On the subject of North Carolina, I recently heard an interview with Mondale Robinson, head of the Black Male Voter Project, I think on the Lincoln Project podcast. What I loved about this project is that it isn't just about swooping in during election season and trying to convince these men that they should vote for Democrats, but is an organization that is on the ground year round, listening, and building trust. They are in 17 states, but I believe North Carolina is their home base and that they have a well-developed program there. Here is a link to their website: https://blackmalevoterproject.org/.
Jessica Craven, renowned activist, organizer, climate hawk and author of the "Chop Wood Carry Water" newsletter will kick off the meeting with motivating remarks about the stakes for this election and how we as citizens can galvanize our time and energy to help Democrats be victorious.
Thank you Simon. It feels like we've been lurching from one crisis to another for the past 8 years so it's important to stay grounded and focused and remember that we've made huge gains since that awful night in November 2016. The next six months will test all of us but I think we will rise to the challenge, just as we have before. Let's keep up the good work.
Hi Simone. Thanks for all the great links today. Sharing on both Spoutible and my Indivisible Slack. BTW...please join us on Spoutible! You have a great following there. It's not X...there is no algorithm ...but there are truly fine people on this relatively new (1 year old) social media site. In fact, I invite all the Hopium folks to join me on Spoutible. My handle there is @ISJ408. Have a great weekend, one and all.
A great 4-ish min video to go with today’s pic of cruisin’ President Biden as he talks with Conan O’Brien about hitting 132mph in his Corvette. Amazing his recollection and attention to detail !
Jess Craven of Chop Wood Carry Water listed this as an action that would be helpful. They will send you the postcards and the addresses to different swing states (you choose which one). All the Swing States are available.
Simon - thank you for all you do. I recently shared Hopium with yet another friend, whom has taken a liking to it and is more positive and motivated than ever - a third friend of ours is SERIOUSLY pessimistic. Even as I write this I'm scrolling for updates on Gaza, seeing op-Ed's from those I respect that make me uneasy. But I know the situation is fluid and there are still six months. Thank you for helping me to maintain my sanity - and to stay focused. I just have to remind myself that every election is about staving off fascism.
How do I respond to this? unemployment #s have been artificially low for over 2 years. Unemployment only counts those actively seeking employment and unable to find a job. If anyone around here is looking for a job and unable to find them they’re not looking very hard. Every store & restaurant has ‘Help Wanted’ signs up and they’re still shorthanded. Now that the Covid stimulus payments are ending, unemployment will continue to ‘tick up’, or businesses will finally be able to be fully staffed. Should have ended 18 months ago.
Worker participation rate was 61.1 in January 2021 it's like 62.3? To 63 now? Not too bad when one has more kids going to college and women leaving work force after having kids because of high childcare costs.
Hi Simon, thanks for all you do. I wanted to bring to your attention if I may, that I happened to come across an article from Newsweek that reports Trump’s team has privately informed him and private donors that both Virginia and Minnesota ‘are in play.’ Not exactly sure what they’re referring to and I don’t see any data to back that up although it looks to be a potential strategy on their part in response to us eyeing NC. The 2023 special election in VA I feel has proven otherwise leaving the only influencer there if anyone, to be Governor Youngkin who has now possibly—-plausibly deflated in political relevancy courtesy of the legislature flipping to blue. Minnesota surely has Republican voters but I don’t see any data that suggests it’s even close to flipping. Have you heard anything about this and if so, any chance you can please clarify at all? I’m not necessarily concerned but my curiosity was sparked nonetheless.
Instinct tells me that’s more or less what’s going on here. Like I said, I’m not too concerned but I am interested to hear if Simon has any data to outright disprove this. Bottom line, our potential gains in AZ, NC, PA, and MI alone I believe far outweigh any potential gains Trump may have in both VA and MN combined. I firmly believe Biden will win both of those states mind you. VA is not a ‘red state.’ It can be purple at times but Biden poses far more potential in VA’s big cities and suburbs (especially, with abortion front and center) than Trump does. They want us to ‘overextended’ our hand in a handful of states so that they feel they can ‘work around us.’ But, we see through their smoke. I certainly know Simon does.
🙏🏻 Vote Blue. I just can't imagine anyone who voted for Biden in 2020 would turn around vote for Trump now. We need turn out, turn out, turn out. How you feel about the Senate?
Rs would love Democrats to spend money and resources in Minnesota and Virginia on the presidential campaign. You never know, of course, but that does not seem a likely scenario.
I read another article about that, I think it was NBC (more credible than Newsweek, which is less than a shadow of its former self and best ignored).
The NBC writer hinted at what may be going on, which is that the campaign is dangling cherry picked poll results at donors in hopes of garnering donations. Hope springs eternal.
They also quoted fhe Biden campaign, who pointed out that we are rolling out a massive ground strategy, and they aren’t. I’m sure we’ll hear from a credible source on our side if those states need help.
Klobuchar will almost certainly be elected to the Senate. The MN-2 Congressional seat (Angie Craig) is always a tough one, but it is likely that there will be no change in the evenly split congressional delegation, and the state house remains pretty evenly split. I'm no expert, but I think it is most likely that as long as we do the work, MN should come in safely for Biden.
The Hispanic video presentation is excellent, eye-opening, and informative, especially share vs. margins, polling issues, and regional differences. One question I still have: Is the Biden campaign currently running enough economy/affordability advertising/messaging rather than solely abortion adverts focusing on Hispanic voters? Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm wondering if they think that the economic stuff wasn't really working with Hispanic voters and so they go to what they believe will get results--namely abortion. Of course, I recognize the importance of abortion--no question there. But they certainly have enough funds also to hone an economic message that will resonate with Hispanic voters (particularly men) who are concerned chiefly about inflation and economic opportunity. Is my interpretation wrong about what the Biden campaign is doing? I would think that they shouldn't only go for the low-hanging abortion fruit, but additionally try to reach Hispanic voters for whom economic issues are a more central focus.
Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the Granddaughter of Cesar Chavez, who worked on the Obama and Kamala Harris campaigns is Biden’s 2024 campaign manager. She was the assistant manager for Biden’s previous campaign. I’ve heard her speak and she is deeply linked to the Hispanic community and brings her expectations and developed relationships to her work with Latino voters.
She spoke specifically about her communications to Hispanic voters about the topics you mentioned. She did not focus on abortion. It was clear she planned for ongoing work within the Latino community.
I listened to the ‘22 presentation about Hispanic voters, which I found reassuring. One observation: I seem to recall Pelosi commenting after the Dems failed to win more seats in the House in ‘20, that she was surprised by the poorer than expected showing in South Texas. Does that ring a bell and if so any further insights?
On the subject of North Carolina, I recently heard an interview with Mondale Robinson, head of the Black Male Voter Project, I think on the Lincoln Project podcast. What I loved about this project is that it isn't just about swooping in during election season and trying to convince these men that they should vote for Democrats, but is an organization that is on the ground year round, listening, and building trust. They are in 17 states, but I believe North Carolina is their home base and that they have a well-developed program there. Here is a link to their website: https://blackmalevoterproject.org/.
And here's the link to the podcast I mentioned: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-transactional-nature-of-american-politics/id1551582052?i=1000653265191
Mondale Robinson is clearly a much, much better man than Mark Robinson!
Jessica Craven, renowned activist, organizer, climate hawk and author of the "Chop Wood Carry Water" newsletter will kick off the meeting with motivating remarks about the stakes for this election and how we as citizens can galvanize our time and energy to help Democrats be victorious.
Want to join me for this Indivisible Marin event?https://mobilize.us/s/Ma8x27
Thank you Simon. It feels like we've been lurching from one crisis to another for the past 8 years so it's important to stay grounded and focused and remember that we've made huge gains since that awful night in November 2016. The next six months will test all of us but I think we will rise to the challenge, just as we have before. Let's keep up the good work.
Hi Simone. Thanks for all the great links today. Sharing on both Spoutible and my Indivisible Slack. BTW...please join us on Spoutible! You have a great following there. It's not X...there is no algorithm ...but there are truly fine people on this relatively new (1 year old) social media site. In fact, I invite all the Hopium folks to join me on Spoutible. My handle there is @ISJ408. Have a great weekend, one and all.
The Force is With Us!….today and every day.
A great 4-ish min video to go with today’s pic of cruisin’ President Biden as he talks with Conan O’Brien about hitting 132mph in his Corvette. Amazing his recollection and attention to detail !
I doubt Trump hits 32 in his golf cart.😜
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh-Y9epzhvs
❤️ 🤍💙
Thanks!. Will watch later.
Just have to say thanks again to Simon and this inspiring community that keeps me goin’. I don’t know what I’d do without ya!
Jess Craven of Chop Wood Carry Water listed this as an action that would be helpful. They will send you the postcards and the addresses to different swing states (you choose which one). All the Swing States are available.
Postcards aren't cheap so I thought I would share this with everyone. You provide the stamps. https://secure.everyaction.com/wWYzSycvi0uyLrKtsMnNXw2
I already signed up for 200 here in NC. Thanks for sharing. Jess is amazing!
With Republicans you get a government that shovels more and more of our money to the already rich. Enough with this Reaganomic nonsense:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/05/03/opinion/global-billionaires-tax.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Simon - thank you for all you do. I recently shared Hopium with yet another friend, whom has taken a liking to it and is more positive and motivated than ever - a third friend of ours is SERIOUSLY pessimistic. Even as I write this I'm scrolling for updates on Gaza, seeing op-Ed's from those I respect that make me uneasy. But I know the situation is fluid and there are still six months. Thank you for helping me to maintain my sanity - and to stay focused. I just have to remind myself that every election is about staving off fascism.
How do I respond to this? unemployment #s have been artificially low for over 2 years. Unemployment only counts those actively seeking employment and unable to find a job. If anyone around here is looking for a job and unable to find them they’re not looking very hard. Every store & restaurant has ‘Help Wanted’ signs up and they’re still shorthanded. Now that the Covid stimulus payments are ending, unemployment will continue to ‘tick up’, or businesses will finally be able to be fully staffed. Should have ended 18 months ago.
Worker participation rate was 61.1 in January 2021 it's like 62.3? To 63 now? Not too bad when one has more kids going to college and women leaving work force after having kids because of high childcare costs.
Or how do I respond to this? BIDENomics consumer price index worse since tracking began in 1913?
During Reagan inflation was quite high too
Hi Simon, thanks for all you do. I wanted to bring to your attention if I may, that I happened to come across an article from Newsweek that reports Trump’s team has privately informed him and private donors that both Virginia and Minnesota ‘are in play.’ Not exactly sure what they’re referring to and I don’t see any data to back that up although it looks to be a potential strategy on their part in response to us eyeing NC. The 2023 special election in VA I feel has proven otherwise leaving the only influencer there if anyone, to be Governor Youngkin who has now possibly—-plausibly deflated in political relevancy courtesy of the legislature flipping to blue. Minnesota surely has Republican voters but I don’t see any data that suggests it’s even close to flipping. Have you heard anything about this and if so, any chance you can please clarify at all? I’m not necessarily concerned but my curiosity was sparked nonetheless.
This is troubling. Hopefully, Trump's team is blowing smoke and Newsweek is just giving them a platform to do it. ugh
Instinct tells me that’s more or less what’s going on here. Like I said, I’m not too concerned but I am interested to hear if Simon has any data to outright disprove this. Bottom line, our potential gains in AZ, NC, PA, and MI alone I believe far outweigh any potential gains Trump may have in both VA and MN combined. I firmly believe Biden will win both of those states mind you. VA is not a ‘red state.’ It can be purple at times but Biden poses far more potential in VA’s big cities and suburbs (especially, with abortion front and center) than Trump does. They want us to ‘overextended’ our hand in a handful of states so that they feel they can ‘work around us.’ But, we see through their smoke. I certainly know Simon does.
🙏🏻 Vote Blue. I just can't imagine anyone who voted for Biden in 2020 would turn around vote for Trump now. We need turn out, turn out, turn out. How you feel about the Senate?
Rs would love Democrats to spend money and resources in Minnesota and Virginia on the presidential campaign. You never know, of course, but that does not seem a likely scenario.
I read another article about that, I think it was NBC (more credible than Newsweek, which is less than a shadow of its former self and best ignored).
The NBC writer hinted at what may be going on, which is that the campaign is dangling cherry picked poll results at donors in hopes of garnering donations. Hope springs eternal.
They also quoted fhe Biden campaign, who pointed out that we are rolling out a massive ground strategy, and they aren’t. I’m sure we’ll hear from a credible source on our side if those states need help.
Biden's team is aware that they need to do the work in Minnesota. They began investing back in March: https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/03/27/biden-campaign-minnesota-tim-walz-brad-pitt-house-district-61a
Not in our favor is the recent arrest of a DFL state senator for burglarizing her elderly step-mother's home. But the MN GOP is shambolic and extreme https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/12/08/the-minnesota-gop-is-broke-and-struggling-to-contain-the-fringe/
Klobuchar will almost certainly be elected to the Senate. The MN-2 Congressional seat (Angie Craig) is always a tough one, but it is likely that there will be no change in the evenly split congressional delegation, and the state house remains pretty evenly split. I'm no expert, but I think it is most likely that as long as we do the work, MN should come in safely for Biden.
The Hispanic video presentation is excellent, eye-opening, and informative, especially share vs. margins, polling issues, and regional differences. One question I still have: Is the Biden campaign currently running enough economy/affordability advertising/messaging rather than solely abortion adverts focusing on Hispanic voters? Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm wondering if they think that the economic stuff wasn't really working with Hispanic voters and so they go to what they believe will get results--namely abortion. Of course, I recognize the importance of abortion--no question there. But they certainly have enough funds also to hone an economic message that will resonate with Hispanic voters (particularly men) who are concerned chiefly about inflation and economic opportunity. Is my interpretation wrong about what the Biden campaign is doing? I would think that they shouldn't only go for the low-hanging abortion fruit, but additionally try to reach Hispanic voters for whom economic issues are a more central focus.
Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the Granddaughter of Cesar Chavez, who worked on the Obama and Kamala Harris campaigns is Biden’s 2024 campaign manager. She was the assistant manager for Biden’s previous campaign. I’ve heard her speak and she is deeply linked to the Hispanic community and brings her expectations and developed relationships to her work with Latino voters.
She spoke specifically about her communications to Hispanic voters about the topics you mentioned. She did not focus on abortion. It was clear she planned for ongoing work within the Latino community.
Just made my donation to Biden/Harris through your link. That was on my to do list for May but this time I went through Hopium. Onward and upwards!
Thx Simon. I ordered 2000 postcards for NC, Michigan, Arizona.....leave it all on the field
I listened to the ‘22 presentation about Hispanic voters, which I found reassuring. One observation: I seem to recall Pelosi commenting after the Dems failed to win more seats in the House in ‘20, that she was surprised by the poorer than expected showing in South Texas. Does that ring a bell and if so any further insights?
We did well in South Texas in the 2022 election.