(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Will Democrats pull Defeat from the Jaws of Victory? That is my fear [1] ['Thom Hartmann', 'Dan Bacher', 'Chitown Kev', 'Belinda Ridgewood'] Date: 2026-06-02 ‘Two Dumb Dems’ https://josephklein.substack.com/p/two-dumb-dems?utm_source=substack&publication_id=1388992&post_id=200269658&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=1k5et&triedRedirect=true# ‘There was a moment, a few weeks ago, when I thought the Dems might win the Senate in 2026. They still might—anything is possible—but the mood has changed in two of the more juicy races, in Maine and Texas.‘ I always follow Joe Klein even though I don’t always agree, and take issue with, some of his positions. And that is particularly true with regards to Democrats and the Democratic Party. Even when Joe does make sense, he can take it to far sometimes almost parroting hard Right culture war nonsense But this commentary is spot on. Unfortunately. Democrats have long had a remarkable ability to pull Defeat from the Jaws of Victory. The GOP has connecting themes…no matter how repellant and anti-Constitution. But Democrats seem to have no or little connecting themes or consistency other than Trump is bad. And Trump IS bad. He’s very bad, in ill health and increasingly dangerous. This is primarily the responsibility of a feckless, deeply disconnected GOP Congress whose biggest fear is to be named in one of Trump’s near psychotic Truth Social hours long rants. This point must be directly made…but it is not. Trump is incompetent and deeply unfit. His own comments should be part of Democratic electoral strategies followed by what we will do differently It’s a damn good thing that these retched GOP cowards weren’t sitting in our Continental Congress since they’d have likely handed the keys to America to King George III. Trump is handing the keys to America to Project 2025, Russell Vought, Stephen Miller and among the most violent collection of shit White/Christian Nationalists and aligned militias And the GOP Congress sits and stares But Democrats are also not doing themselves favors. Democrats are not taking advantage in a coherent, thoughtful manner. There are many things about Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York City, I do not like or support. But I think he has a key which Democrats are refusing to use and turn in the most useful direction. There is no guidance being given. Perhaps Mamdani should co-lead the DNC despite having positions I oppose. A reality is that I don’t have to agree with every position to still provide support. Mamdani is a helluva politician. Platner is a fool who should be called out for the fool he is. Janet Mills should’ve been supported and given reason to have stayed in the Senate race in Maine. Talerico, I think, has a chance but must get his shit together. I was not specifically aware of all his comments which Klein identified. Like Klein, I kind of like referring to a non-binary collective consciousness even if it must be called ‘god.’ But I also agree that the campaign trail in Texas was likely not the best venue to share this and other philosophies. The November election may be among the most relevant and important in America’s History. Democrats desperately need a majority in at least the House but better in both the House and Senate to let us hold Trump and his cohort accountable for their crimes. Two more years of an unrestrained, deeply ignorant, malignant narcissist increasingly dementia addled, adjudicated sex offender, white supremacist, and criminal felon who is literally making billions of dollars off the White House while pushing entitled white boy middle school vengeance will not serve America well. Trump’s most natural state, even when he was well, is that of a loser. And he is doing to America what he did to his casinos – and far more. But he doesn’t have daddy or daddy’s lawyers to protect him any more and help correct his many self inflicted mistakes We have to vote in our numbers to overwhelm the GOP voter suppression machine. But we also need thoughtful, coherent candidates not those acting as side shows. We can’t afford to pull Defeat from the Jaws of Victory. And, frankly, that is what I fear. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/6/2/800049255/community/will-democrats-pull-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory-again-that-is-my-fear/ Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/