We've got smarter progressives now, and every election we may get more. Since I don't live in the USA I will wait and see, maybe protest in solidarity when I can.

But it remains to be seen whether the public at large and the Dem caucus understand that we're at the starting line not the finish, and continued advocacy is necessary from the bottom and the top.

Skepticism is healthy but I'll wait a week or so for the initial wave of relief to subside, to see the first signs of whether the party wants to be serious about getting to work come January. I am obviously worried about Schumer and Jeffries being tar traps to any momentum, but I am looking at two things:

• Will any Democrat(s) volunteer to unseat the Senate or House leader from the next term? If no Senator takes the initiative, it is a tacit endorsement of Schumer even from the ones who have publicly said they don't support him.
• Should the two stay, will Democrats still be unimpeded from advancing an agenda despite the two leaders? Should the leaders serve as unpopular and uncharismatic fall guys, acting as cover for real work of the other Democrats simply by not getting in their way, then I accept that working arrangement if that gets results. If Trump blocks everything they do that's one thing, but if it's Schumer playing defence for the other team that will tank the Democrats.

If those senators who campaigned on getting money out of politics don't get political bribe money out of their own leadership as well, Schumer, Jeffries or otherwise, they will have failed at their promise.