First of all, let me say that I really enjoyed reading this. It is well reasoned and articulated. Throughout there are reminders of what the big picture is and what the proper avenues of approach should be.

I, as a moderate (a libertarian), unfortunately see something more than just simple bias within your writing. It’s the same thing I see from most left leaning (including almost all MSM sources) writers. Take for instance your opening, highlighted above. It’s equal parts character assassination and hyperbole coupled with a healthy dose of “always” contained within the words constant barrage.

I almost stopped reading after that open, because it looked suspiciously like just another leftist hit piece. To your credit, it was not. What a bad first impression to leave though. It’s the same as the stuff (the negatively framed narrative) that makes Trump call the MSM the enemy party. Journalists are supposed to, in the words of Walter Cronkite “tell it like it is”, which means to present the story truthfully from all sides, not just one.

the all-night debate that isn’t a filibuster; the ravings of constant existential threat; the volume stuck at 11 is also feeding the President’s base.

This ending largely redeemed the rest of first paragraph. By exposing the extremist within your own party as acting in much the same irrational manner as Trump and therefore providing an inevitable backlash. As in Newtons’ law that ‘every action has an equal and opposite reaction’.

Ranting at 11 for the 1400 more days of President Trump’s first term will only serve to reinforce many Americans’ belief that government isn’t about them, that the people they elect don’t work for them, don’t care for them, and aren’t focused on them, but instead are consumed by petty political victories.

This is, in my opinion, the crux of why Trump is POTUS. He didn’t just take down the Democratic Party but the Republican Party as well. He destroyed two dynasties (Bush & Clinton) because so many voters are disaffected.

If the 2016 election cycle and the early days of this administration are teaching us anything, it is that our comfortable rules and norms of political engagement have been fundamentally altered.

Here again you begin to take on the leftist narrative. Our government is foundationally no different than it was a month ago. I’d say even fundamentally it is the same. The only real change is in personality and that isn’t just on Trump. The Democrats and the constant demonizing (Hitler anyone?) is as rabid a personality change as I’ve ever witnessed; at least since I was a boy in the late 60's-early 70's.

I am not suggesting that we should not protest the blatant, the illegal, and the immoral — in fact, we must. But we have to do all of it with eyes on the larger and longer term goal of reclaiming power and our democracy. Resistance is a tactic — progress is the goal.

You know, up until the election, all I seem to recall hearing about is how the Republicans in Congress were just a bunch of ‘obstructionists’, thwarting President Obama at every turn, over petty differences. Now the Democrats are seen as the white Knights riding to the rescue, by standing firm in ‘resistance’. RESIST is the new catchword. In reality though, not any different than OBSTRUCT.

So, in closing, I wish you well in your efforts. Cooler heads on both sides are going to be needed at this important juncture. But, be forewarned, if the leftists continue with the current trend (and method) of opposition, then I fear that you’ll see a repeat of Humphrey in ‘68 and McGovern in ‘72 during the next two election cycles. Think about that for a moment. Would you like to see 8 years? How about 12?

Disclaimer: I voted for neither Republican or Democrat and am a registered Independent. I affiliate with no party as I believe that my individualism is greater than any affiliation could encompass.