I added a $10/month recurring donation for Platner. I kept in place $10/month to Cait Conley because Cait Conley is fucking awesome and watching her take Mike Lawler apart into little pieces is going to be delicious. I increased my monthly donation to Jolly from $10/month to $20/month. I did cancel my $10/month to Ossoff, who I think is in a pretty strong spot right now. Mostly done with the 25 postcards to MI that I started a couple of days ago.
I wonder whether this peace deal is even feasible or whether it can even hold. It feels a bit like Iran floated what they thought would be a non-starter and, surprise surprise, our dipshit "leader" bit. That said, we don't control what Israel does, and we also might very well go back on any promise of $300 billion, which would require Congress to approve. They won't approve that. So where does that leave the deal? It isn't clear to me who's supposed to provide $300 billion in "investment" to begin with. It's just nutty.
As for Platner, I have misgivings too, but we need to win. If anything, he needs more help, not less because we have misgivings. He needs more help because he's in a close race. My guess is that unless more comes out, people will become less not more focussed on the scandals as time goes on, and he regains a stronger footing.
I try to get people uneasy with Platner to focus more on the Collins / Trump record. Collins votes with Trump >95% of the time, supports sexual predators on SCOTUS, and has enabled Trump's depravations. So imagine Collins on her "best" day, then how difficult it is to imagine Platner being so much better than that.
Mainer here to thank you for your support, Patrick.
72% of dem primary voters chose him as their number one candidate in the first round of ranked choice voting. He got more votes than any other democratic candidate in Maine history. There is a reason for that. We ranked between the 4th to 6th highest voter participation in the nation in the last four elections.
Many of us have met him, listened to him, read every article, watch every podcast, know someone who knows him and are we fully informed about who he is and is not. I spent 6 months following him and attending 4 events prior to deciding to support him. Those of us do not excuse his past actions, or agree with some of his poor decisions. However, we choose to give him grace as he has been open, honest and authentic and comes from a really nice family. His community supports him. Most of his exes also do. The evidence of him being a white supremacist are not supported in any way. He has far more positive attributes than the negative personal crap being shoved at us from every powerful foe he has including the Governor and her followers. I am speaking as a clinical social worker just about to retire, who is a feminist and childhood SA survivor. I am someone who has a plenty of reasons to vote against someone like Graham. But I believe in him. I also believe that we are in an existential crisis and vulnerable groups of people, especially are at continued risk of harm. BIPOC, Immigrants, union workers, older women, youth, etc are positively supporting Platner. I am compiling a list of articles, testimonials, interviews, etc, to try to somehow share.
The latest round of attacks on Graham backfired. It infuriated many of us, given the silence over Susan Collins's despicable actions/votes/lies and the media's continual support of her. Our two largest papers have always provided free positive publicity for her. The Bangor Daily News owners are lifelong family friends and have literally been a propaganda arm for her entire career and helped run dirty stories to keep her "clean", especially in her first senate run. Those of us who really understand who she is understand the level of harm she has caused not just to Mainers, not just to women, not just to children, not just the poor and working class, not just immigrants, not just the vets, not just the elderly but to everyone.
Graham on his worst day is 1,000% better and more virtuous than Collins on her best day. She is not naive or weak. She is a calculated narcissist who is addicted to power and has spent her career enriching herself.
So again, thank you for the support. Susan Collins is a powerful foe who has mastered the art of pretending and lying. She is an excellent actress to the untrained eye and has fooled so many, including many Dems. In fact, some dem women say they will vote for her in this upcoming election. That is horrifying to me, given she is literally killing people with her votes for war, helping to stack the court to overturn Roe and take away women's control over their own bodies, funding for ICE, her protection and support of the pedophile felon in chief, etc. One last quick note. Maine overwhelming rejected Voter ID last fall. Colliins months later began pushing the Save Act, despite over 62% of us rejecting voter suppression. Worst of all, she lied about the bill... to her own constituents.
Do I sound bitter and full of anger towards her? You bet I do. Do I support Graham Platner? Yes I do.
But Platner boosters need to be careful about one thing here - the latest round of negative stories did not backfire. He has lost ground and momentum, and the race became more expensive and harder to win. We need to be clear eyed about this.
Your caution is received, Simon. 97 billionaire donors, AIPAC, establishment Dems, the media have really attacked him and I have watched some people I have fought with against Trump and Collins for the past 10 years and they are spitting back the talking points thrown at us. We have to continue to bring this back to policy. Of course we could also try to link her to her lies and duplicity. Our candidate in 2020 was not strong, and a person "from away" as she was labeled by the Collins camp. I have to believe this time is different but we must continue to work hard to try to get her out once and for all. Thank you so much for everything you do, Simon and my fellow Hopiods.
Thank you for your detailed analysis about why Graham Platner deserves our full support. It is great to hear from someone local who is engaged in the process and in the candidates there.
I vote in #PA01, and we have a fake moderate Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick running for his 6th term (although he had made sounds about term limits since his very first election). This is just to say, I know this Susan Collins model of voting for issues when it doesn’t count, and voting for the GOP party line when it does, in order to maintain a mirage of bipartisanship. In fact, Collins made a visit to Bucks County, PA to support Fitzpatrick in the 2024 election. Yes, we must flip this Maine US Senate seat to Platner for better policies that help people, not Trump and not the wealthy donor class.
(By the way, Hopium is also supporting Fitzpatrick’s Democratic opponent in PA01, Bob Harvie Jr.) Let’s go!
Please educate me because I'm not a Mainer and am a cynical New Yorker - but I am a committed Dem and have given $ to Platner:
My understanding is that we assume Dems are sticking by him. The issue is non-Dems - soft Repubs and Indies. They are essential to bringing Platner to the finish line. I have heard/read that Dems alone are not enough.
Hi BeeBee. Here are a few statistics that I hope help.
We have roughly 288,000 registered republicans, 326,000 registered dems and 352,000 unenrolled/indepents/green party.
132,000 Dems cast votes in the 2018 primary. 210,000 for our 2026 primary- a 59% increase.
101,000 Reps cast votes in the 2018 primary. 118,000 for our 2026 primary.
In 2024 Maine moved from a closed primary where only those enrolled in a party could vote in their primaries to a semi-open primary. This means that unenrolled voters could chose to vote either party in this election.
75% of unenrolled voters chose a democratic ballot. This seems very hopeful. Graham Platner got more votes than any democratic candidate in Maine history. That is also hopeful.
This is purely anecdotal, but many Dems unwilling to vote for Graham have stated they will vote for him in the general. We had a very popular governor on the ballot and her die hard supporters were very upset that the electorate was choosing Platner over Governor Mills. I am seeing some very strong statements from a minority of people saying they will vote for Collins over Platner. These are Dems. I believe this is a smaller group, but every vote not cast for Platner is a vote for Collins. Simon cautioned being too confident about Platner and he is right. We may have hundreds of millions of dark money from out of state coming at him.
It is really horrifying to see some of my fellow dems unable to connect the dots with Collins and consider voting for her, given the extremely dire situation we are in. They clearly were influenced by the negative barrage of attacks on Platner. Collins has been doing this, with help since her first campaign. It remains to be seen if she will be successful. Republicans stick together regardless of who their candidate is and this is why they win. If our candidates on the ballot do not get support and we fracture, well, this is how we lose.
All I know is we underestimate Collins at our peril. The political landscape in Maine is littered with the skulls of her opponents. She whips out the moderate cosplay when it’s convenient.
Yep and she is a master manipulater, using votes and statements every election cycle strategically to appear so. She has been doing this for months. She voted to cut funding for healthcare last year. Rural hospitals have closed, and tens of thousands of Mainers lost their healthcare coverage. Rural Mainers are driving 3-4 hours to get to a hospital to deliver a child or receive needed care. Today she said Maine needs funds for healthcare. This is just an example of her spin.
I’m monthly donor to Platner’s campaign also. His clarity on his mission to support workers, stop the reverse Robin Hood machine and to reform government going forwards makes my heart sing. I know some people are concerned and I respect that. I’ve heard and read lots of the bad stuff he said or did. I took a while to warm up to him. Now, I just want to see him in the Senate. Cant wait. Hope it happens.
Thank you. I do understand people being turned off or even disturbed. He is nothing like he has been portrayed. I believe in redemption and change in human beings. As a therapist for 30 years, I have seen amazing transformations. I am a skeptical human being and a rather tough therapist, btw, not a bleeding heart snowflake, lol.
The Iran deal is a stunning horror even when you expect bad news. Has anyone said whether anything could be done differently? E.g. Force Trump to appoint competent negotiators, or beg the EU to negotiate on our behalf (they aren't going to want an empowered Iran either)? Or are we basically F---ed since Trump signed the MOU?
One way or another, we are fucked because we lost a war. The problem is we have a mixture of malevolence and incompetence in our team of real-estate investors that is substituting for a real State Department. And fuck that shithead Marco Rubio, who is so overestimated and only looks less dumb by comparison with the other dumb people in the regime.
On top of that, the venality of everyone associated with this administration, and with Trump himself, pretty much precludes them negotiating something that benefits us.
All Trump wants is something that he can lie about to create in his supporters a belief that we won. I don't think he even got that, which, along with the other things I mentioned, make me think that hostilities could start again. After 60 days and then with the usual threat -- taco --threat --taco pattern.
To my American friends in the Hopium Community just wanted to say how lucky you are to have @Simon Rosenberg leading you. You are indeed a band of proud, plucky patriots and I’m cheering you all on from the UK. You give me hope that a new vision for the USA is possible. I’m sure you already do but please consider subscribing also to @Timothy Snyder and @Heather Cox Richardson they both give very clear eyed commentary. Go well my friends.
That means a lot because the truth is, it’s a struggle. It’s one thing for us to know “we’re in a marathon, not a sprint” and “it’s going to get worse before it’s get better.” The experience itself is more painful than imagined.
Hello Alexis. Thanks! HCR is a Mainer and we are very proud of her. Timothy Snyder broke my heart when he left the US and Yale University after the 2024 election and moved to Canada. Simon is a treasure, for sure.
Can I also add @Robert L Arnold to the list - he’s a truth teller, a poet, a philosopher and somehow manages to always get to the heart of the matter. He gives voice to feelings that I have but can’t express and does it with fierce tenderness. I have his “box of crayons” saved and listen to it regularly. Good luck to you.
Self report. Two Doña Ana County Commissioners have been asked by past Commissioner Reynolds to introduce the resolution he was sponsoring last year before he resigned to run for office (Doña Ana County Assessor). It is now in the hands of District 1 Commissioner Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez and Chair Manuel A. Sanchez. I emphasized that passing the resolution would be a wonderful way to celebrate the Fourth of July and the United States’ Semiquincentennial. It's been a long time comin' !
You may be referring to the DNC campaign, an aggressive 57-state and territory effort providing monthly funding and technological support. No changes there as far as I know.
As I understand it, the DCCC focus right now is the Red to Blue campaign targeting critical Republican-held and competitive districts across 15 states plus "frontline incumbents."
Given the pressure to ignore voting rights, I am interested in who could use support in the south. This is not a plea for Hopium support, but for some light. It seems like Doug Jones may be a governor for Alabama if only because Tuberville doesn't live there?
You also may want to support Justin Pearson who is running for the 9’th Congressional District in Tennessee. It is the Memphis District that the Republicans split up after the Supreme Court gutted the remainder of the VRA.
He does seem like he has survived bad treatment in TN. It would be great to see him overcome the backward slide of the state -- not all of it, ever -- I will check out his campaign. I don't that Hopium has interviewed him. I like the folks that Simon has introduced!
Democrats have given up on too many places. This was brought to us by the Republican strategy to get state houses and state legislatures to make a path to national dominance. They weren't wrong except they accepted some immoral candidates and here we are.
They had a strategy update yesterday, lots of initiatives, most of which I've mentioned. I am in the middle of a big research project that should contribute to our ability to fight midterm shenanigans. I would recommend getting on their email list - they've been pretty good at keeping us updated.
contributed to platner because he is ours now and needs help to win. also will contribute to vindman who is in a tight race in fla. he is not on hopium donor list. so thrilled to see our senate candidates (all great people) ahead. this will stop trumpism pronto! and doesnt the senate have to confirm this "deal" with iran? his signature means nothing.
Vindman is doing great, I donate to him as well as Jolly, and the two will make a strong ticket after the primaries. (I had the sense Jolly was keeping his distance from Vindman's primary race against Nixon for obvious reasons, but that will change into a coordinated campaign after August.)
Well, not being an expert at all myself, I would assume Jolly doesn't want to alienate Nixon supporters. What would he have to gain right now by positioning himself closer to one of the candidates in a different primary election? I don't see how it pays for him to do it, and it might hurt him with Nixon supporters.
“Minimum” is likely not enough. I have long thought our target should be 5 because of Fetterman. Even if he doesn’t out and out switch to R, he will be able to hold close votes hostage.
We the people should not pay a dime as the toddler in chief caused all this chaos with his Israeli handler Bibi. The US deserves reparations from the oligarchs and the tRump crime family.
I can't argue with that, but I will be contented if we have a blue wave and then hold on to power for more than a single congressional session, so we can start repairs.
Who is gonna be the bold Democratic Politician to do what Simon has already done and demand that Trump resign based on this war? He has lost legitimacy.
"Democratic strategist James Carville on Wednesday suggested President Trump would depart office by next spring, noting his life would be “miserable” after sweeping losses during midterm elections. "
funny i have not heard any loud yelling about the MOU from dems. seems like a missed opportunity. if obama or biden did this reckless stupidity they would be impeached the very next day. so where is the big dem push back????
He literally posted the classic comic book villain line, “Fools! They don’t understand”? So why did he leave off the “BWAHAHAHA!”?
Self report: my field team is planning our local Dem group’s GOTV effort for the general election. Lots of prioritizing, testing, and developing training materials. Not glamorous, but it will pay off later.
I posted today's actions on an older post. I called all 3 legislators today: Rep Carson (D), Spineless Todd Young (R), & Insurrectionist Jim Banks (R). and told them: NO to Bill Pulte as DNI, YES to support Ukraine and Absolutely NO to taxpayer dollars to pay $300bn in the MOU that DJT signed. I agree with Simon, DJT can pay it all himself. I will support some of the state campaigns- I love the idea!
Please explain how Trump will be forced to bring the MOU to the senate given the fact he conducted the whole debacle in violation of our laws and the Constitution. and the senate rolled over. Because of funding?
Don't forget Gabe Vasquez in New Mexico CD2 when rhelping reelect Democrats. In 2022 he won by the closest margin in the entire House, and won by fewer than 11,000 in 2026. Republicans are pouring millions into the district and slinging all the fear and hate they can.
I serve on the Messaging Committee for the all-volunteer super PAC Blue CD2 NM. We've been so successful we are mentoring thirteen other house district on our methods.
Here's a link to the monthly General Membership meeting tonight at 7:00 mountain time. Everyone is welcome.
I also want to thank you, Simon, for hearing Mainers in the Hopium community who support Graham Platner. We met you at the Dem convention in May. (My husband filmed you being interviewed by Devon Murphy-Anderson). It means so much that you worked to expand your thinking about him. I realize he is not a Talarico or Ossoff. But he is our best shot at finally freeing our state and this country from the corrosive and corrupt Collins. He is a good guy and I fully believe people should not be condemned for life, especially if they are working on accountability and self reflection.
I would also like to remind people that MLK, Jr, JFK, Clinton, FDR and others had flaws, especially in regards to fidelity and in some cases character. PS Teddy Kennedy and Chappaquiddick? They did amazing things for this country. I think Graham will too.
I assume that Trump, his family and others, e.g. Witsoff/Witkoff, will hope and try - wherever the $300 billion referred to in the MOU may eventually come from (including some perhaps from frozen Iranian assets that will be unfrozen) - to participate in business deals with the Iranians to rebuild/reconstruct the infrastructure destroyed over the past 3+ months. After all the Iranian leaders, whatever their morals and ethics may be, are smarter in many more ways than the members of the Trump idiocracy/kakistocracy (admittedly a low bar). They may figure that Trump will be less likely to try to "reobliterate" Iran if that would also entail the destruction of assets in which he and his cronies and sycophants have financial stakes. The Iranians should be clever enough to ensure in this scenario that any Trump-owned (directly and indirectly) assets are so intertwined with assets they value that targeting their assets will almost certainly damage or obliterate Trump's.
Back to Ancient Rome: "Corruptio ad absurdum" applies to the US today as does Tacitus' phrase "Corruptissima republica plurimae leges: "The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws." This description fits the scenario of Trump and the current DOJ which is trying to legislate away the Administartion's and its supporters' own rampant corruption by writing new laws that supercede or sweep away existing ones and/or twist interpreations of the latter to apply them in ways that bear no resemblance to their original intent.
if anyone out there cares to contact your congressional delegation.. pressure them to have the WH remove this message. It is dehumanizing to immigrant and refugee communities.
I added a $10/month recurring donation for Platner. I kept in place $10/month to Cait Conley because Cait Conley is fucking awesome and watching her take Mike Lawler apart into little pieces is going to be delicious. I increased my monthly donation to Jolly from $10/month to $20/month. I did cancel my $10/month to Ossoff, who I think is in a pretty strong spot right now. Mostly done with the 25 postcards to MI that I started a couple of days ago.
I wonder whether this peace deal is even feasible or whether it can even hold. It feels a bit like Iran floated what they thought would be a non-starter and, surprise surprise, our dipshit "leader" bit. That said, we don't control what Israel does, and we also might very well go back on any promise of $300 billion, which would require Congress to approve. They won't approve that. So where does that leave the deal? It isn't clear to me who's supposed to provide $300 billion in "investment" to begin with. It's just nutty.
As for Platner, I have misgivings too, but we need to win. If anything, he needs more help, not less because we have misgivings. He needs more help because he's in a close race. My guess is that unless more comes out, people will become less not more focussed on the scandals as time goes on, and he regains a stronger footing.
I try to get people uneasy with Platner to focus more on the Collins / Trump record. Collins votes with Trump >95% of the time, supports sexual predators on SCOTUS, and has enabled Trump's depravations. So imagine Collins on her "best" day, then how difficult it is to imagine Platner being so much better than that.
Mainer here to thank you for your support, Patrick.
72% of dem primary voters chose him as their number one candidate in the first round of ranked choice voting. He got more votes than any other democratic candidate in Maine history. There is a reason for that. We ranked between the 4th to 6th highest voter participation in the nation in the last four elections.
Many of us have met him, listened to him, read every article, watch every podcast, know someone who knows him and are we fully informed about who he is and is not. I spent 6 months following him and attending 4 events prior to deciding to support him. Those of us do not excuse his past actions, or agree with some of his poor decisions. However, we choose to give him grace as he has been open, honest and authentic and comes from a really nice family. His community supports him. Most of his exes also do. The evidence of him being a white supremacist are not supported in any way. He has far more positive attributes than the negative personal crap being shoved at us from every powerful foe he has including the Governor and her followers. I am speaking as a clinical social worker just about to retire, who is a feminist and childhood SA survivor. I am someone who has a plenty of reasons to vote against someone like Graham. But I believe in him. I also believe that we are in an existential crisis and vulnerable groups of people, especially are at continued risk of harm. BIPOC, Immigrants, union workers, older women, youth, etc are positively supporting Platner. I am compiling a list of articles, testimonials, interviews, etc, to try to somehow share.
The latest round of attacks on Graham backfired. It infuriated many of us, given the silence over Susan Collins's despicable actions/votes/lies and the media's continual support of her. Our two largest papers have always provided free positive publicity for her. The Bangor Daily News owners are lifelong family friends and have literally been a propaganda arm for her entire career and helped run dirty stories to keep her "clean", especially in her first senate run. Those of us who really understand who she is understand the level of harm she has caused not just to Mainers, not just to women, not just to children, not just the poor and working class, not just immigrants, not just the vets, not just the elderly but to everyone.
Graham on his worst day is 1,000% better and more virtuous than Collins on her best day. She is not naive or weak. She is a calculated narcissist who is addicted to power and has spent her career enriching herself.
So again, thank you for the support. Susan Collins is a powerful foe who has mastered the art of pretending and lying. She is an excellent actress to the untrained eye and has fooled so many, including many Dems. In fact, some dem women say they will vote for her in this upcoming election. That is horrifying to me, given she is literally killing people with her votes for war, helping to stack the court to overturn Roe and take away women's control over their own bodies, funding for ICE, her protection and support of the pedophile felon in chief, etc. One last quick note. Maine overwhelming rejected Voter ID last fall. Colliins months later began pushing the Save Act, despite over 62% of us rejecting voter suppression. Worst of all, she lied about the bill... to her own constituents.
Do I sound bitter and full of anger towards her? You bet I do. Do I support Graham Platner? Yes I do.
Wonderful post. Thank you.
But Platner boosters need to be careful about one thing here - the latest round of negative stories did not backfire. He has lost ground and momentum, and the race became more expensive and harder to win. We need to be clear eyed about this.
Your caution is received, Simon. 97 billionaire donors, AIPAC, establishment Dems, the media have really attacked him and I have watched some people I have fought with against Trump and Collins for the past 10 years and they are spitting back the talking points thrown at us. We have to continue to bring this back to policy. Of course we could also try to link her to her lies and duplicity. Our candidate in 2020 was not strong, and a person "from away" as she was labeled by the Collins camp. I have to believe this time is different but we must continue to work hard to try to get her out once and for all. Thank you so much for everything you do, Simon and my fellow Hopiods.
Thank you for your detailed analysis about why Graham Platner deserves our full support. It is great to hear from someone local who is engaged in the process and in the candidates there.
I vote in #PA01, and we have a fake moderate Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick running for his 6th term (although he had made sounds about term limits since his very first election). This is just to say, I know this Susan Collins model of voting for issues when it doesn’t count, and voting for the GOP party line when it does, in order to maintain a mirage of bipartisanship. In fact, Collins made a visit to Bucks County, PA to support Fitzpatrick in the 2024 election. Yes, we must flip this Maine US Senate seat to Platner for better policies that help people, not Trump and not the wealthy donor class.
(By the way, Hopium is also supporting Fitzpatrick’s Democratic opponent in PA01, Bob Harvie Jr.) Let’s go!
Please educate me because I'm not a Mainer and am a cynical New Yorker - but I am a committed Dem and have given $ to Platner:
My understanding is that we assume Dems are sticking by him. The issue is non-Dems - soft Repubs and Indies. They are essential to bringing Platner to the finish line. I have heard/read that Dems alone are not enough.
Yes?
No?
Thanks!
Hi BeeBee. Here are a few statistics that I hope help.
We have roughly 288,000 registered republicans, 326,000 registered dems and 352,000 unenrolled/indepents/green party.
132,000 Dems cast votes in the 2018 primary. 210,000 for our 2026 primary- a 59% increase.
101,000 Reps cast votes in the 2018 primary. 118,000 for our 2026 primary.
In 2024 Maine moved from a closed primary where only those enrolled in a party could vote in their primaries to a semi-open primary. This means that unenrolled voters could chose to vote either party in this election.
75% of unenrolled voters chose a democratic ballot. This seems very hopeful. Graham Platner got more votes than any democratic candidate in Maine history. That is also hopeful.
This is purely anecdotal, but many Dems unwilling to vote for Graham have stated they will vote for him in the general. We had a very popular governor on the ballot and her die hard supporters were very upset that the electorate was choosing Platner over Governor Mills. I am seeing some very strong statements from a minority of people saying they will vote for Collins over Platner. These are Dems. I believe this is a smaller group, but every vote not cast for Platner is a vote for Collins. Simon cautioned being too confident about Platner and he is right. We may have hundreds of millions of dark money from out of state coming at him.
It is really horrifying to see some of my fellow dems unable to connect the dots with Collins and consider voting for her, given the extremely dire situation we are in. They clearly were influenced by the negative barrage of attacks on Platner. Collins has been doing this, with help since her first campaign. It remains to be seen if she will be successful. Republicans stick together regardless of who their candidate is and this is why they win. If our candidates on the ballot do not get support and we fracture, well, this is how we lose.
Thanks for your question. I hope this is helpful.
Thanks so much!
All I know is we underestimate Collins at our peril. The political landscape in Maine is littered with the skulls of her opponents. She whips out the moderate cosplay when it’s convenient.
Yep and she is a master manipulater, using votes and statements every election cycle strategically to appear so. She has been doing this for months. She voted to cut funding for healthcare last year. Rural hospitals have closed, and tens of thousands of Mainers lost their healthcare coverage. Rural Mainers are driving 3-4 hours to get to a hospital to deliver a child or receive needed care. Today she said Maine needs funds for healthcare. This is just an example of her spin.
I’m monthly donor to Platner’s campaign also. His clarity on his mission to support workers, stop the reverse Robin Hood machine and to reform government going forwards makes my heart sing. I know some people are concerned and I respect that. I’ve heard and read lots of the bad stuff he said or did. I took a while to warm up to him. Now, I just want to see him in the Senate. Cant wait. Hope it happens.
Thank you. I do understand people being turned off or even disturbed. He is nothing like he has been portrayed. I believe in redemption and change in human beings. As a therapist for 30 years, I have seen amazing transformations. I am a skeptical human being and a rather tough therapist, btw, not a bleeding heart snowflake, lol.
The Iran deal is a stunning horror even when you expect bad news. Has anyone said whether anything could be done differently? E.g. Force Trump to appoint competent negotiators, or beg the EU to negotiate on our behalf (they aren't going to want an empowered Iran either)? Or are we basically F---ed since Trump signed the MOU?
One way or another, we are fucked because we lost a war. The problem is we have a mixture of malevolence and incompetence in our team of real-estate investors that is substituting for a real State Department. And fuck that shithead Marco Rubio, who is so overestimated and only looks less dumb by comparison with the other dumb people in the regime.
On top of that, the venality of everyone associated with this administration, and with Trump himself, pretty much precludes them negotiating something that benefits us.
All Trump wants is something that he can lie about to create in his supporters a belief that we won. I don't think he even got that, which, along with the other things I mentioned, make me think that hostilities could start again. After 60 days and then with the usual threat -- taco --threat --taco pattern.
Maybe we should call it the Real Estate Department... instead of State Department.
To my American friends in the Hopium Community just wanted to say how lucky you are to have @Simon Rosenberg leading you. You are indeed a band of proud, plucky patriots and I’m cheering you all on from the UK. You give me hope that a new vision for the USA is possible. I’m sure you already do but please consider subscribing also to @Timothy Snyder and @Heather Cox Richardson they both give very clear eyed commentary. Go well my friends.
That means a lot because the truth is, it’s a struggle. It’s one thing for us to know “we’re in a marathon, not a sprint” and “it’s going to get worse before it’s get better.” The experience itself is more painful than imagined.
Hello Alexis. Thanks! HCR is a Mainer and we are very proud of her. Timothy Snyder broke my heart when he left the US and Yale University after the 2024 election and moved to Canada. Simon is a treasure, for sure.
Can I also add @Robert L Arnold to the list - he’s a truth teller, a poet, a philosopher and somehow manages to always get to the heart of the matter. He gives voice to feelings that I have but can’t express and does it with fierce tenderness. I have his “box of crayons” saved and listen to it regularly. Good luck to you.
Self report. Two Doña Ana County Commissioners have been asked by past Commissioner Reynolds to introduce the resolution he was sponsoring last year before he resigned to run for office (Doña Ana County Assessor). It is now in the hands of District 1 Commissioner Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez and Chair Manuel A. Sanchez. I emphasized that passing the resolution would be a wonderful way to celebrate the Fourth of July and the United States’ Semiquincentennial. It's been a long time comin' !
The DCCC has not been everywhere all at once consistently. Have they given up on whole states? Big money problem?
You may be referring to the DNC campaign, an aggressive 57-state and territory effort providing monthly funding and technological support. No changes there as far as I know.
As I understand it, the DCCC focus right now is the Red to Blue campaign targeting critical Republican-held and competitive districts across 15 states plus "frontline incumbents."
https://dccc.org/2026-districts-in-play/
https://dccc.org/2026-frontline/
You can address the DCCC here with your concern. https://dccc.org/contact/
Given the pressure to ignore voting rights, I am interested in who could use support in the south. This is not a plea for Hopium support, but for some light. It seems like Doug Jones may be a governor for Alabama if only because Tuberville doesn't live there?
Doug Jones
Two things to avoid: posting on a phone and posting before coffee in the am. DOUG it is. Fixed it!
Understood. You avoided choosing "Jim", so there's that.
Ha!
You also may want to support Justin Pearson who is running for the 9’th Congressional District in Tennessee. It is the Memphis District that the Republicans split up after the Supreme Court gutted the remainder of the VRA.
He does seem like he has survived bad treatment in TN. It would be great to see him overcome the backward slide of the state -- not all of it, ever -- I will check out his campaign. I don't that Hopium has interviewed him. I like the folks that Simon has introduced!
Democrats have given up on too many places. This was brought to us by the Republican strategy to get state houses and state legislatures to make a path to national dominance. They weren't wrong except they accepted some immoral candidates and here we are.
They had a strategy update yesterday, lots of initiatives, most of which I've mentioned. I am in the middle of a big research project that should contribute to our ability to fight midterm shenanigans. I would recommend getting on their email list - they've been pretty good at keeping us updated.
Thanks for the information. It has become a full-time job for a retired person just keeping up with Substack. I threw out the TV years ago.
By the way, I am seeing other people call it the obvious.
"The Art of Total Surrender". Or just "The Art of Surrender". We can use it.
I like “it’s the Marshall Plan, but with the Nazis still in power”
contributed to platner because he is ours now and needs help to win. also will contribute to vindman who is in a tight race in fla. he is not on hopium donor list. so thrilled to see our senate candidates (all great people) ahead. this will stop trumpism pronto! and doesnt the senate have to confirm this "deal" with iran? his signature means nothing.
Vindman is doing great, I donate to him as well as Jolly, and the two will make a strong ticket after the primaries. (I had the sense Jolly was keeping his distance from Vindman's primary race against Nixon for obvious reasons, but that will change into a coordinated campaign after August.)
What are the obvious reasons Jolly is keeping his distance from Vindman's primary race? I am not familiar with Florida politics.
Well, not being an expert at all myself, I would assume Jolly doesn't want to alienate Nixon supporters. What would he have to gain right now by positioning himself closer to one of the candidates in a different primary election? I don't see how it pays for him to do it, and it might hurt him with Nixon supporters.
Ahhhh yes makes sense. You're probably right. Thank you!
There are 8 races on that chart Simon posted today. We need minimum of 4, but 7 or 8 would be far better. Its only June.
We need to keep GA and MI, and win 4 more.
“Minimum” is likely not enough. I have long thought our target should be 5 because of Fetterman. Even if he doesn’t out and out switch to R, he will be able to hold close votes hostage.
Good point, if we only get to 51, Fetterman could become the Joe Manchin of this cycle
Joe Trippi says Kansas and Mississippi might also come into play for us, as Trump and MAGA slide further into the abyss.
That's why I say, "it's only June..."
So also saith James Carville
I had to pause Simon's video from last night when I saw Vance was taking questions on Iran.
I have one thing to say about his pathetic effort to bolster this bubkis "peace" deal:
JD Vance pees sitting down.
Oh, JD, PLEASE DON'T add "charm" to your delusions about yourself.
We the people should not pay a dime as the toddler in chief caused all this chaos with his Israeli handler Bibi. The US deserves reparations from the oligarchs and the tRump crime family.
I can't argue with that, but I will be contented if we have a blue wave and then hold on to power for more than a single congressional session, so we can start repairs.
Who is gonna be the bold Democratic Politician to do what Simon has already done and demand that Trump resign based on this war? He has lost legitimacy.
On a similar note, James Carville has a prediction. https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5929827-james-carville-predicts-trump-exit-midterm-elections/
"Democratic strategist James Carville on Wednesday suggested President Trump would depart office by next spring, noting his life would be “miserable” after sweeping losses during midterm elections. "
funny i have not heard any loud yelling about the MOU from dems. seems like a missed opportunity. if obama or biden did this reckless stupidity they would be impeached the very next day. so where is the big dem push back????
I am delighted that the opening of the Obama Center/Library is getting coverage.
Trump must be emotionally eating himself into a saturated fat coma.
Also dropped some $ into Platner's campaign.
watching here on PBS — the music is fantastic!!!
Update: President Obama's speech is about Democracy!!!!!! and values
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-barack-and-michelle-obama-open-obama-presidential-center-with-springsteen-stevie-wonder
I've been crying....
You do make funny posts! 🤣
If only...
The main thing we got from this war is Highly Enriched Iranians !!
good one.
He literally posted the classic comic book villain line, “Fools! They don’t understand”? So why did he leave off the “BWAHAHAHA!”?
Self report: my field team is planning our local Dem group’s GOTV effort for the general election. Lots of prioritizing, testing, and developing training materials. Not glamorous, but it will pay off later.
I posted today's actions on an older post. I called all 3 legislators today: Rep Carson (D), Spineless Todd Young (R), & Insurrectionist Jim Banks (R). and told them: NO to Bill Pulte as DNI, YES to support Ukraine and Absolutely NO to taxpayer dollars to pay $300bn in the MOU that DJT signed. I agree with Simon, DJT can pay it all himself. I will support some of the state campaigns- I love the idea!
Please explain how Trump will be forced to bring the MOU to the senate given the fact he conducted the whole debacle in violation of our laws and the Constitution. and the senate rolled over. Because of funding?
Don't forget Gabe Vasquez in New Mexico CD2 when rhelping reelect Democrats. In 2022 he won by the closest margin in the entire House, and won by fewer than 11,000 in 2026. Republicans are pouring millions into the district and slinging all the fear and hate they can.
I serve on the Messaging Committee for the all-volunteer super PAC Blue CD2 NM. We've been so successful we are mentoring thirteen other house district on our methods.
Here's a link to the monthly General Membership meeting tonight at 7:00 mountain time. Everyone is welcome.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84842841105
best of luck!!
I also want to thank you, Simon, for hearing Mainers in the Hopium community who support Graham Platner. We met you at the Dem convention in May. (My husband filmed you being interviewed by Devon Murphy-Anderson). It means so much that you worked to expand your thinking about him. I realize he is not a Talarico or Ossoff. But he is our best shot at finally freeing our state and this country from the corrosive and corrupt Collins. He is a good guy and I fully believe people should not be condemned for life, especially if they are working on accountability and self reflection.
I would also like to remind people that MLK, Jr, JFK, Clinton, FDR and others had flaws, especially in regards to fidelity and in some cases character. PS Teddy Kennedy and Chappaquiddick? They did amazing things for this country. I think Graham will too.
TY 🙏
I assume that Trump, his family and others, e.g. Witsoff/Witkoff, will hope and try - wherever the $300 billion referred to in the MOU may eventually come from (including some perhaps from frozen Iranian assets that will be unfrozen) - to participate in business deals with the Iranians to rebuild/reconstruct the infrastructure destroyed over the past 3+ months. After all the Iranian leaders, whatever their morals and ethics may be, are smarter in many more ways than the members of the Trump idiocracy/kakistocracy (admittedly a low bar). They may figure that Trump will be less likely to try to "reobliterate" Iran if that would also entail the destruction of assets in which he and his cronies and sycophants have financial stakes. The Iranians should be clever enough to ensure in this scenario that any Trump-owned (directly and indirectly) assets are so intertwined with assets they value that targeting their assets will almost certainly damage or obliterate Trump's.
Back to Ancient Rome: "Corruptio ad absurdum" applies to the US today as does Tacitus' phrase "Corruptissima republica plurimae leges: "The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws." This description fits the scenario of Trump and the current DOJ which is trying to legislate away the Administartion's and its supporters' own rampant corruption by writing new laws that supercede or sweep away existing ones and/or twist interpreations of the latter to apply them in ways that bear no resemblance to their original intent.
TY so much for ALL this powerful work and information I get every day!
(message is off-topic, I apologize... but most would agree.. )
Link below is a new page on the White House website...
https://www.whitehouse.gov/aliens
if anyone out there cares to contact your congressional delegation.. pressure them to have the WH remove this message. It is dehumanizing to immigrant and refugee communities.
how low can they go?!!