Bill Kristol: Keep Up the Pressure, Dems

U.S. forces struck Iranian launchers on Lark Island to prevent sea mine dispersal, contradicting recent administration claims that the seas were open. Iran retaliated with missiles toward Jordan, all intercepted, while a leaked Washington Post report warns top generals that prolonged large-scale operations in Iran are unsustainable.

The military and Defense Department have been utterly unrevealing about what has happened, including extensive damage to U.S. bases in Bahrain.

The base in Bahrain is more damaged than acknowledged, with more injured troops than initially reported.

The blockade of Iranian ships is having some impact on the Iranian economy, but the Strait is not open at pre-war rates.

The war is a failed war with real consequences, including gas prices still over four dollars a gallon.

The U.S. government will take a 35% passive stake in a company run by Alejandro Betancourt, securing preferential rights to purchase 20% of production at cost. The deal undercuts U.S. companies and involves a businessman who faced criminal investigations for alleged money laundering.

The odds of anything real happening are low, and the deal is mostly a PR stunt to reassure markets about oil supply.

The deal sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations to engage in this type of foreign policy.

The deal gives away the moral high ground and validates past Marxist critiques of American imperialism based on economic interests.

The Pentagon secretly installed conservative military veterans in government roles to amplify Hegseth's viewpoints and attack critics.

Using taxpayer dollars to fund secret propagandists targeting the American public is terrible and tosses away the achievement of an apolitical military.

Democrats should use every procedure possible to raise these issues and oppose funding for such activities during the upcoming continuing resolution.

A U.S. Amherst poll shows 21% of Trump voters express second thoughts, with 16% saying they would change their 2024 vote.

The poll confirms that Trump-plus-11 and 12 states are in play, and Democrats should not play prevent defense but keep national pressure on.

Democrats must keep the paddle to the metal on issues like the war and gas prices to prevent voters from reverting to the mean or staying home.

Trump declared communities should not oppose data centers if they want to be successful, giving Democrats a political opening.

Democrats can take the middle ground by advocating for regulation and local control while attacking Trump for selling out to big tech oligarchs.

Laura Loomer is a successful influence operator who effectively pressures the administration and pushed out officials like Mike Waltz. Loomer posted racist tweets targeting Angie Nixon and called for the deportation of Mehdi Hassan, claiming Islam has no place in America.

Legitimizing this kind of racism or attack on religious origins feeds into antisemitism and creates a climate of hatred that spills over.

Seth Moulton is challenging 80-year-old Ed Markey, who has been an undistinguished member of Congress for 50 years.

Moulton would be good for the Democratic Party to have in the Senate and helps project the party as one of the future.

Renominating an 80-year-old senator is a practical risk, as a Republican could win a special election with major policy consequences.

Marco Rubio is the worst cabinet member due to his central role in immigration policy and orchestrating deportations for wrong thoughts.

Hegseth is the worst, followed by Mullin, Blanche, RFK Jr., and Rubio, though Rubio's accommodation and hypocrisy are more appalling.