lol Van Hollen has been this milquetoast senator nobody heard of for years and suddenly he emerges in 2025 as fucking awesome. Good for him, I love this journey - ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

lebassett.bsky.social • 2 days ago

lol Van Hollen has been this milquetoast senator nobody heard of for years and suddenly he emerges in 2025 as fucking awesome. Good for him, I love this journey

Reposted from Rolling Stone

The vast majority of people in Gaza — 93 percent — are facing crisis levels of food insecurity, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen said that the United States is “complicit” in their hunger.

Comments

scruffopone.bsky.social•2 days ago

I like to imagine his team called in a meeting to recognize that his profile instantly became the top 3 for the entire party in a single day, and everyone in the room just became shocked that you in fact benefit from doing popular eye catching actions.

pinktweets.bsky.social•2 days ago

If you thought that about Sen. Van Hollen, you were not paying attention. We need fewer shiwboaters and more like him - knowledgeable, principled, gets the job done.

turnitup5000db.bsky.social•2 days ago

I’m here for it and I’ll take all the allies I can get.

ouisiem.bsky.social•1 day ago

If you truly believe this then you’ve bought into the “bluster as strength” bs that Trump and all strongmen push

trypax.charityweb.net•2 days ago

He's always been quietly doing the right things. He's just more reserved than the typical politician so he hasn't been heard. It's true, though, the trip to El Salvador took a more courage and daring than he's been known for. But, may have not had chance. What I wonder is...

trypax.charityweb.net•2 days ago

...why haven't more Dems gone to El Salvador? Abrego Garcia's Rep, for instance. Or, the hairdresser's Rep or Senator. Or, one of the other 100 or so non-criminals who are there. The trips to El Salvador were working.

sfurbanist.bsky.social•2 days ago

Those that would do it for the optics realize they didn't get there first. It wouldn't be the hero move, for them.

funksands.bsky.social•2 days ago

All it took was getting him out of a leadership role in the House. Not sure this what this says….😬

eitang.bsky.social•2 days ago

He's never been in the media spotlight this much before but he's always been an excellent member of Congress.

crashrosbe.bsky.social•2 days ago

He and a handful of senators and house members have been consistently speaking up for Palestinians for 18 months. No one in leadership listened.

stoley.bsky.social•23 hours ago

In an entirely different state but I have followed him and loved him for years…

gingerkap23.bsky.social•2 days ago

This interview that @marcelias.bsky.social did with @vanhollen.senate.gov was excellent: https://youtu.be/T2Y5XdnhKgM?si=muv60LMvgpaks_5h

dell10.bsky.social•2 days ago

His reputation is being one of the hardest workers in the party, who gets stuff done behind the scenes. He's getting more vocal because someone needs to.

ironprincessm.bsky.social•2 days ago

He has always worked hard for Marylanders and we love him. He is an outstanding public’s servant.

wtime.bsky.social•2 days ago

He’s never been milquetoast! Marylanders have valued this Senator since he was in our Statehouse! Saw him face down an auditorium filled with bussed-in Tea Party men hollering Fox-styled scripted rants about the ACA. No one else could get a word in. He stayed cool, calm and reasonable.

dbb817.bsky.social•2 days ago

As a constituent of his from when he was in the US House (his seat is now held by Jamie Raskin), I've always been a fan. But I have never understood why electeds from MD (Cardin, Van Hollen, Hoyer, etc.) maintain such a low profile when the state is one of the three most liberal in the nation.

alwaysthinkhow.bsky.social•2 days ago

They are getting actual work done and not showboating most likely. One thing the Dem Party could do better is fund a PR ops that helps all elected Ds get info into the hands of their voters so we know what people are doing.

dbb817.bsky.social•2 days ago

But why not both? I'm not asking for a Democratic version of Ted Cruz, just someone like Warren or even Schiff. Follow Raskin's lead.

calgontakemeaway2.bsky.social•2 days ago

We are lucky to have them!

charliemas.bsky.social•2 days ago

Given the imminent and existential threat of fascism in America, every Senator should be fighting this administration in big, loud ways.

hiareth.bsky.social•2 days ago

I heard of him. He was awesome for Maryland. He helped my sister through a difficult process. He’s amazing! Marylanders know who he is, even if some of you didn’t.

reagansghost.news•1 day ago

As a Maryland constituent, @vanhollen.senate.gov been anything but milquetoast. He's made Maryland a premier state to live in

linkhogthrob.bsky.social•2 days ago

Some people rise to the occasion. Others collapse under the pressure.

lebassett.bsky.social•2 days ago

I mean the bar is very low. Just like, oppose genocide and oppose your own constituents being renditioned to a foreign gulag and try to help them get out. But still, he’s one of the only Democratic senators clearing it

qwark2.bsky.social•1 day ago

This is a horrible take.

sillythecat.bsky.social•2 days ago

Our Dem Senators in Michigan, the odious Slotkin and Peters, have been pathetic and basically complicit.

fowwestbunny.bsky.social•2 days ago

if I posted this once on my facebook, it would affect or revoke the friendship of many of my classmates and professors (who are Israeli), as well as my parents (who are Christian). we have all seen their penchance for violence. the bar is low, but it is explosive and therefore difficult to raise.

melisa23.bsky.social•2 days ago

My Senator! I barely knew him before he was elected and now he's my resistance hero and due process champion! ✊💙

And I will add, freshman MD Senator Angela Alsobrooks is also holding MAGA feet to the fire in hearings 💪💙

shafawn.bsky.social•2 days ago

Always liked Van Hollen. Not my state, but he’s always been substantive & positive on issues I’ve followed him on. Show horses & work horses in that building. Never showy, but serious & consistently fighting on the issues that matter. His trip wasn’t for show. He went because he represents. Truly.

laurilipponen.bsky.social•2 days ago

It is always surprising where leaders come from when there is a crisis. It gives one encouragement!

schroedinger.bsky.social•2 days ago

Like Bouie says one of the only Dems to exhibit any kind of ambition when it's right there for the taking.

samquilla.bsky.social•2 days ago

I don’t think it’s ambition. I think it’s integrity. I think it’s actually believing in public service as a service to the community, and in the rule of law and the values we purport to hold/uphold. I really don’t think there’s a drop of ambition in what he’s doing

iamnursetrish.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yeah, the ones who are speaking up now are the ones within integrity. The ones who are quiet, have none.

schroedinger.bsky.social•2 days ago

It can be both, nothing inherently wrong with ambition.

lezbreal87.bsky.social•2 days ago

Definitely important to highlight integrity

pplonsker.bsky.social•2 days ago

Many of his constituents will tell you he has always been this person, and that he has been doing a quiet, workmanlike job for the residents of his state since day one. He is just not a publicity hog.

alwaysthinkhow.bsky.social•2 days ago

I just came to say that. Van Hollen has always been a strong Progressive as a Rep and now Senator. It's just media hasn't been paying much attention.

auntieranty.bsky.social•2 days ago

It’s devastating that there isn’t a drumline of congresspeople saying this everyday.

johngcole.bsky.social•2 days ago

the toughest guys in every army platoon are the ones nobody pays much attention to or about and then when the shit hits the fan they shock you with their competence and leadership

sillythecat.bsky.social•2 days ago

True. It is usually the small quiet ones to watch.

lenambrose117.bsky.social•2 days ago

Van Hollen has an excellent reputation in Maryland for constituent services, even helping constituents from other districts when he was in the House.

locationmixer.bsky.social•2 days ago

My experience as well.

He’s also a nice guy.

goodgryphrev.bsky.social•2 days ago

Idk who he is, im just happy he's not another idiot in office making fart noises in a mic.

pjmacwriter.bsky.social•2 days ago

Comment image

bakeoff.bsky.social•2 days ago

Good for him. But this is where AIPAC strikes.
USA's got a long way to go before the politicians actually working for their constituents doesn't get money'ed and lobbied out by other politicians "working" for their constituents.

lilybelle05.bsky.social•2 days ago

I’ve been a fan of Van Hollen since he was in the House. Yes, he’s low key but he’s smart, capable, and respected on the Hill.

julibcr.bsky.social•2 days ago

Thank for calling it like it is.

gainesm.bsky.social•2 days ago

Methinks someone is bucking to replace Schumer.

hellcat23.bsky.social•2 days ago

He was always a solid guy, good on constituent services but I’ve been surprised and impressed by him lately. Of course the bar is basically in Hell at this point.

lmc859.bsky.social•2 days ago

I wish dems would lean into the rhetoric that everyone in MAGA is gleefully killing kids abroad, and they’re going to do the same to our kids here.

matthewraskob.bsky.social•2 days ago

he's long been one of a handful of senators willing to be critical of the Israeli government & one of the earliest in this conflict in particular (this was in January 2024).
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4412586-democratic-rebels-send-biden-stern-message-on-gaza/

sensualkazoo.bsky.social•2 days ago

He was openly critical of Israel and bush's role in the Lebanon civil war too.

jeaninebrowne.bsky.social•2 days ago

Love Senator Van Hollen's tenacity and fearlessness in speaking the truth!!

alisonafarmer.bsky.social•2 days ago

That’s Maryland for you… just chillin till someone FAFOs

iggiemom.bsky.social•2 days ago

Some people understand the “for such a time as this” mandate.

Those are the leaders we need now.

sensualkazoo.bsky.social•2 days ago

Looking at his record it's mostly pretty decent, this is a guy who after January 6th was immediately talking about the contrast between how the capital rioters were treated by the cops vs BLM protesters.

4dognight.bsky.social•2 days ago

Van Hollen saying starving people to death is bad (while university students protesting this very thing get tossed out of our country) is him being the truth-telling child at the parade saying the emperor has no clothes.
Every Dem should be yelling this from the rooftops.
STARVING PEOPLE IS BAD.

sarabjustone.bsky.social•2 days ago

I’ll take it.

I’ll take most anything that resembles some spark of life at this point.

actfortransit.bsky.social•2 days ago

"Nobody" who?

Comment image

ramseyfay.bsky.social•2 days ago

It’s like he held a yard sale for his fucks and he hasn’t any left to give.

peterbayley.bsky.social•2 days ago

Opportunism :-(

coastally1337.bsky.social•2 days ago

If every old dem radicalizes thus, we can talk about breaking our siege on the gerontocracy

paulconquest.bsky.social•2 days ago

Not to diminish that he’s sticking his neck out; but really he has little , if any, competition. Most senators are too busy burying their heads in the sand.

dnmnb.bsky.social•2 days ago

I’ve met him a few times and he’s actually quite wonderful and genuinely kind. Also, he spent his early life in Pakistan, Turkey, India, and Sri Lanka, an experience which no doubt informs his thinking.