Prime point for campaign - Don T inherited the Obama-Biden economy, 8 years of hard work with constant corruption and treachery from the Rs . . . turning the disasters of W-Cheney into a healthy, thriving, growing economy — despite the Rs.
Don T, yet again, *inherited* a great thing and then proceeded to loot it and ruin the best parts. A bankrupter, a loser. Loser, loser, loser. And you know I could go on.
For decades, Rs have looted the Treasury, and Dems have repaired the damage. It’s a theme.
And we can’t forget to run against the Federal Judiciary, which Don T damaged beyond recognition following McConnell’s orders after decades of effort by the likes of the Feudalist Society and the zillionaires behind it ( ‘The Scheme’ by Senator Whitehouse )
We can fix that. We just need overwhelming turnout and vision to elect 70% Dems. Let’s aim for it, not lament the challenge.
echoing some of your themes, hope I added something, traveling — best luck to US, b.rad
In 2025, Trump’s misguided tax cuts are set to expire – those tax cuts that didn’t do squat for our Main Street economy but were massive give-aways for America’s corporations and uber-wealthy. They did, however add hugely to America’s deficit and national debt. I am very much looking forward to how Team Biden will put that extra revenue stream to use for the good of the country. Yet another reason to re-elect President Biden!
(If, heaven forbid, the convicted felon is elected, it’s all but guaranteed that any unspent funds for Biden’s excellent signature programs will be halted and confiscated, perhaps to be redistributed as yet another tax cut to the 0.001 percent.)
This week’s “winner” from the Media and Democracy Project.Note the immigration policy expert is from the conservative Cato Institute.:⬇️
RARE: Voters Get News Coverage on Accuracy of Border Narratives This week was a little different. Independent, Tucson-based journalist Todd Miller interviewed an immigration policy expert in a piece headlined: “This Election Year’s Top Three False Border and Immigration Narratives.” Miller’s expert is David Bier, who works for the Koch-funded Cato Institute. Miller asked Bier “what he thought were the top three false narratives proclaimed, promoted, and propagated during this year’s campaign season,” in the hopes that their conversation would “assist you in navigating your discussions about the border and immigration, discussions that will inevitably intensify during the next several months.” ➡️Bier shared that his top three false narratives were “(1) ‘Donald Trump had the most secure border in America’s history,’ (2) ‘Joe Biden opened America’s borders to illegal immigration,’ and (3) ‘Recent immigration is helping Democrats.’” ⬅️It was an edifying, succinct piece.
In an about-face, Trump is now claiming to love Milwaukee. Which of course is why he will be staying in Chicago during the Republican National Convention.
First of all, great reflections this Juneteenth! It really is a tragedy that the Party of Lincoln (and Republican visionaries like Thaddeus Stevens) has descended into a party of race-baiting, immigrant-hating, anti-Semitic conspiracy theorists. On the other hand, President Biden has the unique opportunity to propose and enact an ambitious agenda set to "build back better for Black America." For more on that, see this article we co-wrote (https://davidsalzillo.substack.com/p/biden-building-back-better-for-black).
Second, given the failures of Trump Latino outreach events to get, you know, Latinos, you begin to wonder why the media does not better investigate why the polls on Latino support seem just a little at odds with the on-the-ground reality (for more on the polling predicament more generally, see https://michaelsalzillo17.substack.com/p/the-2024-polling-predicament). If it looks like it could be a mirage, maybe it might be...something of a mirage. Among other things, as Bernie 2020 Latino outreach director Chuck Rocha put it, "Latino Democrats who flirt with third-party candidates eventually 'come home'" in many past cycles. It is possible this cycle is an outlier, but how likely is it? That is the big question every pundit should be asking.
Third, we are glad to see President Biden adopt the messaging of Sherrod Brown on how Republicans like Trump and Moreno are "in it for themselves." It dovetails nicely with your suggestion that Biden announce an ambitious agenda to counteract political corruption. Hopefully, the President expands on that along the lines of what you recommended.
Has Biden mentioned Project 2025 in any speeches? Too many don't know about it and there are trolls downplaying it on social media. If Biden talks about it, it'll be in news.
Simon, the 4 pillars - rapist, fraudster, traitor, criminal - of the Trump Biden contrast is real, compelling and should definitely continue until election day. Whether and when do you think the Biden campaign should go hard against Trump's deteriorating mental state?
As a newer member first THANK YOU for this great focus and positive messaging effort. And secondly - I'm not sure where I can find more specific action opportunities.
I have spent 30 years leveraging the power of communities and businesses to drive forward human rights and environmental protection. Now I just recently retired and want to contribute to this critical effort, but I split my time between OR and VT - both states that are already forgone D conclusions... Then I realized I have friends in NC, KY, NM and other states potentially in the balance and am planning to stay with them and do a few weeks of on the ground volunteering in Sept/Oct in at least 2-3 states.
Does/can Hopium provide any listing of such in person opportunities - a website? Calendar? Or do you not compile such things and I should just contact the campaigns or Dem HQs?
These are sites I’ve seen recommended. The one I used is turnoutpac.org. They will mail you postcards to use, list of names and addresses, and recommend scripts. You will need to buy stamps.
Welcome! Hopium has really helped me “worry less and do more”!
Thanks so much, Janet...I've been trying to find a simple, straightforward PC campaign, and turnoutpac.org is just what I was looking for! Many thanks for suggesting them to this new Hopium subscriber! :-}
Welcome Sarah! And thanks for the links everyone. I wish Simon's substack had a sort of "action links" section. C'mon Simon! 😃 In our house we're doing those postcards big time! Especially for Simon's 12 house seats where we can find postcarding campaigns. Go Team!
I suspect that Simon is too busy to add something else to his list of tasks! However, I do think it would be a good idea to have a centrally place for people to look. If Simon added a tab and a brief article, people could add comments with reader engagement opportunities.
The States Projects ( TSP) and The Union are 2 you may want check out.
Field Team 6 another
Also: suggest you review August 22nd,2023 Hopium Chronicles comment section for more information/ choices. Simon had requested we submit what members were up to in their political activism. I learned so much from all the opportunities our community members submitted.
Good luck and Welcome to Hopium Chronicles Sarah!🇺🇸🇺🇸
a great PC group that offers simple kits that are easy for beginners. Kits include PCs with address label ( love those labels) provided and stamps can also be ordered. Company run by impressive professional volunteer group. Deliver PCs quickly. Focus is battleground states campaigns but do additional states as needed. Campaigns rotate and sell out quickly. They email subscribers whenever new campaign started.
The group is Boston-based but works in swing states. Their focus for 2024 is Mecklenburg County, NC where I live and I know the MCDP is gearing up for an influx of out-of-state and out-of-area volunteersto do door-to-doorcanvanssing .
It also reinforces the false narrative that Biden is inept and clueless, and that very few people support his campaign strategy. I typically respect Axios and how they do business. But this headline is pure clickbait.
I sent a note to help@axios.com to complain. I’ve done this in the past and had a few robust exchanges with their editor. I haven’t heard back yet from this one.
I think Axios is majority-owned by Cox Enterprises, which is, I believe, a right-leaning family owned business. But I’ve found them to be fairly down the middle with their coverage.
I have twice sent an email directly to Axios’ journalist, once to point a a missing "not" and another time to point out a spelling error that completely changed the meaning. On both occasions, the article in question was immediately corrected and I received a grateful reply.
Axios is hardly the worst, but they clearly do have a slant. Sad to see their editors making such an unprofessional choice here.
Please keep up the superb work: We will ride the HMS Rosenberg thru the coming storm: I love all the various types of information you link us to: I respectfully suggest you consider to John Harwood's piece this morning quoting the various cabinet members from DT's first term: it is impossible to contend that their damning assessments are cooked up Democratic Party propaganda. These are his had picked highly accomplished cabinet members who worked intimately with and for him: I wonder why FOX doesn't have them on more often....
New Fox News poll has Biden gaining 3 since May, 7 since March, leading now by 2 50-48.
"President Joe Biden is the frontrunner in a hypothetical matchup against [Trump] for the first time since October, as positive views of the economy inch up - hitting their highest level in the Biden presidency." Ruh roh Donald!!!!!!
Hi! My name is Stuart and I live in the battleground state of Nevada and I am a new subscriber! I live in MAGA land surrounded by people who wear MAGA hats and shirts, so you can imagine what it must be like living and working with these people while trying to keep my allegiances quiet! It is very is very refreshing to find a site like Hopium where one can converse with other like-minded democrats such as myself. I also want to say a special shout-out to you Simon for your efforts and for your very informative articles and videos. I hope you can make it out here to Nevada sometime I would like to see you in person! I have already volunteered with the Biden-Harris campaign and the Nevada Democratic party. Thank you for allowing me in to the Hopium community and I look forward to working with all of you! Take care!
Nice…. I played at the Tropicana there a few times during my Nevada tenure 🎹🎤🎶. My attention this year is going to be honed in on the blue dot in Nebraska where I live, but I canvassed in NV for multiple candidates going back to 2006….it was such a pleasure to help turn the state blue in the wake of GWB, deliver it twice for Obama, be a lonely bright spot in 16 electing Senator Cortez Maesto, helping to defeat TFG in 2020. Keep the NV fires burning for me!!
Thanks!
Prime point for campaign - Don T inherited the Obama-Biden economy, 8 years of hard work with constant corruption and treachery from the Rs . . . turning the disasters of W-Cheney into a healthy, thriving, growing economy — despite the Rs.
Don T, yet again, *inherited* a great thing and then proceeded to loot it and ruin the best parts. A bankrupter, a loser. Loser, loser, loser. And you know I could go on.
For decades, Rs have looted the Treasury, and Dems have repaired the damage. It’s a theme.
And we can’t forget to run against the Federal Judiciary, which Don T damaged beyond recognition following McConnell’s orders after decades of effort by the likes of the Feudalist Society and the zillionaires behind it ( ‘The Scheme’ by Senator Whitehouse )
We can fix that. We just need overwhelming turnout and vision to elect 70% Dems. Let’s aim for it, not lament the challenge.
echoing some of your themes, hope I added something, traveling — best luck to US, b.rad
Register Democrats - save democracy.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
The GOP model:
"Support democracy – buy a politician."
Naaa. Go for broke, how about 100% Democrats? Shoot for the moon, land somewhere in the stars!!
In 2025, Trump’s misguided tax cuts are set to expire – those tax cuts that didn’t do squat for our Main Street economy but were massive give-aways for America’s corporations and uber-wealthy. They did, however add hugely to America’s deficit and national debt. I am very much looking forward to how Team Biden will put that extra revenue stream to use for the good of the country. Yet another reason to re-elect President Biden!
(If, heaven forbid, the convicted felon is elected, it’s all but guaranteed that any unspent funds for Biden’s excellent signature programs will be halted and confiscated, perhaps to be redistributed as yet another tax cut to the 0.001 percent.)
Thanks, Simon, for your insight, wisdom and leadership.
This week’s “winner” from the Media and Democracy Project.Note the immigration policy expert is from the conservative Cato Institute.:⬇️
RARE: Voters Get News Coverage on Accuracy of Border Narratives This week was a little different. Independent, Tucson-based journalist Todd Miller interviewed an immigration policy expert in a piece headlined: “This Election Year’s Top Three False Border and Immigration Narratives.” Miller’s expert is David Bier, who works for the Koch-funded Cato Institute. Miller asked Bier “what he thought were the top three false narratives proclaimed, promoted, and propagated during this year’s campaign season,” in the hopes that their conversation would “assist you in navigating your discussions about the border and immigration, discussions that will inevitably intensify during the next several months.” ➡️Bier shared that his top three false narratives were “(1) ‘Donald Trump had the most secure border in America’s history,’ (2) ‘Joe Biden opened America’s borders to illegal immigration,’ and (3) ‘Recent immigration is helping Democrats.’” ⬅️It was an edifying, succinct piece.
https://open.substack.com/pub/mediaanddemocracyproject/p/good-news-bad-news-june-18-2024?r=fqsxl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=
Clearly, Todd Miller is infinitely preferable to Stephen Miller!
📣@Joe Biden …”I happen to love Milwaukee.”
https://x.com/JoeBiden/status/1801310092869960157 💚
In an about-face, Trump is now claiming to love Milwaukee. Which of course is why he will be staying in Chicago during the Republican National Convention.
We in Chicago don't want him, and tfg already backpedaled and said he'll be staying in Milwaukee. Good for us -- bad for Milwaukee.
Really? Clearly I am not updated on his latest utterances.
Thanks as always Simon!
First of all, great reflections this Juneteenth! It really is a tragedy that the Party of Lincoln (and Republican visionaries like Thaddeus Stevens) has descended into a party of race-baiting, immigrant-hating, anti-Semitic conspiracy theorists. On the other hand, President Biden has the unique opportunity to propose and enact an ambitious agenda set to "build back better for Black America." For more on that, see this article we co-wrote (https://davidsalzillo.substack.com/p/biden-building-back-better-for-black).
Second, given the failures of Trump Latino outreach events to get, you know, Latinos, you begin to wonder why the media does not better investigate why the polls on Latino support seem just a little at odds with the on-the-ground reality (for more on the polling predicament more generally, see https://michaelsalzillo17.substack.com/p/the-2024-polling-predicament). If it looks like it could be a mirage, maybe it might be...something of a mirage. Among other things, as Bernie 2020 Latino outreach director Chuck Rocha put it, "Latino Democrats who flirt with third-party candidates eventually 'come home'" in many past cycles. It is possible this cycle is an outlier, but how likely is it? That is the big question every pundit should be asking.
Third, we are glad to see President Biden adopt the messaging of Sherrod Brown on how Republicans like Trump and Moreno are "in it for themselves." It dovetails nicely with your suggestion that Biden announce an ambitious agenda to counteract political corruption. Hopefully, the President expands on that along the lines of what you recommended.
Let's win this people!
Sincerely,
Michael and David Salzillo
Writers of the Political Pulse of America (https://michaelsalzillo17.substack.com) and Salzillo's Two Cents (https://davidsalzillo.substack.com).
Has Biden mentioned Project 2025 in any speeches? Too many don't know about it and there are trolls downplaying it on social media. If Biden talks about it, it'll be in news.
On MSNBC, Rep. Daniel Goldman (NY-10) said he is part of a group of congressional dems working to rebut Project 2025.
Wanted to share that Swing Left East Bay is hosting an Ice Cream Social on June 23rd for Rudy Salas, one of Simon's 12 key candidates to flip the House in beautiful Alameda. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/salas-sl-eastbay?link_id=1&can_id=07eeb5fe7964d3743ca29a0096332049&source=email-last-chance-for-fun-on-sunday&email_referrer=email_2319821&email_subject=beachside-ice-cream-social&refcodeEmailReferrer=email_2319821
Simon, the 4 pillars - rapist, fraudster, traitor, criminal - of the Trump Biden contrast is real, compelling and should definitely continue until election day. Whether and when do you think the Biden campaign should go hard against Trump's deteriorating mental state?
It seems that some of the folks at Bloomberg have found "your" more positive crime statistics: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-06-18/i-didn-t-think-biden-affected-crime-rates-i-was-wrong?srnd=homepage-americas&sref=jyLmg3eJ.😎 Thanks.
Well that was an interesting read. Thanks for sharing. Now if they would just blast it in headlines everywhere!
As a newer member first THANK YOU for this great focus and positive messaging effort. And secondly - I'm not sure where I can find more specific action opportunities.
I have spent 30 years leveraging the power of communities and businesses to drive forward human rights and environmental protection. Now I just recently retired and want to contribute to this critical effort, but I split my time between OR and VT - both states that are already forgone D conclusions... Then I realized I have friends in NC, KY, NM and other states potentially in the balance and am planning to stay with them and do a few weeks of on the ground volunteering in Sept/Oct in at least 2-3 states.
Does/can Hopium provide any listing of such in person opportunities - a website? Calendar? Or do you not compile such things and I should just contact the campaigns or Dem HQs?
Thanks to any and all for answers!
Here’s a few I’ve come across.
Activateamerica.vote
Turnoutpac.org/postcards
Momsrising.org
Votefwd.org/campaigns
Postcardstovoters.org
Centerforcommonground.org/reclaim-our-vote
For men: grassrootscollaboration.org/man-up-initiative
Commit2democracy.com/sign-up
Postcards.markersfordemocracy.org
These are sites I’ve seen recommended. The one I used is turnoutpac.org. They will mail you postcards to use, list of names and addresses, and recommend scripts. You will need to buy stamps.
Welcome! Hopium has really helped me “worry less and do more”!
Thanks so much, Janet...I've been trying to find a simple, straightforward PC campaign, and turnoutpac.org is just what I was looking for! Many thanks for suggesting them to this new Hopium subscriber! :-}
I’m sure there are a lot of resources out there. Maybe others have more ideas also.
Adding a few to Janet's list:
fieldteam6.org and/or mobilize.us/ft6/?
ssprogressiveaction.org/actioncenter
bigtentusa.org/our-events
Welcome Sarah! And thanks for the links everyone. I wish Simon's substack had a sort of "action links" section. C'mon Simon! 😃 In our house we're doing those postcards big time! Especially for Simon's 12 house seats where we can find postcarding campaigns. Go Team!
I suspect that Simon is too busy to add something else to his list of tasks! However, I do think it would be a good idea to have a centrally place for people to look. If Simon added a tab and a brief article, people could add comments with reader engagement opportunities.
In the meantime, I would like to suggest that anyone looking for things to do check out this great website: https://www.forwardtogetherhub.net/where-to-get-stuff
Ah - thank you for these!
The States Projects ( TSP) and The Union are 2 you may want check out.
Field Team 6 another
Also: suggest you review August 22nd,2023 Hopium Chronicles comment section for more information/ choices. Simon had requested we submit what members were up to in their political activism. I learned so much from all the opportunities our community members submitted.
Good luck and Welcome to Hopium Chronicles Sarah!🇺🇸🇺🇸
Also-the BlueWave movement :
https://shop.bluewavepostcards.org/
a great PC group that offers simple kits that are easy for beginners. Kits include PCs with address label ( love those labels) provided and stamps can also be ordered. Company run by impressive professional volunteer group. Deliver PCs quickly. Focus is battleground states campaigns but do additional states as needed. Campaigns rotate and sell out quickly. They email subscribers whenever new campaign started.
NOPE organization may interest you also. Volunteer, boots on the ground activism.
For NC, I would check with Swing Blue Alliance (https://swingbluealliance.org/) and their program "All in for North Carolina" (https://swingbluealliance.org/northcarolina/).
The group is Boston-based but works in swing states. Their focus for 2024 is Mecklenburg County, NC where I live and I know the MCDP is gearing up for an influx of out-of-state and out-of-area volunteersto do door-to-doorcanvanssing .
They have an upcoming virtual volunteer orientation on Wed (jun 26) at 2 pm (plus other dates in July and August): https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/635944/.
They are also offering a virtual deep canvassing training on July 10 from 5 - 6:30 pm:
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/438344/
For a general search of Swing Blue Alliance activities: https://www.mobilize.us/?org_ids=1535
This Axios headline is beyond irresponsible: "Top Dems: Biden has losing strategy" https://www.axios.com/2024/06/19/biden-faith-campaign-mike-donilon-2024-election
It also reinforces the false narrative that Biden is inept and clueless, and that very few people support his campaign strategy. I typically respect Axios and how they do business. But this headline is pure clickbait.
David, what’s worse is that the article originally had this headline:
– ""In Mike I trust": Biden's faith-based campaign"
Axios changed it to make it more negative and damaging! Clickbait and propaganda!
I sent a note to help@axios.com to complain. I’ve done this in the past and had a few robust exchanges with their editor. I haven’t heard back yet from this one.
I think Axios is majority-owned by Cox Enterprises, which is, I believe, a right-leaning family owned business. But I’ve found them to be fairly down the middle with their coverage.
Well done!
I have twice sent an email directly to Axios’ journalist, once to point a a missing "not" and another time to point out a spelling error that completely changed the meaning. On both occasions, the article in question was immediately corrected and I received a grateful reply.
Axios is hardly the worst, but they clearly do have a slant. Sad to see their editors making such an unprofessional choice here.
Hi Simon, would you post your speaking appearance at the AZ LD18 Dems meeting on Zoom on June 25? https://bit.ly/LD18Rosenberg
Also, what is the best phone number to reach you?
Larry Bodine
Chair, LD18 Democrats
Delegate, Democratic National Convention
520.400.0420 (cell)
Chair@LD18Dems.org
Simon,
Please keep up the superb work: We will ride the HMS Rosenberg thru the coming storm: I love all the various types of information you link us to: I respectfully suggest you consider to John Harwood's piece this morning quoting the various cabinet members from DT's first term: it is impossible to contend that their damning assessments are cooked up Democratic Party propaganda. These are his had picked highly accomplished cabinet members who worked intimately with and for him: I wonder why FOX doesn't have them on more often....
best,
And then, of course, there is this damning list:
– Jenna Ellis: “Guilty, Your Honor!
– Kenneth Cheseboro… “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Sydney Powell: “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Michael Cohen: “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Allen Weiselberg… “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Rick Gates: “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Paul Manafort… “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– George Papadopoulis… “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Roger Stone… “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Michael Flynn… “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– George Nader… “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Elliot Broidy… “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Steve Bannon… “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Chris Collins… “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Sam Patten: “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Imaaz Zuberi… “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– The Trump Corp., “Guilty Your Honor!”
– Trump Payroll Corp. “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Trump Foundation: “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– Trump University: “Guilty, Your Honor!”
– DONALD TRUMP… “Guilty, Your Honor!”
.
Note: Due to limited space, I cannot list the convicted January 6th Insurrectionists.
New Fox News poll has Biden gaining 3 since May, 7 since March, leading now by 2 50-48.
"President Joe Biden is the frontrunner in a hypothetical matchup against [Trump] for the first time since October, as positive views of the economy inch up - hitting their highest level in the Biden presidency." Ruh roh Donald!!!!!!
https://www.foxnews.com/official-polls/fox-news-poll-three-point-shift-biden-trump-matchup-since-may
Hi! My name is Stuart and I live in the battleground state of Nevada and I am a new subscriber! I live in MAGA land surrounded by people who wear MAGA hats and shirts, so you can imagine what it must be like living and working with these people while trying to keep my allegiances quiet! It is very is very refreshing to find a site like Hopium where one can converse with other like-minded democrats such as myself. I also want to say a special shout-out to you Simon for your efforts and for your very informative articles and videos. I hope you can make it out here to Nevada sometime I would like to see you in person! I have already volunteered with the Biden-Harris campaign and the Nevada Democratic party. Thank you for allowing me in to the Hopium community and I look forward to working with all of you! Take care!
Stuart - welcome! Think you are going to like it here. Thanks for all that you are doing to bring this thing home in November! Simon
Thanks Simon! I really appreciate that!
Hey Stuart! What part of Nevada are you in? I was in Mesquite for 16 years until 2022 and LOVED it out there! Welcome to Hopium! 😎🇺🇸
I'm in Laughlin.
Nice…. I played at the Tropicana there a few times during my Nevada tenure 🎹🎤🎶. My attention this year is going to be honed in on the blue dot in Nebraska where I live, but I canvassed in NV for multiple candidates going back to 2006….it was such a pleasure to help turn the state blue in the wake of GWB, deliver it twice for Obama, be a lonely bright spot in 16 electing Senator Cortez Maesto, helping to defeat TFG in 2020. Keep the NV fires burning for me!!