Glad to see that Florida is starting to push back. I previously lived there for almost 20 years; it's a wild, diverse and interesting place and such a shame it's become a laboratory for some of the GOP's worst practices. DeSantis remains incredibly dangerous but very happy to see his campaign flail and become a joke.
I get the impression that Simon is not only sharing positive news about Biden and Democrat policies, but that he is also training Biden supporters and Democrats to actually think positively about the successes about both their historical and current policies for all Americans. It’s that mindset that is new to many Democrats. Keep up the good work, Simon. Your reporting is greatly appreciated and the way to look at the information is new to many supporters. It is time for us to brave the sunlight.
The metrics are certainly not apples to apples, but this vote in Ohio gives me great optimism about our chances of holding Sherrod Brown’s seat in the United States Senate next year. That will be a difficult battle, but he understands how to run a campaign in Ohio, and if we can get 1.7 million people to go out and support a ballot initiative like this on a Tuesday in August in an odd numbered year… Then I feel that it is entirely possible that we can over perform in Ohio next year to a level that would hold our United States Senate seat, make gains in the state legislature, and make a hell of a statement to a GOP who has lost its way. GREAT work everyone!! 😎🍾🥂🎉🎊
Yeah, I completely agree, PianoManSteve! We haven’t made it happen yet, but “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win, and the others, too.” -JFK
Climbing this mountain and building this rocket to free Republicans from the corrupt hold of the MAGA leaders will take a lot of hard work. We are willing to accept it, unwilling to postpone it, and intend to win it, and the others, too.
Keep the Hope up, PianoManSteve! You’re doing great! 😊
Ohio Dem Party is stronger today due to this work than it's been in a long time. Every time we fight one of these battles we get stronger. So yes, our success here and the organization it leaves behind will make us stronger next year. Which is why it's okay that this initiative is happening this year and not next. It leaves behind a powerful org for Senator Brown to tap into.
Why do I volunteer for Sister District Project? Like many of us that are part of the grassroots army fighting for democracy, my journey started because of DJT.
Ultimately though, it's because I am a woman and an immigrant—a first generation American, whose second language was english. But...whose had a life of relative privilege and has been blessed in so many ways by having been born to two hard-working parents.
But I know that those personal advantages are mostly the luck of the draw and the fate of the random workings of an unknowable universe.
There are so many people who have to worry about a roof over their heads, who have to struggle with physical and mental ailments, who lack financial or personal security, who grapple with hunger and poverty, and who suffer from direct violence.
But everyone deserves NOT to be so burdened.
Those of us who are free from these injustices, must do whatever we can, to show up, stand up and speak out -- to ensure liberty and justice for ALL...not just the white, wealthy, or well-connected few.
Though it seems far-flung, the grassroots work at Sister District Project, which has been EXCLUSIVELY focused on state legislatures since 2017, has been to fight to extend justice to a greater number of people...because at the end of the day, it is the laws that govern a society that determine how just a society is for its members.
And the fact is: 23X more laws are written by state legislators than by Congress.
We've seen with the Dobbs' decisions overturning of Roe v. Wade to throw abortion care back to the states, just how important these state legislatures are. As David Pepper also points out -- the battle is not Blue vs. Red -- it is Democracy and Freedom vs. Kleptocracy and Fascism.
Since RedMap in 2010, the MAGA Repubs have been focused on the states legislatures. We must be too! So again, consider https://sisterdistrict.com
Good comment. This is a battle not between Blue vs Red , it is Democracy and Freedom vs Kleptocracy and Fascism. That can’t be stated often enough.
A lot of Ohio voters rejected issue 1 not just because of abortion; many also rejected it because they felt Republicans were overstepping and playing voters for fools.
Agreed Susan! There is just ONE thing the MAGA Repubs do better than us: repeat...repeat...repeat.
They've internalized a key learning from cognitive science and past dictatorships. Repetition works.
And unwittingly, far too often, we on the side of democracy and freedom only help amplify their disinformation, lies, gaslighting, and projection—spreading their propaganda free of charge for them, by repeating in our efforts to mock, point out hypocrisy, or refute/negate. Unfortunately, in ALL these instances, we are simply further spreading and reinforcing their message (their framing) for them.
Instead, we must lead with our values, call out their villainy and motivations, and highlight our vision of what's been possible when we come together in the name of progress, fairness, justice, equality, etc.
A record number of us voted in 2018, 2020 and in the battleground states in 2022, and we took over Congress, then the WH, then key state houses.
We've seen what happens when Democratic majorities hold...look at Virginia, which has elections again this year. In 2019 through 2022, when we had a Democratic trifecta, Virginia ratified the ERA, expanded access to abortion care, enacted gun safety, passed the South's ONLY climate policy, improved access to the ballot box, raised the minimum wage, increased teacher pay, and brought healthcare, though Medicaid, to 700,000+ Virginians! And much more...
Look at what the Biden administration has already delivered: jobs, progress, and freedoms - our country is better off by so many measures, and he's been a good President.
Repeat...repeat...repeat. Even to the point you're sick of repeating. Don't believe me? Here's the expert's take:
"The current cycle is the first time over the entire postwar period the (Federal Open Market Committee) has made significant progress in lowering inflation without an associated increase in the unemployment rate," Richmond Fed staffers including senior adviser Pierre-Daniel Sarte wrote in the paper, published Wednesday on the bank's website.
I’m actually really worried that these abortion amendments are all falling on off cycle election years and will be resolved in key swing states prior to November 2024 election. This will definitely dampen enthusiasm among voters we need and we will need every voter possible; voters that are motivated to turn out against all odds. In other words, it seems like Dems aren’t be strategic enough around abortion rights and are shooting from the hip to much.
Hmm.... I see where you’re coming from but I disagree with the conclusion. I don’t think anyone feels like the abortion issue is “resolved” as ling as this SCOTUS is in place and as long as Republicans continue to pursue these bans......they can’t escape them because the Evangelical wing of their base is out for blood on this topic and the party simply can’t afford to lose their support and enthusiasm. I don’t think it will be at all difficult to make the election next year very much about protecting rights and freedom in general and reproductive freedom specifically. Also, it would be morally reprehensible to have a realistic pathway to contain some of the damage from something like this and not act on it....plus it gives us a chance to make contact with lower propensity voters in an odd year and soften the ground organizationally for their participation next fall..... I view this as a win across the board for the pro-democracy coalition at large and the political center-left in particular 🤷♂️
Fair... but one thing we should count as a lesson learned is that Democrat voters are VERY flighty. Just look at the Bernie Bro's and the Jill Stein fanatics. Even the black community is up in arms that they haven't received reparations under Biden Administration and are actively advocating for Green Party (sigh....). So a lot of your 'counter points' aren't taking into account the natural attrition that'll happen b/c of active voter suppression (3rd party) and disillusioned Democrat voters (Cornel West type voters). Both of these voters could care less about SCOTUS, abortion, etc... b/c they believe that if they can't get what they want then burn democracy and the US to the ground. I know this b/c I'm African - American and I am in these communities.
Well, trust me when I say it isn’t for the sake of my ego that I hope I’m right and you’re wrong on this one. #KeepTheFaith &#DoTheWork are my mantras in the MAGA era 🤞🤞
Hey, R-Dot, I hear your concern. I know it can feel unnerving. I’d like to point out that as I’ve looked into it, I’ve found more Republican voters are looking at 3rd parties than Democratic voters. While Republicans seem to be considering 3rd parties as an anti-MAGA vote, I think many are doing it because they feel their vote doesn’t matter. That’s why it’s so important for us to know all the great accomplishments of how the Biden Administration has been responsive to voters and delivered for average Americans rather than the wealthy and well connected MAGA fights for.
Joe Biden has been a good president, and we should be loud and proud about what he’s accomplished in such a short time. If we are, I think they’ll see the value of their vote.
If not, these Ohio voters just saw first hand how their vote stopped an out of control, corrupt GOP legislature from taking over. I think they see their vote counts for something.
I talk more about that in my comment to PianoManSteve if you’re interested. Regardless, thanks so much for sharing your concern. Know that you are heard. ❤️ Hope you have a great day, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts back to me. ☺️
I don’t need convincing. I’m just telling you that the base of the Democrat party is the black vote and it’s fractured BIGTIME because of 3rd party. I’m also pointing out the reason for it.
I don’t want to be right. But hey, go on and ignore the canary in the coal mine.
R-dot, again, there is NO DATA to back up the assertion the Democratic Party is fractured, or that Cornell West has meaningful support. Do we have work to do in the black community, and throughout our coalition? Yes. Is our coalition "fractured BIGTIME"? No, its not.
Please stop making this sweeping political generalizations about the current state of our politics without data to back it up. Just not how we work here in the Hopium community.
Also the phrase "Democrat party" is something Republicans use. We are the Democratic Party. There is no Democrat party. Thank you.
R-dot, I thank you for your perspective. You are clearly speaking for a segment of your community with which you are familiar, so it's important to pay attention to those folks who are looking for something that they are not currently seeing in Biden. I'm hopeful that Democrats will develop appropriate outreach to listen to all segments of our big tent and show everyone that they are valued in our party. Something to keep in mind as we work to promote Biden and undermine the Republican and third-party actors.
Emily, with all due respect, this is not the right response. In this business there are trolls who come on to platforms and try to make everyone feel bad. A very common tactic is "I dont care about your data what I see with my own eyes is xxxx." I've been battling bad actors and people who spread fear/uncertainty/doubt for a long time. These trolls often surface at a time when things are going well, so to bring everyone down. Just not going to let it happen here. We've had a great week and want to end this week on an up note.
I agree. We can’t let cold, political strategy blind us from our humanity and compassion. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” and “Justice delayed is justice denied”, so we had to protect freedoms where we could.
I also agree with your assessment that it’ll be pretty easy to remind voters about this because of how vocal and loud Republican leaders in Ohio supported the amendment.
As an Evangelical Christian, myself, I will say there are those of us who identify as pro-life while also being in favor of the right to abortion access. One in my circle voiced it like “Abortion should be legal and never needed.” Women should have access to the medical care they need without the government complicating an already difficult and often spiritual/emotional situation.
Lastly, I cannot agree more that having voters engaged in an “off year” is hugely positive. The data we have seen highlighted (I think by Simon?) that registered voters are much more likely to vote after they have voted. Disengaged voters are disengaged because they feel their vote doesn’t matter. Seems like they see why their vote mattered here, right? Seems they know how their vote mattered in 2016 when they got 3 Justices that helped remove a 50 year old right to bodily autonomy.
Seems to me like we need to keep being loud and proud about how their votes matter. How President Biden’s policies brought inflation down while ALSO bringing unemployment down AND getting hourly wages UP. How electing a strong Democratically led Congress in 2020 meant infrastructure investments, manufacturing jobs coming back, better benefits, investments in clean air and clean water, getting companies to pay their fair share, protecting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, promoting law and order...I could go on, but I think I’ll stop there. 😊
Voters seeing their vote matters is good.
Joe Biden is a good President. America is better off. The Democratic Party is strong.
I addressed this above. This work being done in Ohio now will leave behind a very powerful organization for Senator Brown to tap into. It makes his election more likely due to our success and the organization that will be there for him next year.
I also want to counsel you about saying things here like "this will definitely dampen enthusiasm among voters we need" without backing it up with data. Without data you are just spitballing, and we don't do that here.
Data comes in 2 forms: hard data and anecdotal data. If you constantly wait for hard data, you’re screwed because you’re too late. Anecdotal data & information is the canary in the coal mine and should never be ignored. I’m telling you point blank -- you’re wrong about what is transpiring in the black community. There’s a TON of negative perception of the Biden Administration from the black community, particularly black men. Want to know why that’s true? Because of the exact way you’re treating me when I share observations, very hand wavy and dismissive.
The crazy thing is you and me have the same desired outcome & goals, we’re both highly educated individuals, and we’re both street and book smart.
I’m telling you right now, Democrats better start reaching out now to black communities or the black communities will feel like Democrats are taking them for granted.
It's not hand wavy and dismissive. This is a data driven place, and anecdotes are not data. There is no question we are not where we want to be with many key elements of the Democratic family right now and have work to do. As I showed in my post today Biden leads Trump by 3-4 points, which is very good news. Do we have work to do? Room for growth? Yes. Is it early, and are things soft right now because the campaign hasn't started? Yes. Are we winning key election after election this year, some by big margins? Yes. I hear your concerns, actually responded to them but deeply disagree with how you are characterizing them. Remember we have loads and loads of data about where folks are, and right now the Dem coalition is holding together. But yes there is more work to do. No doubt.
Hey Ann, thanks for the question. I’m no Simon, I’ll happily give my perspective, though. My gut told me that based on the policy stances of No Labels, the corruption of who is funding them, and how good Zoe Biden has proven as a president, I long had the gut feeling more Republican voters would be lost to No Labels. I felt validated when a Vanderbilt poll from April/May time showed 31% of voters choosing an unnamed “someone else” in a Biden Trump matchup in Tennessee (my state). I did the math and about 2/3s of those are voters who voted Trump in 2016 and 2020 based on the former president getting 60.7% of the vote in both elections.
There has always been a never-Trump wing of the Republican Party. There is not a never-Biden wing of the Democratic Party. I’m confident we just need to know how Biden and the Democratic Party has and continues to deliver for average Americans in Blue states and Red states, and talk to people about them with people in our circles. If we are loud and proud for our president’s accomplishments, I think we can even win over many of the pro-democracy Republicans. See my responses to R-Dot and PianoManSteve above for more context about how President Biden has has listened to the American people and delivered for average Americans.
Thanks for your concern, again, I just think Joe Biden has been a good president. I think Americans know we are better off. The Democratic Party is strong. 😊
This is a wonderful comment. We have to be authentic. We are authentic. We have to stop playing defense and start playing offense because we have the winning team for team HUMAN and other beings on the planet. Call these plasticized beings out each and every day. Let's find the language.
I agree, Susan, thanks so much for sharing! It’s crazy that on all the “divisive issues”, Americans agree on what to do 60%, 70%, 80%, sometimes close to 90% of the time! 😊 These topics range from right to bodily autonomy, Social Security, the wealthy and well connected few should pay their fair share, education, gun safety, and many more topics...and the Democratic Party largely represents the opinion held by the majority of Americans.
Please help Virginia Democrats win the important statewide elections we have THIS FALL. Go to Postcards4VA.com and pick a campaign you'd like to write postcards for. We have to stop Glenn Youngkin's fleece-vest fascism.
I truly believe the American people are far less divided than the right wing MAGA crowd would like us to believe. I am sick and tired of the media and entitled rich people playing the rest of us for patsies.
Friends, keep in mind there are going to be trolls on our platform. By limiting our comments section to only paid subscribers it makes them less likely, but they will come. I have enormous experience in battling trolls from years on Twitter and other social media and studying and running countering disinformation campaigns. It is hard for some to believe that there can be inauthentic speech happening even in a place like this but it is going to happen, and I am going to be aggressive about shutting it down.
Glad to see that Florida is starting to push back. I previously lived there for almost 20 years; it's a wild, diverse and interesting place and such a shame it's become a laboratory for some of the GOP's worst practices. DeSantis remains incredibly dangerous but very happy to see his campaign flail and become a joke.
I get the impression that Simon is not only sharing positive news about Biden and Democrat policies, but that he is also training Biden supporters and Democrats to actually think positively about the successes about both their historical and current policies for all Americans. It’s that mindset that is new to many Democrats. Keep up the good work, Simon. Your reporting is greatly appreciated and the way to look at the information is new to many supporters. It is time for us to brave the sunlight.
I have family in Florida who would sign the petition. How do they get access to signing?
Follow this link through - https://simonwdc.substack.com/p/immigration-and-abortion-in-florida?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2FFlorida&utm_medium=reader2
Thank you. S
The metrics are certainly not apples to apples, but this vote in Ohio gives me great optimism about our chances of holding Sherrod Brown’s seat in the United States Senate next year. That will be a difficult battle, but he understands how to run a campaign in Ohio, and if we can get 1.7 million people to go out and support a ballot initiative like this on a Tuesday in August in an odd numbered year… Then I feel that it is entirely possible that we can over perform in Ohio next year to a level that would hold our United States Senate seat, make gains in the state legislature, and make a hell of a statement to a GOP who has lost its way. GREAT work everyone!! 😎🍾🥂🎉🎊
Yeah, I completely agree, PianoManSteve! We haven’t made it happen yet, but “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win, and the others, too.” -JFK
Climbing this mountain and building this rocket to free Republicans from the corrupt hold of the MAGA leaders will take a lot of hard work. We are willing to accept it, unwilling to postpone it, and intend to win it, and the others, too.
Keep the Hope up, PianoManSteve! You’re doing great! 😊
Thanks! Love that speech by JFK!😎
Ohio Dem Party is stronger today due to this work than it's been in a long time. Every time we fight one of these battles we get stronger. So yes, our success here and the organization it leaves behind will make us stronger next year. Which is why it's okay that this initiative is happening this year and not next. It leaves behind a powerful org for Senator Brown to tap into.
If you're looking for ways to get involved NOW with Virginia, consider https://sisterdistrict.com
Why do I volunteer for Sister District Project? Like many of us that are part of the grassroots army fighting for democracy, my journey started because of DJT.
Ultimately though, it's because I am a woman and an immigrant—a first generation American, whose second language was english. But...whose had a life of relative privilege and has been blessed in so many ways by having been born to two hard-working parents.
But I know that those personal advantages are mostly the luck of the draw and the fate of the random workings of an unknowable universe.
There are so many people who have to worry about a roof over their heads, who have to struggle with physical and mental ailments, who lack financial or personal security, who grapple with hunger and poverty, and who suffer from direct violence.
But everyone deserves NOT to be so burdened.
Those of us who are free from these injustices, must do whatever we can, to show up, stand up and speak out -- to ensure liberty and justice for ALL...not just the white, wealthy, or well-connected few.
Though it seems far-flung, the grassroots work at Sister District Project, which has been EXCLUSIVELY focused on state legislatures since 2017, has been to fight to extend justice to a greater number of people...because at the end of the day, it is the laws that govern a society that determine how just a society is for its members.
And the fact is: 23X more laws are written by state legislators than by Congress.
We've seen with the Dobbs' decisions overturning of Roe v. Wade to throw abortion care back to the states, just how important these state legislatures are. As David Pepper also points out -- the battle is not Blue vs. Red -- it is Democracy and Freedom vs. Kleptocracy and Fascism.
Since RedMap in 2010, the MAGA Repubs have been focused on the states legislatures. We must be too! So again, consider https://sisterdistrict.com
Good comment. This is a battle not between Blue vs Red , it is Democracy and Freedom vs Kleptocracy and Fascism. That can’t be stated often enough.
A lot of Ohio voters rejected issue 1 not just because of abortion; many also rejected it because they felt Republicans were overstepping and playing voters for fools.
Agreed Susan! There is just ONE thing the MAGA Repubs do better than us: repeat...repeat...repeat.
They've internalized a key learning from cognitive science and past dictatorships. Repetition works.
And unwittingly, far too often, we on the side of democracy and freedom only help amplify their disinformation, lies, gaslighting, and projection—spreading their propaganda free of charge for them, by repeating in our efforts to mock, point out hypocrisy, or refute/negate. Unfortunately, in ALL these instances, we are simply further spreading and reinforcing their message (their framing) for them.
Instead, we must lead with our values, call out their villainy and motivations, and highlight our vision of what's been possible when we come together in the name of progress, fairness, justice, equality, etc.
A record number of us voted in 2018, 2020 and in the battleground states in 2022, and we took over Congress, then the WH, then key state houses.
We've seen what happens when Democratic majorities hold...look at Virginia, which has elections again this year. In 2019 through 2022, when we had a Democratic trifecta, Virginia ratified the ERA, expanded access to abortion care, enacted gun safety, passed the South's ONLY climate policy, improved access to the ballot box, raised the minimum wage, increased teacher pay, and brought healthcare, though Medicaid, to 700,000+ Virginians! And much more...
Look at what the Biden administration has already delivered: jobs, progress, and freedoms - our country is better off by so many measures, and he's been a good President.
Repeat...repeat...repeat. Even to the point you're sick of repeating. Don't believe me? Here's the expert's take:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trumpspeak-drilling-intoour-heds_n_5a656a0fe4b0022830041626
So here is the specific link that I just sent to my FL family and friends:
https://floridawomensfreedomcoalition.com/
great work Emily - others, if you know folks in Florida, please encourage them to sign the petition. It matters.
"The current cycle is the first time over the entire postwar period the (Federal Open Market Committee) has made significant progress in lowering inflation without an associated increase in the unemployment rate," Richmond Fed staffers including senior adviser Pierre-Daniel Sarte wrote in the paper, published Wednesday on the bank's website.
This is helpful, thank you Guy.
I’m actually really worried that these abortion amendments are all falling on off cycle election years and will be resolved in key swing states prior to November 2024 election. This will definitely dampen enthusiasm among voters we need and we will need every voter possible; voters that are motivated to turn out against all odds. In other words, it seems like Dems aren’t be strategic enough around abortion rights and are shooting from the hip to much.
Hmm.... I see where you’re coming from but I disagree with the conclusion. I don’t think anyone feels like the abortion issue is “resolved” as ling as this SCOTUS is in place and as long as Republicans continue to pursue these bans......they can’t escape them because the Evangelical wing of their base is out for blood on this topic and the party simply can’t afford to lose their support and enthusiasm. I don’t think it will be at all difficult to make the election next year very much about protecting rights and freedom in general and reproductive freedom specifically. Also, it would be morally reprehensible to have a realistic pathway to contain some of the damage from something like this and not act on it....plus it gives us a chance to make contact with lower propensity voters in an odd year and soften the ground organizationally for their participation next fall..... I view this as a win across the board for the pro-democracy coalition at large and the political center-left in particular 🤷♂️
Fair... but one thing we should count as a lesson learned is that Democrat voters are VERY flighty. Just look at the Bernie Bro's and the Jill Stein fanatics. Even the black community is up in arms that they haven't received reparations under Biden Administration and are actively advocating for Green Party (sigh....). So a lot of your 'counter points' aren't taking into account the natural attrition that'll happen b/c of active voter suppression (3rd party) and disillusioned Democrat voters (Cornel West type voters). Both of these voters could care less about SCOTUS, abortion, etc... b/c they believe that if they can't get what they want then burn democracy and the US to the ground. I know this b/c I'm African - American and I am in these communities.
Well, trust me when I say it isn’t for the sake of my ego that I hope I’m right and you’re wrong on this one. #KeepTheFaith &#DoTheWork are my mantras in the MAGA era 🤞🤞
Here here! 😊
Hey, R-Dot, I hear your concern. I know it can feel unnerving. I’d like to point out that as I’ve looked into it, I’ve found more Republican voters are looking at 3rd parties than Democratic voters. While Republicans seem to be considering 3rd parties as an anti-MAGA vote, I think many are doing it because they feel their vote doesn’t matter. That’s why it’s so important for us to know all the great accomplishments of how the Biden Administration has been responsive to voters and delivered for average Americans rather than the wealthy and well connected MAGA fights for.
Joe Biden has been a good president, and we should be loud and proud about what he’s accomplished in such a short time. If we are, I think they’ll see the value of their vote.
If not, these Ohio voters just saw first hand how their vote stopped an out of control, corrupt GOP legislature from taking over. I think they see their vote counts for something.
I talk more about that in my comment to PianoManSteve if you’re interested. Regardless, thanks so much for sharing your concern. Know that you are heard. ❤️ Hope you have a great day, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts back to me. ☺️
I don’t need convincing. I’m just telling you that the base of the Democrat party is the black vote and it’s fractured BIGTIME because of 3rd party. I’m also pointing out the reason for it.
I don’t want to be right. But hey, go on and ignore the canary in the coal mine.
R-dot, again, there is NO DATA to back up the assertion the Democratic Party is fractured, or that Cornell West has meaningful support. Do we have work to do in the black community, and throughout our coalition? Yes. Is our coalition "fractured BIGTIME"? No, its not.
Please stop making this sweeping political generalizations about the current state of our politics without data to back it up. Just not how we work here in the Hopium community.
Also the phrase "Democrat party" is something Republicans use. We are the Democratic Party. There is no Democrat party. Thank you.
I don’t care about Democrat or Democratic Party name.... I’m progressive and stand by that.
R-dot, I thank you for your perspective. You are clearly speaking for a segment of your community with which you are familiar, so it's important to pay attention to those folks who are looking for something that they are not currently seeing in Biden. I'm hopeful that Democrats will develop appropriate outreach to listen to all segments of our big tent and show everyone that they are valued in our party. Something to keep in mind as we work to promote Biden and undermine the Republican and third-party actors.
Emily, with all due respect, this is not the right response. In this business there are trolls who come on to platforms and try to make everyone feel bad. A very common tactic is "I dont care about your data what I see with my own eyes is xxxx." I've been battling bad actors and people who spread fear/uncertainty/doubt for a long time. These trolls often surface at a time when things are going well, so to bring everyone down. Just not going to let it happen here. We've had a great week and want to end this week on an up note.
I agree. We can’t let cold, political strategy blind us from our humanity and compassion. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” and “Justice delayed is justice denied”, so we had to protect freedoms where we could.
I also agree with your assessment that it’ll be pretty easy to remind voters about this because of how vocal and loud Republican leaders in Ohio supported the amendment.
As an Evangelical Christian, myself, I will say there are those of us who identify as pro-life while also being in favor of the right to abortion access. One in my circle voiced it like “Abortion should be legal and never needed.” Women should have access to the medical care they need without the government complicating an already difficult and often spiritual/emotional situation.
Lastly, I cannot agree more that having voters engaged in an “off year” is hugely positive. The data we have seen highlighted (I think by Simon?) that registered voters are much more likely to vote after they have voted. Disengaged voters are disengaged because they feel their vote doesn’t matter. Seems like they see why their vote mattered here, right? Seems they know how their vote mattered in 2016 when they got 3 Justices that helped remove a 50 year old right to bodily autonomy.
Seems to me like we need to keep being loud and proud about how their votes matter. How President Biden’s policies brought inflation down while ALSO bringing unemployment down AND getting hourly wages UP. How electing a strong Democratically led Congress in 2020 meant infrastructure investments, manufacturing jobs coming back, better benefits, investments in clean air and clean water, getting companies to pay their fair share, protecting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, promoting law and order...I could go on, but I think I’ll stop there. 😊
Voters seeing their vote matters is good.
Joe Biden is a good President. America is better off. The Democratic Party is strong.
Thanks again for sharing, PianoManSteve. ☺️
I addressed this above. This work being done in Ohio now will leave behind a very powerful organization for Senator Brown to tap into. It makes his election more likely due to our success and the organization that will be there for him next year.
I also want to counsel you about saying things here like "this will definitely dampen enthusiasm among voters we need" without backing it up with data. Without data you are just spitballing, and we don't do that here.
Data comes in 2 forms: hard data and anecdotal data. If you constantly wait for hard data, you’re screwed because you’re too late. Anecdotal data & information is the canary in the coal mine and should never be ignored. I’m telling you point blank -- you’re wrong about what is transpiring in the black community. There’s a TON of negative perception of the Biden Administration from the black community, particularly black men. Want to know why that’s true? Because of the exact way you’re treating me when I share observations, very hand wavy and dismissive.
The crazy thing is you and me have the same desired outcome & goals, we’re both highly educated individuals, and we’re both street and book smart.
I’m telling you right now, Democrats better start reaching out now to black communities or the black communities will feel like Democrats are taking them for granted.
It's not hand wavy and dismissive. This is a data driven place, and anecdotes are not data. There is no question we are not where we want to be with many key elements of the Democratic family right now and have work to do. As I showed in my post today Biden leads Trump by 3-4 points, which is very good news. Do we have work to do? Room for growth? Yes. Is it early, and are things soft right now because the campaign hasn't started? Yes. Are we winning key election after election this year, some by big margins? Yes. I hear your concerns, actually responded to them but deeply disagree with how you are characterizing them. Remember we have loads and loads of data about where folks are, and right now the Dem coalition is holding together. But yes there is more work to do. No doubt.
Simon, What insights do you have on the potential for third party candidates such as No Labels?
Hey Ann, thanks for the question. I’m no Simon, I’ll happily give my perspective, though. My gut told me that based on the policy stances of No Labels, the corruption of who is funding them, and how good Zoe Biden has proven as a president, I long had the gut feeling more Republican voters would be lost to No Labels. I felt validated when a Vanderbilt poll from April/May time showed 31% of voters choosing an unnamed “someone else” in a Biden Trump matchup in Tennessee (my state). I did the math and about 2/3s of those are voters who voted Trump in 2016 and 2020 based on the former president getting 60.7% of the vote in both elections.
There has always been a never-Trump wing of the Republican Party. There is not a never-Biden wing of the Democratic Party. I’m confident we just need to know how Biden and the Democratic Party has and continues to deliver for average Americans in Blue states and Red states, and talk to people about them with people in our circles. If we are loud and proud for our president’s accomplishments, I think we can even win over many of the pro-democracy Republicans. See my responses to R-Dot and PianoManSteve above for more context about how President Biden has has listened to the American people and delivered for average Americans.
Thanks for your concern, again, I just think Joe Biden has been a good president. I think Americans know we are better off. The Democratic Party is strong. 😊
Ann I addressed that today in my post. LMK what you think.
This is a wonderful comment. We have to be authentic. We are authentic. We have to stop playing defense and start playing offense because we have the winning team for team HUMAN and other beings on the planet. Call these plasticized beings out each and every day. Let's find the language.
I agree, Susan, thanks so much for sharing! It’s crazy that on all the “divisive issues”, Americans agree on what to do 60%, 70%, 80%, sometimes close to 90% of the time! 😊 These topics range from right to bodily autonomy, Social Security, the wealthy and well connected few should pay their fair share, education, gun safety, and many more topics...and the Democratic Party largely represents the opinion held by the majority of Americans.
Thanks Simon! Will finish reading soon, but I thought this was an interesting watch on a leaked memo of how to win House control back in 2024. https://youtu.be/70uM2pzydsE?si=-dabpxTP4BtUiFd_
Finished reading. Thank you so much, Simon. I appreciate you highlighting the misleading headline and giving a contextualizing graph.
Please help Virginia Democrats win the important statewide elections we have THIS FALL. Go to Postcards4VA.com and pick a campaign you'd like to write postcards for. We have to stop Glenn Youngkin's fleece-vest fascism.
I truly believe the American people are far less divided than the right wing MAGA crowd would like us to believe. I am sick and tired of the media and entitled rich people playing the rest of us for patsies.
I agree with this.
Friends, keep in mind there are going to be trolls on our platform. By limiting our comments section to only paid subscribers it makes them less likely, but they will come. I have enormous experience in battling trolls from years on Twitter and other social media and studying and running countering disinformation campaigns. It is hard for some to believe that there can be inauthentic speech happening even in a place like this but it is going to happen, and I am going to be aggressive about shutting it down.