That is exactly what will happen. And by choosing the really disgusting people to his team, he has insured it. The very issue that burned us will burn him. His program will dramatically increase inflation.
He is off to a great start! But we can no longer focus on never 🍊🤬. We must broadcast Joe's victories ASAP (only months left). Who makes the final decision?
I’m just interested in what you are saying, and also want to add that our Opposition cannot fall into the Radical right framing of us. I don’t know what Coastal Left means, DC?
I keep hearing this, heard it on Jason Pack's show today. But there is never any real discussion of the contempt and disdain their side has for those of us who are educated and, if you keep doing dumb things, you shouldn't be surprised when people call you dumb. They haven't "stuck it" to the educated by voting to blow it all up; those of us with educations and decent careers will still be fine. And as was pointed out in Rural White Rage, the R's will continue to do nothing for them.
Thanks for the great photos Simon. The four freedoms is especially poignant considering that's the basis of our fight for democracy. We truly are all in this together and we are not going back.
This thinking —YOUR constructive and light-shedding thinking—is precisely what we need right now. Thank you for rising above the blame game and setting us on a path of possibility. I love the path(s) you are beginning to draw. I dream of seeing you, Robert Hubbell, Heather, and a few others being invited into each other's worlds—perhaps monthly panel conversations featuring all of you (interviewed by someone like Tara, say), then shared on your respective sites. A growing, centralizing place of reason. A sense that we aren't in silos but together. A way of getting coherently and collectively loud. I also dream, as noted yesterday, of bringing in some voices of absolute experts in fields like immigration, who can help us tell the story of how we NEED the immigrants they are about to expel. Let's tell those stories. Let's try to save some lives together. Now.
Thank you, Grant. I am trying in my small way to herd my despairing friends toward a path of possibility. The more of us who start walking forward, together, the better we all will be.
100% this! We need a 50-state, 24/7 strategy for where media landscape is now, and DNC needs to be helping to lead this initiative based on what has worked amongst our groups, who will be partners, not "donors."
I like your idea. There are so many progressives out there, from HCR to Meidas Touch to Robert Hubbell, that finding a way to combine forces seems like the obvious thing to do.
I also think it's imperative we find out why we lost, but do so in a hunt for facts, not a circus of pointing fingers. If we don't know what went wrong, we can't fix it.
Yes. I also want to do more than write postcards, make phone calls to my senator and reps and protest in the streets, although I know these things are not entirely ineffective. I want to be part of the new pro democracy noise machine, a force multiplier, even though I freely admit I am not a technological wizard. Let's get creative, with a multi-front and multi-platform empowered, and informed joyful noise. Let's not come from trauma, let's come from our collective strength and intelligence, please!
“What’s important is that we have a well-informed and respectful conversation, together, about what happened and what comes next over the next few months.”
I hope Democrats will also take stock of the burgeoning network of progressive Christian voices, creators, and influencers, like the New Evangelicals. It is so important for an off ramp from fundamentalist extremism to exists and these folks are doing a fantastic job with few resources.
Seconding this. Many in my network are in the process of leaving Evangelical churches over MAGA. That's a life-altering shift, a whole culture and community, not just Sunday morning. They would welcome outreach, even if it takes a long time to make the journey.
Yes Simon. Agree with everything you said. Thank you!
This 👉🏻 "There has to be a more respectful information based relationship between us, where our campaigns and parties start treating us not only like ATMs but also like proud patriots, information warriors and willing amplifiers" really resonated.
That sentence you highlight really resonated with me as well, Cindy. We most certainly need to find more effective ways of communicating among ourselves and our base.
Resonated here as well. And we really must do something about the barrage of freak-out texts and emails after you donate once on ActBlue. They are manipulative and don’t really contain any truthful messages. They turn me off from wanting to donate, though following Simon helps me donate in a strategic, educated way.
Thank you. I would like to see the comms group look at returning to effective direct mail. Pictures tell 1000 words. Mail gets into peoples hands. What would an effective education strategy look like? We have the time to educate, communicate, provide back up online for additional facts and resources.
Also triple agree with volunteers being partners not wallets. It is insulting!
Do the money-pleaders not see how insulting and hurtful it is to be bombarded with pleas for cash, when we haven't even processed the reason for our loss. At least sell us a few pairs of rolled up socks to throw at the tv!
I got HUNDREDS of frantic, panicked emails every week begging for my cash. And those emails would contradict that they were saying on social media. For example, they'd post on social media Dem candidate is +1% in the polls, momentum growing; and the email I'd get would be "from" the Dem candidate (and I am beyond insulted that they think I think it's really any of them emailing me, phwft) and that email would say, "we're -2% in the polls, rush cash to me."
I was so turned off by the fundraising and the fear mongering behind it.
I deleted every fund raising email and text I got. Too many, fear mongering and often contradictory to what I was hearing. If I donated it came from Simon's links or Jay Kuo's. It was a turn-off.
Exactly. I only donated through Simon's links because it was an appeal to join in the good fight, not a desperate money pitch.
And, Simon, I so want to be treated as a partner and not a cash cow. That was another thing you engendered on Hopium. I felt it went hand in hand. Because of you - I donated, a postcarded and I phone banked. No one has ever gotten me to do all three of those before.
I signed up to volunteer for Oregon congressional district 5 as well as Sherrod Brown's campaign in Ohio; sadly, all I got was bombarded with requests for donations. Noone even contacted me about how I might volunteer, even as I used the "volunteer" drop-down menu's on their websites. Fool me once, right?
"I got HUNDREDS of frantic, panicked emails every week begging for my cash."
I never got any. ActBlue and campaigns need it possible to donate without being required to provide an email address. And unless we wish to provide it voluntarily, we need to be able to keep our cell phone number out of their hands as well.
With all due respect, direct mail never reaches me and basically never will. I'm "terminally online", as are many of my generation and younger (old millennial)
Trump put a direct mail piece in my GA mailbox every single day in the 30-day period leading up to the election. I received a few from Dems as well, but many more from the GOP.
To all of Simon's excellent points re communication, I would add 1) Dems need to develop lizard brain appeals- the GOP is particularly effective with that (eg, the one constant GOP message seemed to be "you're getting screwed," no matter the issue and no matter how fact-based or not) 2) Dems must stop accepting GOP framing as the default narrative and work to shape the zeitgeist on our own terms 3) We have to collapse the silos, whether it's grassroots-grasstops silos, or across sectors. I've been on too many calls where people raise their own important issues without discussing how to work together on lifting all boats 4) Dems must resist the circular firing squads. But to the extent that we Dems are too often like herding cats, who are going to be the leaders that can synthesize most effectively? I look forward to the input of folks like Simon, who do collapse the silos and just want to get the work done.
I would like to add that we must get out ahead of the republicans disinformation machine. We seem to react much more often than not, while MTG, Ted Cruz, etc has already spread the lies. I believe the public never understood the Inflation Teduction Act and the jobs it is/will create. I have a Ph.D but didn’t realize the implications- I don’t believe the American people did either. Well, that’s my 2 cents.
AOC is probably the furthest along in terms of what Simon is talking about. When it comes to breakthrough moments this year, Jasmine Crockett’s epic roast of MTG was legendary. It totally stopped the dogwhistle antics of the House and seized the narrative. We need more “get loud” moments, like the two Justins (Jones and Pearson) in TN. Smartasses are also critical, like Raskin and Swalwell.
I honestly wasn't sure she had it in her, but credit where it's due, she's come a long way. Once the election was called against us, Sanders couldn't stab us in the back quick enough. Meanwhile, she's actually being constructive. I can't help but feel...oddly proud.
That is exactly what will happen. And by choosing the really disgusting people to his team, he has insured it. The very issue that burned us will burn him. His program will dramatically increase inflation.
He is off to a great start! But we can no longer focus on never 🍊🤬. We must broadcast Joe's victories ASAP (only months left). Who makes the final decision?
Very good point, thank you
I’m just interested in what you are saying, and also want to add that our Opposition cannot fall into the Radical right framing of us. I don’t know what Coastal Left means, DC?
I keep hearing this, heard it on Jason Pack's show today. But there is never any real discussion of the contempt and disdain their side has for those of us who are educated and, if you keep doing dumb things, you shouldn't be surprised when people call you dumb. They haven't "stuck it" to the educated by voting to blow it all up; those of us with educations and decent careers will still be fine. And as was pointed out in Rural White Rage, the R's will continue to do nothing for them.
Congratulations, Ruben Gallego! He is such a bright light among the new generation of Democrat leaders.
Yeah! I'm so glad he won!
Thanks for the great photos Simon. The four freedoms is especially poignant considering that's the basis of our fight for democracy. We truly are all in this together and we are not going back.
This thinking —YOUR constructive and light-shedding thinking—is precisely what we need right now. Thank you for rising above the blame game and setting us on a path of possibility. I love the path(s) you are beginning to draw. I dream of seeing you, Robert Hubbell, Heather, and a few others being invited into each other's worlds—perhaps monthly panel conversations featuring all of you (interviewed by someone like Tara, say), then shared on your respective sites. A growing, centralizing place of reason. A sense that we aren't in silos but together. A way of getting coherently and collectively loud. I also dream, as noted yesterday, of bringing in some voices of absolute experts in fields like immigration, who can help us tell the story of how we NEED the immigrants they are about to expel. Let's tell those stories. Let's try to save some lives together. Now.
I second what Beth wrote, " Thank you for rising above the blame game and setting us on a path of possibility." Let's get this right.
Thank you, Grant. I am trying in my small way to herd my despairing friends toward a path of possibility. The more of us who start walking forward, together, the better we all will be.
Yeah, everybody check out what Courier is doing on Instagram and follow. As a digital content and manufacturing writer, it's impressive SM content.
https://www.instagram.com/couriernewsroom/
100% this! We need a 50-state, 24/7 strategy for where media landscape is now, and DNC needs to be helping to lead this initiative based on what has worked amongst our groups, who will be partners, not "donors."
I like your idea. There are so many progressives out there, from HCR to Meidas Touch to Robert Hubbell, that finding a way to combine forces seems like the obvious thing to do.
I also think it's imperative we find out why we lost, but do so in a hunt for facts, not a circus of pointing fingers. If we don't know what went wrong, we can't fix it.
Yes. I also want to do more than write postcards, make phone calls to my senator and reps and protest in the streets, although I know these things are not entirely ineffective. I want to be part of the new pro democracy noise machine, a force multiplier, even though I freely admit I am not a technological wizard. Let's get creative, with a multi-front and multi-platform empowered, and informed joyful noise. Let's not come from trauma, let's come from our collective strength and intelligence, please!
And facts, truth, and possibility
“What’s important is that we have a well-informed and respectful conversation, together, about what happened and what comes next over the next few months.”
I hope Democrats will also take stock of the burgeoning network of progressive Christian voices, creators, and influencers, like the New Evangelicals. It is so important for an off ramp from fundamentalist extremism to exists and these folks are doing a fantastic job with few resources.
Seconding this. Many in my network are in the process of leaving Evangelical churches over MAGA. That's a life-altering shift, a whole culture and community, not just Sunday morning. They would welcome outreach, even if it takes a long time to make the journey.
Simon, what do you make of today's The Hartmann Report which is truly frightening?
Link to whatever you’re referencing please. Otherwise it’s just fear-bombing the comments section.
Honestly, anything described as “truly frightening, we’re so screwed” has me deleting.
Yes Simon. Agree with everything you said. Thank you!
This 👉🏻 "There has to be a more respectful information based relationship between us, where our campaigns and parties start treating us not only like ATMs but also like proud patriots, information warriors and willing amplifiers" really resonated.
That sentence you highlight really resonated with me as well, Cindy. We most certainly need to find more effective ways of communicating among ourselves and our base.
Agree. We are more than just donations.
Resonated here as well. And we really must do something about the barrage of freak-out texts and emails after you donate once on ActBlue. They are manipulative and don’t really contain any truthful messages. They turn me off from wanting to donate, though following Simon helps me donate in a strategic, educated way.
Totally agree.
😀 George 😃 Whitesides 😊
So excited, was making ballot cure calls for him over the weekend!
How did people react when you called?
Thank you!
Thank you. I would like to see the comms group look at returning to effective direct mail. Pictures tell 1000 words. Mail gets into peoples hands. What would an effective education strategy look like? We have the time to educate, communicate, provide back up online for additional facts and resources.
Also triple agree with volunteers being partners not wallets. It is insulting!
Do the money-pleaders not see how insulting and hurtful it is to be bombarded with pleas for cash, when we haven't even processed the reason for our loss. At least sell us a few pairs of rolled up socks to throw at the tv!
This!
I got HUNDREDS of frantic, panicked emails every week begging for my cash. And those emails would contradict that they were saying on social media. For example, they'd post on social media Dem candidate is +1% in the polls, momentum growing; and the email I'd get would be "from" the Dem candidate (and I am beyond insulted that they think I think it's really any of them emailing me, phwft) and that email would say, "we're -2% in the polls, rush cash to me."
I was so turned off by the fundraising and the fear mongering behind it.
I deleted every fund raising email and text I got. Too many, fear mongering and often contradictory to what I was hearing. If I donated it came from Simon's links or Jay Kuo's. It was a turn-off.
Exactly. I only donated through Simon's links because it was an appeal to join in the good fight, not a desperate money pitch.
And, Simon, I so want to be treated as a partner and not a cash cow. That was another thing you engendered on Hopium. I felt it went hand in hand. Because of you - I donated, a postcarded and I phone banked. No one has ever gotten me to do all three of those before.
Your approach worked for me.
I signed up to volunteer for Oregon congressional district 5 as well as Sherrod Brown's campaign in Ohio; sadly, all I got was bombarded with requests for donations. Noone even contacted me about how I might volunteer, even as I used the "volunteer" drop-down menu's on their websites. Fool me once, right?
"I got HUNDREDS of frantic, panicked emails every week begging for my cash."
I never got any. ActBlue and campaigns need it possible to donate without being required to provide an email address. And unless we wish to provide it voluntarily, we need to be able to keep our cell phone number out of their hands as well.
And billboards!! Freeways, anywhere - comparatively dirt cheap and perfect for sustained messaging.
With all due respect, direct mail never reaches me and basically never will. I'm "terminally online", as are many of my generation and younger (old millennial)
Trump put a direct mail piece in my GA mailbox every single day in the 30-day period leading up to the election. I received a few from Dems as well, but many more from the GOP.
Direct mail goes into my recycling bin, almost immediately, regardless of the source.
My wife and I walked the same memorials path in Oct 2023. Ty for sharing and reminding. I find hope in reading the Gettysburg address.
Simon-any thoughts of a SF event/Presentation ? Ty to the H community for being there
The Hartmann Report: A Second Reign of Terror: Trump's Blueprint for ICE Home Raids. Nov 12
Link needed.
https://hartmannreport.com/p/a-second-reign-of-terror-trumps-blueprint
I looked it up: https://hartmannreport.com/p/a-second-reign-of-terror-trumps-blueprint-435
Don't obey in advance. Head down.
To all of Simon's excellent points re communication, I would add 1) Dems need to develop lizard brain appeals- the GOP is particularly effective with that (eg, the one constant GOP message seemed to be "you're getting screwed," no matter the issue and no matter how fact-based or not) 2) Dems must stop accepting GOP framing as the default narrative and work to shape the zeitgeist on our own terms 3) We have to collapse the silos, whether it's grassroots-grasstops silos, or across sectors. I've been on too many calls where people raise their own important issues without discussing how to work together on lifting all boats 4) Dems must resist the circular firing squads. But to the extent that we Dems are too often like herding cats, who are going to be the leaders that can synthesize most effectively? I look forward to the input of folks like Simon, who do collapse the silos and just want to get the work done.
I think "you're getting screwed" and "Trumpflation" better be on everyone's tongues beginning Jan 20.
I absolutely agree with you, @claire, on every point.
"the one constant GOP message seemed to be "you're getting screwed," "
Or, in the case of right-wing Incels: "You’re not getting screwed, and it’s women’s fault."
Sigh!
I would like to add that we must get out ahead of the republicans disinformation machine. We seem to react much more often than not, while MTG, Ted Cruz, etc has already spread the lies. I believe the public never understood the Inflation Teduction Act and the jobs it is/will create. I have a Ph.D but didn’t realize the implications- I don’t believe the American people did either. Well, that’s my 2 cents.
I hate autocorrect
And he wants us to be part of it, not just a a donor teet to milk.
Yes to everything you wrote Mr. Simon.
AOC is probably the furthest along in terms of what Simon is talking about. When it comes to breakthrough moments this year, Jasmine Crockett’s epic roast of MTG was legendary. It totally stopped the dogwhistle antics of the House and seized the narrative. We need more “get loud” moments, like the two Justins (Jones and Pearson) in TN. Smartasses are also critical, like Raskin and Swalwell.
I honestly wasn't sure she had it in her, but credit where it's due, she's come a long way. Once the election was called against us, Sanders couldn't stab us in the back quick enough. Meanwhile, she's actually being constructive. I can't help but feel...oddly proud.
I've been largely off line. I assume you are talking about AOC? Pleasantly surprised. Not surprised at Bernie.
"Smartasses are also critical, like Raskin and Swalwell."
And Moskowitz.