I love the video clip of caucus voting in Iowa using a Hy-Vee bag. I would rather call it trash bag voting as it seems more fitting given the names on those slips of paper. Voting for trash sums it up nicely.
I did not think Florida had a chance to become blue. Hopefully I am wrong. Can someone tell me who in Florida I should contact to try and help out. I live in the St Pete area.
All of the below - we already know 1/3 of the country doesn't vote and another 1/3 hates their country.
First, it was -3 Fahrenheit, a dangerously low temperature. Rational people could have reasonably concluded that they should stay home to protect their safety and health.
Second, people could have believed that Trump was going to win by a large margin and concluded that their vote didn’t matter.
Third, Republicans may have been expressing their dissatisfaction with Trump and the other candidates by staying home.
Finally, people may not have cared enough about the state of our democracy to vote.
Now I understand why there’s resistance to universal voting. To that position I would ask “What are you afraid of?” God forbid everyone should have their say.
we here in Maryland woke up yesterday to the sad news that the Baltimore Sun had been bought by David D. Smith of the Sinclair Broadcast Group. Maryland has traditionally been a Democratic bastion, with occasional forays into Republican territory after Democrats in whom we've vested out hopes turned out to be flashes in the pan.
It is hard enough to fight the right-wing media when it is screaming at us from outside our gates, but when it sets up shop on our porches every morning, and creeps into our living rooms leaving scat among its pages, it is discouraging to think how the unaware and unthinking new and long-time subscribers may be taken in by the propaganda that is surely to come.
As a Postcards to Voters participant, I wanted to share a recent election result. In Florida, Democrat Tom Keen won his race for State House in a special election. He was supported by Postcards to Voters and I think reminding people to vote for him certainly helped. This organization encourages Democrats to vote by sending out hand written reminder postcards about particular candidates and issues like Issue 1 in Ohio. I think this is one way to get your “1 person to vote” and probably many more.
Thank you Robert for sharing information about grassroots organizations such as this one. On days when the political news is difficult to hear, I request some addresses and write some postcards. It helps our country and it helps me! My husband and I enjoy your newsletter very much and appreciate the information you provide.
I think you are overestimating the available votes in Iowa. While it is true that 49% did NOT vote for Trump it is reasonable to assume that DeSantis' 21% and Ramaswamy's 8% will def go Trump. This gives him 80%. And most of Haley's voters will go with Trump over Biden. So you are only left hoping for the voters who did not have the moxie to get out to the caucuses to grow some moxie and vote for Biden. Certainly possible, but I am not holding my breath.
Trump’s grassroots organizing wins him the Iowa Caucuses. The take-away is that getting out the vote is critical to winning. The worry is that Trump now is doing grassroots organizing. See article about his Imperial white and gold captains' hats":
small point: the NYT says the vote for trump was 56,260. If you divide that by the actual total of registered republican voters, it still works out to just under 8%. I am curious what the Secretary of State means by "active" Republican voters. Is it just a reflection on who they haven't got around to purging yet from the rolls?
Robert, you wrote, "Judge Cannon is a disgrace and embarrassment to the federal judiciary. In a just world, she would be impeached for engaging in blatantly partisan conduct designed to protect a man credibly accused of compromising US defense secrets."
I am curious about this. I think I "get" why Jack is not wasting time on her, but what about other avenues? Why is she being allowed to do this? Her actions seem so brazen and obvious, is there absolutely no mechanism for removing her from this case?
Tony the Democrat, who moderates Postcards to Voters, notes that writers sent over 17,000 postcards supporting Tom Keen in just 30 days including two holidays. If even 10% of those cards got someone out to vote who wouldn't have, that's the difference in who holds the seat. There is no effort that doesn't matter, except the one that isn't made.
I'm in California, but I'm working with a group called Seniors Taking Action. This group was started in a coffee shop in New York City but we've got participants in I think almost twenty states. We would love to have folks join us from Texas. Check us out at Seniors Taking Action.org. We have a Wednesday Speaker Series (11 am EST) and when I mentioned Mothers Against Greg Abbott, there was enthusiasm about the possibility of having someone from "The Other MAGA" speak to our group. It's done by Zoom and we don't pay speakers, but it does give visibility to groups and we do provide links so that people can donate (and/or volunteer). We REALLY want to help and we want representatives from "red states" the way you want volunteers. It could be a good match and it's free. Please write back if you like the idea and I'll put you in touch with some of the amazing, connected, and organized people who lead the group. Cheers. We simply must learn from one another and help each other out. P.S. Both Robert Hubble and Simon Rosenberg spoke to our group, so you'd be in great company.
Late to the show today, however, Robert's correct analysis of how little this victory truly means and represents reminded me of Richard Dawkin's analysis of fervent religious adherents suggesting that they are the real atheists. They disbelieve in the existence of all the world's gods...except their own, their one god. If that isn't a formula for conflict and bloodshed I don't know what is.
It may appear to be a stretch, but the fanatical right has simply attached itself to a cult leader rejecting all else and all others. Brainwashed and deluded they live in a perpetual state of mental squalor. To hell with the rest of the world, neighbors, friends, their/our children, and next generations. He's our guy. And, if he burns the place down, well, it must be God's will.
This next election, is the most needed "intervention" ever. We will be required to extricate a large portion of our population from the myth of Trump. It will occur either like a Waco or Jonestown, or it will resolve with love and forgiveness. But wrenching peoples minds from the steel trap that encases them will not be easy or without consequence.
I appreciate your reminder not to assume all Iowans support tRump or the republican agenda. I bristle when the news media describe Kim Reynolds as a popular governor. She is detested by my friends - many who work in the public school system. Her goal is to make Iowa a northern Florida, which is why she supported DeSantis. She is not popular in eastern iowa.
I love the video clip of caucus voting in Iowa using a Hy-Vee bag. I would rather call it trash bag voting as it seems more fitting given the names on those slips of paper. Voting for trash sums it up nicely.
I did not think Florida had a chance to become blue. Hopefully I am wrong. Can someone tell me who in Florida I should contact to try and help out. I live in the St Pete area.
All of the below - we already know 1/3 of the country doesn't vote and another 1/3 hates their country.
First, it was -3 Fahrenheit, a dangerously low temperature. Rational people could have reasonably concluded that they should stay home to protect their safety and health.
Second, people could have believed that Trump was going to win by a large margin and concluded that their vote didn’t matter.
Third, Republicans may have been expressing their dissatisfaction with Trump and the other candidates by staying home.
Finally, people may not have cared enough about the state of our democracy to vote.
Thanks for the shout out, Robert. Incredible that the MSM treated Trump's narrow win as a "landslide," isn't it?
Now I understand why there’s resistance to universal voting. To that position I would ask “What are you afraid of?” God forbid everyone should have their say.
Hi Robert,
I hope your family is recovering well -- and that you are staying Covid free.
As you probably saw in Popular Information today,
https://popular.info/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share
we here in Maryland woke up yesterday to the sad news that the Baltimore Sun had been bought by David D. Smith of the Sinclair Broadcast Group. Maryland has traditionally been a Democratic bastion, with occasional forays into Republican territory after Democrats in whom we've vested out hopes turned out to be flashes in the pan.
It is hard enough to fight the right-wing media when it is screaming at us from outside our gates, but when it sets up shop on our porches every morning, and creeps into our living rooms leaving scat among its pages, it is discouraging to think how the unaware and unthinking new and long-time subscribers may be taken in by the propaganda that is surely to come.
As a Postcards to Voters participant, I wanted to share a recent election result. In Florida, Democrat Tom Keen won his race for State House in a special election. He was supported by Postcards to Voters and I think reminding people to vote for him certainly helped. This organization encourages Democrats to vote by sending out hand written reminder postcards about particular candidates and issues like Issue 1 in Ohio. I think this is one way to get your “1 person to vote” and probably many more.
Thank you Robert for sharing information about grassroots organizations such as this one. On days when the political news is difficult to hear, I request some addresses and write some postcards. It helps our country and it helps me! My husband and I enjoy your newsletter very much and appreciate the information you provide.
I think you are overestimating the available votes in Iowa. While it is true that 49% did NOT vote for Trump it is reasonable to assume that DeSantis' 21% and Ramaswamy's 8% will def go Trump. This gives him 80%. And most of Haley's voters will go with Trump over Biden. So you are only left hoping for the voters who did not have the moxie to get out to the caucuses to grow some moxie and vote for Biden. Certainly possible, but I am not holding my breath.
I should’ve said all of California!
Trump’s grassroots organizing wins him the Iowa Caucuses. The take-away is that getting out the vote is critical to winning. The worry is that Trump now is doing grassroots organizing. See article about his Imperial white and gold captains' hats":
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/01/15/trumps-white-hat-caucus-captain/72238398007/
small point: the NYT says the vote for trump was 56,260. If you divide that by the actual total of registered republican voters, it still works out to just under 8%. I am curious what the Secretary of State means by "active" Republican voters. Is it just a reflection on who they haven't got around to purging yet from the rolls?
Robert, you wrote, "Judge Cannon is a disgrace and embarrassment to the federal judiciary. In a just world, she would be impeached for engaging in blatantly partisan conduct designed to protect a man credibly accused of compromising US defense secrets."
I am curious about this. I think I "get" why Jack is not wasting time on her, but what about other avenues? Why is she being allowed to do this? Her actions seem so brazen and obvious, is there absolutely no mechanism for removing her from this case?
Tony the Democrat, who moderates Postcards to Voters, notes that writers sent over 17,000 postcards supporting Tom Keen in just 30 days including two holidays. If even 10% of those cards got someone out to vote who wouldn't have, that's the difference in who holds the seat. There is no effort that doesn't matter, except the one that isn't made.
Hi Cathy,
I'm in California, but I'm working with a group called Seniors Taking Action. This group was started in a coffee shop in New York City but we've got participants in I think almost twenty states. We would love to have folks join us from Texas. Check us out at Seniors Taking Action.org. We have a Wednesday Speaker Series (11 am EST) and when I mentioned Mothers Against Greg Abbott, there was enthusiasm about the possibility of having someone from "The Other MAGA" speak to our group. It's done by Zoom and we don't pay speakers, but it does give visibility to groups and we do provide links so that people can donate (and/or volunteer). We REALLY want to help and we want representatives from "red states" the way you want volunteers. It could be a good match and it's free. Please write back if you like the idea and I'll put you in touch with some of the amazing, connected, and organized people who lead the group. Cheers. We simply must learn from one another and help each other out. P.S. Both Robert Hubble and Simon Rosenberg spoke to our group, so you'd be in great company.
Late to the show today, however, Robert's correct analysis of how little this victory truly means and represents reminded me of Richard Dawkin's analysis of fervent religious adherents suggesting that they are the real atheists. They disbelieve in the existence of all the world's gods...except their own, their one god. If that isn't a formula for conflict and bloodshed I don't know what is.
It may appear to be a stretch, but the fanatical right has simply attached itself to a cult leader rejecting all else and all others. Brainwashed and deluded they live in a perpetual state of mental squalor. To hell with the rest of the world, neighbors, friends, their/our children, and next generations. He's our guy. And, if he burns the place down, well, it must be God's will.
This next election, is the most needed "intervention" ever. We will be required to extricate a large portion of our population from the myth of Trump. It will occur either like a Waco or Jonestown, or it will resolve with love and forgiveness. But wrenching peoples minds from the steel trap that encases them will not be easy or without consequence.
I appreciate your reminder not to assume all Iowans support tRump or the republican agenda. I bristle when the news media describe Kim Reynolds as a popular governor. She is detested by my friends - many who work in the public school system. Her goal is to make Iowa a northern Florida, which is why she supported DeSantis. She is not popular in eastern iowa.