Elissa Slotkin Gave the Response to Trumps Congressional Address Democrats Needed

In her response to Donald Trump's address to Congress, Elissa Slotkin did four things the current White House occupant did not do yesterday.

• She was concise in her remarks while Mr. Trump rambled and lied for over 90 minutes. 
• Her comments on Trump's plans and what could be done to help people were based in reality and actual facts. 
• She outlined a strategy for renewal and engagement that Americans could gather around and support. 
• She presented an optimistic and unified vision for the country. Trump's optimism only extended to his MAGA loyalists. 

In her comments, the Senator spoke about her upcoming and calling to public service in national intelligence after the tragedy of 9/11, working for both Presidents Bush and Obama, "Two very different leaders who both believed that America is exceptional."

Speaking from Wyandotte, Michigan, she called the location a beacon of "patriotism" that is "a working-class town, ...places where people believe that if you work hard and play by the rules, you should do well, and your kids should do better."

Talking of how her parents belonged to different political parties, she said "It was never a big deal because we had shared values that were bigger than any one party." 

Saying that the voters "Made it clear that prices are too high and that the government needs to be more responsive to their needs," Senator Slotkin, said "There's a responsible way to make change and a reckless way and we can make that change without forgetting who we are as a country and as a Democracy."

She then outlined three core beliefs that most Americans share.

• That the middle class is the engine of our country. 
• Strong National Security protects us from harm. 
• And that our Democracy, no matter how messy is unparalleled and worth fighting for. 

In reference to helping the Middle Class, the Michigan Senator said that policy makers needed to focus on:

• Bringing "down the price of things."
• "We need to make more things in America with good paying union jobs and bring our supply chains back home from places like China."
• "We need to give American businesses, the certainty they need to invest and create the jobs of the future." 
• "We need a tax system that's fair for people who don't happen to make a billion dollars."

Saying Trump "talked a big game on the economy," the Senator cautioned that "it's always important to read the fine print, " contending that none of his plans "actually help Americans get ahead." and pointing out that the MAGA economic prescription for the country would "walk us into a recession" by:

• Rewarding billionaires with tax giveaways.
• Raising prices for everyone else from everything from groceries, housing, health care, and energy.
• Increasing the national debt.
• Cutting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Benefits. 

Slotkin also went after Elon Musk, the unelected billionaire bureaucrat who decried American soft power through foreign aid and recently called Social Security "a Ponzi Scheme," asking viewers "Is there anyone in America who is comfortable with him, and his gang of 20 year olds using their own computer servers to poke through your tax returns, your health information and your bank accounts (with) no oversight, no protections against cyber attack, and no guard rails on what they do with your private data."

Saying cutting waste is key to "a more efficient government, " she said, "Change, doesn't need to be chaotic or make us less safe. The mindless firing of people who work to protect our nuclear weapons, keep our planes from crashing and conducting the research that finds the cure for cancer only to rehire them two days later. No CEO in America could do that without being summarily fired."

On immigration and border security, the Senator stated the obvious, that all Americans should be for it. She ridiculed Trump for "securing the border without actually fixing our broken immigration system" and said she looked forward to Trump actually proposing a plan for it. 

That will probably come the same time his health care plan arrives. 

She cited Reagan "rolling in his grave" if he saw "the spectacle that just took place in the Oval Office last week" between Trump, Vance, and Ukrainian Leader Zelensky, saying it "Wasn't just a bad episode of reality TV. (It) Summed up Trump's whole approach to the world. He believes in cosying up to dictators like Vladimir Putin and kicking our friends like the Canadians in the teeth. He sees American leadership as merely a series of real estate transactions. As a Cold War Kid. I'm thankful it was Reagan and not Trump in office in the 1980s. Trump would have lost us the Cold War."

Slotkin condemned Trump's pessismistic view of the United States, saying "He doesn't believe we're an exceptional Nation... but I stand with the majority of Americans who believe we are still exceptional unparalleled and I would rather have American leadership over Chinese or Russian leadership any day of the week. Because for Generations, America has offered something better, our security and our prosperity. Yes. But our Democracy, our very system of government has been the aspiration of the world."

The Michigan Senator also chastised Trump's divisiveness like "When the President decides, you could pick and choose what rules you want to follow, when he ignores court orders and the Constitution itself. Or when elected leaders stand by and just let it happen. But it's also at risk, when the President pits Americans against each other. When he demonizes those who are different and tells certain people, they shouldn't be included."

Slotkin told the audience what she sees as America's strength, that "We're a nation of strivers, risk takers, innovators, and we are never satisfied. That is America's superpower." 

In protecting American Democracy and the American Dream. the Senator recommended: 

• "Don't tune out." Stay Engaged.
• "Hold your elected officials accountable...That's as American as Apple Pie."
• Pick an issue you are passionate about and get involved. Slotkin noted "Some of the most important movements in our history have come from the bottle up."

Her closing comments were her repeating her call for to the people to stay engaged and get involved:

"In closing. We all know that our country is going through something right now. We're not sure what the next day is, going to hold let alone the next decade. But this isn't the first time we've experienced significant and tumultuous change as a country. I'm a student of history and we've gone through periods of political instability before. And ultimately we've chosen to keep changing this country for the better. But every single time, we've only gotten through those moments because of two things, engaged citizens and principled leaders. Engaged citizens, who do a little bit more than they're used to doing to fight for the things that they care about, and principled leaders, who are ready to receive the ball and do something about it. So thank you tonight, for caring about your country, just by watching you qualify as engaged citizens. And I promise that I and my fellow Democrats will do everything in our power to be the Principal leaders that you deserve."

Commenting on Senator Slotkin's response to the Trump farce, Third Way Communications Director Kate deGruyter wrote:

Senator Slotkin is part of a dynamic new generation of moderate leaders that is showing Democrats how to connect with voters where they are. Third Way’s Jim Kessler noted she is tough, smart, and unafraid to ruffle a few feathers – making her a fabulous choice for Democrats. Her selection is an indicator that many recognize that Democrats must win the battle of reasonableness with voters in the middle. She is receiving acclaim for her strong performance and an important voice for Democrats going forward.