Simon, your interviews continue to be stellar. Really looking forward to your upcoming one with Marc Elias. Must confess I’m a bit behind; I’ll try to watch your talk with Heather Cox Richardson later today. Each day she makes history and highlighted historical insights relevant to today’s political events and to our daily lives.
I tell my family, friends and acquaintances abroad that they with advantage can forego the noise/static/shallowness/bias of the daily news – and instead read HCR’s “Letters from an American” each day. Stellar!
Bennett was on The Last Word yesterday evening and was impressive as usual. Maddow did a great breakdown of where we are, with a sobering look at the massive willful misreading of the Constitution by SCOTUS, as it handed off a ridiculous amount of power to the president in the name of "unitary executive," which is precisely what the founders did NOT want. UGH.
Grateful to Marc Elias and Katie Phang and Alison Gill and Norm Eisen - all the Democracy Defenders superheroes! All signs today pointing toward a decision in support of birthright citizenship. Keep going!
I’ll check out Maddow. This Law Dork article explains how Roberts’ opinions yesterday in Cook and Slaughter cannot be reconciled. Thomas , of all people, points that out in his dissent in Cook (because he wanted Cook to be like Slaughter of course). Roberts is drunk with power. https://chrisgeidner.substack.com/p/john-robertss-5-4-opinion-saving?r=2ia0gw&utm_medium=ios
Just made another donation to the Audacious Expansion Fund to help our five key state parties do the hard organizing work on behalf of great candidates. Let's Go!!!
I donated yesterday to my senate candidate and the Second Blue Wave House members. I'm going to give $25 each to the senate candidates we are working so hard to elect. I hope we can all dig deeper today, despite our ongoing and previous donations. We are competing with billionaires. In Maine it is estimated our senate race will reach $400-500 million, with $10 million coming from 97 billionaires. 97 outsiders trying to keep Susan Collins in office to continue her corruption.
Thanks for everything, everyone. Have a fantastic day and be careful if you are in a heatwave zone. Check your neighbors and the houseless.
I wanted to add that I did just donate monthly to our Senate split fund. You all probably know this but monthly donations are great for campaigns as they can look ahead for projected revenue. In these final four months this could help our candidates substantially. Just a thought!
Overturning Humphrey's Executor, which has been on the books since 1935 (holy shit!), is I think the most damaging decision that won't get enough attention. I wonder how this interacts with Chevron.
In my view, the hiring and firing of government employees, when it is already difficult to staff a government fully in the first year of a new presidency, is not going to stop with Trump firing FTC commissioners and whoever else he wants to fire. The next Democratic president is going to have to clean out the Trump loyalists and corporate cronies (assuming the corrupt Supreme Court also lets Democrats use this power).
The combination of Chevron and Humphrey's Executor I think threatens the ability of the government to function competently at all. The goal seems to be a society run by billionaires and giant corporations, enabled by a supine GOP.
People who buy into the "limited government" arguments the GOP peddles need to understand that they are about to be ruled (or already are) by unelected billionaire CEO's, who will also expect a government bailout when they fail, without any government oversight.
Either the Court is too dumb to realize they are using the law to enable large-scale corruption and crony capitalism, or else they do understand that is what they are doing and are too dumb to understand how destructive it is.
I'll pitch in something later on to make the quarterly deadline. I've got a lot of recurring donations so I'll have to think about what else I can do.
Well, I wouldn't say dumb in the conventional sense. they did pass the bar exams and become federal judges. More like obtuse, maybe. But we're just splitting hairs. :)
Lawyers pass those all the time. After a brief stint at the law firm of Dunning and Kruger, they enlist in the Federalist Society, get a lower-court appointment, and then bingo bongo they are on the Supreme Court.
Question is, will these new laws that expand Trump's power considerably, apply to all future Presidents, or will the interpretation magically change when a Democrat is back in the White House?!
Thank you Simon. I got to watch your interview with HCR and it was great. Sadly I am unable to contribute to the nominees as of today. But I have been happy to before and I will again soon. Thank you again
Is there news on whether you have had any joy with the Platner people about fixing an interview yet?
I think a lot of people are waiting on that one to get more of a feel for him and his campaign.
He seems to be the only one of the major candidates (certainly Senate candidates) that we have not heard from and also the individual who is struggling the most to gain traction in the fund raising.
Hopefully he/they think it is worth the time and effort to drop by for a chat with Simon.
The request is in, they have acknowledged receipt, know I came to the Maine Dem Convention to encourage people to rally around the ticket (incl him) and hopefully we will hear back from them soon.
While we were holding our breath, the Supreme Court upheld Birthright Citizenship!!! A few magas wrote dissenting opinions, so let's get them impeached and removed (Thomas, Gorsuch and Alito). Kavanaugh voted with the court’s majority, but claimed his decision was based on a federal law, not on the U.S. Constitution — Pathetic!
LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION SAFEGUARDING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:
The Supreme Court finally affirmed, by applying the law and being guided by the Constitution, that all persons born in the United States are American citizens. There is, and shall be, no question. Donald Trump’s disgraceful actions as it relates to the Birthright Citizenship Clause are clearly unlawful and an assault on our way of life.
The 14th Amendment was enshrined in our Constitution during Reconstruction to ensure that formerly enslaved Black people would not have their citizenship questioned on the basis of their race. More than 150 years later, it has withstood the unconstitutional attack launched by Donald Trump and his most sycophantic and xenophobic enablers. On the eve of America’s 250th birthday, the far-right MAGA conservatives have failed in their quest to remake the United States, and American values have prevailed.
House Democrats will never let these extremists win, and we will always defend our defining values of freedom and democracy.
In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. Barbara, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:
“Since his first days in office, Donald Trump has sought to recycle racist, debunked legal arguments to strip away the constitutional rights of American citizens born to immigrant parents. Today, he failed.
“With Trump v. Barbara, the Supreme Court emphatically rejected his anti-immigrant crusade and reaffirmed what has been enshrined in the clear language of the 14th Amendment: If you are born in the United States, you are a citizen. Democrats will continue to defend the rights of every American.”
Such an encouraging Texas poll. Trump at 44-53 (-9) approval, in a state he won by 14, another big 20+ pt shift from the 2024 election. Talarico doing really well with hispanic voters. We have to keep pushing to get the generic number closer to Trump’s approval, we aren’t done yet folks.
We will win. AND we will heal. But how long, Oh God, will it take? I pray that my granddaughters will be part of the healing. They are only 8 and 10 now. AND so conscious and aware. They say "Nana, why are you driving a car that uses gas"? Shame o Shame. But they are right!
Thanks for the Talarico speech. He's so full of energy and joy. I'm glad all these candidates are young. You have to have energy for this work. And they sure do!! Impressive.
Simon, Bill Maher made comments recently stating how “Well, it looks like the Democrats could be on their way to blowing the midterms” referring to the DSA winners in NYC. Now, I’m personally no big fan of them particularly, Chevalier. However, really Bill? We’re gonna go from A to Z just like that after one night in one city??? I do NOT think they’re emblematic of our entire party nor do I think they’re going to become the ‘threat’ MAGA has been to the GOP. There’s a fringe on both sides, that’s reality.
We only lose the messaging war in my view if we let the GOP effectively hijack it by making these three out to be the face of the whole party. I’d like to think the people are becoming sharper than that 🙏. I think be it for midterms and 2028, we collectively still have the winning edge. I don’t think the young voters are going to suddenly stay home just cuz Mamdani or even worse, Hasan Piker tells all their followers not to vote for Newsom or Harris or Kelly. Even AOC wouldn’t be stupid enough to stand on ceremony like that. Maher can often have merit to many of his assessments but comments like those are deeply unhelpful. Your thoughts?
I don't think most people know him or pay attention to him. Fox will play it on a loop, but Fox is losing viewers like the rest of cable. I don't think it's a big deal unless GOP campaigns across the country can somehow paint local Democrats as socialists. But my sense is that the heartland already thinks NYC is crazy, so won't pay too much attention.
Well also, what works for one district in NYC doesn’t for Iowa and GA, etc. Pius, look at the most popular Dems in the country! Yes, Mamdani and AOC both have a lot of popularity BUT Ossoff, Shapiro, Newsom, and Harris are also high up there nationwide. The most popular political figure in the whole country btw (recently polled and by multiple sources) is STILL Obama! Anyone think he’s super far left? See what I mean?
So, do I think a whole slew of younger voters will stay home if Newsom or Kelly for example, become the nominee? No, I don’t! First off, I think whomever the nominee is, will be sharp enough to run to all sides of the spectrum courting votes (without over doing it). Two, AOC in particular (prob more so than Mamdani) will push help that youth vote out. She wholeheartedly endorsed Harris and showed a lot of respect for Biden (cuz I think he took her under his wing some). She never got onboard with the ‘Genocide Joe’ bullshit and she’s quite progressive at that go figure. So, all in all, it’s ‘a lot about a little.’ Certainly that’s the hope but that’s where my instinct is too. It’s a HuGE country and we NEED the Independent vote as well as the Anti Trump Republican vote as much as we need the youth vote, if not more! That doesn’t mean progressivism can’t win on a national scale but it’s gotta be ‘practical progressivism’ if you know what I mean?!?
I’ve been taking issue with him for a while now. He still makes valid points on occasion and I’ll give him this much…he makes it a point to have both sides on his panels often. Even in spite of his arrogance which he often displays, the layout does make for necessary discourse that too many in our society can’t muster. Now obv, there’s a difference between discussing/debating with a sane Republican or one who votes for Trump before but is now defecting. It’s a whole other thing to discuss/debate with one who is still ‘far gone.’
Both sides-isms only hold some weight when it’s not one side vs insanity! Both sides of an argument have to be nuanced rather than blatantly black and white. There are issues that still generate that nuance however, when it comes to Trump, not so much 😂. That all withstanding, I agree he’s ’apologized’ for maga too often for my liking despite him not being maga on any level. He’s highly critical of our own party and sometimes, there’s good reason. Remember, we can’t be naive enough to think we don’t have our own fringe ideologies. Thinking one’s shit doesn’t stink is how one succumbs to being hijacked by extremism to begin with. So it would behoove us to quickly learn the lessons the GOP hasn’t.
Yes, not every self proclaimed Democratic Socialist is the same. Certainly, I don’t view AOC as an Antisemite. Also, not every moderate is the same. Shapiro is dialed in far more than that of Schumer for example. However, someone like Chevalier or Hasan Piker is not someone we should put to the forefront. We shouldn’t run away from the debates, I agree with Simon on that front. I just caution our party and our voters across the full spectrum within the Democratic Party, not to risk apologizing for extremism.
Sometimes, fringe is just fringe (even if voted for by the people). We’ve seen it with maga. No reason why we shouldn’t have anticipated a possibility in our own camp. One would be an idiot to label all progressives as communists or socialists. One would also be an idiot to brush over Chevalier’ clear Antisemitism in that she celebrated Hamas literally one day after Oct 7. If we don’t want the same self destruction, we have to be the bigger party with bigger chutzpah, un afraid to offend for fears of fracturing. Right is right, wrong is wrong, period!
Yes, the overarching goals across our party’s spectrum, I believe is to produce necessary change while equally rebuffing Trumpism. However, it’s always wise to keep ‘at what cost’ in mind when it comes to rhetoric, calling to account, etc. Dan Goldman and Alyssa Slotkin for example, are two Jewish Democrats, one progressive, one moderate, both sharp, and in the fight with us who like MOST Americans (including younger ones), believe in Israel’ right to exist, are Pro BOTH Israel and Gaza the territories and their people while also being BOTH vehemently Anti-Bibi, Hamas, and Jihadism.
We start celebrating a coffee shop that chastises Goldman or anyone for THAT, especially when he helped lead the first impeachment against Trump…we have an issue. We start cheering a woman who cheers on Hamas and no prisons, we have a problem. Get my point? Progressive doesn’t mean crazy and moderate doesn’t mean out of touch. There are some within each sector who are but we should be careful not draw a line in the sand one way or another…unless there is something truly offensive or just plain wrong. That was Chevalier in my view.
No, not every DSA candidate but if one of em is inflammatory or if one moderate is inflammatory, we should call it out dammit! Not run from it! Now, we here in this community do a more efficient job of making these cases than Maher does lately in my view but hey, we’re a work in progress 😉🫡.
Oof I don't remember when I stopped watching or listening to Bill Maher. He is bitter, sexist and probably a bigot. Also, 🤮 over his running to bend the knee to Trump. Loser. Granted he is a rich loser, but a loser nonetheless. Probably not as rich as Jimmy Kimmel though. Just say'n.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to say that Trump is wildly out of touch with reality, is a danger to us and the rest of the world, and must be removed from office. I'm staying inside with the air conditioning and some iced tea today and writing postcards to Ohio voters.
Simon, your interviews continue to be stellar. Really looking forward to your upcoming one with Marc Elias. Must confess I’m a bit behind; I’ll try to watch your talk with Heather Cox Richardson later today. Each day she makes history and highlighted historical insights relevant to today’s political events and to our daily lives.
I tell my family, friends and acquaintances abroad that they with advantage can forego the noise/static/shallowness/bias of the daily news – and instead read HCR’s “Letters from an American” each day. Stellar!
Thank you for leading the fight, Simon!
Bennett was on The Last Word yesterday evening and was impressive as usual. Maddow did a great breakdown of where we are, with a sobering look at the massive willful misreading of the Constitution by SCOTUS, as it handed off a ridiculous amount of power to the president in the name of "unitary executive," which is precisely what the founders did NOT want. UGH.
Grateful to Marc Elias and Katie Phang and Alison Gill and Norm Eisen - all the Democracy Defenders superheroes! All signs today pointing toward a decision in support of birthright citizenship. Keep going!
I’ll check out Maddow. This Law Dork article explains how Roberts’ opinions yesterday in Cook and Slaughter cannot be reconciled. Thomas , of all people, points that out in his dissent in Cook (because he wanted Cook to be like Slaughter of course). Roberts is drunk with power. https://chrisgeidner.substack.com/p/john-robertss-5-4-opinion-saving?r=2ia0gw&utm_medium=ios
I didn’t contribute yesterday but will do so today. Who’s with me? Can June 30 donors match yesterday’s $69,000? :-)
Just contributed to the second wave fund and the senate fund. Getting paid tomorrow so spread some of the money to our stalwart candidates
thank you!
Im in with "winning the Senate" and the "Audacious fund" for state parties.
Just made another donation to the Audacious Expansion Fund to help our five key state parties do the hard organizing work on behalf of great candidates. Let's Go!!!
Sent donations to Mary Peltola, Iowa, Second Wave.
I donated yesterday to my senate candidate and the Second Blue Wave House members. I'm going to give $25 each to the senate candidates we are working so hard to elect. I hope we can all dig deeper today, despite our ongoing and previous donations. We are competing with billionaires. In Maine it is estimated our senate race will reach $400-500 million, with $10 million coming from 97 billionaires. 97 outsiders trying to keep Susan Collins in office to continue her corruption.
Thanks for everything, everyone. Have a fantastic day and be careful if you are in a heatwave zone. Check your neighbors and the houseless.
I wanted to add that I did just donate monthly to our Senate split fund. You all probably know this but monthly donations are great for campaigns as they can look ahead for projected revenue. In these final four months this could help our candidates substantially. Just a thought!
thank you!
Me too. Monthly donation to each fund and also to individual candidates.
Overturning Humphrey's Executor, which has been on the books since 1935 (holy shit!), is I think the most damaging decision that won't get enough attention. I wonder how this interacts with Chevron.
In my view, the hiring and firing of government employees, when it is already difficult to staff a government fully in the first year of a new presidency, is not going to stop with Trump firing FTC commissioners and whoever else he wants to fire. The next Democratic president is going to have to clean out the Trump loyalists and corporate cronies (assuming the corrupt Supreme Court also lets Democrats use this power).
The combination of Chevron and Humphrey's Executor I think threatens the ability of the government to function competently at all. The goal seems to be a society run by billionaires and giant corporations, enabled by a supine GOP.
People who buy into the "limited government" arguments the GOP peddles need to understand that they are about to be ruled (or already are) by unelected billionaire CEO's, who will also expect a government bailout when they fail, without any government oversight.
Either the Court is too dumb to realize they are using the law to enable large-scale corruption and crony capitalism, or else they do understand that is what they are doing and are too dumb to understand how destructive it is.
I'll pitch in something later on to make the quarterly deadline. I've got a lot of recurring donations so I'll have to think about what else I can do.
I agree Patrick, but I don't think the corrupt SCOTUS is dumb, just corrupt. They think it won't affect them, and they may be right. UGH.
I think they are dumb and corrupt and will continue to think so until there is contrary evidence.
Roberts is the least dumb. He's the most politically savvy which is why he runs the show.
Well, I wouldn't say dumb in the conventional sense. they did pass the bar exams and become federal judges. More like obtuse, maybe. But we're just splitting hairs. :)
Lawyers pass those all the time. After a brief stint at the law firm of Dunning and Kruger, they enlist in the Federalist Society, get a lower-court appointment, and then bingo bongo they are on the Supreme Court.
Roberts is the only one who understands sometimes, just for appearance, you need to apply lipstick to the pig.
Most of the rest of them don't get that. And they will do things that politically damage the GOP if Roberts didn't stop them.
This one, Humphrey's Executor, people won't understand and I expect Roberts figures Election Day is far enough away.
Question is, will these new laws that expand Trump's power considerably, apply to all future Presidents, or will the interpretation magically change when a Democrat is back in the White House?!
Exactly. Restraining Biden’s power somehow they were OK with. Fuckers
Oh I think we all know the answer that question.
Looks like the "morans" in the WH are still using Signal (gift link) and violating the records act: https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/06/trump-administration-signal-chat-marco-rubio/687735/?gift=woWIUxw7PQkPWVjhh-qn3osEP8u4RFWff_LDeqURg3A&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
Also, apparently they are considering granting 250 pardons in honor of the 250. I wish I were kidding (gift link): https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/06/trump-250-pardons-250th-birthday/687736/?gift=woWIUxw7PQkPWVjhh-qn3vt8P70nHSftUknbAA2XmGo&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
Because of course they are. Why would they do anything different?
Thank you Simon. I got to watch your interview with HCR and it was great. Sadly I am unable to contribute to the nominees as of today. But I have been happy to before and I will again soon. Thank you again
Is there news on whether you have had any joy with the Platner people about fixing an interview yet?
I think a lot of people are waiting on that one to get more of a feel for him and his campaign.
He seems to be the only one of the major candidates (certainly Senate candidates) that we have not heard from and also the individual who is struggling the most to gain traction in the fund raising.
Hopefully he/they think it is worth the time and effort to drop by for a chat with Simon.
The request is in, they have acknowledged receipt, know I came to the Maine Dem Convention to encourage people to rally around the ticket (incl him) and hopefully we will hear back from them soon.
I donated to the Senate fund today. Thank you for creating this structure that makes it easy to donate to great candidates.
While we were holding our breath, the Supreme Court upheld Birthright Citizenship!!! A few magas wrote dissenting opinions, so let's get them impeached and removed (Thomas, Gorsuch and Alito). Kavanaugh voted with the court’s majority, but claimed his decision was based on a federal law, not on the U.S. Constitution — Pathetic!
June 30, 2026
Leader's Press Office: 202-226-4519
LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION SAFEGUARDING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:
The Supreme Court finally affirmed, by applying the law and being guided by the Constitution, that all persons born in the United States are American citizens. There is, and shall be, no question. Donald Trump’s disgraceful actions as it relates to the Birthright Citizenship Clause are clearly unlawful and an assault on our way of life.
The 14th Amendment was enshrined in our Constitution during Reconstruction to ensure that formerly enslaved Black people would not have their citizenship questioned on the basis of their race. More than 150 years later, it has withstood the unconstitutional attack launched by Donald Trump and his most sycophantic and xenophobic enablers. On the eve of America’s 250th birthday, the far-right MAGA conservatives have failed in their quest to remake the United States, and American values have prevailed.
House Democrats will never let these extremists win, and we will always defend our defining values of freedom and democracy.
https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-birthright-citizenship-trump-immigration-c73cf0c70bb550ebf0a55fafddbd935c
Here is the text of the decision. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25-365_4hdj.pdf
I predicted 7-2, was pretty close. Thank goddess. Um, someone better tell Kavanaugh that the MF Constitution IS the ultimate FEDERAL LAW lol. JFC.
I've found that I can usually count on a certain pair to stand up proudly for the corrupt administration. Not that others don't often join in...
In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. Barbara, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:
“Since his first days in office, Donald Trump has sought to recycle racist, debunked legal arguments to strip away the constitutional rights of American citizens born to immigrant parents. Today, he failed.
“With Trump v. Barbara, the Supreme Court emphatically rejected his anti-immigrant crusade and reaffirmed what has been enshrined in the clear language of the 14th Amendment: If you are born in the United States, you are a citizen. Democrats will continue to defend the rights of every American.”
Good for Ken!
Such an encouraging Texas poll. Trump at 44-53 (-9) approval, in a state he won by 14, another big 20+ pt shift from the 2024 election. Talarico doing really well with hispanic voters. We have to keep pushing to get the generic number closer to Trump’s approval, we aren’t done yet folks.
We will win. AND we will heal. But how long, Oh God, will it take? I pray that my granddaughters will be part of the healing. They are only 8 and 10 now. AND so conscious and aware. They say "Nana, why are you driving a car that uses gas"? Shame o Shame. But they are right!
Thanks for the Talarico speech. He's so full of energy and joy. I'm glad all these candidates are young. You have to have energy for this work. And they sure do!! Impressive.
Done.
Simon, Bill Maher made comments recently stating how “Well, it looks like the Democrats could be on their way to blowing the midterms” referring to the DSA winners in NYC. Now, I’m personally no big fan of them particularly, Chevalier. However, really Bill? We’re gonna go from A to Z just like that after one night in one city??? I do NOT think they’re emblematic of our entire party nor do I think they’re going to become the ‘threat’ MAGA has been to the GOP. There’s a fringe on both sides, that’s reality.
We only lose the messaging war in my view if we let the GOP effectively hijack it by making these three out to be the face of the whole party. I’d like to think the people are becoming sharper than that 🙏. I think be it for midterms and 2028, we collectively still have the winning edge. I don’t think the young voters are going to suddenly stay home just cuz Mamdani or even worse, Hasan Piker tells all their followers not to vote for Newsom or Harris or Kelly. Even AOC wouldn’t be stupid enough to stand on ceremony like that. Maher can often have merit to many of his assessments but comments like those are deeply unhelpful. Your thoughts?
I don't think most people know him or pay attention to him. Fox will play it on a loop, but Fox is losing viewers like the rest of cable. I don't think it's a big deal unless GOP campaigns across the country can somehow paint local Democrats as socialists. But my sense is that the heartland already thinks NYC is crazy, so won't pay too much attention.
Well also, what works for one district in NYC doesn’t for Iowa and GA, etc. Pius, look at the most popular Dems in the country! Yes, Mamdani and AOC both have a lot of popularity BUT Ossoff, Shapiro, Newsom, and Harris are also high up there nationwide. The most popular political figure in the whole country btw (recently polled and by multiple sources) is STILL Obama! Anyone think he’s super far left? See what I mean?
So, do I think a whole slew of younger voters will stay home if Newsom or Kelly for example, become the nominee? No, I don’t! First off, I think whomever the nominee is, will be sharp enough to run to all sides of the spectrum courting votes (without over doing it). Two, AOC in particular (prob more so than Mamdani) will push help that youth vote out. She wholeheartedly endorsed Harris and showed a lot of respect for Biden (cuz I think he took her under his wing some). She never got onboard with the ‘Genocide Joe’ bullshit and she’s quite progressive at that go figure. So, all in all, it’s ‘a lot about a little.’ Certainly that’s the hope but that’s where my instinct is too. It’s a HuGE country and we NEED the Independent vote as well as the Anti Trump Republican vote as much as we need the youth vote, if not more! That doesn’t mean progressivism can’t win on a national scale but it’s gotta be ‘practical progressivism’ if you know what I mean?!?
Meant to include Pete B in that slew of extreme national popularity too and he’s Left of Center.
Bill Maher is just grumpy because he isn't relevant anymore.
This is the guy who rushed to bend the knee to Trump after his win in 24.
Is he even getting laid anymore?
🤭
Bill Maher is a pompous ass.
People clutched their pearls when Mamdani won his primary, 5 months later the very moderate Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger won resoundingly.
I counter the hysteria where I can.
maher has been anti dem for years now. he is "both siderism" now. i cant watch him anymore.
I’ve been taking issue with him for a while now. He still makes valid points on occasion and I’ll give him this much…he makes it a point to have both sides on his panels often. Even in spite of his arrogance which he often displays, the layout does make for necessary discourse that too many in our society can’t muster. Now obv, there’s a difference between discussing/debating with a sane Republican or one who votes for Trump before but is now defecting. It’s a whole other thing to discuss/debate with one who is still ‘far gone.’
Both sides-isms only hold some weight when it’s not one side vs insanity! Both sides of an argument have to be nuanced rather than blatantly black and white. There are issues that still generate that nuance however, when it comes to Trump, not so much 😂. That all withstanding, I agree he’s ’apologized’ for maga too often for my liking despite him not being maga on any level. He’s highly critical of our own party and sometimes, there’s good reason. Remember, we can’t be naive enough to think we don’t have our own fringe ideologies. Thinking one’s shit doesn’t stink is how one succumbs to being hijacked by extremism to begin with. So it would behoove us to quickly learn the lessons the GOP hasn’t.
Yes, not every self proclaimed Democratic Socialist is the same. Certainly, I don’t view AOC as an Antisemite. Also, not every moderate is the same. Shapiro is dialed in far more than that of Schumer for example. However, someone like Chevalier or Hasan Piker is not someone we should put to the forefront. We shouldn’t run away from the debates, I agree with Simon on that front. I just caution our party and our voters across the full spectrum within the Democratic Party, not to risk apologizing for extremism.
Sometimes, fringe is just fringe (even if voted for by the people). We’ve seen it with maga. No reason why we shouldn’t have anticipated a possibility in our own camp. One would be an idiot to label all progressives as communists or socialists. One would also be an idiot to brush over Chevalier’ clear Antisemitism in that she celebrated Hamas literally one day after Oct 7. If we don’t want the same self destruction, we have to be the bigger party with bigger chutzpah, un afraid to offend for fears of fracturing. Right is right, wrong is wrong, period!
Yes, the overarching goals across our party’s spectrum, I believe is to produce necessary change while equally rebuffing Trumpism. However, it’s always wise to keep ‘at what cost’ in mind when it comes to rhetoric, calling to account, etc. Dan Goldman and Alyssa Slotkin for example, are two Jewish Democrats, one progressive, one moderate, both sharp, and in the fight with us who like MOST Americans (including younger ones), believe in Israel’ right to exist, are Pro BOTH Israel and Gaza the territories and their people while also being BOTH vehemently Anti-Bibi, Hamas, and Jihadism.
We start celebrating a coffee shop that chastises Goldman or anyone for THAT, especially when he helped lead the first impeachment against Trump…we have an issue. We start cheering a woman who cheers on Hamas and no prisons, we have a problem. Get my point? Progressive doesn’t mean crazy and moderate doesn’t mean out of touch. There are some within each sector who are but we should be careful not draw a line in the sand one way or another…unless there is something truly offensive or just plain wrong. That was Chevalier in my view.
No, not every DSA candidate but if one of em is inflammatory or if one moderate is inflammatory, we should call it out dammit! Not run from it! Now, we here in this community do a more efficient job of making these cases than Maher does lately in my view but hey, we’re a work in progress 😉🫡.
Oof I don't remember when I stopped watching or listening to Bill Maher. He is bitter, sexist and probably a bigot. Also, 🤮 over his running to bend the knee to Trump. Loser. Granted he is a rich loser, but a loser nonetheless. Probably not as rich as Jimmy Kimmel though. Just say'n.
I put in one-time $10 to Talarico. I think he and Ossoff are the only two campaigns I don't have a recurring donation to.
Talarico continues to impress. Gosh, I hope he wins 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻. Ossoff? Amazing. He knocks it out of the park all the time. He seems fearless.
Thanks, Simon! Great conversation with HCR!
I kicked in a little bit more to Ohio.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to say that Trump is wildly out of touch with reality, is a danger to us and the rest of the world, and must be removed from office. I'm staying inside with the air conditioning and some iced tea today and writing postcards to Ohio voters.