There are moments in history where normally very competent people are actually the wrong person for the moment. The Democratic leader of the Senate, Chuck Schumer, reminds me of a certain figure in American history for all the wrong reasons.
George B. McClellan was one of the most prominent Union generals early in the American Civil War and, for a time, was widely admired by both soldiers and the public. A talented organizer and trainer, McClellan took command of the Army of the Potomac in 1861 and transformed it from a demoralized force into a disciplined, professional army. His men adored him, calling him “Little Mac,” and he played a crucial role in stabilizing the Union war effort after early defeats. However, McClellan’s strengths as an administrator did not always translate into effective battlefield leadership.
The central problem for President Abraham Lincoln was McClellan’s persistent caution and reluctance to act. McClellan routinely overestimated the size and strength of Confederate forces, which led him to delay attacks and miss opportunities to strike decisive blows. During the Peninsula Campaign in 1862, his slow advance toward Richmond allowed Confederate forces to regroup and ultimately forced a retreat. Lincoln, who believed that the Union’s superior manpower and resources demanded aggressive action, grew increasingly frustrated with a general who seemed unwilling to fight unless conditions were perfectly in his favor.
Beyond military performance, McClellan’s strained relationship with Lincoln also contributed to his dismissal. McClellan openly criticized the president, questioned civilian authority over the military, and resisted Lincoln’s broader war aims, including the move toward emancipation. After McClellan failed to pursue and destroy Robert E. Lee’s army following the Battle of Antietam, Lincoln concluded that the general lacked the urgency needed to win the war. In November 1862, Lincoln removed McClellan from command, deciding that the Union could no longer afford a leader who prepared endlessly but hesitated when action was required.
That leads me to Chuck.
Schumer as a major American metro is being brutally occupied by Trump goons: "The affordability crisis will be our focus throughout 2026 because that's what the American people are demanding"
At any other time, this would be fine. Affordability has a history of being a good platform for Democrats. “It’s the economy, stupid” and all that.
In the past, Chuck Schumer was fine. A capable leader in the Senate, someone who probably could have retired five years ago and been viewed by history with respect.
However, this kind of stuff makes me feel like Lincoln in the wake of Antietam.
Just got this forwarded. Here are the talking points Schumer's team just emailed out to their allies TODAY – this afternoon. The words "Minnesota" or "ICE" don't appear anywhere here.
— Murshed Zaheed (@murshedz.bsky.social) 2026-01-15T20:52:38.313Z
Why on earth is Schumer ignoring the horrors happening in Minnesota in his messaging? Getting rid of ICE is NOT a radical opinion anymore. Even David Shor, one of the heroes of moderate Democrats, is pointing this out.
Remarkable: David Shor's firm is circulating a memo among Dems that finds footage of ICE shooting significantly drives up Trump's disapproval. I obtained the memo here.It also finds broad support for Dem plans to rein in ICE. If even Shor's firm is finding this…newrepublic.com/article/2052…
— Greg Sargent (@gregsargent.bsky.social) 2026-01-14T18:46:28.645Z
Again, Schumer isn’t all bad. But this stuff is something a person who does not really understand the gravity of what is happening right now would do.
Like McClellan, he is a competent leader. Just not for this moment. Our party needs to move on from him.
The last word goes to Jesse Welles.