Before you accuse me of wild wishful thinking, bear in mind a couple of things: 1. Trump is insane and everybody knows it. Yes, the GOP will back him superficially but behind his back, they know what he’s about. 2. If Trump keeps going on this kamikazee path he’s on, then the electorate may slam back at him in 2026. There are already comments like that circulating on social media, people disgruntled that they didn’t vote for what they’re getting. Enter into this framework, Lisa Murkowski. She is entertaining the idea of leaving the GOP and becoming an Independent — and caucusing with Democrats. Wait’ll Donald hears about this.
NEW: Sen. Murkowski tells me, on the question of whether she'd consider becoming an independent & caucusing with the Dems if they pick up 3 seats in the midterms:
"There may be that possibility," and, "There is some openness to exploring something different than the status quo."… pic.twitter.com/DJXpb5GBGX
— Galen Druke (@galendruke) June 23, 2025
Now I know what’s in your mind: Would John Fetterman spoil the ointment by becoming a Republican? Anything is possible. We all remember the days of Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema, they weren’t that long ago. We remember how they voted. So Fetterman may be the new Manchinema and vote the Republican way BUT still have the Democratic tag. I hope it will be like that. Because if Fetterman would become a Republican while Donald Trump is tearing this country down to bedrock, that would be a horrible thing to contemplate. I don’t even want to go there, although I admit it is not a total impossibility.
I don’t disagree with this. I admit that hoping Murkowski changes parties is a lot like hoping Susan Collins will finally vote the right way. It’s Lucy and the football time. We always think this time will be different and then whooosh — up the football goes and we fall on our collective ass once again. Believe me, I get it.
But on the other hand, if we don’t start gaming out strategies now and preparing for 2026, then when should we start? And if we in fact could retake both chambers of Congress, and be in the catbird seat, then democracy can be saved.
And the sublime irony is that nobody would love that more than Donald Trump. Because then he’d have an excuse about why he couldn’t get anything done. He could spend the last two years of his term ginning up the hate mongers, which is what he loves to do most.
We don’t know when the Era of Trump will end or what will follow it We never knew ten years ago this very month that his ludicrous ride down the escalator with paid extras cheering on the sidelines would lead to this. All we can do is watch sharply and take our best shot. And in fact, our shots are starting to look a little better as the days go by.
Maybe both the GOP and the electorate need to see how truly horrible Trump is — as if COVID wasn’t enough of a tutor. And if the GOP gets blown out of the water in 2026, then woe betide any GOPer who wants to be the next Trump.
No worries. A new strain of Covid has hit our shores. The serial adulterer, who likes to bathe his kids in dangerous bacteria filled waters, will guide us through it. Nevermind that the fallout from last time created 30% of the population into petri dishes. I suspect the number has risen. Covid denial, along with the anti measles vaccine, being pushed by the amateur dead whale head collector, we should all be just peachy keen. Stock up on bleach. Not because of being a cure…but in case you decide to go out in a most horrible way to punish yourself for sticking this shit out for so long. Me? I’m looking for a nice sandy beach to bury my head in.
Ps…Susan is quite concerned about Lisa. Quite concerned.
Hopefully, enough GOP voters and pols will come around.
It has to get really bad for some to wake up, but if enough have to “touch the stove” to figure it out, then let’s encourage it.