Commentary
As an observer of the political scene, especially those making the news in either party, I noted a change in the tone of Elissa Slotkin, Michigan’s newest Senator. I never cease to be amazed at how quickly politics can change not only how a person is viewed, but how that person changes his or her view of what is important.
Slotkin, who was close to Nancy Pelosi while in the House, campaigned as a middle-of-the-road Democrat. With progressives taking a beating by Donald Trump in November, I thought that may be why Slotkin was selected to give the Democrat speech in response to President Trump’s address to the joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025.
Slotkin took up the “tricky task” of giving the opposing party’s answer at a moment when Democrats are struggling to find an effective message and messenger for pushing on a president, the New York Times reported, “delivering a simple message as her party’s response to President Trump’s combative and lengthy address.” Adding that she “struck a calm and upbeat tone in her brief remarks.”
The Senator and her staff were obviously excited about her response as an all caps heading – “WHAT THEY’RE SAYING” – on her website included complimentary quotes. “Best response to a presidential speech I’ve ever seen,” – MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell; “Slotkin is pitch perfect. She gave the Democrats a winning message.” – The View’s Alyssa Farrah Griffin; “Slotkin rebuts Trump: U.S. democracy ‘precious and worth saving.'” – Detroit News; and Elissa Slotkin assails Trump’s early actions, offers Democrats a way to fight back.” – Associated Press
What “Others” Were Saying
“Elissa Slotkin says Trump ‘talked a big game’ but lacked economic plan in rebuttal speech.” – Washington Examiner
“Her response, and the behavior of Democrats in general, showed that they still fear a full-throated opposition party, because they believe that they will alienate voters who will somehow be offended at them for taking a stand against Trump’s schemes.” – Tom Nichols, The Atlantic
Referring to Slotkin’s speech as “shameless,“ Tim Graham, writing in Townhall, commented on her remark that “President Trump is trying to deliver an unprecedented giveaway to his billionaire friends,” adding that “he could very well come after your retirement in order to pay for it.” Shameless indeed.
Finally, Michigander Tom LaDuke said her response “bordered on awful to nonsensical. Or something in between, you decide,” adding “we goofed in electing her.” Noting that she replaced Debbie Stabenow, a decrepit, do-nothing Senator for almost 30 years, he rhetorically asked “Why does Michigan suck at electing senators?”
With its other Democrat Senator, Gary Peters, retiring, Republicans have another shot at winning in Michigan. On his way out, Peters said, “Slotkin is the real deal.”
A week later, however, she was asked by a constituent how she would “step up for us now,” citing the way Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Jasmine Crockett and Bernie Sanders, have been “screaming, enraged and passionate” in response to the Trump administration.
In her response, she asked, what have those individuals have done to change the what the Trump administration was doing on cuts, the attacks on the judiciary and the Constitution, and went on to comment that she can’t “chain” herself to the White House and become a full-time activist.” She explained, as Senator, there are things constituents ask of her time, saying, “All these things require me to be more than just an AOC. Yelling won’t stop Trump from enacting his agenda. I am about action.”
She struggles to mask her contempt for far-left organizations and little patience for left-leaning colleagues, according to Tim Alberta, in The Atlantic
Then this week, with AOC and Sanders grabbing the headlines, drawing big crowds, and pulling in millions of dollars, Slotkin unveiled a strategy to revamp the party, arguing the Democrat Party must ditch its “weak and woke” image if it wants to reclaim political power. She gave the leftist Politico a preview of her “war plan” to combat Trump, in which she again foolishly suggests Trump is a “threat to our democracy.” A line that didn’t resonate for them in 2024.
She also questions the use of “Fighting Oligarchy,” resonating with young people.
“Dem Senator curses (a lot) while revealing plan to beat Trump,” read the headline over Lauren Sforza’s piece for NJ.com, in which she wrote of Slotkin’s “war like” plan to beat Trump.
“The Democrat Party must shed its weak and woke reputation and f***ing retake the flag,” Slotkin said, urging her party to project a patriotic a strong alternative to Trump.
While not known previously for her use of salty language, Slotkin continued saying, she wants her party to adopt “the goddamn Alpha energy” of Dan Campbell, coach of the Detroit Lions. She said Democrat candidates must change the way they communicate with voters to project strength and reject identity politics.
Slotkin being seen as a “rising star” after winning election last year in a state that Trump carried, Sforza wrote of Slotkin’s plan to focus not on Trump, but winning back the House and holding their Senate count in the midterms would be her definition of success.
At the same time, Tom LaDuke, writing in RedState, said Slotkin is preparing to make speeches that will “contain and defeat Donald Trump.”
As I was preparing to publish this commentary, I thought that If Slotkin can avoid merely being the anti-Trump candidate, and come up with a clear message that resonates for the party that doesn’t have one, she has the chance of voters saying AO Who?
But then I learned that Slotkin now admits that her “war plan” to counter Trump and retake control in Washington is not enough to retake control of the Senate. You see, her prospects of merely holding their current count in the Senate directly contradicts Chuck Schumer’s promise to retake Senate control, with him as the leader, in 2027.
Slotkin was last slinking off into Senate oblivion, with her 10 minutes of fame response speech to Trump just words.
May God continue to bless the United States of America.
