Latest news with #WashingtonCollege
Chicago Tribune
11-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Lake Forest College Board of Trustees chooses a Chicago area native to be the institution's next president
The Lake Forest College Board of Trustees has tapped West Chicago native Michael 'Mike' Sosulski to be its next president, the school announced. Sosulski, currently the president of Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, is set to take over on August 11 at LFC. 'Growing up in suburban Chicago, I saw Lake Forest as the ideal liberal arts college — personal, rigorous, and full of opportunity. The chance to return home — personally and professionally — felt like a perfect fit,' Sosulski said in a statement. 'From the start, I was drawn to this community's spirit: smart, curious, creative, and deeply caring. That's a mission I deeply believe in, and I'm honored and excited to be part of it.' Sosulski has been president of Washington College since September 2021, per his LinkedIn page. At Washington, Sosulski oversaw a 120 % increase in applications, the start of a $5 million campus innovation hub, fulfilled a $20 million first-year housing renovation, and guided the school through its 10-year reaccreditation in 2024, LFC reported. Other parts of his nearly four-year run at Washington included $125 million in fundraising ahead of a capital campaign highlighted by a $15 million gift to start a new school concentrating on global business, economics, and social impact, LFC added. Before his selection as Washington's president, Sosulski was provost and professor of German at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Prior to that, he was an associate provost at Kalamazoo College where he also was an associate professor of German. Music is another focus of Sosulski's academic background, as he studied saxophone performance at the Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. Sosulski graduated with a BS in German from Georgetown University and then earned both an MA and PhD in Germanic studies from the University of Chicago. The LFC board unanimously supported Sosulski's selection as the school's 15th president. 'We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sosulski to Lake Forest,' LFC William Lowry said in the statement. 'His passion for liberal arts education, strategic leadership, and strong record of results make him the right person to guide the College into its next chapter.' The date for Sosulski's inauguration has yet to be determined, LFC spokeswoman Linda Blaser said. Sosulski succeeds Robert Krebs, who was named Interim President in December 2024 following the sudden departure of President Jill Baren. Blaser added that Krebs will remain on the LFC Board of Trustees. Blaser noted LFC currently has approximately 1,850 students and about 450 faculty and staff members.
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Democrats stuck in political ‘wilderness.' Will they pivot to the center in 2026?
The Democratic Party suffered significant blows in 2024 with President Donald Trump's reelection and the narrow loss of both chambers of Congress. Now, months into the president's second nonconsecutive term, Democratic leadership is left to analyze how the party should move forward. "I do think, right now, the party … is sort of in the wilderness," said Flavio Hickel Jr., an associate professor of political science at Washington College. Recent election results aren't providing much clarity. In April, Democrat-backed Judge Susan Crawford beat Trump's pick to fill a seat on the Wisconsin state Supreme Court by 10 points - despite tech billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk dumping millions of dollars into the race. But last week, incumbent Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, a progressive Democrat in a city that leans blue, lost his primary election bid, leaving some to wonder if the national party will take a more centrist foothold as it turns its eyes to the 2026 midterm elections. "You're going to see that kind of conflict as the party figures out what it wants to do" and "how it can reconfigure," Hickel said. There was clear infighting among Democrats in 2024, as President Joe Biden waited nearly a month before the Democratic National Convention to announce his withdrawal from the race, giving Vice President Kamala Harris little time to campaign against a formidable Republican candidate like Trump. The party found itself split between voters who thought Biden was too old and not nearly progressive enough, and those who stood by the incumbent out of party loyalty or otherwise. Analysts say that battle is likely to continue in the 2026 midterm elections. "There's obviously going to be a fight in the party between progressives and moderates and, as is normal, both are going to claim that the other side had too much influence," said Todd Eberly, a professor of political science at St. Mary's College of Maryland. "Loss really does bring out divisions among the party as they try to figure out the best path forward for them." But political scientists are also noticing a generational shift among the Democratic Party. Roger Hartley, the dean of the University of Baltimore's College of Public Affairs, said a "changing of the guard" is slowly occurring as party mainstays like Biden and U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi prepare to move on. That shift was visible in Maryland in 2024, as U.S. Reps. John Sarbanes and Dutch Ruppersburger and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin declined to seek reelection, paving the way for a younger, more diverse state congressional delegation. "Some of this, I think, is generational, and it's somewhat natural," Hartley said. But, will we see Democrats move to the center, "or are they going to act upon this backlash and make the argument that they just didn't have the right candidates in place?" Regardless, Hartley said that parties tend to reevaluate their values and message after major losses. Like the Republican Party under former President Barack Obama, Hartley said Democrats are struggling to identify a path forward and determining if their values that are under attack, like DEI and immigration, are "worth fighting to the mat for." If they are, he said, they'll run those candidates - likely some with little national name recognition, like governors or current members of Congress. "Democrats probably want fresh and or exciting faces, and that's what they're looking for, and they're looking at their bench and they're trying to find those fresh, exciting faces who can appeal to their voters," Hartley said. Turning point As midterm campaigns begin to ramp up, the Maryland Democratic Party is focused on giving voters a seat at the table and will support candidates who are "willing to fight like hell versus" those interested in maintaining the status quo, said Maryland Democratic Party spokesman Joe Francaviglia. "The Maryland Democratic Party is constantly trying to make sure we bring more voters into the fold and hear as many voices as possible," Francaviglia said. "We never want to be caught by surprise, and so we see election results from across the country and try to understand what are voters saying while trying to put forward our vision for what can make Maryland and our party as strong as possible." Maryland's Democratic Party is also at a critical turning point, as Chair Ken Ulman prepares to step down. Hickel said that this could provide an opportunity for the state party to undergo a tactical shift as it gears up for the 2026 midterm elections. Maryland has a Democratic supermajority and outward unity among its top elected officials. Political infighting among progressive and conservative members of the Democratic Party in a small blue state like Maryland could splinter integrity, making it easier to oust incumbents or flip some seats red. In 2026, every seat in Maryland's 188-member General Assembly will be up for election, and Gov. Wes Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown, both Democrats, will campaign for their respective second terms in office. Each of the state's U.S. House representatives will also be up for reelection. U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, a Trump ally and the sole Republican member of the Maryland congressional delegation, could also face a significant Democratic challenger. In spite of problems seen among the national party and an incoming state party chair, Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski, who won his seat in November, said that there is much "more that unites Democrats, especially in this moment," than divides, and the Trump administration is crystalizing just how stark of a difference there is between Democrats and Republicans." "We know that actions, including legislation we just considered last night" to line the pockets of the ultra-wealthy, eliminate health care coverage for millions of Americans, and end food programs for hungry children "is a reminder of precisely that," Olszewski said in an interview Friday afternoon. "I think were having really important conversations within our party about what our priorities should be." But, with only a little over a year until the midterm elections, will Democrats be able to unify themselves enough to take back Congress? Eberly says, "Absolutely … just because that's what we do." "We elect a unifying government in the general election" and flip Congress in the midterms, he said. "Republicans, right now, in Congress have a very narrow majority" and Trump has an approval rating in the low 40s. "That's a recipe for the party out of power to pick up somewhere around 30 seats." ---------- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrats stuck in political ‘wilderness.' Will they pivot to the center in 2026?
The Democratic Party suffered significant blows in 2024 with President Donald Trump's reelection and the narrow loss of both chambers of Congress. Now, months into the president's second nonconsecutive term, Democratic leadership is left to analyze how the party should move forward. 'I do think, right now, the party … is sort of in the wilderness,' said Flavio Hickel Jr., an associate professor of political science at Washington College. Recent election results aren't providing much clarity. In April, Democrat-backed Judge Susan Crawford beat Trump's pick to fill a seat on the Wisconsin state Supreme Court by 10 points — despite tech billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk dumping millions of dollars into the race. But last week, incumbent Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, a progressive Democrat in a city that leans blue, lost his primary election bid, leaving some to wonder if the national party will take a more centrist foothold as it turns its eyes to the 2026 midterm elections. 'You're going to see that kind of conflict as the party figures out what it wants to do' and 'how it can reconfigure,' Hickel said. There was clear infighting among Democrats in 2024, as President Joe Biden waited nearly a month before the Democratic National Convention to announce his withdrawal from the race, giving Vice President Kamala Harris little time to campaign against a formidable Republican candidate like Trump. The party found itself split between voters who thought Biden was too old and not nearly progressive enough, and those who stood by the incumbent out of party loyalty or otherwise. Analysts say that battle is likely to continue in the 2026 midterm elections. 'There's obviously going to be a fight in the party between progressives and moderates and, as is normal, both are going to claim that the other side had too much influence,' said Todd Eberly, a professor of political science at St. Mary's College of Maryland. 'Loss really does bring out divisions among the party as they try to figure out the best path forward for them.' But political scientists are also noticing a generational shift among the Democratic Party. Roger Hartley, the dean of the University of Baltimore's College of Public Affairs, said a 'changing of the guard' is slowly occurring as party mainstays like Biden and U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi prepare to move on. That shift was visible in Maryland in 2024, as U.S. Reps. John Sarbanes and Dutch Ruppersburger and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin declined to seek reelection, paving the way for a younger, more diverse state congressional delegation. 'Some of this, I think, is generational, and it's somewhat natural,' Hartley said. But, will we see Democrats move to the center, 'or are they going to act upon this backlash and make the argument that they just didn't have the right candidates in place?' Regardless, Hartley said that parties tend to reevaluate their values and message after major losses. Like the Republican Party under former President Barack Obama, Hartley said Democrats are struggling to identify a path forward and determining if their values that are under attack, like DEI and immigration, are 'worth fighting to the mat for.' If they are, he said, they'll run those candidates — likely some with little national name recognition, like governors or current members of Congress. 'Democrats probably want fresh and or exciting faces, and that's what they're looking for, and they're looking at their bench and they're trying to find those fresh, exciting faces who can appeal to their voters,' Hartley said. As midterm campaigns begin to ramp up, the Maryland Democratic Party is focused on giving voters a seat at the table and will support candidates who are 'willing to fight like hell versus' those interested in maintaining the status quo, said Maryland Democratic Party spokesman Joe Francaviglia. 'The Maryland Democratic Party is constantly trying to make sure we bring more voters into the fold and hear as many voices as possible,' Francaviglia said. 'We never want to be caught by surprise, and so we see election results from across the country and try to understand what are voters saying while trying to put forward our vision for what can make Maryland and our party as strong as possible.' Maryland's Democratic Party is also at a critical turning point, as Chair Ken Ulman prepares to step down. Hickel said that this could provide an opportunity for the state party to undergo a tactical shift as it gears up for the 2026 midterm elections. Maryland has a Democratic supermajority and outward unity among its top elected officials. Political infighting among progressive and conservative members of the Democratic Party in a small blue state like Maryland could splinter integrity, making it easier to oust incumbents or flip some seats red. In 2026, every seat in Maryland's 188-member General Assembly will be up for election, and Gov. Wes Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown, both Democrats, will campaign for their respective second terms in office. Each of the state's U.S. House representatives will also be up for reelection. U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, a Trump ally and the sole Republican member of the Maryland congressional delegation, could also face a significant Democratic challenger. In spite of problems seen among the national party and an incoming state party chair, Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski, who won his seat in November, said that there is much 'more that unites Democrats, especially in this moment,' than divides, and the Trump administration is crystalizing just how stark of a difference there is between Democrats and Republicans.' 'We know that actions, including legislation we just considered last night' to line the pockets of the ultra-wealthy, eliminate health care coverage for millions of Americans, and end food programs for hungry children 'is a reminder of precisely that,' Olszewski said in an interview Friday afternoon. 'I think were having really important conversations within our party about what our priorities should be.' But, with only a little over a year until the midterm elections, will Democrats be able to unify themselves enough to take back Congress? Eberly says, 'Absolutely … just because that's what we do.' 'We elect a unifying government in the general election' and flip Congress in the midterms, he said. 'Republicans, right now, in Congress have a very narrow majority' and Trump has an approval rating in the low 40s. 'That's a recipe for the party out of power to pick up somewhere around 30 seats.' ----------
Observer
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Trump marks first 100 days of second term
As he marks 100 days in office, much ink will be spilled on Donald Trump's divisive transformation of the US government, but Democrats are themselves under scrutiny over missteps in opposing his blitz of reforms. In AFP interviews, multiple political analysts said Democrats have become a rudderless, divided party struggling to decide what it stands for. "If I were giving them a letter grade, it would be a C-, below average. They don't understand yet why they lost to Donald Trump," said veteran political strategist Matt Klink. "The party continues to focus on issues that are unpopular with the American public -- men playing in women's sports, support for illegal immigration and fighting cuts, any cuts, to the federal bureaucracy." What's more, "most voters (are) not listening or caring" to Democrats' allegations that Trump is a dictator or authoritarian, Klink said. Booted out of the White House and reduced to a minority in Congress, Democrats' opportunities to make their mark in Trump's Washington are threadbare. But most analysts interviewed by AFP said the party could have better articulated a coherent message, unified around priorities and tactics, and figured out how and when to oppose Trump. "Broadly speaking, I think most Americans would regard congressional Democrats as failing to meet the moment," said Flavio Hickel, a politics professor at Washington College. Central to the frustration is the disconnect between their dire warnings of the threat Trump poses to democracy and their enthusiasm for being seen cooperating with his administration. In a whirlwind first three months in office, Trump has unleashed a trade war, stoked allies' fears that America has switched sides in the Russia-Ukraine war, and unleashed tech billionaire Elon Musk to dismantle much of the federal bureaucracy. Meanwhile, Democratic senators have voted to confirm Trump cabinet appointees, doing little to slow down his breakneck agenda and even voting with Republicans to pass immigration legislation. - Resistance - "We're not going to go after every single issue," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the New York Times in February. "We are picking the most important fights and lying down on the train tracks on those fights." But Schumer -- and potential 2028 presidential contenders like governors Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer -- have infuriated grassroots activists over various efforts to cooperate with the White House or build bridges with Trump's "MAGA" movement. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers have been mocked on social media for ineffective gestures such as silently waving paddles bearing protest slogans during Trump's speech to Congress. Rare glimpses of a fightback have included victory in a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and a hugely popular "Fighting Oligarchy" tour by progressive lawmakers Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Popular New Jersey senator Cory Booker provided a possible roadmap for eye-catching opposition, say analysts, with a blockbuster 25-hour Senate speech that made headlines for days. But Madeline Summerville, a former communications advisor and speechwriter for Democratic state senators, said Booker's actual message had been lost in the noise. "The Dems struggle with messaging. They don't understand that you need a rallying cry -- a slogan -- to motivate the masses. And that slogan needs to be clear, concise, and inspiring," she said. "They're calling on people to 'fight oligarchy' but they're not telling us how -- nor is that a very catchy slogan." Andrew Koneschusky, a former communications aide to Schumer, said that he would give Democrats in Congress a D grade, noting that while individual lawmakers were making a splash, "no one seems to be conducting the orchestra." But he was more optimistic about grassroots opposition, which he awarded a B grade, pointing to lawsuits that have had some success in reining Trump in. "After a deafening silence, we're also seeing more visible signs of resistance such as the recent marches in Washington, DC and across the country that drew hundreds of thousands of people," he said. "It feels like Democrats are finally emerging from their post-election funk." Donald Trump's first 100 days back in the US presidency have showcased his unique ability to shock -- and sometimes entertain -- with outrageous remarks that pull no punches. From stroking his ego to berating American allies, here are some of Trump's most memorable quotes since he returned to the White House: -- "I was saved by God to make America great again" Trump cast himself as a messianic-like figure on his first day back in office, as he recounted to US lawmakers how he survived an assassination attempt at a campaign event in Pennsylvania last year. -- "A Dictator without Elections" The president's extraordinary verdict on Volodymyr Zelensky marked a major shift in previously friendly US relations toward the Ukrainian leader, who accused Trump of succumbing to Russian "disinformation." Trump later walked back the comment made in February on his Truth Social platform, asking a journalist, "Did I say that?" -- "These countries are calling us up, kissing my ass" This mocking remark about world leaders made at a Republican conference in April came as countries desperately sought to temper Trump's sweeping tariffs, which upended global markets before he announced a 90-day pause. -- "The Riviera of the Middle East" Trump's startling vision for a US-led takeover and transformation of war-torn Gaza into a luxury resort drew audible gasps at a February news conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. -- "Canada should become our Cherished 51st State." America's northern neighbor was furious about this Truth Social post by Trump in February, which sparked real concerns among some Canadians of a looming US annexation attempt. -- "The European Union was formed to screw the United States" Trump set the tone for hostile trade relations with the EU at his first cabinet meeting in February, reversing course on a decades-long record of US backing for the 27-nation economic and political bloc. -- "This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges' I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED" Trump, the first convicted felon to be elected president, drew a rare public rebuke from the Supreme Court chief justice after he called for the impeachment of Judge James Boasberg in a Truth Social post in March. Boasberg was one of several judges to curtail Trump's executive power -- in this case over migrant deportation flights -- due to concerns about the legality of his administration's actions. Donald Trump promised to broker a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia within "24 hours" of returning to the White House. Three months in and despite a brief Easter truce announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the war is still raging, with the prospect of a ceasefire more uncertain than ever. The US president has failed to extract any major concessions from Moscow, despite repeated talks between his administration and Russian officials, and publicly accused Ukraine's wartime leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, of being a "dictator". He has meanwhile embarked on a quest to warm ties with Putin that has alienated Kyiv and driven a wedge between Washington and Europe. Many in Russia are jubilant at the prospect of closer ties with the White House. While in Ukraine, the idea of long-term peace has faded. "Nothing is happening. In real terms, people hear sirens every day, see bombs, and people get killed," the head of the Kyiv School of Economics, Tymofiy Mylovanov, told AFP. "Putin is taking everyone for a ride," he said. Since Trump's inauguration in January, US officials have held several rounds of talks with Russian and Ukrainian delegations in an attempt to reach a truce. In the meantime, Russia has kept up strikes on Ukraine unabated, killing dozens of people in ballistic missile attacks in the past two weeks alone. Ukraine's army has also lost its grip on territory in Russia's western Kursk region, its only notable bargaining chip. "So far, there have been no changes, actually, in our city, it has only gotten worse," Anna Klyshkina, a 29-year-old photographer from Ukraine's Sumy, said of Trump. On Sunday, two Russian ballistic missiles slammed into her city, killing 35 people and wounding more than 100 others in one of the deadliest attacks in months. - 'He's a showman' - There has been little tangible progress on a ceasefire despite Trump's push. Putin rejected a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional and full ceasefire put to him in March. Both sides agreed to halt strikes on energy targets, though no formal agreement was ever put in place; both accused the other of violating it, and Russia said Friday that the order had "expired". Moscow's army has continued its grinding advance across the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, albeit at a slower pace than at the end of last year. It has also pushed Kyiv's troops almost completely out of the Kursk region and advanced into the frontier areas of Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region. Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr said he always had a "negative" opinion of Trump. "And it remains so," the 22-year-old told AFP, sitting on a bench in Sumy on his break. "He's not a politician, he's a showman," he said. The Trump administration briefly cut military aid to Ukraine in March, dealing a major blow to Kyiv. The decision was a stunning reversal of Joe Biden's policy of doing "whatever it takes, as long as it takes" to support Ukraine. Trump has also repeatedly echoed Russian talking points, calling at one point for new elections to replace Zelensky, whom he falsely claimed had a "four percent approval rating". Tensions between the two came to a head in February, when Trump berated Zelensky in a televised meeting at the Oval Office and told him he was being "disrespectful", shocking Washington's allies. Days after Russia's deadly attack on Sumy, Trump renewed his criticism of Zelensky and Ukraine. "You don't start a war against somebody that's 20 times your size," he said, referring to Zelensky. Russia invaded its neighbour in February 2022. - 'What is missing is peace' - Trump has also lashed out at Russia, ordering it to "get moving" on securing a deal and telling NBC News last month that he was "pissed off" with Putin. But the tone remains more conciliatory than before. The Kremlin said in March that Trump's dramatic shift in foreign policy largely aligned with its vision, after Washington sided with Moscow twice at the United Nations.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump's first 100 days: The (lackluster) opposition score card
As he marks 100 days in office, much ink will be spilt on Donald Trump's divisive transformation of the US government, but Democrats are themelves under scrutiny over missteps in opposing his blitz of reforms. In AFP interviews, multiple political analysts said Democrats have become a rudderless, divided party struggling to decide what it stands for. "If I were giving them a letter grade, it would be a C-, below average. They don't understand yet why they lost to Donald Trump," said veteran political strategist Matt Klink. "The party continues to focus on issues that are unpopular with the American public -- men playing in women's sports, support for illegal immigration and fighting cuts, any cuts, to the federal bureaucracy." What's more, "most voters (are) not listening or caring" to Democrats' allegations that Trump is a dictator or authoritarian, Klink said. Booted out of the White House and reduced to a minority in Congress, Democrats' opportunities to make their mark in Trump's Washington are threadbare. But most analysts interviewed by AFP said the party could have better articulated a coherent message, unified around priorities and tactics and figured out how and when to oppose Trump. "Broadly speaking, I think most Americans would regard congressional Democrats as failing to meet the moment," said Flavio Hickel, a politics professor at Washington College. Central to the frustration is the disconnect between their dire warnings of the threat Trump poses to democracy and their enthusiasm for being seen cooperating with his administration. In a whirlwind first three months in office, Trump has unleashed a trade war, stoked allies' fears America has switched sides in the Russia-Ukraine war and unleashed tech billionaire Elon Musk to dismantle much of the federal bureaucracy. Meanwhile Democratic senators have voted to confirm Trump cabinet appointees, doing little to slow down his breakneck agenda and even voting with Republicans to pass immigration legislation. - Resistance - "We're not going to go after every single issue," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the New York Times in February. "We are picking the most important fights and lying down on the train tracks on those fights." But Schumer -- and potential 2028 presidential contenders like governors Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer -- have infuriated grassroots activists over various efforts to cooperate with the White House or build bridges with Trump's "MAGA" movement. Meanwhile Democratic lawmakers have been mocked on social media for ineffective gestures such as silently waving paddles bearing protest slogans during Trump's speech to Congress. Rare glimpses of a fightback have included victory in a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and a hugely popular "Fighting Oligarchy" tour by progressive lawmakers Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Popular New Jersey senator Cory Booker provided a possible roadmap for eyecatching opposition, say analysts, with a blockbuster 25-hour Senate speech that made headlines for days. But Madeline Summerville, a former communications advisor and speechwriter for Democratic state senators, said Booker's actual message had been lost in the noise. "The Dems struggle with messaging. They don't understand that you need a rallying cry -- a slogan -- to motivate the masses. And that slogan needs to be clear, concise and inspiring," she said. "They're calling on people to 'fight oligarchy' but they're not telling us how -- nor is that a very catchy slogan." Andrew Koneschusky, a former communications aide to Schumer, said that he would give Democrats in Congress a D grade, noting that while individual lawmakers were making a splash, "no one seems to be conducting the orchestra." But he was more optimistic about grassroots opposition, which he awarded a B grade, pointing to lawsuits that have had some success in reining Trump in. "After a deafening silence, we're also seeing more visible signs of resistance such as the recent marches in Washington DC and across the country that drew hundreds of thousands of people," he said. "It feels like Democrats are finally emerging from their post-election funk." ft/tgb
