Excellent column and I hope you'll continue to dig deeply into Democratic regrouping that goes beyond Booker's marathon.I happen to think it was an inspiration for us all, but also a place marker while the deep thinkers develop a real platform that will (horrors) include some elements that are currently unthinkable. Ex. If voter ID is important on both sides of the aisle, why not work at making voter IDs easily available. Continue to let us know about politicians who are willing to think outside the box.
Great column today. But instead of 'It's the economy, stupid.' It should be 'It's the CORRUPTION!' Shouldn't everyone hate corruption? We should be hollering, screaming, raging about the corruption of this regime. From selling prayers, bit coin, access, NFTs, to the basic transfer of wealth from the bottom to the top - it is beyond appalling!
I wonder if the results of these judicial elections are simply the population reinforcing its belief in our constitutional system of checks and balances.
I’ve been registered independent for the last 20 years and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. I think the Democrats would be genius to reinvent themselves as the party of governmental checks and balances. I think given the current political climate they could win a lot of people over. They then would have to hold themselves accountable. Both parties and all three of our branches of government need to check themselves because they are wrecking themselves currently. At least right now they’re nominally able to check each other. If we lose that, I’m not sure that we will still *be* the United States of America.
I think many people vote for the abstract and post election discover reality; for example:
- Deport illegals. Local headline (Hunterdon County - west central NJ) - Go fund me to keep 20 year father and coach from being deported raises $50K. xx was detained on a routine checkin having been in the US for 20 years. (The political cartoon --- "yes deport 'them' but not my 'neighbor')
- Waste and fraud. No one understand the grant to fix the local sewage treatment plant would be considered waste by DOGE. (pun intended). There are 100s of examples of this.
- SSA is paying dead people (please tell that the the Washington person that needed 3 months of effort to prove he wasn't dead; including being asked what proof he had he wasn't dead standing at the SSA office window).
- Canada should be our 51th state. I can only wish given the population of Canada and the number of election college votes they would have. If they had been a state in 2024, we would be saying Madam President. I bet let's pack the supreme court senator McConnell would roll over in his (oh wait, he's still with us).
I am happy to say I do not think this extreme right will work in my country and I never did. Character is more important than a personal ideology and when you fill your cabinet with unqualified sycophants and are consumed only with yourself eventually as Emperor Claudius said. “ Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out”
Possible realigner: Governor Bob Ferguson in WA State. Two term AG who fought Trump hard and was a Democratic darling. Walked into a $14 million budget shortfall left by Dem predecessor and Legislature. Asking for more money for law enforcement and opposing raising taxes too much or in ways he does not think would survive legal challenge, but still supporting a move to making taxes more progressive. State Dems are furious with him. State Republicans are cautiously surprised. He is trying to walk the path of a previous realigner governor long ago in WA…Republican Dan Evans.
The parental leave bill was silly, an example of woke and a corruption of feminism—the silliness is demonstrated by the vote along party lines and that the bill covered parents, not just “people with a uterus." (NB Mayor Wu brought her 7 week old daughter to a Congressional grilling.) Any legislator with a temporary physical disability that impairs travel should be able to vote by proxy and any legislator who covers for a mentally disabled colleague bears responsibility when things go south. Also, at the Braver Angels convention this summer, after witnessing the Biden debacle, a “Blue” and I, a “Red” said we could both support either Klobuchar or Haley. A broad based coalition will form when the center left and the center right come to their senses and present sensible candidates who speak to core American values. Trump is an aberration and the sooner everyone, especially the media, looking at him that way, the healthier we all will be.
Excellent column and I hope you'll continue to dig deeply into Democratic regrouping that goes beyond Booker's marathon.I happen to think it was an inspiration for us all, but also a place marker while the deep thinkers develop a real platform that will (horrors) include some elements that are currently unthinkable. Ex. If voter ID is important on both sides of the aisle, why not work at making voter IDs easily available. Continue to let us know about politicians who are willing to think outside the box.
Your insights and analysis are always treasured…especially this one. Thank you for such outstanding work!
Such a good read and so spot on. Best political read on Substack
Great column today. But instead of 'It's the economy, stupid.' It should be 'It's the CORRUPTION!' Shouldn't everyone hate corruption? We should be hollering, screaming, raging about the corruption of this regime. From selling prayers, bit coin, access, NFTs, to the basic transfer of wealth from the bottom to the top - it is beyond appalling!
Bravo again, Gabe. I told my wife last night, when we were discussing how to stay informed, that "Gabe Fleisher is a national resource."
Once again Gabe your newletter is excellent. Very grateful.
Has it really been over 10+ years of newletters? Wow. Time flies.
I think he started in 2011 at age 9. I was pretty much only sucking my thumbs at that age.
I wonder if the results of these judicial elections are simply the population reinforcing its belief in our constitutional system of checks and balances.
I’ve been registered independent for the last 20 years and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. I think the Democrats would be genius to reinvent themselves as the party of governmental checks and balances. I think given the current political climate they could win a lot of people over. They then would have to hold themselves accountable. Both parties and all three of our branches of government need to check themselves because they are wrecking themselves currently. At least right now they’re nominally able to check each other. If we lose that, I’m not sure that we will still *be* the United States of America.
A great column with lots to think about.
I think many people vote for the abstract and post election discover reality; for example:
- Deport illegals. Local headline (Hunterdon County - west central NJ) - Go fund me to keep 20 year father and coach from being deported raises $50K. xx was detained on a routine checkin having been in the US for 20 years. (The political cartoon --- "yes deport 'them' but not my 'neighbor')
- Waste and fraud. No one understand the grant to fix the local sewage treatment plant would be considered waste by DOGE. (pun intended). There are 100s of examples of this.
- SSA is paying dead people (please tell that the the Washington person that needed 3 months of effort to prove he wasn't dead; including being asked what proof he had he wasn't dead standing at the SSA office window).
- Canada should be our 51th state. I can only wish given the population of Canada and the number of election college votes they would have. If they had been a state in 2024, we would be saying Madam President. I bet let's pack the supreme court senator McConnell would roll over in his (oh wait, he's still with us).
I could go on ....
Excellent reporting and analysis, Gabe. Thank you.
I am happy to say I do not think this extreme right will work in my country and I never did. Character is more important than a personal ideology and when you fill your cabinet with unqualified sycophants and are consumed only with yourself eventually as Emperor Claudius said. “ Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out”
Maybe you are of the old school - recycle the "tried and true" career old farts that never really worked for a living.
Great reporting and even better analysis. Keep it up!
Excellent analysis, Gabe.🎈
Possible realigner: Governor Bob Ferguson in WA State. Two term AG who fought Trump hard and was a Democratic darling. Walked into a $14 million budget shortfall left by Dem predecessor and Legislature. Asking for more money for law enforcement and opposing raising taxes too much or in ways he does not think would survive legal challenge, but still supporting a move to making taxes more progressive. State Dems are furious with him. State Republicans are cautiously surprised. He is trying to walk the path of a previous realigner governor long ago in WA…Republican Dan Evans.
And by the way, China is cleaning our clocks in science , tech, AI. And we are worried about DEI at the Smithsonian. Trump is a friggen clown
Btw, Gabe….Fabulous today Gabe. !!
...Trump is a friggen clown....? Do you know this as fact, or are you making this appraisal as a physiologist?
Is there anything the Trump administration is doing that is good?
The parental leave bill was silly, an example of woke and a corruption of feminism—the silliness is demonstrated by the vote along party lines and that the bill covered parents, not just “people with a uterus." (NB Mayor Wu brought her 7 week old daughter to a Congressional grilling.) Any legislator with a temporary physical disability that impairs travel should be able to vote by proxy and any legislator who covers for a mentally disabled colleague bears responsibility when things go south. Also, at the Braver Angels convention this summer, after witnessing the Biden debacle, a “Blue” and I, a “Red” said we could both support either Klobuchar or Haley. A broad based coalition will form when the center left and the center right come to their senses and present sensible candidates who speak to core American values. Trump is an aberration and the sooner everyone, especially the media, looking at him that way, the healthier we all will be.