Hopeful Signs September 16, 2025 A friend who emigrated from New York to Canada five years ago, seeing the handwriting on the wall — or at least not wanting to take any chances (he had relatives on Schindler’s list, so may be more sensitive to historical echoes than most) — writes: I sure hope the U.S. remains a democracy. Supporting Trump is no longer a political choice. It is a statement that you don’t care about morality, legality, democracy, or the truth. I’m hopeful, too. I think we have a shot. Ken Martin: Hi all – Last night’s special election in VA-11 was further proof that voters are fed up with Trump and Republicans’ billionaire-first agenda. Rep.-Elect James Walkinshaw’s victory wasn’t an outlier — it was the latest in a string of Democrats beating the odds all over the country and outperforming trends from 2017, the last time Democrats were in the minority in Washington. With last night’s win, Democrats have officially won or overperformed in 42 out of 43 key elections this year. Democrats have won or overperformed in 98% of key races, compared to 86% at this point in 2017. On average, Democrats have overperformed by 16 points in special elections, compared to 12 points by this time in 2017. This surge in support for Democrats is not just happening in Virginia, but also in other red and purple states across the country. Take Iowa, for example: Last month, Iowa Democrat Catelin Drey flipped a district Trump carried by more than 11 points in 2024 and broke the Republican supermajority. Her win marked the fourth significant Democratic overperformance this year in Iowa, including overperformances in three districts Trump had won by at least 10%. Why this matters: Trump’s polling is in a downward spiral, but the only poll that counts is the one at the ballot box. As we sprint toward the November 2025 elections, Democrats have the momentum. This trend of Democratic overperformance in special elections proves voters are fired up and ready to hold Trump and Republicans accountable for their billionaire-first agenda. Best, Ken Martin DNC Chair Irreparable damage has been done to our standing in the world and to medical research that could have saved countless lives — to name just two tragedies. But if we win back the House — and possibly even the Senate — it will be up to the Supreme Court and the military to abide by the Constitution to which they swore an oath. It’s not as clear as it should be that they will — but it’s definitely not clear that they won’t. If they do allow Congress the powers granted it by the Constitution . . . and if they do rule that the President cannot ignore those powers . . . and if the military remains loyal to the Constitution, as it always has . . . then we will get back on a path that values competence over loyalty, cooperation over intimidation, compassion over cruelty, and all the rest. (The teachings of Jesus over white Christian nationalism?) FORTUNE: Farmer says ‘we’re in a very dire situation’ ahead of harvest—with zero soybean orders from China, historically the largest buyer. The items above, other than the soybeans, fall, as best I can tell, somewhere between “exaggerated,” “highly exaggerated,” and “flat out not (yet?) true.” Even so, the concluding line is about right. He inherited an economy that was “the envy of the world,” with falling inflation and solid job growth. In a few short months, he seems to have turned that around. Much as he wants to be president for life, like the strongmen he admires, we just may be able to keep that from happening. And what then? I don’t know who Julie Marie is, but she posted her opinion: