All good points but I have no confidence that the feckless Dems will do any of what you outline other than a typically half-hearted announcement from tired old Chuck Schumer. And why? Because the doll announcement happened several days ago and we have heard nothing in response. The crypto scam has been ongoing and there has been nothing in response from the Dems. Pathetic and unacceptable
Trump’s stupidity is really a tragedy. He doesn’t know how to use his political capital well. Think about COVID. He could have rallied the nation in a collective effort to heal. He could have promoted COVID bonds to help fund the government money needed to keep people afloat. Instead he was divisive and idiotic, promoting injecting bleach, because he didn’t like the way he looked wearing a mask. Narcissism, greed and incompetence are a dangerous combination.
On an unrelated topic I would be interested in hearing more about Democratic efforts to register voters as Democrats. The DNC is funding a national effort but I am not seeing/hearing anything in my state, NJ. Losing the governor’s race this year seems like a real possibility to me.
I've thought about this a lot. He could have easily secured the 2020 election by being even slightly unifying. This time a lot of people were rooting for him to succeed and he blew it immediately. If he were only moderately less of a dipshit he would be largely popular and could continue most of his terrible plutocratic policies without much pushback.
Re voter registration, the DNC is significantly upping funding to the state parties including for partisan voter reg. It was only announced a few weeks ago and takes time for stuff to change on the ground, but it's happening.
Agree 💯. Imagine if he actually did infrastructure week! His political capital in 1.0 would have forced the GOP lemmings to fund the repairs and enhancements so desperately needed. Such a moron.
This just sounds like another example where trying to imitate Republicans is bound to fail…what gives Republicans a political identity is a combination of religion, regional identity and propaganda networks that reinforce their identity. Democrats are the party of everyone else, at least that’s what they need to be to win. Too much attention to “the base” can be weakness if it alienates the majority of people.
How would registering voters as Democrats change the trajectory of the governor’s race? People can vote for any candidate, regardless of their registration. Is this about who votes in the state primary? Is the problem that the primary electorate is too left wing? Who is the Republican that looks like they can win New Jersey this year?
Respectfully, registering voters as Democrats gives them a political identity and much more significantly strengthens GOTV efforts. Why do you think the GOP has invested so much in partisan registration?
USians in general are so ignorant about how "the economy" works and what actually affects the price of, say, eggs -- or dolls, or pencils. Millions upon millions thought a president could fix inflation. Maybe, when we get through this, we could put serious effort into widespread civic education on the subject? and not just in schools?
Yes, yes, I know: The corporate right will scream bloody murder that this is socialism, communism, un-Americanism, etc. They've been doing this since at least the late 19th century. It's long past time to call their bluff, now that we've seen with our own eyes what it leads to.
Never underestimate his ability to rehabilitate himself. Before long corporate media will start parroting his bullshit about austerity and how sacrifice (for us, not him and his friends) is patriotic. People will eat it up and somehow blame Biden and take it out on Democrats in 2026 unless we are very loud and make clear 24/7 that this mess is 100% Trump's fucking fault and he owns it. Dan's recommended message needs to be hammered over and over.
On the one hand, I agree. On the other hand, I don't know that messaging about dolls will matter much. It's hypothetical--hasn't happened yet, and it's small stuff.
There are more powerful, real-time oportunities that you mention that I expected the Dems and the press to be all over. Why aren't photos of the gold-plated oval office everywhere? How much did it cost taxpayers? How much will the parade cost taxpayers? Crypto, family real estate deals, etc. The personal ego and greed on display is staggering.
This is not a guy who understands the economic anxiety of most families and his tarrifs will hurt them even more. THAT should be the overarching narrative, and these stories are evidence that Dems can use to keep the big critique alive between now and the midterms.
Dan, I am a strong believer in genuine tax reform that more favors the federal tax code toward true work output (in either good or services) vs. passive investment income (in which the wealthy just become wealthier, although perhaps not under Trump). In my view, such a move would be helpful - although not sufficient - in addressing inequality. Would you see such a platform as an effective communication strategy for Dems in 2026? 2028? Especially while Repubs are trying to pass tax cuts for the wealthy and cut Medicaid?
I'd like to add how elements of his message ("dolls") is gendered coded and being picked up by other officials - Scott Bessent in the link below and nondescript Congressman David Joyce from the Appropriations Committee (https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3logsozsz5d2a).
Leah Greenberg of Indivisible calls this out: "just so we’re all clear: the reason they keep using dolls as their example is because they’re trying to frame caring about material stuff as feminine and thus inherently shameful."
And these statements don't exist in a vacuum either. There has been a growing "woman-sphere" building online that's filling a lot of gaps in women's real frustrations with parenthood, healthcare, and lack of work/life balance by pushing a more "traditional" solution. Here's a great overview from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/24/womanosphere-conservative-women
This isn't to say that this dumb message from Trump, et all is "good" or "smart" or "calculating." One can never know what's rattling around in Trump's brain. But there is something here - particularly when thought of in the information/content environment women are in. And it is worth having a strong pushback from anyone on the side of sanity.
Trump keeps throwing these slow, straight, fat pitches right over the middle of the plate, but the timing is all off.
The model of: "this horrible thing is going to happen" followed by "see? I told you so" is not very effective, and can be counter productive. I think too many Americans already see Dems as the-sky-is-falling scolds. And being right hasn't fixed it - climate, War on Iraq, trickle down tax cuts, COVID, Dobbs... yet we're still losing to these knobs.
So I wonder about two things...
First is leaving "Dem" out of it and framing this as "austerity for us, party for them", where "us" is regular Americans and "them" is Republican parasitic oligarchs. Pull Americans together while making the elites the "other" for once.
Second is drawing the contrast using things that people can see and feel in the moment, not some future Christmas shopping list. Right now, eggs, milk, and beef vs his gold plated knickknacks. Whatever is actually more expensive or unavailable in June vs his birthday parade. And if we make it to Christmas, doll and pencil rationing vs whatever god-awful thing Melania does to the White House.
Honestly I am beginning to wonder why in hell it is so hard for Dems to message all of this, it is so spectactularly dumb and spectacularly grifting and spectacular inequality and just plain cruel. Why isn't there a roar from all Dem leader? Why is everyone in business and etc. caving to him? It seems beyond the point of fear; the fear of idiocy is what is running us? The key to those who do like him was in some intereview I saw w T voters who used to be dems; a young, bright man who said he likes T "because he is an asshole." Wow. And then I thought, we are in trouble. I LOVE the podcast "Against The Rules," and Michael Lewis is writing really interesting, closeup views of why government is (or can be, has been) GOOD.
Bear with me folks. Bc we have been listening to Michael Lewis's "Against The Rules" pod (bc I heard Lovett interview him and so good) -- we went back and re watched The Big Short last night. And am I wrong, isn't there a direct line between now and then? And if there is, shouldn't we be telling that story over and over and over. Obama and the Dems took the lesser of two evils with the bailout I guess, but still, if you are not paying obsessive attention like us, who connects these dots? No one. We are every damn one of us even my favorite pols talking about this moment. But there is a crucial story to tell. Seems to me Americans need to be educated all over again, about why they hate gov. (and why it doesn't have to be that way) and we have to keep telling us. Including our leaders, pod guys and pols and everyone. Do I have this right??? And Dan have you decided no more responding here? Because if so I and I bet we want to know.
Great points! And there is some dissension in ranks of MAGAworld. But confirmation bias is strong in MAGA, and there is a limit to admitting they were wrong. Trump will continue to claim he is right, especially about tariffs, a concept that aligns with his tendency to grievance. At some point this is going to come to a head when a budget is put to a vote. They will have to come clean then. Will be interesting to see how that plays out with debt ceiling. How do Dems handle That play?
Dems have two jobs to do during their exile from power: 1) make sure all the terrible outcomes stick to republicans, 2) articulate a compelling alternative.
Progress on 1 looks more and more promising as Trump ensures economic catastrophe and tragic messaging you’ve outlined here that cements a toxic legacy. But as things stand now, little progress on 2. The messaging is all over the place and noisy from D’s. Polling and focus groups show D’s still largely poll below R’s and Trump.
Democrats should go BIG with clarion messaging around 2 or 3 constitutional amendments. Everything else can fall into place around them. Here’s three ideas.
1 - strictly limit money in politics. Gut Citizens United.
2 - term limits for house of reps, senate and SCOTUS, plus reaffirm 2 term limit on pres.
3 - negate the SCOTUS immunity ruling from last year and make the president clearly subject to the law.
It would signal the D’s stand for something. Doesn’t have to be the three above, but it should be 2 or 3 and make a long term commitment to the project. It would be a legit, in-broad-daylight retort to Proj 2025. We intend to change government in the way that was intended by the founders. Not the backdoor, under the table Project 2025 way.
What groups in the progressive effort are working on getting these messages out? I know MoveOn, VoteVets, but there must be others. I want to know a) who to support and b) who to volunteer with.
All good points but I have no confidence that the feckless Dems will do any of what you outline other than a typically half-hearted announcement from tired old Chuck Schumer. And why? Because the doll announcement happened several days ago and we have heard nothing in response. The crypto scam has been ongoing and there has been nothing in response from the Dems. Pathetic and unacceptable
Perhaps you should start a political action committee or even run for office. Show us how it should be done.
Step up and do it yourself in your own community.
Thanks for the good read.
Trump’s stupidity is really a tragedy. He doesn’t know how to use his political capital well. Think about COVID. He could have rallied the nation in a collective effort to heal. He could have promoted COVID bonds to help fund the government money needed to keep people afloat. Instead he was divisive and idiotic, promoting injecting bleach, because he didn’t like the way he looked wearing a mask. Narcissism, greed and incompetence are a dangerous combination.
On an unrelated topic I would be interested in hearing more about Democratic efforts to register voters as Democrats. The DNC is funding a national effort but I am not seeing/hearing anything in my state, NJ. Losing the governor’s race this year seems like a real possibility to me.
I've thought about this a lot. He could have easily secured the 2020 election by being even slightly unifying. This time a lot of people were rooting for him to succeed and he blew it immediately. If he were only moderately less of a dipshit he would be largely popular and could continue most of his terrible plutocratic policies without much pushback.
Re voter registration, the DNC is significantly upping funding to the state parties including for partisan voter reg. It was only announced a few weeks ago and takes time for stuff to change on the ground, but it's happening.
Agree 💯. Imagine if he actually did infrastructure week! His political capital in 1.0 would have forced the GOP lemmings to fund the repairs and enhancements so desperately needed. Such a moron.
This just sounds like another example where trying to imitate Republicans is bound to fail…what gives Republicans a political identity is a combination of religion, regional identity and propaganda networks that reinforce their identity. Democrats are the party of everyone else, at least that’s what they need to be to win. Too much attention to “the base” can be weakness if it alienates the majority of people.
How would registering voters as Democrats change the trajectory of the governor’s race? People can vote for any candidate, regardless of their registration. Is this about who votes in the state primary? Is the problem that the primary electorate is too left wing? Who is the Republican that looks like they can win New Jersey this year?
Respectfully, registering voters as Democrats gives them a political identity and much more significantly strengthens GOTV efforts. Why do you think the GOP has invested so much in partisan registration?
USians in general are so ignorant about how "the economy" works and what actually affects the price of, say, eggs -- or dolls, or pencils. Millions upon millions thought a president could fix inflation. Maybe, when we get through this, we could put serious effort into widespread civic education on the subject? and not just in schools?
Yes, yes, I know: The corporate right will scream bloody murder that this is socialism, communism, un-Americanism, etc. They've been doing this since at least the late 19th century. It's long past time to call their bluff, now that we've seen with our own eyes what it leads to.
TBF, the Brexit referendum demonstrated that Americans are not alone in being ignorant of economic matters.
Never underestimate his ability to rehabilitate himself. Before long corporate media will start parroting his bullshit about austerity and how sacrifice (for us, not him and his friends) is patriotic. People will eat it up and somehow blame Biden and take it out on Democrats in 2026 unless we are very loud and make clear 24/7 that this mess is 100% Trump's fucking fault and he owns it. Dan's recommended message needs to be hammered over and over.
On the one hand, I agree. On the other hand, I don't know that messaging about dolls will matter much. It's hypothetical--hasn't happened yet, and it's small stuff.
There are more powerful, real-time oportunities that you mention that I expected the Dems and the press to be all over. Why aren't photos of the gold-plated oval office everywhere? How much did it cost taxpayers? How much will the parade cost taxpayers? Crypto, family real estate deals, etc. The personal ego and greed on display is staggering.
This is not a guy who understands the economic anxiety of most families and his tarrifs will hurt them even more. THAT should be the overarching narrative, and these stories are evidence that Dems can use to keep the big critique alive between now and the midterms.
It isn't really small stuff. It is a huge and insulting message.
We also need to emphasize that it isn't just Trump and his Cabinet; it's also every Republican in Congress.
I remember reading that Senator Gillebrand was a crypto whisperer too.
Dan, I am a strong believer in genuine tax reform that more favors the federal tax code toward true work output (in either good or services) vs. passive investment income (in which the wealthy just become wealthier, although perhaps not under Trump). In my view, such a move would be helpful - although not sufficient - in addressing inequality. Would you see such a platform as an effective communication strategy for Dems in 2026? 2028? Especially while Repubs are trying to pass tax cuts for the wealthy and cut Medicaid?
I'd like to add how elements of his message ("dolls") is gendered coded and being picked up by other officials - Scott Bessent in the link below and nondescript Congressman David Joyce from the Appropriations Committee (https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3logsozsz5d2a).
Leah Greenberg of Indivisible calls this out: "just so we’re all clear: the reason they keep using dolls as their example is because they’re trying to frame caring about material stuff as feminine and thus inherently shameful."
(link: https://bsky.app/profile/leahgreenberg.bsky.social/post/3lok22cb5s22h)
And these statements don't exist in a vacuum either. There has been a growing "woman-sphere" building online that's filling a lot of gaps in women's real frustrations with parenthood, healthcare, and lack of work/life balance by pushing a more "traditional" solution. Here's a great overview from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/24/womanosphere-conservative-women
This isn't to say that this dumb message from Trump, et all is "good" or "smart" or "calculating." One can never know what's rattling around in Trump's brain. But there is something here - particularly when thought of in the information/content environment women are in. And it is worth having a strong pushback from anyone on the side of sanity.
Trump keeps throwing these slow, straight, fat pitches right over the middle of the plate, but the timing is all off.
The model of: "this horrible thing is going to happen" followed by "see? I told you so" is not very effective, and can be counter productive. I think too many Americans already see Dems as the-sky-is-falling scolds. And being right hasn't fixed it - climate, War on Iraq, trickle down tax cuts, COVID, Dobbs... yet we're still losing to these knobs.
So I wonder about two things...
First is leaving "Dem" out of it and framing this as "austerity for us, party for them", where "us" is regular Americans and "them" is Republican parasitic oligarchs. Pull Americans together while making the elites the "other" for once.
Second is drawing the contrast using things that people can see and feel in the moment, not some future Christmas shopping list. Right now, eggs, milk, and beef vs his gold plated knickknacks. Whatever is actually more expensive or unavailable in June vs his birthday parade. And if we make it to Christmas, doll and pencil rationing vs whatever god-awful thing Melania does to the White House.
Honestly I am beginning to wonder why in hell it is so hard for Dems to message all of this, it is so spectactularly dumb and spectacularly grifting and spectacular inequality and just plain cruel. Why isn't there a roar from all Dem leader? Why is everyone in business and etc. caving to him? It seems beyond the point of fear; the fear of idiocy is what is running us? The key to those who do like him was in some intereview I saw w T voters who used to be dems; a young, bright man who said he likes T "because he is an asshole." Wow. And then I thought, we are in trouble. I LOVE the podcast "Against The Rules," and Michael Lewis is writing really interesting, closeup views of why government is (or can be, has been) GOOD.
Trump’s Global MemeCoin Grift: Follow the money
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/05/05/trumps-global-memecoin-grift-follow-the-money-map/
But wait... there's more! Trump’s Top 20 Grifts
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/04/29/trump-top-20-grifts/
Trump's tariffs are coal in your stocking this Christmas, America.
Bear with me folks. Bc we have been listening to Michael Lewis's "Against The Rules" pod (bc I heard Lovett interview him and so good) -- we went back and re watched The Big Short last night. And am I wrong, isn't there a direct line between now and then? And if there is, shouldn't we be telling that story over and over and over. Obama and the Dems took the lesser of two evils with the bailout I guess, but still, if you are not paying obsessive attention like us, who connects these dots? No one. We are every damn one of us even my favorite pols talking about this moment. But there is a crucial story to tell. Seems to me Americans need to be educated all over again, about why they hate gov. (and why it doesn't have to be that way) and we have to keep telling us. Including our leaders, pod guys and pols and everyone. Do I have this right??? And Dan have you decided no more responding here? Because if so I and I bet we want to know.
Great points! And there is some dissension in ranks of MAGAworld. But confirmation bias is strong in MAGA, and there is a limit to admitting they were wrong. Trump will continue to claim he is right, especially about tariffs, a concept that aligns with his tendency to grievance. At some point this is going to come to a head when a budget is put to a vote. They will have to come clean then. Will be interesting to see how that plays out with debt ceiling. How do Dems handle That play?
Dems have two jobs to do during their exile from power: 1) make sure all the terrible outcomes stick to republicans, 2) articulate a compelling alternative.
Progress on 1 looks more and more promising as Trump ensures economic catastrophe and tragic messaging you’ve outlined here that cements a toxic legacy. But as things stand now, little progress on 2. The messaging is all over the place and noisy from D’s. Polling and focus groups show D’s still largely poll below R’s and Trump.
Democrats should go BIG with clarion messaging around 2 or 3 constitutional amendments. Everything else can fall into place around them. Here’s three ideas.
1 - strictly limit money in politics. Gut Citizens United.
2 - term limits for house of reps, senate and SCOTUS, plus reaffirm 2 term limit on pres.
3 - negate the SCOTUS immunity ruling from last year and make the president clearly subject to the law.
It would signal the D’s stand for something. Doesn’t have to be the three above, but it should be 2 or 3 and make a long term commitment to the project. It would be a legit, in-broad-daylight retort to Proj 2025. We intend to change government in the way that was intended by the founders. Not the backdoor, under the table Project 2025 way.
I so agree, it is time to go big and different and address these obvious and so messed up things.
What groups in the progressive effort are working on getting these messages out? I know MoveOn, VoteVets, but there must be others. I want to know a) who to support and b) who to volunteer with.