Thank you for this exceptional list of ways we can help good people get elected. I'm so happy to support Lucas Kuntz for the Senate here in Missouri. I don't know anyone (conservatives included) who supports Hawley. He doesn't even live here. But we still have to work!
I’m glad the MAGA host invited Steve to speak on the podcast. Maybe if those 1 million listeners have a few wavering believers among them, Steve woke them up with his objective truth. It all boils down to perspective and belief. If Maga podcasters just feed repetitive images of clowns wondering the Capitol’s halls. and not show the other warriors who trampled police, broke windows and beat down the doors, their listeners lose objectivity.
Steve’s quick observation of the media source was a good point and the Tucker Carlson collusion with Russia may give some of those hard core conspiracist another trail to follow.
Steve’s appearance on the PBD Podcast should be obligatory viewing and listening for both MAGAs as well as those of us who still don’t comprehend the extant of their lunacy.
Steve, I wanted to commented on the PBD Podcast. This Post may not be the direct post to do so, although you mention at the end. But, you said it accurately, whack jobs. Not at all familiar with these guys or who they are, having never previously heard of them. It was a little hard to follow who was who with the three of them all interacting with you. Wondered if the 3 were together putting on a dog and pony show, like good cop/bad cop routine, a put on for their crazy MAGA audience base. You have the calm non-antagonistic guy, the total whacked out belligerent and the 3rd sort of sideline observant sidekick. Or maybe each are for real and their own voice, it was hard to tell. The first hour a low key, calm, back and forth, had me thinking, wow, then the hysterics for the second hour. Interacting with them displying your calm demeanor, continuing to articulate with facts, reason and common sense is certainly a trait and skill I don’t have! I was blowing a gasket just listening, and why my liberal leaning brother and I can talk only about football, barely with our two Trumper brothers. Anyway, I couldn’t do that, so hats off to you brother. Someone has to go into the Liars Lair for us, so might as well be you.
Here are my questions about the polls.Who is getting polled? People with landlines, who tend to be older and have a more traditional , less nuanced view of politics? Do the pollsters check in with Gen Z, millennials, and folks who believe and understand climate change and it’s consequences? Who want gun safety legislation ? Who understand that while Biden is old, he will preserve democracy. Finally, one has to ask, are all the people who voted for Biden in 2020 now switching their allegiances?
Thank you for all you are doing. It’s essential for the survival of democracy.
I am a 75 year old Boomer. I have a land line (home phone) and a mobile. I never answer a call from an unfamiliar number nor do I on FB ever answer when I'm emotionally asked a question in an ad about climate change, politics, guns or candidates. Same with texts and e-mails because I know that it will lead to endless solicitations for donations. I believe a lot of these approaches may become polling data too. That said I consider myself an anti trump activist and a lifetime liberal who has always voted Democrat.
They do contact people with cell phones. But the questions they ask--like is the country going in the wrong or right direction?--there is no nuance. And the bottom line of many of those polls is that people say that ultimately if it comes down to a rematch that they would vote for Joe. The biggest problem is RW propaganda. I live in a purple county, but all that people hear (and mostly watch) is RW and Fox, so they buy the BS like “open borders” and “money for Ukraine is taking away from grandma and your kid”--none of it true, yet they hear it, share it on FB, and believe it.
The resources you have listed are invaluable. I agree with you and urge everyone to do their part in safeguarding our Democracy.
I have felt over these years that what I do to help was inadequate. (helping non-registered women to register to vote, explaining what is at stake at this crucial time, and that democracy is a participation way of governing that will die if not nurtured) I realize now that if everyone pitched in and followed the suggestions you have outlined, taken together, it can make the difference in saving our democracy.
I no longer feel what I do is inadequate, and am inspired to do more. I'm glad that you write, and encourage you to keep at it. And thanks for taking your words to the maga territory. They need to hear it.
Celeste, working with and educating voters is indispensable. Empowering them will maybe spark a light to pass it onto their kids and friends. I'm thankful, too, for Steve providing truth and context in this fight. Thank you!
Your appearance on the PBD Podcast was riveting. I wanted it to continue for another two hours. I have wondered, since your LP days, why Steve Schmidt isn't on a ballot somewhere. Perhaps you've been in the room too many times but more likely you are more effective not being restrained by all that entails. Thank you for keeping us informed and telling us how we can help.
All hands to the oars. Thank you Steve for recognizing all the work we have ahead For those who want to help there are elections in Ohio and Virginia. Vote Forward, the VA letter writing campaign had over 130,000 letters to be sent between today and Oct 31 Field Team 6 has postcard campaign There are phone banks text banks that can be done
anywhere
Today I will send out 50 post cards on voter registration and 40 GOTV letters.
Think what we all can do to reverse the darkness we all see on the horizon. We can do this. Thanks Steve
Steve I have shared this substack article on my social media accounts. However, 2024 is not only about national elections it is also and extremely important to focus on the 29 Republican state controlled legislators elections. We must make these state bipartisan. These states represent a large majority of American voters who are being mind controlled by Republicans. You can't control guns, voting, health, women's rights, LGBTQ rights, and education if state legislators are taking them away.
Steve is a Doer! I am a Questioner. That is all I can do.I hope my questions, like this one to you, are useful:
When you say " mind controlled",
I wonder how this craziness has happened here, because it literally is craziness. Please, if you know, explain what you think got us into one side so sure of the other side as being hopelessly ignorant and thus vulnerable to lies. Both sides say the same abusive things about each other. Who are the powers pulling the strings to make this happen?
We seem to be permanently locked into a divide between the two sides, both sides of which would be wlling to die for what they think is the truth. How did that happen, and how could it have been avoided, if you do have an opinion?
How do you think the other side got its "mind" controlled, and by whom is it controlled, behind the scenes? The ones we see soreading lies are only the obvious ones, like alt- right talk show hosts and Fox news. They are the front men; but who's behind them?
Trusha, I agree, as far as you go. But I know you will get the ultimate answers of who has been controlling the minds of people towards ...first an autocracy, then a plutocracy, and finally a dictatorship, for decades, and it started in1820, not just to create today's MAGA.. If you would read MacLean's "Democracy in Chains", you will have incredible revelations in knowledge about this power structure here . I thought I was savvy, but I never knew anything until I read that.
Great advice Steve. Concrete ways each of us can get directly involved in supporting democratic values and crushing opponents of democracy by our votes. This is so helpful.
Holy moly! Thank you so much for this Steve! I must say, with your voice out there, offering such valuable information to us, just gives me such hope! I will be listening and reading and DONATING ... at my age, that’s all I can do, but I wouldn’t be able to if I didn’t know where and who to support! Thank you from all of us who you inspire to be better citizens!
Steven, this article speaks to “my” specific question that I asked of you, and so many others on here, I’m sure. Thank you so very much. I already have donated to some campaigns, but not all. You list some ‘gems’ that I’ll become involved with. Thanks for all you do, - and for helping us to contribute more at a time when our activism is the most important.
I’m glad Steve is offering pointed suggestions for getting involved. It is crucial to donate and help get these candidates elected. But even more important is making sure people are not only registered but that they actually vote.
The number of people who don’t vote is a crisis. While more have come out over the past few elections, it isn’t enough. Engage everyone you know, find out if they have voted and intend to do so again--and I’m not just talking about next year, but this Nov too. Many judges and local reps are on the ballot, including town, city, and county boards, governors, and school boards (where they are actually elected). The results this fall have a direct bearing on what happens next fall.
Too many people don’t understand how politics and government actually affect their lives. We need a return to civics education, but with the teach-to-the-test mentality driven by metrics that has taken hold of education (not the teachers, they are the grunts who get the orders from above), subjects like history and civics have been shunted aside. There is also huge disdain for the liberal arts, even though things like history and literature actually can teach you how to analyze and process--to think.
Apathy and cynicism (driven in part by the media’s abdication of their role to inform people and yes, corruption) are the concurrent forces driving people away from the polls. Both must be combatted wherever possible. President Biden may not have the extraordinary oratory skills of Barack Obama, but he has heart, knows what the stakes are, and uses the bully pulpit much more than he’s given credit for.
Also, support or help rebuild your local state Dem party (and GOP if possible). Donate to help those who are on the ground canvassing and doing voter outreach, and volunteer to help however you can.
Really appreciate the links to support the leaders who are for democracy in the US. I usually don’t donate until closer to elections and when it is too late to make impact. This is breaking with that tradition and I feel really good for that. I am one of the ignorant majority who overlook the important happenings in the US domestic political process. Thank you very much for keeping my political actions impactful and grounded.
Thank you for this exceptional list of ways we can help good people get elected. I'm so happy to support Lucas Kuntz for the Senate here in Missouri. I don't know anyone (conservatives included) who supports Hawley. He doesn't even live here. But we still have to work!
I’m glad the MAGA host invited Steve to speak on the podcast. Maybe if those 1 million listeners have a few wavering believers among them, Steve woke them up with his objective truth. It all boils down to perspective and belief. If Maga podcasters just feed repetitive images of clowns wondering the Capitol’s halls. and not show the other warriors who trampled police, broke windows and beat down the doors, their listeners lose objectivity.
Steve’s quick observation of the media source was a good point and the Tucker Carlson collusion with Russia may give some of those hard core conspiracist another trail to follow.
Steve’s appearance on the PBD Podcast should be obligatory viewing and listening for both MAGAs as well as those of us who still don’t comprehend the extant of their lunacy.
Steve, I wanted to commented on the PBD Podcast. This Post may not be the direct post to do so, although you mention at the end. But, you said it accurately, whack jobs. Not at all familiar with these guys or who they are, having never previously heard of them. It was a little hard to follow who was who with the three of them all interacting with you. Wondered if the 3 were together putting on a dog and pony show, like good cop/bad cop routine, a put on for their crazy MAGA audience base. You have the calm non-antagonistic guy, the total whacked out belligerent and the 3rd sort of sideline observant sidekick. Or maybe each are for real and their own voice, it was hard to tell. The first hour a low key, calm, back and forth, had me thinking, wow, then the hysterics for the second hour. Interacting with them displying your calm demeanor, continuing to articulate with facts, reason and common sense is certainly a trait and skill I don’t have! I was blowing a gasket just listening, and why my liberal leaning brother and I can talk only about football, barely with our two Trumper brothers. Anyway, I couldn’t do that, so hats off to you brother. Someone has to go into the Liars Lair for us, so might as well be you.
Paul
Here are my questions about the polls.Who is getting polled? People with landlines, who tend to be older and have a more traditional , less nuanced view of politics? Do the pollsters check in with Gen Z, millennials, and folks who believe and understand climate change and it’s consequences? Who want gun safety legislation ? Who understand that while Biden is old, he will preserve democracy. Finally, one has to ask, are all the people who voted for Biden in 2020 now switching their allegiances?
Thank you for all you are doing. It’s essential for the survival of democracy.
I am a 75 year old Boomer. I have a land line (home phone) and a mobile. I never answer a call from an unfamiliar number nor do I on FB ever answer when I'm emotionally asked a question in an ad about climate change, politics, guns or candidates. Same with texts and e-mails because I know that it will lead to endless solicitations for donations. I believe a lot of these approaches may become polling data too. That said I consider myself an anti trump activist and a lifetime liberal who has always voted Democrat.
Deb, I know of no one who supported Biden in 2020 who isn’t voting for him in 2024. And that includes generations.
They do contact people with cell phones. But the questions they ask--like is the country going in the wrong or right direction?--there is no nuance. And the bottom line of many of those polls is that people say that ultimately if it comes down to a rematch that they would vote for Joe. The biggest problem is RW propaganda. I live in a purple county, but all that people hear (and mostly watch) is RW and Fox, so they buy the BS like “open borders” and “money for Ukraine is taking away from grandma and your kid”--none of it true, yet they hear it, share it on FB, and believe it.
The resources you have listed are invaluable. I agree with you and urge everyone to do their part in safeguarding our Democracy.
I have felt over these years that what I do to help was inadequate. (helping non-registered women to register to vote, explaining what is at stake at this crucial time, and that democracy is a participation way of governing that will die if not nurtured) I realize now that if everyone pitched in and followed the suggestions you have outlined, taken together, it can make the difference in saving our democracy.
I no longer feel what I do is inadequate, and am inspired to do more. I'm glad that you write, and encourage you to keep at it. And thanks for taking your words to the maga territory. They need to hear it.
Celeste, working with and educating voters is indispensable. Empowering them will maybe spark a light to pass it onto their kids and friends. I'm thankful, too, for Steve providing truth and context in this fight. Thank you!
Your appearance on the PBD Podcast was riveting. I wanted it to continue for another two hours. I have wondered, since your LP days, why Steve Schmidt isn't on a ballot somewhere. Perhaps you've been in the room too many times but more likely you are more effective not being restrained by all that entails. Thank you for keeping us informed and telling us how we can help.
All hands to the oars. Thank you Steve for recognizing all the work we have ahead For those who want to help there are elections in Ohio and Virginia. Vote Forward, the VA letter writing campaign had over 130,000 letters to be sent between today and Oct 31 Field Team 6 has postcard campaign There are phone banks text banks that can be done
anywhere
Today I will send out 50 post cards on voter registration and 40 GOTV letters.
Think what we all can do to reverse the darkness we all see on the horizon. We can do this. Thanks Steve
I love Field Team 6!
Strong work, Liz! Thank you!
Steve I have shared this substack article on my social media accounts. However, 2024 is not only about national elections it is also and extremely important to focus on the 29 Republican state controlled legislators elections. We must make these state bipartisan. These states represent a large majority of American voters who are being mind controlled by Republicans. You can't control guns, voting, health, women's rights, LGBTQ rights, and education if state legislators are taking them away.
Steve is a Doer! I am a Questioner. That is all I can do.I hope my questions, like this one to you, are useful:
When you say " mind controlled",
I wonder how this craziness has happened here, because it literally is craziness. Please, if you know, explain what you think got us into one side so sure of the other side as being hopelessly ignorant and thus vulnerable to lies. Both sides say the same abusive things about each other. Who are the powers pulling the strings to make this happen?
We seem to be permanently locked into a divide between the two sides, both sides of which would be wlling to die for what they think is the truth. How did that happen, and how could it have been avoided, if you do have an opinion?
How do you think the other side got its "mind" controlled, and by whom is it controlled, behind the scenes? The ones we see soreading lies are only the obvious ones, like alt- right talk show hosts and Fox news. They are the front men; but who's behind them?
1. If you limit education and knowledge of how civis works in a state
2. Allowing religious teachings in to public schools
3. Banning books, a teaching history in schools
4. Gerrymandering in state elections to keep Republicans in office
5. Limiting voting rights
The powers pulling all the strings and conservative billionaires, major corporations, news media outlets like Fox, and Singer newspapers.
This is mind control.
Trusha, I agree, as far as you go. But I know you will get the ultimate answers of who has been controlling the minds of people towards ...first an autocracy, then a plutocracy, and finally a dictatorship, for decades, and it started in1820, not just to create today's MAGA.. If you would read MacLean's "Democracy in Chains", you will have incredible revelations in knowledge about this power structure here . I thought I was savvy, but I never knew anything until I read that.
Thanks for the suggest. I believe that autocratic governments have been with humans from the 14th century.
Great advice Steve. Concrete ways each of us can get directly involved in supporting democratic values and crushing opponents of democracy by our votes. This is so helpful.
Holy moly! Thank you so much for this Steve! I must say, with your voice out there, offering such valuable information to us, just gives me such hope! I will be listening and reading and DONATING ... at my age, that’s all I can do, but I wouldn’t be able to if I didn’t know where and who to support! Thank you from all of us who you inspire to be better citizens!
You can count on it! I am so proud to belong to this community, and grateful that it exists.
Steve, congratulations on your Substack anniversary. You are a force and we look to you each day for commentary, guidance.
Steven, this article speaks to “my” specific question that I asked of you, and so many others on here, I’m sure. Thank you so very much. I already have donated to some campaigns, but not all. You list some ‘gems’ that I’ll become involved with. Thanks for all you do, - and for helping us to contribute more at a time when our activism is the most important.
I’m glad Steve is offering pointed suggestions for getting involved. It is crucial to donate and help get these candidates elected. But even more important is making sure people are not only registered but that they actually vote.
The number of people who don’t vote is a crisis. While more have come out over the past few elections, it isn’t enough. Engage everyone you know, find out if they have voted and intend to do so again--and I’m not just talking about next year, but this Nov too. Many judges and local reps are on the ballot, including town, city, and county boards, governors, and school boards (where they are actually elected). The results this fall have a direct bearing on what happens next fall.
Too many people don’t understand how politics and government actually affect their lives. We need a return to civics education, but with the teach-to-the-test mentality driven by metrics that has taken hold of education (not the teachers, they are the grunts who get the orders from above), subjects like history and civics have been shunted aside. There is also huge disdain for the liberal arts, even though things like history and literature actually can teach you how to analyze and process--to think.
Apathy and cynicism (driven in part by the media’s abdication of their role to inform people and yes, corruption) are the concurrent forces driving people away from the polls. Both must be combatted wherever possible. President Biden may not have the extraordinary oratory skills of Barack Obama, but he has heart, knows what the stakes are, and uses the bully pulpit much more than he’s given credit for.
Also, support or help rebuild your local state Dem party (and GOP if possible). Donate to help those who are on the ground canvassing and doing voter outreach, and volunteer to help however you can.
Really appreciate the links to support the leaders who are for democracy in the US. I usually don’t donate until closer to elections and when it is too late to make impact. This is breaking with that tradition and I feel really good for that. I am one of the ignorant majority who overlook the important happenings in the US domestic political process. Thank you very much for keeping my political actions impactful and grounded.