I agree with you and him that we have to campaign on economic issue and democracy. The two are intertwined as we have seen by Trump. Rule by billionaires means many will be screwed economically.
Without real democracy, we can’t have a decent standard of living for the many.
Today, my local independent Berkeley bookseller texted to tell me my pre-ordered copy of Bryan’s latest book arrived! I will pick it up this evening. I suspect “The Day After” will be as compelling as his first one, “Shameless” is. I so look forward to reading it!!!
It's a tough race, but I hope we are able to at least give Dr. Annie the resources necessary to run a serious race in a tough state and that will enable local folks to build a strong campaign. In a big, blue wave election, we may pick up some "unexpected" races like this one. Andrews is a solid candidate, the South Carolina Democratic Party seems formidable, and there appear to be a lot of grassroots groups that can organize a win.
I love learning about BTC’s new book! Thank You for discussing it here on Hopium. I also noted his energy talking about Mayor Mamdani and his approach to governance, which I sum up as “Don’t just promise. Deliver”. In Michigan we have an important US Senate seat up to win. Our Dem Primary has a traditional establishment candidate in Haley Stevens, which I know Simone you support. Yet like Mamdani, Abdul El-Sayed is delivering the succinct, focused messaging of “Money Out of Politics, Money in Your Pocket, and Healthcare for All”. He discusses this with an authentic fighting spirit of someone not beholden to large corporate donations, as his opponent is. On the debate stage he presents an unflappable, formidable intellect, to Haley Steven’s striving-class president-wanna-be demeanor. I get why people want to play it safe with her, but if BTC is right in his call for us to really put our brain cells to work preparing for what’s next and to Make It Better, voting for the same old thing in Michigan does not seem to fit that prescription.
I'm sure you don't mean it this way, but saying "On the debate stage he presents an unflappable, formidable intellect, to Haley Steven’s striving-class president-wanna-be demeanor," comes across as pretty sexist to me. The same qualities that can be praised in a man (He's a real go-getter) can get women criticized (She's too pushy). I don't know the candidates in Michigan and I support many of Mandami's positions, but that line really made me cringe.
Simon, my bad for spelling your name wrong. I have a long time friend named Simone, and I unintentionally spelled your name wrong. I know that can be very annoying and come off as disrespectful. My apologies. I really wanted to support Steven’s, I feel very pressured in MI to do just that, and know many voters who will go safely with her. After watching her debate performance with El-Sayed, I was shocked that she came across -to me- like I described. If I saw the same style in El-Sayed, I would have described it in the same way. The mailers I receive from her campaign are equally uninspiring and a waste of money. I see zero yard signs supporting her and that is exactly opposite for El-Sayed. When I talk with young people, they light up talking about El-Sayed and roll their eyes at Stevens. More than anything I would love a strong woman to be our next senator, but she inspires no confidence in me that she will be a unique, inspiring change maker. And I believe we need that now.
Great interview. Personally, I wondered why there wasn't already a plan being formulated when we saw what Trump did in his first term and when the Dem candidates kept talking about Trump's dictatorial tendencies during the campaign (?) I agree, focus will be critical. As an aside, I recommend looking at Peter Smith Rewilding's substack re: Henry George and taxes. A completely new and fairer way to tax.
With apologies, time to put the political science major hat on for a minute....My only beef is that I don't think abandoning institutions is the way to express what we're trying to accomplish. Our institutions - the Constitution, the Congress, the rule of law - ARE sacrosanct - that's why they're institutions - they are the foundation upon which our country rests.
The problem with abandoning institutions is that the other side is doing it, but that doesn't make it the right thing to do. Reshape institutions, norms and traditions as FDR did, reimagine and repurpose them in some fashion. But don't say they don't mean something, because they absolutely do.
And furthermore, norms and traditions have always existed and evolved to meet the moment, and human society functions because of them. I mean, it's a norm to follow the rule of law - just because Orange doesn't do that doesn't mean it's not a valuable part of the social contract. The failing wasn't that norms didn't stop him - they would never stop him bc he's a sociopath. The failing was that he wasn't held accountable. Guess I'll just have to read the book to see where Brian is coming from, but from what he said, that kind of stood out to me.
I had a similar reaction to Brian's comments. I appreciate his advice that when regaining power, Dems can't get bogged down and must move rapidly to Get Things Done. But he never discussed HOW they should do that. I doubt he thinks they should bulldoze over laws and the Constitution like the GOP, but I was left wondering what he recommends. Perhaps his book elaborates on the how-to.
Thanks, Simon. Great and very helpful interview. So many books right now… difficult to prioritize. This book is clearly a priority for those of us who live Hopium politics
Can I suggest you that you interview our great ally, Ben Wikler, who has written a similar book called "This is the Plan". Very similar but much more grancular on how to keep winning elections at every level. Great minds think alike!
TY, Simon, for putting Brian Tyler Cohen into the Hopium Hall of Fame! You both are so inspiring I .LOVED this interview! Especially the last part where we have to do both -- right the ship of Democracy via keeping campaign promises once Dems are back in power, AND holding ALL of those accountable who have been tearing everything down. I did some multi-tasking of my own while listening -- I wrote Vote Forward letters to NC voters and Grandmothers for a Brighter Future postcards for Sherrod Brown. And soon it will be time for Hopium.
Thanks for this. Interesting interview.
I agree with you and him that we have to campaign on economic issue and democracy. The two are intertwined as we have seen by Trump. Rule by billionaires means many will be screwed economically.
Without real democracy, we can’t have a decent standard of living for the many.
Today, my local independent Berkeley bookseller texted to tell me my pre-ordered copy of Bryan’s latest book arrived! I will pick it up this evening. I suspect “The Day After” will be as compelling as his first one, “Shameless” is. I so look forward to reading it!!!
Dems, do not skip a real convention again!
Are we supporting Dr. Annie Andrews here on Hopium?
It's a tough race, but I hope we are able to at least give Dr. Annie the resources necessary to run a serious race in a tough state and that will enable local folks to build a strong campaign. In a big, blue wave election, we may pick up some "unexpected" races like this one. Andrews is a solid candidate, the South Carolina Democratic Party seems formidable, and there appear to be a lot of grassroots groups that can organize a win.
Agree and have been supporting her for a few weeks
I love learning about BTC’s new book! Thank You for discussing it here on Hopium. I also noted his energy talking about Mayor Mamdani and his approach to governance, which I sum up as “Don’t just promise. Deliver”. In Michigan we have an important US Senate seat up to win. Our Dem Primary has a traditional establishment candidate in Haley Stevens, which I know Simone you support. Yet like Mamdani, Abdul El-Sayed is delivering the succinct, focused messaging of “Money Out of Politics, Money in Your Pocket, and Healthcare for All”. He discusses this with an authentic fighting spirit of someone not beholden to large corporate donations, as his opponent is. On the debate stage he presents an unflappable, formidable intellect, to Haley Steven’s striving-class president-wanna-be demeanor. I get why people want to play it safe with her, but if BTC is right in his call for us to really put our brain cells to work preparing for what’s next and to Make It Better, voting for the same old thing in Michigan does not seem to fit that prescription.
I'm sure you don't mean it this way, but saying "On the debate stage he presents an unflappable, formidable intellect, to Haley Steven’s striving-class president-wanna-be demeanor," comes across as pretty sexist to me. The same qualities that can be praised in a man (He's a real go-getter) can get women criticized (She's too pushy). I don't know the candidates in Michigan and I support many of Mandami's positions, but that line really made me cringe.
Yes, and she's not a wanna-be. She's a sitting member of the US House.
So, first, please spell my name correctly. Second I have not taken a position in the Senate race. Third, your description of Stevens is ridiculous. Four, Stevens is up 48-41 in a new independent poll by a respected pollster in Michigan - https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2026/07/14/poll-where-michigan-democratic-voters-stand-with-us-senate-candidates-stevens-el-sayed/
If El Sayed doesn’t counter with an internal poll, is it reasonable to assume they are seeing similar (or worse) numbers?
Simon, my bad for spelling your name wrong. I have a long time friend named Simone, and I unintentionally spelled your name wrong. I know that can be very annoying and come off as disrespectful. My apologies. I really wanted to support Steven’s, I feel very pressured in MI to do just that, and know many voters who will go safely with her. After watching her debate performance with El-Sayed, I was shocked that she came across -to me- like I described. If I saw the same style in El-Sayed, I would have described it in the same way. The mailers I receive from her campaign are equally uninspiring and a waste of money. I see zero yard signs supporting her and that is exactly opposite for El-Sayed. When I talk with young people, they light up talking about El-Sayed and roll their eyes at Stevens. More than anything I would love a strong woman to be our next senator, but she inspires no confidence in me that she will be a unique, inspiring change maker. And I believe we need that now.
Just fantastic conversation. Love you both!
I love the cover of BTC's book! My copy arrived today and I'm looking forward to reading it.
Really great, uplifting conversation. Buying Brian's book!
Great interview. Personally, I wondered why there wasn't already a plan being formulated when we saw what Trump did in his first term and when the Dem candidates kept talking about Trump's dictatorial tendencies during the campaign (?) I agree, focus will be critical. As an aside, I recommend looking at Peter Smith Rewilding's substack re: Henry George and taxes. A completely new and fairer way to tax.
Trump is providing content where the ads write themselves. Democrats need to say, "Trump's corruption is hurting you and your family; we will fix it."
With apologies, time to put the political science major hat on for a minute....My only beef is that I don't think abandoning institutions is the way to express what we're trying to accomplish. Our institutions - the Constitution, the Congress, the rule of law - ARE sacrosanct - that's why they're institutions - they are the foundation upon which our country rests.
The problem with abandoning institutions is that the other side is doing it, but that doesn't make it the right thing to do. Reshape institutions, norms and traditions as FDR did, reimagine and repurpose them in some fashion. But don't say they don't mean something, because they absolutely do.
And furthermore, norms and traditions have always existed and evolved to meet the moment, and human society functions because of them. I mean, it's a norm to follow the rule of law - just because Orange doesn't do that doesn't mean it's not a valuable part of the social contract. The failing wasn't that norms didn't stop him - they would never stop him bc he's a sociopath. The failing was that he wasn't held accountable. Guess I'll just have to read the book to see where Brian is coming from, but from what he said, that kind of stood out to me.
This does seem like a baby-bathwater situation
I had a similar reaction to Brian's comments. I appreciate his advice that when regaining power, Dems can't get bogged down and must move rapidly to Get Things Done. But he never discussed HOW they should do that. I doubt he thinks they should bulldoze over laws and the Constitution like the GOP, but I was left wondering what he recommends. Perhaps his book elaborates on the how-to.
Thanks, Simon. Great and very helpful interview. So many books right now… difficult to prioritize. This book is clearly a priority for those of us who live Hopium politics
Can I suggest you that you interview our great ally, Ben Wikler, who has written a similar book called "This is the Plan". Very similar but much more grancular on how to keep winning elections at every level. Great minds think alike!
I see that Walker's book is coming out next week: July 21.
Thank you!!!
TY, Simon, for putting Brian Tyler Cohen into the Hopium Hall of Fame! You both are so inspiring I .LOVED this interview! Especially the last part where we have to do both -- right the ship of Democracy via keeping campaign promises once Dems are back in power, AND holding ALL of those accountable who have been tearing everything down. I did some multi-tasking of my own while listening -- I wrote Vote Forward letters to NC voters and Grandmothers for a Brighter Future postcards for Sherrod Brown. And soon it will be time for Hopium.
Democrats need to understand that younger people are a
Try about the continuing support for Israel! Especially the continuing provision of military weapons!!!