Demand Visible Democratic Victory in Continuing Resolution Negotiations

I am writing to urge you to take a strong stance in the upcoming continuing resolution negotiations with President Trump. It is crucial that Democrats secure a visible and meaningful victory in these talks, not just for policy reasons, but for the symbolic value it carries in our current political climate. President Trump operates from a 'dominationist' perspective, where he believes that for him to win, others must lose. This zero-sum approach to politics has created a challenging environment for bipartisan cooperation. However, we must work within this reality to achieve our goals. To effectively counter Trump's displays of power, Democrats need to hand him a clear and public loss. This is not about petty politics, but about establishing a balance of power that allows for more productive negotiations in the future. Political capital is built through successful assertions of power, and right now, we need to demonstrate that Democrats can and will stand firm against unreasonable demands. In these negotiations, I urge you to focus on 'making it hurt' and 'making it visible.' This means securing concessions that not only advance our policy objectives but also clearly demonstrate to the public that the Democratic party is capable of outmaneuvering the President. Whether it's increased funding for key Democratic priorities or the removal of controversial Republican provisions, the outcome must be unambiguously seen as a setback for Trump's agenda. Remember, in Trump's world, symbolic victories often carry as much weight as policy wins. By achieving a visible loss for the President, you'll be setting the stage for more balanced negotiations in the future and reinforcing the Democratic party's position as a formidable opposition. I implore you to approach these negotiations with this strategy in mind. The stakes are high, and the outcome will have far-reaching implications for the balance of power in Washington. Stand firm, secure a visible win for Democrats, and show that we can effectively operate within the political realities of Trump's world while advancing our own agenda.