The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich Epstein’s Revenge: The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, November 15, 2025
Nov 15, 2025
This week features a riveting discussion on Senate Democrats' controversial compromise over the government shutdown. The hosts dissect the resurgent Jeffrey Epstein scandal and its implications for Trump's presidency. They spotlight Katie Wilson's mayoral win as a beacon of progressive activism and praise labor actions by Starbucks baristas. Insights into the erosion of judicial integrity, the media's framing of Trump, and economic realities amid the shutdown round out a thought-provoking conversation on accountability and activism.
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Democratic Cave-In Undermines Leverage
- Robert Reich argues Senate Democrats surrendered valuable leverage by caving on the shutdown instead of holding out.
- He warns the concession risks undermining Obamacare by allowing future premium spikes and attrition.
Use Leverage; Avoid Short-Term Concessions
- Hold bargaining leverage when you can to prevent long-term policy erosion like weakening Obamacare.
- Avoid short-term concessions that let opponents undermine core programs and raise costs later.
Surprise Local Wins Energize Progressives
- Heather highlights the upset election wins like Katie Wilson's Seattle mayoral victory that energized young progressives.
- Wilson ran on public transit and taxing the wealthy after a grassroots campaign starting nine months prior.
