Donald Trump had this election in the bag going against President Biden, but the campaign has changed with Kamala Harris as the new presumptive Democratic nominee.
As with all his enemies, Trump will attempt to portray Kamala Harris as a dangerous "other." As the campaign goes on, Trump's unAmerican views, bigotry, racism, misogyny and authoritarian proclivities as well as his character flaws wiil become increasingly obvious. He won't be able to control himself. The improving economy and Harris' sensitivity to the plight of the Palestinians, as well as her concern for the security of Israel, will gain support. Americans will learn that it was Trump who prevented passage of bipartisan immigration reform because he wants the problem to continue since it works in his political favor.
Folks Wall Street is sending a major signal. Look at the Dow up 700 friday, small caps rallying for first time, nasdex is in a correction, but Friday broke out with Microsoft up 20 etc. Mr musk is doing all he can to destroy the brand single handily, with his daughter born a boy, absolutely hammering the gop with candor and emotion. And there is going to be at least one and possibly two rate cuts, driving trump and co absolutely insane in tone and action.
I see this as a landslide just short of Reagan 84 with 40 in the house, 2-3 in the senate and 400 electoral votes, the youth, all minorities and educated voters including all important woman of the suburbs are energized and ready to vote and work for a civil society, not one of demagoguery, these people do not want a return to 1950s.
It's interesting to listen to the other three alongside Steve Schmidt. For the most part, the rest of the panel offered no real insights. As usual, Steve stands out in bringing fresh rhetoric and fresh concepts to the conversation. In framing the forthcoming brutal but essential weak attacks that will be coming from the MAGA right, he unmasks their empty house of cards-- built on a foundation of lies and immature taunts. I can't wait to hear J.D. Vance try to hold his own in a debate with Mark Kelly or Josh Shapiro.
We’re feeling much more hopeful about beating Trump, with Kamala about to become the nominee. But we can’t be complacent, we need to educate swing state voters to vote Democratic. Two action items:
Focus4Democracy is a group of very smart people with decades of experience crafting effective campaign messages. They do a zoom every 2 weeks. Their Zooms explain how they test and refine messages that generate more Democratic votes, particularly in battleground states. And they track the results. They need donations. But those who can't donate, you can forward Focus4Democracy's info to everyone you know. https://www.focus4democracy.org/
Downballot races matter too. State Congress, governors, and judges are sometimes elected. States are particularly important in protecting abortion rights and voter rights if Trump is re-elected. Visit app.oath.vote - they identify the most crucial races where your donations can make a difference. We can only vote where we live, but we can donate money nationwide - and we can also email our friends around the country.
When they try to attack Harris with the border, it is hard for me to see success with that when they are countered with the bipartisan border bill that would have created solid solutions. With Rs like Lankford who was part of that effort on video responding to the House simply killing it at Trump’s behest, to give him a talking point. Steve, please explain how this is going to hurt Harris when it is thrown right back into their face?
It will hurt Harris with the low information voters or those who only get their news in the right-wing conspiratorial filled silos. These are folks that are likely lost, but for those on the fence, all TFG, JD, and MAGA will do is pound the #s. Just like they've been doing with the economy. Yes, the rate of inflation is slowing, wages are improving, things are getting better, but interest rates (not on Biden or Harris) are still high after over a decade of record lows, but too often people look at only the bottom line and don't see the nuanced argument that things are or are getting better. It's way too easy to say, "## are coming across the border every day and they're murderers and felons (queue the irony song here) and taking your jobs" or "Hey, gas prices, eggs, and a gallon of milk cost more". That is a rather convincing argument for people who don't pay attention to trends, etc..
Keeping with an Olympic theme, VP Harris hit the ground running. Her 1st week as the presumptive nominee for the Democratic party scored a perfect 10 on floor exercise and balance beam. She outmatched her opponent's old, stale routine of bad behavior and won the Gold for fund raising. Congratulations VP Harris, now win another gold in the team event and choose Mark Kelly from Arizona.
65 percent of donations came from first time donors.
170,000 new volunteers signed up.
2,300 events held in battleground states.
Some of this, I am sure, has been generated by Vance, whose vision is propelled by misogyny and a strongly un- American impulse to impose his views on others.
I pass along the words shared with me from my father, a physicist and a victim of HUAC:
On the night of the McCarthy broadcast, March 9, 1954,
Edward R. Murrow spoke words that should be handed down as legacy to every generation of Americans:
"We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason if we dig deep in our history and doctrine and remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes which were for the moment unpopular. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result. There is no way for a citizen of the Republic to abdicate his responsibility."
When someone asked what he would say on the McCarthy broadcast, he replied, "If none of us ever read a book that was 'dangerous,' nor had a friend who was 'different,' or never joined an organization that advocated 'change,' we would all be just the kind of people Joe McCarthy wants."
"No one man can terrorize a whole nation unless we are all his accomplices."
“Edward R. Murrow was my last hero. When this nation was drowning in cowardice and demagoguery, it was Murrow who hurled the spear at the terror.”
Joseph Wershba, producer of the renowned "60 Minutes" from 1968-1988.
Re immigration, if the Dems are smart, we will be hearing..on a daily basis..how Trump blocked the Lankford bill and how that makes TFG the proud owner of the mess down there.
Also-with PA being so vitally important to KH's chance of winning the election, Shapiro seems like a no brainer as VP. And if it is Shapiro, Gov Whitmer could be very helpful in keeping the Israel/Gaza issue from torpedoing KH in Michigan.
Shapiro comes with some baggage. He has very strong sentiments about Israel and it's absolute right to respond as Netanyahu has. Shapiro has made very strong statements about pro Palestinian protestors, has advocated silencing them to the point of being accused of violating the rights of free speech, has forced their removal from campus protests, and has publically compared them to the Ku Klux Klan. Everything they do is interpreted only as rank anti-Semitism by Shapiro. Your point about Pennsylvania being critical to Kamala's run is dead on, but pissing off the pro Palestinian movement could be severely, perhaps lethally, costly. Kamala herself is pro palastinan and has strongly said as much. Biden's unyielding support of Israel was a large part of the dissatisfaction that marred his popularity. This polembic may well be Kamala's hardest decision to make. My own opinion is that she should dump Shapiro and hope Pennsylvanians will understand the conundrum and not be insulted by her decision. Shapiro's zealotry is not beyond the scope of understanding of voting Pennsylvanians.
I agree; after listening to Shapiro's views on Israel and Palestine, I believe he would be a drag on the ticket, especially with young people and the state of Michigan.
Each MAGA supporter of Trump should be asked about whether he/she wants to terminate the US Constitution. If he/she says "NO" then tell him/her that Trump said he would, if elected. Then repeat the question.
I agree, but I watched a video of this exact thing a few months ago. The reporter showed the TFG supporter his post on Truth (hahaha) Social that is STILL there and the guy looked at it and said, "Oh, that's fake. Trump would never say that." Many of those folks are lost. We need to focus on those somehow still undecided in the swing states. That's where this election will be won or lost.
Steve, I hope someday you’ll look at how generational change has affected this race. We went from Bush to Obama in 2008, which turned the page to a younger, more vibrant administration. And we should have stayed with that cohort in 2016, instead of going back to the Boomers with Hillary’s candidacy. The last 8 years have been bad with first Trump, then Biden (though I think Biden did a good job). I’m still struck with how much excitement and enthusiasm Harris has engendered in just the past week! We needed to go younger!
"Republican congressional candidate Abe Hamadeh privately called those who believe stolen election claims "crazies" in text messages obtained by The Arizona Republic.
At the same time, Hamadeh was publicly spreading unfounded claims about U.S. election security.
Hamadeh has publicly cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2022 election that he lost and has filed multiple lawsuits challenging its outcome. The fact that he 'stood strong' on the issue helped earn him endorsements from former President Donald Trump and the front-running U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake, he said at a recent debate."
This kind of doubletalk must be brought into clear focus; Americans must be made aware of it. Being endorsed for "standing strong" in support of a lie you know to be a lie and receiving the support of Trump and Lake should cost Hamaheh votes and will if this information is publicized. That is where the MSM is letting the American people down. They should be emphasizing news like this. It is important; it is an obvious threat to faith in elections critical to democracy.
Good insight, Steve. I think the 'right' VP pick might further boost Kamala Harris's MO into the Convention, with an added lift from strong Convention PR through the Fall and up to election.
Mark Kelly seems the strongest pick to me, with Josh Shapiro a close second.
Kelly brings nationa recognition, high character, strength on the border issue, as well as on guns.
Shapiro likely brings the Keystone State into the fold, may improve chances in MI and WI (44 EC votes in total) and allegedly also appealss to MAGAS--perhaps the Haley cohort?
As with all his enemies, Trump will attempt to portray Kamala Harris as a dangerous "other." As the campaign goes on, Trump's unAmerican views, bigotry, racism, misogyny and authoritarian proclivities as well as his character flaws wiil become increasingly obvious. He won't be able to control himself. The improving economy and Harris' sensitivity to the plight of the Palestinians, as well as her concern for the security of Israel, will gain support. Americans will learn that it was Trump who prevented passage of bipartisan immigration reform because he wants the problem to continue since it works in his political favor.
She's gonna win.....BIGLY!
Folks Wall Street is sending a major signal. Look at the Dow up 700 friday, small caps rallying for first time, nasdex is in a correction, but Friday broke out with Microsoft up 20 etc. Mr musk is doing all he can to destroy the brand single handily, with his daughter born a boy, absolutely hammering the gop with candor and emotion. And there is going to be at least one and possibly two rate cuts, driving trump and co absolutely insane in tone and action.
I see this as a landslide just short of Reagan 84 with 40 in the house, 2-3 in the senate and 400 electoral votes, the youth, all minorities and educated voters including all important woman of the suburbs are energized and ready to vote and work for a civil society, not one of demagoguery, these people do not want a return to 1950s.
Val Kilmer had some pointed words about Vance: Unless you want a country where Russian soldiers can rape your wives, don’t vote for Putin’s sidekick.
It's interesting to listen to the other three alongside Steve Schmidt. For the most part, the rest of the panel offered no real insights. As usual, Steve stands out in bringing fresh rhetoric and fresh concepts to the conversation. In framing the forthcoming brutal but essential weak attacks that will be coming from the MAGA right, he unmasks their empty house of cards-- built on a foundation of lies and immature taunts. I can't wait to hear J.D. Vance try to hold his own in a debate with Mark Kelly or Josh Shapiro.
We’re feeling much more hopeful about beating Trump, with Kamala about to become the nominee. But we can’t be complacent, we need to educate swing state voters to vote Democratic. Two action items:
Focus4Democracy is a group of very smart people with decades of experience crafting effective campaign messages. They do a zoom every 2 weeks. Their Zooms explain how they test and refine messages that generate more Democratic votes, particularly in battleground states. And they track the results. They need donations. But those who can't donate, you can forward Focus4Democracy's info to everyone you know. https://www.focus4democracy.org/
Downballot races matter too. State Congress, governors, and judges are sometimes elected. States are particularly important in protecting abortion rights and voter rights if Trump is re-elected. Visit app.oath.vote - they identify the most crucial races where your donations can make a difference. We can only vote where we live, but we can donate money nationwide - and we can also email our friends around the country.
Who will join me in taking action?
When they try to attack Harris with the border, it is hard for me to see success with that when they are countered with the bipartisan border bill that would have created solid solutions. With Rs like Lankford who was part of that effort on video responding to the House simply killing it at Trump’s behest, to give him a talking point. Steve, please explain how this is going to hurt Harris when it is thrown right back into their face?
Senator James Lankford’s comments about the MAGA Lickspittles torpedoing the immigration bill will be useful.
It will hurt Harris with the low information voters or those who only get their news in the right-wing conspiratorial filled silos. These are folks that are likely lost, but for those on the fence, all TFG, JD, and MAGA will do is pound the #s. Just like they've been doing with the economy. Yes, the rate of inflation is slowing, wages are improving, things are getting better, but interest rates (not on Biden or Harris) are still high after over a decade of record lows, but too often people look at only the bottom line and don't see the nuanced argument that things are or are getting better. It's way too easy to say, "## are coming across the border every day and they're murderers and felons (queue the irony song here) and taking your jobs" or "Hey, gas prices, eggs, and a gallon of milk cost more". That is a rather convincing argument for people who don't pay attention to trends, etc..
Keeping with an Olympic theme, VP Harris hit the ground running. Her 1st week as the presumptive nominee for the Democratic party scored a perfect 10 on floor exercise and balance beam. She outmatched her opponent's old, stale routine of bad behavior and won the Gold for fund raising. Congratulations VP Harris, now win another gold in the team event and choose Mark Kelly from Arizona.
Items to note for Harris:
$200 million raised in seven days.
65 percent of donations came from first time donors.
170,000 new volunteers signed up.
2,300 events held in battleground states.
Some of this, I am sure, has been generated by Vance, whose vision is propelled by misogyny and a strongly un- American impulse to impose his views on others.
I pass along the words shared with me from my father, a physicist and a victim of HUAC:
On the night of the McCarthy broadcast, March 9, 1954,
Edward R. Murrow spoke words that should be handed down as legacy to every generation of Americans:
"We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason if we dig deep in our history and doctrine and remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes which were for the moment unpopular. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result. There is no way for a citizen of the Republic to abdicate his responsibility."
When someone asked what he would say on the McCarthy broadcast, he replied, "If none of us ever read a book that was 'dangerous,' nor had a friend who was 'different,' or never joined an organization that advocated 'change,' we would all be just the kind of people Joe McCarthy wants."
"No one man can terrorize a whole nation unless we are all his accomplices."
“Edward R. Murrow was my last hero. When this nation was drowning in cowardice and demagoguery, it was Murrow who hurled the spear at the terror.”
Joseph Wershba, producer of the renowned "60 Minutes" from 1968-1988.
R. A. Prentky
Re immigration, if the Dems are smart, we will be hearing..on a daily basis..how Trump blocked the Lankford bill and how that makes TFG the proud owner of the mess down there.
Also-with PA being so vitally important to KH's chance of winning the election, Shapiro seems like a no brainer as VP. And if it is Shapiro, Gov Whitmer could be very helpful in keeping the Israel/Gaza issue from torpedoing KH in Michigan.
Shapiro comes with some baggage. He has very strong sentiments about Israel and it's absolute right to respond as Netanyahu has. Shapiro has made very strong statements about pro Palestinian protestors, has advocated silencing them to the point of being accused of violating the rights of free speech, has forced their removal from campus protests, and has publically compared them to the Ku Klux Klan. Everything they do is interpreted only as rank anti-Semitism by Shapiro. Your point about Pennsylvania being critical to Kamala's run is dead on, but pissing off the pro Palestinian movement could be severely, perhaps lethally, costly. Kamala herself is pro palastinan and has strongly said as much. Biden's unyielding support of Israel was a large part of the dissatisfaction that marred his popularity. This polembic may well be Kamala's hardest decision to make. My own opinion is that she should dump Shapiro and hope Pennsylvanians will understand the conundrum and not be insulted by her decision. Shapiro's zealotry is not beyond the scope of understanding of voting Pennsylvanians.
I agree; after listening to Shapiro's views on Israel and Palestine, I believe he would be a drag on the ticket, especially with young people and the state of Michigan.
Each MAGA supporter of Trump should be asked about whether he/she wants to terminate the US Constitution. If he/she says "NO" then tell him/her that Trump said he would, if elected. Then repeat the question.
I agree, but I watched a video of this exact thing a few months ago. The reporter showed the TFG supporter his post on Truth (hahaha) Social that is STILL there and the guy looked at it and said, "Oh, that's fake. Trump would never say that." Many of those folks are lost. We need to focus on those somehow still undecided in the swing states. That's where this election will be won or lost.
Mark Kelly is the hero our nation needs.
Steve, I hope someday you’ll look at how generational change has affected this race. We went from Bush to Obama in 2008, which turned the page to a younger, more vibrant administration. And we should have stayed with that cohort in 2016, instead of going back to the Boomers with Hillary’s candidacy. The last 8 years have been bad with first Trump, then Biden (though I think Biden did a good job). I’m still struck with how much excitement and enthusiasm Harris has engendered in just the past week! We needed to go younger!
What are you thoughts?
Wow. Just wow. From a discarded and evidently useless boomer.
I know. The generalizations…..
Yep. Hopefully she will get to an age where they won't discard her out right for longevity and wisdom.
Re Vance, is "unveep" a word re buyer's remorse?
"Republican congressional candidate Abe Hamadeh privately called those who believe stolen election claims "crazies" in text messages obtained by The Arizona Republic.
At the same time, Hamadeh was publicly spreading unfounded claims about U.S. election security.
Hamadeh has publicly cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2022 election that he lost and has filed multiple lawsuits challenging its outcome. The fact that he 'stood strong' on the issue helped earn him endorsements from former President Donald Trump and the front-running U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake, he said at a recent debate."
"https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/05/22/abe-hamadeh-called-election-deniers-crazies-in-text-messages/73803422007/
This kind of doubletalk must be brought into clear focus; Americans must be made aware of it. Being endorsed for "standing strong" in support of a lie you know to be a lie and receiving the support of Trump and Lake should cost Hamaheh votes and will if this information is publicized. That is where the MSM is letting the American people down. They should be emphasizing news like this. It is important; it is an obvious threat to faith in elections critical to democracy.
Good insight, Steve. I think the 'right' VP pick might further boost Kamala Harris's MO into the Convention, with an added lift from strong Convention PR through the Fall and up to election.
Mark Kelly seems the strongest pick to me, with Josh Shapiro a close second.
Kelly brings nationa recognition, high character, strength on the border issue, as well as on guns.
Shapiro likely brings the Keystone State into the fold, may improve chances in MI and WI (44 EC votes in total) and allegedly also appealss to MAGAS--perhaps the Haley cohort?
Either MK or JS would be a great VP pick, imo.