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Second-term U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord), whose district includes Danville and Alamo, has announced that he will not attend the presidential inauguration of Republican Donald Trump onFriday in Washington, D.C.
“Inaugurations are a time for our Presidents to ignite hope, demonstrate humility and espouse faithfulness to the principles enumerated in the Constitution. The President-elect has yet to demonstrate these traits, and it is with a heavy heart and deep personal conviction that I have decided not to attend the Inauguration,” DeSaulnier said in a statement last week.
Trump is set to be sworn into office as the 45th U.S. president on Friday (Jan. 20) after earning 304 electoral votes to Democrat Hillary Clinton’s 227 electoral votes to end a polarizing 2016 presidential campaign season. Clinton outgained Trump by almost 2.9 million votes in the popular vote.
This inauguration would have been DeSaulnier’s first as a sitting member of Congress.
Instead, he said he would not be attending the event, releasing a 409-word statement last Friday explaining his decision and criticizing Trump on a range of issues, including conflicts of interest, ethics, hostility toward the press and health insurance repeal.
San Ramon’s congressman, third-term U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin), is scheduled to attend the presidential inauguration next Friday in his capacity as House Democratic leadership. Swalwell is co-chair of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.
The 64-year-old DeSaulnier won re-election to the 11th Congressional District handily in November, garnering 72.1% of the vote compared to 27.9% by Republican challenger Roger Allen Petersen.
He was first elected to the House of Representatives in November 2014 after climbing the political ladder in Contra Costa County over nearly 25 years, starting on the Concord City Council before moving to the county’s Board of Supervisors, followed by the California State Assembly and then the State Senate.
The rest of DeSaulnier’s statement on the inauguration read:
“Having watched, listened, and waited during this transition period, I was hopeful the President-elect would turn away from the divisive and contentious behavior exhibited during the campaign and embrace a message to unify all Americans.
“Sadly, we have witnessed one polarizing action after another. Since being elected, he has demonstrated hostility toward our free and open press, committed to gutting health insurance for millions of hardworking families, and is filling his cabinet with nominees more closely aligned with Wall Street than Main Street.
“Earlier this week, the President-elect acknowledged, but took no meaningful steps to mitigate his many personal conflicts of interest. The plan he outlined is wholly inadequate and leaves the American public with more questions than answers.
“It is the duty of the President of the United States to meet the minimum legal and ethical standards outlined in the Constitution. This makes his refusal to follow the precedent set by the last four generations of presidents from both parties gravely concerning.
“As President, the nation will look to him for guidance in times of turmoil and times of plenty. In these moments, the country must have full confidence that his sole focus is on protecting America’s interest — not his own.
“I believe when he places his hand on the Bible and takes the sacred oath that Presidents Washington and Lincoln did before him, he will in that very moment, be in violation of that oath and the Constitution.
“As a student of American history, I cannot sit idly by and normalize a President who has displayed disregard for our past traditions and Constitution. In this critical period of transition, I am reminded of when Benjamin Franklin exited the Constitutional Convention at its completion and approached a group of citizens, one of whom asked ‘Mr. Franklin, what have you given us?’ to which he replied ‘A republic, if you can keep it.’
“On Inauguration Day, I will not be in attendance, but instead preparing to do all I can to keep our republic.”
He criticizes Trump for being ” polarizing” but yet he refuses to attend the Inaugeration of our 45th President and publicly ridicules him? You are suppose to be a U.S. Congressman, not a political party hack, so about you show some respect for our country and the Office of the Presidency and attend the Inaugeration. Trump is not even President yet and your actions show you refuse to be a bipartisan Congressman willing to work with the Republicans to find a common ground. Your grandstanding is an embarrassment to your constituents who put you in office. I will gladly donate $ and volunteer my time to support any other Democrat who runs against you in the next election, and I am sure most of my fellow Republicans, Independents, and many Democrats feel the same way. Go work for the DNC, and get out of Congress, as your actions show you can not work with a diverse group of people and views, and take your ” polarizing” attitudes with you.
Right on American! Wow. Well, it just goes to show that Mr. DeSaulnier is another useless political hack. He is just one of the many on the left that can’t accept defeat
On another matter… What ever happened to the elite leftist, Tom Cushing? I have not seen a post from sour mouth since Trump won.
As our representative you once again disappoint me in your decision not to attend the inauguration. This is not a time of protest as a Congressman, this is a time to show respect to the incoming President. It is a time to bring this country together and show your constituents that you are not a devisive person.
The other disappointing thing is your votes on Israel. You have shown people who have supported you your true colors.
Please, any local Democrat, who is bipartisan and willing to work with others and can act respectful to those with diverse views, run against this guy. You will get support from Republicans, Independents, and Democrats who value country over political party, and easily defeat this polarizing extremist. I heard his speech last year at the Contra Costa County Bar Association meeting and everyone at my table, which included people of every party, were amazed how offensive, ignorant, and disrespectful he was. We deserve a Congressman who is willing to listen to others, even those whose views he does not agree with.
Our representative should not be trying to force division and failure of our government. Nothing positive comes from this and it just shows the political gamesmanship of Desaulnier. All for himself. Nothing for his constituents.
DeSaulnier is emblematic of what is wrong with CA liberal politics!
I was going to mention that the folks whining here must have been in the minority since you were reelected. Hello……
Interesting. So, now if Rep. DeSaulnier takes a principled stand against celebrating the inauguration of a man who has made divisiveness, intolerance, bullying, and bigotry the hallmarks of his campaign, HE is the one who is behaving badly? I think not.
Sorry to hear that he will not attend since he represents ALL people in his district. He decides to act as the negative which he condemns in doing President.
Sorry that he decided that way since he needs to listen to ALL his district NOT just his views based on 13% of the population and those who want to put more taxes on hard working tax payers.
Representative Mark DeSaulnier made a difficult and thoughtful decision. I’m sure he knew he’d receive criticism from many. Beyond his attending or not attending the inauguration, lies the reality of President Elect Trump’s behavior and belief system. There are indeed issues of conflict of interest, disregard for the Constitution, misogynistic remarks and behavior, bullying to name a few. Even though I think he should attend, I completely understand his reasoning. Thank you for the opportunity to express my views.
Congressman Desaulnier is a beacon of hope in the bleak, regressive, threatening, hateful world that the despicable, racist president-elect has created with his con-artist campaign.
Thank you Rep. DeSaulnier for your courage and wisdom shown by your decision to not attend the inauguration.
DeSaulnier is a perfect example of what is wrong with California liberal politics! It’s either “their way” or the highway!! Defeat just isn’t in their vocabulary… come on, grow-up!!!
I can’t believe how hypocritical and blind the Liberals and Democrats are! Had anyone refuse to go to Obama’s inauguration they would have been labeled as prejudice and hateful. If Hillary had one and then you be refused to go to hers they would also be called divisive and hateful and intolerant.
This is especially so ridiculous considering that the nation has not been so divided in Generations as it is right now coming out of 8 years of Obama.
You liberals out there must really be enjoying life now because all your purpose now is to trip up and stand in the way of things. Your remedies and solutions have not worked the last eight years and you’ve lost a lot of ground and have hurt the nation… But you’re going to continue your ways aren’t you.
VERY POLITICAL POSITION… DISRESPECTFUL & UNPATRIOTIC!
Bravo, Rep. DeSaulnier!!
Thank you Rep. DeSaulnier. The President elect should receive respect when he’s done something to earn it, which he defies daily. . If the new president is truly a leader then he should be the first one to model the behavior he desires in others. However respect for others doesn’t really seem to be on his agenda.
So let me get this straight. I vote for this guy. He represents me. Does he forget that? He’s just another politician – with bigger aspirations, so it’s all about him, thinking he knows better, & not his constituents. How about showing up out of respect for all. – & celebrating the country that others continue to envy. Otherwise, give me your ticket & I’ll go! Someone needs to run against him. He won’t get my vote again. Some things are bigger than Party. You just blew it Mark.
Not one republican congressman skipped Obama’s inauguration four years ago. Tolerance is a one way street. Democrats demand tolerance but come up with all form of excuses to avoid giving it.
Shame on you……as an elected official, you are ignorant of our electoral process. Don’t waste your money on trying to get re elected….you have lost already.
What a hypocrite. Where were his principals when Pres Obama violated the constitional separation of powers and used regulations to acheive his partisan agenda, an agenda he couldnt even cram through a democratically controlled Congress.
Congressman, when you were head of the State Transportation committee, you supported and drove the bullet train fiasco, something that will saddle generations of Californians with huge debt and a big white elephant.
Disgraceful.
I think his action in boycotting the inauguration is childish, petty and disrespectful of the American tradition of smooth transition of power. It is this kind of nonsense by minority leadership that creates the current wave of divisiveness. We should be ashamed to have him as our Representative in Congress and question the wisdom of
those who elected him!”
Congressman Desaulnier is a man of principle and integrity and knows history well and especially knows that our founding fathers we’re creating a hopeful experiment to establish a government that would serve,honor,protect the rights of all the people…That no one would be excluded and all would have a chance to prosper. The president-elect clearly forgets that he is a civil servant, and his duty is to help make this American experiment work; but his campaign showed no loyalty to the people because the theme of his promises was to divide, and his intent has never been to serve the people but only to bask in his narcissistic victory which he achieved through lies. He deserves no respect because he does not respect us. A true and principled Republican candidate would have been appreciated…Not this man.
Mark…you are an idiot. Get a real job…
Wow, I’ve been reading this predictable troll fest. DeSaulnier should respect Trump, the same way Trump respects women, those with disabilities, heros such as John McCain, the First Amendment, the Emoluments Clause, the gravitas of the office…………………….. He does, however, respect war criminals such as Putin and Assad.
DeSaulnier’s reaction to the newly elected, soon to be President of the United States of America, is immature, childish, disrespectful, and shameful. The Democrat party is disintegrating before our eyes. Donald Trump is my president and he is your president, whether you like it or not. As it was said above in the comment section, Democrat tolerance is a one way street.
I will never vote for another democrat as long as I live!
SHAME ON YOU DESAULNIER!!
A presidential inauguration is a civic ceremony that transcends the person being inaugurated. It is an act of state, not of politics. Its primary purpose is for the president-elect to take the constitutionally required oath of office, and for the people by witnessing it to bind him to that oath. It is a time to reaffirm collectively the enduring principles that have sustained this country for over 200 years, including the peaceful transfer of power, which remains a remarkable event even in this modern world.”
The next thing you know is that our U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier will start taking a knee during other institutional, traditional and ceremonial events. Mark, look for me at the next Danville Fourth of July Parade. I will be the one walking away when you come down the street.
Mr. DeSaulnier:
I thought you as a US Congressman would put the USA best interests ahead of your personal political philosophy. Mrs. Clinton and many other Democrats gracefully accepted the election results; yet you have chosen to endorse the ultra left wing of the democratic party who are very partisan. The voters of the nation have spoken; yet you apparently do not respect their viewpoint. You likely will not get my vote in the next election. Lastly, you will gain more respect from many constituents if you get on a plane to Washington DC and support our new president and the peaceful transition of power within our great government. Thank you.
This jerk has lost my support and I’m embarrassed for Danville that he represents us. I will work tirelessly to support a candidate from either party willing to support bipartisan views and reach out across the aisle. Steve Glazer our State Senator is a breath of fresh air and is one Democrat that comes to mind. This coming from a life long Republican. Unfortunately Orinda I don’t believe is in our congressional district.
Seriously?? DeSaulnier thinks his opinion and act of defiance means anything, to anybody? It’s a nonevent, no one cares, and just shows he doesn’t actually represent everyone, just his groupies. Defending the press? The majority of Americans hate the press; they are elitist, self absorbed and just downright irrelevant. The majority of the press are completely unqualified to participate in any political discussions, yet we have to continually listed to them yammer on the air.
Bad move DeSaulnier, not a smart move to continue the divisive trends in America. Be a leader and take the high road.
Thank you for taking this courageous stance against hatred; for representing those of us who have no voice. Thank you.
We teach our children to not lie, to not disrespect, to not call names, to not bully; and now we are set to install a man as president of the unite states who lies, disrespects American heroes, calls names in a dirty campaign, and bullies the handicapped, and Americans who fought bravely to secure human rights, and Americans doing their jobs to bring truth to the American people. No one should attend this event that will elevate someone who disrespects the people he is supposed to serve.
this is so sad,but i do thank you for telling us all who we voted for. you will never get another vote from me or my entire family!!!this country needs unity now more than ever…by the way its called respect which for the last 8 years I have given to President Obama, I prayed he would do wonderful things, never happen but he was our President so I stood behind him just like I will our new President…give him a chance, Pray he does good, this country needs change…God Bless you Mr. President and your family…here’s to hope for the next 4 years! God Bless America
As a disabled woman who is not represented by Trump but rather scoffed at and demeaned, I applaud his decision. I love my country, as did my many ancestors who came here before the Revolution. To vote for or support Trump would be a dishonor to them. My grandfather, Colonel Charles V. Samsel, an FDR Democrat taught me about government from the time I was a young girl. It is not because Trump decided to be a Republican, but because of his hate-filled speeches, tweets, and policies.
For those of you complaining about “Liberal California”, if you don’t like it….move to Indiana, where Pence was the dictator in chief! Were you born here? I was and intend to be carried to the forest in a pot with my ashes when I die!
republican
Thank you, Representative DeSaulnier, for not honoring Trump by attending his inauguration. I am ashamed that my country (sort of) elected that man, and I’m ashamed that, judging from these comments, so many of my neighbors seem to be so like him.
It will be interesting 4 years from now to look back at these comments to see how they hold up with some historical perspective.
Kudos to Representative DeSaulnier for taking a stand! Party unity, bring the Country together??? Have people forgotten what Mitch McConnell said In 2009 shortly after President Obama was inaugurated? We will do everything we can to make him a one-term President.
What about the ongoing Tea Party protests demonstrating against President Obama?? Or, the Birthers (headed up by Donald Trump himself) questioning for years the legitimacy of President Obama’s birth place? Where was the party unity and bringing the Country together then?
Earlier comments were made about Representative DeSaulnier being “immature, childish, disrespectful, and shameful.” A perfect, accurate description NOT of DeSaulnuer but of Trump!! Trump is disrespectful of Gold Star families, the disabled, People of Color, women, and the list goes on.
Party unity, bring the Country together. Sure. . . .
He won’t be missed
As I read through all of these comments of name calling and hate directed toward DeSaulnier and Californians who support him, I was dismayed that so many of my neighbors seem to gravitate toward the language Trump uses. Do you really think there is ANY comparison between the qualities that President Obama has and those of Trump??? Thank you Citizen, Kim, G. Johnson, and others for reflecting my thoughts so accurately. And again, thank you Rep. DeSaulnier for your courage, wisdom, and love for our country.
I thought you were supposed to represent all your constituents, not just your Democratic supporters. As our representative you are not just supposed to show your allegiance to the Democratic party, but all residence in your district. Last time I checked that was Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Apparently your own agenda is more important than trying to reach across the aisle and work with the other party to actually get some legislation passed. This sets the tone of what’s to come. It is disgusting that so many Democrats that have been voted to represent our country are not attending the inauguration. This sends quite a message to other countries about the lack of cooperation and discord our government has. Every time the opposing party wins an election the other party is not happy but you act like adults, SUCK IT UP, and attend the inauguration as part of YOUR DUTY as an elected official. Clearly America is not happy with what’s happened the last 8 years otherwise the Democrats wouldn’t have lost 1000+ seats in congress as well as the Presidency. WAKE UP!!! Just because you have the “majority vote” as so many continue to point out you don’t have the electoral college vote SO YOU LOST. GET OVER IT!!!! You are pathetic.
Representative DeSaulnier SHOULD be ashamed of himself. The inauguration is not the place to play politics and HE KNOWS THAT! He’s clearly kissing ass to his constituents so he can stand with all of them in furthering the lies and hateful rhetoric being spewed by liberals, democrats and media about PE Trump because their candidate lost and they can’t move forward. Not sure how well that game is going to work for them, but we’re certainly getting tired of all the bullying, lies and hypocrisy from these liberal representatives, democrats and liberals in this state and the country. Oh, and did I mention the HATEFUL RHETORIC and HYPOCRISY from the left??? Disgusting!
How untrue all these comments are….No one is a sore loser…The president elect is unfit to serve because of his lies, his disrespect to the American people, his ties to Putin, his divisive and scary campaign rhetoric, his willingness to accept endorsements from the KKK, his manipulation of the American people…Suggesting we can’t trust the press nor the intelligence agencies (he’s afraid of being found out for his lies and business ties to Russia, and so if he can convince us not to trust the press nor the intelligence agencies, he will come across as credible and the press and intelligence will not). Other countries laugh at us for the ridiculous choice that has been made in this president-elect. There were so many other better, more qualified Republicans. He bullied himself to the top. Sad.
You silly liberal Americans. Comrade Trump knows exactly what he is doing. With Ego comes strength. Those who ignore strong leaders with big Egos shall suffer, you will see. The disabled, people of color, women, and others will see that only through strength of Ego, as I have demonstrated in Ukraine, in Syria, my political enemies, and with weak journalists, can only make America great again, just like I have raised Mother Russia from Gorbachov’s failed attempt at democracy. You will see.
Representative DeSaulnier will never get my vote. He is an embarassment to the people he is suppose to represent. The people have long memories.
Again, the president-elect is an embarrassment to the people he is supposed to serve. He is racist, sexist, mysogynist, and a xenophobe. In my lifetime President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have had the most integrity, the most grace, elegance, and dignity in their roles as public servants …The most morally strong in the White House. They made us look good around the world. The new president-elect seemingly has no moral core…No care for the American citizens…A narcissistic bully, a global embarrassment.
Congressman DeSaulnier had better be ready to work starting Friday. President Elect Trump is a workaholic and will expect nothing less from them. It will be refreshing to see these elected officials actually work for a change.
Trump a “workaholic”?? His attention span is known to be sorely lacking and virtually non-existent. While Trump will be on his Twitter tirades, the person behind the scenes reading all of the Presidential Briefing reports will be his son-in-law Jared Kushner. He and his wife Ivanka will be instrumental in calling the shots since Trump is capable of only communicating in 21 words or less via Twitter.
The inauguration is not the time or place to protest. We are one of the special countries in the world who gave a reasonably smooth transition in power. The inauguration should be a celebration of our country and process. If this guy wants to demonstrate his feelings towards Trump, don’t attend his State of the Union or some other event. Even then, he will not be fairly representing the voters of his district.
For those liberals who have hard feelings towards Trump, it is time to work together. The election is over and like it or not, the nation has spoken. To demonstrate how crazy the situation was 8 years ago with the Obama love fest, he was awarded the Nobel Peace prize at this stage of his first term. Looking back, do you really think he deserved that or even deserves it now????
I prefer any day an Obama love fest rather than a Trump hate fest.
There were also three other US Presidents who received the Nobel Prace Prize–Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and Jimmy Carter, with Carter’s honor happening after leaving office. Did they really deserve the award then or now?
The Nobel Peace Prize winner is selected by the Norwegian Nobel Committee from nominations submitted by committee members and others. In 2009, there were 205 nominations. According to the Committee, President Obama was given the award “for what he has done in the past year. And we are hoping this may contribute a little bit for what he is trying to do .” The Committee voted unanimously for the deserved winner.
One thing for certain though Trump will NOT be the next recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
It is going to be an interesting next four years. Will we find Social Security and Medicare privatized? Will we find ourselves paying more for imported products (TV’s, computers, refrigerators, cars, etc.) because of the 45 percent tariffs? Will we find ourselves in wars with Iran, North Korea and China? Only time will tell.
It takes “courage” to not attend? It will take courage to attend with all the hired agitators there to disrupt the event. Our congressman won’t be missed. Who cares about that little person?
I am glad he is taking this stand but not for the reasons some here may think. It is good that the area, the state and the country see the democrats for what they are.
Calling roughly half the country woman hating racists is also good in the name of transparancy. There is no tolerance on the left, there is contempt and hate. I am glad the left is being more open about who they are and what they stand for.
The rest of the country is watching and finally waking up.
The Democrats need to make their voices heard, need to stand up for progress in elevating all the people of the United States so that no one is left behind. If movement slows down and concerns aren’t voiced, the Republicans will continue to bully ahead with their “wealthy at the top” agenda. Pouty Mitch McConnell and his cohorts assume they have the right to shut down the government and withhold appointments to the Supreme Court because they didn’t get their way. Please don’t say there is contempt and hate on the left because it is the ultra conservative part of the Republicans who hold hate in their hearts for anyone or anything that is new or different or forward thinking or intent on forming an inclusive, cooperative global nation. As far as hired agitators… Please. The president-elect hired the folks who cheered when he came down that escalator prior to his first hate speech announcing his candidacy; and he hired the people who filled the seats at his first couple of rallies. I will be part of the disruption this weekend…And no one has to pay me to raise my voice against a racist, homophobic, mysogynistic, xenophobe who will not be a legitimate president. Incidentally, he doesn’t have a mandate because he didn’t even win the popular vote.
Desaulnier, you are the polarizer.By urning your back on the presidency in this historical moment, you are turning your back on your own office and your own constituency as well as on the constitutional republic you claim to serve. Yours is a pathetic, squeaky voice of the kind that threatens all that we hold true and dear. What true American could possibly support you?
@ Citizen
The popular vote is irellevant. That argument would be like a NFL team stating they won the time of posession battle or any other stat other than the scoreboard.
Keep using the talking points of the left. Please do disrupt all you can, stomp yopur feet and get in the facees of the police. You are blind to the middle of the country but this will help them see you for who you are and for that I thank you.
Just like the BLM movement. How many dies in Chicago on MLK weekend? How is any of this the fault of the cops?
Your hard left is regected by most of the nation when they see it on display.
Same with illegal immigration.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you, Comrade Vladimir, for your comment. I wish other residents understood your importance in the election and governance! LOL!
I agree with Tom.
Disgraceful to say the least. Mr. DeSaulnier clearly does not represent all of the constituents in District 11. He is an embarrassment, not just to CA District 11, but to the US House of Representatives in which he serves.
When injustice and hatred and bigotry are not confronted and reversed, the entire country suffers. Those who speak out against injustice are able to start a move toward change. Voices for the powerless have to be powerful voices.No one is allowed to bully…Least of all a nation’s president filled with certainty that only he is right.
Keep calling half the country racist anti woman bigots, lets see how this works on a national stage.
If you are white and you voted for Trump you are racist.
If you are black and voted for Trump you are uncle Tom.
This is what the left thinks of those who simply have another view on the issues.
The media wants this to be true but they now understand that this is no longer in their control. This is freedom, we choose our leaders every four years. Of course you dont have to agree with the decision but every four years roughly half the country is disappointed. That does not mean we stoop to calling them names.
The president-elect won the election through manipulation by the Russian government… Specifically by Putin.And so his presidency will not be a legitimate one. And through his own words and actions he has identified himself as a racist, a homophobe, a mysogynist, and a xenophobe. It’s not name calling, it’s the truth. And all of these facts about the president-elect combine to reveal him as unsuitable to hold the office of President of the United States. Everyone should voice their concerns about him, and everyone has a right to not honor him, because he does not honor us.
It is interesting how you can feel free to name-call and then say it is not name-calling. Please explain exactly what the Russians did to get Donald Trump elected. I can’t think of anything that might have been revealed by hacking of the DNC that might have changed anyone’s opinion. It seems that Donald Trump did a pretty good job of getting himself elected without any help from anyone including his own party. I am much more concerned that the main stream media in our nation conspired to influence the election in favor of Hillary Clinton through biased reporting and fake news. Hillary Clinton certain did her best to influence the election in her favor by (along with other dirty dealing) hiring paid professional demonstrators to disrupt Trump’s campaign rallies.
@Citizen
Is it OK when President Obama tried to manipulate another countries election?
http://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-w-chapman/state-dept-350k-group-built-campaign-structure-used-against-election-israels
If Mr. Trump broke a US law then I say prosecute him but until there is proof it is just noise.
Sad day indeed Mark. I had great regard for you, but this changes everything. You are just another ordinary liberal, swayed by popular perceptions, like everyone else that’s boycotting from the left coast and elsewhere. Where are your principles man? after all it’s the inauguration of the President of our great country. Someone who was elected democratically, based on rules that we all agreed to.
People from other lands would give an arm and a leg, nay their lives, just to have our system of democratically elected leadership. Does that not warrant respect?
This has been a divisive and combative election period with threats of imprisonment from one candidate to the other, more threats against the press, and even more threats to the parents of a deceased veteran and all of them from the president-elect. He does not deserve the respect of the office of President of the United States and should not expect it if one examines his behavior to others. Additionally, the appearance of corruption and/or collusion with Putin and Russia should terrify the public rather than bring them to become staunch supports of a potential puppet of Russia. People, this is not about Republicans vs. Democrats. Rather, this is about the survival of our country. I am proud that DeSaulnier has taken a stand against this administration and hope that some Republicans would also join in. Again, it is about our Country not just a Party.
I find it very interesting how the liberal narrative has changed regarding Russia and Putin. If you will recall, last year the liberal press was claiming that Trump would likely cause a nuclear war with Russia because he is volatile and unpredictable. Now he is being accused of being too close to Putin and Russia.
As for the hacking, it probably wouldn’t have been an issue if it didn’t expose all the cheating and underhanded behaviors by the press and Clinton’s campaign. It is interesting how they have never denied that the e-mails are factual. Instead, they have focused on how the e-mails were obtained. Also amusing is the fact that Hillary had an unprotected private server and that wasn’t supposed to be a big deal, yet they are making a big deal about hacking and security. Which is it. To add more to the hypocrisy, Obama just reduced the prison term for the guy who gave Wikileaks their big start by committing treason and turning over 750,000 e-mails. How can one justify that?
As for the Secretary of State selection, would people really want someone
Ike John Kerry over Rex Tillerson who made it to CEO of one of the largest companies in the world?? Of course Tillerson has existing relationships with many world leaders, including Putin. Is that a bad thing? What qualifications did Kerry have going into the job.
As for how Trump treats woman, there is no doubt he has made mistakes and said some terrible things. However, while Trump has used words, Bill Clinton has physically abused and harmed women. Which is worse???
The spin and hypocrisy goes on and on. There is hope as the public are starting to wake up. CNN dropped below HGTV late last year in viewership. People are starting to recognize they are a farce and mouthpiece for the liberals.
DeSaulnier also was recently appointed to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Trump has made it clear that a priority will be a stimulus bill to fix our highways and bridges and airports that are in terrible shape, which will create thousands of good paying jobs for the construction and trade workers. Unfortunately, the antics of DeSaulnier will clearly result in Trump not sending any pork or much needed construction jobs our way, as his rude comments and refusal to attend the inauguration will result in other cities getting those projects. DeSaulnier is suppose to look out for his constituents who put him in office, but instead he is actually only grandstanding for his own benefit. If you are a union construction worker, do not vote for DeSaulnier in the next election, as he cost you work and took money off your table.
I have some empathy for people like Barbara Lee, who have been toting the liberal line their entire life, as not attending Trump’s inauguration is consistent with their life long liberalism. But not for DeSaulnier. DeSaulnier was actually a Republican when it benefited him personally. He was active in Republican politics, donated over $200,000 to Republican causes, which led to Republican Governor Pete Wilson appointing DeSaulnier to an open seat on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. DeSaulnier, a Republican when Republicans ran Sacramento, suddenly out of the blue became a liberal Democrat when the tide changed, to get elected. His politics are as phony as his alleged reasons for not attending the inauguration of our 45th President.
Democrat union workers who will lose jobs due to his antics at Trump, and Independents who realize how he changes his politics with the wind, and all Republicans, will vote this guy out of office in the next election. Enjoy your grandstanding, DeSaulnier, while it lasts, as your constituents are on to you and your fake ways. We deserve a congressman who acts like a congressman, not a snake oil salesman, and actually represents their constitutents interest, not yours.
What is Desaulnier’s endgame? Civil war? Unlike many countries on this planet, our country was founded on the idea of peaceful transition of presidential power through elections. The election was held, and court challenges to its accuracy were found to be without merit. Desaulnier needs to respect our institutions, even if he dislikes the product of the election process this year, in order to preserve them.
Sue – Go ahead and attend the Inauguration. No one is stopping you. In fact, I hear the Trump is having to beg people to go. No ticket is needed for the Inauguration itself.
BTW, after Trump was elected, he promised to end the divisiveness and to bring the country together. Unfortunately, he has continued the divisive rhetoric, even going so far as to call American who didn’t vote for him his “enemies” ( in a New Year’s Eve tweet). So, much for bringing the country together.
I don’t expect his attitude to change once he takes the oath do office. He has shown us his true nature repeatedly. He is a profoundly insecure man who sees enemies and opponents at every turn. He can’t even stop tweeting about the election still, even though it is time to start focusing on governing.
No one should feel compelled to join in a celebration of this man.
I will save my celebration for the day that Trump is impeached or resigns…..if our Republic can survive that long under his administration.
Dave: May of us did not vote for Obama and dislike his policies. The reason you probably don’t recognize that is because we acted like adults the past 8 years. If we or others like us had boycotted the inauguration 8 years ago, we would have been accused of being racist, un-American, and any other derogatory comment you can think of. Instead, we gave the guy his day and waited until we could implement change through legitimate means (the election).
As several have stated, the inauguration is a celebration of our election system where we have a smooth transition in power. It is not about the person who was elected. I don’t really care how many people attend or entertain there. I care most about our economy and the strength of the country. If Trump is unpopular with those who are at risk of losing something from the current system or status quo, so be it.
What a farce. Waaaa….waaa….Did somebody’s political apple cart get knocked over? How about going out and getting a real job, Mark.
Long Term Resident – President Obama was deserving of respect because he treated the Office of the President with respect and acted with dignity throughout his entire presidency.
Donald Trump is personally offensive, is a bully, and is a habitual liar. That is not name-calling; it is simply the personality that he has demonstrated to the public.
It is also interesting to note that not a single member of Pres. Obama’s Administration was indicted or served prison time — which cannot be said of the previous three Republican Administrations. We will see how Trump’s team fares on this score soon enough.
I have extra pacifiers if anybody needs one.
I guess we might as well get use to this, anytime the liberals lose they are going to act like children. What a pitiful bunch they are. If they can’t respect the office then they don’t deserve to be there, remember that the next time you vote. I love how this group preaches tolerance and yet they are the most intolerant out there.
How ironic that, after 8 years of Republican obstructionism and disrespect (just one example: remember Cong. Joe Wilson shouting “you lie” at Pres Obama during State of the Nation address), the Republicans now demand that we “play nice” and show Trump respect.
There is no end to Republican hypocrisy.
Dave I hope you expect to live another 8 years as President Trump won’t be leaving until 01/2025. Until then go then you better hope your parents don’t pass on because it they do you will lose your basement living space and be out on the streets.
Former –
What else should we expect from a Trump supporter than a personal attack that ignores the substance of my comment.
Sorry that your wildly inaccurate guess about my circumstances doesn’t fit your (and the “right’s”) stereotypic portrayal of anyone who disagrees with your/their point of view.
Many successful, educated people easily see Trump for what he is — how could we not? (Especially among those who gave his opponent a 2.8 million edge in the popular vote.). He demonstrates his boorish, crass, offensive, insecure nature on almost a daily basis.
Unless he undergoes a radical transformation (any bets on whether that will happen at 70 years old?), he will continue his divisive rhetoric.
Con men often have initial successes, depending on how persuasive they are and how gullible their victims are. But, eventually, their grand promises go unfulfilled, their veneer comes off, and people see them for who they really are.
Clean up liberal CA politics, dump DeSaulnier, Swalwell, Pelosi, Feinstein, Newsome, Harris, & Gov. Moonbeam.
Does anyone else see the absurdity in starry-eyed dreamer Resident calling our Governor Brown “Moonbeam?”
Perhaps s/he’d like to compare the plight of California with the rollicking good times to be had these days in Kansas?
Not happy living in California, move somewhere else then–like Russia.
In the end, the inauguration was a beautiful display of how our country smoothly makes transition in power. Our Congressman and the other 65+ were not missed and their absence did not change the event at all. It is their loss to have made it to a position to attend such a ceremony and then not take advantage of it.
For those CA liberals who think they are open minded, I can make a wager right now that no matter who the Republicans and Democrats put up in the future, 80 to 90% of you will vote for the Democrat. That is predetermined. It is really the swing states who have the open minded people who wait and assess each candidate before making a decision on how to vote.
As for the popular vote, Steve Jobs would have never made it to the CEO of Apple if it was based on purely popularity. Performance counts. Look at all the Apple employees he helped through his tireless drive for performance and holding people accountable. Trump doesn’t need to be the most popular with everyone in the U.S. and even other world leaders. He and his cabinet need to perform so the U.S. can be more successful. It is easy for those of us in Danville to think everything is great. Ask the 47 million Americans (almost one out of every seven Americans) who are on food stamps or the 93 million that are out of the labor force (through games, the labor numbers don’t show the true unemployment) how successful the past 8 years has been. And stop blaming it all on Bush. Obama is the first president in our history to never have had the GDP above 3% during any of his years in office. Hopefully, putting businesspeople into the Oval Office instead of career politicians and lawyers will get us back on the right track. If not, we will try another approach.
So, it would appear by the number of comments above that Mr. DeSaulnier has extended the net of divisiveness and further polarized his constituents. So rather that joining together as a country, we have further entrenched ourselves in our respective corners for the 4 year fight. Well done, sir!
He’s being very selective in who he represents here. No bueno.
The divisiveness and polarization has only increased and gotten much worse since 2009. Civility and respect became a remnant of the past and started shortly after President Obama was elected. Some examples: Mitch McConnell stating, “He was intent on making him (President Obama) a one-term President (and to obstruct any legislation he might put forth). Or, as Dave posted earlier, when Representative Joe Wilson yelled out, “You lie” during one of Obama’s State of the Union addresses. Or, when Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito vigorously shook his head when Obama spoke about the Supreme Court’s decision on Citizens United and its ramifications on future elections. Or, the many Tea Party demonstrations against Obama calling for his impeachment. Or, Trump’s Birther Movement and its continual, ongoing accusations that Obama was an illegitimate President since he was not born in the United States. All of these disrespectful and uncalled for actions were directed towards a SITTING President! Where was the civility, decorum and respect then? Why is it then when the Dems take similar actions as the Repubs and Tea Partiers have done previously, the Dems are called pathetic, babies, and losers or even worse?
Further escalating the current state of divisiveness and polarization was the 2016 campaign and election. Name calling, intimidation, and disparaging remarks became common place and routine. It became “okay” to disparage how a candidate (Carly Fiorina) or another candidate’s (Ted Cruz) wife looked; how tall (“little”) was another candidate (Marco Rubio) or another candidate (Jeb Bush) having low energy. At rallys, there was even talk about locking the opposing candidate up–something that happens in dictatorships. So, is it really that surprising the divisiveness and polarization we have seen? I think not.
Also, this is not the only time Members of Congress boycotted an inauguration. The last time was in 1973 at Richard Nixon’s second inauguration when 83 Members boycotted.
The 1st Amendment enables each of us to voice our opinions (at least for the time being) in agreement or otherwise. However, in some other countries, we would find ourselves for doing so interrogated, incarcerated or possibly worse death.
Let us just say we agree to disagree (in spite of our viewpoints).
I expect it will continue to worsen as Trump repeals the Affordable Care Act, rolls back civil rights gains, when President Obama was elected. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/chris-christie-aide-trial-traffic-study-bridgegate/
– the Daily Planet, available on the App Store
And even as Prez Trump is having woes with facts. If you are going to lie, at least do so in a manner that is NOT easily confirmed as a lie by ave Joe American.
Most watched inauguration, my arse. Reagan would not be happy.
For those of us with an open mind for at least the first 100 days — day 1 was an epic fail.
So far Day 2 nothing but rehash of Day 1.
If you ain’t got the facts, then the new guy thinks you can opt for the “Alternative Facts,” which were once, and will again be, accurately called “lies.”
Day 2 was an epic fail, based on the inability for the new guy to restrain his impulses. They set up a nice opportunity for him to try to smooth the waters he roiled by accusing the CIA of leaking the golden showers dossier and calling them Nazis. Instead, he gets in a war of his tweets and his li’l press cubbie’s scolding of the independent press over the Inauguration crowd (who really cares?) — and then he goes to the Heroes Wall at Langley … and talks about himself.
As someone said — the Army refused his request to include battle tanks in the Inaugural Parade. It’s a good precedent to set in relation to this man-child with his short fingers so near The Button.
Sponge-Bob: you know his district went 2-to-1 for Mr. Trump’s opponent. right?
2-to-1.
That’s not terribly ‘selective.’
Those who disagree with DeSaulnier can try to unseat him in the next election. He seems to have won the last one.
Also, didn’t want to let this sit with 88 comments, which has meaning to some people.
@big fish: that is the very definition of “selective”. Thanks for proving my point.