If nothing else, all you need to know is that the pathologically ambitious, morally compromised JD Vance has not campaigned in New Jersey nor Virginia...he did, however, manage to get to a Turning PointUSA gathering in Mississippi which shows you his true focus. Trump's trip through Asia was a Seinfeld episode about nothing...;perhaps Speaker Johnson would be better served to spend some time in emergency rooms in Louisiana to see how our health care system is working.
The Great Ron Filipkowski chronicled the China meeting yesterday.
Trump looked weak and pathetic during his meeting with China’s President Xi, and accomplished virtually nothing.
Xi had Trump waiting for him to arrive, standing in front of the press alone looking anxious. As Xi walked in, Trump decided not to try his usual arm-jerk move that he reserves for leaders of our allies, but he still held on for an awkward period of time again as Xi looked bored and annoyed. This exchange then ensued:
Trump: Good to see you again.
Xi: Says nothing.
Trump: We’re going to have a very successful meeting. I have no doubt.
Xi: Says nothing.
Trump: But he’s a very tough negotiator, that’s not good. (Trump turns to look at Xi with a big smile and pats him on the arm).
Xi: Doesn’t smile. Says nothing.
Trump: We know each other very well.
Xi: Says nothing.
Q - Mr. President, do you intend to sign a deal today?
Trump: Could be. I think we’ll have a great understanding. (Looks over at Xi)
Xi: Says nothing. (Looks away)
Trump: We have a great relationship. We always had a great relationship. (Looks at Xi again)
Xi: Looks away annoyed with an expression that says he thinks Trump is full of shit.
Trump: Thank you very much, everyone. (They leave). …
Trump was asked about the meeting after it was over: “They congratulated me on the tremendous success that we’ve had. He was very strong on congratulating me. Reporter: But he didn’t commit to any additional investments in the US?
report: Contacted all reps to thank them for their ongoing opposition to Trump's policies (all Ds). Pointed out Trump's increasing failures to persuade voters and elected R's and the importance of seizing the advantage and being on offense 24/7/365.
Great news on the tariff votes! Epstein scandal is not going away.
a friend cut the cable an has only local tv; he called this morning saying nbc calling the nj race neck an neck.....was it bullshit he asked. yes, and i read him the polls here...he said he finally gets just how the media is destroying politics. by data, the race is not close; if anything sherill is opening up a stronger lead. now, polling could be way off, but even fox news admitted that anger at trump seems to be a driver in this race; jack c is commanding on the tax issue, and that could be a problem, and he leads with men, but she is crushing him with women. we are all nervous after last year and after jack c came closer than expected in 2021. but we can only look at the election in front of us. i have not seen anyone come here to campaign for jack, but i have seen prominent dems come out for mikie, which one pundit said was a sign of lack of confidence! i mean come on, a dem gets criticised for not walking on water sometimes.
Another good indicator in all of those polls, even the right-aligned one, is that Mikie Sherrill is at or above 50%. Proud to have donated to her, although nothing is certain until the votes are all counted. Bring it home!
Thank you so much for this impressive interview with AZ Rep. Yassamin Ansari and sharing her new video from yesterday. She is so inspiring and invigorating for our Democratic Party. AZ needs her, and Our Country needs her as well.
I highly recommend everyone read this article "If you still don't believe me about voters" by political scientist Rachel Bitecofer about actual voter positions on issues versus the candidate they voted for, and why, based on research from the Survey on American life. The point of the article is messaging.
i think the point is about vibes and storytelling, while many of us seem to think just talking about our policies is a sufficient message, but it does not seem to be. the thing that struck me is how many people voted for trump because they thought he was a good businessman, even if they really disagreed with him on everything. it is well worth reading but be prepared to throw up
Some of my Northeast relatives are all in on trump. I guess they think the reporting from the 80's was all by the deep state, or they bought into the National Inquirer.
Very fascinating read! I've read Bitecofer before and I've always liked her. Honestly it gels with what Anat Shenker-Osario has long said, about messaging and storytelling (maybe Simon could bring her on sometime!). Also I hate to say it, but even after reading the article, I bombed the quiz. I probably I overthought it on many profiles and expected every single person to vote "opposite" of their positions -which wasn't always the case - but still, people are complicated!
Thanks much for this, Lyn--very helpful. The one thing, by way of pushback, II would say to the author (if I didn't have to be a subscriber to comment) is that we have made *zero* effort to "educate people out of civic illiteracy." None. That's how, for example, we had an election where there was a 5000% increase in searches on the word "tariffs" *after* people had voted, at which point 56% support for them dropped to 39% in less than three weeks, and by Inauguration Day only 6% of Americans thought they should be a priority.
If I can borrow the piece's soapbox for a moment, for those of us who've been in new media for a while, debacles like the 2024 presidential are the source of a *lot* of frustration. We see a whole medium in front of us that's not only ideal for education, but ideal for making (adult) education entertaining and engaging, rather than paternalistic and condescending, a medium ideal for persuasion about ideas that actually work, as opposed to concepts of plans that can only survive as 30 second spots, a medium where length is a mark of authenticity, especially for the young. a medium built on community, where most of the people who are best at either community, education, or both (teachers, for example) are on our side.
But it looks to me like we're still mostly playing Charlie Brown football (which the author seems to be urging on us as well), trying once again to develop better "messaging" to beat the GOP at what they're really good at--manipulative and dishonest snack-sized marketing that preys on people's anger and fear, then proposes grossly oversimplified scapegoating solutions to complex problems (or solutions to problems that don't even exist instead).
Me, I'd like to see the Dems give the same amount of money spent by Future Forward on the Las Vegas Sphere and Oprah's TV special to some people who really know this medium--*not* politicos whose job is digital, but people who have *successfully* developed online services for *mass consumer audiences,* and therefore are the best positioned to apply what works best in engaging people when they're *not* engaged--or even interested--in politics, to see if that can get them more engaged and thereby (more) civic-literate. Not unlike what the Reagan campaign did for political TV ads in the '80s when they decided to hire people who knew how to sell soap in order to successfully sell a paradigm shift in our politics.
Let's try *that,* I say, and see what happens. Because imnsho, when people are doing things based on "vibes," or "going with their gut," as we used to call it, it's usually *not* because that's just human nature (if it was, there wouldn't have been a whole spate of best sellers in the aughts urging people to do it). It's because **they don’t feel they have anything else to go on.** We didn't give them what they needed to hang their hats on in 2024, and we still haven't. We're getting closer, but in the words of Drake's Prayer, "it is not the beginning, but the continuation of the same until it be *thoroughly finished* that yieldeth the true glory. " To go the rest of the way, we're going to have to start letting new media be new media, not just old wine in new bottles.
A 20-minute wait for just a minute at the voting machine -- two ballot choices for (state) public service commission positions. Never seen anything like it in all my years here in Georgia. If people are trying to send a message by turning out in much larger numbers for an election like this, I think that message is going out loud and clear.
YAY fellow Georgians!! I early voted the 2nd day of early voting (2+ weeks ago) in my small rural red county in the central part of the state and hardly anyone had voted and there was no wait. It was the only thing on the ballot for those of us living outside the city limits, but there are city government races this year, too. Of course, in the political world, 2+ weeks ago was a lifetime ago-- think of all the additional things 47 and company have screwed up in the past 2+ weeks that may have motivated DEMS and INDPDENTS to show up in large numbers for a state-wide PSC election! It will be very interesting to see if DEMS can pick up those 2 seats and get GA Power to lower its rates!
When ICE came and took all those South Korean engineers into custody at the Hyundai plant near Savannah -- was that any talk around town near you? This was sheer insanity.
Looking forward to trading notes again after Tuesday!
Report: From NJ where all TV is saying the race is neck and neck... Did a phone bank this AM for NJ Dems. If you think phone banks don't make a difference, think again. I talked to three people and was able to tell them where early voting locations were. They didn't know where their locations were. That's three people more likely to get their vote in. Turn your anxiety into action and phone bank!
just watched aaron rupar and david nir who talked about this race, calling sherill comfortably ahead and other than a couple right wing polls and jack c going on fox all the time, there's no indication the race is tight; 2021 was the backlash against biden so murphy actually prevailed against headwinds. no party has won 3 times in a row in nj since 1965; jack c should be running away with the race and yet he is polling behind. i'm feeling as good as you can, but knowing strange shit does happen. they also talked about spanberger and felt that she will bring jay jones across the finish line if her win is big enough, and it looks like it might be; though the r is polling ahead in the ag race by a bit.
My husband hails from VA & we’re political junkies, so we remember ‘21 well. I thought my husband said it best then, in the midst of COVID: people were just cranky.
Every time I've phone banked, and I've been doing it for over a decade, I've talked to people who wanted to vote but didn't know where, or that they could vote early, or that they could register and vote on election day. It's totally worth it.
WOW Yassamin Ansari! She's another AOC. I love her. What a bright, articulate, no BS gal. Let's keep an eye on her.
Wed afternoon, in my old hometown of Durango CO there was an ICE raid and then a brutal assault on peaceful protestors. It cut me to the bone. So close to home. People I know were there. Then Yassamin's stories today... and now little kids going hungry. I'm having a hard time, peeps! Social worker, therapist, and empath, I am, and this has gotten to me. Thanks for doing all the work you are doing. I am still calling Warren and Markey. My state senators and governor are stepping up and doing all they can to ameliorate this cruel withholding of SNAP and WIC funds. It's a brutal time. My heart is breaking. I believe, and not many people are saying this, that Miller, Vought, Noem, Bovino etc are actively pursuing a genocidal, white nationalist agenda to get rid of people of color. They are doing so, by undermining education, health care, voting rights, and by funding ICE so we deport as many as possible, as fast and as cruelly as possible. It is pure NAZI play book. As you say Simon, Americans have NEVER experienced anything like this. It is everything I can do to hold on to my seat and keep breathing... again thanks everyone.; you give me strength and patience. For now, I'm down to just reading this newsletter and doing our Hopium work here. I'm taking a break from the rest. We are flying across the country to Denver tomorrow. Fingers crossed the air traffic controllers have a good day....
Take care of yourself, Kate! I agree with you about the agenda of Miller et al. But wanting something is very different from getting it - as we all can confirm! - even for wannabe Nazi trolls.
There will be an afterwards to all this horribleness, and in that afterwards there will be full accountability.
correct on all points. Sounds like it's self-care time for you! It all hit me yesterday and I was in a foul mood. Take care of yourself! We need you in this fight!
I love you women! THank you Lisa. Yes. Self care. Going to Colorado for a month. Sister. Horses, old friends, blue skies, desert hiking and some hot springs. I will keep calling but I do need a break. Im so sad.
"Yassamin Ansari! She's another AOC. I love her. What a bright, articulate, no BS gal. Let's keep an eye on her."
With all due respect, I did not know about Rep. Ansari before today. She's diametrically opposed to AOC in her support for violating US laws in sending weapons to countries involved in crimes against humanity. She receives campaign funds from lobbying groups for such countries -- UNLIKE AOC.
Ansari's Wiki page has a write-up of where she is opposed to the progressive Democrats w/regards to Israel/Palestine. (There's a header for that topic.)
I was interested if she took money from pro-Israel lobbying groups, and the second link indicates she does -- (unlike her counterpart from AZ, Rep. Grijalva.)
Finally a link to the laws related to arms transfers to nations violating human rights.
Please careful in your language here. Accepting money and having independent expenditures - which you cannot control or have any influence over - run on your behalf are the not same thing.
And as I write below her own family history may inform her support for Israel's countering of Iranian/Russian influence in the region, which is a piece of this story that is often left out. I understand that this is important issue for some here the bill that is the source of the criticism of her was supported by 173 Democrats and is the mainstream position of the Democratic Party.
My point is the one I responded to initially: AOC and Ansari are very different in at least one critical area. VERY different.
It may be a mainstream Democratic position to provide arms in violation of US laws -- just as mainstream Democrats once supported our war in Vietnam. That does not equate to being "right." But it definitely separates AOC from Ansari.
I would note that Rep. Ansari is of Persian descent, and her family fled Iran in 1979 after the revolution. The Iranian regime which which he family fled has expressed genocidal intent towards Israel, and has been the main backers of Hamas and Hizbollah, who have also have expressed genocidal intent towards Israel and killed dozens of Americans on October 7th. Iran is allied with Russia and is supplying weapons and support for it's attempted seizure of Ukraine. Here is more about her and her journey, including her time working as a climate advisor at the United Nations - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yassamin_Ansari
My point here is that there are many, many leaders in the Democratic Party voting for Israel and fighting rising anti-semitism here in the US out of conviction, and the implicit assertion their support has been purchased is both inaccurate and insulting. As I've often written I think the critics of Israel weaken their own arguments and become far less persuasive when they assert 80% of our leaders are corrupt and morally bankrupt rather than having positions that you disagree with. I think the case against funding Israel's campaign in Gaza is a compelling one that has been made poorly, and has utterly failed politically.
So while I do not approve of how Israel has conducted the war I do agree with their broader strategic objective to weaken the influence of the Iranian-Russian-Hamas-Hizbollah axis which is also waging a land war in Europe and whose support has been instrumental in Trump's rise here in the US.
It’s the same as the election. We knew how bad Trump was going to be but no one believed us. A couple years ago a Black journalist posted that most political reporters simply don’t believe that there’s a global rise in white supremacy. It’s “calm down, ladies” as journalistic ethos.
This is not just about the races, but about Trump's foreign adventures. I think he is trying to divide up the world. Middle Eastern friends of his get the Mid-East and part of Africa. China gets much of the Far East and the balance of Africa. Russia gets Ukraine and Europe and he gets North and South America ( remember Gulf of America, Panama, Greenland though he might have to arm wrestle Vlad for that). Not happy about restarting our nuclear program.
So yes, the elections are important. We need to win, not only to deny the R's but to widen those cracks Simon talks about.
I couldn't agree more, Virginia. As someone whose family lived under Hitler and Stalin, I've felt this in my bones for a long while, even created a sticker about it a few years ago, with the smiling faces of the three amigos, captioned THE NEW AXIS. I think Lisa's probably right about Trump, but I'm sure the other two would gladly pick up his slack. Maybe he's the Mussolini of the group (and in such a mapping, maybe MBS plays Franco)
Our senior pastor is a progressive from outside the US here on a work visa. We won’t let her near any No Kings action. Although she has been active at actions against Hate Crimes and helping host our Orange Shirt Day collaboration with the local tribes.
I spent much of yesterday explaining that the SNAP nastiness is separate from the Federal government shut down nastiness, is only partly entwined with Mike Johnson’s behavior regarding the House…. And about the importance of the Senate censures regarding tariffs. I made sure she understands what “Prop 50” says and would do and tangentially understands that not all states have independent committees to set election districts.
I have to say, Simon, that I have a grasp on all of this because of your amazing work with Hopium. Thank you.
Our county BoS has eliminated Charlie Kirk’s (or anyone else’s) name from the resolution to designate October 14 as protect free speech day. We work hard here in the fields.
Reporting that I continue to call Repub Sens daily using Simon & polling as talking points. Neither TN Sens has moved from their blind support of Dr Evil. Continue to protest, and $$ support of Hopium and other candidates.
Follow-up to Memphis Resolutions of Condemnation project ~ an FYI to Deborah, Rachel, and all others involved in Hopium’s Resolutions Committee,
I wanted to let you know that the Resolutions Of Condemnation project in Memphis is no longer being considered by the Memphis City Council. My Council contact will no longer answer my email queries for updates either.
I was waiting until after the final October City Council and Shelby County Commission Meeting Minutes were published. There was no discussion/votes regarding Resolutions of Condemnation against the President in either of the October meetings.
Both legislative bodies brought forth their own Resolutions that addressed TN Gov. Bill Lee's readiness to send the TN National Guard to Memphis TN, with the blessing of President, and Sens Hagerty and Blackburn. Both these Resolutions failed to get a majority vote.
Memphis governmental bodies are under the occupation of 13 different federal agencies, state troopers, and TN Guard, working with Memphis Police and Shelby County Sheriff departments. Our Governor admitted his plan is that these entities will be here in Memphis, in some capacity, forever. Hegseth announced today that Dof D will fund TN National Guard in Memphis for the next year.
It’s inspiring to hear so many more communities have been successful in passing Resolutions projects!! Thank You All For Your Support and Encouragement.
I agree Lisa, it is exciting that Rep Pearson and other young Democrats in our area are standing up to challenge seats that have been uncontested for ages!
What you need is a sponsor for the resolution: just one of the 13 Councilors can get it moving. It can be any Democratic member of the Memphis City Council although a Chair or Co-Chair are strong choices. You can directly ask them to sponsor the draft resolution. If your request is accepted, that person can find an agreeable co-sponsor. Then the resolution will move forward to introduction, discussion and a vote. [Procedures are here: https://memphistn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Council-Rules-of-Procedure-01-2025.pdf]
Memphis Mayor Paul Young should be a strong advocate.
If you need more info about the Council members you could talk with Shelby County Young Democrats (901) 300-0589 email scyd.president901@gmail.com FB https://www.facebook.com/901yd/about They endorsed Councilors Janika White, Attorney JB Smiley, Jr., Jeff Warren, and Jerri Mauldin Green
I intend to put a lot more energy in the Resolutions project after Tuesday. I think the idea of this project was a bit ahead of the curve, and that over the next few months the necessity of every elected official finding their voice on what Trump is doing to our democracy and all of us will become much more apparent. Things stall in our business and then they move. Look at the tariff votes this week. The last time we tried to move these repeals they failed. And Tim Kaine and others went to work and now we were able to win three votes this week!
Wrote to Mike Johnson and John Thune demanding that they end the government shutdown by extending the ACA subsidies. Quoted Johnson answering question about why he wouldn’t consider moving money around to fund SNAP. “Because if you deviate from the goal of reopening the entire government, Chuck Schumer and the radicals over there will continue to play games with people’s paychecks, their livelihoods,” Johnson said. “And if you do just part of this, it will reduce pressure for them to do all of it, to do their basic job, and that is reopen the government.”
From The Hill: "It seems clear that Democrats aren’t the ones playing games with people’s livelihoods, but instead it is Republicans who are holding SNAP benefits hostage from 42 million Americans in order to make the opposition bend. And SNAP is a hostage Republicans are more than willing to kill—they’ve already voted to gut nearly $300 billion from the program through 2034.
Earlier Thursday, Johnson claimed that President Donald Trump had already done everything he could to mitigate the harm. But in fact, the Trump administration turned back on its own policy by claiming without precedent that it cannot legally use SNAP contingency funds to keep the essential program afloat during a government shutdown."
In my emails to Johnson and Thune I also address the "aid who will actually read this," saying that they can help Americans by leaving their jobs and speaking out!
Feeling Hopium as we enter the final weekend before 11/4. We’re working it hard in NJ until we run it through the tape!
I’m sharing a link to Katie Couric’s recent interview with Mikie Sherrill. It is well worth the listen. I would be proud and comforted if she’s at the helm of the state I call home.
If nothing else, all you need to know is that the pathologically ambitious, morally compromised JD Vance has not campaigned in New Jersey nor Virginia...he did, however, manage to get to a Turning PointUSA gathering in Mississippi which shows you his true focus. Trump's trip through Asia was a Seinfeld episode about nothing...;perhaps Speaker Johnson would be better served to spend some time in emergency rooms in Louisiana to see how our health care system is working.
Someone posted the trump befuddled-walk in Asia to the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme. Brilliant.
The Great Ron Filipkowski chronicled the China meeting yesterday.
Trump looked weak and pathetic during his meeting with China’s President Xi, and accomplished virtually nothing.
Xi had Trump waiting for him to arrive, standing in front of the press alone looking anxious. As Xi walked in, Trump decided not to try his usual arm-jerk move that he reserves for leaders of our allies, but he still held on for an awkward period of time again as Xi looked bored and annoyed. This exchange then ensued:
Trump: Good to see you again.
Xi: Says nothing.
Trump: We’re going to have a very successful meeting. I have no doubt.
Xi: Says nothing.
Trump: But he’s a very tough negotiator, that’s not good. (Trump turns to look at Xi with a big smile and pats him on the arm).
Xi: Doesn’t smile. Says nothing.
Trump: We know each other very well.
Xi: Says nothing.
Q - Mr. President, do you intend to sign a deal today?
Trump: Could be. I think we’ll have a great understanding. (Looks over at Xi)
Xi: Says nothing. (Looks away)
Trump: We have a great relationship. We always had a great relationship. (Looks at Xi again)
Xi: Looks away annoyed with an expression that says he thinks Trump is full of shit.
Trump: Thank you very much, everyone. (They leave). …
Trump was asked about the meeting after it was over: “They congratulated me on the tremendous success that we’ve had. He was very strong on congratulating me. Reporter: But he didn’t commit to any additional investments in the US?
Trump: We didn’t really discuss it.”
report: Contacted all reps to thank them for their ongoing opposition to Trump's policies (all Ds). Pointed out Trump's increasing failures to persuade voters and elected R's and the importance of seizing the advantage and being on offense 24/7/365.
Great news on the tariff votes! Epstein scandal is not going away.
Keep on keeping on!
a friend cut the cable an has only local tv; he called this morning saying nbc calling the nj race neck an neck.....was it bullshit he asked. yes, and i read him the polls here...he said he finally gets just how the media is destroying politics. by data, the race is not close; if anything sherill is opening up a stronger lead. now, polling could be way off, but even fox news admitted that anger at trump seems to be a driver in this race; jack c is commanding on the tax issue, and that could be a problem, and he leads with men, but she is crushing him with women. we are all nervous after last year and after jack c came closer than expected in 2021. but we can only look at the election in front of us. i have not seen anyone come here to campaign for jack, but i have seen prominent dems come out for mikie, which one pundit said was a sign of lack of confidence! i mean come on, a dem gets criticised for not walking on water sometimes.
Another good indicator in all of those polls, even the right-aligned one, is that Mikie Sherrill is at or above 50%. Proud to have donated to her, although nothing is certain until the votes are all counted. Bring it home!
Thank you so much for this impressive interview with AZ Rep. Yassamin Ansari and sharing her new video from yesterday. She is so inspiring and invigorating for our Democratic Party. AZ needs her, and Our Country needs her as well.
Totally agree. It is heartening to get to know some of the new D talent through these interviews - smart, powerful voices.
I highly recommend everyone read this article "If you still don't believe me about voters" by political scientist Rachel Bitecofer about actual voter positions on issues versus the candidate they voted for, and why, based on research from the Survey on American life. The point of the article is messaging.
https://thecycle.substack.com/p/if-you-still-dont-believe-me-about?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=242338&post_id=177602801&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=9xdq6&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
i think the point is about vibes and storytelling, while many of us seem to think just talking about our policies is a sufficient message, but it does not seem to be. the thing that struck me is how many people voted for trump because they thought he was a good businessman, even if they really disagreed with him on everything. it is well worth reading but be prepared to throw up
Welp, clearly not many of them have lived in the tri-state region for long, or else they are just delusional. He bilked NJ out of millions in the 90s.
Some of my Northeast relatives are all in on trump. I guess they think the reporting from the 80's was all by the deep state, or they bought into the National Inquirer.
Very fascinating read! I've read Bitecofer before and I've always liked her. Honestly it gels with what Anat Shenker-Osario has long said, about messaging and storytelling (maybe Simon could bring her on sometime!). Also I hate to say it, but even after reading the article, I bombed the quiz. I probably I overthought it on many profiles and expected every single person to vote "opposite" of their positions -which wasn't always the case - but still, people are complicated!
I got 7/16. Totally bombed!
Thanks much for this, Lyn--very helpful. The one thing, by way of pushback, II would say to the author (if I didn't have to be a subscriber to comment) is that we have made *zero* effort to "educate people out of civic illiteracy." None. That's how, for example, we had an election where there was a 5000% increase in searches on the word "tariffs" *after* people had voted, at which point 56% support for them dropped to 39% in less than three weeks, and by Inauguration Day only 6% of Americans thought they should be a priority.
If I can borrow the piece's soapbox for a moment, for those of us who've been in new media for a while, debacles like the 2024 presidential are the source of a *lot* of frustration. We see a whole medium in front of us that's not only ideal for education, but ideal for making (adult) education entertaining and engaging, rather than paternalistic and condescending, a medium ideal for persuasion about ideas that actually work, as opposed to concepts of plans that can only survive as 30 second spots, a medium where length is a mark of authenticity, especially for the young. a medium built on community, where most of the people who are best at either community, education, or both (teachers, for example) are on our side.
But it looks to me like we're still mostly playing Charlie Brown football (which the author seems to be urging on us as well), trying once again to develop better "messaging" to beat the GOP at what they're really good at--manipulative and dishonest snack-sized marketing that preys on people's anger and fear, then proposes grossly oversimplified scapegoating solutions to complex problems (or solutions to problems that don't even exist instead).
Me, I'd like to see the Dems give the same amount of money spent by Future Forward on the Las Vegas Sphere and Oprah's TV special to some people who really know this medium--*not* politicos whose job is digital, but people who have *successfully* developed online services for *mass consumer audiences,* and therefore are the best positioned to apply what works best in engaging people when they're *not* engaged--or even interested--in politics, to see if that can get them more engaged and thereby (more) civic-literate. Not unlike what the Reagan campaign did for political TV ads in the '80s when they decided to hire people who knew how to sell soap in order to successfully sell a paradigm shift in our politics.
Let's try *that,* I say, and see what happens. Because imnsho, when people are doing things based on "vibes," or "going with their gut," as we used to call it, it's usually *not* because that's just human nature (if it was, there wouldn't have been a whole spate of best sellers in the aughts urging people to do it). It's because **they don’t feel they have anything else to go on.** We didn't give them what they needed to hang their hats on in 2024, and we still haven't. We're getting closer, but in the words of Drake's Prayer, "it is not the beginning, but the continuation of the same until it be *thoroughly finished* that yieldeth the true glory. " To go the rest of the way, we're going to have to start letting new media be new media, not just old wine in new bottles.
A 20-minute wait for just a minute at the voting machine -- two ballot choices for (state) public service commission positions. Never seen anything like it in all my years here in Georgia. If people are trying to send a message by turning out in much larger numbers for an election like this, I think that message is going out loud and clear.
YAY fellow Georgians!! I early voted the 2nd day of early voting (2+ weeks ago) in my small rural red county in the central part of the state and hardly anyone had voted and there was no wait. It was the only thing on the ballot for those of us living outside the city limits, but there are city government races this year, too. Of course, in the political world, 2+ weeks ago was a lifetime ago-- think of all the additional things 47 and company have screwed up in the past 2+ weeks that may have motivated DEMS and INDPDENTS to show up in large numbers for a state-wide PSC election! It will be very interesting to see if DEMS can pick up those 2 seats and get GA Power to lower its rates!
GREAT to read your comment. Thank you!
When ICE came and took all those South Korean engineers into custody at the Hyundai plant near Savannah -- was that any talk around town near you? This was sheer insanity.
Looking forward to trading notes again after Tuesday!
No I live about one hour, 15 minutes South of downtown ATL.-- Pike County if you've ever heard of it.
Kemp sure was quiet about that incident. I think this was a warning shot by 47 across Kemp's bow in retaliation for refusing the 11,000 votes.
Kemp wouldn't say "shit" if he had a mouthful.
GO, MIKIE!!!
Report: From NJ where all TV is saying the race is neck and neck... Did a phone bank this AM for NJ Dems. If you think phone banks don't make a difference, think again. I talked to three people and was able to tell them where early voting locations were. They didn't know where their locations were. That's three people more likely to get their vote in. Turn your anxiety into action and phone bank!
Thank you!
Signed up for a New Jersey phone bank shift Sunday through Indivisible. It was this one but I’m sure there are lots. https://track-mg.mobilize.us/CL0/https:%2F%2Fmobilize.us%2Fs%2FGyJHUo/1/0100019a379f15b8-7a747605-8d1e-4a93-b744-1751c3ac5a96-000000/GY1o2mMJZmTyq_sdlfceZgbrpZ-guorM8jmy5QMm4gU=429
Thanks for phone banking everyone - we appreciate it!
just watched aaron rupar and david nir who talked about this race, calling sherill comfortably ahead and other than a couple right wing polls and jack c going on fox all the time, there's no indication the race is tight; 2021 was the backlash against biden so murphy actually prevailed against headwinds. no party has won 3 times in a row in nj since 1965; jack c should be running away with the race and yet he is polling behind. i'm feeling as good as you can, but knowing strange shit does happen. they also talked about spanberger and felt that she will bring jay jones across the finish line if her win is big enough, and it looks like it might be; though the r is polling ahead in the ag race by a bit.
My husband hails from VA & we’re political junkies, so we remember ‘21 well. I thought my husband said it best then, in the midst of COVID: people were just cranky.
This is all consistent with our strategy and commentary
Every time I've phone banked, and I've been doing it for over a decade, I've talked to people who wanted to vote but didn't know where, or that they could vote early, or that they could register and vote on election day. It's totally worth it.
WOW Yassamin Ansari! She's another AOC. I love her. What a bright, articulate, no BS gal. Let's keep an eye on her.
Wed afternoon, in my old hometown of Durango CO there was an ICE raid and then a brutal assault on peaceful protestors. It cut me to the bone. So close to home. People I know were there. Then Yassamin's stories today... and now little kids going hungry. I'm having a hard time, peeps! Social worker, therapist, and empath, I am, and this has gotten to me. Thanks for doing all the work you are doing. I am still calling Warren and Markey. My state senators and governor are stepping up and doing all they can to ameliorate this cruel withholding of SNAP and WIC funds. It's a brutal time. My heart is breaking. I believe, and not many people are saying this, that Miller, Vought, Noem, Bovino etc are actively pursuing a genocidal, white nationalist agenda to get rid of people of color. They are doing so, by undermining education, health care, voting rights, and by funding ICE so we deport as many as possible, as fast and as cruelly as possible. It is pure NAZI play book. As you say Simon, Americans have NEVER experienced anything like this. It is everything I can do to hold on to my seat and keep breathing... again thanks everyone.; you give me strength and patience. For now, I'm down to just reading this newsletter and doing our Hopium work here. I'm taking a break from the rest. We are flying across the country to Denver tomorrow. Fingers crossed the air traffic controllers have a good day....
Take care of yourself, Kate! I agree with you about the agenda of Miller et al. But wanting something is very different from getting it - as we all can confirm! - even for wannabe Nazi trolls.
There will be an afterwards to all this horribleness, and in that afterwards there will be full accountability.
Breathe, and keep doing the actions!
Thank you Susan! Just what I need to hear. Breathe is right!
correct on all points. Sounds like it's self-care time for you! It all hit me yesterday and I was in a foul mood. Take care of yourself! We need you in this fight!
I love you women! THank you Lisa. Yes. Self care. Going to Colorado for a month. Sister. Horses, old friends, blue skies, desert hiking and some hot springs. I will keep calling but I do need a break. Im so sad.
"Yassamin Ansari! She's another AOC. I love her. What a bright, articulate, no BS gal. Let's keep an eye on her."
With all due respect, I did not know about Rep. Ansari before today. She's diametrically opposed to AOC in her support for violating US laws in sending weapons to countries involved in crimes against humanity. She receives campaign funds from lobbying groups for such countries -- UNLIKE AOC.
I do agree that people should keep an eye on her.
Hmmm. THank you. Please send more info. Where can I read about her and this point you are making. I appreciate learning, always.
Ansari's Wiki page has a write-up of where she is opposed to the progressive Democrats w/regards to Israel/Palestine. (There's a header for that topic.)
I was interested if she took money from pro-Israel lobbying groups, and the second link indicates she does -- (unlike her counterpart from AZ, Rep. Grijalva.)
Finally a link to the laws related to arms transfers to nations violating human rights.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yassamin_Ansari
https://www.trackaipac.com/congress
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leahy_Law
Please careful in your language here. Accepting money and having independent expenditures - which you cannot control or have any influence over - run on your behalf are the not same thing.
And as I write below her own family history may inform her support for Israel's countering of Iranian/Russian influence in the region, which is a piece of this story that is often left out. I understand that this is important issue for some here the bill that is the source of the criticism of her was supported by 173 Democrats and is the mainstream position of the Democratic Party.
My point is the one I responded to initially: AOC and Ansari are very different in at least one critical area. VERY different.
It may be a mainstream Democratic position to provide arms in violation of US laws -- just as mainstream Democrats once supported our war in Vietnam. That does not equate to being "right." But it definitely separates AOC from Ansari.
Thomas pls provide links and more information about this. Thank you.
I would note that Rep. Ansari is of Persian descent, and her family fled Iran in 1979 after the revolution. The Iranian regime which which he family fled has expressed genocidal intent towards Israel, and has been the main backers of Hamas and Hizbollah, who have also have expressed genocidal intent towards Israel and killed dozens of Americans on October 7th. Iran is allied with Russia and is supplying weapons and support for it's attempted seizure of Ukraine. Here is more about her and her journey, including her time working as a climate advisor at the United Nations - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yassamin_Ansari
My point here is that there are many, many leaders in the Democratic Party voting for Israel and fighting rising anti-semitism here in the US out of conviction, and the implicit assertion their support has been purchased is both inaccurate and insulting. As I've often written I think the critics of Israel weaken their own arguments and become far less persuasive when they assert 80% of our leaders are corrupt and morally bankrupt rather than having positions that you disagree with. I think the case against funding Israel's campaign in Gaza is a compelling one that has been made poorly, and has utterly failed politically.
So while I do not approve of how Israel has conducted the war I do agree with their broader strategic objective to weaken the influence of the Iranian-Russian-Hamas-Hizbollah axis which is also waging a land war in Europe and whose support has been instrumental in Trump's rise here in the US.
It’s the same as the election. We knew how bad Trump was going to be but no one believed us. A couple years ago a Black journalist posted that most political reporters simply don’t believe that there’s a global rise in white supremacy. It’s “calm down, ladies” as journalistic ethos.
This is not just about the races, but about Trump's foreign adventures. I think he is trying to divide up the world. Middle Eastern friends of his get the Mid-East and part of Africa. China gets much of the Far East and the balance of Africa. Russia gets Ukraine and Europe and he gets North and South America ( remember Gulf of America, Panama, Greenland though he might have to arm wrestle Vlad for that). Not happy about restarting our nuclear program.
So yes, the elections are important. We need to win, not only to deny the R's but to widen those cracks Simon talks about.
He's getting marching orders from Vlad the puppeteer. No WAY does he have the mental capacity to even begin to do this.
I couldn't agree more, Virginia. As someone whose family lived under Hitler and Stalin, I've felt this in my bones for a long while, even created a sticker about it a few years ago, with the smiling faces of the three amigos, captioned THE NEW AXIS. I think Lisa's probably right about Trump, but I'm sure the other two would gladly pick up his slack. Maybe he's the Mussolini of the group (and in such a mapping, maybe MBS plays Franco)
Hitting the grassroots here:
Our senior pastor is a progressive from outside the US here on a work visa. We won’t let her near any No Kings action. Although she has been active at actions against Hate Crimes and helping host our Orange Shirt Day collaboration with the local tribes.
I spent much of yesterday explaining that the SNAP nastiness is separate from the Federal government shut down nastiness, is only partly entwined with Mike Johnson’s behavior regarding the House…. And about the importance of the Senate censures regarding tariffs. I made sure she understands what “Prop 50” says and would do and tangentially understands that not all states have independent committees to set election districts.
I have to say, Simon, that I have a grasp on all of this because of your amazing work with Hopium. Thank you.
Our county BoS has eliminated Charlie Kirk’s (or anyone else’s) name from the resolution to designate October 14 as protect free speech day. We work hard here in the fields.
Congrats on the win about Oct 14!
It was a team effort…🤓
Reporting that I continue to call Repub Sens daily using Simon & polling as talking points. Neither TN Sens has moved from their blind support of Dr Evil. Continue to protest, and $$ support of Hopium and other candidates.
Follow-up to Memphis Resolutions of Condemnation project ~ an FYI to Deborah, Rachel, and all others involved in Hopium’s Resolutions Committee,
I wanted to let you know that the Resolutions Of Condemnation project in Memphis is no longer being considered by the Memphis City Council. My Council contact will no longer answer my email queries for updates either.
I was waiting until after the final October City Council and Shelby County Commission Meeting Minutes were published. There was no discussion/votes regarding Resolutions of Condemnation against the President in either of the October meetings.
Both legislative bodies brought forth their own Resolutions that addressed TN Gov. Bill Lee's readiness to send the TN National Guard to Memphis TN, with the blessing of President, and Sens Hagerty and Blackburn. Both these Resolutions failed to get a majority vote.
Memphis governmental bodies are under the occupation of 13 different federal agencies, state troopers, and TN Guard, working with Memphis Police and Shelby County Sheriff departments. Our Governor admitted his plan is that these entities will be here in Memphis, in some capacity, forever. Hegseth announced today that Dof D will fund TN National Guard in Memphis for the next year.
It’s inspiring to hear so many more communities have been successful in passing Resolutions projects!! Thank You All For Your Support and Encouragement.
thank you! It's so important that TN get good advocacy, and I'm so excited about Justin J. Pearson's candidacy!
I agree Lisa, it is exciting that Rep Pearson and other young Democrats in our area are standing up to challenge seats that have been uncontested for ages!
Thanks for the update, CC. I encourage you not to give up. Here is a link to the Resolutions chat. It has examples of how other resolutions were stalled then moving forward. https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/hopium-resolutions-project-discussion/comments
What you need is a sponsor for the resolution: just one of the 13 Councilors can get it moving. It can be any Democratic member of the Memphis City Council although a Chair or Co-Chair are strong choices. You can directly ask them to sponsor the draft resolution. If your request is accepted, that person can find an agreeable co-sponsor. Then the resolution will move forward to introduction, discussion and a vote. [Procedures are here: https://memphistn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Council-Rules-of-Procedure-01-2025.pdf]
Memphis Mayor Paul Young should be a strong advocate.
If you need more info about the Council members you could talk with Shelby County Young Democrats (901) 300-0589 email scyd.president901@gmail.com FB https://www.facebook.com/901yd/about They endorsed Councilors Janika White, Attorney JB Smiley, Jr., Jeff Warren, and Jerri Mauldin Green
or
Shelby County Democratic Party https://www.shelbydem.org/ email shelbycountydem@gmail.com
If you need to find out whether Chair J. Ford Canale or Vice Chair Jana Swearengen-Washington are Democrats, they could tell you.
Thank you Deborah. I will revisit the Hopium Resolutions Page for details on how to overcome a stalled resolution. I appreciate your suggestions!
I intend to put a lot more energy in the Resolutions project after Tuesday. I think the idea of this project was a bit ahead of the curve, and that over the next few months the necessity of every elected official finding their voice on what Trump is doing to our democracy and all of us will become much more apparent. Things stall in our business and then they move. Look at the tariff votes this week. The last time we tried to move these repeals they failed. And Tim Kaine and others went to work and now we were able to win three votes this week!
Donating to multiple local food banks today.
Wrote to Mike Johnson and John Thune demanding that they end the government shutdown by extending the ACA subsidies. Quoted Johnson answering question about why he wouldn’t consider moving money around to fund SNAP. “Because if you deviate from the goal of reopening the entire government, Chuck Schumer and the radicals over there will continue to play games with people’s paychecks, their livelihoods,” Johnson said. “And if you do just part of this, it will reduce pressure for them to do all of it, to do their basic job, and that is reopen the government.”
From The Hill: "It seems clear that Democrats aren’t the ones playing games with people’s livelihoods, but instead it is Republicans who are holding SNAP benefits hostage from 42 million Americans in order to make the opposition bend. And SNAP is a hostage Republicans are more than willing to kill—they’ve already voted to gut nearly $300 billion from the program through 2034.
Earlier Thursday, Johnson claimed that President Donald Trump had already done everything he could to mitigate the harm. But in fact, the Trump administration turned back on its own policy by claiming without precedent that it cannot legally use SNAP contingency funds to keep the essential program afloat during a government shutdown."
In my emails to Johnson and Thune I also address the "aid who will actually read this," saying that they can help Americans by leaving their jobs and speaking out!
“And SNAP is a hostage Republicans are more than willing to kill”
Great and powerful description of what they’re doing.
Feeling Hopium as we enter the final weekend before 11/4. We’re working it hard in NJ until we run it through the tape!
I’m sharing a link to Katie Couric’s recent interview with Mikie Sherrill. It is well worth the listen. I would be proud and comforted if she’s at the helm of the state I call home.
https://katiecouric.substack.com/p/one-on-one-with-new-jersey-gubernatorial?r=366pw4&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=audio-player