How about if we realign our short-term goals along these lines?
Here is the direct path to end the #ICEoverreachRampage. We need to #FlipTheHouseEarly AS IN THIS MONTH. Just get three House Republicans who are already too underwater to retain their seats as Republicans to choose to declare as independent NOW and rise as true American heroes by caucusing with Democrats to end this madness before more harm is done.
This is the #ImmediateFlipMovement and DNC Chair Ken Martin can make this option far more appealing if he vows not to back or fund any Dem against these new independents as long as they remain caucusing with Dems into 2027.
It's a great deal for both sides. Martin gets the gavel, they get job security and a lead role in GOP 2.0 - what will rise from the ashes after a GOP implosion.
That strategy is Part 1 of what I call #ProjectCarrot. There are other phases after Dems take pawer, including passing #ForThePeopleAct2, fortified with new restrictions not in the first version, H.R. 1 in 2021, to counter all the new GOP and Trumpian tricks for election theft.
Included in that will be a mandate for public not private campaign funding, good news for new allies that fear what billionaire blowback could mean to their reelection in Nov.
Once the flip is confirmed, the #BlueHouse can do more than just start to impeach Kristi Noem. They can use investigations across multiple committees to clamp down on all the unconstitutional processes within every aspect of ICE extraction, detention, and confinement. They can use former inspectors general to define what should be the limiting guidelines, and for every transgression throughout the hierarchy of the ICE infrastructure there will be a subpoena.
The House can form a committee to review every single abuse of these rules, and require documentation including identities on every single abuse in the field.
Every current ICE agent must know that their lives will be changed forever for the travesties they've done. It's just a matter of how long it takes for their number to come up for when they must face the music.
My hope is that other investigations across the board yield our first #DoubleImpeachment leading to the promotion directly to the Oval Office of Speaker Jamie Raskin. Isn't that just what our nation deserves after all we've been through?
I ask that you please address these possibilities in future posts, perhaps after visiting this link to my Substack to get the full picture that I'm trying to present.
It includes scripts for those that want to speak directly to the offices of potential defectors. And doing that effectively will not be easy, because anger and frustration cannot be present. This is not a decision that you can guilt a politician into. This has to be introduced as a net positive option, both for the nation and for a candidate’s political future - when they emerge eventually as a celebrated hero.
Thank you for seeing and perhaps sharing my whole vision. Feels far better than anything else churning in our guts at the moment, doesn’t it?
Simon, I always find your breakdown of the polls helpful and encouraging.
Tomorrow, Virginia will swear in its first woman governor. The Virginia legislature traces its roots back to the House of Burgesses in 1619, making it the oldest continuous law-making body in America. It's about time for a woman! Someone sweep up all the chips from that broken glass ceiling. Even in the midst of Trump's chaos, we are continuing to make progress.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen and am continuing to write postcards to NC voters.
I went to an organizational meeting for David Jolly that happened yesterday here in Orlando. The candidate was there, but only about 20 people total. Slightly disappointing turn out. It is still a primary. I discovered while I was there I had a few texts for other meetings that I didn't notice. I get so many hundreds of texts from campaigns that I don't read. The spam is a problem, because you get an important one, but you don't read it. Right now I have 1022 unread text messages on my phone, and thousands of unread emails in my personal email account.
At any rate, I am going to attend additional events for the campaign, and see what they have going for voter registration. It felt to me that they were still focussed on winning the primary, which I think they will do rather easily. I got the feeling they were hoping Demmings would just drop out. I'm not sure that will happen or not.
I guess people see things differently. For me, it's a simple thing to reply "STOP" to texts and to unsubscribe to emails. Much better than the "bother" of my InBox overflowing with unwanted messages. You might be surprised at how effective those simple steps are in reducing unwanted texts and emails.
agree. still many in inbox - from our Hopium candates - but not an issue of occasionally go through, read some updates, enjoy the pictures. Also, because they're manageable and I can go through them, hear from promising candidates [someone shares mailing list obviously]. interesting to see the strong candidates who step up,
Most of them were more experienced than me. Some appeared to be well connected in politics. And my grasp of Florida issues is pretty shaky. I need low level jobs to grind at.
Ahhh see my comment above. This might explain it. Thank you. On the positive side, it gave the small crowd a good chance to be up close to the candidate.
That's a disappointing turnout. Is Orlando a conservative area? Is the primary going to be tough for David Jolly? If not, maybe that's why the low turnout. Also, re your 1022 unread texts, um you sound like my husband, my son and his friends who have those many unread emails!
Yep. But Val >> Jerry. Jerry is fine if you don't expect too much. I think mayor is about the level he's fine for, beyond that I'm not sure he's what you'd want.
I don't know much about the area but always liked Val, but assume David J has a real chance. interesting meeting not attended but could be the primary situation.? look forward to your updates
I think Jolly will beat Demmings. I don't think Jerry is going to run much of a campaign, and it is pretty clear that the national party wants Jolly (at least that is my impression). They claimed they were out raising Demmings 10 to 1. They seemed interest in not running a self-destructive primary where both sides go negative, and in having to use their money against Jerry.
Personally, I think they should just ignore Demmings and focus on Donalds, sending the message they are the real frontrunners. I think because this is Orlando, and Demmings is Orange County Mayor, there is name recognition and familiarity. He was police chief here. So organizing in Orange County is probably very important for the primary. If he can dig into Orlando support for Demmings, in other parts of the state I think Demmings will get crushed by Jolly.
I'm just a political novice, but that's my impression so far.
In my area, organizational meetings never seem very big. Our local Democratic group is *very* well attended, as is any town hall when a Democrat comes to visit. But when it is time for planning, it is mostly the people who have a lot of experience, or newbies like me who hope to learn. Maybe a dozen. Also some people can’t attend because they are at work or out of town or sick or whatever, so the rest of us get them caught up afterwards.
Noticed that Marcy Kaptur, OH-9 was in the Democratic toss up column. Yesterday, per Axios, Per AXIOS, ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan resigned Thursday and launched a House bid for Marcy Kaptur’s Congressional seat in Northwest Ohio. The campaign ads write themselves..
Hi all- and thank you, Simon for that wonderful convo w Sen. Coons, which brought me great comfort after a particularly terrible day for so many of us. A friend of mine was his campaign mgr whenhttps://democrats.org/take-action-2/ he first ran for Senate, & I know he's an excellent public servant who cares about the rule of law.
And the messaging re the state of our democracy that you posted about is on point. This is the proverbial five alarm fire, and we need to continue hammering this point, as well as his clear mental instability & physical decline.
Sending love to MN, and to the young man in SoCal who lost his left eye bc MF ICE SHOT HIM IN THE FACE at point blank range w a canister. He has shrapnel in his head that has lodged behind his eye and in his brain (!) that docs say cannot be removed. The pain, he said, was unimaginable. He is a brave young man of 21, lifelong activist, and no threat to anyone at just 5 feet. His crime: using a megaphone to organize a protest. Horrifying. It shook me, and I am not easily rattled. KTLA interviewed him & his attorney at length & I highly recommend checking it out if you can stomach it. This young man is just one of the reasons why we must continue to fight--he says he wants to continue to protest!
Just off my weekly VoteRiders shift helping folks get ID to vote. They said a whole bunch of new voter ID laws are coming down the pike, and some referenda including in CA (!). This work is more urgent than ever, so if you have even an hour, it's well worth your time. You can write letters, text voters or help ID team: VoteRiders.org
I participated in a DNC call explaining this year's priorities - voter reg and Local Listener campaign. They have a new, paid position as a voter reg fellow, among other things. Check it out at: https://democrats.org/take-action-2/
Off to make my calls-and folks, when you call, please do not yell or use profanity (though goddess knows it's probably warranted). Per Leah & Ezra at Indivisible, staffers may not even stay on the line w you if you are abusive.
I might look at vote riders for something to do. The registration part I like, but is it an issue that it is non-partisan? That is what has held me back (that and time of course).
Maybe I could look at the other options there, letters, etc. I'm doing postcards for FT6 for voter registration.
Hi Lisa - I haven't had the emotional strength to read that young man's story yet, and I can't watch any more videos from Minneapolis. I got overwhelmed and furious. I ordered my protest pins and my whistle, took a class online in non-violent civil resistance, and I'm ready to be an observer should they come to my small city.
I had a Civil Rights professor at SMU in grad school (Dr. Rick Halperin) who was blinded by tear gas or something in a Vietnam protest in the early 70s when he was a student at Georgetown. He wasn't participating, just heard a commotion outside and stepped out of his dorm. He's sued the government 5 or 6 times over the years and never won a dollar.
We must stop civil war against our own. Or just stop shooting period would be my choice.
I always appreciate your posts. Keep on keeping on.
I take issue with the Cook Report categorization of Maine’s second district. since 1995, Republicans have held this seat for only two terms. How in the world, given the very poor polling data for Republicans nationwide would the seat be categorized as likely Republican? What would make the second district an outlier? It hasn’t been a Republican shoo -in for 30 years.
Jared Golden, the Democratic incumbent who has narrowly won this seat in the past, is not running for re-election. Unfortunately, Paul "Flintstone" LePage, the former governor of Maine who has a high name recognition, is. And ME-02 is rather Red.
Good morning all from Italy - we need to win the midterms decisively, up and down the ballot. Did you know that there are approx 6.5 million US Citizens living, working, studying, serving abroad and we CAN VOTE! Many are not aware that it's possible for us to vote. Please help us get the word out! U.S. citizens abroad should visit https://votefromabroad.org to register and request an overseas ballot. It’s quick, free, and valid for all elections in 2026. Need help? Write to help@votefromabroad.org. Vote from Abroad volunteers are ready to assist voters with any questions about requesting or returning ballots. Don’t wait! Primaries start in March.
I have the hearing on in the background. The DEMs are being very forceful in criticizing ICE and connecting the abuses to violations of the Constitution.
I agree. I'm impressed with everyone and grateful that they all came here. I'm too tired to do anything else today, but I'm sitting here in my bathrobe with a cat on my lap watching and it's just so meaningful.
Polls are all moving the right direction but that won't help us if Trump invokes the insurrection act or takes actions to subvert the election. What can we do besides contacting our legislators to stop the deployment of Trump's murderous ICE thugs to our cities/states?
Please don't ever dismiss the importance of Trump losing support or the need to do everything we can to win the elections in November. It's demobilizing, dismissive of the impact of our work, and corrosive.
I get the despair and work hard every day to resist falling into it. Some days I'm not successful; some days I spend much of the day crying. When I'm in despair about things like "maybe there won't be elections!" I recognize it as what I call "future trippin'" and worrying about what MIGHT happen never helps me. In those times, I repeat the following to myself: Just do the next right thing.
Despair and futility is Trumpism's number one strategy to hold and expand power. We all have days or moments of overwhelm, but I remind myself that to give into it is how Trump wins. That usually does the trick to shift the energy and get back to Hopium mindset.
It's counterproductive to talk about Trump's efforts to subvert the election, unless you are in a position to do something about it (e.g., attorneys, state AGs, etc.). By talking about it, you feed the mindset that "my vote doesn't count" which could discourage voters from turning out to the polls. My advice is to talk instead about the power our votes have, and that every vote is important.
Trump uses terms he doesn't understand (and many people don't understand) to feel powerful and promote fear, which in turn depletes energy for activism. That's a purposeful strategy. First, don't fall for it.
Second, there's a lot we do. Remember that elections are run by states; Trump cannot control that. We can support candidates and push turnout. Robert Hubbell today offered a clear list of what invoking the insurrection act can do and what it cannot do - it is way more limited than people (and likely Trump) realize.
We can ask our elected officials to yell loudly that ICE officers do NOT have immunity and they're all being recorded. See this short video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzN9drl-Pa8&t=2s) to see Philadelphia's police chief and D.A. as examples. We can push them to limit/shrink/rein in ICE in any/every way possible. We can register more Dems. We can invite more people into the movement (clearly, there are still tens of millions of people who don't like Trump but haven't shown up to a protest yet). We can pass state laws that protect us better (such as data privacy so ICE can't buy our location data, limits on police interaction with ICE, etc.). And lots more, but I'll stop there.
Daily calls are in to WI members of Congress regarding our 5 part agenda with emphasis on ICE. Heading to a protest tomorrow and writing postcards for Vote by Mail in Florida
I'm so grateful for all your hard work, Simon, and the commitment of so many democracy-loving supporters throughout the nation and the world. Through my uncertainty and fear, I know that we will and must right the ship, and this group and so much happening gives me MASSIVE hope & strength to keep going.
Another thing that would give me strength and hope, Simon, is an even more unified message from our U.S. Congress and candidates for those offices: "If we get a *filibuster-proof majority*, we will SOLVE the issues that brought us to this moment. We will get dark money out of politics; we will streamline laws to enable just due process AND SWIFT accountability; we will enable laws that prohibit convicted felons from becoming president; we will close loopholes that allow insider trading and other means by which members of Congress enrich themselves; we will establish term limits for our federal elected officials AND for the Supreme Court; we will implement Medicare for All; we will implement the immigration laws that were negotiated during the Biden Administration."
In other words, SEEK AND ASK FOR A SUPER-MAJORITY to get this shit done; PROMISE to do it; and then DO IT. "Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
Simon, it's great that you were able to interview Senator Coons just before he left with the Congressional delegation to Denmark. I'm very curious about what these Senators will say to European officials and the European press about Donald Trump's attempt to take over Greenland. They have a fine line to walk in terms of countering Trump's position without calling him crazy (which is what anyone who's watching knows is the case). We will never know what they say in private, but if there are video clips of them being interviewed on European TV, please share!
Seems like orgnaizing a huge cacerolazo protest in Minneaoplis (and through MN) would be a great idea to build solidarity and create an unmistakable audible message of opposition and resistance to ICE. 5 minutes every night of banging pots and pans seems like it would send a powerful message.
Taking a mental health day! Donated to Ossof. See if we can finish that one off. Gave a little to Ohio as well. Nj Kean. Glad to see it flippable ... his district is the one where we are fighting an ICE detention center. If that doesn't do it, I don't know what would. Have friends to go buy sneakers in Roxbury now ... more for Bezos and less for NJ biz . Going off line now!
How about if we realign our short-term goals along these lines?
Here is the direct path to end the #ICEoverreachRampage. We need to #FlipTheHouseEarly AS IN THIS MONTH. Just get three House Republicans who are already too underwater to retain their seats as Republicans to choose to declare as independent NOW and rise as true American heroes by caucusing with Democrats to end this madness before more harm is done.
This is the #ImmediateFlipMovement and DNC Chair Ken Martin can make this option far more appealing if he vows not to back or fund any Dem against these new independents as long as they remain caucusing with Dems into 2027.
It's a great deal for both sides. Martin gets the gavel, they get job security and a lead role in GOP 2.0 - what will rise from the ashes after a GOP implosion.
That strategy is Part 1 of what I call #ProjectCarrot. There are other phases after Dems take pawer, including passing #ForThePeopleAct2, fortified with new restrictions not in the first version, H.R. 1 in 2021, to counter all the new GOP and Trumpian tricks for election theft.
Included in that will be a mandate for public not private campaign funding, good news for new allies that fear what billionaire blowback could mean to their reelection in Nov.
Once the flip is confirmed, the #BlueHouse can do more than just start to impeach Kristi Noem. They can use investigations across multiple committees to clamp down on all the unconstitutional processes within every aspect of ICE extraction, detention, and confinement. They can use former inspectors general to define what should be the limiting guidelines, and for every transgression throughout the hierarchy of the ICE infrastructure there will be a subpoena.
The House can form a committee to review every single abuse of these rules, and require documentation including identities on every single abuse in the field.
Every current ICE agent must know that their lives will be changed forever for the travesties they've done. It's just a matter of how long it takes for their number to come up for when they must face the music.
My hope is that other investigations across the board yield our first #DoubleImpeachment leading to the promotion directly to the Oval Office of Speaker Jamie Raskin. Isn't that just what our nation deserves after all we've been through?
I ask that you please address these possibilities in future posts, perhaps after visiting this link to my Substack to get the full picture that I'm trying to present.
It includes scripts for those that want to speak directly to the offices of potential defectors. And doing that effectively will not be easy, because anger and frustration cannot be present. This is not a decision that you can guilt a politician into. This has to be introduced as a net positive option, both for the nation and for a candidate’s political future - when they emerge eventually as a celebrated hero.
Thank you for seeing and perhaps sharing my whole vision. Feels far better than anything else churning in our guts at the moment, doesn’t it?
https://open.substack.com/pub/toddtelford/p/this-is-how-marianne-williamsons?r=13imj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
And we love you, for bringing us this news.
Simon, I always find your breakdown of the polls helpful and encouraging.
Tomorrow, Virginia will swear in its first woman governor. The Virginia legislature traces its roots back to the House of Burgesses in 1619, making it the oldest continuous law-making body in America. It's about time for a woman! Someone sweep up all the chips from that broken glass ceiling. Even in the midst of Trump's chaos, we are continuing to make progress.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen and am continuing to write postcards to NC voters.
Spanberger is going to be great.
We swear in Sherrill on Tuesday!
YAY! More women in government is so desirable and necessary!
I went to an organizational meeting for David Jolly that happened yesterday here in Orlando. The candidate was there, but only about 20 people total. Slightly disappointing turn out. It is still a primary. I discovered while I was there I had a few texts for other meetings that I didn't notice. I get so many hundreds of texts from campaigns that I don't read. The spam is a problem, because you get an important one, but you don't read it. Right now I have 1022 unread text messages on my phone, and thousands of unread emails in my personal email account.
At any rate, I am going to attend additional events for the campaign, and see what they have going for voter registration. It felt to me that they were still focussed on winning the primary, which I think they will do rather easily. I got the feeling they were hoping Demmings would just drop out. I'm not sure that will happen or not.
You can text "STOP" to get off the text list, and unsubscribe from the emails. It does help. Thanks for your work!
I suppose I could do that but it is a pain. I just don't want to be bothered doing that. Thanks though for pointing it out.
I guess people see things differently. For me, it's a simple thing to reply "STOP" to texts and to unsubscribe to emails. Much better than the "bother" of my InBox overflowing with unwanted messages. You might be surprised at how effective those simple steps are in reducing unwanted texts and emails.
agree. still many in inbox - from our Hopium candates - but not an issue of occasionally go through, read some updates, enjoy the pictures. Also, because they're manageable and I can go through them, hear from promising candidates [someone shares mailing list obviously]. interesting to see the strong candidates who step up,
I've started to text back Stop2End or whatever the texts instructs to text to stop them. It works.
I do this every day, Lisa. I can't be inundated with all this! My Inbox has to remain clean!
20 people sounds like a good turnout for a January weekday, even with the candidate attending. A small but mighty crowd.
Most of them were more experienced than me. Some appeared to be well connected in politics. And my grasp of Florida issues is pretty shaky. I need low level jobs to grind at.
Some were former Republicans. Quite a few.
Ohhhh I like that former Republicans were there.
Ahhh see my comment above. This might explain it. Thank you. On the positive side, it gave the small crowd a good chance to be up close to the candidate.
That's a disappointing turnout. Is Orlando a conservative area? Is the primary going to be tough for David Jolly? If not, maybe that's why the low turnout. Also, re your 1022 unread texts, um you sound like my husband, my son and his friends who have those many unread emails!
It is not conservative but the opponent Demmings was Mayor of Orange County
I looked up Jerry Demings. Thank you.
is that Val Demmings's husband?
Yep. But Val >> Jerry. Jerry is fine if you don't expect too much. I think mayor is about the level he's fine for, beyond that I'm not sure he's what you'd want.
I don't know much about the area but always liked Val, but assume David J has a real chance. interesting meeting not attended but could be the primary situation.? look forward to your updates
I think Jolly will beat Demmings. I don't think Jerry is going to run much of a campaign, and it is pretty clear that the national party wants Jolly (at least that is my impression). They claimed they were out raising Demmings 10 to 1. They seemed interest in not running a self-destructive primary where both sides go negative, and in having to use their money against Jerry.
Personally, I think they should just ignore Demmings and focus on Donalds, sending the message they are the real frontrunners. I think because this is Orlando, and Demmings is Orange County Mayor, there is name recognition and familiarity. He was police chief here. So organizing in Orange County is probably very important for the primary. If he can dig into Orlando support for Demmings, in other parts of the state I think Demmings will get crushed by Jolly.
I'm just a political novice, but that's my impression so far.
In my area, organizational meetings never seem very big. Our local Democratic group is *very* well attended, as is any town hall when a Democrat comes to visit. But when it is time for planning, it is mostly the people who have a lot of experience, or newbies like me who hope to learn. Maybe a dozen. Also some people can’t attend because they are at work or out of town or sick or whatever, so the rest of us get them caught up afterwards.
Makes sense. Thank you for explaining. Appreciate it.
My record is 64K unread emails. I’m weirdly proud of it
!!!!! OMG 😂😬😂
Haha. That would my my digital OCD brain blow up!!!
My work email is separate and that is immaculate. Personal email accounts are swamped with shit.
Noticed that Marcy Kaptur, OH-9 was in the Democratic toss up column. Yesterday, per Axios, Per AXIOS, ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan resigned Thursday and launched a House bid for Marcy Kaptur’s Congressional seat in Northwest Ohio. The campaign ads write themselves..
marcykaptur.com
secure.actblue.com/…
Yup, saw that, too. Not a good time for a senior ICE official to be running for office! But, yeah, give thanks for that stupidity.
Hi all- and thank you, Simon for that wonderful convo w Sen. Coons, which brought me great comfort after a particularly terrible day for so many of us. A friend of mine was his campaign mgr whenhttps://democrats.org/take-action-2/ he first ran for Senate, & I know he's an excellent public servant who cares about the rule of law.
And the messaging re the state of our democracy that you posted about is on point. This is the proverbial five alarm fire, and we need to continue hammering this point, as well as his clear mental instability & physical decline.
Sending love to MN, and to the young man in SoCal who lost his left eye bc MF ICE SHOT HIM IN THE FACE at point blank range w a canister. He has shrapnel in his head that has lodged behind his eye and in his brain (!) that docs say cannot be removed. The pain, he said, was unimaginable. He is a brave young man of 21, lifelong activist, and no threat to anyone at just 5 feet. His crime: using a megaphone to organize a protest. Horrifying. It shook me, and I am not easily rattled. KTLA interviewed him & his attorney at length & I highly recommend checking it out if you can stomach it. This young man is just one of the reasons why we must continue to fight--he says he wants to continue to protest!
Just off my weekly VoteRiders shift helping folks get ID to vote. They said a whole bunch of new voter ID laws are coming down the pike, and some referenda including in CA (!). This work is more urgent than ever, so if you have even an hour, it's well worth your time. You can write letters, text voters or help ID team: VoteRiders.org
I participated in a DNC call explaining this year's priorities - voter reg and Local Listener campaign. They have a new, paid position as a voter reg fellow, among other things. Check it out at: https://democrats.org/take-action-2/
Off to make my calls-and folks, when you call, please do not yell or use profanity (though goddess knows it's probably warranted). Per Leah & Ezra at Indivisible, staffers may not even stay on the line w you if you are abusive.
Keep going!
I might look at vote riders for something to do. The registration part I like, but is it an issue that it is non-partisan? That is what has held me back (that and time of course).
Maybe I could look at the other options there, letters, etc. I'm doing postcards for FT6 for voter registration.
No not strictly nonnpartisan, they do outreach to key areas where there are elections coming up.
Hi Lisa - I haven't had the emotional strength to read that young man's story yet, and I can't watch any more videos from Minneapolis. I got overwhelmed and furious. I ordered my protest pins and my whistle, took a class online in non-violent civil resistance, and I'm ready to be an observer should they come to my small city.
I had a Civil Rights professor at SMU in grad school (Dr. Rick Halperin) who was blinded by tear gas or something in a Vietnam protest in the early 70s when he was a student at Georgetown. He wasn't participating, just heard a commotion outside and stepped out of his dorm. He's sued the government 5 or 6 times over the years and never won a dollar.
We must stop civil war against our own. Or just stop shooting period would be my choice.
I always appreciate your posts. Keep on keeping on.
I take issue with the Cook Report categorization of Maine’s second district. since 1995, Republicans have held this seat for only two terms. How in the world, given the very poor polling data for Republicans nationwide would the seat be categorized as likely Republican? What would make the second district an outlier? It hasn’t been a Republican shoo -in for 30 years.
Jared Golden, the Democratic incumbent who has narrowly won this seat in the past, is not running for re-election. Unfortunately, Paul "Flintstone" LePage, the former governor of Maine who has a high name recognition, is. And ME-02 is rather Red.
Yabba Dabba Do!!!
Good morning all from Italy - we need to win the midterms decisively, up and down the ballot. Did you know that there are approx 6.5 million US Citizens living, working, studying, serving abroad and we CAN VOTE! Many are not aware that it's possible for us to vote. Please help us get the word out! U.S. citizens abroad should visit https://votefromabroad.org to register and request an overseas ballot. It’s quick, free, and valid for all elections in 2026. Need help? Write to help@votefromabroad.org. Vote from Abroad volunteers are ready to assist voters with any questions about requesting or returning ballots. Don’t wait! Primaries start in March.
"Zombie politics" is so good.
There's a hearing going on with some Dem lawmakers about Minnesota on youtube, if anyone wants to watch:
Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump's Assault on Minnesota
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfVji76Mvkg
I have the hearing on in the background. The DEMs are being very forceful in criticizing ICE and connecting the abuses to violations of the Constitution.
I agree. I'm impressed with everyone and grateful that they all came here. I'm too tired to do anything else today, but I'm sitting here in my bathrobe with a cat on my lap watching and it's just so meaningful.
Polls are all moving the right direction but that won't help us if Trump invokes the insurrection act or takes actions to subvert the election. What can we do besides contacting our legislators to stop the deployment of Trump's murderous ICE thugs to our cities/states?
Please don't ever dismiss the importance of Trump losing support or the need to do everything we can to win the elections in November. It's demobilizing, dismissive of the impact of our work, and corrosive.
We can work to drive his numbers down, win the 2026 elections and work to protect our elections.
I get the despair and work hard every day to resist falling into it. Some days I'm not successful; some days I spend much of the day crying. When I'm in despair about things like "maybe there won't be elections!" I recognize it as what I call "future trippin'" and worrying about what MIGHT happen never helps me. In those times, I repeat the following to myself: Just do the next right thing.
That helps me not look too far into the future.
Despair and futility is Trumpism's number one strategy to hold and expand power. We all have days or moments of overwhelm, but I remind myself that to give into it is how Trump wins. That usually does the trick to shift the energy and get back to Hopium mindset.
It's counterproductive to talk about Trump's efforts to subvert the election, unless you are in a position to do something about it (e.g., attorneys, state AGs, etc.). By talking about it, you feed the mindset that "my vote doesn't count" which could discourage voters from turning out to the polls. My advice is to talk instead about the power our votes have, and that every vote is important.
Trump uses terms he doesn't understand (and many people don't understand) to feel powerful and promote fear, which in turn depletes energy for activism. That's a purposeful strategy. First, don't fall for it.
Second, there's a lot we do. Remember that elections are run by states; Trump cannot control that. We can support candidates and push turnout. Robert Hubbell today offered a clear list of what invoking the insurrection act can do and what it cannot do - it is way more limited than people (and likely Trump) realize.
We can ask our elected officials to yell loudly that ICE officers do NOT have immunity and they're all being recorded. See this short video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzN9drl-Pa8&t=2s) to see Philadelphia's police chief and D.A. as examples. We can push them to limit/shrink/rein in ICE in any/every way possible. We can register more Dems. We can invite more people into the movement (clearly, there are still tens of millions of people who don't like Trump but haven't shown up to a protest yet). We can pass state laws that protect us better (such as data privacy so ICE can't buy our location data, limits on police interaction with ICE, etc.). And lots more, but I'll stop there.
Daily calls are in to WI members of Congress regarding our 5 part agenda with emphasis on ICE. Heading to a protest tomorrow and writing postcards for Vote by Mail in Florida
I'm so grateful for all your hard work, Simon, and the commitment of so many democracy-loving supporters throughout the nation and the world. Through my uncertainty and fear, I know that we will and must right the ship, and this group and so much happening gives me MASSIVE hope & strength to keep going.
Another thing that would give me strength and hope, Simon, is an even more unified message from our U.S. Congress and candidates for those offices: "If we get a *filibuster-proof majority*, we will SOLVE the issues that brought us to this moment. We will get dark money out of politics; we will streamline laws to enable just due process AND SWIFT accountability; we will enable laws that prohibit convicted felons from becoming president; we will close loopholes that allow insider trading and other means by which members of Congress enrich themselves; we will establish term limits for our federal elected officials AND for the Supreme Court; we will implement Medicare for All; we will implement the immigration laws that were negotiated during the Biden Administration."
In other words, SEEK AND ASK FOR A SUPER-MAJORITY to get this shit done; PROMISE to do it; and then DO IT. "Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
Simon, it's great that you were able to interview Senator Coons just before he left with the Congressional delegation to Denmark. I'm very curious about what these Senators will say to European officials and the European press about Donald Trump's attempt to take over Greenland. They have a fine line to walk in terms of countering Trump's position without calling him crazy (which is what anyone who's watching knows is the case). We will never know what they say in private, but if there are video clips of them being interviewed on European TV, please share!
I'm sure there were plenty "he is crazy" statements in private from both sides. Video clips would be great.
Seems like orgnaizing a huge cacerolazo protest in Minneaoplis (and through MN) would be a great idea to build solidarity and create an unmistakable audible message of opposition and resistance to ICE. 5 minutes every night of banging pots and pans seems like it would send a powerful message.
I like it!
Taking a mental health day! Donated to Ossof. See if we can finish that one off. Gave a little to Ohio as well. Nj Kean. Glad to see it flippable ... his district is the one where we are fighting an ICE detention center. If that doesn't do it, I don't know what would. Have friends to go buy sneakers in Roxbury now ... more for Bezos and less for NJ biz . Going off line now!
I did that yesterday, Jersey, and today I'm ready to fight again. Have a great day!
The polling suggests your “big arguments” argument is winning. When un-prompted, people say they think he’s corrupt and erratic.
My message to senators has been along these general lines, that we’ve got to restrain this runaway administration.
“It’s the corruption, stupid” lol