I’ll be at S.F. Tesla every Saturday I can. Hundreds of honks and thumbs up in support. Our numbers are growing. 200? there this week perhaps. We aren’t going anywhere.
I am also sorry that there are virtually no Tesla dealerships in CT to picket due to the fact that the governor and the legislature did not approve of the way Tesla does business. You order directly from the company and any business was not a franchise. So, actually in CT there is one Tesla outlet but it's on native reservation land, actually it might be inside. So that would be a big no-no.
These last two months I really have felt I’m living in a very bad dream. Unfortunately, pinching my arm doesn’t help. But regardless of who occupied the Oval Office I never thought I would see this:
. Trump administration ends "segregated facilities" ban in federal contracts
That’s from a WI Chamber poll done by a gop firm but once again Dem fundraisers are using it in texts and emails to scare up donations. I had really hoped that the impact of scare tactic fundraising on messaging and campaign momentum would be one of the lessons learned from ‘24 but I guess not.
The last independent poll I saw of the race had Crawford up 5.
In a non-scientific campaign measurement, I took my daughter to swim practice at UW-Whitewater last week and the Crawford signs outnumbered the Schimmel signs 4 to 1 in Whitewater (they also seem to have a hotly contested school board election). So take that for what it’s worth. We’re new to Wisconsin but I don’t think Whitewater is a bastion of progressive politics so I took it as a good sign (literally and figuratively).
IIRC early voting started yesterday. Keep writing postcards and text/phone banking, and canvassing if you're close enough to WI. (Reminds me: I need more addresses from Postcards To Voters!)
P.S. I take it as a plus that Republican legislators in WI are pissing off their constituents by not holding town halls -- and insisting that those demanding access are all Democrats. <g>
After vigorously supporting Crawford to win the election to the WI Supreme Court, I encourage folks to take a look at Rebecca Cooke who is running against Van Orden again for WI-03. It's a very red district; however, Van Orden is a uniquely detestable person, and Cooke possesses a uniquely WI background. A hard-working small business owner, daughter of a dairy farmer, she seemingly exudes WI kindness, work ethic, and values: https://cookeforwisconsin.com/en/
Do you have someplace you go for addresses for postcards? I do Markers for Democracy, but they don't seem to have the WI Supreme Court race in their campaigns. I would appreciate it if you had a link. I found one site called "Third Act"... but I don't know who these groups are. I trust MFD, not sure about others. Thanks.
I love the fact that they are buying billboards everyone will see them. Videos may make us high-five each other, but our opponents don't open them.
I live in CT where abortion is legal, just about every billboard is sponsored by the Catholic church with it's antiabortion message. Everyone sees them.
Bondi is threatening 5 year sentences for this sort of thing. After pardons for people who killed police, threatened lawmakers and VP in DC, it's kind of pathetic to make such a case for property damage.
Simon! Thanks for a morning post full of crunchy oats for our activities today! And yesterday's Maddow showed dismayed and regretful DT voters from red states, plus an outstanding song composed and sung by Tillis' constituents at a town hall he wouldn't attend - her show yesterday is full of encouraging news -
Enjoy this with your morning coffee - a real picker-upper! My first link went private, this one should work -
Maddow gives a great summation of everything that’s going wrong for DT, starting with voters in red states seeing DT’s true colors, moving on to all the judicial judgements ag DT, and including a terrific song sung by Tillis voters at a town hall Tillis wouldn’t attend. Song is at about 16 minutes in.
In the spirit of Hopium, I called my Congresswomen to thank her for the way the House Dems have really raised their game in the last few weeks, and the guy I spoke to was so grateful. I will call and thank our amazing AG now.
I watched GPS on CNN on Sunday. Klein & Thompson gave an analysis of the Democratic Party & why the party was successful under FDR& why the Democrats Party NOW needs to evaluate how they demonstrate to the citizens they can get things done. In FDR results happened. Democrats today promises , lots of money & little concrete results. Their book Abundance is a must read !
Reagan had a quote that can apply to today. “ Trust but verify.” Demonstrates provided lots of money but verify instead of trusting. Rumors in Nebraska that their Governor used the pandemic money to funds his new shell company Ag businesses. Major newspapers didn’t cover & independent journalists were ignored. Must not be true.🤪
The party was successful under FDR because they had a supermajority. We do not have a majority. When you have lost all three branches you are in the same position as the Republicans under FDR. I long for the good old days under Biden!
Keep in mind that the Democratic Party under FDR was very white. It included the white Southern Democrats who became Republicans in the years following the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (which the current SCOTUS kneecapped). It did not do very well by people of color -- and, of course, it was responsible for Executive Order 9066, interning Japanese Americans during WW2.
That Reagan quote is pretty funny in retrospect. For a good chunk of his administration he wasn't fully aware of what was going on, and we're still living with the damage the Reagan and post-Reagan years did.
I just watched the video of the Tr*mp Voters in Michigan. I know it's not helpful, but WTF! They said they didn't think he would act like this but he said over and over that he would do all these things!
Dear Simon, thank you for today's newsletter. Excellent information and your perspectives are right on the money --- certainly in my view. Are you aware of any constructive thoughts both Ken Martin and Jane Kleeb have on Kamala's future prospects particularly as it relates to her political standing within the party? Though I am a fan of embracing multiple leaders within the party as opposed to searching for one singular individual (risking going down the rabbit hole of anointing a Democratic 'Trump' which would be an oxymoron in and of itself), I still see Kamala as one of those key few leaders in our party despite the loss at hand.
You surely know by now, I have been very outspoken with the community about encouraging each other to ensure we as a party and as a community do not 'cast her to the waste side,' thinking it 'simply didn't work -- next option.' We know it's far more complex than that and I still firmly believe she is arguably the most severely underestimated political figure of our time (as I started taking notice back when she was in the Senate). Not to mention, I'm aware of the long well-regarded history you share with her in the political realm. I just hope the party and all necessary factions aiding in our hopeful and potential future success/comeback choose to continue embracing her (especially should she choose to run again for I believe against all seeming odds -- she absolutely CAN STILL WIN) and are able to compartmentalize between the fact that SHE was not the issue rather instead as you just mentioned --- the party's messaging around her unfortunately was.
Though there is unavoidably a racist/misogynistic sector of the country that won't ever be fully erased (though it could be eventually depleted enough in relevancy as it pertains to our growing/progressing electorate) -- I still instinctively feel, she was the right woman at the right time and that the country was more ready for a woman and one of color at that, far more than both perceived and publicized through mainstream media. Remember, your initial instincts about her chances as they came to fruition in real time for all of us were NOT wrong!!! I was onboard with your sentiment from day one as it related to her. Not to mention, the very real possibilities in that her chances in the end were highly manipulated courtesy of both Musk' electronic efforts and Russian disinformation. Manipulation by the way, a number of reputable sources online are starting to expose gradually to the forefront yet, that stark reality is for another day as we have a different fight ahead to focus on.
I digress --- I would love to hear your thoughts if/when possible, as surely, her next moves will be critical to our party's future. I refuse to believe she is just 'done.' I believe she knows that to be the case as well. There is a video a little while back which had circulated swiftly across social media, taken from when both she and President Biden walked through the back hallway to the main room in the Capitol on 45' Inauguration Day. It can be distinctly heard when she says to Biden, walking by his side on such a solemn day --- "Justice is coming." There is a 'there-there' which we yet do not know. Nevertheless, it definitely still feels as though she has her finger very much on the pulse both known and unbeknownst to many. When I have an instinct about something politically, it is very difficult for me to let it go. Although, I also try to see it through a wider lens, keeping keen to the environment which surrounds me as best as possible. Thank you again for all you do. Proud to be a part of this community.
I was stunned by the whole thing. They looked like normal, thoughtful people. How can they have looked at Kamala and Trump and voted for that piece of shit? I am completely baffled. His speeches were always filled with hate and idiocy.
The Citizens United decision (2010) is the gift that keeps on giving -- to Republicans. Campaign spending is out of control, and media consolidation has turned plenty of places into virtual news deserts. And as noted elsewhere, civics education at the middle and high school level died out decades ago in many areas.
Classes in government and theater were a big factor in the activism of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High students following the fatal shootings at their school in 2018. (Alumnus/survivor David Hogg is now a principal in Leaders We Deserve, encouraging and supporting young people running for office.)
I have a sister who voted for Trump. She plans on retiring next month and needs her social security to do it. I told her Trump would take it away and she said "Oh politicians never do half the stuff they say they're going to do. I'm not worried."
URGENT - All Hopium members should see this. TFG is actively trying to reinstate segregation. I strongly recommend that we add an action/donation section to spread the word about this and to maybe support a group like the NAACP with donations and such:
Please do not attempt to direct donations from people here in the Hopium community. I will take this under advisement but as I say all the time there are a million things coming at us each day and I work to recommend those activities that I think we have the biggest impact and have the highest likelihood of success. We must always act strategically and never impulsively.
Understood. My main goal was to raise awareness. I will apply your idea of being strategic going forward. And hopefully, as with queer rights the genie is out of the bottle and most people will not stand for attempts to take us back.
I am interested in Blake Gendebien. He was selected several months ago by the NY Democratic Party. I'm not sure if Simon will find time to interview him. I also do not know what the date might be for the Special Election. The Republicans will put up some MAGA candidate and musk will finance that person. Here is Blake's website:
I do find him interesting. Years ago, this area vote blue. But not recently. Stefanik was originally a moderate Republican then changed when"opportunity" knocked. I think a farmer might have a slight chance, better than in Florida. Especially since Trump's policies have been harsh on farmers across the nation. I hope he emphasizes this.
It’s all changed with tariffs and inflation and the utter cruelty of the musk/trump regime. Cuts to Dept of Agriculture etc. For example per Tim Walz much fertilizer comes from Canada. And Canada does not want our agriculture products now due to reciprocal tariffs,
I have to admit his ad charmed me. When I first moved to northwest CT there were a lot of dairy farms. One spring when the young calves were out my toddler said " Look! Dalmations!" I couldn't stop laughing. He's 53 and I still tease him about it. But I do miss the farms it's mostly tract housing now, with the exception of the large farm where my son misidentified the calves.
That clip of the focus group with young Trump voters is a testament to the media's capability of anesthetizing people to Trump. At his rallies Trump absolutely presented himself as an unhinged dictator who talked about tariffs, deportation, firing people, etc. I mean, Trump's entire catch phrase for years was "you're fired!" The fact that these voters didn't see that or told themselves otherwise shows the serious degree of deep shit that we are in with right-wing media infrastructure that was essentially able to mass-anesthetize people to Trump. And the less politically engaged these voters were, the worse it was!
From the piece linked below by Mark Copelovitch and Michael Wagner: "The backlash against incumbents is real, but it is only indirectly related to factual information about inflation and the economy. Instead, voter concerns appear to be driven more by perceptions about these things than material realities. This confirms findings of our past research, where we have found that the single greatest determinant of voters’ concerns with inflation in the US, in 2022, was not any measure of material well-being, but rather the amount of media – and especially conservative media like Fox News and talk radio – one consumes. We know that US media coverage since 2021 has been overwhelmingly biased toward negative topics (inflation and recession) instead of good news (low unemployment and the unprecedentedly rapid economic recovery), and this has been especially true of more conservative media outlets."
I know that we need to invite these folks into our coalition, and that the media landscape is a disaster and can be hard to navigate for busy working people, but I can't watch this without feeling really upset with these people. Deep breaths.
Something to keep in mind. Schumer has long been the GOPs best friend. He, as Senate leader, caved, and lost Pres Obama’s Supreme Court nomination. Schumer failed then, the GOP took his measure and realized how weak he is, and now this is where we are.
As Maya Angelou is famous for saying, “When someone tells you who he is, believe him”. Based on Schumer’s record, I doubt that he would step aside because someone asks him to.
I’ll be at S.F. Tesla every Saturday I can. Hundreds of honks and thumbs up in support. Our numbers are growing. 200? there this week perhaps. We aren’t going anywhere.
What time do you meet? Is it at VanNess and O'Farrell?
I believe it’s noon to 2pm Saturday.
Have you seen this? Activists putting up very-professional posters for Tesla’s "Swasticar".
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/E8LKuEN8p2g
There is a huge amount of Anti-Elon and Anti-Trump merchandize available through Etsy.com
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=anti-Elon
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=anti-Trump
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=anti-Fascism
I bought this car magnet:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1863372330/anti-billionaire-car-magnetvinyl-decal
Probably the last thing I need is more postcards, but I must admit I am very tempted by some of these designs:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ProtestNation
Excellent!
Haha! I just ordered some today on Etsy! I figured I needed them for my Spring protests!
Yep. I have been stocking up for future protests!
Yes- seen these at the protests.
I want one.
I am also sorry that there are virtually no Tesla dealerships in CT to picket due to the fact that the governor and the legislature did not approve of the way Tesla does business. You order directly from the company and any business was not a franchise. So, actually in CT there is one Tesla outlet but it's on native reservation land, actually it might be inside. So that would be a big no-no.
These last two months I really have felt I’m living in a very bad dream. Unfortunately, pinching my arm doesn’t help. But regardless of who occupied the Oval Office I never thought I would see this:
. Trump administration ends "segregated facilities" ban in federal contracts
https://www.axios.com/2025/03/18/trump-end-segregated-facilities-ban-contracts
The explanation of why this matters is chilling. DT is leaving us with so much to redo, undo, do.
Makes me think of a phrase Kamala used often on the campaign trail: "Hard work is good work!" Glass 10% full, I know, but it sure gives me purpose.
I would think this EO would be another multi-state lawsuit winding its way through the courts for a very long time.
He's going to use the transgender community to do this thinking that people will be fine with this kind of discrimination.
Have they also erased women's roles? I believe they have.
Thank you so much for sharing that link. I didn't know.
I saw the NPR report and wondered whether this move is some weird interpretation of DEI language purging or a white nationalist intention.
Republicans never stop with the identity politics. And then they attack us by calling standing against injustice “identity politics.”
😢
Has anyone seen polling for the WI supreme court race?
I keep seeing 47 47, but I don't know if those are accurate polls.
That’s from a WI Chamber poll done by a gop firm but once again Dem fundraisers are using it in texts and emails to scare up donations. I had really hoped that the impact of scare tactic fundraising on messaging and campaign momentum would be one of the lessons learned from ‘24 but I guess not.
The last independent poll I saw of the race had Crawford up 5.
In a non-scientific campaign measurement, I took my daughter to swim practice at UW-Whitewater last week and the Crawford signs outnumbered the Schimmel signs 4 to 1 in Whitewater (they also seem to have a hotly contested school board election). So take that for what it’s worth. We’re new to Wisconsin but I don’t think Whitewater is a bastion of progressive politics so I took it as a good sign (literally and figuratively).
Thank you SO much, Nathaniel. I didn’t want to trust those poll numbers and I like yours much better.
IIRC early voting started yesterday. Keep writing postcards and text/phone banking, and canvassing if you're close enough to WI. (Reminds me: I need more addresses from Postcards To Voters!)
P.S. I take it as a plus that Republican legislators in WI are pissing off their constituents by not holding town halls -- and insisting that those demanding access are all Democrats. <g>
After vigorously supporting Crawford to win the election to the WI Supreme Court, I encourage folks to take a look at Rebecca Cooke who is running against Van Orden again for WI-03. It's a very red district; however, Van Orden is a uniquely detestable person, and Cooke possesses a uniquely WI background. A hard-working small business owner, daughter of a dairy farmer, she seemingly exudes WI kindness, work ethic, and values: https://cookeforwisconsin.com/en/
Do you have someplace you go for addresses for postcards? I do Markers for Democracy, but they don't seem to have the WI Supreme Court race in their campaigns. I would appreciate it if you had a link. I found one site called "Third Act"... but I don't know who these groups are. I trust MFD, not sure about others. Thanks.
I have seen mention of two polls: one tied and the other showing Crawford with a 4-point lead.
NB Early voting has already started! See my post.
VoteVets has launched a multi-platform six-figure recess ad campaign targeting Republican veterans:
https://votevets.org/press-releases/votevets-launches-multi-platform-six-figure-recess-ad-campaign-targeting-republican-veterans
Here is one of their ads:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gOksDg9BSg&t=4s
I love the fact that they are buying billboards everyone will see them. Videos may make us high-five each other, but our opponents don't open them.
I live in CT where abortion is legal, just about every billboard is sponsored by the Catholic church with it's antiabortion message. Everyone sees them.
You and Jessica Craven of Chop wood, Carry water should combine efforts she as well gives really good action suggestions at the end of every post!
Her script today was right on. And unfortunately I got a live person so not enough people are calling Senators today!
Thanks, Simon, for giving me talking points today for my congressional calls.
For additional hope(ium), here is G. Elliot Morris talking about the "Trump Vibe Shift" this morning:
https://gelliottmorris.substack.com/p/the-trump-vibe-shift
Tesla torched? Fires across the country.
The FBI is investigating several incidents of torched Tesla showrooms. Here is the report:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/18/las-vegas-tesla-fire-fbi-investigation
Bondi is threatening 5 year sentences for this sort of thing. After pardons for people who killed police, threatened lawmakers and VP in DC, it's kind of pathetic to make such a case for property damage.
Simon! Thanks for a morning post full of crunchy oats for our activities today! And yesterday's Maddow showed dismayed and regretful DT voters from red states, plus an outstanding song composed and sung by Tillis' constituents at a town hall he wouldn't attend - her show yesterday is full of encouraging news -
Enjoy this with your morning coffee - a real picker-upper! My first link went private, this one should work -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5JcXFBhWB0
Maddow gives a great summation of everything that’s going wrong for DT, starting with voters in red states seeing DT’s true colors, moving on to all the judicial judgements ag DT, and including a terrific song sung by Tillis voters at a town hall Tillis wouldn’t attend. Song is at about 16 minutes in.
It says the video is private.
Thanks for the heads up - here's another link and i will go back and edit my first comment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5JcXFBhWB0
In the spirit of Hopium, I called my Congresswomen to thank her for the way the House Dems have really raised their game in the last few weeks, and the guy I spoke to was so grateful. I will call and thank our amazing AG now.
I watched GPS on CNN on Sunday. Klein & Thompson gave an analysis of the Democratic Party & why the party was successful under FDR& why the Democrats Party NOW needs to evaluate how they demonstrate to the citizens they can get things done. In FDR results happened. Democrats today promises , lots of money & little concrete results. Their book Abundance is a must read !
Reagan had a quote that can apply to today. “ Trust but verify.” Demonstrates provided lots of money but verify instead of trusting. Rumors in Nebraska that their Governor used the pandemic money to funds his new shell company Ag businesses. Major newspapers didn’t cover & independent journalists were ignored. Must not be true.🤪
The party was successful under FDR because they had a supermajority. We do not have a majority. When you have lost all three branches you are in the same position as the Republicans under FDR. I long for the good old days under Biden!
Keep in mind that the Democratic Party under FDR was very white. It included the white Southern Democrats who became Republicans in the years following the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (which the current SCOTUS kneecapped). It did not do very well by people of color -- and, of course, it was responsible for Executive Order 9066, interning Japanese Americans during WW2.
That Reagan quote is pretty funny in retrospect. For a good chunk of his administration he wasn't fully aware of what was going on, and we're still living with the damage the Reagan and post-Reagan years did.
I just watched the video of the Tr*mp Voters in Michigan. I know it's not helpful, but WTF! They said they didn't think he would act like this but he said over and over that he would do all these things!
It's another sign of the failure of our SuperPAC and campaign to inform the public about what he was going to do.
Dear Simon, thank you for today's newsletter. Excellent information and your perspectives are right on the money --- certainly in my view. Are you aware of any constructive thoughts both Ken Martin and Jane Kleeb have on Kamala's future prospects particularly as it relates to her political standing within the party? Though I am a fan of embracing multiple leaders within the party as opposed to searching for one singular individual (risking going down the rabbit hole of anointing a Democratic 'Trump' which would be an oxymoron in and of itself), I still see Kamala as one of those key few leaders in our party despite the loss at hand.
You surely know by now, I have been very outspoken with the community about encouraging each other to ensure we as a party and as a community do not 'cast her to the waste side,' thinking it 'simply didn't work -- next option.' We know it's far more complex than that and I still firmly believe she is arguably the most severely underestimated political figure of our time (as I started taking notice back when she was in the Senate). Not to mention, I'm aware of the long well-regarded history you share with her in the political realm. I just hope the party and all necessary factions aiding in our hopeful and potential future success/comeback choose to continue embracing her (especially should she choose to run again for I believe against all seeming odds -- she absolutely CAN STILL WIN) and are able to compartmentalize between the fact that SHE was not the issue rather instead as you just mentioned --- the party's messaging around her unfortunately was.
Though there is unavoidably a racist/misogynistic sector of the country that won't ever be fully erased (though it could be eventually depleted enough in relevancy as it pertains to our growing/progressing electorate) -- I still instinctively feel, she was the right woman at the right time and that the country was more ready for a woman and one of color at that, far more than both perceived and publicized through mainstream media. Remember, your initial instincts about her chances as they came to fruition in real time for all of us were NOT wrong!!! I was onboard with your sentiment from day one as it related to her. Not to mention, the very real possibilities in that her chances in the end were highly manipulated courtesy of both Musk' electronic efforts and Russian disinformation. Manipulation by the way, a number of reputable sources online are starting to expose gradually to the forefront yet, that stark reality is for another day as we have a different fight ahead to focus on.
I digress --- I would love to hear your thoughts if/when possible, as surely, her next moves will be critical to our party's future. I refuse to believe she is just 'done.' I believe she knows that to be the case as well. There is a video a little while back which had circulated swiftly across social media, taken from when both she and President Biden walked through the back hallway to the main room in the Capitol on 45' Inauguration Day. It can be distinctly heard when she says to Biden, walking by his side on such a solemn day --- "Justice is coming." There is a 'there-there' which we yet do not know. Nevertheless, it definitely still feels as though she has her finger very much on the pulse both known and unbeknownst to many. When I have an instinct about something politically, it is very difficult for me to let it go. Although, I also try to see it through a wider lens, keeping keen to the environment which surrounds me as best as possible. Thank you again for all you do. Proud to be a part of this community.
I was stunned by the whole thing. They looked like normal, thoughtful people. How can they have looked at Kamala and Trump and voted for that piece of shit? I am completely baffled. His speeches were always filled with hate and idiocy.
You can (sometimes) lead voters to the polls but you can't make them do their research. As a species, we seem to learn best through our mistakes.
The Citizens United decision (2010) is the gift that keeps on giving -- to Republicans. Campaign spending is out of control, and media consolidation has turned plenty of places into virtual news deserts. And as noted elsewhere, civics education at the middle and high school level died out decades ago in many areas.
Classes in government and theater were a big factor in the activism of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High students following the fatal shootings at their school in 2018. (Alumnus/survivor David Hogg is now a principal in Leaders We Deserve, encouraging and supporting young people running for office.)
I have a sister who voted for Trump. She plans on retiring next month and needs her social security to do it. I told her Trump would take it away and she said "Oh politicians never do half the stuff they say they're going to do. I'm not worried."
URGENT - All Hopium members should see this. TFG is actively trying to reinstate segregation. I strongly recommend that we add an action/donation section to spread the word about this and to maybe support a group like the NAACP with donations and such:
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/03/18/nx-s1-5326118/segregation-federal-contracts-far-regulation-trump
Please do not attempt to direct donations from people here in the Hopium community. I will take this under advisement but as I say all the time there are a million things coming at us each day and I work to recommend those activities that I think we have the biggest impact and have the highest likelihood of success. We must always act strategically and never impulsively.
Understood. My main goal was to raise awareness. I will apply your idea of being strategic going forward. And hopefully, as with queer rights the genie is out of the bottle and most people will not stand for attempts to take us back.
Thank you for alerting us to this important change in segregation that I had not heard of.
Two steps in the DNC building a citizens' amplification network:
Does everyone know that DNC Grassroots Team has substack now? (@DNCGrassrootsTeam)
And, on Bluesky (and likely elsewhere; haven't checked) they have
FactPost @factpostnews.bsky.social
"This is the official rapid response page of the Democratic Party, holding Trump and MAGA extremists accountable."
Of course, additional steps are that we follow and amplify.
Thank you. I found their Substack helpful, especially #3 posted this morning.
Wow! Thanks!
Per Axios, Elise Stefanik's confirmation vote for UN Ambassador will be next week.
https://www.axios.com/2025/03/19/elise-stefanik-house-un-ambassador-nomination
I am interested in Blake Gendebien. He was selected several months ago by the NY Democratic Party. I'm not sure if Simon will find time to interview him. I also do not know what the date might be for the Special Election. The Republicans will put up some MAGA candidate and musk will finance that person. Here is Blake's website:
https://blakegendebienforcongress.com
I do find him interesting. Years ago, this area vote blue. But not recently. Stefanik was originally a moderate Republican then changed when"opportunity" knocked. I think a farmer might have a slight chance, better than in Florida. Especially since Trump's policies have been harsh on farmers across the nation. I hope he emphasizes this.
Pat Ryan flipped a red district blue and has kept it blue!
Very different parts of NYS. Night and day.
It’s all changed with tariffs and inflation and the utter cruelty of the musk/trump regime. Cuts to Dept of Agriculture etc. For example per Tim Walz much fertilizer comes from Canada. And Canada does not want our agriculture products now due to reciprocal tariffs,
I have to admit his ad charmed me. When I first moved to northwest CT there were a lot of dairy farms. One spring when the young calves were out my toddler said " Look! Dalmations!" I couldn't stop laughing. He's 53 and I still tease him about it. But I do miss the farms it's mostly tract housing now, with the exception of the large farm where my son misidentified the calves.
I supported him weeks ago. Not sure if the Gov will schedule an election anytime soon.
That clip of the focus group with young Trump voters is a testament to the media's capability of anesthetizing people to Trump. At his rallies Trump absolutely presented himself as an unhinged dictator who talked about tariffs, deportation, firing people, etc. I mean, Trump's entire catch phrase for years was "you're fired!" The fact that these voters didn't see that or told themselves otherwise shows the serious degree of deep shit that we are in with right-wing media infrastructure that was essentially able to mass-anesthetize people to Trump. And the less politically engaged these voters were, the worse it was!
From the piece linked below by Mark Copelovitch and Michael Wagner: "The backlash against incumbents is real, but it is only indirectly related to factual information about inflation and the economy. Instead, voter concerns appear to be driven more by perceptions about these things than material realities. This confirms findings of our past research, where we have found that the single greatest determinant of voters’ concerns with inflation in the US, in 2022, was not any measure of material well-being, but rather the amount of media – and especially conservative media like Fox News and talk radio – one consumes. We know that US media coverage since 2021 has been overwhelmingly biased toward negative topics (inflation and recession) instead of good news (low unemployment and the unprecedentedly rapid economic recovery), and this has been especially true of more conservative media outlets."
https://econbrowser.com/archives/2024/11/guest-contribution-the-anti-incumbent-wave-is-real-but-its-not-really-about-inflation
I know that we need to invite these folks into our coalition, and that the media landscape is a disaster and can be hard to navigate for busy working people, but I can't watch this without feeling really upset with these people. Deep breaths.
Something to keep in mind. Schumer has long been the GOPs best friend. He, as Senate leader, caved, and lost Pres Obama’s Supreme Court nomination. Schumer failed then, the GOP took his measure and realized how weak he is, and now this is where we are.
Indivisible has a letter writing campaign requesting that he step aside. Here is the information and rationale:
https://indivisible.org/statements/indivisible-calls-schumer-step-aside
As Maya Angelou is famous for saying, “When someone tells you who he is, believe him”. Based on Schumer’s record, I doubt that he would step aside because someone asks him to.