This link came from Jessica Craven's ChopWood/CarryWater newsletter yesterday. It starts out kinda slow, but then he really gets going. It's a long, but worth it, read.
My 21 year old grandson says he won't vote for Biden because of his support of Israel. I don't know if, or how, he will vote, but I suspect those memes would be unhelpful in the face of his heartfelt conviction. His friends share his anguish, and I understand it. May the horror end soon🙏😔.
Hi, Still Learning. Thanks for sharing the situation with your grandson. I know it must be difficult. I have read your further comments and understand you are trying to give your grandson space to work out these issues.
If the moment presents itself to talk--
Have you had the conversation with your grandson that not voting for Biden is voting for Trump? Is that really what your son intends?
Does your grandson really oppose reproductive liberty for women? I doubt it.
Does your grandson really oppose banning travel from majority Muslim countries because Trump believes all Muslims are terrorists? I doubt it.
Does your grandson really oppose green energy and legislation to protect the climate? I doubt it.
Does your grandson really believe that we should deny rights to LGBTQ people? I doubt it.
Is your grandson aware that Trump is an even bigger supporter of Netanyahu than is Joe Biden? I doubt it.
I hope that you can help your grandson understand that there are dozens of important issues on the ballot in 2024. Not voting for Biden because of the war in Gaza elevates one issue above all others and will help deny liberty to women, encourage Islamophobia, harm the climate, deny equal rights to LGBTQ people, and ensuring greater support for Netanyahu.
Robert, I appreciate your taking time to delineate these points. We do not live in the same city, so I learn most of what he's thinking/saying from his parents. He and I text about more superficial matters for the most part. I will be visiting them soon, and I hope to get a chance to ask him some of the questions you have posed. I know he is extremely concerned about many (maybe most) of these issues, but right now he sees the images out of Gaza and his heart is broken and enraged. It's not hard to understand that😔.
Joe Biden is the best friend Palestinians have on the world stage. He is the only one with real international influence who stands for an independent Palestine alongside Israel. Sadly, he has the deeply corrupt and selfish Netanyahu to deal with (and other Israelis who shame our Jewish faith). But that’s the real world. In November your grandson will be faced with Biden or Trump. Will he really help Trump by not voting or wasting his vote on a 3rd party? And if he is put to the test, will he really choose Hamas—which has genocide of Jews literally written into its charter—over an Israel that, for all its faults, has Palestinians in its parliament?
Jon, his parents and his grandparents hope to help him come to many understandings by November. He's very young and idealistic. I doubt many Americans understand the complexity of US - Israel relationship. We hope by November that he will see that his vote is important and that he can't waste it. We certainly don't want him to "get his back up" in resistance to too much pressure too soon. Again, he knows who/what trump is. Our fear is third party or no vote.
At a recent event where Jamie Raskin spoke, he responded to a question about what we can say to young people who want to vote third party. He offered this sage advice (that I am paraphrasing): This upcoming election is not an EXPRESSIVE act, it's a STRATEGIC act. It's not about expressing your feelings or fulfilling the wish for a perfect candidate; it's about ensuring the person selected president maintains our democracy.
Has he said what he is going to do? Vote third party? Not vote? Vote for Trump? It's worth asking, because which of those means a policy he would like better? It is absolutely heartbreaking what is happening there, but the alternatives aren't very good.
He hasn't told me. I'm trying to respect his inner struggle and not pry or advise. His parents are respecting that as well, hoping to keep communication open. We feel certain he won't vote for trump, so there's that.
I suspect there are many young people struggling with this. So much can change before November. Here's hoping for the best.
I hear that too --- it's developmental - prefrontal cortex not fully linked to impulse part of the brain. But you might ask him (not persuade him) Do you know that Biden has worked hard to reduced student debt? Do you know that Biden fought to bring down drug costs, finally, do you know that Arab countries have never supported that Palestinians and that we can't cut aid to Israel because it is the only country that stands as protection against Iraq, Iran and Lebanon. You can frame it just by "I can't persuade you --- but I do what to ask 3 questions"
It's tough. I hate what's going on over there, but it's not Biden's fault and he is doing what he can to fix the situation. Understanding Biden supporting Israel is a difficult situation. I love Biden, but he's not perfect. ALSO He's very good at what he does. There are subtleties to what is happening with Israel. I don't think Biden is supporting Netanyahu, but Israel as a country. I don't think he is happy with what is happening, but sees what might happen if the US doesn't support Israel. I think young people tend to see things as black and white, this or that. As we age we gain depth of experience and see more shades of grey. It's a tough situation for everyone and I can understand the difficulty.
Thank-you for sharing "Why I Love Joe Biden". What an exhilarating piece! I especially like the political cartoon of Biden playing poker with the Republican party. Great stuff!
We have a new group to bring into the Biden camp down the road-Haley voters. As we fear losing some of the Dem coalition, the Never Trumpers are important allies and now the Haley voters are being threatened and told to go away. We win on the margins. I wonder who he will go after next?
Moral clarity is what this all comes down to. The column in The Bulwark makes Haley’s choice clear and frankly it is the choice for all Americans. We need to make that choice every day- in big and small ways. I read Jamie Dimon’s statement telling Democrats to “grow up” and “listen” to Trump supporters. This is egregious. I am cancelling all my Chase accounts. This isn’t about the big bank issue. From a purely pro-choice and pro-democracy standpoint, this should be a thing we all might consider.
I don’t think boycotts work, but sometimes it is just the right thing to do. If we all intentionally do just one thing every day to move the needle towards justice, we will be an amazing force for good. I know that this community works hard at this and it is a privilege to be part of it.
Long-term, the Democrats will only survive by appealing equally to high school educated and to college educated Americans. It is our duty to not become an a party of the elite.
Interesting comment, Lauren. But Biden's policies are more supportive of the working poor and the middle class than any president in history, except perhaps LBJ. Democrats are not "ignoring" voters with a high school education. Rather, studies show that the more education a voter attains, the more likely the voter is to support Democrat policies.
Education causes support for Democrats to increase; it is not that Democrats are targeting educated voters.
I totally agree, but sometimes the media who is so often getting it wrong, refers to the democratic party as that of college educated voters. UAW president’s Speech was a push back on that false framing.
A great economy etc is well and good, but not relevant when Trump is able to gain ground by stirring up hatred and fear. That is why keeping immigration as a hot issue is so important to Trump. Hopefully Democrats will be able to reveal Trump and followers’ efforts to continue the invigoration problem rather than solve it.
Your comment about Trump's tactics to keep the timmigration issue and anger front and center is true, but THE ECONOMY is what you hear from everyone who is interviewed about what the main issue is for them. For the mainstream American its what their grocery bill is, according to them, so Democrats have to keep hammering home, that for many things prices have fallen,from their highs, and things continue to improve. And we have to push the narrative that Trump and the Republicans are holding real progress up in dealing with the border crisis to not make Biden look too good.
📣Lowering food prices and promoting competition in agriculture
: Today, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched an historic enforcement partnership with over two dozen bipartisan State Attorneys General to crack down on price-gouging and other anticompetitive practices in food and agricultural markets.”
Yes, I totally agree with you. I live in a small town in red Ohio and around here "Economy"= "grocery prices" and "gas prices". While gas prices have gone down a bit, grocery prices remain high which is really not the fault of Biden and Dems but are actually to be blamed on corporate price gouging. Big corporations( Big Pharma, Big Food, etc) making record profits but not lowering their prices because of stock buy-backs, CEO big wages, and general corporate greed. Big companies get away with this because it is not discussed much in our media and corporations know it. They know Biden will be the scapegoat here and not themselves.
It is undoubtedly true that many people are suffering economically from the effects of inflation. It is also likely true that many people are using the price of groceries to justify their vote for a wannabe dictator.
Its makes no logical sense to say, "the price of eggs is high, so I am going to vote for Trump." They are going to vote for Trump anyway, and want to make up a reason.
This area that I live in has been so indoctrinated by Republican influence for so long that it is almost hopeless to try to get into any kind of meaningful discussion with any of them.I belong to a small progressive group and we are getting some interest especially among the younger set.We had a very successful Get Out The Vote event last year with 4 local bands playing for us and donating their time to the cause.We have scheduled another one this March and the same bands are going to entertain.It is a slow process but I feel we are making progress.
I think the inflation story is a surface item that Republicans use as a bludgeon - even when it isn't an active issue.
The reason Americans are upset financially has to do with issues of child care (the cost - if even available), healthcare (outrageous for those who are of moderate income and can't qualify for Medicaid and ACA help) and eldercare expenses. Add to that "triple financial threat" a student loan payment and you have a recipe for a potential bankruptcy at any moment. Wait, I left out the cost of housing.
Oh, and those young families are supposed to contribute to college fund and stuff some money away for retirement?
The message should be that Democrats want to help with these issues and have tried - remember Build Back Better? But Republicans simply oppose assisting with the basics of life.
Yes, we should be talking about good economic numbers. But stats are abstractions for most. At the kitchen table, the numbers are horrible. We need to commiserate and offer a plan for each of those painful items.
I’m wondering if this also depends a bit on location. Here in Dallas, the economy is quite good, but border issues are top of mind. I realize Texas is not a swing state, but we have a real opportunity to move the needle this year because a disastrous state government craziness...the chaotic border is not helpful.
I don’t doubt that people in places like border states have immigration on their minds all the time. I have friends there who are Dems and mainly liberal, but are feeling the strain. However, right now it’s the Republicans who are not moving on actions so their white night T…p can save the day.
I agree with you completely. I wish we were seeing more plain-spoken Gavin-like messaging from the administration setting the facts straight. It is hard for people, including me, to accept that the chaos continues day after day…that the administration has no power. What I would like to see is Harris maybe here saying…”Here is what we are doing as the executive branch, because we know this is not sustainable. Here is what we need from Congress now to address this long term.” DOJ is fighting Texas’s egregious actions in the courtroom, and that’s appropriate, but I don’t see an intense counter to Abbott’s cruel, dangerous actions. The feds start to look weak, which feeds into the narrative of a weak Biden. I am not suggesting Ds be equally cruel…but we need more Gavin messaging and some ACTION to relieve overwhelmed agents, teachers, med professionals, etc., down here.
IDK about that I live in the DFW area and what I see going on at the border is the politicians and the tv cameras filming them - making an issue that is up to CONGRESS (these same politicians) to fixed. I do not see those politicians working to do anything about legislating. All I see is BLAME BLAME BLAME President Biden. Not working at the capital but more so working the media. I personally would like to see them DO THEIR JOB not a media interview or their podcast....
Trump isn’t even formally the Republican nominee for this year’s election. And yet, acting through a spineless Republican minority (plus a slim majority in the House), he is able to control this country’s foreign and national security policy. There is so much that is wrong with this picture that it’s impossible to know where to begin.
A disturbing thing is happening across the country that has gotten little attention. A friend of mine posted a few days ago that they have literally turned off the news and are not paying attention in part because they are exhausted with all news all the time. What shocked me was the number of people who responded and said they felt the same way. The general feeling is that almost everyday there is some outrageous event or story Republican connected about individuals or elected officials acting illegally or behaving badly whether it’s Abbott in Texas or Stefanik, Navarro, or the defendant Trump trying to bully Haley out of the primaries.Everyday there seems to be some attempt by Trump and his loyal cult to rig or tilt the election process without any repercussions. It’s just too much volume and chaos for many people and they are numb and have tuned out. There seems to be a hopelessness permeating the electorate who all want a return to some state of normalcy. These voters are a key constituency that Biden needs to reach and while his speech in Wisconsin was calm and deliberate he needs to counter many of the Trump rants and fits with calm and deliberate messages consistently with hopefully split screen comparisons.
I was able to listen to Mitt Romney's comments with no problem but even with the volume on Biden's speech at 100%, it was impossiible for me to hear it. I am not the only person with hearing difficulties. Perhaps someone--either the person recording the speech or the folks at YouTube, could pay attention to a seemingly small detail about accessibility.
Maybe you need a new TV --- I also have hearing problems - and heard every wonderful word he said!!! Sadly, the media won't be able to replay all his stuttering and searching for words ----- he was masterful
I heard everything too- but had to have the volume all the way up. Then I went to the Romney recording with the same volume, and it was blaring. (on 2 different devices.) I don't have or need hearing aids
A note on the stories you see and read about how Americans don’t think the economy is doing well (yes, I’m going to state the obvious): You can always find people who aren’t doing well, even in the best of times. And you can find people who are doing very well, indeed, in the darkest days. In my own case, the best year ever for my law practice (I’ve been a lawyer since 1970) was 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. Not that I was particularly brilliant that year; things just came together. Conversely, for 2023 my practice will show little or no net income. So it goes. Being a political animal (or nut, as my spouse might call it), I would nonetheless tell an interviewer that the economy is going great guns. I am fortunate to be able to have some distance in formulating my opinion. Most people don’t have that luxury.
I represented a surety, and though on a salary with the company, my WORKLOAD was never greater than in the run up and eventual collapse of the 2008 recession. As some may recall, one of the first signs of the coming downfall was the sudden reluctance of people to buy cars, new or used. I had a special expertise in bonding automobile dealers. For most of 2007 I watched in horror as dealer failures spread up the west coast, from S. Cal up to eventually Seattle; pretty sure there was a similar spread elsewhere.
For those who don't know, a surety is a company that guarantees to owners of projects or to the general public that a bonded individual (called the principal) will pay his bills and continue his work in accordance with the contract or the regulations governing his business (as, for eg auto dealers). The principal himself is not "covered"--this isn't insurance for him. I've often wondered why the number of surety claims suddenly rising drastically isn't considered a metric of the strength of the economy. It's when businesses start FAILING, en masse, before they get to the bankruptcy or civil courts, that bad times are ahead or here.
There's a bit more on surety, in the context of appeal bonds, on my own page.
When you recommend watching a video I always make time. I watched both in their entirety. It was worth it. Biden hit it out of the park in Superior. Thanks for linking to these clips.
I would like to think that every Republican who lives in a state that isn't Iowa or New Hampshire would be thoroughly outraged at the suggestion that they not have a vote in this important primary. A Judge makes Trump toe the line in his spoken testimony and Trump bleats immediately afterwards that "This is not America...Not America. This is not America..." But he attempts to silence his own base (which is definitely UnAmerican!) and we hear crickets from the right wing echo chambers.
Then when he doesn't succeed...he quickly tries to disguise what he did (because he didn't have the votes).
He is so completely, utterly, repulsively despicable....I would LOVE to see him slapped with a judgment award to Ms. Carroll that leaves him with just a gold foil lined cardboard box to live in. Won't happen, but it's fun to think about.
Romney should stop all business by filibuster for five days so the press covers the issue of no immigration bill because Republicans want to blame Biden. The media is a big problem with this issue. Where are the charts to show the history ofimmigration reform attemptd scuttled by Republicans for decades. The New York Times promotes a chart showing spike in ENCOUNTERS (i.e. migrant attempts) which the US can do nothing about, but insuffient funds and policies to address those encounters.
The media -- you are right about their being the problem !! Wherever I can - I respond to opinion pieces calling them out for the lazy, breathless and irresponsible coverage. As for Romney --- don't hold your breath !! I'm from Massachusetts -- he is like a weather vane - changes his positions often
It isn’t only Nikki Haley who needs to speak out. She is running and we assume her motivation is self serving. There are others who know Trump well and need to say the truth. I’m thinking of the former Chiefs of Staff, State Department secretaries, and other cabinet officers, politicians who resigned, national security leaders, etc.
there needs to be a cacophony of respected people telling the truth that this man is not qualified, likely treasonous, likely suffering a mental breakdown, and unlikely to be restrained.
It cannot be his word against Nikki only.
And a letter with many signatures isn’t that convincing to the average person.
One of the things we can immediately expect is reminders of the big mistakes during his term. Lying about Covid, deficit, being laughed at by allies, bromance with Putin and Kim Jung un, tarrif war, SCOTUS that gives us Dobbs.
Maybe, just maybe, after all the cries of "it's a witch hunt", Trump and his followers will begin to realize that he is , unlike those accused in Salem, actually...a witch.
For the first time in many months of reading Substack articles, I actually lol'd at this:
"Haley responded to Trump's threat by selling t-shirts that said, “Permanently Barred” and “Make America Sane Again.”"
Thanks to you and Jess Craven for amplifying hope for our future as a democracy.
It's brilliant! Even many of us who would never vote for Haley could use a T-shirt that says that!
Hallejuah! Maybe things are beginning to turn around - Whoo- Hooo!
"Make America Sane Again"... I would wear that except it probably says "Nikki Haley for President". But I did lol.
Love her sense of humor!
That phrase was actually printed on hats and t-shirts back in 2020, to support Biden vs tfg... Etsy sellers might update their shops for 2024.
More good news, we can use!
This infographic highlights 10 of President Biden's Incredible accomplishments in 2023.
https://thedemlabs.org/2023/12/31/10-incredible-things-president-biden-accomplished-in-2023/
Great minds think alike, Deepak!
This is excellent, Deepak. I've shared it on my Facebook page. Thank you.
This link came from Jessica Craven's ChopWood/CarryWater newsletter yesterday. It starts out kinda slow, but then he really gets going. It's a long, but worth it, read.
https://brianhassett.com/2023/12/why-i-love-joe-biden/
I think these are called memes. They come from the link above. I believe the idea is to spread the word; so, I'm spreading the word!
https://brianhassett.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6D603EAB-B213-4C40-895F-90AFEB4C19D2_1_105_c.jpeg
https://brianhassett.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/4F237F29-BCB5-4DA1-A16B-6EBB65EFE9E9_1_105_c.jpeg
Those links are great! I love the "If you are a Trump voter, own it! Don't dress it up as a protest vote."
Agree, Robert. A lotta gold in them thar links!
My 21 year old grandson says he won't vote for Biden because of his support of Israel. I don't know if, or how, he will vote, but I suspect those memes would be unhelpful in the face of his heartfelt conviction. His friends share his anguish, and I understand it. May the horror end soon🙏😔.
Hi, Still Learning. Thanks for sharing the situation with your grandson. I know it must be difficult. I have read your further comments and understand you are trying to give your grandson space to work out these issues.
If the moment presents itself to talk--
Have you had the conversation with your grandson that not voting for Biden is voting for Trump? Is that really what your son intends?
Does your grandson really oppose reproductive liberty for women? I doubt it.
Does your grandson really oppose banning travel from majority Muslim countries because Trump believes all Muslims are terrorists? I doubt it.
Does your grandson really oppose green energy and legislation to protect the climate? I doubt it.
Does your grandson really believe that we should deny rights to LGBTQ people? I doubt it.
Is your grandson aware that Trump is an even bigger supporter of Netanyahu than is Joe Biden? I doubt it.
I hope that you can help your grandson understand that there are dozens of important issues on the ballot in 2024. Not voting for Biden because of the war in Gaza elevates one issue above all others and will help deny liberty to women, encourage Islamophobia, harm the climate, deny equal rights to LGBTQ people, and ensuring greater support for Netanyahu.
Robert, I appreciate your taking time to delineate these points. We do not live in the same city, so I learn most of what he's thinking/saying from his parents. He and I text about more superficial matters for the most part. I will be visiting them soon, and I hope to get a chance to ask him some of the questions you have posed. I know he is extremely concerned about many (maybe most) of these issues, but right now he sees the images out of Gaza and his heart is broken and enraged. It's not hard to understand that😔.
Compassionate and instructive, Robert.
This is an excellent list of things most people do not want. I will share it.
Joe Biden is the best friend Palestinians have on the world stage. He is the only one with real international influence who stands for an independent Palestine alongside Israel. Sadly, he has the deeply corrupt and selfish Netanyahu to deal with (and other Israelis who shame our Jewish faith). But that’s the real world. In November your grandson will be faced with Biden or Trump. Will he really help Trump by not voting or wasting his vote on a 3rd party? And if he is put to the test, will he really choose Hamas—which has genocide of Jews literally written into its charter—over an Israel that, for all its faults, has Palestinians in its parliament?
Jon, his parents and his grandparents hope to help him come to many understandings by November. He's very young and idealistic. I doubt many Americans understand the complexity of US - Israel relationship. We hope by November that he will see that his vote is important and that he can't waste it. We certainly don't want him to "get his back up" in resistance to too much pressure too soon. Again, he knows who/what trump is. Our fear is third party or no vote.
At a recent event where Jamie Raskin spoke, he responded to a question about what we can say to young people who want to vote third party. He offered this sage advice (that I am paraphrasing): This upcoming election is not an EXPRESSIVE act, it's a STRATEGIC act. It's not about expressing your feelings or fulfilling the wish for a perfect candidate; it's about ensuring the person selected president maintains our democracy.
Excellent. Thanks, Barbara. I will remember that the next time I talk with him. Jamie Raskin is a man to trust.
What a man & politician Jamie Raskin is.
Has he said what he is going to do? Vote third party? Not vote? Vote for Trump? It's worth asking, because which of those means a policy he would like better? It is absolutely heartbreaking what is happening there, but the alternatives aren't very good.
Hi Ellen,
He hasn't told me. I'm trying to respect his inner struggle and not pry or advise. His parents are respecting that as well, hoping to keep communication open. We feel certain he won't vote for trump, so there's that.
I suspect there are many young people struggling with this. So much can change before November. Here's hoping for the best.
It sounds like you are being very wise and supportive. It's a very difficult situation, and I'm sure painful to you and his parents.
Thanks, Ellen. We haven't lost hope, and we're on the same page.
I hear that too --- it's developmental - prefrontal cortex not fully linked to impulse part of the brain. But you might ask him (not persuade him) Do you know that Biden has worked hard to reduced student debt? Do you know that Biden fought to bring down drug costs, finally, do you know that Arab countries have never supported that Palestinians and that we can't cut aid to Israel because it is the only country that stands as protection against Iraq, Iran and Lebanon. You can frame it just by "I can't persuade you --- but I do what to ask 3 questions"
I agree!
It's tough. I hate what's going on over there, but it's not Biden's fault and he is doing what he can to fix the situation. Understanding Biden supporting Israel is a difficult situation. I love Biden, but he's not perfect. ALSO He's very good at what he does. There are subtleties to what is happening with Israel. I don't think Biden is supporting Netanyahu, but Israel as a country. I don't think he is happy with what is happening, but sees what might happen if the US doesn't support Israel. I think young people tend to see things as black and white, this or that. As we age we gain depth of experience and see more shades of grey. It's a tough situation for everyone and I can understand the difficulty.
Sherry, you are so right. I appreciate your clear expression of understanding.
Hey, Still. My thought is that you not try to convince him but just support him the best you can. He sounds like a deep thinker.
Thank-you for sharing "Why I Love Joe Biden". What an exhilarating piece! I especially like the political cartoon of Biden playing poker with the Republican party. Great stuff!
Hey, Victoria. I liked the poker playing Biden cartoon, too. So funny!
Great Taylor Swift video
That video was very moving. I haven't really paid much attention to the Swift phenomenon, but she is really an impressive person with substance!
Agree, Karen!
Those are great Lynell! I will be sharing!
Distribute to AOH members!
Daniel, who are AOH members ?
Erin go braugh! https://aoh.com/
You are so right, “It feels good to finally be engaged in the battle for the 2024 presidency.”
I’ve worn a Biden T-shirt on every grocery run since Jan 1. And I’ll do so until Nov. 5.
Doing so, I feel a palpable shift with every piece of good Biden news. I feel more determined with every line Trump crosses.
I’m trying to name this mission: Biden Attire Grocery Shopping (BAGS)? Whatever I call it, it’s never felt so good to buy yogurt.
We have a new group to bring into the Biden camp down the road-Haley voters. As we fear losing some of the Dem coalition, the Never Trumpers are important allies and now the Haley voters are being threatened and told to go away. We win on the margins. I wonder who he will go after next?
Moral clarity is what this all comes down to. The column in The Bulwark makes Haley’s choice clear and frankly it is the choice for all Americans. We need to make that choice every day- in big and small ways. I read Jamie Dimon’s statement telling Democrats to “grow up” and “listen” to Trump supporters. This is egregious. I am cancelling all my Chase accounts. This isn’t about the big bank issue. From a purely pro-choice and pro-democracy standpoint, this should be a thing we all might consider.
I don’t think boycotts work, but sometimes it is just the right thing to do. If we all intentionally do just one thing every day to move the needle towards justice, we will be an amazing force for good. I know that this community works hard at this and it is a privilege to be part of it.
Tom Suozzi is running to replace George Santos’ seat. It’s a good opportunity chance to flip the seat blue. He needs our help. Here are some virtual opportunities https://www.mobilize.us/?address=NYC%2C%20NY%2C%20USA&is_virtual=true&lat=40.7127753&lon=-74.0059728&org_ids=36995
I agree about Jamie Dimon --- and let us not forget, OBAMA BAILED HIM AND CHASE OUT - with public money. It's disgusting!
Long-term, the Democrats will only survive by appealing equally to high school educated and to college educated Americans. It is our duty to not become an a party of the elite.
Interesting comment, Lauren. But Biden's policies are more supportive of the working poor and the middle class than any president in history, except perhaps LBJ. Democrats are not "ignoring" voters with a high school education. Rather, studies show that the more education a voter attains, the more likely the voter is to support Democrat policies.
Education causes support for Democrats to increase; it is not that Democrats are targeting educated voters.
I totally agree, but sometimes the media who is so often getting it wrong, refers to the democratic party as that of college educated voters. UAW president’s Speech was a push back on that false framing.
https://rosselliotbarkan.com/p/the-anti-woke-case-for-saving-local?utm_campaign=email-post&r=1metx&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
A great economy etc is well and good, but not relevant when Trump is able to gain ground by stirring up hatred and fear. That is why keeping immigration as a hot issue is so important to Trump. Hopefully Democrats will be able to reveal Trump and followers’ efforts to continue the invigoration problem rather than solve it.
Your comment about Trump's tactics to keep the timmigration issue and anger front and center is true, but THE ECONOMY is what you hear from everyone who is interviewed about what the main issue is for them. For the mainstream American its what their grocery bill is, according to them, so Democrats have to keep hammering home, that for many things prices have fallen,from their highs, and things continue to improve. And we have to push the narrative that Trump and the Republicans are holding real progress up in dealing with the border crisis to not make Biden look too good.
📣Lowering food prices and promoting competition in agriculture
: Today, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched an historic enforcement partnership with over two dozen bipartisan State Attorneys General to crack down on price-gouging and other anticompetitive practices in food and agricultural markets.”
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/07/19/fact-sheet-white-house-competition-council-announces-new-actions-to-lower-costs-and-marks-second-anniversary-of-president-bidens-executive-order-on-competition/
I am going to post this in tonight's newsletter. Thanks!
Biden repeatedly needs to threaten to sue for price fixing and price gouging like California is suing Amazon.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/07/19/fact-sheet-white-house-competition-council-announces-new-actions-to-lower-costs-and-marks-second-anniversary-of-president-bidens-executive-order-on-competition/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Yes, I totally agree with you. I live in a small town in red Ohio and around here "Economy"= "grocery prices" and "gas prices". While gas prices have gone down a bit, grocery prices remain high which is really not the fault of Biden and Dems but are actually to be blamed on corporate price gouging. Big corporations( Big Pharma, Big Food, etc) making record profits but not lowering their prices because of stock buy-backs, CEO big wages, and general corporate greed. Big companies get away with this because it is not discussed much in our media and corporations know it. They know Biden will be the scapegoat here and not themselves.
It is undoubtedly true that many people are suffering economically from the effects of inflation. It is also likely true that many people are using the price of groceries to justify their vote for a wannabe dictator.
Its makes no logical sense to say, "the price of eggs is high, so I am going to vote for Trump." They are going to vote for Trump anyway, and want to make up a reason.
This area that I live in has been so indoctrinated by Republican influence for so long that it is almost hopeless to try to get into any kind of meaningful discussion with any of them.I belong to a small progressive group and we are getting some interest especially among the younger set.We had a very successful Get Out The Vote event last year with 4 local bands playing for us and donating their time to the cause.We have scheduled another one this March and the same bands are going to entertain.It is a slow process but I feel we are making progress.
Robert,
I think the inflation story is a surface item that Republicans use as a bludgeon - even when it isn't an active issue.
The reason Americans are upset financially has to do with issues of child care (the cost - if even available), healthcare (outrageous for those who are of moderate income and can't qualify for Medicaid and ACA help) and eldercare expenses. Add to that "triple financial threat" a student loan payment and you have a recipe for a potential bankruptcy at any moment. Wait, I left out the cost of housing.
Oh, and those young families are supposed to contribute to college fund and stuff some money away for retirement?
The message should be that Democrats want to help with these issues and have tried - remember Build Back Better? But Republicans simply oppose assisting with the basics of life.
Yes, we should be talking about good economic numbers. But stats are abstractions for most. At the kitchen table, the numbers are horrible. We need to commiserate and offer a plan for each of those painful items.
100% right. Would love to see more about this.
I’m wondering if this also depends a bit on location. Here in Dallas, the economy is quite good, but border issues are top of mind. I realize Texas is not a swing state, but we have a real opportunity to move the needle this year because a disastrous state government craziness...the chaotic border is not helpful.
I don’t doubt that people in places like border states have immigration on their minds all the time. I have friends there who are Dems and mainly liberal, but are feeling the strain. However, right now it’s the Republicans who are not moving on actions so their white night T…p can save the day.
I agree with you completely. I wish we were seeing more plain-spoken Gavin-like messaging from the administration setting the facts straight. It is hard for people, including me, to accept that the chaos continues day after day…that the administration has no power. What I would like to see is Harris maybe here saying…”Here is what we are doing as the executive branch, because we know this is not sustainable. Here is what we need from Congress now to address this long term.” DOJ is fighting Texas’s egregious actions in the courtroom, and that’s appropriate, but I don’t see an intense counter to Abbott’s cruel, dangerous actions. The feds start to look weak, which feeds into the narrative of a weak Biden. I am not suggesting Ds be equally cruel…but we need more Gavin messaging and some ACTION to relieve overwhelmed agents, teachers, med professionals, etc., down here.
IDK about that I live in the DFW area and what I see going on at the border is the politicians and the tv cameras filming them - making an issue that is up to CONGRESS (these same politicians) to fixed. I do not see those politicians working to do anything about legislating. All I see is BLAME BLAME BLAME President Biden. Not working at the capital but more so working the media. I personally would like to see them DO THEIR JOB not a media interview or their podcast....
Alas, Spellcheck took over hense “immigration” became “invigoration”. Apologies.
Spellcheck can be absolutely maddening. What is AI going to do to us once it permeates our lives?
I wondered about that, Tom. Thanks for explaining.
Frankly it’s the only issue the Republicans have and many people in many states don’t give a damn
Trump isn’t even formally the Republican nominee for this year’s election. And yet, acting through a spineless Republican minority (plus a slim majority in the House), he is able to control this country’s foreign and national security policy. There is so much that is wrong with this picture that it’s impossible to know where to begin.
A disturbing thing is happening across the country that has gotten little attention. A friend of mine posted a few days ago that they have literally turned off the news and are not paying attention in part because they are exhausted with all news all the time. What shocked me was the number of people who responded and said they felt the same way. The general feeling is that almost everyday there is some outrageous event or story Republican connected about individuals or elected officials acting illegally or behaving badly whether it’s Abbott in Texas or Stefanik, Navarro, or the defendant Trump trying to bully Haley out of the primaries.Everyday there seems to be some attempt by Trump and his loyal cult to rig or tilt the election process without any repercussions. It’s just too much volume and chaos for many people and they are numb and have tuned out. There seems to be a hopelessness permeating the electorate who all want a return to some state of normalcy. These voters are a key constituency that Biden needs to reach and while his speech in Wisconsin was calm and deliberate he needs to counter many of the Trump rants and fits with calm and deliberate messages consistently with hopefully split screen comparisons.
I was able to listen to Mitt Romney's comments with no problem but even with the volume on Biden's speech at 100%, it was impossiible for me to hear it. I am not the only person with hearing difficulties. Perhaps someone--either the person recording the speech or the folks at YouTube, could pay attention to a seemingly small detail about accessibility.
Maybe you need a new TV --- I also have hearing problems - and heard every wonderful word he said!!! Sadly, the media won't be able to replay all his stuttering and searching for words ----- he was masterful
I can hear it, but I have to have to volume all the way up, which is strange. There is definitely a problem there.
I'm nearly 80 - with hearing aids --- I heard everything
I heard everything too- but had to have the volume all the way up. Then I went to the Romney recording with the same volume, and it was blaring. (on 2 different devices.) I don't have or need hearing aids
A note on the stories you see and read about how Americans don’t think the economy is doing well (yes, I’m going to state the obvious): You can always find people who aren’t doing well, even in the best of times. And you can find people who are doing very well, indeed, in the darkest days. In my own case, the best year ever for my law practice (I’ve been a lawyer since 1970) was 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. Not that I was particularly brilliant that year; things just came together. Conversely, for 2023 my practice will show little or no net income. So it goes. Being a political animal (or nut, as my spouse might call it), I would nonetheless tell an interviewer that the economy is going great guns. I am fortunate to be able to have some distance in formulating my opinion. Most people don’t have that luxury.
I represented a surety, and though on a salary with the company, my WORKLOAD was never greater than in the run up and eventual collapse of the 2008 recession. As some may recall, one of the first signs of the coming downfall was the sudden reluctance of people to buy cars, new or used. I had a special expertise in bonding automobile dealers. For most of 2007 I watched in horror as dealer failures spread up the west coast, from S. Cal up to eventually Seattle; pretty sure there was a similar spread elsewhere.
For those who don't know, a surety is a company that guarantees to owners of projects or to the general public that a bonded individual (called the principal) will pay his bills and continue his work in accordance with the contract or the regulations governing his business (as, for eg auto dealers). The principal himself is not "covered"--this isn't insurance for him. I've often wondered why the number of surety claims suddenly rising drastically isn't considered a metric of the strength of the economy. It's when businesses start FAILING, en masse, before they get to the bankruptcy or civil courts, that bad times are ahead or here.
There's a bit more on surety, in the context of appeal bonds, on my own page.
So, what's happening now?
no clue. I retired 15 years ago. My canary in the coal mine days are over.
When you recommend watching a video I always make time. I watched both in their entirety. It was worth it. Biden hit it out of the park in Superior. Thanks for linking to these clips.
I would like to think that every Republican who lives in a state that isn't Iowa or New Hampshire would be thoroughly outraged at the suggestion that they not have a vote in this important primary. A Judge makes Trump toe the line in his spoken testimony and Trump bleats immediately afterwards that "This is not America...Not America. This is not America..." But he attempts to silence his own base (which is definitely UnAmerican!) and we hear crickets from the right wing echo chambers.
Then when he doesn't succeed...he quickly tries to disguise what he did (because he didn't have the votes).
He is so completely, utterly, repulsively despicable....I would LOVE to see him slapped with a judgment award to Ms. Carroll that leaves him with just a gold foil lined cardboard box to live in. Won't happen, but it's fun to think about.
The quote is really this is not the America I want to control so I won’t end up in jail.
Romney should stop all business by filibuster for five days so the press covers the issue of no immigration bill because Republicans want to blame Biden. The media is a big problem with this issue. Where are the charts to show the history ofimmigration reform attemptd scuttled by Republicans for decades. The New York Times promotes a chart showing spike in ENCOUNTERS (i.e. migrant attempts) which the US can do nothing about, but insuffient funds and policies to address those encounters.
The media -- you are right about their being the problem !! Wherever I can - I respond to opinion pieces calling them out for the lazy, breathless and irresponsible coverage. As for Romney --- don't hold your breath !! I'm from Massachusetts -- he is like a weather vane - changes his positions often
It isn’t only Nikki Haley who needs to speak out. She is running and we assume her motivation is self serving. There are others who know Trump well and need to say the truth. I’m thinking of the former Chiefs of Staff, State Department secretaries, and other cabinet officers, politicians who resigned, national security leaders, etc.
there needs to be a cacophony of respected people telling the truth that this man is not qualified, likely treasonous, likely suffering a mental breakdown, and unlikely to be restrained.
It cannot be his word against Nikki only.
And a letter with many signatures isn’t that convincing to the average person.
One of the things we can immediately expect is reminders of the big mistakes during his term. Lying about Covid, deficit, being laughed at by allies, bromance with Putin and Kim Jung un, tarrif war, SCOTUS that gives us Dobbs.
Today's thought..
Maybe, just maybe, after all the cries of "it's a witch hunt", Trump and his followers will begin to realize that he is , unlike those accused in Salem, actually...a witch.