Eric Holder has a new motto for the Democrats: ‘When they go low, we kick them’

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As a long-time Democrat, I’ll admit it: sometimes my party’s politicians annoy the hell out of me. Sometimes I wish they would be more organized and have a sophisticated messaging machine and daily talking points, and that they would follow those talking points all the way home. I think back, a lot, to how congressional Democrats and the Obama administration handled the Merrick Garland nomination to the Supreme Court. While the nomination wilted on the vine and Democrats talked about it sometimes, I truly feel like they just rolled over and accepted the fact that Mitch McConnell was going to hold that seat open until he got a Republican president. Where was the fight there?

Anyway, Eric Holder gets annoyed with his party too. The former Attorney General faced unprecedented hostility from Republicans in his years at DOJ. His crime was that he was really good at his job, and he was a black man. Anyway, Eric Holder is, I believe, probably going to run for office at some point. He’s already out there campaigning for Democrats during the midterms. During a stop in Georgia, he talked about how Democrats need to fight more:

Eric Holder, while campaigning in Georgia on Sunday, told an audience that he disagreed with former first lady Michelle Obama’s much touted mantra, “When they go low, we go high.”

“It is time for us as Democrats to be as tough as they are, to be as dedicated as they are, to be as committed as they are,” Holder said. “Michelle always says, Michelle Obama, I love her. She and my wife are really tight. Which always scares me and Barack. Michelle always says, ‘When they go low, we go high.’ No. No. When they go low, we kick them.”

The potential 2020 candidate added: “That’s what this new Democratic Party is about. We are proud as hell to be Democrats. We are willing to fight for the ideals of the Democratic Party. We are proud of our history, we are proud of our present and we are proud of the future that we can create for this country. When I say we kick them, I don’t mean we do anything inappropriate, we don’t do anything illegal, but we have to be tough and we have to fight,” he said later.

[From CNN]

As you can imagine, the Republican pearl-clutchers have never heard such VIOLENT RHETORIC before in their entire lives. I hear Susan Collins fainted when she heard the Angry Black Man’s words. This is the bluff, and I hope we don’t even have to debate it – the Republican party is unhinged, they’re violent and they hope you’ll forget all about that and just buy into their “civility” culture war. Why, it used to be that a fascist Nazi could eat in a restaurant without being called out for being a fascist Nazi! Why, it used to be the Democrats would just roll over and “go high.” As many have said, Michelle’s “we go high” works for her and her brand. The rest of us are going low. The rest of us are in the fight for our lives, and we’re going down kicking and screaming and throwing as many punches as we can.

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39 Responses to “Eric Holder has a new motto for the Democrats: ‘When they go low, we kick them’”

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  1. Case says:

    I LOVE this. In times like these, it’s important to stay angry.

    • Raina says:

      This will sound bad, maybe, but for YEARS I’ve been saying that we need candidates who have a Democrats heart and mind and a Republicans nerve and gull.
      When they go low, I DO NOT want to go high. I do not want to argue with these pieces of selfish shyte anymore or try to be reasonable or intellectual. Yes, i want to kick the crap out of them, too.

      When they go low, as low as their I.Q, I want to pull the rug out right from under them. I want them to fall so hard that they’re at eye level with their conscience. I want them disgraced, embarrassed, receiving zero support and, generally, being treated like they want others to be treated.
      I want them to get exactly what they deserve. And, only THEN, when they’re down, do I want to waste my kick on them. Because guess what? They deserve it.
      No more nice. Never again
      Time is up bishes
      I WANT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO YOU TO BE EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO HAPPEN TO OTHERS.
      You go low, we need to break your legs.
      God forbid you get health insurance after.

    • 555 says:

      Nope, I ruined my emotional climate for years ‘staying angry’. Anger is, as they say, a poison, and a hot emotion; it’s not meant to last, and it’s not going to. If you depend on it for fuel, you will burn out yesterday. It’s vital to warn you of danger, but then, like a coal, it will injure you if you hold it too long. use it for it’s purpose; to make you aware u need to take action, and then get a gd file folder, flow chart software, and make a 40 year plan; calm, clear, effective.

    • neil says:

      Democrats; lambs in wolves clothing
      Republicans; wolves in sheep clothing
      Think I’ll vote Green again.

  2. Darla says:

    Yeah, Kellyanne and that whole brigade were on tv all week pearl clutching over some statements HRC made too. They say this stuff on purpose and then go back to their cohors and laugh over it. They know they are lying hypocrites and they hope to enrage liberals and leave us sputtering. I think it’s best to literally just laugh in their faces, and then for good measure, laugh in Chuck both sides Todd’s face when he bemoans it.

  3. girl_ninja says:

    Lisyen, Michelle Obama is my heroe and she is what all women should aspire, but back when she said that I disagreed.

    I’m in complete agreement with former A. G. Holder. And Agent Orange saying the statement was disgusting is hilarious. Drumpf is the definition of vulgar.

    • jwoolman says:

      Well, we need all kinds. We need those who go high when they go low, but also those who kick them… And everywhere in between. I probably wouldn’t join in with loud and persistent reactions to the fascists trying to eat in a restaurant, but we need the ones who do feel so led. They aren’t wrong. And I don’t know what will really work, so we might as well try anything short of physical violence.

      You actually can fight against lies and selfishness without being violent, verbally or physically. It’s not a binary choice between being violent and being a doormat.

      I remember one stray cat who was trying to settle into the household and office with two mildly hostile other feline staffers. Once she stopped hiding all the time, she was pretty amazing and I wished I had named her Ghandi. The other staffers would hiss or growl at her and she simply quietly stood her ground without responding in kind. They were so frustrated. They were trying to intimidate her and she just wouldn’t cooperate. They finally gave up. I think a turning point was a really bad thunderstorm with big hailstones, nothing like a common enemy to make you forget your conflicts. But really, all the hissing and growling simply wasn’t working the way they expected, so why bother? Anyway, she reminded me of someone who said he liked to do nonviolent resistance because it drives the other side crazy….

    • Raina says:

      The graceful, amazing Michelle Obama is a politicians wife. She has time to go high at this point. She is not in urgent, current need and she is a classy lady.

      I am not.
      They all need to go down. It’s up to us who can’t afford to go high and/or tolerate the injustice.
      The people need anger right now, not constraint.

  4. Eric says:

    Somebody better tell the Texas voters because Cruz has a 9-point lead in recent polling.
    MAGAt-TV (Fox News) has stopped showing Emperor Zero Klan rallies that have paid participants in line and inside the venues.
    Is the tide turning?
    Or is it TidePod time?

  5. IlsaLund says:

    Hillary Clinton made similar remarks and stated we can’t be civil with Republicans who are out to destroy us. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp who’s in a tough re-election fight in North Dakota) was aghast at the comments and disagreed with Clinton. And of course the Rethugs are clutching their pearls and playing the victim, fainting like Miss Scarlett and declaring how angry and violent the Dems are.

    The older Democratic establishment needs to be replaced. All respect for their time and service, but it’s time for younger, more progressive leaders to be in charge. And yes, it means taking off the gloves and going toe to toe and beating the ReThugs at their own game.

    • ByTheSea says:

      This. Can we please be done with Pelosi and Schumer? Let’s be the party of progressive ideas and ideals and stand in stark contrast to the party of old white men/people. It cannot be business as usual.

      • Kiki says:

        I was saying that as well. Democrats needs progressive ideas for the sake of the country. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer needs to go. They are liberal tactics are shrinking the Democratic Party. Also, liberals needs to be progressive as well, because these Republican nutjobs are ripping the moral of United States of America. (I am not going to mention President Dumbass and a stupid adminstration). This country is falling apart and about to go down in flames. Therefore, Democrats needs to be tough as nails and fight for the finish. Please kick the Republicans where it hurts PLEASE.

        Eric Holder is absolutely right and I agree with you statement @ByTheSea. 100%

    • Lilly says:

      I saw Hillary’s comments too and thought: “Yes, thank you sweet Baby Jesus, we need to change.” I’ve mentioned it several times, because it’s still so eye-opening to me what I encountered at the senate debate I attended. First, I was already suspect because I’m brown and I could read it in the faces of people there (similar to when I went to Nashville), then when I cheered for Senator Cantwell, when we were allowed to, the two elderly people in front of me turned to glare at me. But, what they want to believe is so incredible to me… and scary. What I overheard, and explicitly declared by the republican candidate, is not going to be changed by the same old, same old. On another platform, I told someone I didn’t like generalizations about any generation, old or young, when they said all the baby boomers need to die. Our Native boomers and ancestors sacrificed everything to protect future generations and the environment – they agreed that their POV did not hold true for POC. While I still don’t agree, I understood more fully how they felt after the debate. I hope the next stage is is people in Eric Holder’s position, and similar, are pushing a change for the benefit for all and not positioning themselves for power (he may not be) – which is why I love Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter so much: good for the sake of good. But, we don’t need to worry about manners etc.

  6. Darla says:

    I would be extremely into a Holder presidency. I love Kamala too though. I am going to wait and see how it all shakes out, but I’d be happy with either or both of them on the ticket.

  7. ValiantlyVarnished says:

    This is what I’ve been saying. We are in a fight for our lives and the future of this country. The time for niceties has long passed. This is a street fight and we need people willing to go to the mats. Not stand on the sidelines and rings their hands while talking about civility. What honor and civility is there to find when fighting people who are keeping children in cages??

    • Darla says:

      Agree with everything you said, especially about the children. I have felt for such a long time that democrats always bring a water pistol to a machine gun fight.

      • ValiantlyVarnished says:

        Yup. The Dems are like the kid who gets bullied and doesnt fight back because he’s afraid of what the bully may think of him for doing so.

      • Esmom says:

        Yes. And I disagree with Holder that Dems are not more dedicated and committed. But the GOP has abandoned ethics and integrity so it can never, ever be a fair fight. I honestly don’t know how to combat that.

      • Darla says:

        That’s true Esmom. I am unsure of how to effectively combat it too. I think we have all at this point accepted that appeals to decency simply do not work. The American people in my opinion have shown themselves to be indecent. I will narrow that down and state the obvious – white america has shown themselves to be indecent. But we can hit them a lot harder than we have been. I would say for one thing, Schumer has to go. He is so ineffective. I mean, it’s actually pathetic. I am in NY and would strongly support a primary challenge to this guy.

    • Louise says:

      Yes to the nth degree.

    • jay says:

      Civility is for times of peace, to maintain balance and unity. Now is not the time for civility.

  8. JadedBrit says:

    Anger is absolutely necessary, is righteous. It’s a battle for women’s dignity, freedoms, rights. Since they’ve managed to insert a sex offender into a position of authority where he gets to judge and directly decree what goes on in a woman’s uterus, it’s imperative that everyone – EVERYONE – gets involved. There’s no room for apathy.

  9. Jessica says:

    I agree. We sit there & take Trump’s and the Republican’s BS, like a punching bag. We need to stand up and start fighting. Actually, a lot of us are. But for whatever reason, our elected officials don’t do anything. I’m thinking of most recently, Kavanaugh. Our elected officials sat back and let Trump tell the story and grab headlines. The women protesting were the only thing that caused the (piddly) FBI investigation, but still, it was something. We need to be out there, in their faces, pumping as much as we can into the press to counteract Trump. Instead Polsi, Scheumer, etc. sit back and twiddle their thumbs. ENOUGH ALREADY!

    • Aang says:

      I agree. Why wasn’t Schumer out there hammering Kavanagh 24/7 for being a rapist? You know the other side would have played this like they played Benghazi and the emails. I just don’t get the tactics from the democratic leadership. I think they are too old.

  10. Lightpurple says:

    I am honored to have met this great man. He has my support for whatever office he seeks.

  11. Rapunzel says:

    Holder’s motto is better than the Republican one: When they go low, kick them…and when they say, “ouch,” tell them they’re unhinged for screaming.

  12. Indiana Joanna says:

    I love Eric Holder. He recognizes a GOP so morally bankrupt that they are in the process of pulling us all down to our deaths.

  13. Tania says:

    We went to a reception yesterday for Sharice Davids and Laura Kelly. The president of Emily’s List was there, along with Governor/Secretary Sebelius and Rep Cheri Bustos. The house was packed for a small gathering and I was so excited to meet Ms. Davids and Ms. Kelly. The speeches were amazing and motivating.

    Suffice it to say, I posted a picture of it on facebook and my husband’s aunt immediately said, “Sorry, this FAMILY VOTES RED!” I quoted my husband’s words in the comments saying he wants leaders who inspire, who don’t spout negativity and give kids a platform to succeed. She followed up saying, “I don’t want to live in a socialist country because they fail and dems are violent, I don’t talk politics, your father-in-law is a red voter but we still love you both.”

    So I asked her to provide me examples of democrats inciting violence and how the party she votes for has babies in cages, mocked a credible educated woman, and promoted a rally that killed a young white woman. I also told her my home country of Canada would be considered a socialist country and if she googled she would see socialist countries have much more success because they put people first instead of companies.” Suffice it to say, we’re probably not spending the next holiday with my in-laws, but it felt so good to say it. It’s always there under the surface, unspoken.

    Keep fighting and let’s bring on a country that represents ALL OF US!

    • Lala says:

      Good for you!!! I wish I had the guts to say something like that to some of my extended family who keep posting disgusting memes and saying similar things as your husband’s aunt. I’ve started speaking up to my mom, who is reasonable, and it actually seems to be changing her mind. But some of my aunt/uncles/cousins are die hard Rethugs and there’s no hope.

      Regardless, I’ll be right with you fighting!

      • Raina says:

        Its time to speak up, to family or others. I treat this crisis like I would if anyone were attacking my child, which, in a way, they are.
        I have FOUGHT HARD through the years for many things and I’ve learned one thing: Shame on them. Never forget that its shame on THEM.
        You’re simply responding.

  14. Mumbles says:

    I agree with the sentiment but I doubt the sincerity of the man who came up with “To Big to Jail” which resulted in NO bankers or finance people being accountable for the hellhole they threw us into in 2008. In fact, the NYT looked at the crisis ten years later and concluded the big banks and hedge funds are doing even better. In fact, Holder’s doing pretty well himself as a partner in a huge corporate law firm, which defends a lot of these leeches.

    Holder is savvy enough to know that the grassroots Dems are thirsty for big change, and he’s reciting a line. But talking the talk ain’t walking the walk.

  15. Lala11_7 says:

    Since me and Michelle come from the same South-side neighborhood…when she said that in that campaign speech…I ALMOST FELL OUT MY CHAIR! Cause she wouldn’t have made it out of her elementary school ALIVE with that stance…Seriously, you gotta “knuck up and buck up” to bullies…or they will EAT YOUR BREAKFAST WHILE YOU WATCH…And the GOP…since Nixon…have been the ULTIMATE BULLIES! And it has been politically/financially successful for THEM…and stagnant and gut wrenching FOR US!

    But…I guess when you live for years in a protective bubble and you are GROOMED within an inch of your LIFE to be as palatable as possible to the the largest population of folks…you have to come out and say something that so milquetoast…and something that DOES NOT EVEN MATCH THE ENERGY SHE HAS…to get along…That stance aligns perfectly with Barack…but Michelle? HECKY NAW!!!!

    Dems need monsters…monsters that will fight for us…JUST AS DIRTY AND LOWDOWN as the monsters that fight for the Republicans…That’s why when Pritzker said he was running against that Trump-lite trash Rauner in IL…for Governor….I WAS LIKE…YESSS!!!!!!! Cause Pritzker is a monster who does GOOD…but he is a MONSTER none the less….

    You don’t send out “Hello Kitty” to fight Mothra …YOU SEND OUT GODZILLA!!!!

    So…I am HERE for Eric Holder…I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS…ALL OF MY LIFE!!!!

  16. Carla Rodriguez says:

    I have been saying this since I first heard Michelle Obama’s comment. I am much more specific about where to kick them. “when they go low, kick them in the balls” is my version.

  17. Kath says:

    Obama was always at his best when he was angry (see: school shootings). Hillary was too. But, of course, while a white guy would have been applauded for his anger and “toughness”, Obama and Hillary couldn’t afford to be seen as the “angry black man” or the “shrill and hysterical woman”, respectively. I loved it when they came out fighting with righteous indignation, but the knuckle-draggers on the right used it as a negative. It was infuriating. Then the media they would criticise Hillary for being guarded and inauthentic. Aaargh!

    I hate to say it, but it may take a white-guy-head-kicker to see off Trump and Trumpism. I can’t see voters accepting anyone else being as “tough” as they will need to be, given the cultural biases at work.

    It sucks.

  18. Beer&Crumpets says:

    Fuck yes, kick ’em in their proverbial slats! Or actual slats, maybe, depending upon circumstances. It has been Them vs Us for a long time and Us has been unwilling or unable to process and accept that. They have made it impossible for Us to misunderstand what They have in store for Us. Us cant afford to be nice anymore, Us got to start swinging.

  19. Patty says:

    Holder is doing great work trying to fight against gerrymandering and he’s gaining ground. Hopefully SCOTUS won’t blow that all to shit. As for TX, I thought Cruz and Beto were polling neck to neck, what happened? Ted Cruz is soooooo gross. Who would vote for him? Why?

  20. CairinaCat says:

    Check your voter reg, i just checked and i was ok but my son was not. he voted in june but it showed he was not registered when i just looked.
    I just reregistered him online, but there is a certain time you have to do it for an election for it to be valid, usually 15 days before