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Democrats’ boiling pot: A look at their 2026 game plan
It sometimes takes a pot a while to boil.
Democrats lost the presidency. Lost the Senate. Failed to flip control of the House.
And now, more than six months after last year’s election, the Democrats’ pot is starting to gurgle.
It was natural that Democrats would take some time to figure out what went wrong. Clang around some pots and pans. And finally pour some water into a pot and turn on the stove.
DEMOCRATS’ IDENTITY CRISIS: YOUTH REVOLT ROCKS PARTY AFTER TRUMP COMEBACK
So Democrats are starting to get their pot to boil.
How hot it gets – and whether the stew is anything to wow political culinary taste buds – is unclear.
For starters, some Democrats are boiling at one another.
The Democratic pot seems to be simmering – even if it’s just internal turmoil. DNC Chair Ken Martin (right) recently gave vice chair David Hogg an ultimatum to stay out of primary politics or remain neutral. (Getty/AP)
Democratic National Committee Chairman (DNC) Ken Martin handed down an ultimatum after DNC Vice Chairman David Hogg aimed to spend millions of dollars mounting primary challenges to Democratic incumbents.
«Let me be unequivocal. No DNC officers should ever attempt to influence the outcome of a primary election, whether on behalf of an incumbent or a challenger,» said Martin.
Hogg defended his tactic to weed out Democrats who he believe lost a step, are older or just aren’t getting the job done.
SENATE PUTS TRUMP TEAM IN PLACE, SETS UP AGENDA FIGHT AFTER 100-DAY SPRINT
«We want people to know they’re being watched,» said Hogg. «It’s not to say it’s ‘out with the old in with the new.’ I would say it’s out with the ineffective and in with the effective.»
Democrats contend their neutrality pledge is about assuring party unity.
«The reforms that Chair Martin is rolling out, including the one that we’re talking about today of increasing funding for state parties, is not a reaction to David Hogg,» said Jane Kleeb of the Association of State Democratic Parties (ASDC). «The reform package that Ken Martin is bringing forward, that he will be discussing over the next several months, that he ran on as chair, is not a reaction to David.»
«We want people to know they’re being watched,» Hogg said, defending his unusually aggressive approach to party primaries. (GABY VELASQUEZ/ EL PASO TIMES / USA TODAY NETWORK)
But Hogg is the elephant in the room to the party represented by the donkey.
«I have great respect for David Hogg,» said Martin. «I understand what he’s trying to do. I’ve said to him, ‘If you want to challenge incumbents, you’re more than free to do that.’ But just not as an officer of the DNC.»
And then there’s rage over age.
DNC’S DAVID HOGG TAKING ON DEMOCRATS IS ‘THE BIGGEST GIFT TO REPUBLICANS EVER,’ SAYS STRATEGIST
80-year-old Senate Minority Whip and the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee Dick Durbin, D-Ill., is the latest veteran Democrat to announce his retirement.
«I had to project forward. The campaign is going to last two years. And then you’re going to serve six years. So are you ready to make an eight year commitment?» asked Durbin.
Durbin would be 87 when another term concluded in early 2033 – presuming he won and served the entire time.
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., is the latest member of his party’s old guard to announce his retirement. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
«A lot of this is the fallout from Biden,» said Rutgers University political scientist Ross Baker. «It sort of contaminated older Democrats.»
Age is just a number. But it’s a number with consequences. Five House Republicans over the age of 65 have died within the past year. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., says Democrats could have sidetracked parts of President Trump’s agenda had the older members lived.
75-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., defeated 35-year-old Rep. Alexandria, Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., in November to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. The vote: 131-84. Connolly suffered from esophageal cancer – but pushed through. Democrats gave him a vote of confidence. However, Connolly just announced his cancer returned after treatment. He will give up his committee ranking post and retire at the end of this term.
DICK DURBIN, NO. 2 SENATE DEMOCRAT, WON’T SEEK RE-ELECTION
Durbin’s departure could intensify progressive pressure on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to quit, too. Liberals are fuming over Schumer intervening to side with President Trump and avoid a government shutdown in March.
«Sen. Schumer made the disastrous decision,» said House Progressive Caucus Chairman Greg Casar, D-Tex. «I think we have to get to a place where we’re willing to disagree with even our leaders, like Sen. Schumer, when they make a disastrous decision. Thats how we get better.»
Schumer contends he isn’t going anywhere.
«No conversation about when you might step aside?» asked MSNBC’s Chris Jansing.
«I’m focusing on the decision that the Republicans in Congress have to make to whether support Trump with these horrible economic policies or not,» replied Schumer.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., seems to be showing no intention to step aside anytime soon. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
The New York Democrat further rejected any chatter that he might step down when appearing on CNN.
«I am staying put and I’m fighting the fight every day, as is our caucus, in a united and successful way,» said Schumer.
Democrats set out to hold town hall meetings over the recent Congressional recess in districts where they accused Republicans of ducking their constituents. But caveat emptor. In some instances, it was Democrats who got an earful.
DEMOCRATS’ VICE CHAIR GETS ULTIMATUM: STAY NEUTRAL IN PRIMARIES OR STEP DOWN FROM PARTY LEADERSHIP
For instance, Casar conducted a town hall in the district of Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo. Evans just flipped his district from blue to red by 2,500 votes.
«What are we going to do about the DNC?» asked one Colorado town hall attendee of Casar. «They need to listen to you young people.»
«Democrats didn’t really, as far as I can tell, really do anything,» observed another.
Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, who also chairs the House Progressive Caucus, recently got an earful from town hall attendees looking for answers on his party’s direction. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The pot really started to boil just before dawn early Sunday morning on the East Front of the Capitol.
Both clad in black, Jeffries and Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., began what they billed as a «sit-in» to protest President Trump’s policies and reject the «big, beautiful bill.»
House committees are prepping that legislation this week.
«People will die if this budget is successful. That’s how urgent the fight is,» said Jeffries.
But when it comes to conventional tactics, younger, upstart Democrats say BLANK THAT!
JEFFRIES, BOOKER PROTEST TRUMP AND HIS POLICIES DURING SIT-IN ON CAPITOL STEPS
They’re urging their party to ditch the pleasantries and use, well, kitchen language.
«I say it’s time to drop the excuses and grow a f***ing spine,» said 26-year-old Democratic Illinois Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh.
Abughazaleh is running in the district now held by 80-year-old Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill. She’s expected to announce her retirement in the coming days.
Democrat Mike Sacks is running against Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y. in a swing district just outside New York City.
«I’m running for Congress to tell you the truth, to fight for New York, and to unf**k our country,» said Sacks in a campaign ad.
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So the Democrats’ pot is churning. Democrats will soon have the water ready. But it’s unclear what dish they plan to prepare.
The only problem is that so far, Democrats are scalding themselves with that hot water. There’s infighting. Arguing. And everyone is trying to figure out what works.
For the Democrats, it’s enough to make their blood boil.
Democratic Party,Congress,House Of Representatives,Senate,Elections,Midterm Elections
INTERNACIONAL
Author of California child sex trafficking bill forced to exclude felony charge for buyers of teen victims
A California human trafficking bill to combat child sex trafficking is being gutted with the reluctant agreement of the bill’s author to remove a provision that targets consumers in an effort to get the legislation passed.
State Assemblywoman Maggy Krell, a Democrat, agreed to remove a clause from Assembly Bill 379 that states buyers of 16 and 17-year-olds for sex would face felony charges, leaving the solicitation of those minors by adults to be treated as a misdemeanor.
«In order to get a hearing on the bill, we were forced to remove the piece of the bill that ensures the crime of purchasing a minor for sex applies in all cases where the victim is under the age of 18,» Krell told Fox News Digital.
HARVEY WEINSTEIN’S TEAM STRESSES SEX CRIME RETRIAL COULD LEAD TO DEATH, REQUESTS HOSPITAL STAY
A view of the California state capitol building on National Urban League California Legislative Advocacy Day on March 13, 2024 in Sacramento, California. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for National Urban League)
«I wholeheartedly disagree with that amendment,» she added. «This has been my life’s work and I will continue to partner with sex trafficking survivors and law enforcement to ensure all minors are protected from the horrors of sex trafficking.»
Krell noted that the bill still criminalizes «the creeps who are loitering to buy teenagers for sex and sets up a fund to help victims. Those will be powerful tools in the fight against sex trafficking — it’s a good start.»
California Assembly Republicans quickly criticized Democrats over the change.
«Why are some @AssemblyDems planning to cut felony charges for adults who buy 16- and 17-year-olds for sex?,» California Assembly Republicans posted on X. «There are no excuses. Protect the kids. Not the predators.»
Earlier, media reports stated that lawmakers wanted to hold off on the bill and possibly hold information hearings on the issue in the fall.
The bill came together after older teens were left out of a state law that went into effect this year that makes it a felony to purchase a child, ages 15 and younger for sex. Last year, California State Sen. Shannon Grove authored a bill that made it illegal to buy minors for sex, but it excluded 16 and 17 year-olds.
SON OF SUSPECTED WOULD-BE TRUMP ASSASSIN ARRESTED ON CHILD PORN CHARGES
California Assemblymember Maggy Krell, a Democrat, on Monday said she agreed to remove a provision in her child sex trafficking bill that ensures the crime of purchasing a minor for sex applies in all cases where the victim is under the age of 18. (Assemblymember Maggy Krell)
Currently, traffickers, not the buyers, face the harshest consequences when convicted of trafficking anyone under 18.
AB 379 faced a key deadline this Friday and was dropped from the Public Safety Committee agenda for Tuesday’s meeting.
State Rep. David Tangipa, a Republican, said the move was a way to kill a bill that lawmakers don’t want to be heard. If Krell didn’t want to accept the amendment, then the committee chair, Rep. Nick Schultz, would have discretion over whether the legislation should be heard, Tangipa said.
«Apparently, what they want to do is remove the 16 and 17-year-old portion of the bill and then just increase penalties and fines,» Tangipa, who has a relative who was previously trafficked, told Fox News Digital. «What that actually sounds like is just California participating in the prostitution and the trafficking themselves.»
Fox News has reached out to Schultz’s office and the state Democrats.
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In a post on X, the California Republican Party criticized the state Democratic Party, saying that it was «sad and disgusting that this is even a debate over at the pro-criminal» Democrats.
California,Sex Crimes,US,Politics
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Confirmaron la fecha para el inicio del cónclave que elegirá al sucesor del papa Francisco
El cónclave para elegir al sucesor del papa Francisco empezará el próximo miércoles 7 de mayo en la Capilla Sixtina.
La fecha fue decidida hoy por los cardenales de la Iglesia Católica luego de una reunión que duró más de dos horas, donde prestaron juramento los purpurados que no lo habían hecho.
Leé también: La elección del sucesor del papa Francisco: ¿habrá una continuidad o un cambio?
Según informó el portavoz del Vaticano, Matteo Bruni, durante la congregación intervinieron 20 cardenales y se habló de la Iglesia, su relación con el mundo y las características que debe tener el nuevo papa.
Entre los que se dirigieron al resto de cardenales figuran el alemán Reinhard Marx, arzobispo de Múnich; el filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefecto del Dicasterio para la Evangelización; y el francés Dominique Mamberti, Prefecto del Supremo Tribunal de la Signatura Apostólica.
El vocero también reconoció que se abordó la posible participación del cardenal Angelo Becciu, a quien Francisco le quitó los privilegios de cardenal tras ser condenado por un escándalo financiero.
El purpurado insiste en que conserva las prerrogativas para entrar en el cónclave, mientras que en el Vaticano no tomaron ninguna decisión hasta el momento.
FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis’ envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, looks on during the third day of the Synod of Bishops, in Paul VI hall at the Vatican, October 6, 2023. REUTERS/Gugliemo Mangiapane/File Photo
El próximo 7 de mayo, los cardenales participarán de una misa en la Basílica de San Pedro por la mañana y por la tarde se aislarán en la Capilla Sixtina para votar al nuevo sumo pontífice.
La Capilla Sixtina fue cerrada este domingo por la noche porque comenzaron los preparativos para el cónclave. Así permanecerá hasta el 7 de mayo, cuando comience la elección del nuevo papa.
La votación para elegir al sucesor del papa Francisco puede durar varias semanas, debido a que el elegido debe contar con una mayoría de dos tercios.
Leé también: Se conoció un video inédito del papa Francisco que fue grabado antes de que se agravara su estado de salud
De la elección participarán 134 de los 252 cardenales que forman parte del colegio cardenalicio. Esto es porque votan solamente los menores de 80 años.
Sin embargo, el resto de los cardenales que no tienen posibilidad de votar estarán presentes en la Capilla Sixtina para participar de las negociaciones.
Hasta el próximo 7 de mayo, el Vaticano atraviesa el período de duelo conocido como “novendiales”, con misas diarias y reuniones periódicas de cardenales en las llamadas “congregaciones generales”.
La Capilla Sixtina albergará el cónclave (Foto: AP)
Estas asambleas buscan definir el rumbo que deberá seguir la Iglesia en el futuro pontificado y sirven de antesala a la elección del nuevo papa. En estas reuniones participan los cardenales que ya llegaron a Roma y sus deliberaciones son secretas.
Se espera que los cardenales comiencen a definir hacia dónde se inclinará la balanza entre esa lucha entre continuistas y rupturistas sobre la herencia que deja Francisco. Si bien las deliberaciones son secretas, estas reuniones son vitales para definir el perfil de quién será el nuevo pontífice.
El objetivo más ambicioso de estas congregaciones es achicar el tiempo de duración del cónclave. “No será largo”, dijo este fin de semana el cardenal Reinhard Marx, arzobispo de Múnich y Freising, la diócesis de Joseph Ratzinger
Leé también: Tras el funeral de Francisco, los cardenales se reúnen para definir la fecha del cónclave
“Durará pocos días”, agregó Marx, miembro del Colegio Cardenalicio y coordinador del Consejo para la Economía, sobre la duración de la elección.
Según el cardenal alemán, el futuro papa deberá ser comunicativo y “poner en el centro la autoridad del Evangelio”. “En estos días hemos podido constatar el sentimiento del pueblo de Dios Los cardenales no pueden ignorar este sentimiento”, dijo.
Quiénes son los principales candidatos
Solo los cardenales menores de 80 años pueden participar en la elección del nuevo papa, que necesitará el respaldo de 2/3 del colegio cardenalicio para ser ungido como el nuevo jefe de la Iglesia Católica.
Los nombres que se barajan como posibles sucesores son solo un puñado. Entre ellos se destacan:
- Matteo Zuppi. Es relativamente joven para los parámetros que se manejan para los nuevos papas. Tiene 69 años. Es arzobispo de Bolonia y titular de la Conferencia Episcopal italiana. Se lo considera cercano a Francisco y a la Comunidad Sant’Egidio, conocida por su compromiso por los más pobres. Es el cardenal apuntado por el progresismo para suceder a Bergoglio.
- Luis Antonio Tagle. Es aún más joven que Zuppi. Tiene 67 años. Oriundo de Filipinas, también integra el grupo progresista de la Iglesia. Fue arzobispo de Manila. En 2019 fue designado prefecto de la Congregación para la Evangelización de los Pueblos. Tiene un enfoque pastoral basado en la misericordia, la inclusión y la justicia social.
- Pietro Parolin. A los 70 años, es uno de los rostros más reconocidos del Vaticano en su condición de secretario de Estado, una especie de canciller. Se lo considera la figura más influyente de la Curia. Si bien es muy cercano a Bergoglio, se lo posiciona como un cardenal moderado por su diplomacia y pragmatismo.
- Raymond Leo Burke. Con 76 años, es uno de los grandes “enemigos” de Francisco. Es el representante de la línea ultraconservadora de la Iglesia. Fue un duro crítico sobre la apertura del Vaticano a los homosexuales. Es señalado como uno de los cardenales que más conspiró contra Bergoglio durante su pontificado.
- Willem Eijk. El cardenal neerlandés, arzobispo de Utrecht, tiene 71 años. Es uno de los candidatos conservadores. Estuvo en desacuerdo con muchas de las decisiones de Francisco en los últimos años, en especial con la comunión para los divorciados vueltos a casar. Se lo relaciona con la línea conservadora heredera del fallecido Benedicto XVI.
- Peter Turkson. Su nombre completo es Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson. Tiene 76 años. De ser elegido se convertiría en el primer papa africano. Se lo señala por su perfil progresista y su liderazgo en asuntos globales. Es cercano al progresismo. Hasta 2021, estuvo encargado del Dicasterio para el Servicio del Desarrollo Humano Integral.
- Peter Erdo. El cardenal húngaro tiene 71 años y representa al ala conservadora de la Iglesia. Se lo conoce por su capacidad de diálogo. De hecho, en los últimos años logró un acercamiento entre Francisco y el ultraderechista presidente húngaro, Viktor Orban.
Vaticano, conclave, Papa, Papa Francisco
A best-selling German author was found murdered on her houseboat as police search for the suspect responsible for her death.
Police in Hamburg said a 58-year-old woman, who was later identified by the Guardian as Alexandra Fröhlich, a bestselling novelist, was found lifeless by her relatives on her houseboat on Tuesday morning.
One of Fröhlich’s three sons found her body, according to police. Authorities believe she died between midnight and 5.30 a.m.
After investigators looked over the evidence, authorities said they now believe that Fröhlich died «as a result of violence.»
NEW ENGLAND SERIAL KILLER FEARS HEIGHTEN AFTER EIGHTH IDYLLIC TOWN ROCKED BY GRUESOME DISCOVERY
A best-selling German novelist was shot dead in a violent attack on the houseboat where she lived, according to German officials who are treating it as murder. (Droemer Knaur)
«Investigators are currently investigating possible suspects. However, given the ongoing investigation, no further details can be provided at this time,» police shared in a news release.
According to German media outlet NDR, police believe Fröhlich was killed by «massive violence» and had been shot.
The outlet reported that Fröhlich lived on a houseboat on the Holzhafenufer in the Moorfleet district of Hamburg.
BODY OF MISSING WASHINGTON STATE GRANDMOTHER FOUND BURIED UNDER SHED PARTIALLY ENCASED IN CONCRETE
Police say a 58-year-old woman was found dead on her houseboat in the Moorfleet district of Hamburg on Tuesday morning. (Bergedorf.tv )
Over the course of the week, police divers searched the Elbe River for a possible murder weapon and other traces, but the result of the search was unclear.
Police are asking the public for help to solve the crime and urging any witnesses who «have made suspicious observations» to contact the police.
Fröhlich books «My Russian Mother-in-Law and Other Catastrophes» and «People Always Die» were both on Spiegel’s bestseller list, according to a review on Amazon.
17-YEAR-OLD BOY CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER ASSAULT INVOLVING ‘SHARP OBJECT’ AT UK SCHOOL
FILE – Police in Hamburg, Germany, say Alexandra Fröhlich died by violence. (Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
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«The journalist and author Alexandra Fröhlich has literally achieved a West-East satire to shout with her novel ‘My Russian Mother-in-Law and Other Disasters.’ The novel is a fun read not only for Russia insiders that strengthens the laughing muscles on dreary winter days,» one review read.
Fox News Digital reached out to Hamburg Police, but did not immediately receive a response.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
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