I heard Hardy Merriman speak at a conference for MA Indivisible leaders last year - what an important talk! The talk and his written works gave us crucial info. Simon, I'm so grateful that you spoke with him that I have to thank you even before I listen to it!
Ok, now that I've listened to it, I knew it - a conversation with you, Simon, always takes the forest farther than other conversations. Hardy Merriman has studied and written about the forest and the trees; the talk I heard last year was more about the trees - fully appropriate for a room full of organizers. But, it is absolutely time for forest thinking as well. Dem leaders have to get this message; they just have to.
I take Merriman's point about multiple parties offering more stability in the long run (will learn and ponder more on that), but right now, the Democratic Party is what we've got and it has to rise to the occasion.
This is a very important interview. It feels like it could be a pivot point. Hardy's point about laying the groundwork for pro-democracy political reforms now, before the elections and transfer of power, so that there is a mandate for change, is a very powerful concept.
I agree with Simon 100% that we need to have a vision of the destination we are aiming for, a better world than before, not just getting back to where we were.
Great talk today! So much to mull over. I was struck by the idea that so many people just distrust the overall political system now—that trust plummeted after the Great Recession and never came back. And I was struck by the way, even now, portions of the Democratic Party try to hang onto a sort of “business as usual” model. We really need to lean into change and reform. So this is the kind of talk Democratic leaders need to hear and consider.
I agree one thousand percent! I, too, was shocked to learn the percentage of people who distrust the political system. It also got me thinking about mindfully and intentionally engaging the younger generation. I just spent time with my 2 college age kids and I always try to get an idea of where they and their people are at in terms of political engagement. Gotta engage the younger voters!
I heard something I haven't heard anyone say — this could be the time for a third party. Could you expand on that, Simon, when you have time to reflect on the exchange you and Hardy had today. When I heard "third party" my heart skipped a beat and felt exhilarating.
Hardy Merriman is the best! Please have him on often. He's immersed in the practicalities of implenting large changes in attidudes and real possibilities.
Simon I really enjoyed this interview with Hardy! So sharp, right on the money. He’ll be a great asset to working toward the America we know we could be, re-imagining who we are and how to get there. Thanks for this.
Great conversation & I agree that Dems have to embrace more than kitchen table items. We want fighters! Maybe you both can create a blueprint that is representative of our current reality. Anti-corruption, overhaul & abolish ICE, accountability through court action & immigration reform to name a few.
WOW! Hardy Merriman, brilliant Man. I definitely like his thinking on Pro-Democracy and concrete ideas where he is going. Simon I think that is where you’re thoughts are heading as well. Please have him come back. Really enjoyed it.
what you said about Putin coaching the Evil one makes a lot of sense. Rigging the election, staging an assassination, etc. all from the Putin playbook.
Please do share this interview, for it is also links to other great ones for people to check out. Interviewing Marc Elias this week, will be #4 in the series!
As the interview was coming to a conclusion and you were highlighting the battle you are having inside with the insiders, I thought wouldn't it be great if you could hand deliver this interview to Jeffries and Schumer as well as the rest of the group you are trying to convince? Would it fall on deaf ears, or move the dial?
I heard Hardy Merriman speak at a conference for MA Indivisible leaders last year - what an important talk! The talk and his written works gave us crucial info. Simon, I'm so grateful that you spoke with him that I have to thank you even before I listen to it!
Ok, now that I've listened to it, I knew it - a conversation with you, Simon, always takes the forest farther than other conversations. Hardy Merriman has studied and written about the forest and the trees; the talk I heard last year was more about the trees - fully appropriate for a room full of organizers. But, it is absolutely time for forest thinking as well. Dem leaders have to get this message; they just have to.
I take Merriman's point about multiple parties offering more stability in the long run (will learn and ponder more on that), but right now, the Democratic Party is what we've got and it has to rise to the occasion.
Thank you, this is the analysis I have been waiting for.
This is a very important interview. It feels like it could be a pivot point. Hardy's point about laying the groundwork for pro-democracy political reforms now, before the elections and transfer of power, so that there is a mandate for change, is a very powerful concept.
I agree with Simon 100% that we need to have a vision of the destination we are aiming for, a better world than before, not just getting back to where we were.
Thanks for emphasizing the groundwork NOW
Great talk today! So much to mull over. I was struck by the idea that so many people just distrust the overall political system now—that trust plummeted after the Great Recession and never came back. And I was struck by the way, even now, portions of the Democratic Party try to hang onto a sort of “business as usual” model. We really need to lean into change and reform. So this is the kind of talk Democratic leaders need to hear and consider.
I agree one thousand percent! I, too, was shocked to learn the percentage of people who distrust the political system. It also got me thinking about mindfully and intentionally engaging the younger generation. I just spent time with my 2 college age kids and I always try to get an idea of where they and their people are at in terms of political engagement. Gotta engage the younger voters!
Fabulously insightful and encouraging. Thank you!
I heard something I haven't heard anyone say — this could be the time for a third party. Could you expand on that, Simon, when you have time to reflect on the exchange you and Hardy had today. When I heard "third party" my heart skipped a beat and felt exhilarating.
Hardy Merriman is the best! Please have him on often. He's immersed in the practicalities of implenting large changes in attidudes and real possibilities.
Thanks for this fabulous interview!
Simon I really enjoyed this interview with Hardy! So sharp, right on the money. He’ll be a great asset to working toward the America we know we could be, re-imagining who we are and how to get there. Thanks for this.
Hardy Merriman, has a lot of good "how to information"
I love what Hardy Merriman had to say. You must have him again, and he must speak more broadly across Amrica. YES, YES, YES
Great conversation & I agree that Dems have to embrace more than kitchen table items. We want fighters! Maybe you both can create a blueprint that is representative of our current reality. Anti-corruption, overhaul & abolish ICE, accountability through court action & immigration reform to name a few.
Mr Merriman is speaking to all the issues of change I scream at my media listening space every day in frustration! Thank you!,
WOW! Hardy Merriman, brilliant Man. I definitely like his thinking on Pro-Democracy and concrete ideas where he is going. Simon I think that is where you’re thoughts are heading as well. Please have him come back. Really enjoyed it.
what you said about Putin coaching the Evil one makes a lot of sense. Rigging the election, staging an assassination, etc. all from the Putin playbook.
I’m forwarding this talk to my reps. No idea if they’ll even listen to it, but worth a try!
Please do share this interview, for it is also links to other great ones for people to check out. Interviewing Marc Elias this week, will be #4 in the series!
As the interview was coming to a conclusion and you were highlighting the battle you are having inside with the insiders, I thought wouldn't it be great if you could hand deliver this interview to Jeffries and Schumer as well as the rest of the group you are trying to convince? Would it fall on deaf ears, or move the dial?