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RIDGEWOOD, N.J. On Election Day in 2018, Cathy Brienza opened her light blue colonial in a New Jersey suburb to dozens of Democratic activists for a get-out-the-vote rally. A freshman congressman, Josh Gottheimer, addressed a crowd filled with voters angered by Donald J. Trumps presidency and hopeful of regaining Democratic control of the House.

It worked. Fueled by a so-called blue wave, Democrats flipped four seats in New Jersey, re-elected Mr. Gottheimer and won the House.

Now, as another midterm election looms, Ms. Brienza is again thinking about Mr. Gottheimer. But this time she is disappointed and scared.

He is undermining President Bidens agenda, said Ms. Brienza, 62, the founder of Ridgewood JOLT, which grew after the 2017 Womens March into a 1,400-member political organizing group based in Ridgewood, N.J.

President Biden is under siege, she said. If he is not successful, we are going to end up with another Trump.

A moderate in a swing district that bends at a hard right angle along the western and northern edges of New Jersey, Mr. Gottheimer, 46, has emerged as a key player in high-stakes negotiations that have cleaved the Democratic Partys centrist and liberal factions and consumed Washington.

He is a leader among nine conservative-leaning Democrats in the House who initially said they would withhold support for a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint that includes far-reaching initiatives, including measures to combat climate change and expand child care, until a landmark, $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill was approved.

Progressive lawmakers are now holding firm to a similar ultimatum, only in reverse, bogging down the infrastructure bill, which is seen as a pillar of Mr. Bidens agenda. It includes funding to improve roads, bridges, airports and railways and expand high-speed internet access. It cleared the Senate with rare bipartisan backing, and polls show it has broad public support.

The standoff has imperiled both initiatives, and on Friday, after meetings with legislators on Capitol Hill, Mr. Biden said that a vote on the popular infrastructure measure would have to wait until Democrats passed his far more ambitious social policy package.

These so-called moderates, who really are acting like Republicans, are getting in the way of the presidents agenda, said Harry Waisbren, 36, a Democrat who lives in Mr. Gottheimers district in Glen Rock. Mr. Waisbren said he believed that delaying sweeping action on climate change would be catastrophic, noting the torrential flash flooding in New Jersey that led to at least 30 deaths last month in the wake of Hurricane Ida.

Im concerned that theyre acting on behalf of their corporate donors rather than our children, he added.

Mr. Gottheimer represents a large and varied district that includes some of New Jerseys few remaining Republican strongholds as well as populous, affluent regions closer to New York City that are filled with liberal-leaning Democrats who helped propel him to victory in 2016.

What I have said consistently is I believe both parts of the presidents agenda are critically important to New Jersey and to the country, Mr. Gottheimer said in an interview on Saturday. I just dont believe that we should hold one up for months on end.

At lunchtime on Friday, Jeff Bolson, a self-described die-hard Democrat who, like Mr. Gottheimer, lives in Bergen County, said he was worried that the brinkmanship in Washington could jeopardize the infrastructure bill and the climate change initiatives, both of which he supports.

We neglected the infrastructure, he said. If the economy is going to move forward, we need to build it up.

Still, Mr. Bolson, a certified public accountant, blanched at the sheer size of the $3.5 trillion package, which includes paid family and medical leave, an expansion of Medicare, funding for universal prekindergarten and initiatives to slow and combat the negative effects of a warmer climate.

Theres a lack of accountability when everything becomes free, he said. People need to have skin in the game.

In rural Sussex County, where Mr. Trump won by nearly 20 percentage points in 2020, many residents said they were supportive of Mr. Gottheimers approach.

Anybody thats willing to take a pause and seriously look at things, Im behind, said Rick Wahlers, who twice voted for Mr. Trump and owns a clock and watch repair shop down the street from Mr. Gottheimers district office in Newton.

The government hands them the money and does not have any accountability for how its spent, he added, adjusting the magnifying loupe he wears on his eyeglasses and uses to repair tiny clock machinery. Its way too much.

Nearby, in a bar run by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, men were gathered Thursday afternoon eating food left over from a funeral reception held the night before at the lodge.

Bill Schmitz Jr., an Army veteran who is the V.F.W.s quartermaster and who voted for Mr. Trump, said he agreed with ending the countrys dependency on fossil fuels and supported anything that would create new jobs.

Our infrastructure is crumbling I get that, Mr. Schmitz, 61, said as negotiations over the two plans were raging 250 miles away in Washington, where he worked for about 10 years for the State Department. But he said he feared the larger initiative would be filled with pork.

Just to go out and drop trillions and trillions, he said. Wheres that money coming from?

Colleen Waselik sees it differently. A mother of five who works for a school district, she recently left the Republican Party, yearning for a spirit of greater cooperation and bipartisanship.

I was embarrassed sickened by the way Republicans were behaving, said Ms. Waselik, 61, who said the need to improve internet connectivity in rural Sussex County and repair the countrys faulty infrastructure was urgent.

It hasnt been addressed for so long, she said outside Hayeks Market in Newton. They have to go big.

Much of the ambitious social policy bill would be paid for by rolling back Trump-era tax cuts. One version of the plan called for raising the corporate tax rate to 26.5 percent for the richest businesses and imposing an additional surtax on individuals who make more than $5 million.

Mr. Gottheimer, a prodigious fund-raiser, has $10 million on hand for his re-election campaign, according to a July report filed with the Federal Election Commission nearly five times as much as Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington State, who has emerged as the voice of the left in the House.

Ms. Brienza, the Ridgewood activist, said she was concerned that Mr. Gottheimer was more worried about catering to the needs of wealthy donors than creating an economy that works for everyone.

On Friday night, after talks had reached a new standstill, Mr. Gottheimer issued a statement that criticized Speaker Nancy Pelosi for not holding a promised vote on the infrastructure bill and pinned fault for the delay on a small far left faction.

We can create these jobs and help invest in infrastructure this week if we just pass it and send it to the presidents desk, Mr. Gottheimer said on Saturday. The other ones not written yet.

Still, fear that it all might fall apart and intensify pressure on Democrats trying to defend a slim majority in Congress in next years midterm elections was not far from the minds of many voters.

To show a rift makes it very easy for the Republicans that I dont like to see, said Harriet Sausa, 71, a retired teacher who lives in Glen Rock and is a registered Republican, even though she said she rarely voted for that partys candidates.

She is hoping for a quick compromise.

I do think that a lot of the things in the big bill are important, she said, but not enough to jeopardize the infrastructure bill.

Sherouk Aziz and Yusuf Waiel, a newlywed couple who live in Hackensack, a midsize city, said they were watching the negotiations carefully, worried that the process could spell trouble for the future of the Democratic Party.

This is kind of just one more issue that makes them look more divided and more broken, said Ms. Aziz, 28, a software engineer and a Democrat who said she votes left.

We are going to lose an opportunity to reinvest in our own country, said her husband, Mr. Waiel, 25, who is also a software engineer.

And its going to cost them in the midterms, he added.

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Democratic Voters See Many Losers in Party Schism, and One Winner: Trump - The New York Times

In a private meeting with Mr. Biden and nearly a dozen House Democrats in swing-districts on Tuesday, the prospect of limiting who could benefit from a promised two years of free community college came up as part of a broader discussion about the program, according to Representative Susan Wild, Democrat of Pennsylvania.

But, she added, the general sentiment was, we should not be putting means-testing in on universal child care, or lets call it universal preschool.

Its completely out of the childs control, obviously, and, its an unfair impediment, she said.

The politics of the debate are murky. Republicans relish attacking Democrats for showering benefits on the rich. They caricature tax credits meant to transition the nation to electric vehicles as subsidies for Tesla owners and mock federally paid family and medical leave by singling out executives who already receive the benefit from their companies. The children of millionaires, they warn, will be among those going to community college for free.

The Democrat party has become the party of the wealthy and affluent, Representative Jason Smith of Missouri, the ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee, wrote in an essay for The Washington Examiner published on Tuesday.

Many of the charges are exaggerated. Millionaires children may not be flocking to community college, free or not. Ms. Sherrills amendment lifted the income cap on the child care tax assistance, but the benefit is still set up to limit child care costs to no more than 7 percent of a familys spending. For truly affluent families, child care is a much smaller percentage than that, so subsidies would still be limited. A million-dollar wealth cap still applies to the program as well.

And as Republicans argue the spending helps the rich, they decry tax increases clearly aimed at the rich.

Still the charges could sting.

There are programs where I say, if the government is helping out somebody like me, that money is probably coming away from somebody who needs it a lot more, Mr. Kaine said.

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Benefits for All or Just the Needy? Manchins Demand Focuses Debate - The New York Times

Last years election was big news.

With the inauguration of the president on ballot, the 2020 elections could not be ignored. Covered day and night, garden signs and flags were everywhere.

There are no expensive races in this years version. This is a city election. That is, votes are cast for positions such as township supervisors, autonomous region council members, and board of education directors.

But just because its not glamorous and attractive last year doesnt mean it doesnt matter.

At the Berks County Democratic Commissions Autumn Supper on Friday night, keynote speaker Connorlam said elections like 2021 are important to crowds at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in downtown Reading. Said.

They are where the actual connections can be established and where the actual changes begin to occur.

Ram said he speaks from experience.

Recently, hes been traveling to the Commonwealth to win a Democratic nomination next spring in a fierce race for the soon-to-be-vacant US Senate in Pennsylvania, but Ram is far away from another difficult campaign. Not.

Karen Shuei Reading Eagle.

US Congressman Connorlam on the left speaks with MP Mark Lozzi at the Berks County Democratic Commissions autumn dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in downtown Reading. (KAREN SHUEY Reading Eagle)

Lamb caught the publics attention when he won 627 votes in a parliamentary special election in 2018, despite the Republican registration advantage and a campaign that spent more than $ 8 million to beat him. ..

After the constituency change, he was forced to face a competitor who was actively campaigning for President Donald Trump in a Republican-prone district.

It was a fiercely fragmented environment where people chose sides and dug deeper.

What Trump did is whether its totally important for us to tell our fellow Americans, and whether everyone desperately falls into two categories, red and blue, and outside. It makes it possible to wonder if even trying to get out and try to persuade people is really important. He said. But we have to.

Former Marine Corps and federal prosecutor Lamb overcame these challenges by hitting the pavement.

He made door-to-door canvassing, often face-to-face with voters, saying they were firmly in the corner of the enemy. But over and over again, he turned them around by talking about his beliefs and stance on issues such as health care, education, and union support.

Karen Shuei Reading Eagle.

Senator Judy Schwank and US Congressman Conor Lamb at the Berks County Democratic Commissions Autumn Supper. Ram was the keynote speaker. (KAREN SHUEY Reading Eagle)

People didnt think it was possible, but if we go without any barriers between us and voters, talk about issues, talk about their salaries, and talk about their situation, we I knew, he said. I dont want to let the consultants say, only neighbors. We knew people would see how positively we were fighting to represent them.

Lam, who represents the 17th Parliamentary District in Allegheny and Butler County, Pennsylvania, said it was a way for Democrats to change peoples minds and win their hearts and elections.

Thats the way we have to compete every time, he said.

Mr. Lam says Democrats need to refuse to let others define all of them, and parties need to be willing to talk about themselves and clearly share what they represent. Said there is.

We have work ethic, we are proud, and most importantly, the dedication of the people we are trying to represent, he said. And tonight we can do it from this room and help elect these judges and local candidates. Thats how we protect democracy at the end of the day.

The three candidates running for state-wide judicial races on the November ballot reflected their feelings in their remarks at the dinner.

Maria McLaughlin, a candidate for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, is a Democrat from Philadelphia and has been in higher court since 2017. She began her legal career as an aide to the District Court in Philadelphia and then worked in the family department of the citys common petition court.

She is vying for a single vacancy with Republican Kevin Blobson.

We want to protect all rights, McLaughlin said of the Democratic candidates slate running for the state-wide judicial seat. What is more important than those values in our Constitution? We are trying to protect those rights.

A candidate for the Pennsylvania Superior Court, Timica Lane is a Democrat in Philadelphia and a judge in the Common Pleia Court for criminal cases in the city. She previously worked at the Public Defender Office and practiced family law as a private lawyer.

She is vying for the only vacancy with Republican Megan Sullivan.

We are excited and ready because we know how the court will affect each of us, Lane said. We know many times that the courts are temporary to ensure that we hear everyones voice. Thats why its imperative to go out and talk to everyone about this election.

A candidate for the Federal Court of Justice in Pennsylvania, David Spurgeon is a member of the Common Pleas Court in Allegheny County. Prior to that, he served as assistant district attorney for nearly 20 years, and then as acting district attorney for the county.

He is one of four candidates running for two vacant seats. Other candidates are Democrat Lori Dumas and Republicans Andrew Crompton and Stacy Wallace.

These seats have a ten-year term, and once you win, you probably wont lose your job. That means everything can serve 20 to 30 years, which is great if the Democrats win. But it would be scary if the Republicans win, Spurgeon told the crowd. The winner makes decisions about our elections, womens reproductive rights, gerrymandering, and everything that matters to Pennsylvania.

At the Berks County Democratic Party Supper, Speakers Emphasize the Importance of Older Elections

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At the Berks County Democratic Party Supper, Speakers Emphasize the Importance of Older Elections - Pennsylvanianewstoday.com

Fox News host Mark Levin cut through what he believes is a smokescreen encasing the Democrats' agenda with their $3.5 trillion spending bill on Sunday's "Life, Liberty & Levin."

Democrats are promoting the expansive bill which includes a series of social reforms, but the bill has caused a fracture within the party. The multitude of views from progressives to moderate Democrats within the party have caused a series of roadblocks in negotiations.Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., stated that his spending limit was $1.5 trillion. On the other side, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, I., wants to spend $3.5 trillion to be the minimum.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said she did not believe President Joe Biden will get the full $3.5 trillion.

"I keep hearing Nancy Pelosi and others say: if we do not vote to raise the debt ceiling then what will happen is the full faith and credit of the United States will be destroyed because we will default on our debt These are more scare tactics, and that's what the Democrats do all the time. In order to change this country, in order to push their agenda, this is what they do," Levin said.

SINEMA CONFRONTED BY IMMIGRATION ACTIVISTS IN A BATHROOM

He proceeded to rebut the claim that the U.S. would default on its debt.

"First of all we're not going to default on our debt service. Here's why: whether the government shuts down or goes on you keep paying your taxes. The Treasury keeps collecting your taxes via the IRS. To the tune of approximately $320 billion every month. So I went and I looked. What part of this goes to debt service every month? Approximately $44 billion.

He asked how the U.S. would default if the federal government is receiving $320 billion, with $44 billion for the debt service. "

Levin pointed out another inconsistency he found. When the Democrats laid down concerns over a lack of funds to pay for expenses from a prior administration it was "another bald-faced lie," according to Levin. "That money is already gone. In order to raise the debt ceiling, we're talking about forward spending on additional programs.

The motivation for raising the debt ceiling, according to Levin, is "to pay for [the Democrats'] massive, massive reengineering of society, redistribution of wealth and the imposition of their socialist agenda."

Levin added that Democrats "put every radical idea you can possibly think of" relating to critical race theory, climate change, or undermining the capitalist system. He further said that money would be allocated to "radical community activist groups," which in effect, would help Democrats win elections.

"They're going to build an army of electoral volunteers. So every election they will be out there and they will have the ability thanks to you subsidizing them, to affect the outcome of an election," he said. "I have told you before: the Democrat Party is a very diabolical political organization. It supported slavery, it supported segregation, it led the way on Jim Crow. They don't embrace Americanism. Now they claim it's Democratic socialism when it's really American Marxism. And they lie, and their media surrogates lie."

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Levin warned that this level of spending is unsustainable and putting future generations at risk.

"We're going to turn the country inside out and upside down for generations to come. A disaster. We already have inflation, product shortages, the price of gas and food going up. Could you imagine adding several trillions of dollars to that?"

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Levin: 'The Democrat Party is a very diabolical political organization' - Fox News

But what if Donald Trump wins? Im referring here to the widely circulated Washington Post essay by Robert Kagan, a neoconservative pundit associated with the Brookings Institution and the Council on Foreign Relations, warning that we are already in a constitutional crisis because of the certainty that Mr. Trump and his voters will reject his defeat in the upcoming 2024 election and trigger the worst crisis since the Civil War.

The alternative outcome goes unmentioned thanks to a giant lacuna that exists in half of Americas mental landscape, and in the mental landscape of 99% of the media. Mr. Kagan relies on some just-so oversimplification, but wed be foolish not to see the risk of civil disorder and legal shenanigans as high no matter who loses in 2024. Downtowns were boarded up on the eve of the 2020 race not against angry and aggrieved Trump voters. Rural riots are hardly a thing. It was in deeply blue areas that local officials feared mass violence if the election didnt turn out the way Democrats wanted.

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If Trump Wins in 2024, Then Who Threatens Democracy? - The Wall Street Journal