I’m excited to be part of this community. I joined after I heard Simon’s recent podcast with Ezra Klein. I’ve long been active politically, but have a special incentive this year because my congressman in PA’s Tenth Congressional District is 1/6 coup plotters Scott Perry. I’m supporting Mike O’Brien, a retired Marine Corps Top Gun fighter pilot whose campaign is going strong. More about Mike here: www.mikeobrienforpa.com. When he wins his primary, I hope some of the folks here will provide support from across the country. We will need it, and if we do the work we will win.
I’m very pleased with how we are working together and winning and I know we will have a blue tsunami in November but I wish I knew of organizations focused on registering young voters. Before Covid I went to high schools with Sonoma County Indivisible but everything is now Zoom. Anybody know about organizations in Marin or Sonoma County who are active in registration of new voters??? Let me know!
Good news Taylor Swift and her influence on young voters!!! The Hill: "Quinnipiac University underscored Trump’s weaknesses with women, who make up a large part of Swift’s fanbase. The survey found Biden opening up a 6-point lead over the former president amid growing signs of a gender divide, with 58 percent of women saying they support the incumbent." https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4443400-trump-risks-backlash-as-maga-world-zeroes-in-on-taylor-swift/
Bad news: Israel's continued onslaught against Gaza. Especially problematic in the critical swing state of Michigan where a significant portion of the population is Muslim, and they are not happy. As the discussion on NRP's Here and Now describes, Biden's recent sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank are not placating them. I believe Biden must exert maximum pressure on Netanyahu to to engage in a permanent cease fire. Also African-American voters are not as enthusiastic about Biden as they were in 2020.
In conversation with my 4-yr old granddaughter she suddenly asked, "Grandma, what's your superpower?" I thought a moment and said, "Loving. Loving is my superpower. What's yours?"
Later, writing postcards, fall 2023, I thought about that question and decided to use it, adding, "Voting is our Superpower!" Because, as Dems, it is--action--not just words. Now I think I'll write, "Voting on Day 1 is our Superpower!" And, as we confidently know, nothing helps your outlook more than walking out of the precinct, smiling knowingly at other early voters.
You're right, Simon. WE VOTE DAY ONE FOR A REASON. It works.
Hey, Simon. Your column today, especially the part effectively rebutting what Nate Cohen said in his NYT article about why Dems have been winning special elections, is really good. I think it should get much wider play. I have been wondering for the past 1 1/2 - 2 years why political reporters haven't picked up on the whole panorama of grassroots Dems organizations that are interconnecting countrywide. Are they just focused on DC politics? I feel like we are all hiding in plain sight. I'm also not sure the DNC really knows how to engage this grassroots network. Maybe it's better they don't.
Re the game-changing strategy of "Voting on Day 1", I think it opens the door to a follow-on strategy of Texting on Day 2. That is, voters who cast their ballots on Day 1 not only remove themselves from campaign call lists, they self-identify as committed voters, voters who can be mobilized to encourage their personal networks of friends and family to vote. Many will be like us -- already active -- but more will be on the sidelines. So rather than taking them off the list for a GOTV call/text/knock, why not move them to a different list, for a "thanks for voting on Day 1, now please text your friends"? Let's activate these self-identified motivated voters!
I’m organizing a group of fellow activists in CA to make calls for Tom Suozzi. I haven’t been able to find an answer about his opponent’s party preference. I know she is supported by GOP, but is she registered as a Democrat?
1) Biden campaign is gearing up, impressive - listen to Pod Save America’s recent episode. They interview deputy campaign managers Quentin Fulks and Rob Flaherty Very smart. They are on top of all things digital and the new media environment. My favorite part - they are going to invest heavy in social not “linear” media (:30 second TV spots). If you are worried Team Biden is behind or doesn’t know what they are doing. Listen to this podcast, you will be reassured.
2) Biden is still Biden. I am sure others can share stories but a friend was just at a fundraiser with Biden. He was sharp on it and relating to everyone. Joe Biden is a good President and a happy and good campaigner. He’s going to beat the expectations game and Trump (and Trump will lose).
3) I attended the fundraiiser with Anderson Clayton this week and got to meet great Hopium people (including Simon). Anderson was/is amazing. Just a powerful speaker, motivator and presence. Tons of young Dems were there (clearly drawn to here). Anderson was VERY grateful to Simon/the Hopium community. The connection is real folks They need us and we can help them.
From The Economist magazine: "Just look at the boom in factory construction: even accounting for inflation, investment in manufacturing facilities has more than doubled under Mr Biden, soaring to its highest on record."
Wrote 100 post cards! It is easy and something I can do from across the country.
I’m excited to be part of this community. I joined after I heard Simon’s recent podcast with Ezra Klein. I’ve long been active politically, but have a special incentive this year because my congressman in PA’s Tenth Congressional District is 1/6 coup plotters Scott Perry. I’m supporting Mike O’Brien, a retired Marine Corps Top Gun fighter pilot whose campaign is going strong. More about Mike here: www.mikeobrienforpa.com. When he wins his primary, I hope some of the folks here will provide support from across the country. We will need it, and if we do the work we will win.
But 538 has more recent Michigan polls showing Biden behind by four. Who to believe?
Simon, pls try to have Act Blue add the ability to make weekly donations not just monthly, especially for early races and primaries ‼️
Alex Witt, who is usually a fair reporter for today’s standards, is war and fear mongering today and pushing anti-Biden doom narratives.
Tune her out and keep the Biden 2024 train rolling!
I’m very pleased with how we are working together and winning and I know we will have a blue tsunami in November but I wish I knew of organizations focused on registering young voters. Before Covid I went to high schools with Sonoma County Indivisible but everything is now Zoom. Anybody know about organizations in Marin or Sonoma County who are active in registration of new voters??? Let me know!
There is the good news and the bad news.
Good news Taylor Swift and her influence on young voters!!! The Hill: "Quinnipiac University underscored Trump’s weaknesses with women, who make up a large part of Swift’s fanbase. The survey found Biden opening up a 6-point lead over the former president amid growing signs of a gender divide, with 58 percent of women saying they support the incumbent." https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4443400-trump-risks-backlash-as-maga-world-zeroes-in-on-taylor-swift/
Bad news: Israel's continued onslaught against Gaza. Especially problematic in the critical swing state of Michigan where a significant portion of the population is Muslim, and they are not happy. As the discussion on NRP's Here and Now describes, Biden's recent sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank are not placating them. I believe Biden must exert maximum pressure on Netanyahu to to engage in a permanent cease fire. Also African-American voters are not as enthusiastic about Biden as they were in 2020.
See: https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2024/02/02/biden-michigan-primary
Optimism is essential. However, In order to "kick ass" we need to face the good and bad.
Voting on Day 1 is our Superpower!
In conversation with my 4-yr old granddaughter she suddenly asked, "Grandma, what's your superpower?" I thought a moment and said, "Loving. Loving is my superpower. What's yours?"
Later, writing postcards, fall 2023, I thought about that question and decided to use it, adding, "Voting is our Superpower!" Because, as Dems, it is--action--not just words. Now I think I'll write, "Voting on Day 1 is our Superpower!" And, as we confidently know, nothing helps your outlook more than walking out of the precinct, smiling knowingly at other early voters.
You're right, Simon. WE VOTE DAY ONE FOR A REASON. It works.
Hey, Simon. Your column today, especially the part effectively rebutting what Nate Cohen said in his NYT article about why Dems have been winning special elections, is really good. I think it should get much wider play. I have been wondering for the past 1 1/2 - 2 years why political reporters haven't picked up on the whole panorama of grassroots Dems organizations that are interconnecting countrywide. Are they just focused on DC politics? I feel like we are all hiding in plain sight. I'm also not sure the DNC really knows how to engage this grassroots network. Maybe it's better they don't.
Working on a batch of letters for Suozzi now.
Re the game-changing strategy of "Voting on Day 1", I think it opens the door to a follow-on strategy of Texting on Day 2. That is, voters who cast their ballots on Day 1 not only remove themselves from campaign call lists, they self-identify as committed voters, voters who can be mobilized to encourage their personal networks of friends and family to vote. Many will be like us -- already active -- but more will be on the sidelines. So rather than taking them off the list for a GOTV call/text/knock, why not move them to a different list, for a "thanks for voting on Day 1, now please text your friends"? Let's activate these self-identified motivated voters!
I’m organizing a group of fellow activists in CA to make calls for Tom Suozzi. I haven’t been able to find an answer about his opponent’s party preference. I know she is supported by GOP, but is she registered as a Democrat?
Some good news to share:
1) Biden campaign is gearing up, impressive - listen to Pod Save America’s recent episode. They interview deputy campaign managers Quentin Fulks and Rob Flaherty Very smart. They are on top of all things digital and the new media environment. My favorite part - they are going to invest heavy in social not “linear” media (:30 second TV spots). If you are worried Team Biden is behind or doesn’t know what they are doing. Listen to this podcast, you will be reassured.
2) Biden is still Biden. I am sure others can share stories but a friend was just at a fundraiser with Biden. He was sharp on it and relating to everyone. Joe Biden is a good President and a happy and good campaigner. He’s going to beat the expectations game and Trump (and Trump will lose).
3) I attended the fundraiiser with Anderson Clayton this week and got to meet great Hopium people (including Simon). Anderson was/is amazing. Just a powerful speaker, motivator and presence. Tons of young Dems were there (clearly drawn to here). Anderson was VERY grateful to Simon/the Hopium community. The connection is real folks They need us and we can help them.
Keep up the good work everyone.
Here's an informative and fun quiz by the Washington Post Editorial Board, Opinion | Mad at Biden over the economy? Take our quiz: https://substack.com/redirect/07e0cdc1-fc86-4b87-90ac-5613df703f6c?j=eyJ1IjoiMjdpZ3YxIn0.WohXgCGlCEahwSYzanySMRJzjSC1UBBaxgmd31JeObM
Hi Simon! I’m not an artist but I would love to have Hopium bumper stickers saying “VOTE ON DAY 1!”
Especially in states like mine (CT) where 2024 is the first year for us to have Early Voting. Any artists who might like to create that?
From The Economist magazine: "Just look at the boom in factory construction: even accounting for inflation, investment in manufacturing facilities has more than doubled under Mr Biden, soaring to its highest on record."