78 Comments

Jessica, Love your well stated position on our need to move forward and do the work regardless of who ends up at the top of the Democratic ticket. We absolutely must hold the Senate and re-take the House. In fact, this becomes even more imperative should we fail to keep the White House. If that happens, Congress will be our last defense against tyranny. Let's all get to work doing everything within our power to get the Trifecta we need to have any hope of securing our democracy for future generations.

Expand full comment

No matter who, vote blue.

Expand full comment

Right!

Expand full comment

I like that! Thanks.

Expand full comment

You can use it, Susan. 😂 PLS

Expand full comment

Thanks! It's a good one.

Expand full comment

How 'bout is this one better .....

No matter who,

Vote True Blue!! 🎉

Expand full comment

Do you really think with Trump & the Heritage Foundation guys like Mike Davis talking about arresting Dems & enemies lists that they would actually allow Dems to remain in Congress? They’re going to clean house day 1. I really hope that does not come to pass and that we actually win a blue trifecta. But ppl eroding support for Biden is exactly what they did to Hillary in 2016. Just enough so she lost the electoral college. So it’d really help if people understood the terrible things they have planned.

Expand full comment

I will vote and campaign for Elmer Fudd, if that's who the Dems nominate. My opinion doesn't matter. My vote does, and I will use it and everything else I can contribute to make sure that TFG doesn't win. That's all that matters in this moment.

Expand full comment

Go Elmer Fudd!

Expand full comment

I really wish the pundits would stop talking so much about what we should do about Biden and focus more non-stop about the crazy man who will lead us down the road to authoritarianism, who told so many lies on the debate stage, his party should call him out as the felon that he is instead of celebrate him. I just don't understand how anyone with 2 cents can support a lunatic.

Expand full comment

100%

Expand full comment

we need to keep holding the media's feet to the fire. call them out every time they do a 'false equivalency' or minimize trump's lies/lapses/crimes etc.

Expand full comment

I will vote for whomever is the democratic candidate, even President Biden. The question that remains is if the debate was a one off event, why didn't the administration immediately schedule a press conference where the press could pose questions, a townhall campaign event where questions were not provided to the administration before the event, and/or an independent cognitive test done to prove President Biden is healthy enough to be president? Wouldn't we be screaming the same thing if Trump had a similar bad debate? The administration could end all this speculation and go on to the big win in November but instead is insisting that the american people just trust them.

Expand full comment

Writing as a physician, I read the physical exam from February. While I have not personally examined the President, there were enough things in that report that made sense to me as to why he could have a really bad "performance," yet still be cognitively capable of complex decision making. He has never been a good communicator or speaker. He doesn't have the "it" factor of a star. I think we need to trust his physician. Once we start doubting the experts, we are taking the side of MAGA in undermining trust in the system. So, I very much disagree with the idea of an "independent cognitive test." Again, as a doctor, that doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Expand full comment

It doesn't matter if you or I trust the experts. President Trumps doctor said in Trump's physical that Trump was 6' 2" and 210 pounds. I don't trust that either. Regardless, the voters who are on the fence in the battleground states will probably not believe President Biden's doctor. We are facing a huge Trump win in November that will impact the down ballot candidates. So we need the President to step up and prove he is mentally up for the next four years. If he is as sharp as his doctor says, he can easily do that with press conferences and town hall meetings. He can't do that by only reading from the teleprompter.

Expand full comment

If you had read TFGs doctor's report, it did not contain any of the medical language found in the President's history and physical exam. That is an enormous difference. Let's use our energy to step up and do the grassroots work up and down the ballot, to elect Democrats, rather than continuing this roller coaster of nonsense providing ammunition for the MAGA crowd. Have your feelings, but just get to work.

Expand full comment

I agree with that.

Expand full comment

Jess, please see my comment above.

Expand full comment

I guess you didn’t see the events immediately after the debate or the campaign event the very next day in Raleigh NC? I recommend following the Joe Biden (his campaign account) and POTUS (his official government account). Or the 18+ events since including hosting NATO?

Expand full comment

I respect your views. So here is my question: If Biden knows everyone is concerned about his mental health, why wouldn't he just take a cognitive test and put the issue to rest. The fact that he has been dismissive of this request, tells me something. If he is still the great, considerate statesman we all admired, why wouldn't he be true to form and take our concerns more seriously. I for one do not buy the one bad night scenario as his performance on Stephanapolous gave us more, not less, to be concerned about. His answer that as long as HE gave it his best effort, he would be satisfied, sounded like what a parent tells a child, he sounded childish. I apologize to you, but I do think the reality of his cognitive abilities is in his hands to prove.

Expand full comment

And I wish he would, as well. Truly. My one and only point is that we need to focus on electing democrats everywhere and this argument, for me, isn't a good use of my time as I have no control over the outcome. I respect your views totally. I will not defend POTUS on this. He should be doing far more to set people's minds at ease.

Expand full comment

Sounds like he did take a cognitive test in February. Why make him do that and let Trump avoid it?

Expand full comment

Susan Wagner, I totally agree with everything you just said. I hated that answer of Biden's. That was not an answer Biden would have given 2 yrs ago, that's for sure. He would have been happy if he'd done his best?!?? And Trump wins?? What about the country, Joe?!?!? He is in denial and is not thinking beyond his own nose, at this point. Sounds to me like that's fast becoming old man thinking..... one who's lost his focus. To me that was a very scary answer from Joe. And it's not a wonder that many people are afraid now.

This is not a normal Biden trait. which That is a Trump trait.

Expand full comment

I tend to think you're correct. No one person, no one leader, can do this singlehandedly. It is going to require all hands on deck. We don't have time to catastrophize.(sp).

Expand full comment

Amen

Expand full comment

Jess, I am with you. Standing right next to President Joe Biden, who gave a brilliant speech about saving democracy at the NATO conference yesterday. One bad debate night and too many people wanna throw him under the bus. Not me. If he should decide to resign or if he can’t carry out his full term, I’m all for vice president Harris. She has learned on the job and I would feel confident having her as our president.

Expand full comment

I’m new to this newsletter, even though Rob Hubbell has referenced it for several years. Shame on me. And it’s wonderful you and Rob are joining forces with campaign work this month, together. So I’m jumping in here using reply because I agree with this writer. Joe has done so much over the last 3.5 years: phenomenal. A significant presidency. I strongly believe he should be the candidate, but I read somewhere what I firmly believe, that he’s not a one-man administration. This is not about ego. He has an incredible team and he has Kamala, and four years is quite a stretch. I don’t even pay a full year on my PO Box, but rather, choose to pay six months at a time because… Who’s to say? We need to save democracy and switching to a different candidate can easily be chaotic and funding would be a huge issue and more and more and more… I just don’t see it. I believe we should strongly get behind Biden with a unified voice, and that he certainly represents sound decision-making on behalf of the general population of this country… And he has sound advisors… I completely agree with Rob Hubbell’s exhortation, particularly strong in the 7/10 Today’s Edition… That you join the strong voice to support Biden or, if you have a different idea, you dive full force into whatever that program is, but you can’t just say it’s a strategy to tell Biden to step down. And this dithering, going in circles and so many voices… It’s the chaos Trump loves to stir and evoke, and he and his sycophants use it as a strategy when there are a bazillion reasons Trump should be asked to step aside as a candidate!!! … This is craziness. (For what it’s worth, I did not yet watch the video on project 2025. That’s a related but separate issue here.)

I strongly support the Biden/Harris ticket and hope it stays in place, grows only stronger, and we win with a landslide, replicating what’s going on across the pond. For sure, we must win this. And we will.

Expand full comment

Exactly. Well said.

Expand full comment

It’s still the economy. In my recent experience talking to voters, inflation specifically is the most common concern. We do have good message that work for us on that. That’s the kind of thing we should be focusing on.

Expand full comment

Well said!

Expand full comment

Sorry to bother you when you are still recovering but can you tell me when next week you will be moderating another program with climate Action Now. You mentioned it in this newsletter.

Thanks

Joy Hockman

I’ll look for your answer in a future newsletter.

Expand full comment

Thank you Jessica. You said just what I needed to hear today. I’m tired of this roller coaster ride over who will be the Democratic candidate for President.

Your words helped me get off the roller coaster and trust whatever happens we will have a strong Democratic candidate for President.

Now, I’m taking a break from the news, going for a walk in nature, and tomorrow I will get back to writing postcards to elect Democrats and remind people to vote.

All I can do is all I can do and then I have to let go of the outcome. My best is good enough. I wish you well.

A walk in Nature’s green trees always renews & restores the soul, one day at a time.

Expand full comment

Sorry Jessica—can't share that video about Project 2025. It frames Project 2025 as 'conservative governance.'

It repeatedly uses 'conservative'—which is both inaccurate and misleading—instead of fascist. It also references the agency replacements planned via Schedule F, as 'professionals,' when in fact, they are intended as nothing but straight up cronies and lackies vs. the ACTUAL professionals and experts in those non-partisan roles, that they want to replace entirely.

Out of the 7:46 minute video, 5:05 minutes were spent on what the proponents of 2025 are marketing/framing it as (i.e., re-amplifying their spin entirely), and only 2:01 were spent on the 'criticisms' which were, excuse my French, bland as f*ck!

I generally love/appreciate/relish your readings, actions and recommendations -- but just have to respectfully (but still vociferously) disagree about this resource as a Project 2025 explainer.

Expand full comment

I agree. “conservative” is the wrong word to use over and over, it normalizes how bizarre Project 2025 actually is

The best I’ve seen is Andra Watkins “How Project 2025 will ruin your life.” She starts with short intro’s to the various sections, with fuller explanations for each one. It’s really good.

https://project2025istheocracy.substack.com/p/project-2025-new-start-here?

Expand full comment

The whole piece was an exercise in what I call "both sides-ism" and a total false equivalence between the backers of this fascist manifesto, and the rest of us "the critics."

This is like what happened with the climate crisis, when scientific consensus was given the same weight/parity as a tiny handful of contrarian, climate-science deniers (many of whom were funded by the fossil fuels industry) in media coverage -- i.e., first we'll hear from X on how serious the problem of humans spewing heat-trapping air pollution is for the future of our families and the planet, then we will also hear from rando who disagrees (without point out the near total agreement within climate science community).

Expand full comment

Here’s a great 1 minute ad. I know it only covers a limited area but affects so many and IMO so powerful. P 2025 wants to ban contraception by “prioritizing fertility awareness-based methods” aka the rhythm method and ban preventative services including male condoms +++

Pg 485 (Thank you, Andra Watkins for doing the research)

1 min ad: 📣

https://x.com/WayToWinAF/status/1806318058245632203

Andra Watkin’s Substack:📣

https://project2025istheocracy.substack.com/p/reader-question-what-does-project

Expand full comment

awesome ad! thank you.

Expand full comment

i also found it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKEwFRq0vkw easier for me to watch since I'm not on x. May for others as well?

Expand full comment

I had the same reaction. It was not good. Too bland.

Expand full comment

Natalie, I had the same reaction to the video. And I already knew a lot about Project 2025. I have lifelong Republican friends who abhor this plan. The video made it seem anodyne.

Expand full comment

Anodyne—perfect single-word. I'd also say, it felt antiseptic, clinical, academic...so many things, but certainly not impactful, insightful, or memorable, given the gravity of the subject matter.

Expand full comment

Thank you!! It has been demoralizing to see so many people hedge about Biden based on a press vendetta unlike anything I’ve ever imagined. We need to come together around our values and our genuine patriotism. We need to tell the country that Democrats are here for people who value family, community, health and education over guns and hatred and greed. Democrats should be proud of Biden and his government, inspired by the hope of another term….this media generated hysteria is beneath us.

Expand full comment

Thanks Jess

Great newsletter. I agree with you 1000%.

If Biden gets half as much done in his second term as his first, he'll be one of our greatest presidents.

His public statements and appearances since the "debate" prove to me he was to tired to debate.

If we can get the 81 million Biden voters out again in Nov, we've got a strong chance of winning.

The New York Times and there MSM pro-Trump conspirators should have their journalism titles changed to political activists. We'll prove they are as wrong this cycle as they were in 1948.

Go Joe.

Expand full comment

Jess, hope you continue to feel better. Thank you for your pragmatic, compassionate approach to our current dilemma. I support President Biden as the nominee, until when and if he isn't. I am just doing the work of getting the message about the stakes of this election out there, and the work of getting voters who care about the stakes to the polls. My postcards to Durham recruiting efforts are now at 6906 cards being written, with multiple voters at some addresses. And 63 writers are volunteering. I know these past two weeks have been incredibly difficult. It’s easy to get caught in despair, anger, or fear.

What do we do? We have our feelings, then put our heads down, pull up our britches (so to speak) and get to work turning out voters who support democracy. Nothing else matters. We know about MAGA, we know about Project 2025, we know about the threat to our planet. We must mobilize, together, to defeat these forces.

Expand full comment

The video you referenced does not really explain the dangers, it talks about it as if it is normal. Even when it goes deeper into details, it does not condemn Project2025. It's a both sides of the issue. I will not share it, and am reconsidering being a subscriber due to your promotion of this

Listen to it again! Is that the best you can do?

Expand full comment

Oh Jeez. Sorry? I watched the first few minutes and it seemed helpful. Good grief let me go back and look.

Expand full comment

I still find it to be a helpful video. The channel that made it isn't partisan. They are trying to get out simple facts. That's helpful for people who will be repulsed by a partisan take on this. And in no way did I think they talked about it as if it was normal. They informed, and that'll be useful to some who just want to know what's in the plan.

There are all kinds of messengers needed to speak to different constituencies about Project 2025. I stand behind this video --it's one of many different kinds of takes that are needed to educate and inform.

Expand full comment

I stopped watching immediately. As an old activist, tho' damn I don't see myself that way usually, I found it moved way too fast for me. As I tell my adult kids at times, I listen a lot more slowly than they talk. Hopefully it will be compelling for others. I will continue to share stuff about Project 2025, just not this video. Sorry.

Expand full comment

Jessica, I'm sorry I love Biden too and appreciate all he has accomplished. But he is not the same man he was a year or two ago. He needs to bow out now and save our country.

Expand full comment

Jessica, even one of the last holdouts is seeing the light now. Pelosi

Expand full comment

I literally just said you may be right. You don't need to convince me. I don't know how to put it any more clearly.

Expand full comment

I'm now 100% focused on GOTV and persuasion re: VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO! Focusing on the issues, not the personality. If I ruled the world .... but I don't and President Biden doesn't care who I want at the top. So I'm focusing on what I can influence, not on should a, would a, could a!

Expand full comment