“Do you wake up with existential dread that Donald Trump will be reelected this November and plunge America into a Heritage Foundation-scripted hellscape?”
I do, because I’m scared that Democrats are going to piss away the election attacking President Biden instead of Donald Trump.
Why hasn't the Biden campaign released a video following 1 family, for 1 day, in a world where SCOTUS and Project 2025 have gutted government agencies, entitlements, and rolled back civil rights for women, LGBTQ, Blacks, with no rights for legal immigrants.
Brown water flows out of faucets and showers, masks have to be worn because toxic air, children are home schooled because public schools don't exist, food inspections no longer occur (if people get sick, there's no recourse), insurance companies stop covering preexisting conditions, grandparents are forced to move in with children because there's no Medicare or Social Security, etc, etc
Tell me a compelling video, showing not telling, wouldn't go viral.
I would add to this video clips of Patriot Front and Oath Keepers and other brown shirt thugs rounding up people in the streets, interspersed with old b&w photos of Kristallnacht. Make the historic parallel as clear as possible.
See Lincoln Project “Aftermath” and David Pepper serialized novel 2025 on his “pepperspectives” Substack. The Biden campaign will do complementary things over the course of the LONG remaining campaign.
Forward this to Bill Kristol and Tim Miller. Especially Kristol. I cannot figure out why they can’t bring themselves to focus on the target Rich environment of Project 2025. My fear with any switch is that the Trumpists have a strategy ready to spring on Harris or anyone else that will perpetuate disarray, and the only way to short circuit it is to tell everyone on the D side (and regardless of registration, this year all pro-democracy folks must vote big-D Democratic) to STFU, spank MAGA, and then fight among ourselves over tax policy and such in 2026 or 2028.
Btw - Biden’s comments to Jason Crow (who I like a lot) are spot on. If success isn’t breaking through speak more loudly about the success and attack the motives of reporters who are ignoring success and the stakes for behind the scenes narrative and horse race odds.
Your diagnosis is accurate, btw / i think they are all foolishly complying in advance to preserve future viability.
I especially can’t figure Kristol. Back in 88 I was working (on non-politics matters) for the General Counsel of the Republican National Committee. When the post-Dem convention poll showing Bush down 17 came out in July, his reaction was “we’ve got him just where we want him (Dukakis) after all that Neil Diamond Coming to America s***. This is his high point, and we’re going to win.” Which, of course, they did despite HW not being Mr Excitement (wouldn’t be prudent) but Mr Competence, and despite Kristol’s direct boss Quayle being a very weak candidate (no Jack Kennedy). So why are they all undercutting this year’s Mr Competence before he’s even begun the Project 2025 pushback and whet he’s barely started to roll out the positive vision he will start selling at the convention? Especially when he has an experienced and capable VP running with him? They ALL need to STFU.
Speaking of history and apropos of Adam Schiff’s idiotic statement of today, a quote from a review of The Loneliest Campaign, the first political book I ever read (age 13):
In 1948, no media outlet gave Truman a chance--in fact, they were so positive of the outcome that at least one polling group simply stopped polling. They couldn't see the sense in it. Even Democratic leaders were convinced of a Truman defeat, and even tried to get Truman to step down and make room for someone who would have a chance. Thomas Dewey seemed like the heir apparent--the only question was by how wide a margin he would win.
An effective acceptance speech (“Senator Barkley and I will win this election, and make the Republicans like it, because we’re right and they’re wrong”) and a lot of plain talk at appearances (not eloquent, but straightforward) led to “Dewey Defeats Truman”. That’s what I see; that’s what Trump fears; and that (plus careerist media and potential candidate interest in 2028) is why the media is all in on replacing Biden - just as Trump was all in on blocking him in 2020.
Biden’s old, honest, and competent. Far better that than crooked, corrupt, and crazy.
🎯exactly - Kristol !! Thx for posting this esp for younger people do this history is not lost. Most of these folks have been at it a long time. R Wilson, s stevens, m Steele will tell you exactly how they operate. It’s all about narratives
I’m all in. We keep getting punched in the face. By our own fists. This streak has to turn. Somehow. We can’t elect a fascist. It will be the end of our country.
What we do, not what we say that counts. Do we fight or do we moan and groan. Or sit back, “commentate” and gloat “we told you so?”
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference.” “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” “If you're going through hell, keep going.” "Everyone has his day, and some days last longer than others."
Thank you for this. We can win with Biden. He wouldn't be my first choice, but he certainly is BETTER THAN TRUMP on Biden's worst day. We MUST NOT BE DEFEATIST! that is a recurrent Democratic problem. I collected Dollars for Democrats door to door in my Maryland suburb in 1960 when i was 7, and people actually gave me money, which i turned in to Democratic Headquarters! Sadly liberals revel in feeling like the underdog. I agree that this election needs to be seen as the war it is. We don't need the perfect candidate---we never have that. We need the will and determination to make this our most important activity until Election Day. We have to lonby everyone--our mother's in assisted living, our children 18 and up, our non voting apathetic friends. Even in NY where i live, we have to make sure that some of the "quiet" Republicans in NYC who benefit by lower taxes, remember that those lower taxes come with Project 2025. Living in a liberal state will help ameliorate some, but not all of those changes. We have to talk about this so much that our acquaintances find us "boring.". In 1960 we nagged voters until the polls closed. PASSIVITY AND HOPELESSNESS ARE THE ENEMIES! It is amusing to me, a lifelong Democrat, that most of the substacks i read and podcasts i am following are written by anti-Trump Republicans. Too many of the usual Democratic voices are too demoralizing and despairing to read. This fight is not over until the last votes are cast in Hawaii. We need the energy created by DARING TO BE HOPEFUL, instead of showing off "sophisticated" hopelessness. Don't defeat yourself before the first vote is cast. I love the Sean Connery speech in the film, The Untouchables, when he asks Eliott Ness what he is prepared to do to get Capone. Taking out the actual knives and guns---this battle has to be our #1 priority until November. We don't need guns, we have Project 2025, and we need to educate people we know about the COST to them and their families, esp daughters, if TRUMP is elected. Who the Democrat candidate is almost doesn't matter. The discussions about Biden, while understandable, are actually beside the point. Lower taxes will not make up for going back to the 1950's when NYC's wealthy daughters who needed an abortion either flew to the Carribean or had their "appendix" out for the second time at a private hospital in NY. And less well-off women bled to death from illegal abortions. NO. FIGHT BACK FULL STOP UNTIL THE VOTES ARE COUNTED!
Sandy, you wrote: "Who the Democrat candidate is almost doesn't matter."
99% of my friends who vote for Trump say something like, "Trump doesn't matter. I vote for him because I agree with his policies."
I suppose it's a common bond between people on the right or the left. i.e. It seems like they really don't care about character or leadership as long as they think they can get the outcome they desire.
True, so remind them that this time Trump’s policies will include the authoritarian Project 2025 which will cost them many of the freedoms we currently enjoy.
That won't work with my friends because just yesterday Trump said, “Like some on the right, severe right, came up with this Project 25, I don’t even know, some of them I know who they are, but they’re very, very conservative. They’re sort of the opposite of the radical left.”
Thank you for bringing this affliction to light. Time to buck up is now. Deal with the reality of Biden, Lean into it. Make him the strong suit: Old but lucid vs delusional corrupt felon/rapist
Someone says Biden's old, instant reply is rapist felon you choose
I just keep it light- bc Americans are not extremist . I don’t tell ‘em I’m a die hard dem- I just get a neutral look on my face - and say - ya know, I just like extremism on either side . People stop and start thinking
Thank you for saying this. Adam Schiff is the latest to disappoint. He is capitulating in advance. Let me say I am surprised. He doesn’t seem to be the fighter who took on Donald Trump on the intelligence committee. He blames Biden and says Biden will cause the loss of the house and senate. As AOC said if that is your view retire. How does Schiff hope to run a successful campaign.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Lifelong Dem… it’s fine to wring your hands , talk to close friends and family, therapists. please do so quietly and privately - please refrain from posting every insecure thought that passes through your head. Yes, we care. Yes, we can see. No, we’re not asking you to deny what you see. We see it too. We’re in a fight - do not capitulate . Do not cede ground we don’t need to- do not give up willing. Read this post. Listen to and read R Wilson, S Stevens, m Steele, the Lincoln project … l Odonnell on msnbc or any one of a whole group of influencers that will give this same advice. The more constitutionally anxiety prone you are- the MORE you need to put blinders and on and listen to these folks. If someone isn’t helpful, exclude them. If you have a lot of followers - it’s even more important that you not capitulate . Do not CEDE ground. We realize Biden may be imperfect … have you seen who he’s running against? Americans are not stupid. They’re also not extremists . All things point to a victory thus NOV.
You are already listening to biased sources. It is not a choice of listening to a biased source and a nonbiased source. It is a choice of which biased sources you will listen to. They are all “narratives”. - which we tell ourselves all the time. You have a choice which narrative you are going to tell yourself. When you’re approaching the beaches of Normandy - what narrative are you going to go with ? It’s important … right? And I’m ok if folks go with the negative talk - that’s how some folks are- they can’t help it. That’s ok. Totally ok. All I’m asking those folks to do is be quiet in the foxhole / talk privately , not on megaphone - go to a therapist if you need to, or a priest - meditate. But please don’t throw your negative narratives all over the foxhole.
Who do you think Prez Biden has lost? Women? Vets? Elderly? Disabled? LBGTQ? Slavic Americans? Black Americans? Latinos ? There are huge swaths of society that will not under any circumstances vote for Donald. Americans hate extremism - and they abhor dictators and fascism.
Just think before you post - as with all social media. Choose your narrative - remember We’re in the Fox hole.
We need a Democratic Vito Corleone to remind the defeatist Johnny Fontaines of the Democratic Party just stop acting like crybabies and “act like a man.“
All of this! We are not broken. We are not giving up. There is too much at stake and what I notice is that it's mostly women and people of color who show up for canvassing, phonebanking and textbanking. Not many white men frankly - maybe that's why it's mostly white rich guys calling for Biden to step down. Many of those people are the same ones who said there would be a red wave bc women wouldn't stay upset about Dobbs. For me - as a woman and a mother, I don't have any other option but to fight and I will not give up no matter what.
Please consider leading with positive action.. We find ourselves with shortened time and attention spans. I don't need convincing, but fear those who do would not read all the way to the 'call to action'.
“Do you wake up with existential dread that Donald Trump will be reelected this November and plunge America into a Heritage Foundation-scripted hellscape?”
I do, because I’m scared that Democrats are going to piss away the election attacking President Biden instead of Donald Trump.
Not this Democrat. Reed is right. We will not go down without a fight!
Funny it’s almost like we have 2 battles to fight instead of just one
THIS.
Yes.
I just don't understand why democrats do this!
Why do we have to be so…
I don't even know what to call it
Noodle and crew
Why hasn't the Biden campaign released a video following 1 family, for 1 day, in a world where SCOTUS and Project 2025 have gutted government agencies, entitlements, and rolled back civil rights for women, LGBTQ, Blacks, with no rights for legal immigrants.
Brown water flows out of faucets and showers, masks have to be worn because toxic air, children are home schooled because public schools don't exist, food inspections no longer occur (if people get sick, there's no recourse), insurance companies stop covering preexisting conditions, grandparents are forced to move in with children because there's no Medicare or Social Security, etc, etc
Tell me a compelling video, showing not telling, wouldn't go viral.
I would add to this video clips of Patriot Front and Oath Keepers and other brown shirt thugs rounding up people in the streets, interspersed with old b&w photos of Kristallnacht. Make the historic parallel as clear as possible.
See Lincoln Project “Aftermath” and David Pepper serialized novel 2025 on his “pepperspectives” Substack. The Biden campaign will do complementary things over the course of the LONG remaining campaign.
I'm aware of both, but there needs to be a gut-punch video specific to Project 2025, with a multi-million dollar ad spend.
The first time many Americans heard from about Project 2025 was via the BET awards. This is pathetic.
And I'm sorry, but we are a few months from early voting. There isn't a long time remaining.
Yes - David Pepper's 2025 novel is riveting. And scary. I highly recommend.
Totally somehow get that suggestion to the lincoln project!
Forward this to Bill Kristol and Tim Miller. Especially Kristol. I cannot figure out why they can’t bring themselves to focus on the target Rich environment of Project 2025. My fear with any switch is that the Trumpists have a strategy ready to spring on Harris or anyone else that will perpetuate disarray, and the only way to short circuit it is to tell everyone on the D side (and regardless of registration, this year all pro-democracy folks must vote big-D Democratic) to STFU, spank MAGA, and then fight among ourselves over tax policy and such in 2026 or 2028.
Btw - Biden’s comments to Jason Crow (who I like a lot) are spot on. If success isn’t breaking through speak more loudly about the success and attack the motives of reporters who are ignoring success and the stakes for behind the scenes narrative and horse race odds.
Your diagnosis is accurate, btw / i think they are all foolishly complying in advance to preserve future viability.
If you are a journalist or influencer with a lot of followers and you’re not in the fight - stop writing, stop posting, collect your heads.
I especially can’t figure Kristol. Back in 88 I was working (on non-politics matters) for the General Counsel of the Republican National Committee. When the post-Dem convention poll showing Bush down 17 came out in July, his reaction was “we’ve got him just where we want him (Dukakis) after all that Neil Diamond Coming to America s***. This is his high point, and we’re going to win.” Which, of course, they did despite HW not being Mr Excitement (wouldn’t be prudent) but Mr Competence, and despite Kristol’s direct boss Quayle being a very weak candidate (no Jack Kennedy). So why are they all undercutting this year’s Mr Competence before he’s even begun the Project 2025 pushback and whet he’s barely started to roll out the positive vision he will start selling at the convention? Especially when he has an experienced and capable VP running with him? They ALL need to STFU.
Speaking of history and apropos of Adam Schiff’s idiotic statement of today, a quote from a review of The Loneliest Campaign, the first political book I ever read (age 13):
In 1948, no media outlet gave Truman a chance--in fact, they were so positive of the outcome that at least one polling group simply stopped polling. They couldn't see the sense in it. Even Democratic leaders were convinced of a Truman defeat, and even tried to get Truman to step down and make room for someone who would have a chance. Thomas Dewey seemed like the heir apparent--the only question was by how wide a margin he would win.
An effective acceptance speech (“Senator Barkley and I will win this election, and make the Republicans like it, because we’re right and they’re wrong”) and a lot of plain talk at appearances (not eloquent, but straightforward) led to “Dewey Defeats Truman”. That’s what I see; that’s what Trump fears; and that (plus careerist media and potential candidate interest in 2028) is why the media is all in on replacing Biden - just as Trump was all in on blocking him in 2020.
Biden’s old, honest, and competent. Far better that than crooked, corrupt, and crazy.
🎯exactly - Kristol !! Thx for posting this esp for younger people do this history is not lost. Most of these folks have been at it a long time. R Wilson, s stevens, m Steele will tell you exactly how they operate. It’s all about narratives
I am quite “disgusted” the Bulwark and want to cancel-as soon as I figure out how to cancel??
I’m all in. We keep getting punched in the face. By our own fists. This streak has to turn. Somehow. We can’t elect a fascist. It will be the end of our country.
By our own fists. We need to cut it out.
What we do, not what we say that counts. Do we fight or do we moan and groan. Or sit back, “commentate” and gloat “we told you so?”
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference.” “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” “If you're going through hell, keep going.” "Everyone has his day, and some days last longer than others."
-Winston Churchill
Thank you for this. We can win with Biden. He wouldn't be my first choice, but he certainly is BETTER THAN TRUMP on Biden's worst day. We MUST NOT BE DEFEATIST! that is a recurrent Democratic problem. I collected Dollars for Democrats door to door in my Maryland suburb in 1960 when i was 7, and people actually gave me money, which i turned in to Democratic Headquarters! Sadly liberals revel in feeling like the underdog. I agree that this election needs to be seen as the war it is. We don't need the perfect candidate---we never have that. We need the will and determination to make this our most important activity until Election Day. We have to lonby everyone--our mother's in assisted living, our children 18 and up, our non voting apathetic friends. Even in NY where i live, we have to make sure that some of the "quiet" Republicans in NYC who benefit by lower taxes, remember that those lower taxes come with Project 2025. Living in a liberal state will help ameliorate some, but not all of those changes. We have to talk about this so much that our acquaintances find us "boring.". In 1960 we nagged voters until the polls closed. PASSIVITY AND HOPELESSNESS ARE THE ENEMIES! It is amusing to me, a lifelong Democrat, that most of the substacks i read and podcasts i am following are written by anti-Trump Republicans. Too many of the usual Democratic voices are too demoralizing and despairing to read. This fight is not over until the last votes are cast in Hawaii. We need the energy created by DARING TO BE HOPEFUL, instead of showing off "sophisticated" hopelessness. Don't defeat yourself before the first vote is cast. I love the Sean Connery speech in the film, The Untouchables, when he asks Eliott Ness what he is prepared to do to get Capone. Taking out the actual knives and guns---this battle has to be our #1 priority until November. We don't need guns, we have Project 2025, and we need to educate people we know about the COST to them and their families, esp daughters, if TRUMP is elected. Who the Democrat candidate is almost doesn't matter. The discussions about Biden, while understandable, are actually beside the point. Lower taxes will not make up for going back to the 1950's when NYC's wealthy daughters who needed an abortion either flew to the Carribean or had their "appendix" out for the second time at a private hospital in NY. And less well-off women bled to death from illegal abortions. NO. FIGHT BACK FULL STOP UNTIL THE VOTES ARE COUNTED!
I am very happy Biden is not running and that Harris is.!
Sandy, you wrote: "Who the Democrat candidate is almost doesn't matter."
99% of my friends who vote for Trump say something like, "Trump doesn't matter. I vote for him because I agree with his policies."
I suppose it's a common bond between people on the right or the left. i.e. It seems like they really don't care about character or leadership as long as they think they can get the outcome they desire.
True, so remind them that this time Trump’s policies will include the authoritarian Project 2025 which will cost them many of the freedoms we currently enjoy.
That won't work with my friends because just yesterday Trump said, “Like some on the right, severe right, came up with this Project 25, I don’t even know, some of them I know who they are, but they’re very, very conservative. They’re sort of the opposite of the radical left.”
Thank you for bringing this affliction to light. Time to buck up is now. Deal with the reality of Biden, Lean into it. Make him the strong suit: Old but lucid vs delusional corrupt felon/rapist
Someone says Biden's old, instant reply is rapist felon you choose
I just keep it light- bc Americans are not extremist . I don’t tell ‘em I’m a die hard dem- I just get a neutral look on my face - and say - ya know, I just like extremism on either side . People stop and start thinking
Shared. Thank you.
Thank you for saying this. Adam Schiff is the latest to disappoint. He is capitulating in advance. Let me say I am surprised. He doesn’t seem to be the fighter who took on Donald Trump on the intelligence committee. He blames Biden and says Biden will cause the loss of the house and senate. As AOC said if that is your view retire. How does Schiff hope to run a successful campaign.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Lifelong Dem… it’s fine to wring your hands , talk to close friends and family, therapists. please do so quietly and privately - please refrain from posting every insecure thought that passes through your head. Yes, we care. Yes, we can see. No, we’re not asking you to deny what you see. We see it too. We’re in a fight - do not capitulate . Do not cede ground we don’t need to- do not give up willing. Read this post. Listen to and read R Wilson, S Stevens, m Steele, the Lincoln project … l Odonnell on msnbc or any one of a whole group of influencers that will give this same advice. The more constitutionally anxiety prone you are- the MORE you need to put blinders and on and listen to these folks. If someone isn’t helpful, exclude them. If you have a lot of followers - it’s even more important that you not capitulate . Do not CEDE ground. We realize Biden may be imperfect … have you seen who he’s running against? Americans are not stupid. They’re also not extremists . All things point to a victory thus NOV.
I think I'm misunderstanding your advice to "put blinders on" and listen to biased sources. Is that really what you're saying?
You are already listening to biased sources. It is not a choice of listening to a biased source and a nonbiased source. It is a choice of which biased sources you will listen to. They are all “narratives”. - which we tell ourselves all the time. You have a choice which narrative you are going to tell yourself. When you’re approaching the beaches of Normandy - what narrative are you going to go with ? It’s important … right? And I’m ok if folks go with the negative talk - that’s how some folks are- they can’t help it. That’s ok. Totally ok. All I’m asking those folks to do is be quiet in the foxhole / talk privately , not on megaphone - go to a therapist if you need to, or a priest - meditate. But please don’t throw your negative narratives all over the foxhole.
Who do you think Prez Biden has lost? Women? Vets? Elderly? Disabled? LBGTQ? Slavic Americans? Black Americans? Latinos ? There are huge swaths of society that will not under any circumstances vote for Donald. Americans hate extremism - and they abhor dictators and fascism.
Just think before you post - as with all social media. Choose your narrative - remember We’re in the Fox hole.
We need a Democratic Vito Corleone to remind the defeatist Johnny Fontaines of the Democratic Party just stop acting like crybabies and “act like a man.“
All of this! We are not broken. We are not giving up. There is too much at stake and what I notice is that it's mostly women and people of color who show up for canvassing, phonebanking and textbanking. Not many white men frankly - maybe that's why it's mostly white rich guys calling for Biden to step down. Many of those people are the same ones who said there would be a red wave bc women wouldn't stay upset about Dobbs. For me - as a woman and a mother, I don't have any other option but to fight and I will not give up no matter what.
I want the lincoln project on my side if I ever need to wage war
Send this article to Mr. Schiff… He seems to be suffering from this malady
Please consider leading with positive action.. We find ourselves with shortened time and attention spans. I don't need convincing, but fear those who do would not read all the way to the 'call to action'.
Seriously, we Democrats are our own worst enemy. If Biden loses, it will be OUR fault.