As one of those independents you are talking about. I read your Substack regularly, along with half a dozen others, because I prefer to not make decisions within an echo chamber.
Most of your analysts are completely missing the point. But I will grant that they are correct on one point. It isn't the messaging; it's the underlying policies.
For example, Ms. Harris ran her campaign on "vibes". There was very little substance. Children are driven by vibes. Rational adults are guided by principles. Those principles my evoke strong emotional responses, but those are secondary to the principles.
Harris made a run to the "middle" but not too far least she offend the progressive base that, correctly or not, if perceived to be the lifeblood of the Democrat Party. And then, as she is won't to do, she said the quiet part outload, essentially "My positions may have changed but my values haven't". Which means the position changes aren't sincere and won't hold up once elected.
If the Democrats want people like me to "jump ship", they need to credibly support "normalcy". Not coastal normalcy, but fly-over normalcy. Think
Constitutional Norms,
The Rule of Law,
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me"
"I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend, with my life, your right to say it"
Prove through your actions that you support these principles that still inspire the spirit of freedom today, and you will your opposition.
Because the only people who want to live in California are already there.
Reacting to Trump actions with alarm is not a strategy. It is an emotional tactic. We need a plan, a statement designating which parts of government must be repaired in 2029, and why. Then we need to decide on specific tactics which will accomplish the repair as soon as possible. The first tactic will be to elect practical representatives in 2026 and 2028 who can implement the repair tactics. The perfect statement will be thorough, yet concise (an oxymoron, yet a necessary goal). It must be presented in an adult manner, without ranting.
As one of those independents you are talking about. I read your Substack regularly, along with half a dozen others, because I prefer to not make decisions within an echo chamber.
Most of your analysts are completely missing the point. But I will grant that they are correct on one point. It isn't the messaging; it's the underlying policies.
For example, Ms. Harris ran her campaign on "vibes". There was very little substance. Children are driven by vibes. Rational adults are guided by principles. Those principles my evoke strong emotional responses, but those are secondary to the principles.
Harris made a run to the "middle" but not too far least she offend the progressive base that, correctly or not, if perceived to be the lifeblood of the Democrat Party. And then, as she is won't to do, she said the quiet part outload, essentially "My positions may have changed but my values haven't". Which means the position changes aren't sincere and won't hold up once elected.
If the Democrats want people like me to "jump ship", they need to credibly support "normalcy". Not coastal normalcy, but fly-over normalcy. Think
Constitutional Norms,
The Rule of Law,
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me"
"I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend, with my life, your right to say it"
Prove through your actions that you support these principles that still inspire the spirit of freedom today, and you will your opposition.
Because the only people who want to live in California are already there.
Reacting to Trump actions with alarm is not a strategy. It is an emotional tactic. We need a plan, a statement designating which parts of government must be repaired in 2029, and why. Then we need to decide on specific tactics which will accomplish the repair as soon as possible. The first tactic will be to elect practical representatives in 2026 and 2028 who can implement the repair tactics. The perfect statement will be thorough, yet concise (an oxymoron, yet a necessary goal). It must be presented in an adult manner, without ranting.