The fact that most Americans are not moved by the democracy argument and Trump’s disqualifying actions on January 6th is a very sad commentary on what we Americans have become.
Totally agree. And I don't know how any undecided voter could have watched Trump's hatefest at MSG and thought, "This is the kind of country I want to live in." To me, this election isn't even about the fundamental issues. I agree with Kamala on most of those but if she were the candidate threatening to burn the house down, I would vote for Trump.
I want to go back a few years in history. In 2020, Joe Biden based his whole candidacy on saving democracy. And it worked. And he did indeed save democracy. We are getting an eyeful of what a second trump term would look like. If were were just now finishing trump’s second term, it is not a stretch to think we’d now be facing his life-time occupancy of the Oval Office. The Biden administration bought us some time, to expose more of the trump corruption and vileness, and solidified democracy a bit, so Harris doesn’t need to focus on it so much. Her best selling point is to draw the comparison of the future each candidate offers.
Maybe. Maybe not. Everyone knows who Trump is. The question is whether you care more about that than the cost of groceries. It's a hard sell for most folks that pay little attention to politics.
It’s been interesting to watch the media go back and interview the undecided voters they put on camera months ago. The most damning comment I heard from those now voting for Harris was that they couldn’t look their kids in the eye and vote for Trump now. So divisive Trump has become, he’s elevated the issue of Democracy above the price of groceries. That’s kinda remarkable don’t you think?
Definitely. And maybe there are still a few folks who are starting to pay attention where that might move the needle. But a message focused on Harris' to-do list to help Americans vs. Trump's enemy list is a stronger one -- it essentially hits both two birds with one stone. I'm all for it. It's a smart play.
It’s a great question. In 2016 there were Democrats and Independents who disliked both Trump and Hillary and couldn’t in good conscience vote for Hillary. In 2024, Trump has become Hillary. Harris is very likable. Evidenced by increasing like ability data which is also better than Trump’s. With the tiny percentage of voters who dislike both candidates I think this will make a difference on Election Day. There’s nothing like being in that voting booth to drive a last minute decision. With Hillary’s emails in 2016 or Trump’s 2024 anti democracy rally in mind.
Have you heard a plan from Trump to lower prices? Me neither. But his tariffs would be inflationary. Nothing would lower prices but a serious recession. Under Biden, we’ve tamed the post-Covid inflation that plagued all countries; GDP has grown steadily; unemployment is near record lows; and the stock market keeps setting record. Unfortunately, we live in an ill-informed country
Saying you don’t like the price of groceries is just an excuse not to support or vote for someone. Bread was around 49-59 cents a loaf in 1980. Now it is $5 to $7 or more. In the past 4 years, since Covid, there were additional increases because of supply chain
problems, increases in fuel costs, and such.
I never heard people complain that a president was able to change the price of food on a supermarket level. Why not complain to the companies producing the foods and the stores?
I suspect that after Donald J Trump’s rousing hate-fest on Sunday evening, Vice-President Kamala Harris will have fine-tuned her Ellipse speech to point out glaring differences between a Harris administration’s goals and those of a Trump administration, and that any American who is paying attention, and not burdened with the kind of racism, xenophobia,homophobia, misogyny and anti-semitism which makes folks support Trump against their own best interests, will find it easier to vote for Kamala Harris.
I think this is smart. Anyone who might be moved about the threat to democracy has already made up their mind. The economy is still where the tiny sliver of 'how do I feel on Election Day morning' folks exist. That said, she should at least make mention of January 6th and the potential erosion of our rights (particularly women's rights).
I actually believe her best messages have been (1) America is tired of Trump and his BS. (2) The line you quoted about his enemies list and her to do list.
Biden said, “Bibi I love you man. I just don’t agree with you”. Dutch I love you man. I don’t Agree with you
Yes Biden screwed up on immigration. But it has been 50 years on it and Republicans have blocked it the majority of the time.
There are a majority of legal of illegals In Springfield My mother, the teacher, would correct me on that phrase. Remember you don’t mess with teachers and moms. Have you ever won an argument with your mother
There is no proven pet killing I do wish they would kill some of the geese. Does anyone disagree. I apologize if have offended any PETA people
Trump told Congress not to vote for the most conservative bill in 50 years co-written by one of the most Conservative members of congress
The crime rate has been going down for over 20 years with the exception of blips during both trumps and Biden’s administration. It is now tied with the lowest rate of trumps administration
A president doesn’t have much to do with the economy. That’s controlled by the fed. You can dislike the Fed chairman but they are only one vote. Trump appointed the Fed chairman.
We have the best recovered economy since the pandemic. It’s one of the few in the world that’s positive
The majority of the economists say all the tariffs would increased both the federal debt cause inflation and do serious damage to the economy
Trump owns the greatest dollar increase in the debt in history. He has the 8th highest percentage of all presidents
Economists say the debt increase under a new Tump administration would be twice the increase under Harris
As far as wars Trump must have snuck into the Brooks/Reiner 1000 year old man routine. The Middle East has been going on 3000 years or so. Trump has already told Bibi to do what you want
Biden had nothing to do with Ukraine. Russia started that
It baffles me that the Dems aren't also using one of the successful tools from the GOP fear playbook...the next SCOTUS appointments...yes it's OK to talk about abortion, BUT remind people how old Alito and Thomas are and do you want Trump nominating their replacements? Too many things to focus voters on perhaps? But that seems more effective than court "reform"?
What a mess! 1 week before the election and you are changing your message?!? O my!
VP Harris in such a TOUGH spot, can she really insult everyone’s intelligence and talk about the economy and what she is gonna do?!? These policies have led to this mess! She’s a one trick pony now, only abortion all the time. What a message, let’s kill babies! Good grief!
Fortunately the people of this country appear to be a heck of a lot smarter than you and your hate spin. They understand the actual message of freedom and self determination that is embodied in VP Harris’s Dobbs messaging. Your party’s blatant dismissal of women and minority rights is disgraceful and I’m appalled that you feel so comfortable parroting this vitriol. Add value to this discussion or leave.
Dutch is a paid troll. Most likely he'll disappear from posting after the election regardless of who wins. Unfortunately the best policy is to ignore him. There is no reasonable explanation for why someone that feels the way he does to pay for a subscription on this substack. You can actually do an AI search of his word patterns and usage and come up with some suggestions on his identity but it's not worth pursuing. Ignoring is generally the most prudent policy. He's not here to add value to the discussion.
I subscribe bc I love Chris’ perspective. I read him at WAPO (the Fix) and CNNLOL. He is very talented and does his level best to be unbiased. Not sure if I stick around after President Trump wins next week or not. I don’t think I will be able to stomach what’s coming in this comment section.
There is nothing I’ve said that is factually inaccurate. We have different values apparently. You are entitled to yours as I am. You bring value to this site, I would never ever ask you to leave. Never will I understand all the intolerance on the left…..
What in my statement indicated to you my supposedly differing values? Because I understand the healthcare component of abortion? That women are dying and losing their future ability to have children because they are being denied life saving and uterus saving healthcare? That is not spin. That is not hyperbole. The AG of my state, Ken Paxton, took a woman desperate to have children to court to prevent her from getting the appropriate healthcare when her pregnancy was no longer viable. The "baby" would die within minutes of birth, but that *life* was more important than the mother's or the mother's future children's lives. She was lucky she had the means to go to Colorado. I'm tired of hearing your hate. Do not pretend to take the high road when you accuse democrats of messaging - I quote - "let's kill babies." My calling out your hate and vitriol is not intolerance. Nice try.
I’ve got no hate in me! We have a fundamental difference of opinion.
President Trump is gonna win. I hope you begin to prepare for that now. VP Harris has and had the deck stacked against her. Immigration, the economy, foreign wars. She’s tried very hard but the country wants change.
“Difference of opinion”?! I’d suggest you see a therapist about your delusions, @dutchmaga. When YOU support an adjudicated rapist, serial adulterer, business cheat, a hate-filled man-child with only his *own* future at heart, it’s clear there’s FAR more than a “difference of opinion”.
We have morals and values. You absolutely have none, because if you even had a hint of them, you wouldn’t support him and you certainly wouldn’t invest the time you do every day to spout his lies, hatred, and vitriol. For those of us with our eyes open wide, and you’re clearly not one of them, his hate rally, at the exact same spot as America’s first generation of Nazis in 1939, have made it clear precisely what sort of future you’re voting for.
You should be ashamed for deluding yourself into following such a hateful miscreant, but I’ve read enough of your comments to know that you don’t have the required self-introspection skills to feel shame.
Q: What's more disgusting than a truckload of dead babies? A: The live one at the bottom trying to eat its way out. (A little shock-rock Alice Cooper humor for ya. I thought you might chuckle.)
i recently had the pleasure of meeting Chris and his wife.
Honest, open, regular people.
As a A friend of mine who hangs around with Sam Hagar, Nick Mason, Tony Levin, Rick Wakeman.. all his ‘speed dial’ friends says.. “just regular folks with a different set of skills than you or I”
Start the speech with kitchen table issues, pivot to womens rights and abortion, then close with a reminder of what happened there less than 4 years ago with a sprinkle of Trumps MSG horror carnival mixed in. And be sure to have 2 or 3 strong, sound bite style lines for TV/media coverage clips and for last week of the election ads.
Hi Chris, I’m a paid sub and big fan! Ran across this profile of you that I think your followers will enjoy: https://www.cjr.org/the_profile/chris-cillizza-cnn-politics.php The author writes on Substack. Thanks for your infectious energy (and what a great idea to post “free” til the election).
The fact that most Americans are not moved by the democracy argument and Trump’s disqualifying actions on January 6th is a very sad commentary on what we Americans have become.
Totally agree. And I don't know how any undecided voter could have watched Trump's hatefest at MSG and thought, "This is the kind of country I want to live in." To me, this election isn't even about the fundamental issues. I agree with Kamala on most of those but if she were the candidate threatening to burn the house down, I would vote for Trump.
Agreed. Very, very sad.
You can begin to see this change now.
Kamala Harris Close Behind Donald Trump in Kansas, Shock Poll Suggests
https://www.newsweek.com/kansas-poll-donald-trump-kamala-harris-1976420?utm_source=Flipboard&utm_medium=App&utm_campaign=Partnerships
I want to go back a few years in history. In 2020, Joe Biden based his whole candidacy on saving democracy. And it worked. And he did indeed save democracy. We are getting an eyeful of what a second trump term would look like. If were were just now finishing trump’s second term, it is not a stretch to think we’d now be facing his life-time occupancy of the Oval Office. The Biden administration bought us some time, to expose more of the trump corruption and vileness, and solidified democracy a bit, so Harris doesn’t need to focus on it so much. Her best selling point is to draw the comparison of the future each candidate offers.
Agreed
Chris. Trump did Harris’ job for her with his Madison Square Garden, anti democracy rally. It was a political gift.
Maybe. Maybe not. Everyone knows who Trump is. The question is whether you care more about that than the cost of groceries. It's a hard sell for most folks that pay little attention to politics.
It’s been interesting to watch the media go back and interview the undecided voters they put on camera months ago. The most damning comment I heard from those now voting for Harris was that they couldn’t look their kids in the eye and vote for Trump now. So divisive Trump has become, he’s elevated the issue of Democracy above the price of groceries. That’s kinda remarkable don’t you think?
Definitely. And maybe there are still a few folks who are starting to pay attention where that might move the needle. But a message focused on Harris' to-do list to help Americans vs. Trump's enemy list is a stronger one -- it essentially hits both two birds with one stone. I'm all for it. It's a smart play.
It’s a great question. In 2016 there were Democrats and Independents who disliked both Trump and Hillary and couldn’t in good conscience vote for Hillary. In 2024, Trump has become Hillary. Harris is very likable. Evidenced by increasing like ability data which is also better than Trump’s. With the tiny percentage of voters who dislike both candidates I think this will make a difference on Election Day. There’s nothing like being in that voting booth to drive a last minute decision. With Hillary’s emails in 2016 or Trump’s 2024 anti democracy rally in mind.
Have you heard a plan from Trump to lower prices? Me neither. But his tariffs would be inflationary. Nothing would lower prices but a serious recession. Under Biden, we’ve tamed the post-Covid inflation that plagued all countries; GDP has grown steadily; unemployment is near record lows; and the stock market keeps setting record. Unfortunately, we live in an ill-informed country
Saying you don’t like the price of groceries is just an excuse not to support or vote for someone. Bread was around 49-59 cents a loaf in 1980. Now it is $5 to $7 or more. In the past 4 years, since Covid, there were additional increases because of supply chain
problems, increases in fuel costs, and such.
I never heard people complain that a president was able to change the price of food on a supermarket level. Why not complain to the companies producing the foods and the stores?
I suspect that after Donald J Trump’s rousing hate-fest on Sunday evening, Vice-President Kamala Harris will have fine-tuned her Ellipse speech to point out glaring differences between a Harris administration’s goals and those of a Trump administration, and that any American who is paying attention, and not burdened with the kind of racism, xenophobia,homophobia, misogyny and anti-semitism which makes folks support Trump against their own best interests, will find it easier to vote for Kamala Harris.
Barbara Bush endorsed Harris. If she can do it, so can her father
Barbara Bush AND Bad Bunny! I think she has the "B's" locked up. :)
I think this is smart. Anyone who might be moved about the threat to democracy has already made up their mind. The economy is still where the tiny sliver of 'how do I feel on Election Day morning' folks exist. That said, she should at least make mention of January 6th and the potential erosion of our rights (particularly women's rights).
I actually believe her best messages have been (1) America is tired of Trump and his BS. (2) The line you quoted about his enemies list and her to do list.
Biden said, “Bibi I love you man. I just don’t agree with you”. Dutch I love you man. I don’t Agree with you
Yes Biden screwed up on immigration. But it has been 50 years on it and Republicans have blocked it the majority of the time.
There are a majority of legal of illegals In Springfield My mother, the teacher, would correct me on that phrase. Remember you don’t mess with teachers and moms. Have you ever won an argument with your mother
There is no proven pet killing I do wish they would kill some of the geese. Does anyone disagree. I apologize if have offended any PETA people
Trump told Congress not to vote for the most conservative bill in 50 years co-written by one of the most Conservative members of congress
The crime rate has been going down for over 20 years with the exception of blips during both trumps and Biden’s administration. It is now tied with the lowest rate of trumps administration
A president doesn’t have much to do with the economy. That’s controlled by the fed. You can dislike the Fed chairman but they are only one vote. Trump appointed the Fed chairman.
We have the best recovered economy since the pandemic. It’s one of the few in the world that’s positive
The majority of the economists say all the tariffs would increased both the federal debt cause inflation and do serious damage to the economy
Trump owns the greatest dollar increase in the debt in history. He has the 8th highest percentage of all presidents
Economists say the debt increase under a new Tump administration would be twice the increase under Harris
As far as wars Trump must have snuck into the Brooks/Reiner 1000 year old man routine. The Middle East has been going on 3000 years or so. Trump has already told Bibi to do what you want
Biden had nothing to do with Ukraine. Russia started that
It baffles me that the Dems aren't also using one of the successful tools from the GOP fear playbook...the next SCOTUS appointments...yes it's OK to talk about abortion, BUT remind people how old Alito and Thomas are and do you want Trump nominating their replacements? Too many things to focus voters on perhaps? But that seems more effective than court "reform"?
Harris is scrambling because nothing is sticking. Entering the desperation stage, now.
Hail Mary stuff!
they're being flexible, that's a good thing
What a mess! 1 week before the election and you are changing your message?!? O my!
VP Harris in such a TOUGH spot, can she really insult everyone’s intelligence and talk about the economy and what she is gonna do?!? These policies have led to this mess! She’s a one trick pony now, only abortion all the time. What a message, let’s kill babies! Good grief!
Fortunately the people of this country appear to be a heck of a lot smarter than you and your hate spin. They understand the actual message of freedom and self determination that is embodied in VP Harris’s Dobbs messaging. Your party’s blatant dismissal of women and minority rights is disgraceful and I’m appalled that you feel so comfortable parroting this vitriol. Add value to this discussion or leave.
Dutch is a paid troll. Most likely he'll disappear from posting after the election regardless of who wins. Unfortunately the best policy is to ignore him. There is no reasonable explanation for why someone that feels the way he does to pay for a subscription on this substack. You can actually do an AI search of his word patterns and usage and come up with some suggestions on his identity but it's not worth pursuing. Ignoring is generally the most prudent policy. He's not here to add value to the discussion.
I subscribe bc I love Chris’ perspective. I read him at WAPO (the Fix) and CNNLOL. He is very talented and does his level best to be unbiased. Not sure if I stick around after President Trump wins next week or not. I don’t think I will be able to stomach what’s coming in this comment section.
Be well!
There is nothing I’ve said that is factually inaccurate. We have different values apparently. You are entitled to yours as I am. You bring value to this site, I would never ever ask you to leave. Never will I understand all the intolerance on the left…..
What in my statement indicated to you my supposedly differing values? Because I understand the healthcare component of abortion? That women are dying and losing their future ability to have children because they are being denied life saving and uterus saving healthcare? That is not spin. That is not hyperbole. The AG of my state, Ken Paxton, took a woman desperate to have children to court to prevent her from getting the appropriate healthcare when her pregnancy was no longer viable. The "baby" would die within minutes of birth, but that *life* was more important than the mother's or the mother's future children's lives. She was lucky she had the means to go to Colorado. I'm tired of hearing your hate. Do not pretend to take the high road when you accuse democrats of messaging - I quote - "let's kill babies." My calling out your hate and vitriol is not intolerance. Nice try.
I’ve got no hate in me! We have a fundamental difference of opinion.
President Trump is gonna win. I hope you begin to prepare for that now. VP Harris has and had the deck stacked against her. Immigration, the economy, foreign wars. She’s tried very hard but the country wants change.
Best to you!
When Trump loses -- and he will -- the turning point may very well be his hatefest at Madison Square Garden.
“Difference of opinion”?! I’d suggest you see a therapist about your delusions, @dutchmaga. When YOU support an adjudicated rapist, serial adulterer, business cheat, a hate-filled man-child with only his *own* future at heart, it’s clear there’s FAR more than a “difference of opinion”.
We have morals and values. You absolutely have none, because if you even had a hint of them, you wouldn’t support him and you certainly wouldn’t invest the time you do every day to spout his lies, hatred, and vitriol. For those of us with our eyes open wide, and you’re clearly not one of them, his hate rally, at the exact same spot as America’s first generation of Nazis in 1939, have made it clear precisely what sort of future you’re voting for.
You should be ashamed for deluding yourself into following such a hateful miscreant, but I’ve read enough of your comments to know that you don’t have the required self-introspection skills to feel shame.
trump is a NAZI, FULL STOP. And when you support NAZIS, YOU ARE A NAZI! We are preparing for Nov. 6, regardless of the outcome. Are you?
Q: What's more disgusting than a truckload of dead babies? A: The live one at the bottom trying to eat its way out. (A little shock-rock Alice Cooper humor for ya. I thought you might chuckle.)
You think that's scary. I'm the none who has to walk out of the woods alone
You are a sick person
Guess you're not an Alice Cooper fan.
Ok..yeah..
i recently had the pleasure of meeting Chris and his wife.
Honest, open, regular people.
As a A friend of mine who hangs around with Sam Hagar, Nick Mason, Tony Levin, Rick Wakeman.. all his ‘speed dial’ friends says.. “just regular folks with a different set of skills than you or I”
Its true of these two also.
Maybe Kamala has been reading your substack and took your advice !
She needs to, the Hitler stuff is ridiculous and not working, not even a little bit
Start the speech with kitchen table issues, pivot to womens rights and abortion, then close with a reminder of what happened there less than 4 years ago with a sprinkle of Trumps MSG horror carnival mixed in. And be sure to have 2 or 3 strong, sound bite style lines for TV/media coverage clips and for last week of the election ads.
Hi Chris, I’m a paid sub and big fan! Ran across this profile of you that I think your followers will enjoy: https://www.cjr.org/the_profile/chris-cillizza-cnn-politics.php The author writes on Substack. Thanks for your infectious energy (and what a great idea to post “free” til the election).
Thanks for posting this great article on Chris.
No wonder I enjoy reading him so much.