I have made my calls this morning to my representative and my senators. I think it’s especially important to call your House reps today, because as Simon laid out in an earlier post and again today, the House is voting on the budget resolution this week to cut trillions of dollars from the budget and decimate Medicaid and other key safety net programs. I have been calling and telling the story of our pastor and his wife, who have an 18-year-old son who was ravaged by seizures as a child and depends on Medicare to help keep him alive. Simply put, without Medicare he will not survive. If you live in a district with Republican House members, it’s especially important for you to call and make your voice heard.
It is up to us, all of us, to make this country what we want. I keep coming back to a quote that I heard from Wendell Berry. And if you don’t know anything about Wendell Berry, here’s a starting point. He strikes me as wisdom personified. https://ambrook.com/research/perspective/wendell-berry-kentucky-clearing-brush
The quote is this: “We don’t have a right to ask whether we’re going to succeed or not. The only question we have a right to ask is what’s the right thing to do?" We know what the right thing to do is. It’s clear that we have to continue to mobilize and get involved.
And for anyone out there who is a fan of The West Wing like I am, let me offer this too: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the world”……”Because it’s the only thing that ever has”
All of my reps/sens are Dems too. I call every day and I have been getting family members with Republican reps/sens to call them and tell them to stop this too.
Good on you for your calls. It's also important to remind these folks that Republicans have historically been supportive of people with disabilities, including paying for care through Medicare and Medicaid.
The turnout in yesterday’s German Bundestag elections was 83.5%. That is essentially 20% higher than the 63.7% turnout in America’s 2024 Presidential Elections!
We Democrats need to massively improve our GOTV efforts in every election going forward – starting with the upcoming special elections, judicial elections, and all other state-level and local elections. If we do that, we’ll WIN again and again!
Granted, America’s Election Day is on a Tuesday, whereas Germany’s was conveniently held on a Sunday. However, our extensive Early Voting, whether in-person or vote-by-mail, should more than make up for that. That’s actually a significant elections advantage that the vast majority of American states have over European countries. "Election Day" really is a misnomer; that is merely the *last day* of our elections.
Check out the map in this link. Alabama, Mississippi and New Hampshire were the only states that did not offer some form of Early Voting to all voters.
Germany requires a 5%-threshold for representation in the Bundestag. Yesterday’s election results must be particularly painful and bitter for Sahra Wagenknecht's BSW, a left-populist party. Apparently the final count shows it reached 4.972%.
BSW needed just 13,000 more votes to make it into the Bundestag. Although the party is challenging the results, I am sure their leaders are asking themselves: "Where could we have made an extra effort to pick up that extra 0.028%."
From my limited knowledge, BSW is a splinter party that Sahra Wagenknecht formed to take a more hard-line view on immigration.
The Liberals had a very interesting candidate who also offers a lot of lessons for us. In short, she won a lot of young people by reminding them of their idealism and being FUN both on social media and at events.
I think we could improve our standing with the youth vote if we learned from her formula. Trump's politics are a downer and not fun. Ours are about a brighter future.
We've been pretty tone deaf about the level of economic struggle people are facing and we need to get out and show that we're listening.
But similar to the way Christian Smalls organized barbecues and rides home to get folks interested in being part of his organizing effort at Amazon, we can have events that offer help and fun to show more people that we respect them and stand in solidarity with them.
I totally agree that US Democrats need to focus more on people’s economic struggles. Unfortunately, that has been eclipsed by a decades-long shift to identity politics.
"The Liberals had a very interesting candidate who also offers a lot of lessons for us. In short, she won a lot of young people by reminding them of their idealism and being FUN both on social media and at events."
Are you here referring to Die Linke and Heidi Reichinnek?
In Oregon we have a Neighborhood Leader program that is very effective in getting out the Democratic vote. This is one of the main reasons Representative Bynum was successfully elected this last fall. 2 1/2 years ago I got an email from Senator Merkley asking me to be a Neighborhood Leader and I signed up. Here is a link to my group for more information: https://bentondemocrats.org/neighborhood-leader-program-sign-up/
This past election 100% of the folks on my neighborhood roster voted.
I was looking at 2024 results for my town, which is in solidly blue Essex County NJ. The Republicans did not increase their spread over Democrats, but turnout was under 60%. This may explain the comparatively weak performance by Harris although she clearly won NJ. A couple of observations:
1. The Harris campaign was completely absent from NJ. Understand that resources need to be deployed for maximum effect but such bold assumptions about victory suppresses turnout IMHO.
2. We better up our game in NJ for this year’s governor’s race. The Democrats are by no means a shoo-in.
Also please call your state reps - that ballot redesign they are trying to sneak in will undermine Andy Kim's reforms. "A5116/S4142 includes several unnecessary design elements that would advantage some candidates over others. Specifically, the legislation clutters the ballot with unnecessary markers, does not include uniformity for standard font size statewide, ignores calls to end bracketing, and does not follow best practices for ballot draw to determine candidate placement on the ballot. "
The Democrats are the underdogs in the governor's race and don't let anyone tell you any different;R's will run, like they always do, on insane property taxes, the likes of which would cause most people here to spit their coffee at the screen in shock. Murphy was damn lucky to be the first Dem to win a 2nd term in 40 years, the only time it happened since I was a child, and i'm 62. trump is very popular in NJ among the blue collar set, among certain Asian groups, and among Hispanic men. Every young Black man I spoke to during the campaign expressed doubts about Harris, right there in Essex Co, and also in Hudson. It was very obvious they weren't going to show for her " because of the way she was selected" I heard this so many times I could scream. The question is, if trump succeeds in shredding civil service protections at the fed level, will R governor's follow suit? I believe they will, right here in NJ too, and I don't for a second think there aren't enough Dems to help it along; they already showed us this in 2010; if the economy is in the crapper, and smart money says it will be, NJ voters will punish the Dems,as they did in 2010, this is why I am not a fan of off year elections. We saw it with Christie. And don't believe NJ always elects the out party; we had R governors throughout Reagan's term. And NJ was a Red state at the presidential level at that time as well, not flipping until 1992. In short, electing a Dem governor is almost a do or die situation here; we have excellent candidates; I like Sean Spiller, I think its high time a union leader won an executive position, and an educator as well ( Tom Kean Sr had a teaching degree but I wouldn't call him a career teacher; he did teach a class at Drew when he retired and got himself a nice job as the Dean too, even though he is already rich as hell). There is Mikey Sherrill, whom you can't really say much bad about ( though some are, saying she is the establishment candidate, give me a break ). Harris was weaker across all the blue states, something the MAGAS have thrown in my face in my few, nasty encounters with them.
YES to everything Simon is asking us to do. Importing an idea from Joyce Vance’s comment thread over here for our consideration, since it was new to me. A couple was very frustrated with Senator Jerry Moran (Kansas) for avoiding requested town halls. So, they set up a virtual one on Zoom, left a chair for the absent Senator, 100 people attended, 30 asked questions and expressed their frustration, and then hundreds more watched via YouTube. Currently, has thousands of views in Kansas. They are sending it to Senator Moran so he can see what he missed. Love the can do spirit exemplified here.
I have written to Indivisible PA ... and no response (this was last week, when I was hoping to do something else). I'm going to write to a friend who is on the local school board and see if she has ideas for me.
I am so sorry that Indivisible PA didn’t get back to you…try again? Everyone is volunteering their time and is overwhelmed…easy to miss an email if one’s personal life intrudes at that moment. You might also try Red Wine and Blue, which has groups all over as well and does school board stuff.
The republicans are trying to do to the whole country what they did to Kansas under Brownback. The backlash got Laura Kelly elected governor. Let’s keep that in mind as we fight.
Yes to holding townhalls in GOP districts! People of all stripes want a place to vent and get answers! Lets us Dems give them the opportunity to participate in democracy!
We did the same thing (in a live meeting) last week outside the 'office' of our Republican Congressman, Ryan Zinke. (Described in Hopium chat on 2/20.) Turns out his office did not exist (anywhere in town) although advertised on his government web site. But no matter -- the Congressman was MIA, but the empty chair was in full view. The news media showed up and did a 3-minute story on the evening news. Just a small group -- 30-40 people, but quite effective. Another group of us (including former and current state elected Rs) has requested a Town Hall with Senator Daines. We may repeat the empty chair meeting strategy if we don't get his cooperation.
Over the weekend I responded to a post from a local organizer suggesting protests at a Tesla dealership. I said we should really protest at my Republican congressman’s office. She correctly responded “ok then organize that and I’ll come.”
So now I’m organizing my first rally—and the support from local grassroots is phenomenal! We’re trying to do it this Friday. Congressman Gabarino has not responded to requests for a town hall. So we are bringing our demands to him anyway!
Also if there are any Hopium members interested in joining us out on Long Island, let me know! We can arrange transportation for anyone coming out by train.
In Simons last members chat he suggested contacting our state parties to encourage them to organize protests/efforts to breakthrough to republican reps/senators. Does anyone know how to contact the Ohio Democratic party. I have friends who are elected dems and they do not even really know how to contact the party other than relay through county chair. Does anyone know if there is an email or something to contact the Ohio Dem Party?
I hope some have read Jonathan Rauch’s article in the Atlantic today - One Word Describes Trump. Pls be sure that KenMartin sees it. it offers an real response plan; after discussing ‘patrimonialism” he then suggests that the Gingrich ’take down’ of House Speaker Jim Wright is a perfect game plan as a response to what we are living and only angsting about so far.
Self reporting … I made my calls to Republican Senator and Representative from WI using Simons talking points. Continue to write for Judge Crawford. Hang in there everyone.
Vote Forward starts their letter writing campaign for Judge Crawford tomorrow. If you haven't written letters with Vote Forward before, this would be a great campaign to start with. Sign up at: https://votefwd.org/instructions
This morning I wrote contact form emails to Senators Durbin and Duckworth requesting email updates twice weekly. Neither one of them has sent weekly newsletters in many months. Others in my group of five have been trying to reach their offices via phone but have not met with success. (I do not have time to try reaching them by phone.) They have scripts on all of the issues Simon has listed. Of course they will vote on our side. I just want to learn what they are doing in the Senate, how hard they are fighting. I also want to know what the legislative schedule is this week.
I left a message for Dem Rep Jan Schakowsky asking how long the budget negotiations will go on and when the SAVE Act might be presented to the House.
We have elections for mayor and city council on April 1 so much of my energy is being spent on helping my Most Livable City candidates win at the mayoral level as well as in my 7th Ward.
I've done many postcards and all donations are set up on recurring. After April 1 I will increase my donations to DNC and Abigail Spanberger.
Simon, why don’t the Dems stage a daily press conference each morning online (with a revolving set of speakers, including senators and congressional house reps) and seize from Trump the role of narrator in chief?
I have written to Jeffries and Schumer suggesting the same thing! We should keep pushing this. Dems have to control the narrative as much as possible! I have also reached out to CA Dem Party Leaders, Indivisible, People Power United, Swing Left, MoveOn and other progressive organizing groups with the hopes that if we all are taking actions to make news as much as possible, progressives can get a better grip on the narrative.
The only Dem leader who is actively going out talking and organizing, across the country, is Bernie Sanders, at the age of 82! Check out the YouTube’s of his overflow rallies… he’s fantastic.
It bothers me that we only seem to have septuagenarians and octogenarians making the most noise on our side while the other side seems to have a lock on younger machos. We need someone to appeal heavily to the youth of America.
Not true that it's just the older congressionals. Look for every day on social media videoss from House Members AOC, Swalwell, Raskin, and Jasimine Crocket. Crocket calls herself the Rapid Response Team which is the perfect name.
Clinton, this is simply not true. Jayne lists good people who are making noise. I could name others – and if you pay attention, Simon regularly names (and interviews) others, right here in Hopium.
But who is listening? Somehow, and it baffles me, we have somehow raised a group of incredibly misogynist young men who regard trump and musk as macho heroes. Many are unlikely to take a female seriously, so we need an ‘action hero’ on our side help win them back. That’s not Swalwell and Raskin. So, no, I don’t believe this group is hearing our ‘noise’. But we need this macho man generation back on our side in order to win elections.
Clinton, I assure you that others are listening even if your not. Granted, we have far more work to do to reach young men, young voters in general, and other groups.
That said, I do feel the tone in many of your comments leaves a lot to be desired.
Don't forget Bernie Sanders is a registered Independent. He only caucuses with Dems when he wants to. He's peeled off plenty of votes from Dems over the years, i.e.Hillary Clinton.
Not true that it's just Bernie. Look for every day on social media videos from House Members AOC, Swalwell, Raskin, and Jasimine Crocket who are very active. Crocket calls herself the Rapid Response Team which is the perfect name.
My question as well. I have made many calls asking for daily press conferences. The Democratic leadership has a huge responsibility to provide that counter narrative. They aren’t doing it. Do we just keep calling?
Here is a link to a health related Substack I find really helpful. In today's edition Dr. Jetelina describes cuts to Medicaid, cessation of Medicare tele-health in rural areas, and evidence the current administration cannot handle the bird flu outbreak by effectively vaccinating chickens. There was a bird flu vaccine developed in 2007 but who is going to mass produce the vaccine now during this epidemic, pay for it, and get it distributed to about 165,000 + poultry farmers and their chickens.
Honestily, not sure if it's primarily layers or broilers being affected but if it is broilers, they are usually killed at 6-12 weeks (depending on breed), which means it would not be cost-effective to vaccinate. If it is layers, then it might be, but, in light of HHS leadership, I cannot imagine they have any clue as to how to handle the logistics of doing a huge vaccination program nor the inclination. Again, it's probably more cost-effective to cull the diseased ones rather than mass producing the vaccination.
Good to know about another reading source. Thank you for sharing her name.
Broken link?? Simon or Lincoln, I have tried several times to click through to the donation page for Ken Martin and the DNC “chip in whatever you can” in blue. It never takes me anywhere, not even to an error message. I think that link needs to be checked.
Excellent discussion with Leon and yourself. I absorbed every bit of it and agree 100%. The Democratic legislators, folks we elect, must rise up and educate against Trumps lies. If they don't start communicating to the American people, and the world, the momentum of the uprising of the people will be lost.
Hi there - here’s my Monday report. Called Rep Keating (MA-9) to ask him to oppose the budget. Called Senators Warren and Markey asking them to stop the purge of the federal workforce. Went off of 5 calls script today. Call into AG Andrea Campbell (MA) to say thanks and keep it up. Also made some donations over the weekend to the Hopium list.
I wrote to 13 CA Democratic Party Leaders all of whom are on the Dem. National Comm. urging them to help "mount an aggressive campaign targeting the most vulnerable 17 Republican House Members to 'advise' them to vote against the emerging - and disastrous - House budget plan!" 'It will be important that these GOP House members see Dems literally in their districts getting out this message to their constituents. We must organize and make this happen as we did during the 2024 presidential election going door to door. We need your leadership to make this happen NOW!'
I also called Lateefah Simon, my Congresswoman. I plan to call or write to Mike Johnson and Hakeem Jeffries as well. As Congressional leaders I believe we have the right to express our perspectives to them as well, no matter where we live.
Hi Ali! I'm in Lafeefah Simon's district as well. Could you please share how you found the contact information for the 13 CA Democratic Party leaders? I would be happy to contact them as well and have been having a little trouble finding the information.
Hey friends. Calling Senators and Rep (who is the good Jim McGovern) and listing 4 things every time. 1. NO on the SAVE act 2. NO on the budget cutting an any health care. 3. FIRE ELON MUSK; make criminal referrals. and 4. OUTRAGE over betrayal of Ukraine, Europe and NATO. Going to do this every day now. Also my AG is one of the 19 who is standing up to protect us from the infiltration of our security. She is also actively supporting Trans-healthcare for kids and young adults, so I'm pressing on her to continue all of this. ALSO. It's time for me to start gathering with local people, making friends and doing this work with them in addition to everything on line. I have been way too isolated and I have gotten overwhelmed with anxiety and fear. So I'm joining up with some folks to do all this, and also write postcards for Wisconsin this week!!
Dems are still clueless. Gerry Connolly, top dem on the oversight committee, suggested on Sunday talk that federal employees respond to Musks demand letter despite the fact that several R cabinet heads suggested they don’t respond. We are still in the ‘bringing a knife to a gunfight’ mode.
This is fallout from the Democratic gerontocracy not letting go. Gerry Connolly is 74 and has cancer! I still cannot understand why Pelosi could not let go of the reins and let AOC take a shot. AOC will doubtless make mistakes, but she has shown commitment and leadership. It's time to help the new generation lead instead of holding them back.
I don't think Trump is even in charge anymore. Yesterday, Meidas Touch showed a couple of excerpts from Hannity's interview of Trump and Musk. Musk cuts Trump off and he can't get a word in edgewise, while Hannity only looks at Musk when asking questions. I've never seen a president of the US treated this way and it was sobering to say the least because it's clear that Trump is no longer in charge. I have zero doubts that we've been taken over by these Musk/Theil tech bro and Project 2025 contingents. Trump is being sidelined. We have a big problem on our hands.
I think in deeply red areas like where I live, it may be possible to find common ground with those who idolize 47 but are fearful of/angry at Elon if we make Elon the bad guy-- FOR NOW. May have to change strategies but that's how I'm approaching talking to my very MAGA US House Member, since he is a devotee of 47 and has been on his team since the elevator ride, and to my friends who voted for 47 and won't entertain hearing negative things about him. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, rule number one for helping others is: "Start where the client is." And so I am.
Jayne, not sure supporters of DJT will ever be reachable. Our only hope is independent voters blame Trump & Republicans in 2026. The only way to focus their anger is to keep reminding them that it is Trump doing this to them not Musk.
Being anti Musk isn’t a winning political position. Musk won’t be on a ballot anywhere in 2026 but all vulnerable Republicans will be and we can’t allow them to blame Musk to save themselves.
Oh but some of his supporters are reachable, they are watching and listening, and they are getting upset! Just reading about and watching the many town halls last week where sizeable numbers of attendees were Republicans who voted for 47 suggests there is portion of his supporters who are upset w/his turning his back on Ukraine, his allowing Musk to get into their private data, his own waivering over whether SS and Medicare are on the chopping block, and the random chaotic firing of civil servants. Sure, their motives seem selfish ("I didn't think MY daughter's new federal job would be cut" or "I don't want some stranger who has no right accessing MY bank account information"), but at least they are paying attention.
I never said being anti-Musk is a winnable strategy for flipping house and senate seats in 2026. My concern is right here, right now in this moment in 2025 trying to wake people up to the constitutional crisis that we must fix in-- as Simon suggested in his interview with the journalist-- the next few weeks. And if being anti-Musk is a way in to engage with 47 supporters when I know that bashing their beloved hero will turn them off from further conversation, then I will use that strategy.
And I am not solely focused on turning around his supporters, either. There are sizeable numbers of those who didn't vote at all or who voted for Harris who are shell-shocked and doing nothing, and I am reaching out to them to write to our 2 Senators and our Rep multiple times per week, per Simon's ask. I'm encouraging them to sign up here at Hopium Chronicles to get information about what is happening. I'm encouraging them to be vocal, to oppose.
IOW's I am trying to reach as many people as possible-- regardless of how they voted-- to pay attention to what is happening!
I have made my calls this morning to my representative and my senators. I think it’s especially important to call your House reps today, because as Simon laid out in an earlier post and again today, the House is voting on the budget resolution this week to cut trillions of dollars from the budget and decimate Medicaid and other key safety net programs. I have been calling and telling the story of our pastor and his wife, who have an 18-year-old son who was ravaged by seizures as a child and depends on Medicare to help keep him alive. Simply put, without Medicare he will not survive. If you live in a district with Republican House members, it’s especially important for you to call and make your voice heard.
It is up to us, all of us, to make this country what we want. I keep coming back to a quote that I heard from Wendell Berry. And if you don’t know anything about Wendell Berry, here’s a starting point. He strikes me as wisdom personified. https://ambrook.com/research/perspective/wendell-berry-kentucky-clearing-brush
The quote is this: “We don’t have a right to ask whether we’re going to succeed or not. The only question we have a right to ask is what’s the right thing to do?" We know what the right thing to do is. It’s clear that we have to continue to mobilize and get involved.
And for anyone out there who is a fan of The West Wing like I am, let me offer this too: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the world”……”Because it’s the only thing that ever has”
Love that Margaret Mead quote (thoughtful people)!!!
I knew it was her quote, but I figured more people would remember the TV show! Should have credited both!
Huge Wendell Berry fan here.
I hope that I can have half of his wisdom someday
That's a terrible situation. One disadvantage to living where I do is that all my representatives are Democrats.
All of my reps/sens are Dems too. I call every day and I have been getting family members with Republican reps/sens to call them and tell them to stop this too.
Good on you for your calls. It's also important to remind these folks that Republicans have historically been supportive of people with disabilities, including paying for care through Medicare and Medicaid.
Many legislators may not know that history.
GERMANY’s VOTER TURNOUT PUTS AMERICA TO SHAME!
The turnout in yesterday’s German Bundestag elections was 83.5%. That is essentially 20% higher than the 63.7% turnout in America’s 2024 Presidential Elections!
We Democrats need to massively improve our GOTV efforts in every election going forward – starting with the upcoming special elections, judicial elections, and all other state-level and local elections. If we do that, we’ll WIN again and again!
Granted, America’s Election Day is on a Tuesday, whereas Germany’s was conveniently held on a Sunday. However, our extensive Early Voting, whether in-person or vote-by-mail, should more than make up for that. That’s actually a significant elections advantage that the vast majority of American states have over European countries. "Election Day" really is a misnomer; that is merely the *last day* of our elections.
Check out the map in this link. Alabama, Mississippi and New Hampshire were the only states that did not offer some form of Early Voting to all voters.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/map-early-voting-mail-ballot-states/
EVERY VOTER MATTERS – A German example
Germany requires a 5%-threshold for representation in the Bundestag. Yesterday’s election results must be particularly painful and bitter for Sahra Wagenknecht's BSW, a left-populist party. Apparently the final count shows it reached 4.972%.
BSW needed just 13,000 more votes to make it into the Bundestag. Although the party is challenging the results, I am sure their leaders are asking themselves: "Where could we have made an extra effort to pick up that extra 0.028%."
From my limited knowledge, BSW is a splinter party that Sahra Wagenknecht formed to take a more hard-line view on immigration.
The Liberals had a very interesting candidate who also offers a lot of lessons for us. In short, she won a lot of young people by reminding them of their idealism and being FUN both on social media and at events.
I think we could improve our standing with the youth vote if we learned from her formula. Trump's politics are a downer and not fun. Ours are about a brighter future.
We've been pretty tone deaf about the level of economic struggle people are facing and we need to get out and show that we're listening.
But similar to the way Christian Smalls organized barbecues and rides home to get folks interested in being part of his organizing effort at Amazon, we can have events that offer help and fun to show more people that we respect them and stand in solidarity with them.
I totally agree that US Democrats need to focus more on people’s economic struggles. Unfortunately, that has been eclipsed by a decades-long shift to identity politics.
"The Liberals had a very interesting candidate who also offers a lot of lessons for us. In short, she won a lot of young people by reminding them of their idealism and being FUN both on social media and at events."
Are you here referring to Die Linke and Heidi Reichinnek?
In Oregon we have a Neighborhood Leader program that is very effective in getting out the Democratic vote. This is one of the main reasons Representative Bynum was successfully elected this last fall. 2 1/2 years ago I got an email from Senator Merkley asking me to be a Neighborhood Leader and I signed up. Here is a link to my group for more information: https://bentondemocrats.org/neighborhood-leader-program-sign-up/
This past election 100% of the folks on my neighborhood roster voted.
Excellent! Great organization such as this needs to be replicated everywhere!
this is fabulous. adding it to the ideas for our local Dem party!
Boy, if we had turnout like that, we could overcome a lot of the electoral college BS.
I was looking at 2024 results for my town, which is in solidly blue Essex County NJ. The Republicans did not increase their spread over Democrats, but turnout was under 60%. This may explain the comparatively weak performance by Harris although she clearly won NJ. A couple of observations:
1. The Harris campaign was completely absent from NJ. Understand that resources need to be deployed for maximum effect but such bold assumptions about victory suppresses turnout IMHO.
2. We better up our game in NJ for this year’s governor’s race. The Democrats are by no means a shoo-in.
Also please call your state reps - that ballot redesign they are trying to sneak in will undermine Andy Kim's reforms. "A5116/S4142 includes several unnecessary design elements that would advantage some candidates over others. Specifically, the legislation clutters the ballot with unnecessary markers, does not include uniformity for standard font size statewide, ignores calls to end bracketing, and does not follow best practices for ballot draw to determine candidate placement on the ballot. "
The Democrats are the underdogs in the governor's race and don't let anyone tell you any different;R's will run, like they always do, on insane property taxes, the likes of which would cause most people here to spit their coffee at the screen in shock. Murphy was damn lucky to be the first Dem to win a 2nd term in 40 years, the only time it happened since I was a child, and i'm 62. trump is very popular in NJ among the blue collar set, among certain Asian groups, and among Hispanic men. Every young Black man I spoke to during the campaign expressed doubts about Harris, right there in Essex Co, and also in Hudson. It was very obvious they weren't going to show for her " because of the way she was selected" I heard this so many times I could scream. The question is, if trump succeeds in shredding civil service protections at the fed level, will R governor's follow suit? I believe they will, right here in NJ too, and I don't for a second think there aren't enough Dems to help it along; they already showed us this in 2010; if the economy is in the crapper, and smart money says it will be, NJ voters will punish the Dems,as they did in 2010, this is why I am not a fan of off year elections. We saw it with Christie. And don't believe NJ always elects the out party; we had R governors throughout Reagan's term. And NJ was a Red state at the presidential level at that time as well, not flipping until 1992. In short, electing a Dem governor is almost a do or die situation here; we have excellent candidates; I like Sean Spiller, I think its high time a union leader won an executive position, and an educator as well ( Tom Kean Sr had a teaching degree but I wouldn't call him a career teacher; he did teach a class at Drew when he retired and got himself a nice job as the Dean too, even though he is already rich as hell). There is Mikey Sherrill, whom you can't really say much bad about ( though some are, saying she is the establishment candidate, give me a break ). Harris was weaker across all the blue states, something the MAGAS have thrown in my face in my few, nasty encounters with them.
YES to everything Simon is asking us to do. Importing an idea from Joyce Vance’s comment thread over here for our consideration, since it was new to me. A couple was very frustrated with Senator Jerry Moran (Kansas) for avoiding requested town halls. So, they set up a virtual one on Zoom, left a chair for the absent Senator, 100 people attended, 30 asked questions and expressed their frustration, and then hundreds more watched via YouTube. Currently, has thousands of views in Kansas. They are sending it to Senator Moran so he can see what he missed. Love the can do spirit exemplified here.
That is such a great idea! Everyone in a red state should be doing this! The opposition will not be stopped and will not be silenced!
How can I do this for McCormick in PA? I love this!!!! Gosh, I love this. I wish I knew 100 people to invite to such a thing. You have me thinking.
You could reach out to your local and state Democratic Party offices and get them to invite people to your Zoom.
Wisconsin Farmers Union did something similar—only Democrats showed up.
Is there an Indivisible group near you? Or your local Dem party?
I have written to Indivisible PA ... and no response (this was last week, when I was hoping to do something else). I'm going to write to a friend who is on the local school board and see if she has ideas for me.
I am so sorry that Indivisible PA didn’t get back to you…try again? Everyone is volunteering their time and is overwhelmed…easy to miss an email if one’s personal life intrudes at that moment. You might also try Red Wine and Blue, which has groups all over as well and does school board stuff.
The republicans are trying to do to the whole country what they did to Kansas under Brownback. The backlash got Laura Kelly elected governor. Let’s keep that in mind as we fight.
Unions are great co-sponsors because they often have members from all parties.
Yes to holding townhalls in GOP districts! People of all stripes want a place to vent and get answers! Lets us Dems give them the opportunity to participate in democracy!
That's a tried and true Indivisible tactic - and it works!
We did the same thing (in a live meeting) last week outside the 'office' of our Republican Congressman, Ryan Zinke. (Described in Hopium chat on 2/20.) Turns out his office did not exist (anywhere in town) although advertised on his government web site. But no matter -- the Congressman was MIA, but the empty chair was in full view. The news media showed up and did a 3-minute story on the evening news. Just a small group -- 30-40 people, but quite effective. Another group of us (including former and current state elected Rs) has requested a Town Hall with Senator Daines. We may repeat the empty chair meeting strategy if we don't get his cooperation.
Ohio?! Yes!
Over the weekend I responded to a post from a local organizer suggesting protests at a Tesla dealership. I said we should really protest at my Republican congressman’s office. She correctly responded “ok then organize that and I’ll come.”
So now I’m organizing my first rally—and the support from local grassroots is phenomenal! We’re trying to do it this Friday. Congressman Gabarino has not responded to requests for a town hall. So we are bringing our demands to him anyway!
Also if there are any Hopium members interested in joining us out on Long Island, let me know! We can arrange transportation for anyone coming out by train.
In Simons last members chat he suggested contacting our state parties to encourage them to organize protests/efforts to breakthrough to republican reps/senators. Does anyone know how to contact the Ohio Democratic party. I have friends who are elected dems and they do not even really know how to contact the party other than relay through county chair. Does anyone know if there is an email or something to contact the Ohio Dem Party?
Here is a website with how to contact the county party chairs in Ohio
https://www.ohiodcca.org/who-we-are/find-your-county-chair/
Thanks!
You might also look up the group Blue Ohio online and contact them. I am not a member but learned about them in the runup to the 2024 election.
https://ohiodems.org
I hope some have read Jonathan Rauch’s article in the Atlantic today - One Word Describes Trump. Pls be sure that KenMartin sees it. it offers an real response plan; after discussing ‘patrimonialism” he then suggests that the Gingrich ’take down’ of House Speaker Jim Wright is a perfect game plan as a response to what we are living and only angsting about so far.
https://apple.news/AtCLRsfEfTG-n84pmQGDAag
Self reporting … I made my calls to Republican Senator and Representative from WI using Simons talking points. Continue to write for Judge Crawford. Hang in there everyone.
Vote Forward starts their letter writing campaign for Judge Crawford tomorrow. If you haven't written letters with Vote Forward before, this would be a great campaign to start with. Sign up at: https://votefwd.org/instructions
This morning I wrote contact form emails to Senators Durbin and Duckworth requesting email updates twice weekly. Neither one of them has sent weekly newsletters in many months. Others in my group of five have been trying to reach their offices via phone but have not met with success. (I do not have time to try reaching them by phone.) They have scripts on all of the issues Simon has listed. Of course they will vote on our side. I just want to learn what they are doing in the Senate, how hard they are fighting. I also want to know what the legislative schedule is this week.
I left a message for Dem Rep Jan Schakowsky asking how long the budget negotiations will go on and when the SAVE Act might be presented to the House.
We have elections for mayor and city council on April 1 so much of my energy is being spent on helping my Most Livable City candidates win at the mayoral level as well as in my 7th Ward.
I've done many postcards and all donations are set up on recurring. After April 1 I will increase my donations to DNC and Abigail Spanberger.
Simon, why don’t the Dems stage a daily press conference each morning online (with a revolving set of speakers, including senators and congressional house reps) and seize from Trump the role of narrator in chief?
I will ask my Democrat Senators and Rep when I call today.
I have written to Jeffries and Schumer suggesting the same thing! We should keep pushing this. Dems have to control the narrative as much as possible! I have also reached out to CA Dem Party Leaders, Indivisible, People Power United, Swing Left, MoveOn and other progressive organizing groups with the hopes that if we all are taking actions to make news as much as possible, progressives can get a better grip on the narrative.
Jeffries was on Meidas February 20. Very poetic. Totally lacking in energy in my opinion
I've been suggesting all of my electeds go on Meidas Touch- they had Arizona's AG on there this weekend.
I loved learning 5 Democratic AG's are going on a tour!
which ones? would love to push ours if he's not among them.
She did not list the AG’s by name. It’s from Meidas Touch
Network yesterday I think.
I saw several senators do short energetic clips with Leigh McGowan, a.k.a. Politics Girl - fun, short and very informative. More Please!
The only Dem leader who is actively going out talking and organizing, across the country, is Bernie Sanders, at the age of 82! Check out the YouTube’s of his overflow rallies… he’s fantastic.
It bothers me that we only seem to have septuagenarians and octogenarians making the most noise on our side while the other side seems to have a lock on younger machos. We need someone to appeal heavily to the youth of America.
Not true that it's just the older congressionals. Look for every day on social media videoss from House Members AOC, Swalwell, Raskin, and Jasimine Crocket. Crocket calls herself the Rapid Response Team which is the perfect name.
Clinton, this is simply not true. Jayne lists good people who are making noise. I could name others – and if you pay attention, Simon regularly names (and interviews) others, right here in Hopium.
But who is listening? Somehow, and it baffles me, we have somehow raised a group of incredibly misogynist young men who regard trump and musk as macho heroes. Many are unlikely to take a female seriously, so we need an ‘action hero’ on our side help win them back. That’s not Swalwell and Raskin. So, no, I don’t believe this group is hearing our ‘noise’. But we need this macho man generation back on our side in order to win elections.
Clinton, I assure you that others are listening even if your not. Granted, we have far more work to do to reach young men, young voters in general, and other groups.
That said, I do feel the tone in many of your comments leaves a lot to be desired.
agree completely,
Arctic, thank you.
Don't forget Bernie Sanders is a registered Independent. He only caucuses with Dems when he wants to. He's peeled off plenty of votes from Dems over the years, i.e.Hillary Clinton.
Not true that it's just Bernie. Look for every day on social media videos from House Members AOC, Swalwell, Raskin, and Jasimine Crocket who are very active. Crocket calls herself the Rapid Response Team which is the perfect name.
Bernie is not a Democrat.
My question as well. I have made many calls asking for daily press conferences. The Democratic leadership has a huge responsibility to provide that counter narrative. They aren’t doing it. Do we just keep calling?
Here is a link to a health related Substack I find really helpful. In today's edition Dr. Jetelina describes cuts to Medicaid, cessation of Medicare tele-health in rural areas, and evidence the current administration cannot handle the bird flu outbreak by effectively vaccinating chickens. There was a bird flu vaccine developed in 2007 but who is going to mass produce the vaccine now during this epidemic, pay for it, and get it distributed to about 165,000 + poultry farmers and their chickens.
https://substack.com/inbox/post/157748400
She's an excellent source for public health information. We're going to need her work the next 4 years.
There's also Dr. Jeremy Faust: Here's his interview with Dr Atul Gawande concerning USAID:
https://insidemedicine.substack.com/p/usaid-update-with-dr-atul-gawande
thank you
Honestily, not sure if it's primarily layers or broilers being affected but if it is broilers, they are usually killed at 6-12 weeks (depending on breed), which means it would not be cost-effective to vaccinate. If it is layers, then it might be, but, in light of HHS leadership, I cannot imagine they have any clue as to how to handle the logistics of doing a huge vaccination program nor the inclination. Again, it's probably more cost-effective to cull the diseased ones rather than mass producing the vaccination.
Good to know about another reading source. Thank you for sharing her name.
It’s chickens that lay eggs
And now we have bad eggs running the HHS.
Thank you for the laugh. 😂
Yep just didn't know if it was both types of birds. Thanks for clarifying it's only layers.
Broken link?? Simon or Lincoln, I have tried several times to click through to the donation page for Ken Martin and the DNC “chip in whatever you can” in blue. It never takes me anywhere, not even to an error message. I think that link needs to be checked.
It worked for me today.
Oh good :)
Hi Kate, here is the direct link:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/hopium4kenmartindnc
This may work better. Thank you!
Thanks! Nice to meet you!
Excellent discussion with Leon and yourself. I absorbed every bit of it and agree 100%. The Democratic legislators, folks we elect, must rise up and educate against Trumps lies. If they don't start communicating to the American people, and the world, the momentum of the uprising of the people will be lost.
Hi there - here’s my Monday report. Called Rep Keating (MA-9) to ask him to oppose the budget. Called Senators Warren and Markey asking them to stop the purge of the federal workforce. Went off of 5 calls script today. Call into AG Andrea Campbell (MA) to say thanks and keep it up. Also made some donations over the weekend to the Hopium list.
I wrote to 13 CA Democratic Party Leaders all of whom are on the Dem. National Comm. urging them to help "mount an aggressive campaign targeting the most vulnerable 17 Republican House Members to 'advise' them to vote against the emerging - and disastrous - House budget plan!" 'It will be important that these GOP House members see Dems literally in their districts getting out this message to their constituents. We must organize and make this happen as we did during the 2024 presidential election going door to door. We need your leadership to make this happen NOW!'
I also called Lateefah Simon, my Congresswoman. I plan to call or write to Mike Johnson and Hakeem Jeffries as well. As Congressional leaders I believe we have the right to express our perspectives to them as well, no matter where we live.
Hi Ali! I'm in Lafeefah Simon's district as well. Could you please share how you found the contact information for the 13 CA Democratic Party leaders? I would be happy to contact them as well and have been having a little trouble finding the information.
Hey friends. Calling Senators and Rep (who is the good Jim McGovern) and listing 4 things every time. 1. NO on the SAVE act 2. NO on the budget cutting an any health care. 3. FIRE ELON MUSK; make criminal referrals. and 4. OUTRAGE over betrayal of Ukraine, Europe and NATO. Going to do this every day now. Also my AG is one of the 19 who is standing up to protect us from the infiltration of our security. She is also actively supporting Trans-healthcare for kids and young adults, so I'm pressing on her to continue all of this. ALSO. It's time for me to start gathering with local people, making friends and doing this work with them in addition to everything on line. I have been way too isolated and I have gotten overwhelmed with anxiety and fear. So I'm joining up with some folks to do all this, and also write postcards for Wisconsin this week!!
The time has some to stop talking about Elon Musk.
I fear the Democratic narrative that Trump works for Musk is the wrong message. It absolves Trump of the damage HE AND HE ALONE is doing to America.
This "President Musk" narrative will allow Trump to distance himself from the damage done during the 2026 mid terms.
I can already hear Trump acting like he doesn't know Musk in 2026 much like he did Project 2025 in the 2024 campaign.
Stop talking about Musk on social media and news articles and only talk about Trump is my thinking moving forward.
Curious if anyone else sees the perils of giving Musk the spotlight now and thus allowing Trump to hide from responsibility in 2026.
Dems are still clueless. Gerry Connolly, top dem on the oversight committee, suggested on Sunday talk that federal employees respond to Musks demand letter despite the fact that several R cabinet heads suggested they don’t respond. We are still in the ‘bringing a knife to a gunfight’ mode.
The directors of the various agencies musk sent letter to, including NIH, have told their employees not to reply.
Right. And we have a top democratic senator telling them to, ‘yeah, go ahead and comply’. Not exactly the’fierce opposition’ we are looking for.
The dem bashing is inaccurate and unhelpful.
This is fallout from the Democratic gerontocracy not letting go. Gerry Connolly is 74 and has cancer! I still cannot understand why Pelosi could not let go of the reins and let AOC take a shot. AOC will doubtless make mistakes, but she has shown commitment and leadership. It's time to help the new generation lead instead of holding them back.
I don't think Trump is even in charge anymore. Yesterday, Meidas Touch showed a couple of excerpts from Hannity's interview of Trump and Musk. Musk cuts Trump off and he can't get a word in edgewise, while Hannity only looks at Musk when asking questions. I've never seen a president of the US treated this way and it was sobering to say the least because it's clear that Trump is no longer in charge. I have zero doubts that we've been taken over by these Musk/Theil tech bro and Project 2025 contingents. Trump is being sidelined. We have a big problem on our hands.
The clips are at the start of the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx2TNq9qZDI&t=2s
Sure would be a shame if someone pointed out to Trump how weak this makes him look...
the buck stops with satan!
I think in deeply red areas like where I live, it may be possible to find common ground with those who idolize 47 but are fearful of/angry at Elon if we make Elon the bad guy-- FOR NOW. May have to change strategies but that's how I'm approaching talking to my very MAGA US House Member, since he is a devotee of 47 and has been on his team since the elevator ride, and to my friends who voted for 47 and won't entertain hearing negative things about him. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, rule number one for helping others is: "Start where the client is." And so I am.
Jayne, not sure supporters of DJT will ever be reachable. Our only hope is independent voters blame Trump & Republicans in 2026. The only way to focus their anger is to keep reminding them that it is Trump doing this to them not Musk.
Being anti Musk isn’t a winning political position. Musk won’t be on a ballot anywhere in 2026 but all vulnerable Republicans will be and we can’t allow them to blame Musk to save themselves.
Oh but some of his supporters are reachable, they are watching and listening, and they are getting upset! Just reading about and watching the many town halls last week where sizeable numbers of attendees were Republicans who voted for 47 suggests there is portion of his supporters who are upset w/his turning his back on Ukraine, his allowing Musk to get into their private data, his own waivering over whether SS and Medicare are on the chopping block, and the random chaotic firing of civil servants. Sure, their motives seem selfish ("I didn't think MY daughter's new federal job would be cut" or "I don't want some stranger who has no right accessing MY bank account information"), but at least they are paying attention.
I never said being anti-Musk is a winnable strategy for flipping house and senate seats in 2026. My concern is right here, right now in this moment in 2025 trying to wake people up to the constitutional crisis that we must fix in-- as Simon suggested in his interview with the journalist-- the next few weeks. And if being anti-Musk is a way in to engage with 47 supporters when I know that bashing their beloved hero will turn them off from further conversation, then I will use that strategy.
And I am not solely focused on turning around his supporters, either. There are sizeable numbers of those who didn't vote at all or who voted for Harris who are shell-shocked and doing nothing, and I am reaching out to them to write to our 2 Senators and our Rep multiple times per week, per Simon's ask. I'm encouraging them to sign up here at Hopium Chronicles to get information about what is happening. I'm encouraging them to be vocal, to oppose.
IOW's I am trying to reach as many people as possible-- regardless of how they voted-- to pay attention to what is happening!
Jayne thanks for all you are doing :) I live in DC and we have no voice at all in Congress - it’s very frustrating.