Hello. It’s the weekend. This is The Weekender ☕️
I’ve been thinking for a long time about the invisible information environment, and how the Republicans are not only in control – the Democrats are not competitive. I’m talking about the “cultural” shows that politics flows from – right-wing views wrapped up in conversation about MMA and the stock market, or making Cheerios by hand and removing seed oil from food.
Democrats are clearly aware of the 10s/10s of millions of votes they have left on the board; Check out Kamala Harris’ performance on popular podcasts this season.
But it is not enough to make a guest appearance. Democrats need a well-presented, well-supported, strong-willed campaign to go with the Rogans and Theo Vons. That will require innovation, a lot of money and a lot of money and talent. This, of course, is even more difficult because billionaires have a symbiotic relationship with right-wing ideologies. It will be even harder to wrangle wealthy backers for an idea that clearly wants them to have less money.
The remaining pods and streams already exist – it shows in the Young Turks oeuvre – won’t cut it, because most of them despise normie Democrats. This was the heart of the big Bernie-Hillary divide, and the “left bag” who liked Sanders and see Hillary as the image of the center of the party, which they hate.
That way, things are easy for Republicans and the media that supports them. Under Trump, the party has become more homogenous. Anti-Trump Republicans may come from the party, or they may be independent. Trump doesn’t have to worry about extremists and radicals; there are no centers left.
For Democrats, flooding this area will be nothing like the conspiracy theories and oppressive views of Ben Shapiro; and it won’t be a disrespectful, all-burning far-left abomination. They need something else, creatives who support the idea of mass freedom in a non-political way, in order to attract lower class voters who would not make an overtly political show.
It will take trial and error to create this content. Fortunately, Democrats have two and four years to figure it out.
— Kate Riga
Here’s what else TPM has to tap this week
- Josh Kovensky reports on the beginning of what looks like a swift end to Jack Smith’s Trump impeachment.
- Khaya Himmelman takes a look at those federal election measures that seek to “ban” non-citizen voting – a problem that has allegedly been the focus of Republican fraud this season, even though it’s already legal for those people non-citizens. vote in federal elections.
- Emine Yücel writes about the first round of defense played by Democrats, at the federal and congressional level, as they work to create a game plan to counter Trump II’s policies.
—Nicole Lafond
Out Loud?
Jack Smith gave his first public indication on Friday that he plans to end Trump’s impeachment before the government changes hands on January 20. He asked the judge to cancel the deadlines set for the 6 January case – he agreed – and asked for time until 3 December. Then, he will issue a status report detailing his decision on what to do in light of the DOJ’s impeachment policy.
It is the beginning of the end of the case. There is a suggestion that Smith, in accordance with special counsel regulations, will give a report. It is possible that this will include interesting new information about Trump’s 2020 coup attempt, but let’s not expect the truth: these events have been thoroughly investigated, including by TPM. I will be surprised if anything new or important comes out of that.
What surprises me is that before the election, Smith hinted that he would try to move forward with the prosecution if Trump won. It would be a kamikaze mission, essentially asking Trump to fire him once he takes office. It is now abundantly clear that, after reported conversations with DOJ leadership, Smith does not. That means Trump won’t have to fire him, as he promised. DOJ will be his.
— Josh Kovensky
As The Hysteria Generated Over Trump’s Victory, Eight Countries Have Passed Non-Citizenship Measures.
On Tuesday, voters approved GOP-backed primary measures in 8 states to make it illegal for non-citizens to vote in state and local elections — something that is already illegal in those states.
The measures have been approved in Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wisconsin, and would require each of these states to amend a section of the state constitution to clearly state that citizens only those who can vote in elections.
The fact that these measures were on the ballot in the first place in this entire election was part of a broader messaging effort by Trump-aligned Republicans to raise concerns about the safety and security of elections during of Trump’s loss.
For months now, the non-citizen voting bogus story has been a bit of a fix for Republicans — a scare tactic used to cry out voter fraud when necessary. Non-citizens rarely vote in elections, and it is now legal, which is why this story is widely understood as a way to sow distrust in the general election system.
Eliza Sweren-Becker, senior counsel for the Election Rights and Elections Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, previously told TPM that the report is “another misrepresentation and misrepresentation of the integrity of elections that seem to be aimed at sow distrust in our electoral system.”
But, suddenly, and unsurprisingly, with Trump’s victory, discussions about non-citizens voting in this presidential election have completely disappeared. The passage of these amendments, which continue to raise unnecessary fears about the security of the election system, is a way to keep the record alive, when it’s time for Republicans to raise the issue again.
— Khaya Himmelman
State Reps Gear Up to Fight Trump II
A few days after Donald Trump declared victory in the 2024 presidential election – securing a second term in the White House – Democrats across the country began to cry and present plans to fight the prospect that it will be a system defined by distance. appropriate, risk-adjusted policies.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called the state legislature back for a special session on Thursday to request an increase in federal funding for any lawsuits the state may need to bring against the incoming Trump administration. . That money could help California protect civil rights, climate change, abortion access, emergency funding and other state policies from the far-right federal agenda that the administration new expected to set.
“The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack — and we will not stand idly by,” Newsom said in a statement. “California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond. We are ready to fight in court, and we will do whatever it takes to ensure that Californians have the support and resources they need to be successful.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) made the plan in an interview with Time on Thursday, arguing that Senate Democrats should do everything in their power to fight “radical Trump candidates,” describing the tactics that they used during his last presidency – such as holding the Senate for hours on end to cut the bills, which would expose Republican extremists, damage other names or lay the groundwork for officials to members of the Cabinet resign later. honor.
The Massachusetts senator also stressed that Democrats “must do everything.” [they] it can protect our democracy” before Trump took office in January.
“To counter Trump’s threats to abuse federal power against what he calls the ‘enemy within,’ Pentagon leaders should issue an order now reiterating that the military’s oath of office is in the Constitution. Senate Leader “Majority Chuck Schumer must use every minute of the year-end legislative session to confirm federal judges and key executives – none of whom can be removed by the next President,” he wrote. .
And New York Attorney General Letitia James said at a press conference Tuesday that her office is prepared for a second Trump administration — and that they’ve been preparing for it for “several months.”
“We will work with his administration, but we will not compromise our values or our integrity or our principles,” James said. “We did not expect this result, but we are ready to respond to this result.”
— Emine Yücel
#Messaging #Environment #Stupid