There’s a saying, “In Vino Veritas,” suggesting that people tend to be more truthful after a drink or two. Oddly enough, the same can happen during election season, where excitement about the power of winning can lead partisans to reveal their true thoughts.
This week, notable Democrats were candid about their ambitions to regain power and even rework aspects of the constitutional system to maintain their control indefinitely.
The buzz surrounding elections in certain predominantly Democratic states seemed almost too alluring. Sure, it might be easy to write this off as the ramblings of overly enthusiastic individuals at a bar, but there’s a kernel of truth behind that excitement.
Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut echoed these sentiments, appearing visibly enthusiastic while discussing the election results. “This year, for the first time, the Democratic Party looks strong,” he proclaimed. He went on to share some candid apprehensions about the ongoing government shutdown, concerned that closing it without tangible gains could cost Democrats support in the upcoming midterms.
“If we back down without achieving anything, it’ll be tough to rebuild trust with the people who’ve started to believe in us,” he worried.
It’s a bit like trying to impress someone at a bar by engaging in risky behavior—reckless, certainly.
Yes, extending the shutdown would negatively impact millions and cost a fortune. But, if some factions are to be believed, there are far-reaching strategies being discussed.
Some members are not only vocalizing plans to reclaim power but to ensure that it never slips away again. This includes efforts to weaken the Supreme Court, a significant check on power. After Democrats lost control of both Congress and the White House, discussions about court-packing faded. However, following last week’s election, those conversations are resurfacing forcefully.
Former Attorney General Eric Holder has been vocal about his belief that once Democrats regain control, their intention is to stay in power indefinitely. He expressed concern over having a fractured Democratic Party in 2028 and stressed the importance of fundamentally changing the Supreme Court, which he described as “hopelessly broken.”
Holder believes this topic should dominate national discussions as the 2026 and 2028 elections approach.
In essence, there’s a perspective among some on the left that revolves around questioning the legitimacy of the Supreme Court or even advocating for its dissolution, hoping to align themselves more closely with political activists.
This notion has long preoccupied liberal scholars who seek fundamental system changes. Some advocate for eliminating the Senate filibuster and adding new senators from Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., leveling the playing field for their proposals.
However, those ambitions could run into challenges presented by the Supreme Court.
A few years back, a Harvard professor suggested radical reforms aimed at ensuring the Republican Party “can never win.” Yet, he acknowledged that the Supreme Court could dismantle such proposals, implying an urgent need to address the court first.
Democratic strategist James Carville laid out a sequence of events he believes will unfold, predicting a Democratic president by 2028 who will establish a commission focused on reforming the Supreme Court, potentially expanding the number of justices.
“It’s going to happen,” Carville stated confidently, insisting that with a Democratic majority, court packing would be part of the conversation. He argued that it’s necessary to restore public faith in the judiciary.
This segment of the Democratic Party seems poised to reshape the judiciary in line with their vision, aiming for a reconceptualization as the country approaches the 250th anniversary of the revolution.
In the end, as Holder put it, the focus is on “the acquisition and use of power.”
