Remind people of their tax rates – compared to billionaires such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, and of course pretend-billionaires such as Donald himself.
Simon: I don't know if you follow Dean Obeidallah but he had a convo with Michael Steele recently on Sirius (he also posted it on bluesky). Steele is much more aggressive in his comments than he is on cable and I thought it was great. I agreed with him with few exceptions, including his remarks on the Senate, how this should be a focus for Dems, and that Schumer is the week link. It was refreshing to hear such candor. If you have a chance to watch it I hope you will comment on his points this week, including how during the campaign we heard the word Fascism being used all over the place and now, crickets. What happened to that energy? Where is our leadership??? Many thanks again for yours!
True, but some of those few elections are substantial and will be deeply impactful.
I would implore the Hopium community to invest in the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election. On April 1, Wisconsinites will elect a replacement for retiring justice Ann Walsh Bradley – and it’s for a ten-year term!
It’s imperative that we elect Susan Crawford and keep the liberal majority on Wisconsin’s top court.
Yeah, for some reason my finger slipped after my tablet refuses to just accept R or D with an apostrophe s after it. Have to keep going back and fixing it. Sorry to slip up, was thinking about the next thing I wanted to post!
I think that it’s a great idea to use the network to communicate, rile up the country. Let’s use the volunteer resources to engage in activities not focused on elections in the off years. Many of the DNC volunteers who did calls, texts, etc are pushing the Party to do the same thing …use us to communicate, catalyze acts of resistance, etc. when election activities are down. We have got to drop the “elections only” strategy and broaden our efforts year round.
Democrats need a win, and the sooner the better. It makes strategic sense to support this race. It would be a morale-booster if we win. Democrats will have something to point to that is positive.
Postcards to Swing States is already getting geared up for the WI election. I ordered a batch of postcards a few days ago and am anxious to channel my nervous energy back into something productive!
"We have a giant state supreme court race coming up April 1st which let me just say everyone should mark their calendar because that is the first big Statewide election of this new Trump era and we're going to be absolutely fighting to win Susan Crawford is our candidate against a far-right guy named Brad Shimmel uh so donate to Susan Crawford."
And I’m in NJ. Very important to invest and keep a democratic governor here. Our margins shrunk the last election. Going to work hard on that election.
Simon, I am deeply disturbed that Hopium is not specifically supporting the Dem candidates in the special elections in FL-01, FL-06, and NY-21! In the current atmosphere, we have an opportunity to move the needle considerably in the House. Financial support is the main need of these three candidates and Hopium could make a huge difference for them with even a modest effort. To say they are running in red districts is not appropriate, to put it nicely. They all are decent candidates and the advent of the trump administration is going to prompt some reevaluation by people in those districts. Holy crap! FL-01 is Gaetz's district! Gay Valimont already has name recognition there! In all three districts, we should make the effort instead of conceding them to maga!! C'mon! New situation requires new thinking!
Simon, I long have admired and supported you and Hopium's efforts. I still feel that way. I do strongly believe it would be a error not to seize the opportunities in these three districts. -Ron
I will consult with folks in DC this week about them. I do not recommend long shot races that we are not likely to win and I am skeptical that any of these can be made into competitive races.
Simon, I hear you! But nevertheless, from time to time, long-shot races *are* won. And winning even one of these special elections would be hugely empowering for Hakeem Jeffries and House Democrats. That would make it far more likely that we will secure legislative wins during these first two years of Trump’s reign.
Thank you for your reply, Simon, and for taking an extra step. You’re the expert and I defer to your experience. I look forward to hearing more about the matter. -Ron
Yes. We need to try long shot races because magas do not vote in numbers unless trump is on the ballot. Forcing Rs to spend money, letting Dems know that they will have a decent candidate on the ballot to vote for and then going from door to door can make the difference.
I have brought up the item of Florida's 1st a couple of times. My primary intent was that someone in the Hopium community was located there -- and we could begin a dialogue on a ground game. I'm in Georgia -- 40 years now -- and I have some knowledge and experience of the long process of moving things in a more blue direction. (I'm in a district once represented by Newt Gingrich -- and yet went for Harris by a bigger margin than for Biden in 2020. I call that "progress.")
One of the people in the running for DNC chair -- who recently dropped out -- won in a very deep red part of New York state -- a district Trump won handily. The comments he had about his race really hit me with regards to Florida's First. There were a few other Dem candidates who won in areas Trump carried. Pardon me for being VERY interested in those.
I am not of a mind to "Leave a white towel out on the field, instead of some effort." -- Especially after this recent election -- and 90 days of (very likely) ensuing CHAOS. I have tremendous respect for Gay's story -- running in a race some Democrats on the sidelines declare as hopeless. I understand the position ... and oh the attitude reverberates in these red areas -- where hope can be hard to come by. Thank you, Gay.
If we can't win ... can we at least give them a damned good scare? The Republicans haven't even put up an opponent yet.
I usually agree with you, Simon, but I disagree on your praise of Newsom. Here is the email I sent him this morning in reaction to Newsom’s decision to have the US flag fly at full mast on Inauguration day:
California should NOT fly flags at full mast on Trump’s inauguration day. Mr. Governor, this decision will not increase CA’s chances of wildfire aid or any other positive consideration from Trump and his corrupt administration. It only ensures that Trump will continue to bully the state.
Your decision also dishonors Jimmy Carter, a President committed to honesty, and integrity, and who was a champion for the less fortunate. It is beyond belief that you promote convicted felon and aspiring despot Trump over the honorable and inspirational Carter.
I wonder why you think Nancy's over the top, Simon. I wish Newsom hadn't made that decision though I didn't write to him. Mostly, he's doing an amazing job - and not just the fire, but importantly with pushing back at trump/maga. In this case, what is the message he's conveying - that we're honoring trump? That we're honoring inauguration day no matter what? I applaud people like Nancy Pelosi and Michelle Obama not attending the inauguration. Symbols and optics matter - like Alito's wife flying the flag upside down - and are linked to principles. Another example comes to mind that disturbs me - Obama seen laughing with trump at Carter's funeral. Anything we do that normalizes trump weakens us and I was sorry for his - however momentary - lapse in such a public venue. It was posted widely. Normalizing is what that conveyed to me -- "he's not so bad after all. It's ok to joke with him ..in private because what he says is just bluster, he doesn't mean it/won't do it etc". That's what maga wants everyone to believe and what one could conclude seeing that interaction. Does my reaction seem over the top? I don't think we should spend too much time/energy on a detail like this but I haven't -- it's the issue that interests me here, and where we draw lines. It's not as if it doesn't matter at all.
California has a lot of Republicans. Newsom has to balance appropriately. I do not think he or we as Californians are disrespecting President Carter's legacy by this action which I personally do not like. I also know that I could not do Newsom's job. So, I will give him the benefit of doubt in this extremely difficult time.
I live in one of California’s proudly MAGAt districts full of the cultural sons of the fiercely self-protectionist, fiercely other-wary, gold rush prospectors, many of whom loudly back the “State of Jefferson” secessionist movement (while collecting SSI and disability.)
Newsom is unpopular here, to say the least. Allowing the American flags to be raised on Monday while the work of truth-telling, fire-restoration, and strengthening the sanctuary state goes on, is an utterly appropriate concession to these folks. He’s picking and choosing his battles.
Apropos of Pres Obama politely engaging with 45/7 at Carter’s funeral…. I saw this as a gesture completely in line with his decency and “high road” behavior which honored the decency of Pres Carter.. After all, Obama skillfully sliced Trump over and over during the campaign. There is no question of Obama’s views of that person,
As much as I love and support Newsom I too am deeply hurt by his decision to raise the flag. I want to respect Carter. He is my favorite president. The way that we in CA have been treated by this incoming admin is unbearable, unbelievable, and unconscionable. There are no words to express the pain that this republican administration is currently inflicting upon our state and the poor fire victims.
All your ideas for Hopium 2025-26 have merit, Simon. The LA Project, while vital, seems almost too big for our group. Maybe taking a piece of it--the disinformation portion--and pairing that with fighting other R disinformation efforts could be worthwhile and manageable. And it ties directly to your oft-stated need for Ds to get SO much better at being loud and proud in new communication media.
I also post for all subscribers a link to an interesting NYT column about the chasm between the "technofeudalists" as Steve Bannon calls the Musk/Ramanswamy/Saks/Thiel,Andreesen, et al cabal and the more populist-oriented portions of MAGA. This is truly an unholy alliance and we should look for opportunities to exploit the divisions. Just as reactionary backlash to the 1960s Civil Rights Movement splintered the Ds New Deal Coalition and gave Rs an opening, we should take advantage of the splintering likely to occur in MAGA.
I believe we should focus on partisan voter registration, coupled with talking points about why someone should register and how important it is to follow through with voting in every election.
Simon. We need to support Susan Crawford, the candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court!! If she loses, control goes right back to the Republicans. We fought too hard, two years ago, to get Democratic control of the court to lose it now!! Her opponent, a Scott Walker appointee, is already launching a flurry of ads on tv. If he wins, we are guaranteed to go back to gerrymandered maps, 1860 reproductive rights laws and an anti-voter law agenda. Can Hopium support her?
One: Someone suggested (Tim Miller?) that we should sort of start the Democratic primary on Tuesday. Maybe Newsom, maybe some others, just start running for president. Then we all focus our attention on them instead of the weirdos. Kind of a fun idea.
Two: There is a disconnect between those who want to acknowledge that the economy is good and those who believe we lost because we were insensitive to people's struggles. We need a stronger message about who we are trying to help.
Three: The Democratic circular firing squad continues. Many Democratic voters save all their vitriol for our own leaders. This isn't going to work. Can we identify the real villains and take a break from criticizing our own?
Four: How do people feel about hammering them relentlessly on the same things they threw at us? "Inflation, mortgage rates, eggs, all going back up again!" I know Trump can fudge government data, but people know who much their rent and groceries cost—even people who worship him.
I don't think the economy was the real issue for the MAGAts. It was the excuse this time, just like "her emails" was the excuse last time. Yes, we need to do a better issue making clear that we improve the economy and Rs blow it up. But we also have to face the fact that a portion of the American populace is more than willing to sacrifice their own well-being to see women, minorities, and "libs" suffer. Look at states like Mississippi that have been coming in at the bottom of the economic/social/health barrel for decades and how they don't suddenly wake up and decide to vote differently. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I know we can't fix this if we don't acknowledge it.
I agree. In my humble opinion, Dem Leadership needs to not abandon entirely the MSM (though I have), but accept the fact that the MSM no longer is about facts. They also need to face the fact that racism and Misogyny is alive and fierce and MAGA-ism fuels it. Stop trying to win over the MAGAs and the MSM. I honestly believe Substack is a great start to go around the MSM. Hey something is working a bit as I keep getting WA Post and NYT offers to renew my subscriptions for a huge discount - not doing it. Also, Dem and PACs need to stop with the constant donation requests and taking Blue States and Dem voters for granted. Oh and I think it's long past the time that Schumer should go.
One more thing, again in my humble opinion, Dem PR needs to come up with better sound bites and names for projects. Like it or not, they work - maybe not for those that are more informed but simple, emotional sound bites and catchy phrases work on a lot of people. My husband heard on the radio someone suggested that instead of tying everything to Trump to instead say it's the Republican way or it's the Republican policies, tie every horrible thing Trump initiates to the Republicans. Stop giving them a pass and hoping for "good" Republicans to save the day - put the blame squarely on the Republicans. But what do I know? I am not paid thousands to come up with slogans that don't work.
I agree 100%. MAGA does not care about the economy. They are addicted to this man in a way that few of us understand. I have seen this in my own family. No amount of gently and lovingly talking or reasoning with them will convince them otherwise even when you show them proof that we are better off with Biden/Harris. He is a bad habit that they just can’t quit. I don’t know how to “rescue” them. I’m baffled.
Catherine, I appreciate your point about how people will vote along culture war lines at their own expense:
“Look at states like Mississippi that have been coming in at the bottom of the economic/social/health barrel for decades and how they don't suddenly wake up and decide to vote differently. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I know we can't fix this if we don't acknowledge it.”
Speaking from my several decades of teaching math to first generation college students, these young adults often face enormous pressure from their families who cannot understand their youth’s desire for improvement, nor that taking (expensive) action toward future achievement is worthwhile. It is a failure of imagination, a failure of hope, a failure of courage, and complete ignorance of the mechanism of deferred gratification. The universities who work with these students create strong support systems of counseling and peer groups to make up for the friction these kids experience.
Looking beyond the campus to the wider society, I firmly believe that getting folks living in entrenched poverty and ill-health to vote for solutions would require investment in formidable grassroots initiatives to get their communities to believe that change is on the one hand possible and on the other hand desirable. Until suspicion is allayed and hope and belief are fostered nothing will change.
Your point no. two is a big issue; the people who promote the bad economy are all over sites like Dkos. To be fair, they were also the ones telling us awhile back we were in trouble. But I do not believe you can have an economy this good, while not perfect, and lose an election on the economy. There was ageism, racism ,sexism and as one writer noted, a resurgence of white supremacy. trump ran with that on his sleeve. I'm fairly pissed at the voters right now, and we are all going to have PTSD when he is sworn in. There was an article today describing how, from day one, Biden was disrespected, from the point of the WH doors being locked when he arrived to the constant drum that he was too old, to the failure of the media to report anything positive about him, and their constant focus on the more entertaining trump; more than one report is that the WH press corps found the Biden administration "boring." And here we are. I have to face a governor's race here in NJ, with any Dem being the underdog; we do not necessarily elect the party out of power. Perhaps disgust with trump will propel an historic 3rd consecutive Dem governor.
Trump about to amass quarter-billion-dollar slush fund
Trump and his allied political action committees [are expected] to pull in as much as $250 million for Trump’s inauguration. However, much of the cost of the inauguration is actually covered by taxpayer dollars.
NOTE: While laws require Trump’s Inaugural Committee to disclose its donors, there is no requirement to say where the money goes.
Only consolation is that money will NOT go toward elections. It will be for himself. He has Elmo to finance him. We need to figure out how to pressure house and senate to cancel Space X contracts, start a movement to dump Tesla.
Being a Californian I love the idea of long term help in rebuilding LA. I also like the idea of taking on one of Trumps awful ideas and working against that. Whichever way it goes please keep the ideas for info warring coming! I’m a member of Commit To Democracy and I pass them on to my hub members. Every suggestion helps us as we reinvent our activist communities.
I do not think many people that voted for Trump can be reasoned with to change how they vote next time.
However, there were 90,000,000 people that could have voted and did not. I think our efforts should get into compiling contact, lists if possible, and reaching out to these non-voters and finding out 1. Why and 2. What would it take to get them to vote D in 2026. If we can get 25% that would be an increase of around 25,000,000 new voters for us.
I don't agree..Apparently there were Biden voters who voted for Trump. They are going to have a rude awakening and, I believe, will be switching back or dropping out.But it will be more difficult, I believe, to get the 90,000,000 who apparently don't give a damn enough to vote. Maybe the pain they will experience will be the stick to prod them as well. Trump himself could prove to be the prod that will get some off the couch.
As per Michael Podhorzer, there were very very few vote switchers. trump only got 4/10 of a point more than he did previously, if I read him right. It was mostly our coalition of 2020 collapsing.
"We could, for example, decide to wage a campaign around a single Trump issue like opposition to the reconciliation/budget bill."
I like this idea. I know I have said this before, but, in a different world, I would have really liked to pick off the worst of the Unacceptable 4 one-by-one. Focus on Gaetz like we did, then move to Hegseth (and ONLY Hegseth, and don't let up until we got him out, and then the same with Gabbard.
I know media like CNN has let us down in their ability to hold these people accountable, but I still think that a clear laser-pinpointed focus on one issue at a time will help us make the stakes clear to the American public. Whereas, on the other hand, you try to balance out your coverage of the Unacceptable 4 all the time, you kinda unintentionally normalize the 4's unacceptable behavior.
That's just my opinion. Don't know if that makes sense, and happy to answer anyone's questions about what I said.
My tactic, since I agree with you, has been to make four separate calls, one for each of the odious four and each focused specifically on one aspect. E.g. apropos of RFKJr I raised the specter of bird flu’s ability to mutate…. I’m also big on emphasizing the integrity and safety of our armed forces in re Hegseth.
Remind people of their tax rates – compared to billionaires such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, and of course pretend-billionaires such as Donald himself.
Simon: I don't know if you follow Dean Obeidallah but he had a convo with Michael Steele recently on Sirius (he also posted it on bluesky). Steele is much more aggressive in his comments than he is on cable and I thought it was great. I agreed with him with few exceptions, including his remarks on the Senate, how this should be a focus for Dems, and that Schumer is the week link. It was refreshing to hear such candor. If you have a chance to watch it I hope you will comment on his points this week, including how during the campaign we heard the word Fascism being used all over the place and now, crickets. What happened to that energy? Where is our leadership??? Many thanks again for yours!
"…there aren’t that many elections in 2025…"
True, but some of those few elections are substantial and will be deeply impactful.
I would implore the Hopium community to invest in the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election. On April 1, Wisconsinites will elect a replacement for retiring justice Ann Walsh Bradley – and it’s for a ten-year term!
It’s imperative that we elect Susan Crawford and keep the liberal majority on Wisconsin’s top court.
I agree. We can't have the D's taking that seat, otherwise it negates the work done to take the court.
You mean "can’t have R’s"...
Yeah, for some reason my finger slipped after my tablet refuses to just accept R or D with an apostrophe s after it. Have to keep going back and fixing it. Sorry to slip up, was thinking about the next thing I wanted to post!
I think that it’s a great idea to use the network to communicate, rile up the country. Let’s use the volunteer resources to engage in activities not focused on elections in the off years. Many of the DNC volunteers who did calls, texts, etc are pushing the Party to do the same thing …use us to communicate, catalyze acts of resistance, etc. when election activities are down. We have got to drop the “elections only” strategy and broaden our efforts year round.
I read this article by Ben Wickler on the subject:
https://www.dailykos.com/story/2025/1/17/2297504/-Bracing-ourselves-for-life-after-Trump-s-second-inauguration
Democrats need a win, and the sooner the better. It makes strategic sense to support this race. It would be a morale-booster if we win. Democrats will have something to point to that is positive.
Postcards to Swing States is already getting geared up for the WI election. I ordered a batch of postcards a few days ago and am anxious to channel my nervous energy back into something productive!
Thank you for reminding us about Wisconsin SC race. I hope Simon picks this one.
I assume you are referring to Susan Crawford.
Recommended by Ben Wikler in Democracy Docket interview by Mark Elias Jan 6, 2025
Ben Wikler's Vision for the Democratic Party [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MynFEtRo__o]
Time index 13:51
"We have a giant state supreme court race coming up April 1st which let me just say everyone should mark their calendar because that is the first big Statewide election of this new Trump era and we're going to be absolutely fighting to win Susan Crawford is our candidate against a far-right guy named Brad Shimmel uh so donate to Susan Crawford."
Yes, thank you. I have edited my post so Susan Crawford is mentioned explicitly.
How do I help?
Agreed.
And I’m in NJ. Very important to invest and keep a democratic governor here. Our margins shrunk the last election. Going to work hard on that election.
And VA.
Simon, I am deeply disturbed that Hopium is not specifically supporting the Dem candidates in the special elections in FL-01, FL-06, and NY-21! In the current atmosphere, we have an opportunity to move the needle considerably in the House. Financial support is the main need of these three candidates and Hopium could make a huge difference for them with even a modest effort. To say they are running in red districts is not appropriate, to put it nicely. They all are decent candidates and the advent of the trump administration is going to prompt some reevaluation by people in those districts. Holy crap! FL-01 is Gaetz's district! Gay Valimont already has name recognition there! In all three districts, we should make the effort instead of conceding them to maga!! C'mon! New situation requires new thinking!
Deeply disturbed?
Simon, I long have admired and supported you and Hopium's efforts. I still feel that way. I do strongly believe it would be a error not to seize the opportunities in these three districts. -Ron
I will consult with folks in DC this week about them. I do not recommend long shot races that we are not likely to win and I am skeptical that any of these can be made into competitive races.
Simon, I hear you! But nevertheless, from time to time, long-shot races *are* won. And winning even one of these special elections would be hugely empowering for Hakeem Jeffries and House Democrats. That would make it far more likely that we will secure legislative wins during these first two years of Trump’s reign.
Thank you for your reply, Simon, and for taking an extra step. You’re the expert and I defer to your experience. I look forward to hearing more about the matter. -Ron
Yes. We need to try long shot races because magas do not vote in numbers unless trump is on the ballot. Forcing Rs to spend money, letting Dems know that they will have a decent candidate on the ballot to vote for and then going from door to door can make the difference.
I have brought up the item of Florida's 1st a couple of times. My primary intent was that someone in the Hopium community was located there -- and we could begin a dialogue on a ground game. I'm in Georgia -- 40 years now -- and I have some knowledge and experience of the long process of moving things in a more blue direction. (I'm in a district once represented by Newt Gingrich -- and yet went for Harris by a bigger margin than for Biden in 2020. I call that "progress.")
One of the people in the running for DNC chair -- who recently dropped out -- won in a very deep red part of New York state -- a district Trump won handily. The comments he had about his race really hit me with regards to Florida's First. There were a few other Dem candidates who won in areas Trump carried. Pardon me for being VERY interested in those.
I am not of a mind to "Leave a white towel out on the field, instead of some effort." -- Especially after this recent election -- and 90 days of (very likely) ensuing CHAOS. I have tremendous respect for Gay's story -- running in a race some Democrats on the sidelines declare as hopeless. I understand the position ... and oh the attitude reverberates in these red areas -- where hope can be hard to come by. Thank you, Gay.
If we can't win ... can we at least give them a damned good scare? The Republicans haven't even put up an opponent yet.
I usually agree with you, Simon, but I disagree on your praise of Newsom. Here is the email I sent him this morning in reaction to Newsom’s decision to have the US flag fly at full mast on Inauguration day:
California should NOT fly flags at full mast on Trump’s inauguration day. Mr. Governor, this decision will not increase CA’s chances of wildfire aid or any other positive consideration from Trump and his corrupt administration. It only ensures that Trump will continue to bully the state.
Your decision also dishonors Jimmy Carter, a President committed to honesty, and integrity, and who was a champion for the less fortunate. It is beyond belief that you promote convicted felon and aspiring despot Trump over the honorable and inspirational Carter.
Shame on you!!
Nancy, please. This is way over the top.
I wonder why you think Nancy's over the top, Simon. I wish Newsom hadn't made that decision though I didn't write to him. Mostly, he's doing an amazing job - and not just the fire, but importantly with pushing back at trump/maga. In this case, what is the message he's conveying - that we're honoring trump? That we're honoring inauguration day no matter what? I applaud people like Nancy Pelosi and Michelle Obama not attending the inauguration. Symbols and optics matter - like Alito's wife flying the flag upside down - and are linked to principles. Another example comes to mind that disturbs me - Obama seen laughing with trump at Carter's funeral. Anything we do that normalizes trump weakens us and I was sorry for his - however momentary - lapse in such a public venue. It was posted widely. Normalizing is what that conveyed to me -- "he's not so bad after all. It's ok to joke with him ..in private because what he says is just bluster, he doesn't mean it/won't do it etc". That's what maga wants everyone to believe and what one could conclude seeing that interaction. Does my reaction seem over the top? I don't think we should spend too much time/energy on a detail like this but I haven't -- it's the issue that interests me here, and where we draw lines. It's not as if it doesn't matter at all.
California has a lot of Republicans. Newsom has to balance appropriately. I do not think he or we as Californians are disrespecting President Carter's legacy by this action which I personally do not like. I also know that I could not do Newsom's job. So, I will give him the benefit of doubt in this extremely difficult time.
Hi Alexandra, and Purobi, and Nancy…
I live in one of California’s proudly MAGAt districts full of the cultural sons of the fiercely self-protectionist, fiercely other-wary, gold rush prospectors, many of whom loudly back the “State of Jefferson” secessionist movement (while collecting SSI and disability.)
Newsom is unpopular here, to say the least. Allowing the American flags to be raised on Monday while the work of truth-telling, fire-restoration, and strengthening the sanctuary state goes on, is an utterly appropriate concession to these folks. He’s picking and choosing his battles.
Apropos of Pres Obama politely engaging with 45/7 at Carter’s funeral…. I saw this as a gesture completely in line with his decency and “high road” behavior which honored the decency of Pres Carter.. After all, Obama skillfully sliced Trump over and over during the campaign. There is no question of Obama’s views of that person,
As much as I love and support Newsom I too am deeply hurt by his decision to raise the flag. I want to respect Carter. He is my favorite president. The way that we in CA have been treated by this incoming admin is unbearable, unbelievable, and unconscionable. There are no words to express the pain that this republican administration is currently inflicting upon our state and the poor fire victims.
WOW!! Gavin Newsom. Watch the interview. He is amazing!! The Truth Brigade unleashed!
All your ideas for Hopium 2025-26 have merit, Simon. The LA Project, while vital, seems almost too big for our group. Maybe taking a piece of it--the disinformation portion--and pairing that with fighting other R disinformation efforts could be worthwhile and manageable. And it ties directly to your oft-stated need for Ds to get SO much better at being loud and proud in new communication media.
I also post for all subscribers a link to an interesting NYT column about the chasm between the "technofeudalists" as Steve Bannon calls the Musk/Ramanswamy/Saks/Thiel,Andreesen, et al cabal and the more populist-oriented portions of MAGA. This is truly an unholy alliance and we should look for opportunities to exploit the divisions. Just as reactionary backlash to the 1960s Civil Rights Movement splintered the Ds New Deal Coalition and gave Rs an opening, we should take advantage of the splintering likely to occur in MAGA.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/18/opinion/donald-trump-tech-musk-bannon.html?unlocked_article_code=1.qE4.hfpb.0JlS-av6JYP6&smid=url-share
I believe we should focus on partisan voter registration, coupled with talking points about why someone should register and how important it is to follow through with voting in every election.
One of our great challenges in the new Trump era is to not descend into what I call "perpetual disappointment"
Simon. We need to support Susan Crawford, the candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court!! If she loses, control goes right back to the Republicans. We fought too hard, two years ago, to get Democratic control of the court to lose it now!! Her opponent, a Scott Walker appointee, is already launching a flurry of ads on tv. If he wins, we are guaranteed to go back to gerrymandered maps, 1860 reproductive rights laws and an anti-voter law agenda. Can Hopium support her?
Postcards to Swing States already has postcards ready for this election! You can order now; I think they get mailed mid-March
We also need to encourage the DNC and state parties to pay influencers throughout the year(s). The Republicans do and it makes a difference
This all sounds good to me.
Other thoughts.
One: Someone suggested (Tim Miller?) that we should sort of start the Democratic primary on Tuesday. Maybe Newsom, maybe some others, just start running for president. Then we all focus our attention on them instead of the weirdos. Kind of a fun idea.
Two: There is a disconnect between those who want to acknowledge that the economy is good and those who believe we lost because we were insensitive to people's struggles. We need a stronger message about who we are trying to help.
Three: The Democratic circular firing squad continues. Many Democratic voters save all their vitriol for our own leaders. This isn't going to work. Can we identify the real villains and take a break from criticizing our own?
Four: How do people feel about hammering them relentlessly on the same things they threw at us? "Inflation, mortgage rates, eggs, all going back up again!" I know Trump can fudge government data, but people know who much their rent and groceries cost—even people who worship him.
I don't think the economy was the real issue for the MAGAts. It was the excuse this time, just like "her emails" was the excuse last time. Yes, we need to do a better issue making clear that we improve the economy and Rs blow it up. But we also have to face the fact that a portion of the American populace is more than willing to sacrifice their own well-being to see women, minorities, and "libs" suffer. Look at states like Mississippi that have been coming in at the bottom of the economic/social/health barrel for decades and how they don't suddenly wake up and decide to vote differently. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I know we can't fix this if we don't acknowledge it.
I agree. In my humble opinion, Dem Leadership needs to not abandon entirely the MSM (though I have), but accept the fact that the MSM no longer is about facts. They also need to face the fact that racism and Misogyny is alive and fierce and MAGA-ism fuels it. Stop trying to win over the MAGAs and the MSM. I honestly believe Substack is a great start to go around the MSM. Hey something is working a bit as I keep getting WA Post and NYT offers to renew my subscriptions for a huge discount - not doing it. Also, Dem and PACs need to stop with the constant donation requests and taking Blue States and Dem voters for granted. Oh and I think it's long past the time that Schumer should go.
One more thing, again in my humble opinion, Dem PR needs to come up with better sound bites and names for projects. Like it or not, they work - maybe not for those that are more informed but simple, emotional sound bites and catchy phrases work on a lot of people. My husband heard on the radio someone suggested that instead of tying everything to Trump to instead say it's the Republican way or it's the Republican policies, tie every horrible thing Trump initiates to the Republicans. Stop giving them a pass and hoping for "good" Republicans to save the day - put the blame squarely on the Republicans. But what do I know? I am not paid thousands to come up with slogans that don't work.
I was referring to a presentation I attended by CAP Action that said this about the voters who turned out for Biden in 2020 but not Harris.
I agree 100%. MAGA does not care about the economy. They are addicted to this man in a way that few of us understand. I have seen this in my own family. No amount of gently and lovingly talking or reasoning with them will convince them otherwise even when you show them proof that we are better off with Biden/Harris. He is a bad habit that they just can’t quit. I don’t know how to “rescue” them. I’m baffled.
Catherine, I appreciate your point about how people will vote along culture war lines at their own expense:
“Look at states like Mississippi that have been coming in at the bottom of the economic/social/health barrel for decades and how they don't suddenly wake up and decide to vote differently. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I know we can't fix this if we don't acknowledge it.”
Speaking from my several decades of teaching math to first generation college students, these young adults often face enormous pressure from their families who cannot understand their youth’s desire for improvement, nor that taking (expensive) action toward future achievement is worthwhile. It is a failure of imagination, a failure of hope, a failure of courage, and complete ignorance of the mechanism of deferred gratification. The universities who work with these students create strong support systems of counseling and peer groups to make up for the friction these kids experience.
Looking beyond the campus to the wider society, I firmly believe that getting folks living in entrenched poverty and ill-health to vote for solutions would require investment in formidable grassroots initiatives to get their communities to believe that change is on the one hand possible and on the other hand desirable. Until suspicion is allayed and hope and belief are fostered nothing will change.
Your point no. two is a big issue; the people who promote the bad economy are all over sites like Dkos. To be fair, they were also the ones telling us awhile back we were in trouble. But I do not believe you can have an economy this good, while not perfect, and lose an election on the economy. There was ageism, racism ,sexism and as one writer noted, a resurgence of white supremacy. trump ran with that on his sleeve. I'm fairly pissed at the voters right now, and we are all going to have PTSD when he is sworn in. There was an article today describing how, from day one, Biden was disrespected, from the point of the WH doors being locked when he arrived to the constant drum that he was too old, to the failure of the media to report anything positive about him, and their constant focus on the more entertaining trump; more than one report is that the WH press corps found the Biden administration "boring." And here we are. I have to face a governor's race here in NJ, with any Dem being the underdog; we do not necessarily elect the party out of power. Perhaps disgust with trump will propel an historic 3rd consecutive Dem governor.
Best of luck in your governor's race. We have Pritzker and he's a very good leader.
Trump about to amass quarter-billion-dollar slush fund
Trump and his allied political action committees [are expected] to pull in as much as $250 million for Trump’s inauguration. However, much of the cost of the inauguration is actually covered by taxpayer dollars.
NOTE: While laws require Trump’s Inaugural Committee to disclose its donors, there is no requirement to say where the money goes.
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/january-17-202
Big donors are buying access to orange babyman and days of lavish parties. It's expensive to feed the corruption. https://campaignlegal.org/update/impact-big-money-and-secret-spending-trumps-second-inauguration
Only consolation is that money will NOT go toward elections. It will be for himself. He has Elmo to finance him. We need to figure out how to pressure house and senate to cancel Space X contracts, start a movement to dump Tesla.
Being a Californian I love the idea of long term help in rebuilding LA. I also like the idea of taking on one of Trumps awful ideas and working against that. Whichever way it goes please keep the ideas for info warring coming! I’m a member of Commit To Democracy and I pass them on to my hub members. Every suggestion helps us as we reinvent our activist communities.
I do not think many people that voted for Trump can be reasoned with to change how they vote next time.
However, there were 90,000,000 people that could have voted and did not. I think our efforts should get into compiling contact, lists if possible, and reaching out to these non-voters and finding out 1. Why and 2. What would it take to get them to vote D in 2026. If we can get 25% that would be an increase of around 25,000,000 new voters for us.
I don't agree..Apparently there were Biden voters who voted for Trump. They are going to have a rude awakening and, I believe, will be switching back or dropping out.But it will be more difficult, I believe, to get the 90,000,000 who apparently don't give a damn enough to vote. Maybe the pain they will experience will be the stick to prod them as well. Trump himself could prove to be the prod that will get some off the couch.
As per Michael Podhorzer, there were very very few vote switchers. trump only got 4/10 of a point more than he did previously, if I read him right. It was mostly our coalition of 2020 collapsing.
Even then Charles's math remains true. More people did not vote at all than Biden voters who voted for the thug.
"We could, for example, decide to wage a campaign around a single Trump issue like opposition to the reconciliation/budget bill."
I like this idea. I know I have said this before, but, in a different world, I would have really liked to pick off the worst of the Unacceptable 4 one-by-one. Focus on Gaetz like we did, then move to Hegseth (and ONLY Hegseth, and don't let up until we got him out, and then the same with Gabbard.
I know media like CNN has let us down in their ability to hold these people accountable, but I still think that a clear laser-pinpointed focus on one issue at a time will help us make the stakes clear to the American public. Whereas, on the other hand, you try to balance out your coverage of the Unacceptable 4 all the time, you kinda unintentionally normalize the 4's unacceptable behavior.
That's just my opinion. Don't know if that makes sense, and happy to answer anyone's questions about what I said.
My tactic, since I agree with you, has been to make four separate calls, one for each of the odious four and each focused specifically on one aspect. E.g. apropos of RFKJr I raised the specter of bird flu’s ability to mutate…. I’m also big on emphasizing the integrity and safety of our armed forces in re Hegseth.
I like that.