Simon, thank you for last night's hopeful discussion!
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen today to say that Trump is now threatening to "renovate" the WWII memorial. My, now deceased, dad fought in the Pacific in WWII and even driving by that memorial always makes me feel a connection to him. I asked my representatives to please stop Trump from messing with all of DC, but especially with the WWII memorial.
If you hang out at all on social media, brace yourselves, because it's about to be 5 solid months of GOP "six genders vegan no Texan acts/talks like that" talking points and "run-it-into-the-ground" repetitive memes that will make the whole Brandon thing look like a mere one-and-done.
We need to hit them with labels too, and just as hard. They are better at making our candidates look like "others", like people who you can't relate to. I think Talarico can overcome it. I think the nature of their attacks is revealing because they are going after the fact that he is relatable to a great number of people who typically vote GOP.
Likely “pedophile” related will be effective. It also enrages me they pick on trans kids. What is this obsession with genitals, esp kid genitals in kid sports?
Agree. But I think Talarico has a unique ability to counter that false narrative. He's not ignoring it; he's hitting back but with a smile on his face. He's not trying to out-shout or out-bully Paxton and the corrupt Rs supporting him. His reaction is more in the vein of Pope Leo, whose ability to speak plainly and with moral clarity without raising his voice seems to have struck a positive chord here and around the world. Talarico's open and sincere embrace of his faith may resonate with a big swath of voters (in Texas and elsewhere) who are getting tired of the Trump show and its constant barrage of insults, epithets, put-downs. Talarico seems like a pretty refreshing antidote to the toxic stew. Senator Chris Murphy's new book "Crisis of the Common Good" touches on this, too. Recommend it.
Thank you for this uplifting and if a little daunting breakdown of where we are. I am worried but trying to stay positive. The absolute lack of rhetorical ability in the Democratic Party is astonishing and confounding to me. We have the truth on our side and we only use it as a shield. Every time we are on the defensive even though we are in the right. How difficult is it to tell the people that 50 trillion has been stolen from this economy, and all of us, by corporations? How hard is it to tell them that every time the GOP sends us to some war they put it on the credit card and then turn and tells there's no ore money for SS or Medicare? The TRUTH is not a shield it is a SWORD! Let's start using it and win for a generation.
And James Tallarico. And Chris Murphy. And Josh Shapiro. And Robert Garcia. We have more great voices than we sometimes think. But they are all fighting to be heard in this "attention economy."
I am attending a town hall for David Jolly tonight, and I will sign up for a Saturday phone bank. And whatever else makes sense after the townhall.
I have been for sometime wondering about Vindman's Senate campaign. I don't think he's a seasoned campaigner, and they just don't seem visible in the way Jolly's campaign is. I'm not sure how their campaign is being run, but it needs to find a new gear. Vindman is not polished, but he might be able to relate well to voters. They need to get him out there. He's not politically sophisticated yet, but I think Vindman would make a great Senator given time.
Moody is a terrible Senator who was appointed without winning an election. With enough momentum we can win both races, or at least we have a chance. Donalds is a truly awful candidate who I think Jolly has a good chance at beating.
It feels a little bit like TX, but in TX the Senate race looks like the one we can win, with the Governor's mansion more difficult. In FL, the governor race we can win, but the Senate race might be tougher. At least that's my amateurish view.
Daily calls are in to WI Dem and Rep members of congress. I call R members every day and Dem member a couple times a week. I called about Ukraine, Epstein, Iran and my strong disapproval of all Trump’s vanity projects. I’m not sure what the best strategy is, when there is so much going on, but I always comment on Ukraine and Iran and then add one more thing from our current agenda. By the end of the week I’ve hit all the items on the Hopium agenda.
I really appreciate all the insight (and hard work) Simon and this whole community provides/does. It keeps me going. Thank you
Simon, I think a big part of the anger against the DCCC and the Democratic establishment (at least for me) is related to the historic ineptitude/nonchalance that led to the Republicans unearned power over the country. Us rubes in the hinterlands saw what was happening decades ago. And yet all those consultants, donors and electeds with all their money, power and positions turned their backs on the obvious. It’s been infuriating to watch. And yet, we soldier on. I hope, as you say, the necessary lessons have been learned. Cuz if they haven’t then we are well and truly f****d.
Many things can be true at the same. It is frustrating to be asked for donations, but not opinions bc they know better. Sometimes, the powers that be do know things we do not. Sometimes, those that live in the areas affected do know things that the powers that be do not. Giving up on the 50 state plan was a mistake that many of us didn't understand. It is encouraging to see so many candidates all over the country running in every election from the state level up. Vote Blue - we can do this!
I understand the “both things can be true” dynamic. That said, it is the deeply ingrained pattern and practice of the Democratic Party leadership to pat us on the head and dismiss the obvious. I’ve been a loyalist since I could vote. I do all the stuff - donate, make calls, write letters, travelled to red states to register voters, protested… All pro-democracy activities I will continue. I’m just sharing an opinion that’s been informed by decades of personal investment in elections, and watched with growing alarm the systematic construction of the architecture that would rob us of our precious democracy. But here we are. That’s in the past. It’s go time so…LFG!!
Good Afternoon Simon, Thank you for the informative, enlightening discussion. It definitely informed Me much more about the workings of Politics!! Since I became a "Proud Plucky Patriot" I feel more knowledgeable, because of the brilliant Teacher You are. I am really looking forward to the November Election, and We will all Kick-Ass and show how Strong and Powerful We are
I'm calling my Congressmen and Senator's now. We must pass the Ukraine Support Act (HR 2913)
It’s hard for me to believe we can reconcile with the GOP, e.g. in a national unity government, when they openly and consistently choose indecency and corruption over principle. John Thune’s pivot to Ken Paxton was head snapping.
Hispanic support of Republicans has very little to do with abortion or social issues. We've held large margins with Hispanics for most of the last two decades because of the economy, health care, education and being more welcoming/pro-immigration. That unraveled for us in recent years but we have an opportunity now to restore our historic margins this time.
I believe Republican money is a serious problem. The RNC has tons of it right now, and is no doubt prolifically adding to its total. What happened to Garcia in TX, where Rs funded a D antisemite, doesn’t compare to what they plan to spend against him in the fall. Even on their side of the street, they poured tens of millions into Paxton’s race. Candidly, I’m a voter who needs to be more mindful of the money equation going forward. Also, I agree that stubbornly adhering to idealogical purity won’t always win the day and is a luxury we probably can’t afford right now. Finally, I think the report fiasco was a sobering event for Martin and I expect him to do better in the future. That said, I’m not sure of the value or purpose of a public post-mortem in the first place. Just some thoughts. Thanks for reading.
I read Tim Wegener, article and I have tried really hard to give Ken a good faith look. I even donated to the DNC when Ken was elected, but I just do not find Tim's argument convincing. Tim's two arguments that sending money to the state parties is good and it is better to spend than sit on it, I agree. But the second argument that there is not enough time to switch party chairs before the primary and we should give Ken a good faith mulligan is a stretch to say the least.
It does not address the main issue with the DNC not doing a good autopsy then sitting on it for half a year. Ken was not being truthful and he was doing so to protect himself. Maybe he thought he was also protecting the party but the issue people have with DNC is they do not feel like they are acting in good faith. It is a perception issue and Ken and the DNC are not doing a good job fighting perception. It is why the party has struggled to make the 2016 Bernie resentment go away, and why it is probably good to have this discussion now instead of letting people think the system is rigged.
He could have said what he said back December or January. And had time to pay someone to do an actual autopsy. Instead of now just saying, "oops too late everyone. Let's just do it better this time."
I really want to know what the party thinks about blowing my phone up with texts 10 times a day asking for money from everyone to politicians in my state, to out of state politicians, to sketchy pacs. And what about when they do it to loosely affiliated dems? I want to know if they think the TV buys are still a good idea or should we spend more money on things like podcast ads. I do not think Tim is making a good faith case on why people are upset, even if a contingent would have rather had Ben Wickler and those people are acting in bad faith.
Ben Rhodes new book ALL WE SAY has a chapter on Roosevelt’s 4 freedoms speech that is very interesting. He reviews 15 speeches exploring what it means to be an American. In interviews about the book, he talks about the importance of candidates telling a story to voters that they can relate too. His suggestions remind me of Simon’s call to make a campaign more than just kitchen table issues.
Thank you and congratulations, Tim Wegener, for your Op-Ed in The Hill. Lessons were learned and Ken Martin has put them into action. I hope it inspires any Democrats that are criticizing Our DNC Chair to move on and focus on winning these most critical elections of our lifetime.
Simon, I've been one advocating for DCCC neutrality in primaries, but your explanation made me rethink that. In theory, I think endorsing and funding one primary candidate is unfairly putting the proverbial thumb on the scale. It didn't occur to me that they are doing pre-opposition assessments on all the primary candidates. It still feels a little icky to me, but I can accept it.
Forgot to mention, I got a kick out of one statement in your talk, "This business is fukkin hard and the other side is really mean." That sums up our situation quite well.
Simon, thank you for last night's hopeful discussion!
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen today to say that Trump is now threatening to "renovate" the WWII memorial. My, now deceased, dad fought in the Pacific in WWII and even driving by that memorial always makes me feel a connection to him. I asked my representatives to please stop Trump from messing with all of DC, but especially with the WWII memorial.
I'm writing postcards to Ohio voters today.
If you hang out at all on social media, brace yourselves, because it's about to be 5 solid months of GOP "six genders vegan no Texan acts/talks like that" talking points and "run-it-into-the-ground" repetitive memes that will make the whole Brandon thing look like a mere one-and-done.
We need to hit them with labels too, and just as hard. They are better at making our candidates look like "others", like people who you can't relate to. I think Talarico can overcome it. I think the nature of their attacks is revealing because they are going after the fact that he is relatable to a great number of people who typically vote GOP.
Likely “pedophile” related will be effective. It also enrages me they pick on trans kids. What is this obsession with genitals, esp kid genitals in kid sports?
Agree. But I think Talarico has a unique ability to counter that false narrative. He's not ignoring it; he's hitting back but with a smile on his face. He's not trying to out-shout or out-bully Paxton and the corrupt Rs supporting him. His reaction is more in the vein of Pope Leo, whose ability to speak plainly and with moral clarity without raising his voice seems to have struck a positive chord here and around the world. Talarico's open and sincere embrace of his faith may resonate with a big swath of voters (in Texas and elsewhere) who are getting tired of the Trump show and its constant barrage of insults, epithets, put-downs. Talarico seems like a pretty refreshing antidote to the toxic stew. Senator Chris Murphy's new book "Crisis of the Common Good" touches on this, too. Recommend it.
Thank you for this uplifting and if a little daunting breakdown of where we are. I am worried but trying to stay positive. The absolute lack of rhetorical ability in the Democratic Party is astonishing and confounding to me. We have the truth on our side and we only use it as a shield. Every time we are on the defensive even though we are in the right. How difficult is it to tell the people that 50 trillion has been stolen from this economy, and all of us, by corporations? How hard is it to tell them that every time the GOP sends us to some war they put it on the credit card and then turn and tells there's no ore money for SS or Medicare? The TRUTH is not a shield it is a SWORD! Let's start using it and win for a generation.
Jon Ossoff is excellent. Also Pete Buttigieg.
And James Tallarico. And Chris Murphy. And Josh Shapiro. And Robert Garcia. We have more great voices than we sometimes think. But they are all fighting to be heard in this "attention economy."
I am attending a town hall for David Jolly tonight, and I will sign up for a Saturday phone bank. And whatever else makes sense after the townhall.
I have been for sometime wondering about Vindman's Senate campaign. I don't think he's a seasoned campaigner, and they just don't seem visible in the way Jolly's campaign is. I'm not sure how their campaign is being run, but it needs to find a new gear. Vindman is not polished, but he might be able to relate well to voters. They need to get him out there. He's not politically sophisticated yet, but I think Vindman would make a great Senator given time.
Moody is a terrible Senator who was appointed without winning an election. With enough momentum we can win both races, or at least we have a chance. Donalds is a truly awful candidate who I think Jolly has a good chance at beating.
It feels a little bit like TX, but in TX the Senate race looks like the one we can win, with the Governor's mansion more difficult. In FL, the governor race we can win, but the Senate race might be tougher. At least that's my amateurish view.
Daily calls are in to WI Dem and Rep members of congress. I call R members every day and Dem member a couple times a week. I called about Ukraine, Epstein, Iran and my strong disapproval of all Trump’s vanity projects. I’m not sure what the best strategy is, when there is so much going on, but I always comment on Ukraine and Iran and then add one more thing from our current agenda. By the end of the week I’ve hit all the items on the Hopium agenda.
I really appreciate all the insight (and hard work) Simon and this whole community provides/does. It keeps me going. Thank you
Simon, I think a big part of the anger against the DCCC and the Democratic establishment (at least for me) is related to the historic ineptitude/nonchalance that led to the Republicans unearned power over the country. Us rubes in the hinterlands saw what was happening decades ago. And yet all those consultants, donors and electeds with all their money, power and positions turned their backs on the obvious. It’s been infuriating to watch. And yet, we soldier on. I hope, as you say, the necessary lessons have been learned. Cuz if they haven’t then we are well and truly f****d.
Many things can be true at the same. It is frustrating to be asked for donations, but not opinions bc they know better. Sometimes, the powers that be do know things we do not. Sometimes, those that live in the areas affected do know things that the powers that be do not. Giving up on the 50 state plan was a mistake that many of us didn't understand. It is encouraging to see so many candidates all over the country running in every election from the state level up. Vote Blue - we can do this!
I understand the “both things can be true” dynamic. That said, it is the deeply ingrained pattern and practice of the Democratic Party leadership to pat us on the head and dismiss the obvious. I’ve been a loyalist since I could vote. I do all the stuff - donate, make calls, write letters, travelled to red states to register voters, protested… All pro-democracy activities I will continue. I’m just sharing an opinion that’s been informed by decades of personal investment in elections, and watched with growing alarm the systematic construction of the architecture that would rob us of our precious democracy. But here we are. That’s in the past. It’s go time so…LFG!!
Good Afternoon Simon, Thank you for the informative, enlightening discussion. It definitely informed Me much more about the workings of Politics!! Since I became a "Proud Plucky Patriot" I feel more knowledgeable, because of the brilliant Teacher You are. I am really looking forward to the November Election, and We will all Kick-Ass and show how Strong and Powerful We are
I'm calling my Congressmen and Senator's now. We must pass the Ukraine Support Act (HR 2913)
Excellent!
It’s hard for me to believe we can reconcile with the GOP, e.g. in a national unity government, when they openly and consistently choose indecency and corruption over principle. John Thune’s pivot to Ken Paxton was head snapping.
We have to convince Hispanics not to vote for republicans? Interesting ... I guess?
Hispanics are 40% of the Texas population. [removed speculation]
Hispanic support of Republicans has very little to do with abortion or social issues. We've held large margins with Hispanics for most of the last two decades because of the economy, health care, education and being more welcoming/pro-immigration. That unraveled for us in recent years but we have an opportunity now to restore our historic margins this time.
Thanks for the correction. I was just repeating MSM points, no firsthand knowledge.
I believe Republican money is a serious problem. The RNC has tons of it right now, and is no doubt prolifically adding to its total. What happened to Garcia in TX, where Rs funded a D antisemite, doesn’t compare to what they plan to spend against him in the fall. Even on their side of the street, they poured tens of millions into Paxton’s race. Candidly, I’m a voter who needs to be more mindful of the money equation going forward. Also, I agree that stubbornly adhering to idealogical purity won’t always win the day and is a luxury we probably can’t afford right now. Finally, I think the report fiasco was a sobering event for Martin and I expect him to do better in the future. That said, I’m not sure of the value or purpose of a public post-mortem in the first place. Just some thoughts. Thanks for reading.
Excess money only counts for so much past a certain figure.
As long as our candidates have enough to compete, they will be fine.
I read Tim Wegener, article and I have tried really hard to give Ken a good faith look. I even donated to the DNC when Ken was elected, but I just do not find Tim's argument convincing. Tim's two arguments that sending money to the state parties is good and it is better to spend than sit on it, I agree. But the second argument that there is not enough time to switch party chairs before the primary and we should give Ken a good faith mulligan is a stretch to say the least.
It does not address the main issue with the DNC not doing a good autopsy then sitting on it for half a year. Ken was not being truthful and he was doing so to protect himself. Maybe he thought he was also protecting the party but the issue people have with DNC is they do not feel like they are acting in good faith. It is a perception issue and Ken and the DNC are not doing a good job fighting perception. It is why the party has struggled to make the 2016 Bernie resentment go away, and why it is probably good to have this discussion now instead of letting people think the system is rigged.
He could have said what he said back December or January. And had time to pay someone to do an actual autopsy. Instead of now just saying, "oops too late everyone. Let's just do it better this time."
I really want to know what the party thinks about blowing my phone up with texts 10 times a day asking for money from everyone to politicians in my state, to out of state politicians, to sketchy pacs. And what about when they do it to loosely affiliated dems? I want to know if they think the TV buys are still a good idea or should we spend more money on things like podcast ads. I do not think Tim is making a good faith case on why people are upset, even if a contingent would have rather had Ben Wickler and those people are acting in bad faith.
Ben Rhodes new book ALL WE SAY has a chapter on Roosevelt’s 4 freedoms speech that is very interesting. He reviews 15 speeches exploring what it means to be an American. In interviews about the book, he talks about the importance of candidates telling a story to voters that they can relate too. His suggestions remind me of Simon’s call to make a campaign more than just kitchen table issues.
Thank you and congratulations, Tim Wegener, for your Op-Ed in The Hill. Lessons were learned and Ken Martin has put them into action. I hope it inspires any Democrats that are criticizing Our DNC Chair to move on and focus on winning these most critical elections of our lifetime.
All well and good but the DCCC has a bias towards “traditional” candidates we need more like Telerico with a real backbone.
I have no idea what this means.
Why did DCCC not follow up on the 2024 election fraud committed by Musk and Theil?
Oh please. Really?
Simon, I've been one advocating for DCCC neutrality in primaries, but your explanation made me rethink that. In theory, I think endorsing and funding one primary candidate is unfairly putting the proverbial thumb on the scale. It didn't occur to me that they are doing pre-opposition assessments on all the primary candidates. It still feels a little icky to me, but I can accept it.
Forgot to mention, I got a kick out of one statement in your talk, "This business is fukkin hard and the other side is really mean." That sums up our situation quite well.