The Fever is Breaking
February 6, 2026 - News, Views and To-Dos for Democrats
What Art Friedson Has On His Mind
Every once in a while, a picture is worth not just a thousand words, but it is the start of a generational change. Consider these four epic photographs:
Earthrise, taken on December 24, 1968, by Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders, is often credited with starting the environmental movement.
John Filo’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of Mary Ann Vecchio kneeling over the dead body of Jeffrey Miller minutes after the unarmed student at Kent State was fatally shot by an Ohio National Guardsman on May 4, 1970, galvanized the movement that would end the Vietnam War. (The Time cover with this photo hung in my high school bedroom.)
“Tank Man” by Jeff Widener/AP, showing one man stopping the advance of four tanks in Tiananmen Square on June 5, 1989, helped galvanize anti-Soviet movements in Eastern Europe that ultimately brought down the Soviet Union and ended the Cold War (but, sadly, didn’t do much to change China).
This photo by Alan Diaz/AP of federal agents seizing Cuban refugee Elián González on April 22, 2000, after he survived but his mother died in a shipwreck escaping Cuba on Thanksgiving 1999, almost won Florida for Al Gore in his race against George W. Bush in 2000. (Or maybe it did.)
And now, this already epic photograph by Ali Daniels/AP of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, on January 20, 2026, may well have the power to break the MAGA fever that has done so much harm to the health of the American democracy.
Less than two weeks after this photo reverberated across America, Democrat Taylor Rehmet defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss for a seat in the Texas Senate. He won by double digits — 57 to 43 — in a conservative district that Trump had won by 17 points just a little over a year ago. Let me do the math for you; that’s a 31-point swing!
Speaking on the PBS News Hour on Monday night, Amy Walter gave her considered (and usually accurate) opinion that the Texas result, plus the overwhelming shift to Democrats by Independent voters nationwide, should make Republicans even in “safe” districts very nervous.
Sam Stein of The Bulwark says a focus group composed of people who voted for Biden in 2020 and Trump in 2024 conducted after the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis “should absolutely terrify Trump.” Nate Silver piles on by reporting that Trump’s immigration actions are causing “normies” (conservative Republicans) to abandon MAGA. WaPo adds that “Trump’s standing with young people is cratering.”
In a guest essay in the NYTimes, NYU history professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat places all of this in historical perspective. Looking at Mussolini’s one-party dictatorship, Putin’s kleptocracy and Trump’s attempt to erode established democracy, she concludes that megalomania always backfires. Mussolini lost control of Italy, Putin clings to power in a weakened state, and Trump is facing popular resistance and mass mobilizations that historically have restored democracy when it has been threatened.
I don’t think it’s just wishful thinking when I say the MAGA fever that has gripped our dear nation is finally starting to break. Look at all the economic signs:
Axios reports that consumer confidence fell nearly 10 points in January, bringing it to a level lower than it was at the height of the Covid pandemic.
The constant chaos of the Trump administration, WaPo notes, has driven down the value of the dollar compared to other currencies. That means it costs Americans more to buy anything that is imported, which is most of the stuff we buy. Then, add tariffs to the mix, and you understand why the average price of a new car is now over $50,000.
Small wonder, then, that a recent NYTimes/Siena College poll found that “Two-thirds of voters said they now think a middle-class lifestyle is out of reach for most people, and 77 percent say it has gotten harder to achieve than a generation ago.” That’s the definition of the American Dream, and voters are seeing that dream slip away.
Friends, Americans fought a civil war over slavery and the good guys (and gals) won. America was gripped in the anti-communist fever of McCarthyism and the good guys won. We battled over civil rights and the good guys won. Now we’re facing MAGAism head-on, and as they say, the powers of goodness and virtue will triumph over evil. Stay strong and show up. We’ll win this fight.
P.S. Paid subscribers are invited to join us for a live interview with former Congresswoman Cheri Bustos on Wednesday, March 4th, from noon to 1:00 p.m. Cheri is truly an expert on winning in red and purple districts, a skill we need now more than ever. We’ll send out invitations as we get closer to the date.
Also, we’re heading off for a warm weather vacation, so look for the next NKC Update on Friday, February 27th. Thanks for reading, and thanks for all you do!
Check It Out with Nancy Kohn
Closing the God Gap. With the possible exception of Black churches, Democrats have never done a very good job of reaching out to people who feel that their religious beliefs are a defining characteristic of their identity. Yet many values taught by faith traditions, especially care for the vulnerable and weak, are reflected in the party’s policy priorities. The irony, of course, is that our Republican friends like to claim the religious upper hand.
Laura Egan of The Bulwark has a great new piece out on the new class of Democratic candidates who are putting their faith front and center in their campaigns. Probably the most prominent in this group is James Talarico, the Texas State Representative running for the U.S. Senate. He’s the grandson of a Baptist preacher, an aspiring Presbyterian minister, and an outspoken Christian whose stump speeches demonstrate his deep knowledge of scripture and the influence it has on his policy choices.
He’s bringing new audiences to Democratic events and opening the door for them to cross over in their voting. And he’s not alone. Sarah Trone Garriott, a Lutheran minister, has a shot at flipping Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. Lindsay James, an ordained Presbyterian pastor, is running in the state’s 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary against Clint Twedt-Ball, a United Methodist pastor. Then there’s Matt Schultz, the head pastor of Anchorage’s First Presbyterian Church, who is running for Alaska’s sole congressional seat, and Chaz Molder, a small-town mayor and Sunday school teacher, who is running in Tennessee’s 5th district. All Democrats.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the path to victory in 2026 and beyond is to widen our tent, reject litmus tests and find candidates who are best fitted to the districts they want to represent. It’s our best chance to win in red districts that we previously ignored. We welcome them to the fold.
Equality Illinois Gala. We had a great time at the Equality Illinois Gala last Saturday night. We got dressed up, saw loads of friends and cheered for the Parade of Dignitaries. Plus, we joined the nearly 5-minute standing ovation for Governor Pritzker! The keynote address by the new CEO, Channyn Lynne Parker, was moving and motivating. I encourage you to read the full text here.
Melt The ICE hats. Ava Berger at NPR recently reported on a group of knitters who meet weekly at Needle & Skein, a yarn store in Minneapolis. After noting their collective exhaustion and anger with what is unfolding in their city, they decided to put their knitting needles to good use. An employee at the shop, Paul Neary, found a pattern for a red beanie-shaped cap topped with a braided tassel based on a hat that had been used to protest the Nazi occupation of Norway in the 1940s.
The shop started selling the pattern for five dollars. At last count, they had raised over $400,000 and donated $250,000 to two local nonprofits focused on housing support for immigrants in the community. They are often sold out of red yarn.
I love this story. The hat was designed to keep up morale, keep up hope and be a balm for hopelessness and apathy. It was so successful in Norway, the Nazis outlawed wearing it. It looks great and it sends the right message. Plus, it’s a lot more comfortable to say “red beanie” than “pussy hats” of the Women’s Marches. Get out your knitting needles!
Melania. Meh. Melania, the documentary about Trump’s wife, hit the screens last weekend. MAGA turned out for their leader. The film grossed seven million dollars in its first weekend, a lot for a documentary, but nothing compared to the $40 million that Amazon MGM Studios spent to purchase the rights for it, plus the $35 million they’re spending on promoting it. Can you describe this other than a $75 millon bribe from Jeff Bezos to Trump? Of course, he hasn’t stopped there; gutting the Washington Post after taking control of the editorial page fits in the same category.
The memes that have come out as reviews are hysterical, and so are the reviews themselves. Owen Gleiberman’s review in Variety carried the headline, “Brett Ratner’s First Lady Documentary Is a Cheeseball Infomercial of Staggering Inertia.” Newsweek lists some other headlines. The Hollywood Reporter called the documentary “an unabashed, fly‑on‑the‑gilded‑wall fawn job. Vanity Fair said that Melania “is a purportedly serious film that plays like a mockumentary.”
It almost makes you really want to break the Amazon addiction and stay out of Whole Foods. What a waste of time and money for Bezos…Trump’s loyalty lasts only as long as it takes for the check to clear.
Snowplow update. The first round of the competition to name Chicago snow plows is over, and there’s a lot to choose from. The Sun-Times seems to favor Abolish ICE and Caleb Chilliams, but Buckingham Plowton and Plowasaurus Sue worked for me.
Worth it. Michelin stars are great (okay, understatement, but work with me), but the Banchet awards are exclusively by Chicago for Chicago. Named in honor of the legendary chef who ran Wheeling’s Le Francais restaurant in the 1970s and ’80s, they are the top awards for Chicago’s chefs and restaurateurs. Read the winners here from WBEZ, and if you get the chance to eat at any of these great restaurants, please send us your reviews.
I just finished The Lost Masterpiece by B.A. Shapiro, a smart blend of historical fiction, mystery, and great art. The story follows Tamara Rubin, living in present‑day Boston, who unexpectedly inherits a famous painting by a relative she never knew she had: Berthe Morisot. I’ve always appreciated Morisot’s work, but this novel deepened my understanding of her life as an Impressionist working alongside Manet, Degas, and Renoir. Moving between Morisot’s tightly constrained world and a modern storyline involving Nazi‑looted art, the book explores artistic legacy, ambition, and loss. The dual timeline and satisfying twists reminded me of The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnár, which also reveals hidden truths behind a famous artist’s life.
Next up: Theo of Golden!
On The Calendar
Lynn Sweet in Highland Park. Secret World Books in Highland Park will be hosting Lynn Sweet, the former Chicago Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief, as she unpacks current events and the state of journalism in today’s world. Sweet is now special correspondent for Chicago Public Media, which owns the Sun-Times and WBEZ. Lynn is encouraging her readers to join her on Thursday, February 12th, at 7:00 p.m. at Secret World Books, 1774 2nd Street in Highland Park.
Paul Kendrick for IL House. Paul Kendrick is running for State Rep in the 12th District (Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Gold Coast and Old Town) for the seat that was held by Margaret Croke who is running for Illinois Comptroller. If he hasn’t knocked on your door yet, you can meet him and join the huge boldname host committee supporting him on Thursday, February 12th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Harry Caray’s Chicago Sports Museum at Water Tower Place. RSVP to jake@paulforillinois.com.
DuPage Dems Gala. The Democratic Party of DuPage County Gala is Sunday, February 22nd at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The keynote speaker will be David Hogg, who co-founded March for Our Lives after surviving the Parkland school shooting in 2018 to advocate for gun safety laws nationwide. Hogg was also the first Gen-Z Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. Other invited speakers include Governor JB Pritzker and candidates for the U.S. Senate. The cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and the program and dinner begin at 6:30 p.m. Click here to sponsor, donate, or get your tickets.
Meet Congresswoman Lauren Underwood. Please join Roxanne Decyk, Christie Hefner and an outstanding host committee for an evening reception in support of Congresswoman Lauren Underwood. In 2018, she flipped the 14th Congressional District and was recently re-elected to her 4th term. She has been a trailblazer from the beginning---the youngest Black woman to ever serve in Congress. And, she is an impact player with 19 pieces of legislation enacted, which is why she was elected to House leadership. The event will be held on Monday, March 9th at 5:30 p.m. at the home of Roxanne Decyk in Chicago. Click here to see the full host committee and to RSVP or contribute.
Senator Tammy Duckworth. Please join Hon. Cheri Bustos for a lunch reception in support of Senator Tammy Duckworth on Friday, March 6th, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the offices of Mercury Public Affairs. The event will benefit the Duckworth Victory Fund. RSVP here, or contact Louisa Janssen at Louisa@TammyDuckworth.com.
Jobs and Internships
NEW! Health & Medicine Policy Research Group (HMPRG, or “Health & Medicine”) is a Chicago-based independent non-profit health policy and advocacy organization working to improve the health of all people in Illinois by promoting health equity. They are seeking a courageous progressive public health leader who will collaborate with the Board to co-create a strategic vision for HMPRG that meets the challenges of our present political era, while also leading staff and organization to fulfill that vision. Click here for more information. (2/6/2026)
NEW! The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (GMSI) is the largest and most interactive science museum in the Western Hemisphere. They are seeking an Associate Vice President (AVP) for External Affairs to advance the Museum’s philanthropic vision. This role provides strategic leadership for the Museum’s stewardship, engagement, special events, development operations, and membership programs, ensuring that every interaction with donors and members reflects the Museum’s mission, values, and impact. Click here for more information. (2/6/2026)
The Obama Presidential Library is preparing to open in June and is now accepting applications for a wide variety of roles. Click here and remember to check back frequently for openings. (1/9/2026)
Ignite, a legacy non-profit enrolling over 800 youth annually who are overcoming homelessness or at the greatest risk of harm in Chicago, is seeking a relationship-centered professional to lead its engagement and philanthropy efforts. The Senior Director of Engagement & Philanthropy position is a critical part of the agency's strategic leadership team and leads a portfolio of private funding relationships totaling over $2.5 million. In return, Ignite invests in staff development, training, benefits, culture, and the overall experience of each team member. You can learn more about this important position here. (12/19/2025)
The Woods Fund Chicago has links to job openings at various organizations that they fund. Check out their newsletter and scroll down for the job listings.
Know someone looking for an internship? Send them to Brandon’s Hillternship Hub to track opportunities on the Hill. And then they should subscribe to brandonsbulletin.substack.com to learn about internships in progressive politics, nonprofits, and foreign policy/international affairs.
Finally, here are some useful links to check out if you’re searching for a job in politics, policy, or advocacy:
Daybook is a valuable resource for individuals seeking political, policy, and government jobs nationwide.
Want to work with progressive organizations or nonprofits doing good? Check out the listings at Democracy Partners, Grossman Solutions, NPAG, and Forefront.
Here are two good sites to land campaign jobs at the entry level and beyond: Emily’s List and GainPower.
Thanks for reading and welcome to our new subscribers. Special thanks to the growing ranks of great folks who have demonstrated their support by becoming paid subscribers; you’re an exceptional bunch and we appreciate you.
Who are we? Since 2003, we’ve been sharing our news, views and to-dos. The NKC Occasional Update is brought to you by Nancy Kohn, a seasoned political consultant in Chicago, and Art Friedson, a dedicated political enthusiast. We enjoy hearing from our readers, so feel free to post directly on this article or send us an email. Thank you for your support!
Nancy Kohn nkohn@kohnconsulting.com Art Friedson art.friedson@gmail.com