Dana Houle
@danahoule.bsky.social
Family’s first HS grad. Worked in labor/Did policy/Elected Dems/Stint on Cap Hill. Blogged+pieces for WaPo/TNR/etc. Got rare disease, nearly died 5 times. Detroiter in Chicago. Husband. Dad to twins. Gardener. Getting healthy.
Actually lives in IL-09
Actually lives in IL-09
Pinned
Dana Houle
@danahoule.bsky.social
· Jan 1
“Hopefulness is hard-earned, makes demands upon us, and can often feel like the most indefensible and lonely place on Earth. Hopefulness is not a neutral position either. It is adversarial. It is the warrior emotion that can lay waste to cynicism.”
Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Reminder that the National Guard aren’t really trained for what they’re being asked to do.
November 26, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Reminder that the National Guard aren’t really trained for what they’re being asked to do.
Reposted by Dana Houle
📣 Dems have overperformed an avg of 13 pts across 59 Special Elections so far, winning 37 of them including *flipping* 6 GOP seats!
There's ~2 DOZEN MORE on the calendar!
UP NEXT:
12/02: TN-07 @aftynbehn.bsky.social
KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING.
#Blue25 #Blue26
secure.actblue.com/donate/speci...
There's ~2 DOZEN MORE on the calendar!
UP NEXT:
12/02: TN-07 @aftynbehn.bsky.social
KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING.
#Blue25 #Blue26
secure.actblue.com/donate/speci...
Chip in!
Show your support with a contribution.
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November 26, 2025 at 9:45 PM
📣 Dems have overperformed an avg of 13 pts across 59 Special Elections so far, winning 37 of them including *flipping* 6 GOP seats!
There's ~2 DOZEN MORE on the calendar!
UP NEXT:
12/02: TN-07 @aftynbehn.bsky.social
KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING.
#Blue25 #Blue26
secure.actblue.com/donate/speci...
There's ~2 DOZEN MORE on the calendar!
UP NEXT:
12/02: TN-07 @aftynbehn.bsky.social
KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING.
#Blue25 #Blue26
secure.actblue.com/donate/speci...
Secret Service shut down 17th & Constitution, motorcade drove through, ambulance drove up on to the Mall, someone was loaded on to a chopper & flown off
Was a regular chopper, not a Marine Chinook, but still makes me think about people near or at the White House who would have USSS protection.
Was a regular chopper, not a Marine Chinook, but still makes me think about people near or at the White House who would have USSS protection.
November 26, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Secret Service shut down 17th & Constitution, motorcade drove through, ambulance drove up on to the Mall, someone was loaded on to a chopper & flown off
Was a regular chopper, not a Marine Chinook, but still makes me think about people near or at the White House who would have USSS protection.
Was a regular chopper, not a Marine Chinook, but still makes me think about people near or at the White House who would have USSS protection.
Yeah, I said before Election Day the contest that could most freak out Repubs wasn’t one of the gubernatorial races, it was the Georgia commission votes. You combine those w a very close result or especially a Dem win in TN-07 & no Repub in a seat Trump won by less than 15 would or should feel safe
If this is remotely this close, expect at least a dozen R House retirements on December 3rd.
Emerson poll | 11/22-11/24 LV
Tennessee’s 7th congressional special election (Trump +22)
(Leaners pushed)
🟥Matt Van Epps 49.4%
🟦Aftyn Behn 47.0%
Others 3.5%
emersoncollegepolling.com/tennessee-7t...
Tennessee’s 7th congressional special election (Trump +22)
(Leaners pushed)
🟥Matt Van Epps 49.4%
🟦Aftyn Behn 47.0%
Others 3.5%
emersoncollegepolling.com/tennessee-7t...
November 26, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Yeah, I said before Election Day the contest that could most freak out Repubs wasn’t one of the gubernatorial races, it was the Georgia commission votes. You combine those w a very close result or especially a Dem win in TN-07 & no Repub in a seat Trump won by less than 15 would or should feel safe
In DC w my wife’s parents & her sister & her family to celebrate Thanksgiving w her aunt, who’s gone in to assisted living. The emotions are complicated. She didn’t have kids. But, as an aunt & uncle, Auntie X & Uncle X were superstars. And he worked for the World Bank, and for over half a century…
November 26, 2025 at 4:27 PM
In DC w my wife’s parents & her sister & her family to celebrate Thanksgiving w her aunt, who’s gone in to assisted living. The emotions are complicated. She didn’t have kids. But, as an aunt & uncle, Auntie X & Uncle X were superstars. And he worked for the World Bank, and for over half a century…
November 25, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I love “do I want Kamala Harris or do I not want Kamala Harris” decisions that don’t account for Trump.
Very serious person here…
Very serious person here…
The more important thing is that Mamdani is not the type of politician that Liz Cheney would want to campaign for. It was bad that Harris campaigned with her, it is even worse that she was someone Liz Cheney wanted to campaign for
November 24, 2025 at 5:38 AM
I love “do I want Kamala Harris or do I not want Kamala Harris” decisions that don’t account for Trump.
Very serious person here…
Very serious person here…
Detroit to DC felt like a long but OK drive. Chicago to DC kinda sucked. I’m tired but also wired & I can’t go to sleep.
November 23, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Detroit to DC felt like a long but OK drive. Chicago to DC kinda sucked. I’m tired but also wired & I can’t go to sleep.
Reposted by Dana Houle
The amount of attack ads from the Republicans in TN7 is just bonkers. I hate them, but I do love how panicked they are rn over @aftynbehn.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 9:42 AM
The amount of attack ads from the Republicans in TN7 is just bonkers. I hate them, but I do love how panicked they are rn over @aftynbehn.bsky.social
Suddenly the special election in TN-07 becomes potentially hugely consequential. It shouldn’t be competitive, but if Democrats steal it, when Greene resigns the Republican majority will be down to 218-216 w a sure Dem seat with no special scheduled in Texas.
Just catching up; what’s the significance of Jan 5? Does waiting until then affect when the special will be scheduled?
November 22, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Suddenly the special election in TN-07 becomes potentially hugely consequential. It shouldn’t be competitive, but if Democrats steal it, when Greene resigns the Republican majority will be down to 218-216 w a sure Dem seat with no special scheduled in Texas.
Just catching up; what’s the significance of Jan 5? Does waiting until then affect when the special will be scheduled?
November 22, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Just catching up; what’s the significance of Jan 5? Does waiting until then affect when the special will be scheduled?
The boy is doing percussion & it’s going well. But he also wants to learn trumpet. We’ve got a long drive tomorrow & I was thinking about working in Sketches of Spain & some Donald Byrd in to the album list. Any other suggestions?
November 22, 2025 at 12:35 AM
The boy is doing percussion & it’s going well. But he also wants to learn trumpet. We’ve got a long drive tomorrow & I was thinking about working in Sketches of Spain & some Donald Byrd in to the album list. Any other suggestions?
Reposted by Dana Houle
“Number two, they need to conduct themselves — ICE, Border Patrol — like professionals. The way they treat people here, I wouldn’t even treat insurgents in Iraq...” - Sen Ruben Gallego
What would a more professional ICE and CBP look like? 🤔
What would a more professional ICE and CBP look like? 🤔
US Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Chicago native, denounces immigration raids in return home
U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona can’t do much to shield the Little Village from Trump’s immigration crackdown, but the Chicago native wanted to bear witness to his hometown’s resilie…
www.chicagotribune.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:29 AM
“Number two, they need to conduct themselves — ICE, Border Patrol — like professionals. The way they treat people here, I wouldn’t even treat insurgents in Iraq...” - Sen Ruben Gallego
What would a more professional ICE and CBP look like? 🤔
What would a more professional ICE and CBP look like? 🤔
Reposted by Dana Houle
Trump just signed a bill gutting food assistance and healthcare to partially pay for a massive upper-class tax cut three months ago!
this is your brain when your entire politics is just a set of aesthetics
just bleak, man
November 22, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Trump just signed a bill gutting food assistance and healthcare to partially pay for a massive upper-class tax cut three months ago!
I choose to read “that was a good answer” like “that was a good drum break”
November 22, 2025 at 12:19 AM
I choose to read “that was a good answer” like “that was a good drum break”
Reposted by Dana Houle
It’s not entirely true. Trump will change his mind. He always does. But it probably buys New York a week or two in regards to ICE. If true it’s a big victory for Mamdani on that alone. He also made it out without bowing, lying or being made foolish.
In the grand scheme of things, this meeting was Tremendous Content, and like most Tremendous Content, it's Coke Zero politics. Mamdani comes out way ahead, Trump made a fool of his viziers and his strongest soldiers, and none of this will matter next week.
November 21, 2025 at 11:35 PM
It’s not entirely true. Trump will change his mind. He always does. But it probably buys New York a week or two in regards to ICE. If true it’s a big victory for Mamdani on that alone. He also made it out without bowing, lying or being made foolish.
It’s almost like having a mother who is a film director gave Mamdani some insights on how to handle an egomaniac.
November 21, 2025 at 11:33 PM
It’s almost like having a mother who is a film director gave Mamdani some insights on how to handle an egomaniac.
Reposted by Dana Houle
to be clear I think it’s good when the good guys successfully manipulate the malevolent idiot king into doing marginally better things
November 21, 2025 at 9:47 PM
to be clear I think it’s good when the good guys successfully manipulate the malevolent idiot king into doing marginally better things
Reposted by Dana Houle
a significant reason Mamdani can get away with this and other Dems can’t is less that he’s charmed Trump and more that he’s charmed you, dear reader, which is why you’re not yelling at him for being a collaborator or an appeaser right now
November 21, 2025 at 9:46 PM
a significant reason Mamdani can get away with this and other Dems can’t is less that he’s charmed Trump and more that he’s charmed you, dear reader, which is why you’re not yelling at him for being a collaborator or an appeaser right now
Again
Yesterday the administration had a disastrous day in court, Border Patrol may or may not already be leaving NC, DOJ is investigating 2 Trump henchman, Dems told the military to disobey unlawful orders, & Trump called for Dems to be executed
But sure, a stupid House resolution is what’s important
But sure, a stupid House resolution is what’s important
November 21, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Again
Reposted by Dana Houle
South Park nailed the fawning look
November 21, 2025 at 9:51 PM
South Park nailed the fawning look
Reposted by Dana Houle
He did say he always wanted to be mayor of New York
November 21, 2025 at 9:54 PM
He did say he always wanted to be mayor of New York
Not taking anything from Mamdani, so far he’s been a very good politician & he has an amazing presence
But Trump wouldn’t care if it was the mayor of LA or Chicago or Philly or anywhere else. This is in part Trump once again trying to show off to all the NYC elite whose approval he’s always craved
But Trump wouldn’t care if it was the mayor of LA or Chicago or Philly or anywhere else. This is in part Trump once again trying to show off to all the NYC elite whose approval he’s always craved
November 21, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Not taking anything from Mamdani, so far he’s been a very good politician & he has an amazing presence
But Trump wouldn’t care if it was the mayor of LA or Chicago or Philly or anywhere else. This is in part Trump once again trying to show off to all the NYC elite whose approval he’s always craved
But Trump wouldn’t care if it was the mayor of LA or Chicago or Philly or anywhere else. This is in part Trump once again trying to show off to all the NYC elite whose approval he’s always craved
Reposted by Dana Houle
hahahahaha I knew it. "I feel very confident that he can do a very good job. I think he's gonna surprise some conservative people, actually. And some very liberal people he won't surprise because they already like him."
Trump in a room with a very charismatic person results in like half a day of Trump agreeing with everything that person said, so this has the potential to be very, very funny.
Trump says he’s meeting with “communist” Mamdani at the White House on Friday
November 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
hahahahaha I knew it. "I feel very confident that he can do a very good job. I think he's gonna surprise some conservative people, actually. And some very liberal people he won't surprise because they already like him."