Dan, my husband and I were talking about you and how you aren't very optimistic usually. We decided you are the Eeyore of politics, so this column is very encouraging indeed.
I’d like to point out that two of the races you mention, in Maine and Alaska, use ranked choice voting. That helps keeps them safe from a spoiler candidate.
(Fun fact: Eliot Cutler’s third party candidacies in 2010 and 2014, which helped give Maine Governor Paul LePage, were a strong impetus behind Maine’s adoption of ranked choice voting. Cutler was convicted in 2023 for possession of child pornography, and just made the news for violating his probation for the second time.)
I understand that Mary Petola is a great candidate, but I'm concerned she hasn't been clear enough on the issue of fish: Is she pro-Fish or pro-Fisherman? I feel Alaska's fish and Alaska's fisherman have two very different agendas that are often at odds. I feel like Alaska's fish would be pretty anti-catching-and-gutting, whereas the fisherman might pretty pro. It's all very confusing, especially because Alaska's fish community doesn't vote in very large numbers. (Largely the result of the state GOP restricting polling places to land, I think.)
Abdul El-Sayed is just the kind of representative this country needs more of. He's a good man with a level head that believes in an empathetic, pro-worker agenda. I've so far seen him championing taxing the rich, medicare for all, and getting money out of politics. As for what you linked, "anti-israel" (stopping the genocide) is a political plus for anyone who isn't dependent on foreign lobbying money. I've been very happy with PSAs support of Graham and Abdul as a shift away from the centrist, old guard, kind of politics they favored before.
That's fine as to why YOU should support him, but the PSA guys should not be endorsing. Or they should explain to listeners why they endorse in some primaries and not others, and what goes into their selection of candidates.
Why shouldn't they endorse who they want? PSA is independent media. Taking a stand where they feel it matters is important for their subscribers. And they are private individuals, not beholden to corporate media.
They can endorse who they want, but why should anyone trust their commentary on a race in which they have a dog in the hunt? If they want to hold themselves out as a go to source for info and commentary about Dmeocratic politics, they need to stay out endorsing in races. Especially if, as here, they are doing it sneakily.
Disagree. And I would add that PSA has never pretended to be objective and I don't expect them to be. I am an adult and can form my own opinions about who to vote for regardless of endorsements. I am pretty sure most PSA listeners are as well. Sneaky? You seem to be sneaky about your own prejudices.
I'll take anything positive at this point. They just keep getting away with murder (literally) and they are never punished. Maybe Trumps vow to cancel the midterm elections is raving and not true. Maybe we have this one chance to get justice.
University of Montana President Seth Bodnar is expected to run for U.S. Senate as an Independent, part of an elaborate plan apparently backed by former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in a move that has angered Democrats.
University of Montana President Seth Bodnar is expected to run for U.S. Senate as an Independent, part of an elaborate plan apparently backed by former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in a move that has angered Democrats.
Pretty sad dems only message is republican lite. Sad we don’t have a better message and sad that Americans are too fucjing stupid to understand they have sold their country to oligarchs and all so some brown person doesn’t get a free meal. Fucking ridiculous
Now, Before the Midterms: There should be a massive effort to place a billboard on every major highway on the outskirts of every major town in every Red District in the Country identifying by name the U.S. Representative who voted for the Big Ugly Bill listing the eventual damages it will do to its citizens. The same should be done in every State with a Republican Senator up for reelection. Much of the bad stuff will not be apparent to voters until after the midterms; consequently, Democratic Party messaging between now and then is critical! We need to be in Republican Faces Every Day like they are in ours. I Think Mobile Billboards Would Also Work Well.
JUST AN EXAMPLE: "Your Representative in Congress, (first name, last name) Just Voted to slash Your Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP Benefits to Pay for Tax Cuts for the Rich! VOTE HIM (HER) OUT."
Is that a slight overstatement of facts? Certainly, but that's what Republicans do all the time and we need to counterattack using the same tactics and be UBIQUITOUS about it, e.g., Billboards.
Each Billboard's message presupposes that Democrats in each District are smart enough to identity the hot button issues that will resonate with the intended Republican audience, be it Taxes, FEMA Support, Economy, ICE Overreach, Medical Coverage, infrastructure, Tariffs, etc. If Dems can't pinpoint the right issues, then billboards will have little effect.
Good work, as always Dan and just the piece of Hope I need to make it through right now. FYI- NC lost their last 2 Senate races because the DNC refused to give us the support we needed. We will win with Cooper.
Former Governor Chris Sununu's father, John W. Sununu is not running (he's 86). Chris's older brother, former Senator John E. Sununu is running.
Great piece, Dan. Thanks for sharing the Peltola video. Very compelling and I will be donating to her campaign.
Dan, my husband and I were talking about you and how you aren't very optimistic usually. We decided you are the Eeyore of politics, so this column is very encouraging indeed.
Great rundown, Dan!
I’d like to point out that two of the races you mention, in Maine and Alaska, use ranked choice voting. That helps keeps them safe from a spoiler candidate.
(Fun fact: Eliot Cutler’s third party candidacies in 2010 and 2014, which helped give Maine Governor Paul LePage, were a strong impetus behind Maine’s adoption of ranked choice voting. Cutler was convicted in 2023 for possession of child pornography, and just made the news for violating his probation for the second time.)
I understand that Mary Petola is a great candidate, but I'm concerned she hasn't been clear enough on the issue of fish: Is she pro-Fish or pro-Fisherman? I feel Alaska's fish and Alaska's fisherman have two very different agendas that are often at odds. I feel like Alaska's fish would be pretty anti-catching-and-gutting, whereas the fisherman might pretty pro. It's all very confusing, especially because Alaska's fish community doesn't vote in very large numbers. (Largely the result of the state GOP restricting polling places to land, I think.)
Dan you mention the that Michigan Senate primary has 3 compelling Democratic candidates.
If that is the case, why on earth is Pod Save America choosing to take a side in the race?
https://x.com/JoshKraushaar/status/2010813971805122982?s=20
As someone who thinks the Pod Save America backed candidate is the most likely one to lose in November, this upsets me.
Abdul El-Sayed is just the kind of representative this country needs more of. He's a good man with a level head that believes in an empathetic, pro-worker agenda. I've so far seen him championing taxing the rich, medicare for all, and getting money out of politics. As for what you linked, "anti-israel" (stopping the genocide) is a political plus for anyone who isn't dependent on foreign lobbying money. I've been very happy with PSAs support of Graham and Abdul as a shift away from the centrist, old guard, kind of politics they favored before.
That's fine as to why YOU should support him, but the PSA guys should not be endorsing. Or they should explain to listeners why they endorse in some primaries and not others, and what goes into their selection of candidates.
Why shouldn't they endorse who they want? PSA is independent media. Taking a stand where they feel it matters is important for their subscribers. And they are private individuals, not beholden to corporate media.
They can endorse who they want, but why should anyone trust their commentary on a race in which they have a dog in the hunt? If they want to hold themselves out as a go to source for info and commentary about Dmeocratic politics, they need to stay out endorsing in races. Especially if, as here, they are doing it sneakily.
Disagree. And I would add that PSA has never pretended to be objective and I don't expect them to be. I am an adult and can form my own opinions about who to vote for regardless of endorsements. I am pretty sure most PSA listeners are as well. Sneaky? You seem to be sneaky about your own prejudices.
Would you really feel the same if they, with all of the power of their forum, endorsed a primary candidate that you opposed?
I'll take anything positive at this point. They just keep getting away with murder (literally) and they are never punished. Maybe Trumps vow to cancel the midterm elections is raving and not true. Maybe we have this one chance to get justice.
University of Montana President Seth Bodnar is expected to run for U.S. Senate as an Independent, part of an elaborate plan apparently backed by former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in a move that has angered Democrats.
https://montanafreepress.org/2026/01/14/bodnar-plans-senate-run-as-an-independent-and-testers-apparent-support-angers-democrats-in-montana/
University of Montana President Seth Bodnar is expected to run for U.S. Senate as an Independent, part of an elaborate plan apparently backed by former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in a move that has angered Democrats.
https://montanafreepress.org/2026/01/14/bodnar-plans-senate-run-as-an-independent-and-testers-apparent-support-angers-democrats-in-montana/
Pretty sad dems only message is republican lite. Sad we don’t have a better message and sad that Americans are too fucjing stupid to understand they have sold their country to oligarchs and all so some brown person doesn’t get a free meal. Fucking ridiculous
If only Pete Ricketts would lose in Nebraska...
Now, Before the Midterms: There should be a massive effort to place a billboard on every major highway on the outskirts of every major town in every Red District in the Country identifying by name the U.S. Representative who voted for the Big Ugly Bill listing the eventual damages it will do to its citizens. The same should be done in every State with a Republican Senator up for reelection. Much of the bad stuff will not be apparent to voters until after the midterms; consequently, Democratic Party messaging between now and then is critical! We need to be in Republican Faces Every Day like they are in ours. I Think Mobile Billboards Would Also Work Well.
JUST AN EXAMPLE: "Your Representative in Congress, (first name, last name) Just Voted to slash Your Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP Benefits to Pay for Tax Cuts for the Rich! VOTE HIM (HER) OUT."
Is that a slight overstatement of facts? Certainly, but that's what Republicans do all the time and we need to counterattack using the same tactics and be UBIQUITOUS about it, e.g., Billboards.
Each Billboard's message presupposes that Democrats in each District are smart enough to identity the hot button issues that will resonate with the intended Republican audience, be it Taxes, FEMA Support, Economy, ICE Overreach, Medical Coverage, infrastructure, Tariffs, etc. If Dems can't pinpoint the right issues, then billboards will have little effect.
Good work, as always Dan and just the piece of Hope I need to make it through right now. FYI- NC lost their last 2 Senate races because the DNC refused to give us the support we needed. We will win with Cooper.