Last night, we learned more about the GOP presidential candidates. Tim Scott, whom I had initially said could gain traction, will not. He is totally incoherent. Vivek Ramaswamy should be on a reality show, not on a presidential debate stage. Chris Christie seemed, last night, to be responsible, thoughtful, competent, and completely able to represent his party in a nomination phase, but that won’t happen. Ron DeSantis continued with his lying and arrogant ways. Lastly, Nikki Haley had moments where she was honest, and moments where she was dishonest and demagogic. Who is the real Nikki Haley?
“I don’t judge anyone for being pro-choice, and I don’t want them judging me for being pro-life,” she said, adding, “Stop the judgment. We don’t need to divide America over this issue anymore.” Nikki Haley at tonight’s debate.
Ok, Nikki. I won’t judge you if you won’t take away my right to have control over my body. I should be able to get the medical care I need in consultation with my doctor. You don’t want an abortion? Fine, don’t have one. But leave the rest of us to make our own choices.
Another Republican trying and failing to fool the electorate into thinking they won’t take away our rights if they were to be elected. But they will
Vote Blue.
Although I did enjoy Nikki calling Vivek “Scum”. Of course he totally deserved it.
Well done video, Steve, about the GOP nothin-burger candidates. You did knock Biden's age, again, which could damage the Biden/Harris campaign (which is your intent, if you're campaigning against Biden w Phillips). This is your right. I also understand that you might be trying to open up a primary where other other candidates may throw their hat in the ring and give Biden some competition.
The Democrats, though, are so weak on messaging that, ironically, one of the best short/comprehensive analysis I've read about why we need to unite behind Biden is written by Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, and he is forth-coming about being a Republican:
On Tuesday, the citizens, mainly women, voted on how they feel about the issue of abortion. "Not your body? Not your choice!"
Both Democrats and "the normal" members of the GOP agree that government has no business forcing girls and women to bring an unwanted fetus to full term. I also learned, since Rowe was overturned, that many women, who would have loved to have a child, but for health reasons, were unable too, were also affected by these laws. The majority of the American citizens are sick and tired of old, white men telling girls and women what they can or cannot do with their bodies!
The polls do not include millions of voters, who will vote in 2024. Those voters vote on issues that affect them personally: abortion, sensible gun control, the economy, immigration, etc. And in 2024, the most important issue of all will be a choice for voting to keeping our democracy, or voting for a fascist government! There will be parents and grandparents, voting for the future of their families! I cannot imagine that the majority of those voters, will be voting for a fascist government that their children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren will have to live by!
I don't believe in polls, or these so called debates, I have faith in the American people! And I have faith that the majority of the American citizens will choose democracy! They will just have to vote! It will be on us, the political junkies, that will have to make sure that our family and friends, as well as others, will vote!
I have often wondered how a poll of 1000 people allegedly translates into the votes of 300 million people. It doesn't. Yet people still insist they're accurate when they've been proven wrong time and again.
There is a significant discrepancy between what the election polls are saying and how people are voting at the polls. Dan Rather addresses that here: https://steady.substack.com/p/votes-count
"Last night we learned...." This morning, I watched your video in which you called 'The Lincoln Project' a bunch of grifters. I was dismayed. Then I learned that you are advising Dean Philips in his bid to become President of the United States. To say that I am profoundly disappointed is an understatement. You have warned us about the threat to democracy in the form of Donald Trump and I can't help but think that your support of a candidate to defeat Joe Biden all but ensures DT's reelection. I sincerely don't understand.
I shared under your video posted earlier today a line from the 1st "Rocky" movie where he said, "Friends don't owe..." and yet in this instance, I can't help but feel that you do owe us, your loyal followers, an explanation.
I have had a tremendous amount of respect for you and when I was teaching English in Detroit, I often used a word or words from your essays as my "Word of the Day." One word that stands out is 'defenestrate.' I would have my students engage the word by finding the definition, the synonym, antonym, and I would have them use it in a sentence. All this to say, I have been a "fan" of yours.
Please help me understand, because at this moment, I don't.
I've written extensively about the Lincoln Project, and what it has become since I left the group I founded. If you look at their most recent FEC filing, $0.93 of every dollar goes in their pocket. They raised $3.6 million in the first half of 2023 and spent $3.5 million on "operating" expenses. Just $34,717 was spent on political expenditures. When I was there, $0.84 went to voter contact programs.
I would also encourage you to watch The Lincoln Project documentary. It is eye-opening, and reveals the characters of those who were, and continue to be, involved in the group..
I'll share this with you about Rick Wilson as well:
I have explained why it is that I'm doing what I'm doing. I respect people's right to disagree with it. I do not believe that it will result in Donald Trump's re-election. I will do everything I can to stop that from happening. Ultimately, if President Biden is the Democratic nominee, I will do everything in my power to support his effort and crush Trump.
I do not understand how it would be possible for LP to produce and release several high quality videos a week while at the same time diverting the majority of funds. It looks to me like LP is still doing the Lord's work (although I do miss watching "The Breakdown" twice a week). You all are free to bash each other, but I really hate it. I sent this same message to LP. You have to know there will be a rapprochement one day. Why not chill now, guys, and get it over with?
For Steve to take a hit at the Lincoln Project right now and to be campaigning against Biden just boggles my mind. The LP can help to save our Democracy!
What I find confusing is that there's been not a peep about Phillips. Some tv hosts don't even let on that Biden has competition of another Democrat. On the Mehdi Hassan show, he even said that Biden had no competition and was the only Democrat running for President. I find it all very confusing. Is Steve advising this guy properly, or is it going to be just a 'whisper campaign'?
Not so fast to attack Steve, as has been going on to a radical degree. I trust Andrew Yang and here's something he said today: "I’ve been supporting Dean Phillips as an alternative to Joe Biden. Dean is what most Americans want: a sane, moderate 54-year old presidential candidate who will work to make things better. I joke that Dean should change his name to Generic Democrat, because polls show that Trump loses to a generic Democrat by 8 points."
Hi Suzanne, I appreciate your viewpoint here. Please consider that there is a significant discrepancy between what the election polls are saying and how people are voting at the polls. Dan Rather addresses that here: https://steady.substack.com/p/votes-count
I don't mean to attack Steve. I sincerely want to understand his position.
It seems a little late in the game to put forth an alternative candidate for the Democractic party because the result will be to split the vote which we can't afford.
Not too late. We have a year. I'm actually loving what Marianne Williamson is doing and don't have any fancy to Dean Phillips, but just trying to be real here.
I highly recommend reading Mein Kampf by Adolph Hitler. The English translation is before WWII. Like Trump, he states clearly how to take over a country (i.e., first get elected). Hitler wrote the first part of the book while in jail after failing the first time. Trump may be hoping for a weekend or something like that to be put in jail. It is in the second half of his book that he kinda goes crazy about Jews and such. This was after he got out of jail. However, if you don't believe Trump is just trying to pull a Hitler on the world, read Hitler's book. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Trump can't read or he would realize he is not that smart.
I didn’t watch it, but thank you providing a glimpse of the foolish attempts by most of the speakers to make themselves look important, knowledgeable and fit for the highest office in the US. As was to be expected, few rose to the occasion and your montage speaks volumes about their inability to coherently address the most pressing issues currently facing Americans. As I said, I didn’t watch it, but I thought that Christie spoke directly and effectively about the need for continuing support to Ukraine, which I, as a Canadian living in 🇨🇦 certainly stand behind.
So Steve admits that he is not a good judge of political candidates, I must say that I have to agree with him in that respect.
Steve writes today"Tim Scott, whom I had initially said could gain traction, will not. He is totally incoherent." This will also happen with Dean Phillips, but not before taking assets that could have gone to Biden.
Saw no point in watching the debate, and I gather you didn’t see any point in it either, Steve. The main difference is that you had to watch it. I abstained.
I think your assessment of these candidates is pretty spot on..I did not see the debate, however, from what I have observed of these people, I believe you have it right..
Below is my response to an earlier essay of yours..the quandary in it still plagues me..In this moment..It is also becoming more clear to me just how fucked up the the critical thinking skills of too many of the American electorate are..Although good things came out of Tuesday's election..the nation is still in a dangerous volatile state of being..I have known for a while, but something else has become more crystalized in my view of late..Much of the blame lands squarely on the Media..they are failing miserably..They are behaving against the countries..best interest..and their own..undermining the very thing that gives them their awesome responsibility..
Manchin announced he will not run for reelection to the Senate. To say this complicates Democrats' chances of keeping the Senate is the (most recent) understatement of the year. Hopefully, Democrats can defy expectations in this regard, too.
PS I was glad to see Chris Christie in your snippet explain that the US convinced Ukraine to give up its nuclear weapons as a condition of making itself eligible for our protection. If I remember correctly,this also was a precondition for Ukraine to be eligible to join NATO.
It seems to me that Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons only served to make it vulnerable to Putin. Christie and you are both on target in seeing that Ukraine must win to keep Putin out of the rest of Eastern Europe-- and the USA out of another (world?) war in Europe.
I do not watch these "debates", more likely akin to scrum matches. From the recaps and news claps, one can conclude easily that not one of these heirs-to-castle-wannabes is qualified for the presidency. These "candidates" accomplish nothing except for nakedly showing how they are unqualified for many assignments, most assuredly unqualified for the highest seat in the land.
Godwin strikes again. The weakness of arguments is identified with the reference to Hitler, Nazis etc. While also the real tyrants are often identified doing the same.
“I don’t judge anyone for being pro-choice, and I don’t want them judging me for being pro-life,” she said, adding, “Stop the judgment. We don’t need to divide America over this issue anymore.” Nikki Haley at tonight’s debate.
Ok, Nikki. I won’t judge you if you won’t take away my right to have control over my body. I should be able to get the medical care I need in consultation with my doctor. You don’t want an abortion? Fine, don’t have one. But leave the rest of us to make our own choices.
Another Republican trying and failing to fool the electorate into thinking they won’t take away our rights if they were to be elected. But they will
Vote Blue.
Although I did enjoy Nikki calling Vivek “Scum”. Of course he totally deserved it.
Sky 777 …Your response was
EXCELLENT… and yes Vote Blue !
I’m so very grateful that Biden
Continues to Accomplish and exceed what anyone could have hoped for and every single day
With humility and dignity he honors our country AND makes the world
Aware we are Still the USA …
Your comments are profoundly
Inspirational..thank you, Marsha
Marsha, thank you!
Spake very grateful for your thoughtful response Ty, Marsha
Well done video, Steve, about the GOP nothin-burger candidates. You did knock Biden's age, again, which could damage the Biden/Harris campaign (which is your intent, if you're campaigning against Biden w Phillips). This is your right. I also understand that you might be trying to open up a primary where other other candidates may throw their hat in the ring and give Biden some competition.
The Democrats, though, are so weak on messaging that, ironically, one of the best short/comprehensive analysis I've read about why we need to unite behind Biden is written by Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, and he is forth-coming about being a Republican:
Here's the link: https://therickwilson.substack.com/p/joe-biden-for-president
I ❤ Rick Wilson (and Claire McCaskill).
Lisa, that link by Rick Wilson was a phenomenal piece. Thanks for posting it.
Thanks for the link to this fantastic article.
Manchin will infuriate moderate Democrats. He will, however, attract Independents and normie Republicans. What a no-good...
Funny how the GOP continues to change the rules for Trump!
On Tuesday, the citizens, mainly women, voted on how they feel about the issue of abortion. "Not your body? Not your choice!"
Both Democrats and "the normal" members of the GOP agree that government has no business forcing girls and women to bring an unwanted fetus to full term. I also learned, since Rowe was overturned, that many women, who would have loved to have a child, but for health reasons, were unable too, were also affected by these laws. The majority of the American citizens are sick and tired of old, white men telling girls and women what they can or cannot do with their bodies!
The polls do not include millions of voters, who will vote in 2024. Those voters vote on issues that affect them personally: abortion, sensible gun control, the economy, immigration, etc. And in 2024, the most important issue of all will be a choice for voting to keeping our democracy, or voting for a fascist government! There will be parents and grandparents, voting for the future of their families! I cannot imagine that the majority of those voters, will be voting for a fascist government that their children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren will have to live by!
I don't believe in polls, or these so called debates, I have faith in the American people! And I have faith that the majority of the American citizens will choose democracy! They will just have to vote! It will be on us, the political junkies, that will have to make sure that our family and friends, as well as others, will vote!
I have often wondered how a poll of 1000 people allegedly translates into the votes of 300 million people. It doesn't. Yet people still insist they're accurate when they've been proven wrong time and again.
Right On, Donna! Thanks.
There is a significant discrepancy between what the election polls are saying and how people are voting at the polls. Dan Rather addresses that here: https://steady.substack.com/p/votes-count
"Last night we learned...." This morning, I watched your video in which you called 'The Lincoln Project' a bunch of grifters. I was dismayed. Then I learned that you are advising Dean Philips in his bid to become President of the United States. To say that I am profoundly disappointed is an understatement. You have warned us about the threat to democracy in the form of Donald Trump and I can't help but think that your support of a candidate to defeat Joe Biden all but ensures DT's reelection. I sincerely don't understand.
I shared under your video posted earlier today a line from the 1st "Rocky" movie where he said, "Friends don't owe..." and yet in this instance, I can't help but feel that you do owe us, your loyal followers, an explanation.
I have had a tremendous amount of respect for you and when I was teaching English in Detroit, I often used a word or words from your essays as my "Word of the Day." One word that stands out is 'defenestrate.' I would have my students engage the word by finding the definition, the synonym, antonym, and I would have them use it in a sentence. All this to say, I have been a "fan" of yours.
Please help me understand, because at this moment, I don't.
Karen,
I've written extensively about the Lincoln Project, and what it has become since I left the group I founded. If you look at their most recent FEC filing, $0.93 of every dollar goes in their pocket. They raised $3.6 million in the first half of 2023 and spent $3.5 million on "operating" expenses. Just $34,717 was spent on political expenditures. When I was there, $0.84 went to voter contact programs.
https://steveschmidt.substack.com/p/the-lincoln-project?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2Flincoln%2520project&utm_medium=reader2
https://steveschmidt.substack.com/p/the-lincoln-project-reflections-on?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2Flincoln%2520project&utm_medium=reader2
https://steveschmidt.substack.com/p/i-am-an-american?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2Flincoln%2520project&utm_medium=reader2
I would also encourage you to watch The Lincoln Project documentary. It is eye-opening, and reveals the characters of those who were, and continue to be, involved in the group..
I'll share this with you about Rick Wilson as well:
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/lincoln-project-rick-wilson-anti-trump-film-donations
I have explained why it is that I'm doing what I'm doing. I respect people's right to disagree with it. I do not believe that it will result in Donald Trump's re-election. I will do everything I can to stop that from happening. Ultimately, if President Biden is the Democratic nominee, I will do everything in my power to support his effort and crush Trump.
https://steveschmidt.substack.com/p/president-biden-deserves-a-primary?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2Fdean%2520phillips&utm_medium=reader2
https://steveschmidt.substack.com/p/i-believe-in-choice?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2Fdean%2520phillips&utm_medium=reader2
Steve
Thank you for your detailed response and will read/watch all that you have shared. I sincerely appreciate it.
We remain aligned.
And by the way, I love that you used some of the words I use as your "Word of the Day" for your students!
Awe…thank you!😊
I do not understand how it would be possible for LP to produce and release several high quality videos a week while at the same time diverting the majority of funds. It looks to me like LP is still doing the Lord's work (although I do miss watching "The Breakdown" twice a week). You all are free to bash each other, but I really hate it. I sent this same message to LP. You have to know there will be a rapprochement one day. Why not chill now, guys, and get it over with?
Hi Karen, where did you see this video where Steve insults the LP? I couldn't find it. Thx!
It's in this video, near the end.
https://youtu.be/nX387Kumm-o?si=mpMbFlqXZEzC3ugT
Thank you, Karen. Did Steve post this video on a The Warning newsletter? Thx.
Here's a recent anti-DJT ad the LP is putting out: https://therickwilson.substack.com/p/stop-pretending
For Steve to take a hit at the Lincoln Project right now and to be campaigning against Biden just boggles my mind. The LP can help to save our Democracy!
What I find confusing is that there's been not a peep about Phillips. Some tv hosts don't even let on that Biden has competition of another Democrat. On the Mehdi Hassan show, he even said that Biden had no competition and was the only Democrat running for President. I find it all very confusing. Is Steve advising this guy properly, or is it going to be just a 'whisper campaign'?
Not so fast to attack Steve, as has been going on to a radical degree. I trust Andrew Yang and here's something he said today: "I’ve been supporting Dean Phillips as an alternative to Joe Biden. Dean is what most Americans want: a sane, moderate 54-year old presidential candidate who will work to make things better. I joke that Dean should change his name to Generic Democrat, because polls show that Trump loses to a generic Democrat by 8 points."
Hi Suzanne, I appreciate your viewpoint here. Please consider that there is a significant discrepancy between what the election polls are saying and how people are voting at the polls. Dan Rather addresses that here: https://steady.substack.com/p/votes-count
I don't mean to attack Steve. I sincerely want to understand his position.
It seems a little late in the game to put forth an alternative candidate for the Democractic party because the result will be to split the vote which we can't afford.
Not too late. We have a year. I'm actually loving what Marianne Williamson is doing and don't have any fancy to Dean Phillips, but just trying to be real here.
You trust Andrew Yang?!?! 😬😬😬
No? I did two posts of him:
https://suzannetaylor.substack.com/p/moonshots
https://suzannetaylor.substack.com/p/more-big-yeses-for-andrew-yang-and
What's wrong?
I highly recommend reading Mein Kampf by Adolph Hitler. The English translation is before WWII. Like Trump, he states clearly how to take over a country (i.e., first get elected). Hitler wrote the first part of the book while in jail after failing the first time. Trump may be hoping for a weekend or something like that to be put in jail. It is in the second half of his book that he kinda goes crazy about Jews and such. This was after he got out of jail. However, if you don't believe Trump is just trying to pull a Hitler on the world, read Hitler's book. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Trump can't read or he would realize he is not that smart.
I bet that probably Steve Bannon read the book!
I didn’t watch it, but thank you providing a glimpse of the foolish attempts by most of the speakers to make themselves look important, knowledgeable and fit for the highest office in the US. As was to be expected, few rose to the occasion and your montage speaks volumes about their inability to coherently address the most pressing issues currently facing Americans. As I said, I didn’t watch it, but I thought that Christie spoke directly and effectively about the need for continuing support to Ukraine, which I, as a Canadian living in 🇨🇦 certainly stand behind.
So Steve admits that he is not a good judge of political candidates, I must say that I have to agree with him in that respect.
Steve writes today"Tim Scott, whom I had initially said could gain traction, will not. He is totally incoherent." This will also happen with Dean Phillips, but not before taking assets that could have gone to Biden.
Saw no point in watching the debate, and I gather you didn’t see any point in it either, Steve. The main difference is that you had to watch it. I abstained.
Hey Steve,
I think your assessment of these candidates is pretty spot on..I did not see the debate, however, from what I have observed of these people, I believe you have it right..
Below is my response to an earlier essay of yours..the quandary in it still plagues me..In this moment..It is also becoming more clear to me just how fucked up the the critical thinking skills of too many of the American electorate are..Although good things came out of Tuesday's election..the nation is still in a dangerous volatile state of being..I have known for a while, but something else has become more crystalized in my view of late..Much of the blame lands squarely on the Media..they are failing miserably..They are behaving against the countries..best interest..and their own..undermining the very thing that gives them their awesome responsibility..
https://open.substack.com/pub/samurdank/p/responding-to-an-act-of-war?r=ct95&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Manchin announced he will not run for reelection to the Senate. To say this complicates Democrats' chances of keeping the Senate is the (most recent) understatement of the year. Hopefully, Democrats can defy expectations in this regard, too.
PS I was glad to see Chris Christie in your snippet explain that the US convinced Ukraine to give up its nuclear weapons as a condition of making itself eligible for our protection. If I remember correctly,this also was a precondition for Ukraine to be eligible to join NATO.
It seems to me that Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons only served to make it vulnerable to Putin. Christie and you are both on target in seeing that Ukraine must win to keep Putin out of the rest of Eastern Europe-- and the USA out of another (world?) war in Europe.
I do not watch these "debates", more likely akin to scrum matches. From the recaps and news claps, one can conclude easily that not one of these heirs-to-castle-wannabes is qualified for the presidency. These "candidates" accomplish nothing except for nakedly showing how they are unqualified for many assignments, most assuredly unqualified for the highest seat in the land.
Pitiful. These are the repug's "best and brightest"?!
Godwin strikes again. The weakness of arguments is identified with the reference to Hitler, Nazis etc. While also the real tyrants are often identified doing the same.
Stupid post.