Chop Wood, Carry Water 12/5
A thorny problem...that we can solve.
Hi, all, and happy Thursday!
Hope you had a great day off from the newsletter yesterday.
I spent most of my Wednesday catching up on email and attending webinars—the most notable of which was a Navigator polling event about why so-called undecided voters broke for Trump. It was quite an eye-opener—both fascinating and infuriating at once. I’ll share a bit about it now, but you can also read the full report here or watch my Reel about it here.
What Navigator’s focus groups revealed wasn’t hugely surprising, but it was, to me, at least, deeply counterintuitive.
While voters cared about lots of things going into the election, it seems, the economy and immigration basically swamped all other concerns—especially with late-deciding swing voters, of whom there were many. These voters felt overwhelmingly negative about the economy as it now stands—more negative, in fact, than they did at the worst part of the pandemic. I know—wild!
They also, sadly, felt deeply, deeply negative towards President Biden, blaming him entirely for the “mess” they perceived us as being in. So while they cared about abortion, democracy, and healthcare a good deal—and in fact felt Harris would be better on those issues—they simply cared about “the economy and jobs” more. And they didn’t believe that Project 2025 or Trump’s dictatorial tendencies were real threats. As someone who worked so hard to amplify the dangers of both I found this part especially staggering.
Anyway. I know how baffling all of this sounds to you, because it’s baffling to me, too. We all know that Trump is a disaster for the economy in ways too numerous to list. We know that the very voters who handed him the election because of “the economy” will suffer more under his rule. We know that Project 2025 will be the foundation of his program—he’s already orchestrating its implementation. We see his desire to rule as a king clearly. it couldn’t be more apparent!
And yet. Here we are.
The cognitive dissonance is huge, folks. But these are the facts. Did racism and sexism play a huge part in these swing voters’ decisions as well? Almost definitely, and that part of the equation won’t show up in any focus groups; many who voted for those reasons won’t understand it themselves, let alone admit it to a pollster.
But the information contained in this report remains salient, if only to show how badly we need to break through the Republican disinformation bubble. These folks are truly struggling in many cases, and I don’t want to downplay that, but they’ve also been subject to a daily deluge of lies telling them that the economy is awful, that crime is out of control, and that immigrants are taking their jobs. This is all false, but to them it’s true. We have to get better at getting the actual truth out to where they can actually hear it.
And guess what? That’s not in the mainstream media. Because these same swing voters are not getting their news from such sources at all. They’re not reading it on Substack. They’re not watching MSNBC. Forget the New York Times. Their number one source of political information? Facebook. Number two? YouTube. Number three? TikTok.
I know—it’s a thorny situation. It feels discouraging, and indeed will take time to untangle and solve. But solve it we will! So many groups have already risen to the challenge. Indivisible’s Truth Brigade is plotting new tactics. New progressive podcasts are being planned—including one involving yours truly—and new social media platforms like Bluesky are gaining prominence. Ben Wikler is running for DNC chair—if he wins our chances of innovation and success will increase exponentially. Even House Democrats are shaking up their leadership; it’s a glorious thing to behold.
So yes, things are shifting and re-sorting in ways that feel dangerous and unstable. But out of this flux can come new opportunities and, eventually, a new and far better order. There is opportunity in this chaos—we just have to grab it.
And grab it we will. After all, we were born for this!
Two more quick things before we go to work:
First, I’ve given you a script about Pete Hegseth’s nomination today, even though I know it’s hanging by a thread. I really want to finish the job, so I’d like for us to keep hammering at him until he’s gone. If he’s withdrawn by the time you read this feel free to skip that script.
Finally, a brief word about Tuesday’s intro. Many of you took from it that I was calling President Biden immoral and unprincipled. While I can see how and why you made such an inference, that wasn’t, in fact, what I meant to imply at all! I think Biden is a deeply principled and moral man. I was grieving the change in our collective moral circumstances more than decrying his individual action, but it’s clear that most didn’t receive it that way.
Anyway, I admire President Biden so much that I have accepted an invitation to his and the First Lady’s holiday reception at the White House on December 17! I was waiting to tell you until I’d decided whether or not I’d attend. I’ve opted to go despite the expense (and my hatred of formal dress) because of my deep respect for this President. I am going to pay testament, in my own small way, to all he has achieved. I will bring all of you with me in spirit, and take as many pictures as I’m allowed.
OK. Sorry for the long intro. This is what happens when I go a day without you. Let’s get to work!
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
It’s really important that the Senate pass S 2074, the PRESS Act, before a new administration is sworn in. Being that that new administration is threatening to go after journalists it disagrees with it seems clear that a law offering them stronger protections is vitally important. Please ask the Senator to prioritize the passage of this bill.
[If GOP add:]
Also, I notice that Pete Hegseth still is still the nominee to run the DOD. Just wanted to make sure the Senator knows that he has White nationalist tattoos, regularly gets so drunk he has to be carried out of events, is a serial groper of women, once tried to get on stage, inebriated, and dance with strippers, has been credibly accused of rape, and was forced out of previous leadership positions for financial mismanagement. Is this the kind of guy the Senator thinks should be running our defense establishment? If not please ask him/her to vocally demand a new nominee. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
[If Democrat:]
I understand that Rep Ocasio-Cortez may run for ranking member of the House Oversight Committee when Rep Raskin moves over to Judiciary. I’d like the Congressmember to support her bid. She says this is an “important moment of generational change” and I agree. She’s the kind of fearless leader we need in that committee during a second Trump administration. I also support electing a new chair for the Agriculture Committee. We need fresh blood and courageous new leadership everywhere. Keep it coming! Thanks.
[If Republican]
Today, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office released a scathing report revealing that President-elect Trump and his Congressional allies’ push to renew expiring provisions of the 2017 Trump tax bill would undercut economic growth in the years to come. The report affirms other analysis showing that the 2017 tax bill was largely a giveaway to billionaires and multinational corporations.
I want the Congressmember to know that I oppose the continuation of Trump’s tax cuts and expect them to as well. These cuts were a disaster last time, helping mostly the very rich, increasing income inequality, and exploding our deficit; they will be even worse this time. Please oppose. Thanks. [H/T]
Extra Credit ✅
Amnesty International is asking us to push President Biden to pardon Leonard Peltier before the end of his term. I 100% agree with them—this is so important!
Amnesty provided a sample letter that I’ve turned into a Resistbot — you can send it by texting SIGN PGBQGM to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages or MESSENGER. If you prefer to edit the letter first, just copy and paste the below into the White House contact form field and change the text however you like. Then send it that way!
You can also call the White House at (202) 456-1111 and say more or less the same.
Script/text:
Leonard Peltier is a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM), which promotes Native American rights. In 1975, during a confrontation involving AIM members, two FBI agents were killed. Leonard Peltier was convicted of their murders but has always denied killing the agents.
There are serious and ongoing concerns about the fairness of the trial and conviction, including for example the prosecution’s withholding of evidence that might have assisted Peltier’s defense. In light of these concerns, the former US Attorney whose office handled the prosecution has since called for clemency.
Leonard Peltier was denied parole on July 2, 2024, after a hearing in which the government reportedly limited the witnesses, raising serious concerns about the fairness of parole process.
Peltier is now 79 years old, has spent nearly 50 years in prison and there are serious concerns about his deteriorating health.
I urge you to grant him clemency on humanitarian grounds and as a matter of justice. Thanks.
Spread the Word! 📣
If you missed the DemCast call on Monday good news—there is a recording.
If you want to join their Digital Field Team to help Democrats amplify their messages, please fill out this form.
To sign up for DemCast’s EXCELLENT Digital Drumbeat Substack, go here.
Or if you just want to sign up for text messages when they need you to take a social media action, text RESIST to 866-877-0037.
Finally, they have scheduled a BlueSky training TODAY at 7 ET/ 4 PT. You can sign up here for that.
Give 💰!
I have a really special ask for anyone who can afford it: the team at Resistbot, whom I know and trust implicitly, are struggling to meet their budget. They are simply not bringing in enough to keep the operation going. I don’t want to contemplate a world without Resistbot, especially as we enter the next four years, and ESPECIALLY when Jason and the others there are working on new tools to help us counter authoritarianism.
Please, please consider upgrading to Premium level on Resistbot if you can. It’s $7 a month, so not nothing, but not exorbitant—especially if you use it daily to send my letters. Go here to learn about the great perks you’ll get if you do this, and if you’re ready to take the plunge text PREMIUM to Resistbot to do so! Thanks!
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
The Biden administration has less than two months to make progress on the climate crisis before Trump takes office. One critically important way they can do so is by stopping the Texas GulfLink crude oil export terminal, preventing 100 million tons of climate pollution from being released into the atmosphere each year.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your Senators] [H/T Subscriber Bob Morgan] [Text SIGN PLQBDF to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages or MESSENGER]
I am deeply disturbed by Donald Trump’s nominees for critical Cabinet and other advisory positions. It is becoming increasingly clear that he intends to follow through on his threats to exact revenge for what he claims, wrongly, to be wrongful persecution and prosecution of himself and his supporters. It is also clear that he intends to sow chaos in our government for some undisclosed purpose. The impact of his impetuous actions will be felt not only in our great nation, but across the globe.
As with his first term, he has the opportunity to do the right thing and serve the American people. Unfortunately, as with his first term, he seems to see that opportunity as an impediment to his personal ambitions. I implore you to resist his destructive actions and work to reinforce the checks and balances that our forefathers put in place to protect us from such behavior. I totally understand that a change in administration will result in policy and program changes, but what he is doing and apparently plans to do is beyond the pale.
We have serious issues to address, with the economy, immigration, environment, climate, and global stability all hanging precariously over the abyss. Please make sure we don’t allow chaos to reign. Thank you.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Congratulations on invitation. I'm with Biden on the Pardon and many more of them.
Enough of righteousness. Be kind....save good people. And yes, good to see so many groups facing up to what happened and back at work reconfiguring. Since the Dems and progressives have most of the comics on our side I think there can be many knife sharp commentaries that may attract more people.....not to mention tik tok and just generally YouTube. Cmon, you creative types....get busy....try try try again. and thank you Jess.
Thanks for this important share! One note though:
"But the information contained in this report remains salient, if only to show how badly we need to break through the Republican misinformation bubble."
'misinformation' is bad info caused by errors or mistakes.
What's happening now (and has been with the convicted felon, his MAGA Repubs, and going as far back as Newt Gingrich and Frank Luntz in the mid-90s) is 'disinformation'—i.e., deliberately false info intended to manipulate public opinion, aka propaganda.
Let's call a spade, a spade.