Flipping the Senate

And…How Democrats Must Plan for the Presidency – Now!

Today’s letter is not all about oysters. But they are one of my favorite culinary treats. As a new Englander, I prefer our cold water shellfish. But I do like them all, wherever they are from. Back to oysters in a minute.

I am excited. Two people have declared their candidacy for the U.S. Senate that inspire me. One is an old timer with a sterling reputation for worker rights. The other IS A WORKER with an interesting background.

Sherrod Brown served as a Senator from Ohio from 2007 to 2025. He is ready to do it again. Why? Listen to Heather Cox Richardson’s interview with him! Brown can attract people from all parties as well Independents. He connects with working people on subjects that really matter to them. The basics of life. Healthcare, food security, housing costs and “The Dignity of Work”. Brown is very popular in Ohio. He had been elected when Ohio also chose a Republican governor. He’s the real thing.

And that is the thread of this letter. Democrats need to shed the billionaires and connect with real people. The vast majority who are suffering.

And…of course, Heather is from Maine. Where someone less familiar has announced a run against Senator Susan Collins. Mainers are very independent and feisty. I think they will like Graham Platner. He is an oyster farmer and a veteran. Works for me!

“Maine oyster farmer wants to upend Democratic politics with Senate bid.”

“I’m not fooled by this fake charade of Collins’ deliberations and moderation,” he said in a campaign kickoff video. “The difference between Susan Collins and Ted Cruz is at least Ted Cruz is honest about selling us out and not giving a damn.”

Platner is running on several progressive tenets — though he rejects the label “liberal” — and his announcement sets up the possibility of a clash between Democratic Party factions over generational change, Israel and other issues. In an interview with POLITICO, Platner said he would not support Chuck Schumer as Senate Majority Leader if Democrats managed to take back control in the 2026 midterm elections.

“The next leader needs to be one of vision and also somebody who is willing to fight,” he said. “And I am not seeing either of those things coming out of the current Democratic leadership in the Senate.”

And then:

Let’s assume the Democrats retake the House of Representatives AND the Senate – albeit by a razor thin margin. Task number one is to change out the leadership. Jeffries and Schumer have served in those roles long enough. Too long perhaps. Americans are outraged at this administration. We would like to see Congressional leaders be at least as demonstrative as Blue State governors.

With both houses of Congress under our control, Trump can be impeached. By a year from now there could be enough Republican Senators who will face major outrage in their states. People are ANGRY about the price of food, utilities, home insurance, hospitals closing, the impossibility of home ownership and troops in their cities.

This outrage will haunt MAGA senators every day wherever they go. The people will demand change. Democrats must seize the day!

Of course, JD Vance would assume the role of Dictator immediately. But he can be impeached for many of the same offenses. Out with both of them.

Next in the line of succession to the presidency is the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Democrats need to plan for this possibility. Plan for the presidency. Is Hakeem Jeffries the right choice? No. Is he a decent guy who is on the right side of most issues? Yes. But he has the charisma of a sleepy tortoise.

Who could replace Jeffries? Listen to the House Democratic Whip. Katherine Clark is not a spotlight seeker, so you may not know her well. So listen to her articulate the Democratic response to the current series of obscenities thrust upon us by MAGA.

And who should replace Schumer? A logical choice is the Senate Democratic Whip. Brian Schatz can speak speak truth to power.

”This fascist moment, this age of Trump, demands outspoken, unrelenting and fearless opposition. We all deserve better.”

But Clark and Schatz are just two possibilities. Do you have any favorites? In the House: Raskin, Swalwell or Moulton? For stirring speeches, turn to Stansbury and Crockett! For the Senate: Schiff, Murphy or Booker? The Democratic bench is deep and will only get stronger with new faces next year.

It’s time to turn the page, turn the tide and embrace leaders with fire in their bellies. Leaders who will identify with the pain across America. Who battle for the working class – meaning anyone with a job that has income as opposed to the tax avoiding, election buying oligarchs .

You’ll know if the chef understands oysters by the color. These look just right. The art is to know just when to pull them from the frier (as with calamari and clams). Any darker than this? Perhaps send them back.

OK, maybe raw seafood isn’t your thing. The second best way to enjoy oysters is fried. Notice how plump these are. Crunch and a gush ocean flavor is yours.

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