I live in Beaufort County, SC where we are experiencing high numbers of Mid Atlantic retirees moving south. My community has a new Dems club that is trying to help turn SC purple. We would like to locate speakers to talk bout how best to approach our challenge of converting voters from red to blue. Any advice where to reach out for motivational speakers down here?
My close friend from college (50 years ago we matriculated) moved from being an executive at a "left behind rust belt factory" in Erie, PA to the coast of SC. First for winters, now permanently.
I asked, "Buck, why the fuque would you move into the Heart of Darkness?"
Buck, "To ensure that Lindsay Graham never gets another term in office."
As a Canadian I find American style politics interesting to say the least, and because I have followed your reporting for some time now I am wondering what you think the American Founding Fathers would think of how their original words are being interpreted today? In particular the right to bear arms and freedom of speech. Canada has its own warts and is constantly revisiting its history - sometimes to our own detriment - but I find it strange the SCOTUS for example often refers to the drafters’ original intent. Do they have a direct line to the afterlife?
Thanks Chris and keep this going. Think I will switch to the paid subscription.
All of the SOTU questions last week got me wondering……are the low viewership numbers from last Tuesday reflecting just TV viewers? These days, with more and more of us watching live or recorded online, wouldn’t a more accurate tally include viewers on CSPAN.org, CNN.com, FOXNews.com, PBS.org, etc.?
Personal anecdote: Haven't watched since Obama. Can't stand the theatrics and catholic mass vibe...
Got me wondering though: Did a young Chris Cillizza sit in front of the TV with a hairbrush analyzing Pres. Eisenhower's tone and word usage, occasionally getting live comments from the family dog?
Let's talk about ageism, the last acceptable prejudice. On CNN Don Lemon dismissed a clip of James Carville with, "Pass the salt, grandpa." Nikki Haley proposes that presidential candidates "over 75" be required to take a mental health test. Your sensitive post about Dianne Feinstein notwithstanding, how do you think bashing people because of their age plays with the electorate?
Not sure about the southern states, but I find Ohio to be an interesting opportunity. While the House districts are so gerrymandered that the ReTrumplican't party will hold their own, the key will be to see how Sherrod Brown does in his re-election campaign in 2024.
If he goes down, Ohio might as well be another Confederate state.
I always appreciated your insightful (and sometimes inciteful) commentary on CNN.
For those of us in the hinterland (me in Hoosierland), away from the power centers of the "coastal elites," I find it important for my sanity to have those with the political "conays" (term used by Boomers for "connections" to trendy chemical amusements) help to pierce the curtain of bullshit surrounding "political elites".
Per Nikki Haley --- She may be a person of color...but she ain't no Barry Obama
Dead in the water, Nik.
Right out of the gate in her "official campaign video," she contrasts herself as growing up in a racially divided town and turns 180 degrees going full MAGA on "wokeism" and Black Lives Matter.
Perhaps her attitude would be different if her ancestry was not from the Brahmin class of India, offering a lighter skin color to look Italian or Greek, giving her the ability to "pass" in that very town she remembers for racial divide.
She would be served well in her life after a a failed presidential campaign if her political message was a little less Trump and a lot more Gandhi.
Hi Chris, I love your thought processes and your philosophy of the political world. That being said, politicians (namely Biden, Pence, Haley etc). keep saying something along the lines of “I am so optimistic about the (USA) future, the best is yet to come.”
Really ???? So do you think they believe that ???
(While others : Trump, Cruz, Jordan, etc all assure us that we’re going to Hell in a Handbasket.
I am a big fan! I was so sad when I heard you were no longer on CNN. I am glad I was able to find your newsletter. Are you going to bring back "The Point" or some new version of it?
Hi, Chris! I promise I ask this question with the best of intentions: You had a large platform at CNN and a lot of your columns often set off the usual people on Twitter who live to be outraged and your name would be trending. Is it nice having this new outlet where you won't be the center of attention or do you miss the spotlight?
Also, it's time for you to return to Meet the Press roundtable.
How much should we fear Ron DeSantis? Do you think he'll be a radical candidate and continue his anti "woke" agenda on a foreign policy level? Some fringe voices on the right have suggested leaving the UN, could DeSantis embrace an idea like that in order to show his anti "woke" credentials to the base? Or otherwise adopt a fully isolationist stance?
1) What's your opinion on Elon Musk? Why has he become so political in recent times? The fact that he says he's against mainstream media but then is seen with a huge media mogul seems very hypocritical.
2) I know your expertise isn't necessarily legal but what are the most worrying cases on the Supreme Court docket this year? Do you think the independent state legislature theory case could deal a huge blow to democracy and the '24 election?
3) What's your take on China-US relations currently and the potential for a new cold war in the 21st century?
Why has Congress failed to pass Marijuana legislation? If you look at what senators and representatives have said there seems to be bipartisan support from Democrats and some more libertarian leaning Republicans. There's certainly differences in the approaches the two sides want but are they so stubborn to refuse to reach an acceptable compromise? Is it really better for the current situation to remain where it's legal in some States but illegal federally?
I live in Beaufort County, SC where we are experiencing high numbers of Mid Atlantic retirees moving south. My community has a new Dems club that is trying to help turn SC purple. We would like to locate speakers to talk bout how best to approach our challenge of converting voters from red to blue. Any advice where to reach out for motivational speakers down here?
Terrence,
My close friend from college (50 years ago we matriculated) moved from being an executive at a "left behind rust belt factory" in Erie, PA to the coast of SC. First for winters, now permanently.
I asked, "Buck, why the fuque would you move into the Heart of Darkness?"
Buck, "To ensure that Lindsay Graham never gets another term in office."
You have a soul mate!!
That is our plan / the numbers prove us out…. Maybe not in my lifetime - but I’ve got 3 kids who may benefit from purpling this state
As a Canadian I find American style politics interesting to say the least, and because I have followed your reporting for some time now I am wondering what you think the American Founding Fathers would think of how their original words are being interpreted today? In particular the right to bear arms and freedom of speech. Canada has its own warts and is constantly revisiting its history - sometimes to our own detriment - but I find it strange the SCOTUS for example often refers to the drafters’ original intent. Do they have a direct line to the afterlife?
Thanks Chris and keep this going. Think I will switch to the paid subscription.
All of the SOTU questions last week got me wondering……are the low viewership numbers from last Tuesday reflecting just TV viewers? These days, with more and more of us watching live or recorded online, wouldn’t a more accurate tally include viewers on CSPAN.org, CNN.com, FOXNews.com, PBS.org, etc.?
Personal anecdote: Haven't watched since Obama. Can't stand the theatrics and catholic mass vibe...
Got me wondering though: Did a young Chris Cillizza sit in front of the TV with a hairbrush analyzing Pres. Eisenhower's tone and word usage, occasionally getting live comments from the family dog?
Let's talk about ageism, the last acceptable prejudice. On CNN Don Lemon dismissed a clip of James Carville with, "Pass the salt, grandpa." Nikki Haley proposes that presidential candidates "over 75" be required to take a mental health test. Your sensitive post about Dianne Feinstein notwithstanding, how do you think bashing people because of their age plays with the electorate?
Excellent comment Daniel. I have always enjoyed Don but as you stated why is it acceptable to slam someone because of their age?
Are Florida, Missouri and Ohio "lost forever" to the Democrats? It sure seems that way to me, as an outsider.
Ian,
Not sure about the southern states, but I find Ohio to be an interesting opportunity. While the House districts are so gerrymandered that the ReTrumplican't party will hold their own, the key will be to see how Sherrod Brown does in his re-election campaign in 2024.
If he goes down, Ohio might as well be another Confederate state.
Chris,
I always appreciated your insightful (and sometimes inciteful) commentary on CNN.
For those of us in the hinterland (me in Hoosierland), away from the power centers of the "coastal elites," I find it important for my sanity to have those with the political "conays" (term used by Boomers for "connections" to trendy chemical amusements) help to pierce the curtain of bullshit surrounding "political elites".
Per Nikki Haley --- She may be a person of color...but she ain't no Barry Obama
Dead in the water, Nik.
Right out of the gate in her "official campaign video," she contrasts herself as growing up in a racially divided town and turns 180 degrees going full MAGA on "wokeism" and Black Lives Matter.
Perhaps her attitude would be different if her ancestry was not from the Brahmin class of India, offering a lighter skin color to look Italian or Greek, giving her the ability to "pass" in that very town she remembers for racial divide.
She would be served well in her life after a a failed presidential campaign if her political message was a little less Trump and a lot more Gandhi.
Hi Chris, I love your thought processes and your philosophy of the political world. That being said, politicians (namely Biden, Pence, Haley etc). keep saying something along the lines of “I am so optimistic about the (USA) future, the best is yet to come.”
Really ???? So do you think they believe that ???
(While others : Trump, Cruz, Jordan, etc all assure us that we’re going to Hell in a Handbasket.
Do they believe that ???
(Or are all pols just helpless liars?)
Thanks.
I am a big fan! I was so sad when I heard you were no longer on CNN. I am glad I was able to find your newsletter. Are you going to bring back "The Point" or some new version of it?
What are your thoughts on Rep. Ralph Norman's endorsement of Nikki Haley? I was a bit surprised that's who he ended up endorsing.
Thoughts on ranked choice voting (like in Alaska)? Is this the solution to polarization which would force candidates to be more centrist?
Hi, Chris! I promise I ask this question with the best of intentions: You had a large platform at CNN and a lot of your columns often set off the usual people on Twitter who live to be outraged and your name would be trending. Is it nice having this new outlet where you won't be the center of attention or do you miss the spotlight?
Also, it's time for you to return to Meet the Press roundtable.
Ron DeSantis one year from now...."Please clap."
Hi Chris, love your new substack!
How much should we fear Ron DeSantis? Do you think he'll be a radical candidate and continue his anti "woke" agenda on a foreign policy level? Some fringe voices on the right have suggested leaving the UN, could DeSantis embrace an idea like that in order to show his anti "woke" credentials to the base? Or otherwise adopt a fully isolationist stance?
What has become of the spark that seemed ready to ignite promising D candidates— Beto O’Rourke, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris…
Is it the firehouse that conservative media trains on that spark, or is it that there just isn’t anyone ready to catch fire?
Hey Chris, three questions:
1) What's your opinion on Elon Musk? Why has he become so political in recent times? The fact that he says he's against mainstream media but then is seen with a huge media mogul seems very hypocritical.
2) I know your expertise isn't necessarily legal but what are the most worrying cases on the Supreme Court docket this year? Do you think the independent state legislature theory case could deal a huge blow to democracy and the '24 election?
3) What's your take on China-US relations currently and the potential for a new cold war in the 21st century?
Why has Congress failed to pass Marijuana legislation? If you look at what senators and representatives have said there seems to be bipartisan support from Democrats and some more libertarian leaning Republicans. There's certainly differences in the approaches the two sides want but are they so stubborn to refuse to reach an acceptable compromise? Is it really better for the current situation to remain where it's legal in some States but illegal federally?