Re your link to: " NYTimes, Wisconsin Rout Points to Democrats’ Enduring Post-Dobbs Strength."
[not to nit-pick your excellent post, but as a reminder of the work we need to do about main stream media]
While the jist of the article is about the WI Supreme Court election result which I'm happily celebrating , I took exception as I often do to how they covered the story. We too frequently become complacent, inured, to their misleading framing of their reporting, and on-going, democracy-killing timidity. I just sent the following letter to the NYTimes Editor. (per Simon Rosenberg's admonition to "get louder", I write MSM frequently these days because I consider them to be a very big part of the problem in this country.):
To the Editor:
There is no way a "largely unified political left” by itself pulled off the very big victory in Wisconsin. Freedom to choose, free and fair elections that reflect the will of the people (not some artificially distorted districts that heavily favor one party) and democracy were at stake in this election. You don't get to 55.5% (and especially in Wisconsin) with just the "political left".
You site “issues of democracy” as motivating Democrats. What do you mean “issues of democracy”? Your timidity and reticence to actually say what is so clearly at stake — our Democracy — is astonishing. The majority of people — by no means just the “political left” — recognize the danger the extremist, anti-democratic Republican/MAGA minority is to this country and have rejected it — yet again.
Apr 6, 2023·edited Apr 6, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Thank you for creating this newsletter when you are feeling sick, Robert. If you need to take a break and rest for a few days so you can get better, please do.
I did hear one interesting comment today about Judge Janet's victory in Wisconsin. One commentator said the Republicans were stunned that Democrats actually fought back during the campaign with some hard-nosed advertising and talking points. He said the reason the campaign got ugly is because the Republican candidate started using underhanded tactics and a smear campaign as they often do, so Judge Janet's campaign had to get hard-nosed and fight fire with fire.
This commentator said the Republicans were caught off guard because for decades, Democrats usually reacted in such a weak, ineffective way that they often lost these types of elections. It seems Republicans were not expecting to lose, because Daniel Kelly refused to concede despite losing by 11 points and looked very cranky while he gave the most crude, whiny, untruthful and pathetic speech I've ever heard from a grown man. His speech proved he is not fit to serve as a judge.
I love the admonition that we cannot live in fear of political lawlessness. When afraid, go TOWARD the problem, which empowers you.
I am also hopeful that the tide is turning because like bullies everywhere who push the boundaries until they're stopped, the MAGA movement has gone too far and digs itself deeper into the hole it finds itself in. They are awakening eligible voters to their insanity and turning them into active voters.
I'm doing my best to stay positive; your newsletter and Simon's are wonderful for that. I've also taken advice from both of you about amplifying the positive wins and accomplishments. But as you say, we can't be complacent about ongoing threats. Those MAGA Republicans are just shameless in their naked power grabs.
As you probably remember, my personal concern is for the vulnerability of the trans community. To that end, I suggest seeking out "Sharing Space - Episode1" - a table discussion with trans youth, moderated by Daniel Radcliffe, and "Learn with Love - Episode 1" both produced by the Trevor Project. They are beautifully done, and should be shared with those who are uncertain about what being trans means. I'll see if I can get the links in a reply to this post.
I'm feeling a teensy bit better than yesterday, but not 100% yet, and tomorrow is my 10th anniversary!! I hope you get to feeling better, too, Rob! Rest and fluids!
Democrats have a history of failing to communicate clearly and simply. Today's edition just did it. Here it is: "Democrats are shifting the electoral landscape by championing reproductive liberty, protection from gun violence, and fair elections." Reproductive liberty, protection from gun violence, and fair elections. That is a winning trio.
Excellent analysis of why the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, just like FDR told Americans 80 something years ago in the throes of the great Depression and the world wide threat of the Nazi's coming to power.
Much of the same rationale remains today, as all Americans have to do is keep our nose to the grindstone of protecting America's democracy by the power of the ballot box. Vote 🗳 blue 🗳 💙 😎 each and every election until the GOP is extinct like Jefferson's party the Democrats made the Federalist political party.
We were here before the GOP and we'll be here after their brand of manipulation and coercion is powerless before the majority's ability to vote them out!!
Regarding the results of the 8th Senate district special election in Wisconsin that gave Republicans a super majority in Wisconsin’s state senate-- it certainly was not what we wanted, but consider this: it was forecasted to be a dependable win for Republicans, but the Republican candidate won by only 1.8 points. That is definitely not the margin that Republicans had hoped for!
Compare that 1.8 margin to the 2020 election for that same seat: the Republican won by 8.6 points then! Similar scenarios are happening all over our country.
Rs are losing ground, and we are taking that hill. We must keep pushing forward.
Thank you for addressing the WI senate win/threat. I think everyone else is jubilant about Judge Janet winning decisively and ignoring the potential damage this democratic senate loss could wreak. Your positive action oriented thinking cheers me. As I lose confidence in the judiciary, I love your vision of citizenry rising up in the halls of institutions and sidewalks of local streets.
Please take care of yourself. we are all glad you listen to your managing editor and grateful you completed this edition.
Hoping for a quick recovery for you and your family
NC is once again in the news negatively - NC Rep Tricia Cotham who literally just got elected as a Democrat just changed parties and is now a Republican disenfranchising 86,995 voters. Incredible. And now NC Cecil Brockman is rumored to possibly doing the same thing. How can this be legal when Dems vote for a Dem and then they switch parties 3 months later. This switch gives the NC House a GOP majority to be able to override our Dem Gov Cooper vetos as they did with the pistol gun permit law last week which allows no background checks for pistols much to the chagrin of our sheriffs who will have to deal with this craziness and danger.
I just read this quote and it sums up what is really happening in this country. “ And yet, in the face of the open attempt of a minority to seize control, replacing our democracy with Christian nationalism, the majority is reasserting its power” . This will be a continuing battle until the Republican politicians realize there rhetoric and lies might feed their base but won’t win elections. The indictment of Trump and his verbal attacks only confirm for many why we can’t elect him as President and clearly defines exactly who Trump really is. What is even more interesting is there is the beginning of a generational change in voter demographics and these are the voters who will deal more effectively with abortion; gun control and climate change.
The rule of law is the great equalizer that maintains civil society. The demand of credible evidence, factual accuracy, and a well-developed protocol of presentation, maintains a sober, measured legal process. Dystopian bombast, grandiose and paranoid proclamations, and frenzied delusional projections might play in the court of public opinion but are irrelevant to the court of law. Even the court of public opinion is becoming worn down with the same old grievance dribble.
I have scoured the press and not found any report pointing out that Michael Cohen ended up in jail for pretty much the same crimes of which DJT has been indicted. So much for a weak case.
Re your link to: " NYTimes, Wisconsin Rout Points to Democrats’ Enduring Post-Dobbs Strength."
[not to nit-pick your excellent post, but as a reminder of the work we need to do about main stream media]
While the jist of the article is about the WI Supreme Court election result which I'm happily celebrating , I took exception as I often do to how they covered the story. We too frequently become complacent, inured, to their misleading framing of their reporting, and on-going, democracy-killing timidity. I just sent the following letter to the NYTimes Editor. (per Simon Rosenberg's admonition to "get louder", I write MSM frequently these days because I consider them to be a very big part of the problem in this country.):
To the Editor:
There is no way a "largely unified political left” by itself pulled off the very big victory in Wisconsin. Freedom to choose, free and fair elections that reflect the will of the people (not some artificially distorted districts that heavily favor one party) and democracy were at stake in this election. You don't get to 55.5% (and especially in Wisconsin) with just the "political left".
You site “issues of democracy” as motivating Democrats. What do you mean “issues of democracy”? Your timidity and reticence to actually say what is so clearly at stake — our Democracy — is astonishing. The majority of people — by no means just the “political left” — recognize the danger the extremist, anti-democratic Republican/MAGA minority is to this country and have rejected it — yet again.
Thank you for creating this newsletter when you are feeling sick, Robert. If you need to take a break and rest for a few days so you can get better, please do.
I did hear one interesting comment today about Judge Janet's victory in Wisconsin. One commentator said the Republicans were stunned that Democrats actually fought back during the campaign with some hard-nosed advertising and talking points. He said the reason the campaign got ugly is because the Republican candidate started using underhanded tactics and a smear campaign as they often do, so Judge Janet's campaign had to get hard-nosed and fight fire with fire.
This commentator said the Republicans were caught off guard because for decades, Democrats usually reacted in such a weak, ineffective way that they often lost these types of elections. It seems Republicans were not expecting to lose, because Daniel Kelly refused to concede despite losing by 11 points and looked very cranky while he gave the most crude, whiny, untruthful and pathetic speech I've ever heard from a grown man. His speech proved he is not fit to serve as a judge.
Regarding the argument about whether or not this case is novel, is the incessant ranting by Republicans that this is “unprecedented.“
What is unprecedented is not that the charges are being brought; it is the actions of the defendant that are unprecedented…so yeah
I love the admonition that we cannot live in fear of political lawlessness. When afraid, go TOWARD the problem, which empowers you.
I am also hopeful that the tide is turning because like bullies everywhere who push the boundaries until they're stopped, the MAGA movement has gone too far and digs itself deeper into the hole it finds itself in. They are awakening eligible voters to their insanity and turning them into active voters.
I'm doing my best to stay positive; your newsletter and Simon's are wonderful for that. I've also taken advice from both of you about amplifying the positive wins and accomplishments. But as you say, we can't be complacent about ongoing threats. Those MAGA Republicans are just shameless in their naked power grabs.
As you probably remember, my personal concern is for the vulnerability of the trans community. To that end, I suggest seeking out "Sharing Space - Episode1" - a table discussion with trans youth, moderated by Daniel Radcliffe, and "Learn with Love - Episode 1" both produced by the Trevor Project. They are beautifully done, and should be shared with those who are uncertain about what being trans means. I'll see if I can get the links in a reply to this post.
I'm feeling a teensy bit better than yesterday, but not 100% yet, and tomorrow is my 10th anniversary!! I hope you get to feeling better, too, Rob! Rest and fluids!
Democrats have a history of failing to communicate clearly and simply. Today's edition just did it. Here it is: "Democrats are shifting the electoral landscape by championing reproductive liberty, protection from gun violence, and fair elections." Reproductive liberty, protection from gun violence, and fair elections. That is a winning trio.
Excellent analysis of why the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, just like FDR told Americans 80 something years ago in the throes of the great Depression and the world wide threat of the Nazi's coming to power.
Much of the same rationale remains today, as all Americans have to do is keep our nose to the grindstone of protecting America's democracy by the power of the ballot box. Vote 🗳 blue 🗳 💙 😎 each and every election until the GOP is extinct like Jefferson's party the Democrats made the Federalist political party.
We were here before the GOP and we'll be here after their brand of manipulation and coercion is powerless before the majority's ability to vote them out!!
Well said as always Robert. Take care of that low grade fever. Rest is the best medicine.
The Republicans worst enemy isn't the Democrats it's themselves.
Regarding the results of the 8th Senate district special election in Wisconsin that gave Republicans a super majority in Wisconsin’s state senate-- it certainly was not what we wanted, but consider this: it was forecasted to be a dependable win for Republicans, but the Republican candidate won by only 1.8 points. That is definitely not the margin that Republicans had hoped for!
Compare that 1.8 margin to the 2020 election for that same seat: the Republican won by 8.6 points then! Similar scenarios are happening all over our country.
Rs are losing ground, and we are taking that hill. We must keep pushing forward.
Thank you for addressing the WI senate win/threat. I think everyone else is jubilant about Judge Janet winning decisively and ignoring the potential damage this democratic senate loss could wreak. Your positive action oriented thinking cheers me. As I lose confidence in the judiciary, I love your vision of citizenry rising up in the halls of institutions and sidewalks of local streets.
Please take care of yourself. we are all glad you listen to your managing editor and grateful you completed this edition.
Hoping for a quick recovery for you and your family
NC is once again in the news negatively - NC Rep Tricia Cotham who literally just got elected as a Democrat just changed parties and is now a Republican disenfranchising 86,995 voters. Incredible. And now NC Cecil Brockman is rumored to possibly doing the same thing. How can this be legal when Dems vote for a Dem and then they switch parties 3 months later. This switch gives the NC House a GOP majority to be able to override our Dem Gov Cooper vetos as they did with the pistol gun permit law last week which allows no background checks for pistols much to the chagrin of our sheriffs who will have to deal with this craziness and danger.
I just read this quote and it sums up what is really happening in this country. “ And yet, in the face of the open attempt of a minority to seize control, replacing our democracy with Christian nationalism, the majority is reasserting its power” . This will be a continuing battle until the Republican politicians realize there rhetoric and lies might feed their base but won’t win elections. The indictment of Trump and his verbal attacks only confirm for many why we can’t elect him as President and clearly defines exactly who Trump really is. What is even more interesting is there is the beginning of a generational change in voter demographics and these are the voters who will deal more effectively with abortion; gun control and climate change.
The rule of law is the great equalizer that maintains civil society. The demand of credible evidence, factual accuracy, and a well-developed protocol of presentation, maintains a sober, measured legal process. Dystopian bombast, grandiose and paranoid proclamations, and frenzied delusional projections might play in the court of public opinion but are irrelevant to the court of law. Even the court of public opinion is becoming worn down with the same old grievance dribble.
I have scoured the press and not found any report pointing out that Michael Cohen ended up in jail for pretty much the same crimes of which DJT has been indicted. So much for a weak case.
Thank you, Robert, for spreading your infinite wisdom to us all while tending to your illness. Listen to your Managing Editor because she is right.
Please take care of yourself!