Great news: New polling shows Democrat Brian Poindexter up 8 points against embattled alleged wife beater Max Miller. This would be a major flip. In 2024, it was an R+15 district. Woah 🙏🙏🙏🙌.
Talarico is amazing in bringing people together. He brings hope to Texas in away the wealthy and corporations never could. Let’s go Talarico!!! Teaming with Bobby Pulido in the Valley and Pastor Cosby of Wheeler Baptist is only possible with a big Heart.
The polls are generally positive but I admit the (still rather early) FL poll showing Donalds with a lead is pretty depressing. I think Jolly needs to lean into the corruption+data centers, and the public education angle (Donalds is a corrupt charter schools guy). Donalds is exactly the kind of corrupt politician we don't need.
I saw some earlier polls with a Jolly lead. Donalds has been so far spending a lot of money, Jolly I don't think has spent much at least on TV. Donalds is running anti-trans ads which is particularly fucking disgusting.
Yes I appreciate that. I have to deal rather directly with policies the governor implements and I've been living with DeSantis. This one, for me, affects me the most directly.
I'm keeping the faith. The only races I support with money and time outside of the Hopium list are Vindman and Jolly.
i’m really curious what turnout looks like in the primary.
Rs have a significant registration gap and Donalds will have more money than Jolly, so in order for Jolly to have a shot he will need incredibly robust organic turnout, we should be able to judge that from the primary. If folks are fed up, they will turn out, even if there isn’t a particularly competitive statewide race.
Geez i never imagined a dem gov of tx! that would be great + a new dem sen for tx! all good!
seems like the first line of defense against midterm election satan manipulation are dem govs & dem AG's! and whatever simulation games the elected dems are running, put them on you tube. get them out there. this is not a secret. this is defense against coup 2.0. let the people know what to expect. our voters are the ones who will be affected by satan's tactics. let's have a fair fight. educate the voters. you tube is your friend! satan will only pick blue cities, blue states to mess with. so let's prep and be loud and proud about it. and we better be using our imaginations because there is no bottom to this guy. giving to troy today.
I know many of us are writing GOTV postcards via progressive postcards. We've pledged to use the prescripted message. I have 500 Iowa postcards and have made the following adaptation.
"Thanks for being a voter! Who you vote for is private, but when (my modification - replace whether with when) you vote is public record. Please plan (my modification - add "plan") to vote - early if possible - (my modification - add "early if possible) in the Tues. Nov 3 election."
In Iowa, early vote starts either Oct 14 or 15. My mail date is October 12. I write across the bottom
"EARLY VOTE STARTS THIS WEEK".
I write address and most text in blue. I write the early vote message across the bottom in RED, and the "- early if possible - " in RED. It looks very patriotic.
Hope no one from progressive postcards sees this and slaps my hand!
I am doing these postcards too, for North Carolina! And I like the idea of adding the recommendation to vote early—but I too am slightly worried about whether I will get into trouble since they’ve told us to stick to the scripted messages… 😅
I agree about the slight worry. I have decided - for me - that the modifications are slight and will not be noted until the postcards are mailed (except that I can now be tracked down via these comments, assuming overlap in communitities). So, I'm willing to take the risk. Obviously, an individual decision. One option would be to write a message on the bottom of card - "Early voting from Oct xx to Nov yy". I did a quick google and NC seems to have a 17 day window for early vote. If we're in trouble, I'd argue it is "good trouble"!
Turnoutpac.org gave me this reply when I emailed them to ask about adding early in-person voting dates:
“If you want to add the early voting dates, that's absolutely fine. Thank you for asking. We tested a message focused on providing early voting info in 2022. While it was effective, it wasn't as effective as our three current message options. But adding that information in addition to the current message would likely be useful. ”
I emailed Turnoutpac.org to request permission to add the early voting dates to my Iowa postcards (I’ve been writing exactly the same message that you state with a scheduled mailing date of Oct 12). Here is their reply:
“If you want to add the early voting dates, that's absolutely fine. Thank you for asking. We tested a message focused on providing early voting info in 2022. While it was effective, it wasn't as effective as our three current message options. But adding that information in addition to the current message would likely be useful. ”
Relaxing after a robust day of sightseeing in London with my Mother who is on her first ever trip outside North America at age 78. She always has me call her after Hopium drops for the day to discuss Simon’s latest thoughts and recommendations, and it’s been fun on this trip to have those discussions in person rather than over the phone.
Just chipped in for Troy Jackson. I have many things to share when I get home later this week about conversations I’ve had with locals here in the UK and travelers from around the world I have met.
We have such an important task before us for the betterment of the whole planet…this is so much bigger than just us. Can’t wait to dig into with all of you in a few days. Love to all…. It’s such an honor to be part of this community with you. 🇺🇸🔵❤️🩹
Enjoy every minute adventuring with your mom! This week I send both my kids to study abroad; one undergraduate who will be visiting 5 countries and one graduate student heading to the UK. They understand their mission is to be - and to become - upstanding citizens of the world. The call to good character and virtue really resonates here. Yes, this mama bear will worry, but I agree with you that this is so much bigger than just us and I really want my kids to see that, live that, know that, and pass it on when they return.
I'm working on my stack of 500 postcards to Ohio. I like the idea I read above about adding on the phrase to vote early!
Reporting in - my weekly email highlighting 3 Hopium congressional candidates went out this morning. This week I highlighted Cait Conley, Jonathan Nez and Christiana Bohannan. Feedback is good - people really appreciate learning about these candidates all over the country. I encourage everyone to forward the emails. The photos I embed in the email don’t always display when forwarded, but the text and links to the Hopium interview and candidate website are fine.
Thank you Kate. I think emails like this matter. We just saw in polling today that people are responding well to our candidates when they see and touch them.....we need to keep putting them in front of people.....
In thinking about this trend toward voters wanting moral leadership, I am reminded of the post-Watergate presidency of Jimmy Carter, who was the breath of fresh air that the country yearned for in 1976. Every time I think about the 1960s and early 70s, I am astounded that the country made it through. People who were not there may not grasp just how terrifying those days were, but even as a child I recognized that something horrible was under way, a darkness and decay. But we're still here.
We may be frightened in a different way today - with good reason - but we made it through then, and these Dem candidates will lead us through this now.
Especially important since yesterday was the anniversary of Nixon's resignation. Those of us who lived through Watergate and its associated scandals thought we'd never see such a thing again in our lifetimes. Yet, it is worse now--the corruption even more brazen; the lying more constant; the invocation of fake national security as justification for violating the law even more prevalent. We couldn't give up then and we can't now.
Nixon's resignation was my very first political memory. The news bulletin came over the radio and my mom shushed my brother and me so she could hear it. When it was over, we asked what it meant and my mother told us that the president had quit. We asked why, and she turned around, shot us a beady-eyed stare, and said, "Because he lied." 😂
Lisa - I was reading HCR's post about Watergate this morning and thinking a similar thing. I was glued to the Watergate news in 1973, which was the summer after my high school graduation. While Nixon seems like a mischievous Boy Scout compared to Trump, the situation was shocking then because we were just finding out about all the lies and mistruths our own government had told us. The Vietnam lies, Hoover's ugly FBI, and then Nixon. It was so shocking then!
I also have great affection for Jimmy Carter - he was my first vote in 1976 as a 21 year old. I very clearly remember walking to a school in our neighborhood and standing in line to vote with my new (now ex-) wife. Let's hope for a candidate in 2028 that we can feel that proud of. Have a great week!
Like you, Lisa, I was a small child in the late 60’s and child-mid-teen through the 70’s. I remember drills for nuclear bombs (a school hallway wasn’t ‘gonna cut it), Vietnam, funerals on TV, Nixon, stagflation, etc. There was no evident patriotism.
As an adult, I asked my mother if the 60’s were a scary time. She answered immediately-yes, they were.
We got through it then. I pray we get through it now.
Wonderful canvassing Saturday and Sunday for our great congeressional candidate, Beth Macy, VA House 6!!! People are noticing our Macy buttons as we shop locally and happily walking away with our buttons :-) and yard signs!!!
The 19 point over performance shown in the Iowa governor’s race in the chart Simon shared is really good to see. That has to be good news for Turek as well. Nice to have solid candidates in Iowa in both the Senate and Governors races.
I just donated to Josh Turek, Troy Jackson and I added Mary Peltola. I also watched their videos last night as well as a couple of others. And, I think I will have to start donating more to my State of Florida, which I have. If I can, I will give more to David Jolly and Alex Vindman.
The DNC released a short progress report on our national partisan voter registration program
“When We Count Progress Update: First 3 Months.”
https://democrats.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WWC-Partner-Update.pdf
Yes, saw that. The When We Count program is amazing!
This is very encouraging!
And the Republicans are becoming the party of anti-virtue, with people like Max Miller, Cory Mills, Chuck Edwards coming to define them.
Here is a new poll showing Brian Poindexter up 54-46 against Max Miller in a Trump+11 district
https://x.com/PollTracker2024/status/2086833358256890017
Great news: New polling shows Democrat Brian Poindexter up 8 points against embattled alleged wife beater Max Miller. This would be a major flip. In 2024, it was an R+15 district. Woah 🙏🙏🙏🙌.
Forecaster 50+1 currently gives Poindexter a 57% chance of winning in this OH-07 district..
https://fiftyplusone.news/forecast/house
Talarico is amazing in bringing people together. He brings hope to Texas in away the wealthy and corporations never could. Let’s go Talarico!!! Teaming with Bobby Pulido in the Valley and Pastor Cosby of Wheeler Baptist is only possible with a big Heart.
The polls are generally positive but I admit the (still rather early) FL poll showing Donalds with a lead is pretty depressing. I think Jolly needs to lean into the corruption+data centers, and the public education angle (Donalds is a corrupt charter schools guy). Donalds is exactly the kind of corrupt politician we don't need.
I saw some earlier polls with a Jolly lead. Donalds has been so far spending a lot of money, Jolly I don't think has spent much at least on TV. Donalds is running anti-trans ads which is particularly fucking disgusting.
Postcarding.
Not depressing. Donalds is way underperforming here. Florida is going to be very hard. Heart of MAGA land. This poll says we have a shot.
Yes I appreciate that. I have to deal rather directly with policies the governor implements and I've been living with DeSantis. This one, for me, affects me the most directly.
I'm keeping the faith. The only races I support with money and time outside of the Hopium list are Vindman and Jolly.
i’m really curious what turnout looks like in the primary.
Rs have a significant registration gap and Donalds will have more money than Jolly, so in order for Jolly to have a shot he will need incredibly robust organic turnout, we should be able to judge that from the primary. If folks are fed up, they will turn out, even if there isn’t a particularly competitive statewide race.
That is awesome Simon!!! I've been rooting for Florida!!!
Mailed my absentee ballot application in. Since 1st class mail can take almost 2 weeks! to be delivered here, I knew I needed to get a jump on it.
That also counts as early voting!!
Geez i never imagined a dem gov of tx! that would be great + a new dem sen for tx! all good!
seems like the first line of defense against midterm election satan manipulation are dem govs & dem AG's! and whatever simulation games the elected dems are running, put them on you tube. get them out there. this is not a secret. this is defense against coup 2.0. let the people know what to expect. our voters are the ones who will be affected by satan's tactics. let's have a fair fight. educate the voters. you tube is your friend! satan will only pick blue cities, blue states to mess with. so let's prep and be loud and proud about it. and we better be using our imaginations because there is no bottom to this guy. giving to troy today.
I know many of us are writing GOTV postcards via progressive postcards. We've pledged to use the prescripted message. I have 500 Iowa postcards and have made the following adaptation.
"Thanks for being a voter! Who you vote for is private, but when (my modification - replace whether with when) you vote is public record. Please plan (my modification - add "plan") to vote - early if possible - (my modification - add "early if possible) in the Tues. Nov 3 election."
In Iowa, early vote starts either Oct 14 or 15. My mail date is October 12. I write across the bottom
"EARLY VOTE STARTS THIS WEEK".
I write address and most text in blue. I write the early vote message across the bottom in RED, and the "- early if possible - " in RED. It looks very patriotic.
Hope no one from progressive postcards sees this and slaps my hand!
I am doing these postcards too, for North Carolina! And I like the idea of adding the recommendation to vote early—but I too am slightly worried about whether I will get into trouble since they’ve told us to stick to the scripted messages… 😅
I agree about the slight worry. I have decided - for me - that the modifications are slight and will not be noted until the postcards are mailed (except that I can now be tracked down via these comments, assuming overlap in communitities). So, I'm willing to take the risk. Obviously, an individual decision. One option would be to write a message on the bottom of card - "Early voting from Oct xx to Nov yy". I did a quick google and NC seems to have a 17 day window for early vote. If we're in trouble, I'd argue it is "good trouble"!
Turnoutpac.org gave me this reply when I emailed them to ask about adding early in-person voting dates:
“If you want to add the early voting dates, that's absolutely fine. Thank you for asking. We tested a message focused on providing early voting info in 2022. While it was effective, it wasn't as effective as our three current message options. But adding that information in addition to the current message would likely be useful. ”
Proceed without worry, Jean!
I emailed Turnoutpac.org to request permission to add the early voting dates to my Iowa postcards (I’ve been writing exactly the same message that you state with a scheduled mailing date of Oct 12). Here is their reply:
“If you want to add the early voting dates, that's absolutely fine. Thank you for asking. We tested a message focused on providing early voting info in 2022. While it was effective, it wasn't as effective as our three current message options. But adding that information in addition to the current message would likely be useful. ”
Thanks for sharing this - it didn't occur to me to ask!
Thank you, Simon! I gave a little bit more to Troy in Maine.
I'm writing postcards to Ohio voters today.
See my note on how I've modified my Iowa postcards to add early voting emphasis - if you have the same script
Relaxing after a robust day of sightseeing in London with my Mother who is on her first ever trip outside North America at age 78. She always has me call her after Hopium drops for the day to discuss Simon’s latest thoughts and recommendations, and it’s been fun on this trip to have those discussions in person rather than over the phone.
Just chipped in for Troy Jackson. I have many things to share when I get home later this week about conversations I’ve had with locals here in the UK and travelers from around the world I have met.
We have such an important task before us for the betterment of the whole planet…this is so much bigger than just us. Can’t wait to dig into with all of you in a few days. Love to all…. It’s such an honor to be part of this community with you. 🇺🇸🔵❤️🩹
Enjoy every minute adventuring with your mom! This week I send both my kids to study abroad; one undergraduate who will be visiting 5 countries and one graduate student heading to the UK. They understand their mission is to be - and to become - upstanding citizens of the world. The call to good character and virtue really resonates here. Yes, this mama bear will worry, but I agree with you that this is so much bigger than just us and I really want my kids to see that, live that, know that, and pass it on when they return.
I'm working on my stack of 500 postcards to Ohio. I like the idea I read above about adding on the phrase to vote early!
Wish them a glorious and enlightening adventure on behalf of myself and my family! 😎🇺🇸🌎
Thank you Piano Man! I miss having those discussions with my dad. Enjoy these precious moments..hopefully over a pot of tea and scones!
Reporting in - my weekly email highlighting 3 Hopium congressional candidates went out this morning. This week I highlighted Cait Conley, Jonathan Nez and Christiana Bohannan. Feedback is good - people really appreciate learning about these candidates all over the country. I encourage everyone to forward the emails. The photos I embed in the email don’t always display when forwarded, but the text and links to the Hopium interview and candidate website are fine.
Thank you Kate. I think emails like this matter. We just saw in polling today that people are responding well to our candidates when they see and touch them.....we need to keep putting them in front of people.....
Deborah, That Progress Report looks interesting and pretty good.
Simon, That was a very special Video Conversation you had with Stuart. Too bad it's not more often.
I will make a donation (not big) today, for Troy Jackson and Josh Turek. I know, every little bit helps.
Meeting Stuart through Simon has been one of the coolest new people I've met! He's really amazing.
In thinking about this trend toward voters wanting moral leadership, I am reminded of the post-Watergate presidency of Jimmy Carter, who was the breath of fresh air that the country yearned for in 1976. Every time I think about the 1960s and early 70s, I am astounded that the country made it through. People who were not there may not grasp just how terrifying those days were, but even as a child I recognized that something horrible was under way, a darkness and decay. But we're still here.
We may be frightened in a different way today - with good reason - but we made it through then, and these Dem candidates will lead us through this now.
Keep going!
Especially important since yesterday was the anniversary of Nixon's resignation. Those of us who lived through Watergate and its associated scandals thought we'd never see such a thing again in our lifetimes. Yet, it is worse now--the corruption even more brazen; the lying more constant; the invocation of fake national security as justification for violating the law even more prevalent. We couldn't give up then and we can't now.
Thanks for this comment, Lisa. I just had to buy a national parks pass and am utterly disgusted and enraged to find it's got trump's ugly mug on it.
I'm just old enough to remember Carter as president but not Watergate. I appreciate the perspective!
Nixon's resignation was my very first political memory. The news bulletin came over the radio and my mom shushed my brother and me so she could hear it. When it was over, we asked what it meant and my mother told us that the president had quit. We asked why, and she turned around, shot us a beady-eyed stare, and said, "Because he lied." 😂
Lisa - I was reading HCR's post about Watergate this morning and thinking a similar thing. I was glued to the Watergate news in 1973, which was the summer after my high school graduation. While Nixon seems like a mischievous Boy Scout compared to Trump, the situation was shocking then because we were just finding out about all the lies and mistruths our own government had told us. The Vietnam lies, Hoover's ugly FBI, and then Nixon. It was so shocking then!
I also have great affection for Jimmy Carter - he was my first vote in 1976 as a 21 year old. I very clearly remember walking to a school in our neighborhood and standing in line to vote with my new (now ex-) wife. Let's hope for a candidate in 2028 that we can feel that proud of. Have a great week!
Like you, Lisa, I was a small child in the late 60’s and child-mid-teen through the 70’s. I remember drills for nuclear bombs (a school hallway wasn’t ‘gonna cut it), Vietnam, funerals on TV, Nixon, stagflation, etc. There was no evident patriotism.
As an adult, I asked my mother if the 60’s were a scary time. She answered immediately-yes, they were.
We got through it then. I pray we get through it now.
Hearing the CSNY song Ohio yesterday took me back to those days. Such a turmoltuous time! Yes we are tough and seasoned!☮️✌️💕🌼
Wonderful canvassing Saturday and Sunday for our great congeressional candidate, Beth Macy, VA House 6!!! People are noticing our Macy buttons as we shop locally and happily walking away with our buttons :-) and yard signs!!!
The 19 point over performance shown in the Iowa governor’s race in the chart Simon shared is really good to see. That has to be good news for Turek as well. Nice to have solid candidates in Iowa in both the Senate and Governors races.
I just donated to Josh Turek, Troy Jackson and I added Mary Peltola. I also watched their videos last night as well as a couple of others. And, I think I will have to start donating more to my State of Florida, which I have. If I can, I will give more to David Jolly and Alex Vindman.