When someone is running for reelection in Texas, they're not looking for votes in California or New York.

Stiffening the spine of progressive members of Congress is crucial.

Another crucial thing the tea party did really well is to focus in on the folks who are more or less on your side, and make sure they are as bold as possible.

You have to be local. You have to focus on your local members of Congress.

To the extent that we can shine a light on the bad things being done, that's going to have a positive impact.

Progressives are the majority we won the popular vote by a long shot and Donald Trump and the congressional Republicans representing mainly rich old white men are a minority. If we stand up together and use the effective strategies and tactics the tea party used, we believe we can stop them.

I really do not think there is a serious split between Republicans and Democrats in Congress in how responsive they are to constituents.

Obama had a mandate for change and Trump clearly does not.

Members of Congress care about reelection most of all. And that means they care about their constituents. So you have to be a constituent to make your voice heard.