Great post. I'd add that Rogan freaking out is a great example of how in politics the messenger can sometimes be more important than the message. He's exactly the sort of person who might be able to influence the 15-20%* of the electorate that voted for Trump but are open to changing their minds, like a lot of people did in 2020. AOC giving a speech on why the deportations show that Trump is a fascist might make Brian personally happier but it's really unlikely to have an impact on some guy who voted for Trump five months ago but is now worried about his 401k. But Rogan could have an influence.
>>After polls closed and results started coming in, there was another surprise: despite raising more than $15,000,000 the Democratic nominee will likely do relatively worse in Fl-6 than the quieter FL-1 race.<<
This is a little disingenuous - 06 is a heavily Republican district. - Waltz won his last election there 66% - 33%, and Trump carried it 64-34%. Last night, the results were 56-42%. that's a pretty significant reduction in the margin of victory in a safe red district. This negates your argument that Democrats should just go quietly into the night.
You also misrepresent, based on anecdotal evidence of one podcaster, what the majority of "liberals" wanted in the run-up to the Wisconsin SC election - not necessarily to see Musk frog-marched up the courthouse steps but to see the law be applied or at least the grievance against his election meddling heard. Per the Election Law Blog:
Wisconsin law makes the payment for turnout illegal. In particular, under section 12.11(1m)(a)(2), it is a crime to “offer[]…anything of value…to…any elector…in order to induce any elector to: (a) Vote or refrain from voting.” This is separate and apart from a prohibition on voting or refraining from voting “for or against any particular person.” (Thanks to Nate Ela for the pointer.)
I, and many other people, do not agree with simply being passive while a person is literally violating the law and not facing any consequences, the richest man in the world or not.
You are also misrepresenting how the candidate in Wisconsin won, Crawford literally tied her opponent to Musk in campaign ads, speeches, and interviews, at times referring to Musk as her opponent.
This whole post rings as if you have a personal issue with Beutler and cherry-picked facts to prove your point and dismiss his.
"Playing dead" as recommended by James Carville, is terribly cynical! When we have real good people, that have become political prisoners! They have done nothing wrong except express political ideas that bother the current government. The lives and health of these people are at risk if we continue to let this government violate human rights and due process. Is horrible! I am a Democrat since 1993! I cannot believe why we are not fighting harder and reacting to all these Human rights violations in addition to stopping the destruction of wonderful Federal Programs that helped so many people! if it wasn't for the Federal judges...what would we do?
Where are the democrats of Congress trying to STOP the insanity of this administration? Playing dead really? Is this affirmation being done from the safety of someone's house? Profoundly disappointing. I hope that the majority of the Democrats stand up and fight hard against the attack on our democracy and human rights in the USA... which used to be one of the safest places in the world due to its democracy and free speech...or so we thought!
Great post. I'd add that Rogan freaking out is a great example of how in politics the messenger can sometimes be more important than the message. He's exactly the sort of person who might be able to influence the 15-20%* of the electorate that voted for Trump but are open to changing their minds, like a lot of people did in 2020. AOC giving a speech on why the deportations show that Trump is a fascist might make Brian personally happier but it's really unlikely to have an impact on some guy who voted for Trump five months ago but is now worried about his 401k. But Rogan could have an influence.
*or insert a number of your choice
Converts have unique credibility (just like Elon and others say they used to be Dems)
>>After polls closed and results started coming in, there was another surprise: despite raising more than $15,000,000 the Democratic nominee will likely do relatively worse in Fl-6 than the quieter FL-1 race.<<
This is a little disingenuous - 06 is a heavily Republican district. - Waltz won his last election there 66% - 33%, and Trump carried it 64-34%. Last night, the results were 56-42%. that's a pretty significant reduction in the margin of victory in a safe red district. This negates your argument that Democrats should just go quietly into the night.
You also misrepresent, based on anecdotal evidence of one podcaster, what the majority of "liberals" wanted in the run-up to the Wisconsin SC election - not necessarily to see Musk frog-marched up the courthouse steps but to see the law be applied or at least the grievance against his election meddling heard. Per the Election Law Blog:
Wisconsin law makes the payment for turnout illegal. In particular, under section 12.11(1m)(a)(2), it is a crime to “offer[]…anything of value…to…any elector…in order to induce any elector to: (a) Vote or refrain from voting.” This is separate and apart from a prohibition on voting or refraining from voting “for or against any particular person.” (Thanks to Nate Ela for the pointer.)
https://electionlawblog.org/?p=149196
I, and many other people, do not agree with simply being passive while a person is literally violating the law and not facing any consequences, the richest man in the world or not.
You are also misrepresenting how the candidate in Wisconsin won, Crawford literally tied her opponent to Musk in campaign ads, speeches, and interviews, at times referring to Musk as her opponent.
This whole post rings as if you have a personal issue with Beutler and cherry-picked facts to prove your point and dismiss his.
No mention of Booker's record-breaking campaign commercial? Beutler probably wet himself.
"Playing dead" as recommended by James Carville, is terribly cynical! When we have real good people, that have become political prisoners! They have done nothing wrong except express political ideas that bother the current government. The lives and health of these people are at risk if we continue to let this government violate human rights and due process. Is horrible! I am a Democrat since 1993! I cannot believe why we are not fighting harder and reacting to all these Human rights violations in addition to stopping the destruction of wonderful Federal Programs that helped so many people! if it wasn't for the Federal judges...what would we do?
Where are the democrats of Congress trying to STOP the insanity of this administration? Playing dead really? Is this affirmation being done from the safety of someone's house? Profoundly disappointing. I hope that the majority of the Democrats stand up and fight hard against the attack on our democracy and human rights in the USA... which used to be one of the safest places in the world due to its democracy and free speech...or so we thought!
Keep speaking truth.