have the media portraying it all as an “us vs them”, except they gloss over that whole part where half of “us” voted for “them”, they let that slip by as if the people who voted for Trump landed in a spaceship and then few back to Venus once the votes were counted, leaving a country filled with Democrats to pick up the pieces.
Never fear, Republicans, your voters are right there with you, even if they have no reason to skip a day of work to stand around with signs in their hands. For the past 8 years Republicans have been winning more and more seats, states, and executive offices, and that’s because the Republican message is strong.
People are sick of the very tactics the left and the media are using. The Democratic party has learned absolutely nothing from their election defeat, nothing they are doing now is winning back the voters they have lost in Wisconsin and other key states they need to win, nor is it winning them points in all of the state legislatures they’ve lost.
But the Democrats biggest problem is that all these people who claim to be so oppressed, who look sort of like protesters, are actually a bunch of privileged self-indulgents who are so delusional that they can no longer separate their pretended outrage and “protester dress-up” bonfires with the reality of their Starbucks coffee and smart phones. Unfortunately for them, though they have convinced themselves and the media is trying to perpetuate the mythology, the people who are actually struggling in this country just think it’s all a pathetic joke.
These traditionally Democratic voters
https://midwestuniontravel.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/union-workers.jpg
Are finally sick of these Democrats
http://cdn.someecards.com/posts/slutwalkchicago-jbmUXR.jpg
You are wrong . The Dems are simply playing the obstruct, obstruct, obstruct, game that was so successful for Republicans. Has little to do with Trump. Dems would have done the same to Jeb, or any of the “sour 16”.
Tuck,
I am the biggest Trump supporter in Virginia, I also believe that the other Republicans were dragged kicking and screaming to the polls against him. They had to vote for him in the general.
Now is the time for those same R’s not to forget it is not about Trump or Republicans .
It is about “the Forgotten men and women of America”.
It is time for the elected to get behind us , Damn sure not gullible enough to be a horse with blinders a trust them. Where is the olive branch in illegal immigrant labor.
The sun rises and sets each day he has what he says , first 100 days ,um
75 left. And our squishy R’s in the GA
don’t appear to assist the issue.
Put them cry baby protesters in debt then to work , no bailout for them or corporations.
At least ,
Build the Wall, slow the flow of the labor violating State laws which are R
dominated.
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There is a deeper fundamental problem that is getting to the point of scary. Ok, all the women out there with their signs with cats on them… and the absolute idiotic blather coming out of those speeches on the million pussy march to protest Trump… march away ladies and Beta males.. And then you add the Soros funded marchers and Black Lives matter riots.
But.. the US economic system is pretty frightening. After all those years of printing money with all the Quantitative Easings and zero interest rates. The Establishment managed to produce paltry growth and to be honest, if that is possible for the government, low wage, crap jobs. We have replaced manufacturing jobs with waiter jobs over the course of the past thirty years of globalization and outsourcing. I doubt anyone who has an inkling of knowledge of financial systems doesn’t wake up in a cold sweat as to the possibilities for the next disaster. Who knows what happens? Remember when the Establishment of both parties came up with the idea of easy loans to stimulate the economy and rolled out a program that nearly collapsed the system in 2008?
The Establishment brought you that–Wall St and Washington walked hand in hand to create that. AND they couldn’t tell that if you give multiple loans of hundred of thousands of dollars in home mortgages to people who didn’t have the income to afford that, that the system wouldn’t collapse?
So… you have idiots in the streets with their shallow protests over a misogynist in the White House who somehow also might be going to put black people back into slavery, or end abortion etc… And the system just might be on the brink of collapse.
The system is always on the brink of collapse.
It is nearly 20 trillion dollars in debt and growing… that brink is soon, isn’t it?
Trump signed an order today to start the process of turning Wall St. loose again on the middle class. I said years ago that Wall St. and the rich would like nothing better than another 2000-2008 economy to raid the middle-class and the US treasury again. They made so much money during the Bush 43′ disaster, why not do a double, or triple play?
Not one illegal out of over 11 million has been deported in the last 2 weeks of Trump. Not one executive order has been signed to deal with bringing jobs back. Not one tariff has been installed on either Mexico or China.
However, big oil, Wall St., and Israel all get their executive orders…….
And SBT is still whining about the Democrats?
You are correct once again.
I expect Trump to let the money flow through local small banks once again , so much so we are currently starting to very large spec. homes gambling to capitalize on expected mark-ups.
A housing bubble will start this summer , values should falsely increase, if wages don’t , gass increases, continued lack of job security , POP there goes the family net worth.
Step 2 , Builders will be right in step to employe more illegal aliens , then list new homes $15,000.00 cheaper on the market.
The Democrats are still far worse. In politics, we prioritize instead of idealize.
Far worse at your idealism. Both parties are far worse at my idealism.
Washington cannot be fixed until the money is turned off.
The Tea Party organized a superb effort to influence through up close contact, simple messages, and mobilizing the grassroots with simple messaging that outsiders occasionally felt was pretty hysterical in tone. It was a big notch up in intensity from recent conservative efforts.
Guess what? Liberals think conservatives are hysterical and rationalize their alarmist messages with a narrative that says they have to do it because their opponents are hysterical.
They read the Tea Party’s book.
http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2016/12/progressives-tea-party-tactics-stop-trump.
When do we get to the part where we hold legislators and executives to account for doing their jobs?
Anti-Trump protester
Unthinking conservative turned Trump supporters don’t grapple with reality and end up busts of worldwide joke
https://youtu.be/ELD2AwFN9Nc
What strikes me is how they disprove themselves. They complain he is inaccessible…but they air their complaint *to him.*
They think they are entitled to force him to meet them face to face so they can continue their angry diatribe in person.
If he’s not listening, why bother demanding he meet them face-to-face?
If he’s listening, why not just air your grievance, instead of grabbing his attention in order to demand he give you more of his attention, so as to prove he isn’t giving you any of his attention?
Outstanding use of logic; thank you.
Yes, darn right – it’s a well-coordinated attack, on many fronts. FYI, here’s one example of their organization – https://docs.google.com/document/d/1THRZKiF9oGQ6a1MBWFVIDHv5a8SuI2vLpIYUfx3Df00/preview . No doubt much of this is agitation is funded by evil Soros. Congressman Garrett is too being targeted by the opposition. Trolls online seem to be reading from the same lib playbook. Some of us Republicans have been sounding the alarm in the 5th District to support our guy on social media, etc.
We can’t relax now. It’d be nice if the RPV made more of a strong stand too.
RPV is doing what they can, remember they are just a couple of guys in a small office. The real Republican Party in Virginia is Tommy Norment and Bill Howell and they only care about Tommy Norment and Bill Howell.
And just where does the power company fit in this pyramid of Virginia government that you have devised?
Apparently sitting fat and happy at the head of that table.
What’s really funny about those protesting the Trump travel ban, and some protesters at universities destroying the campus? Well, these protesters have 10’s of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, put on their shoulders by the establishment and their own ignorance.
These protesters are to stupid to realize that most of them will only be able to get a job at McDonalds’s when they graduate, unless they have a friend who can “crony” up a public service “fake job”. Fake job being a position with a paycheck and insurance card that is paid wholly by the taxpayer, AND NOBODY WOULD EVER KNOW IF THE POSITION DIDN’T EXIST.
You see these protesters are actually protesting to allow refugee’s, illegals, etc., to continue to flood into this country and take the what used to be decent paying private industry jobs. In effect, these protesters are protesting to make sure there will not be any decent job for them when they graduate????
The Wall St. owned crooked media has destroyed their brain and deceived them. Sorta like the Garden of Eden.
I hope you realize that cabinet positions are now being purchased, just like a pack of cigs.
A person with a billion dollars is far more dangerous than a person with a gun.
The lack of accessibly theme is all over the 10th District too. Every comment and LTE says Comstock can’t be found anywhere.
Clearly the Left is coordinating.
They are; and what’s worse, is that Barbara is not only listening, but conceding to those pressures. (Not sure she even has a choice in the 10th). It won’t matter. The Democrats are going to come hard over and over again. We need as much vigor from the right.
When Dave had his FB online town hall..The attacks were relentless.
I was watching – it was ridiculous. 7th District Republicans need to fight back.
Very well said, Steven, and a much needed admonition. We went to rallies, fought on social media, but were otherwise “under the radar” until we came out in droves to vote for Trump and change. The problem is, the other side is nasty, and we tend to be civil. The other side has no problem with lies, misinformation, and varying degrees of violence, ranging from damaging vehicles with Trump or Make America Great Again stickers, to actually destroying businesses, cars, and inflicting physical injury. We value truth and civility. Neither you nor I advocate lies or violence, but you are right to call us out – we need to be bold and active in supporting those elected leaders, locally and nationally, who support our side, and to be just as bold and active challenging the Democrat politicians, the media, and our fellow citizens. The other side is holding “Rallies for Unity” across the country on Saturday with a theme that we are a Nation of Immigrants. Clearly a coordinated protest effort against the President’s recent actions taken to protect the country. Warrenton has one at 12:00 on the courthouse steps. I believe there is one in Richmond. Steve is correct. We have not won the war. The election was a just a major battle we won, like Gettysburg, but the war is not won, and must be fought on all fronts.
Agreed – and it should be pointed out that every time they break a window, or get their pictures taken with disgusting signs, etc., it makes them look ridiculous. We need to be just as aggressive (in other words, just as active), but in our own manner. Civil. Well-informed. It does no good to call politicians when they know damn well we don’t have half the facts. 😉
We’ve just seen this before. We elect a Republican government and then we disappear.
Trump supporters are Sun-Tzu, there is no need for Tea Party style histrionics.
If the Congresscritters feel the need to appease the whiniest mobs, they are not equipped to stay in Congress.
Some of our lame electeds seem to have a burning need to go all Neville Chamberlin on appeasement and apology circuits.
We elect Republicans, the democrat party elects windsocks.
A lot of the attacks on Dave Brat seem to be coming from the GOPe.
That other VA political blog that shall remain nameless (hint: nautically themed name) is one of the major culprits.
The attacks of the last couple of weeks are completely Democrat in origin. But, yes, if you are talking about the last three years, the GOPe has been rough on him. What is happening now, however, is a part of a national and statewide campaign to bully everyone responsible for carrying out Trump’s agenda in D.C.
Two entirely different things. One is based on his lack of action and the other is a (probably) Soros funded campaign intended to astro-turf opposition and overwhelm constituent services.
The editor of said blog has a blatant hate filled obsession for @CongressmanDaveBrat and a genuine love affair for #EstablishmentEd, but considering he was or is a former hired political gun, no one is surprised.
True.
But of course, lie down with dogs…
A Times Dispatch article following Congressman Brat’s appearance last week at a Hanover Tavern event was accompanied by an unusual number of “citizen comments” hysterically objecting to Brat’s lack of accessibility. Such unfounded charges go way beyond the “big lie, as he has had 31 public forums. The commenters were on a mission of misinformation. Lies are part of the left’s strategy. Nice folks. Wouldn’t want to play golf with any of them.
This is a strategy getting tagged #RESIST. Republicans have to fight back with as much vigor.
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Nope, too obvious. We will be nice until it’s time not to be nice.
Asymmetrically.
I think I read somewhere that it is 33 forums. Either way many more than Cantor ever did…maybe in his whole term. I would guess a little of this garbage is from his supporters also. They seem to have never given up. I have never seen “no Dems allowed” in a posting about one of Dave’s appearances. SMH
That’s exactly right.