I was getting really angry about the press asking Democrats if they should tone down their rhetoric after the shooting. Dana Bash asking Jamie Raskin was the most visible. Raskin said his criticisms were on Trump policy, not Trump the man, and it looked like a bit of a dodge. I was furious at Bash and a bit disappointed at Raskin, who I greatly admire.
Then I saw this one from Hakeem Jeffries. Now that's the kind of muscular stance that the whole party should be taking on this gaslighting from the Red Team, and the corporate press that enables them. Score one for Jeffries.
I was pleasantly surprised and fired up listening to Jeffries. Yet, I couldn't believe it, there were comments (not here), criticizing Jeffries for not doing enough, not saying enough, etc. I have been disappointed myself in Leadership, but come on, this is what and how I want to hear more from our Dems. Agree - Score one for Jeffries.
I'm so glad that Newt Gingrich is threatening to tear his hair out. (Yes he's still alive.) He's the S.O.B. I blame for the rancorous state of American politics and the traitorous idiocy of the Republican Party. He started it back in the '90s with what he called the "Contract with America" but was known as the "Contract ON America" (emphasis added).
Ah, yes: the architect of "obstructionist politics"-- when you don't have any meaningful policies to offer the American public, do everything you can to obstruct the other guys from passing legislation that would actually help people and would keep them in power, and win elections for your side at any costs.
If you want to double your determination, think about Repub strategists who need "to drink to numb the pain,"---not from murdering Americans in their stupid ICE raids, not from jacking up prices with tariffs, not from cutting off USAID, not from firing all the Board members of the Nat Science Foundation--but because they are behind in the polls! They'd be hunky dory with all this if they thought they were "winning." Talk about the definition of unserious, highly paid people.
I just read that about National Science Foundation. Firing all 24 board members plus proposing a 55% cut in funding. That will destroy science in the US.
Wow. It really shows how influential the media has been to depict Democrats as fractured, focused on social issues and ignoring all the economic successes the Dems have had especially when Biden had to clean up Trump's messes from 2016-2020. Also how the media never really disclosed how bad a job trump did in 2016-2020. Also, what baggage did Kamala Harris have? I've lived in CA since before she was AG, and I never saw this. She would have been an awesome president.
Thank you for the article. I am sorry. I just couldn't finish reading what the Trump voters had to say. We have had SO many interviews with the Trump voter, Trump voter who still supports Trump, How the Trump voter rates Trump's performance, What the Trump Voter thinks of Trump, etc. They never seem to interview people who did not vote for Trump and how they feel. Next Up: Does the Trump voter, who is unhappy with him, feel differently after this assassination attempt? But I do appreciate you posting the article. ❤️
Don't be sorry. I can barely get through these myself.
I force myself because I believe that it will come in handy at some point. Like, I'll HAVE to talk to someone I don't want to talk to, and about something that you just can't walk away from.
I find them debilitating because these conversations are so farcical. This man is unwell and incompetent, and should have been removed from public life long ago. His candidacy should never have been an option. Discussing the vagaries and vicissitudes, the triumphs and failures, of his presidencies is an existential joke.
A long, long time ago, I went to England for the first time. I was astonished that you could walk right into the River Thames if you wanted to. There were no guardrails, no barriers, nothing to keep you out. I don't think there was even a sign.
I voiced my astonishment to a friend that the authorities had put nothing out there to keep the public safe.
His response was that, unlike America, England had intelligent people who understood they shouldn't walk into the River Thames.
That people have needs is not my issue, of course. We all do. That voting is your supreme agency for getting closer to having those needs met is something we all agree on.
But throwing your vote to a dysregulated, personality-disordered old man, a felon who was also found liable for sexual abuse (equivalent in NYS to rape), whom you later criticize because he lied to you or didn't deliver on the promises he made, is itself an issue worthy of scrutiny.
I'm all in for going with the person who claims they will deliver on the policies you need to flourish.
There's just something wrong with you (or your understanding of civic life and government) if you can't see a big orange flatus for what it is.
I appreciate your understanding. I agree with everything you said.
Well said. I guess I am cynical. I believe the Trump voters, who rely on the very programs republicans are defunding, voted for Trump BECAUSE of what he says and how he acts (racism, punching down, etc.).
Thank you Simon for making it so easy to contribute. Just donated some $ to Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin. Good luck to two impressive candidates. May the wins in Wisconsin be replicated!
Just donated to the two Georgia Supreme Court candidates! This one really excites me… Obviously I love winning Senate, Gubernatorial, and congressional seats… But I think I get even more satisfaction out of winning these lower ticket more obscure races.… Only because of the fact that we have lap, the Republicans take so much of that power over in the last 40 years or so.
And honest to God, for all the damage that Trump is doing, he was tied up by so much Fuckery at the state and local level for so many years… And so much of what he wanted to do could’ve been blunted if we had a stronger foundation of opposition to him at the state and local level… But no time like the present to get back on the ball! Let’s clean their clocks friends!
And two years from now, let’s do it to three more of them and flip that damn court 6 to 3 pro democracy! And while we’re at it, will also have the chance to reelect Raphael Warnock, and hopefully will be enjoying the halfway point of the first term of Governor Keisha Lance Bottoms! And from there, hopefully we can un-fuck the gerrymandering and start accumulating appropriate levels of representation in the state house and state Senate.
It’s moments like these that make me think, “They were the worst of times, they were the best of times.”
Thank you for sharing the ad for Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin. I popped 25 postcards for them in this morning's mail.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to say NO to the ballroom, arch, Reflecting Pool, and all the other Las Vegasization of DC and to say that the president of the United States is not in touch with reality and must go ASAP. I signed up to write postcards for Ohio in the November election.
FWIW: I strongly feel that "rein in ICE" is too weak and not where the rank and file of Dems and INDs are in this moment. ICE and CBP are unredeemable and should be flat out ABOLISHED. Re-establish INS and fund asylum judges and agents at the border. Dem leaders in D.C. need to lead.
This strategy has been successful. DHS is still not funded, open chaos and infighting in the GOP right now. Do not turn something that has been a clear win into a loss. Thank you.
and the new Secretary of DHS Markwayne JimBob says they have no money after the end of the week for salaries for the unfunded departments. The pressure is building.
Wonderful ad from the two GA Supreme Court candidates: nice contrast between them and the unsavory characters in power. Donated to their campaign through the Hopium link.
I second that the candidate interviews Simon is doing are good for what ails you. Jamie Ager and Rebecca Cooke, for example, are authentic, hard-working, caring people who each seem perfect for their districts. Cooke, for example, grew up on a dairy farm and meets people now at what are called “dairy breakfasts.” Waitresses 3 times a week. She makes the great point that the impact to rural healthcare of GOP policies is another blow to farmers and rural communities.
Just curious about the poll results. How many MAGA identified supporters were there vs. self-identified Republicans? Also, in your view, why does the 45-64 age group hold stronger positive views about Trump than the other age groups? Thinking about 1) how to better influence 45-64 age group and 2) how many votes are needed to overcome the MAGA voters.
One thing I'd like to see discussed is that when MAGAts get disappointed in Trump they sometimes quit saying they're MAGA and just say they're Republicans. Is the number of MAGAts decreasing over time?
And Postcards to Swing States signups are ON! Here's the link for the midterm campaign: http://turnoutpac.org/postcards (I signed up for Alaska - go Peltola!)
Yeah, Orange is already becoming irrelevant. And speaking of which, kind of a stealth takedown of Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07) last night on Maddow. He's MIA for "medical reasons," but apparently is making trades on the down low. I smell a pickup opportunity. Keep going!
I just signed up to write postcards with them again. And passed the information to friends. It’s great you can pick your preferred state and I selected my home state of Ohio.
Simon, can you share some thoughts about the Michigan Senate race when the time is right? I know that's one we'll want to be thinking about, even if you don't want to weigh in on the primary (which is still so long from now). Thanks!
Inspired by the video yesterday, the ad from GA and Hopium members' posts today, I donated to our cause "Hopium Rallies for Jordan and Rankin for GA Supreme Court."
Here's a brief report from GA PBS about our candidates in the race. It notes that early voting starts next week and that GA Democratic Party Chair Charlie Bailey said “It's the most money that the Georgia Democratic Party has spent in judicial races in 20 years."
I was getting really angry about the press asking Democrats if they should tone down their rhetoric after the shooting. Dana Bash asking Jamie Raskin was the most visible. Raskin said his criticisms were on Trump policy, not Trump the man, and it looked like a bit of a dodge. I was furious at Bash and a bit disappointed at Raskin, who I greatly admire.
Then I saw this one from Hakeem Jeffries. Now that's the kind of muscular stance that the whole party should be taking on this gaslighting from the Red Team, and the corporate press that enables them. Score one for Jeffries.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Ma4WhK2bFjk?si=eInQdM25vUvoZY4L
I called my MoCs this morning to say stand up to the gaslighting like Speaker Jeffries has... and spread the word among your colleagues.
Last night I donated to the two Georgia Justices candidates via the Hopium link. Great Interview. Thanks Simon.
Interesting article about this from New Republic for anyone who is interested.
https://newrepublic.com/article/209550/jamie-raskin-trump-takedown-cnn-message?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tnr_daily&vgo_ee=akBnTBS02M%2BKEkqpNfKIkkvVfHNdmvv%2FEML8QR8NFSn4eh%2BmAg%3D%3D%3AdYstMHdTL1DJoie5w%2FA3Dk0IyTVTb7vl
I was pleasantly surprised and fired up listening to Jeffries. Yet, I couldn't believe it, there were comments (not here), criticizing Jeffries for not doing enough, not saying enough, etc. I have been disappointed myself in Leadership, but come on, this is what and how I want to hear more from our Dems. Agree - Score one for Jeffries.
Excellent statement by Jeffries.
Agree.
I'm so glad that Newt Gingrich is threatening to tear his hair out. (Yes he's still alive.) He's the S.O.B. I blame for the rancorous state of American politics and the traitorous idiocy of the Republican Party. He started it back in the '90s with what he called the "Contract with America" but was known as the "Contract ON America" (emphasis added).
100%
agreed... he was the pivot point in the fracturing of civility in Congress, and it's only been downhill from there.
Gingrich's and Scalia's acid partisanship poisoned American politics.
I'm ashamed to say he has a PhD in history. The only time I heard him talk about a key book he messed it up. (Schlesinger's "The Age of Jackson)
Ah, yes: the architect of "obstructionist politics"-- when you don't have any meaningful policies to offer the American public, do everything you can to obstruct the other guys from passing legislation that would actually help people and would keep them in power, and win elections for your side at any costs.
If you want to double your determination, think about Repub strategists who need "to drink to numb the pain,"---not from murdering Americans in their stupid ICE raids, not from jacking up prices with tariffs, not from cutting off USAID, not from firing all the Board members of the Nat Science Foundation--but because they are behind in the polls! They'd be hunky dory with all this if they thought they were "winning." Talk about the definition of unserious, highly paid people.
I had athe same thought - well said! I would add "uncaring" to your last sentence.
I just read that about National Science Foundation. Firing all 24 board members plus proposing a 55% cut in funding. That will destroy science in the US.
Thanks. I made that the focus of my calls today. I reached at staffer at Tillis's DC office for the second day in a row.
Thanks for making the calls. I think this kind of cut we can get the GOP to oppose. It happened before. It's just suicidal.
Just made calls on that too. thanks for mentioning. Between that, the Forestry Svc & the Dept of Ed, I am livid.
Correction- unfortunately, no road to peace that doesn’t lead to humiliation for our country.
Sorry, weaving in and out of Hopium stuff, and have carved out time over the coming weekend to catch up in detail and make some donations.
So, I don't know if anyone posted this from the NYT yesterday. If not, here it is.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/04/28/opinion/focus-group-trump-voters-disappointed.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eVA.tAPU._q_4giBUu2_W&smid=url-share
Super fascinating! Thanks for posting.
Wow. It really shows how influential the media has been to depict Democrats as fractured, focused on social issues and ignoring all the economic successes the Dems have had especially when Biden had to clean up Trump's messes from 2016-2020. Also how the media never really disclosed how bad a job trump did in 2016-2020. Also, what baggage did Kamala Harris have? I've lived in CA since before she was AG, and I never saw this. She would have been an awesome president.
Thank you for the article. I am sorry. I just couldn't finish reading what the Trump voters had to say. We have had SO many interviews with the Trump voter, Trump voter who still supports Trump, How the Trump voter rates Trump's performance, What the Trump Voter thinks of Trump, etc. They never seem to interview people who did not vote for Trump and how they feel. Next Up: Does the Trump voter, who is unhappy with him, feel differently after this assassination attempt? But I do appreciate you posting the article. ❤️
Don't be sorry. I can barely get through these myself.
I force myself because I believe that it will come in handy at some point. Like, I'll HAVE to talk to someone I don't want to talk to, and about something that you just can't walk away from.
I find them debilitating because these conversations are so farcical. This man is unwell and incompetent, and should have been removed from public life long ago. His candidacy should never have been an option. Discussing the vagaries and vicissitudes, the triumphs and failures, of his presidencies is an existential joke.
A long, long time ago, I went to England for the first time. I was astonished that you could walk right into the River Thames if you wanted to. There were no guardrails, no barriers, nothing to keep you out. I don't think there was even a sign.
I voiced my astonishment to a friend that the authorities had put nothing out there to keep the public safe.
His response was that, unlike America, England had intelligent people who understood they shouldn't walk into the River Thames.
That people have needs is not my issue, of course. We all do. That voting is your supreme agency for getting closer to having those needs met is something we all agree on.
But throwing your vote to a dysregulated, personality-disordered old man, a felon who was also found liable for sexual abuse (equivalent in NYS to rape), whom you later criticize because he lied to you or didn't deliver on the promises he made, is itself an issue worthy of scrutiny.
I'm all in for going with the person who claims they will deliver on the policies you need to flourish.
There's just something wrong with you (or your understanding of civic life and government) if you can't see a big orange flatus for what it is.
I appreciate your understanding. I agree with everything you said.
Well said. I guess I am cynical. I believe the Trump voters, who rely on the very programs republicans are defunding, voted for Trump BECAUSE of what he says and how he acts (racism, punching down, etc.).
Thank you again for everything you post and do. 💙
Thank you Simon for making it so easy to contribute. Just donated some $ to Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin. Good luck to two impressive candidates. May the wins in Wisconsin be replicated!
Thank you from Georgia!
Just donated to the two Georgia Supreme Court candidates! This one really excites me… Obviously I love winning Senate, Gubernatorial, and congressional seats… But I think I get even more satisfaction out of winning these lower ticket more obscure races.… Only because of the fact that we have lap, the Republicans take so much of that power over in the last 40 years or so.
And honest to God, for all the damage that Trump is doing, he was tied up by so much Fuckery at the state and local level for so many years… And so much of what he wanted to do could’ve been blunted if we had a stronger foundation of opposition to him at the state and local level… But no time like the present to get back on the ball! Let’s clean their clocks friends!
And two years from now, let’s do it to three more of them and flip that damn court 6 to 3 pro democracy! And while we’re at it, will also have the chance to reelect Raphael Warnock, and hopefully will be enjoying the halfway point of the first term of Governor Keisha Lance Bottoms! And from there, hopefully we can un-fuck the gerrymandering and start accumulating appropriate levels of representation in the state house and state Senate.
It’s moments like these that make me think, “They were the worst of times, they were the best of times.”
Happy Tuesday friends!
In short, very like the present. ;)
Simon,
Thank you for sharing the ad for Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin. I popped 25 postcards for them in this morning's mail.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to say NO to the ballroom, arch, Reflecting Pool, and all the other Las Vegasization of DC and to say that the president of the United States is not in touch with reality and must go ASAP. I signed up to write postcards for Ohio in the November election.
FWIW: I strongly feel that "rein in ICE" is too weak and not where the rank and file of Dems and INDs are in this moment. ICE and CBP are unredeemable and should be flat out ABOLISHED. Re-establish INS and fund asylum judges and agents at the border. Dem leaders in D.C. need to lead.
That's not where Congressional Dems are right now, nor our candidates.
This strategy has been successful. DHS is still not funded, open chaos and infighting in the GOP right now. Do not turn something that has been a clear win into a loss. Thank you.
and the new Secretary of DHS Markwayne JimBob says they have no money after the end of the week for salaries for the unfunded departments. The pressure is building.
though i'd like to see ins improved. used to work in the same office blg with some-- particularly creepy comments in the elevator at the time
Wonderful ad from the two GA Supreme Court candidates: nice contrast between them and the unsavory characters in power. Donated to their campaign through the Hopium link.
I second that the candidate interviews Simon is doing are good for what ails you. Jamie Ager and Rebecca Cooke, for example, are authentic, hard-working, caring people who each seem perfect for their districts. Cooke, for example, grew up on a dairy farm and meets people now at what are called “dairy breakfasts.” Waitresses 3 times a week. She makes the great point that the impact to rural healthcare of GOP policies is another blow to farmers and rural communities.
Love them!!
haven't watched that interview yet, will tonight
Just curious about the poll results. How many MAGA identified supporters were there vs. self-identified Republicans? Also, in your view, why does the 45-64 age group hold stronger positive views about Trump than the other age groups? Thinking about 1) how to better influence 45-64 age group and 2) how many votes are needed to overcome the MAGA voters.
One thing I'd like to see discussed is that when MAGAts get disappointed in Trump they sometimes quit saying they're MAGA and just say they're Republicans. Is the number of MAGAts decreasing over time?
Just donated - let's go, ladies!
And Postcards to Swing States signups are ON! Here's the link for the midterm campaign: http://turnoutpac.org/postcards (I signed up for Alaska - go Peltola!)
Yeah, Orange is already becoming irrelevant. And speaking of which, kind of a stealth takedown of Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07) last night on Maddow. He's MIA for "medical reasons," but apparently is making trades on the down low. I smell a pickup opportunity. Keep going!
I just signed up to write postcards with them again. And passed the information to friends. It’s great you can pick your preferred state and I selected my home state of Ohio.
I picked Iowa since I live in Missouri. I really feel in the swing of the midterms now.
He’s probably in rehab for drunk r’s.
well clearly compulsive behaviors of some kind, prolly more than one. ;)
wow. looking forward to finding out
Love the ad. So wonderful her name is Miracle. and they are such a team!
Dropping back in to add this excellent article from Mark Sumner which backs up the point that Russia is failing in Ukraine. Has some photos of the ground drones Ukraine is using now. https://www.unchartedblue.com/ukraine-update-russias-spring-offensive-is-running-in-reverse/
Simon, can you share some thoughts about the Michigan Senate race when the time is right? I know that's one we'll want to be thinking about, even if you don't want to weigh in on the primary (which is still so long from now). Thanks!
Inspired by the video yesterday, the ad from GA and Hopium members' posts today, I donated to our cause "Hopium Rallies for Jordan and Rankin for GA Supreme Court."
Here's a brief report from GA PBS about our candidates in the race. It notes that early voting starts next week and that GA Democratic Party Chair Charlie Bailey said “It's the most money that the Georgia Democratic Party has spent in judicial races in 20 years."
https://www.gpb.org/news/2026/04/21/democrats-bet-on-two-state-supreme-court-races
Lets go get it. Glad to see donations are already over $10K. Way to go Hopiates!!!