Inside the Resistance

The following is one of our Full Measure profiles of the anti-Trump "resistance." We will soon profile activists on the other side, including the "Walk Away" and "Blexit" movement. Watch the video by clicking the link at the end of this report.

Three years ago, just after President Trump’s surprise victory, we visited with Democrats forming The Resistance— desperate and determined to undermine the President and turn things in the next election. As we approach the Congressional midterm elections— the elections between Presidential election years— we decided to check back in with some of those resisters and found even though Trump isn’t on this ballot—he’s on their minds.

Caller: Just reminding people to get out and vote on November 6th

Sharyl: These members of the so called Democratic resistance in Pennsylvania’s capital of Harrisburg are working the phones around dinner time on a Wednesday evening, searching for like-minded voters who also want to join the movement.

Caller: She’s coming out to vote, right?

Their goal is to toss incumbent Republican Scott Perry out of Congress— and replace him with Democrat George Scott, a pastor and veteran. They’re also trying to keep Democrat Tom Wolf in the governor’s office and reelect the state’s single Democratic Senator. But more than anything else— they’re trying to stop President Trump.

Marlene Kanuck: All the different things that have been happening, like immigration, the regulations, the environmental regulations they have turned around, the tax break that’s for the top 1 percent. And not for the common people. The courts- changing the courts

Rogette Harris: People now see that elections do matter and they see what the policies are. And they’re scared.

Nearly two years ago, we were in Harrisburg, just after the President’s surprise Pennsylvania victory helped put him over the top. We met Democrat Party organizer Gene Stilp, then organizing a rally on the steps of the State Capitol

Stilp: We have basically an idiot running the government right now, or attempting to run the government, who only governs by Twitter.

This year, when we checked back with Stilp, he told us he’d been deployed out West to help Democrats in tight Senate races there. Also nearly two years ago, we also met a fledgling group of resisters at the home of Andrea Walker in Arlington, Virginia. Now going into the midterms, they told us they’re still active— focusing on trying to pick up a couple of Congressional seats currently held by the GOP.

Sharyl: The Resistance has remained energized and motivated since 2016— making an indelible mark with organized protests in the streets, chasing Republicans out of public places, disrupting the Supreme Court nominee process, and even backing what critics call the mob violence of Anti-Fascists or ANTIFA.

As for President Trump — he’s speaking overflow crowds across the country, using the tactics of the Resistance as a rallying cry.

President Trump: Republicans believe in the rule of law, not the rule of the mob. That’s what it is, it’s a mob.

But we found many on the left do not condone the in-your-face tactics. They are resisting quietly, doing the actual hard, organizational work needed to turn a political tide.

Marlane Kanuck: I’m thinking the best thing we can do right now is to look at the House and flip it and then if possible, flip the Senate. That’s the only way we’re going to stop the President from doing what he wants to do.

Pam Zidik organized this group in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Pam Zidik: I’m hopeful. Initially with the shock and everything, everyone was like gung ho. My level of hope is probably medium high that people will come out and vote and will make a difference this time.

They hope to translate enthusiasm and anger into votes but aren’t quite so willing to declare victory on the front end.

Caller: You guys will be coming out together right?

Rogettsot: I’m definitely hopeful. You know, one of the things I tell people especially those who like to go to the protests and the marches and activities is the next march we have to plan is the one to the ballot box. But you know, you never know until that day. So I’m not going to take it for granted. I think as a party we took 2016 for granted we saw that result.

The Harrisburg group has made a particular effort to engage young voters this year, but until election day, they won’t know if the effort pays off. 

Watch the entire Full Measure video story by clicking the link below.

http://fullmeasure.news/news/politics/the-resistance-10-23-2018