We had the right candidate and right goals and plans. We had external devious plans to demolish democracy to autocracy. Fox and corporate billionaires own media who desired an oligarchy. Dim wit Drumpf was a tool of these planners against America.
Many Americans bought the lie and the voted accordingly.
And just what do you plan to do differently? Apparently Americans today no longer find morality important in a leader. Where do you go with that? Find an even bigger monster to do what?
Love you Reed. All of my data points say the majority of the American electorate are racist (evidence: only dem on left side of NC ballot to lose), obviously ignorant (evidence: 2 out of 3 voters said econ poor or bad, which begs the question what would a good economy look like to them), and misogynistic. If this is my country, it makes me wonder whether I want to live here, especially here in Florida. But you make the right point - we need to find a way to reach these people.
Millions of Americans have believed, correctly that the system was rigged against them, nothing was done about massive income inequality, higher ed was priced out of reality for most Americans, and the economic and psychological impact of Covid was never addressed.
Biden was (barely) elected in 2020, and despite economic policies that enormously benefited the country, inflation and price gouging (coupled with Biden's inexplicable refusal/inability to communicate to the country) entrenched the festering resentment that Trump, Fox, GOP politicians/pundits/columnists exploited (echoed uncritically by legacy media).
The final nails in the antidemocracy coffin were Democrats half-hearted efforts to pass voting reforms or criminal justice reforms, Garland's refusal to prosecute Trump until he announced his candidacy (furthering the narrative that Trump was being prosecuted, and the system was rigged), Biden's half-measures with Ukraine and Biden's bizarre handling of Gaza (coupled with his inexplicable refusal/inability to communicate his rationale).
Voters may have pointed to inflation, immigration, or trans surgery, but they were voting against the system/against the ossified institutions/against democracy.
People wanted real change/a new order. Harris could have limited her losses had she allowed an inch of daylight from Biden, but Democrats needed to admit that the system is broken and here's how I'll fix it vs a slogan and reversion to the norm.
Evangelicals will get the Christian Nationalism they voted for...everyone else is screwed.There won't be tax breaks for the working class (only billionaires), there will be a national abortion ban, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, the ACA, veterans benefits, the EPA, FEMA will be gutted, Latinos (legal or illegal) will be deported in a chaotic mess that (along with tariffs) will imploded the economy. NATO Ukraine, Taiwan will be left in the dust, CEOs will be extorted for tariff relief. I could go on and on.
There will be regrets..too little, too late by voters.
It will take a generation to fix the disasters ahead.
It’s clear that 71+ million Americans are too fucking stupid to grasp that despite the Democrats failings, Donny Convict and his MAGat minions only gave the illusion they were listening. It’s great fun to point fingers at the Democrats and Biden and Harris and blame them. When the real problem is that half the electorate has a collective IQ in the single digits. I’m thankful I married a Swede and moved away more than 20 years ago. But I’m terrified for my family and friends that don’t fit the profile today’s GOP loves. I hope and pray that every single asshole who voted for the orange monster or a third person or stayed home gets ROYALLY FUCKED OVER AND OVER BEFORE THEY DIE A PAINFUL DEATH WHILE BEGGING FOR MERCY, only to burn in hell. #FUCKTHEUSA #FUCKAMERICA
#FuckDonaldTrump 🤢🤮🤢🤮🤢🤮
#FuckRepublicans
#FuckJDVance 🤢🤮🤢🤮🤢🤮
#FuckTheDemocrats
And fuck Iran for not being able to carry out their plot against tRump!
Like Rachel Bitecofer says in her book "Hit 'Em Where It Hurts". The Republicans have spent YEARS telling people, and especially rural people, that Democrats are the bad guys. With no counterpunch to that messaging. And that what they do and stand for hurt you and are bad for you - when the REAL truth is that it is the Republicans that are the ones who con them with their messaging 24/7/365 so that is all they hear over and over and over and over..........and then go out and hurt them - but are told that it is the Democrats who are to blame. Just look at rural America - RED as far as you can see. It did NOT used to be that way AND can be changed, but it needs to be worked at to change it. Now, with the Trumpsters coming again with a vengeance - there is going to be much pain and suffering - and it will be out there for all to see, feel, and have happen to them. He and they cannot hide and should never be allowed to hide ever..........
Thank you Murray for your comments. Yes, those of us that have been around a while are fully aware of the constant pounding of belittling Democrats, Rep's are better at the economy (NOT true), Dems are communist, everyone know the narrative. I must also state, and then I will not say again, the Right got us to this point beginning with Gingrich, Reagan's Gov't is the problem and then the Tea Party. Let us build a strong coalition and move forward. We need each other.
I totally agree that Dems are out of touch. And I have an advanced degree. I personally am good with student loan forgiveness, because I think they’re predatory. Or at least allowing them to be discharged in bankruptcy. But I don’t think that that is a relevant issue for most of the electorate, nor are other issues Dem stand for, many of which include equal rights for various groups. I support all of those rights, but do we really think that running on those things is going to bring in anybody new? I don’t.
Dem leadership needs replacing. I suggest that someone in the party try to remember Gen X - we’re the ones no one remembers when they discuss age demographics. My fear is that Dems will double down on the same messaging which talks down to people. If there’s one thing my beloved Joe Biden does well, it’s “plain talk”. So maybe more of that.
Harris was a great candidate. It appears women still aren’t electable for the highest office. This makes me sad. But the electorate has spoken.
Oh, you have an advanced degree, do you? Well that must mean you are better than anyone else. You are the problem. Fuck you and your “advanced degree@!
“Telling voters that if they don’t vote for your party’s nominee they are by definition racist and/or misogynist is not the basis for a conversation, let alone a relationship.”
BOOM. This. You will never win elections, at least not convincingly, by telling a huge segment of the population that you have contempt for them. The Trump voters at one time in the past were the base of the Democratic Party. The party needs to learn how to talk to and appeal to them once again (and I write this as someone who is appalled by Trump and voted for Harris).
Somewhat agree, but I will always have disdain and contempt for someone who in 2024 bases their vote on skin color and gender. That was very much the case here - it was the Orange Turd’s entire campaign strategy: ramp up racism and misogyny.
And yet, the calls continue asking for money. And now join a DIFFERENT social media platform. How about put down the damn phone. Read a book. Talk to a neighbor. Paint, draw, whatever. Turn off the video games and GO OUTSIDE!!!
Reed, thank you for allowing me to jump in and comment. I am trying to digest and understand your thoughts on the Democratic Party. It feels heavy handed. At this moment in time, though, I feel it is necessary for us to try to understand each other, in an earnest way, because we need a strong coalition to combat what is coming our way in these upcoming years. Please do not lecture - let us come together and work.
That is one of the Dem’s fundamental strategic issues. It’s all well and good to understand one another but at some point you have to choose: purity or victory. You can’t have both. Democrats act too often as wanting to win is somehow distasteful.
If that seems like a lecture, okay. I’ve spent 5 years fighting alongside Democrats. Time and again their priorities seem to be in not upsetting anyone rather than formulating a strategy that can both convince voters and set the stage for further growth.
Reed, there have been many grassroots Democrats trying to win since 2016. So, we find winning distasteful? So, Claudia here is my line and I'm not wavering from it. Oh, OK. Yes, lecturing. Guess it is not possible to create a coalition.
Claudia, with all due respect, if you’re unwilling to accept opinions that differ from yours, you’re unwilling to work on coalition. I’ve been in this fight for a long, long time at personal risk to me and my family. You’ll forgive me if I don’t believe the Democrats have understood the nature of modern political campaigns nor the need for diverse opinions, not just diversity.
I really like your analysis, especially when it comes to right wing media and the actions of mainstream media in normalizing trump. I really hope you would consider examining the role the traditional Republican party played in setting the stage for Trump, at least since the 1980s. I'm a Democrat and realize we have to a lot of soul searching to do but I'm tired of being the only ones that are being blamed. The Republicans got the anti-union, anti-government ball rolling. Remember Grover Norquist? Which party cozied up to the religious right? Which party blocked the nomination of Merrick Garland? Citizens United was decided before Trump. No one on the Republican side called out people like Rush Limbaugh for his lies. I remember how angry he made my father, who was now talking about how awful the government was. Sorry to sound so bitter, but both parties need to take responsibility for our current state of public affairs.
I love The Lincoln Project because they love America the way I was raised to love America. Love the words in the Declaration of Independence. Love the words at the Statue of Liberty.
But it has become very clear that the majority of Americans don't give a shit about that. So we have to figure out how to get them a message that they will like that will help us live up to the ideals of those words.
We will never get through. America is dead and deservedly so. It has never been a great country. It never will be. And except for the people I love, I have absolutely no more fucks to give for anyone. As of Wednesday, unless I know you and love you, I no longer care if you live or die. In fact, dying would be preferable. And no American should be allowed to breed. The IQs will soon hit negative numbers. #FucktheUS #FuckAmerica #DeathtoMangoMussolini
My comment after listening to The Bulwark Election debrief is below. It seems relevant here too
At 42 minutes in Tim hits on something important. The Democratic brand needs to become the Conservative Party to conserve what we have. The progressives of the Democratic Party should move to Republican Party (which is now populist) and push moderate voters to the Dems as well as put pro-democracy back into the Republican Party. The logic here is we are stuck with the two parties as named because of the entrenched two parties at the state level. We now need to realign them to fit into a pro democracy framework. Bernie should run for the republican nomination and Liz Cheney for the Democrats!
Reed, I, too, started losing heart when the first returns started coming out. It reminded me of 2016. But I have no good thoughts at this time about now. At least not thoughts that are helpful. But I am not going away. Take care.
We had the right candidate and right goals and plans. We had external devious plans to demolish democracy to autocracy. Fox and corporate billionaires own media who desired an oligarchy. Dim wit Drumpf was a tool of these planners against America.
Many Americans bought the lie and the voted accordingly.
Exactly right.
And just what do you plan to do differently? Apparently Americans today no longer find morality important in a leader. Where do you go with that? Find an even bigger monster to do what?
Love you Reed. All of my data points say the majority of the American electorate are racist (evidence: only dem on left side of NC ballot to lose), obviously ignorant (evidence: 2 out of 3 voters said econ poor or bad, which begs the question what would a good economy look like to them), and misogynistic. If this is my country, it makes me wonder whether I want to live here, especially here in Florida. But you make the right point - we need to find a way to reach these people.
I have a somewhat different perspective.
Millions of Americans have believed, correctly that the system was rigged against them, nothing was done about massive income inequality, higher ed was priced out of reality for most Americans, and the economic and psychological impact of Covid was never addressed.
Biden was (barely) elected in 2020, and despite economic policies that enormously benefited the country, inflation and price gouging (coupled with Biden's inexplicable refusal/inability to communicate to the country) entrenched the festering resentment that Trump, Fox, GOP politicians/pundits/columnists exploited (echoed uncritically by legacy media).
The final nails in the antidemocracy coffin were Democrats half-hearted efforts to pass voting reforms or criminal justice reforms, Garland's refusal to prosecute Trump until he announced his candidacy (furthering the narrative that Trump was being prosecuted, and the system was rigged), Biden's half-measures with Ukraine and Biden's bizarre handling of Gaza (coupled with his inexplicable refusal/inability to communicate his rationale).
Voters may have pointed to inflation, immigration, or trans surgery, but they were voting against the system/against the ossified institutions/against democracy.
People wanted real change/a new order. Harris could have limited her losses had she allowed an inch of daylight from Biden, but Democrats needed to admit that the system is broken and here's how I'll fix it vs a slogan and reversion to the norm.
Evangelicals will get the Christian Nationalism they voted for...everyone else is screwed.There won't be tax breaks for the working class (only billionaires), there will be a national abortion ban, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, the ACA, veterans benefits, the EPA, FEMA will be gutted, Latinos (legal or illegal) will be deported in a chaotic mess that (along with tariffs) will imploded the economy. NATO Ukraine, Taiwan will be left in the dust, CEOs will be extorted for tariff relief. I could go on and on.
There will be regrets..too little, too late by voters.
It will take a generation to fix the disasters ahead.
It’s clear that 71+ million Americans are too fucking stupid to grasp that despite the Democrats failings, Donny Convict and his MAGat minions only gave the illusion they were listening. It’s great fun to point fingers at the Democrats and Biden and Harris and blame them. When the real problem is that half the electorate has a collective IQ in the single digits. I’m thankful I married a Swede and moved away more than 20 years ago. But I’m terrified for my family and friends that don’t fit the profile today’s GOP loves. I hope and pray that every single asshole who voted for the orange monster or a third person or stayed home gets ROYALLY FUCKED OVER AND OVER BEFORE THEY DIE A PAINFUL DEATH WHILE BEGGING FOR MERCY, only to burn in hell. #FUCKTHEUSA #FUCKAMERICA
#FuckDonaldTrump 🤢🤮🤢🤮🤢🤮
#FuckRepublicans
#FuckJDVance 🤢🤮🤢🤮🤢🤮
#FuckTheDemocrats
And fuck Iran for not being able to carry out their plot against tRump!
Like Rachel Bitecofer says in her book "Hit 'Em Where It Hurts". The Republicans have spent YEARS telling people, and especially rural people, that Democrats are the bad guys. With no counterpunch to that messaging. And that what they do and stand for hurt you and are bad for you - when the REAL truth is that it is the Republicans that are the ones who con them with their messaging 24/7/365 so that is all they hear over and over and over and over..........and then go out and hurt them - but are told that it is the Democrats who are to blame. Just look at rural America - RED as far as you can see. It did NOT used to be that way AND can be changed, but it needs to be worked at to change it. Now, with the Trumpsters coming again with a vengeance - there is going to be much pain and suffering - and it will be out there for all to see, feel, and have happen to them. He and they cannot hide and should never be allowed to hide ever..........
Thank you Murray for your comments. Yes, those of us that have been around a while are fully aware of the constant pounding of belittling Democrats, Rep's are better at the economy (NOT true), Dems are communist, everyone know the narrative. I must also state, and then I will not say again, the Right got us to this point beginning with Gingrich, Reagan's Gov't is the problem and then the Tea Party. Let us build a strong coalition and move forward. We need each other.
Whatever. 1/2 the country is racist and/or misogynistic and/or xenophobic, and they do not care about anyone but themselves.
I totally agree that Dems are out of touch. And I have an advanced degree. I personally am good with student loan forgiveness, because I think they’re predatory. Or at least allowing them to be discharged in bankruptcy. But I don’t think that that is a relevant issue for most of the electorate, nor are other issues Dem stand for, many of which include equal rights for various groups. I support all of those rights, but do we really think that running on those things is going to bring in anybody new? I don’t.
Dem leadership needs replacing. I suggest that someone in the party try to remember Gen X - we’re the ones no one remembers when they discuss age demographics. My fear is that Dems will double down on the same messaging which talks down to people. If there’s one thing my beloved Joe Biden does well, it’s “plain talk”. So maybe more of that.
Harris was a great candidate. It appears women still aren’t electable for the highest office. This makes me sad. But the electorate has spoken.
Oh, you have an advanced degree, do you? Well that must mean you are better than anyone else. You are the problem. Fuck you and your “advanced degree@!
Have you tried anger management?
Heartened to see you laying a goodly portion of the blame on the rise of rw media. I hate that you’re right about the damn seeds, though.
“Telling voters that if they don’t vote for your party’s nominee they are by definition racist and/or misogynist is not the basis for a conversation, let alone a relationship.”
BOOM. This. You will never win elections, at least not convincingly, by telling a huge segment of the population that you have contempt for them. The Trump voters at one time in the past were the base of the Democratic Party. The party needs to learn how to talk to and appeal to them once again (and I write this as someone who is appalled by Trump and voted for Harris).
Somewhat agree, but I will always have disdain and contempt for someone who in 2024 bases their vote on skin color and gender. That was very much the case here - it was the Orange Turd’s entire campaign strategy: ramp up racism and misogyny.
And yet, the calls continue asking for money. And now join a DIFFERENT social media platform. How about put down the damn phone. Read a book. Talk to a neighbor. Paint, draw, whatever. Turn off the video games and GO OUTSIDE!!!
Reed, thank you for allowing me to jump in and comment. I am trying to digest and understand your thoughts on the Democratic Party. It feels heavy handed. At this moment in time, though, I feel it is necessary for us to try to understand each other, in an earnest way, because we need a strong coalition to combat what is coming our way in these upcoming years. Please do not lecture - let us come together and work.
That is one of the Dem’s fundamental strategic issues. It’s all well and good to understand one another but at some point you have to choose: purity or victory. You can’t have both. Democrats act too often as wanting to win is somehow distasteful.
If that seems like a lecture, okay. I’ve spent 5 years fighting alongside Democrats. Time and again their priorities seem to be in not upsetting anyone rather than formulating a strategy that can both convince voters and set the stage for further growth.
Reed, there have been many grassroots Democrats trying to win since 2016. So, we find winning distasteful? So, Claudia here is my line and I'm not wavering from it. Oh, OK. Yes, lecturing. Guess it is not possible to create a coalition.
Claudia, with all due respect, if you’re unwilling to accept opinions that differ from yours, you’re unwilling to work on coalition. I’ve been in this fight for a long, long time at personal risk to me and my family. You’ll forgive me if I don’t believe the Democrats have understood the nature of modern political campaigns nor the need for diverse opinions, not just diversity.
I really like your analysis, especially when it comes to right wing media and the actions of mainstream media in normalizing trump. I really hope you would consider examining the role the traditional Republican party played in setting the stage for Trump, at least since the 1980s. I'm a Democrat and realize we have to a lot of soul searching to do but I'm tired of being the only ones that are being blamed. The Republicans got the anti-union, anti-government ball rolling. Remember Grover Norquist? Which party cozied up to the religious right? Which party blocked the nomination of Merrick Garland? Citizens United was decided before Trump. No one on the Republican side called out people like Rush Limbaugh for his lies. I remember how angry he made my father, who was now talking about how awful the government was. Sorry to sound so bitter, but both parties need to take responsibility for our current state of public affairs.
I love The Lincoln Project because they love America the way I was raised to love America. Love the words in the Declaration of Independence. Love the words at the Statue of Liberty.
But it has become very clear that the majority of Americans don't give a shit about that. So we have to figure out how to get them a message that they will like that will help us live up to the ideals of those words.
We will never get through. America is dead and deservedly so. It has never been a great country. It never will be. And except for the people I love, I have absolutely no more fucks to give for anyone. As of Wednesday, unless I know you and love you, I no longer care if you live or die. In fact, dying would be preferable. And no American should be allowed to breed. The IQs will soon hit negative numbers. #FucktheUS #FuckAmerica #DeathtoMangoMussolini
My comment after listening to The Bulwark Election debrief is below. It seems relevant here too
At 42 minutes in Tim hits on something important. The Democratic brand needs to become the Conservative Party to conserve what we have. The progressives of the Democratic Party should move to Republican Party (which is now populist) and push moderate voters to the Dems as well as put pro-democracy back into the Republican Party. The logic here is we are stuck with the two parties as named because of the entrenched two parties at the state level. We now need to realign them to fit into a pro democracy framework. Bernie should run for the republican nomination and Liz Cheney for the Democrats!
Absolutely cannot relate. Is this a tongue n cheek comment?
EXACTLY RIGHT REED. I WROTE THIS ON XITTER TODAY
https://x.com/daynahmk/status/1854876662527144101?s=46
Reed, I, too, started losing heart when the first returns started coming out. It reminded me of 2016. But I have no good thoughts at this time about now. At least not thoughts that are helpful. But I am not going away. Take care.