Portside

Progressive leaders said they will punish House and Senate Democrats politically, including by withdrawing endorsements in 2018, if they do not demand passage of the Dream Act by the end of the year. Pressure is on Sen. Schumer and Rep. Nancy Peloisi who have signaled they may back GOP effort to fund government without DACA or CHIP action. Progressive activists say that approach is unacceptable.

Trump became president despite the will of a majority of the American people. A recent poll shows that 53 percent of voters want him to resign. The Resistance has been able to slow but not stop Trump’s agenda. Trump has done more to spur progressive political organizing than Bernie Sanders, George Soros and Saul Alinsky combined.

Reader Comments: Alabama Election - What Lessons?; Tax Bill - #RememberInNovember; Nobody Is above the Law — Mueller Firing Rapid Response - Check your zip code to find action near you; Police Shootings; Those 7 Words; Elected Officials - Men - Don't Know Sh*t About Birth Control; Stealing Workers' Tips; William Pelz - R.I.P.; Oscar Grant Vigil in Oakland; Conference on U.S. Foreign Military Bases; and more....

Some of the challenges I faced during this process was seeing the disempowerment that has consistently been pushed on youth to believe that they cannot make a difference.

"As organizations that represent and protect voters, we are deeply concerned that PILF’s threats will scare election administrators into performing ill-conceived or illegal list maintenance programs, in violation of federal law."

Our challenge and opportunity is to harness the energy and passion that has been sparked by the federal assault into increased turnout of the people most impacted by these policies – low income voters, communities of color, immigrants and young people – to assert a vision of justice, equality and inclusion.

Trump's approval rating is at historic lows for a first-term president, and the party that controls the White House almost always loses seats in midterm elections. The GOP held on to four House seats in special elections this year that took place in red districts, but Tuesday's shellacking at the polls is more in line with how many political observers believe 2018 will shake out.

Can Democrats reconquer the Lone Star State?

Activism matters. And political morale changes quickly.