What I am really selling here
On my mission.
In the 10 months since I launched this Substack, I’ve tried to think of myself as a start-up.
I, quite literally, started this newsletter from scratch last February. I didn’t know much about Substack other than that a few colleagues who had left mainstream media outlets were using it. I knew I wanted to keep writing. But, beyond that, I didn’t really have much of a plan.
As 2023 wore on, I’ve spent more and more time thinking about the value proposition of “So What.” After all, I am certainly not the first person who decided to write about politics on Substack. And while I think my content is good, there’s tons of good content out there.
I tried to think about it from your perspective — as an investor in me. Why, I asked myself, should people give me their money as opposed to spending it on another newsletter or even another gingerbread latte? (At $5 a month, this newsletter costs as a much as a grande gingerbread latte!)
I am happy to report that I came up with an answer. And, for you fans of brevity out there, it’s just one word! That word? Honesty.
What I pledge to you is that I will always be honest with you.
That doesn’t mean I will always (or maybe even often!) write things you agree with. Or that my takes will always be proven correct.
What it does mean is that I will always show my work and detail my thinking about how I arrived at a conclusion. And, if (and when) I get something wrong, I will a) own up to it and b) work to not let it happen again.
In that spirit, let me tell you 10 things I think are true about our politics heading into 2024:
Donald Trump is a slight favorite to be the next president of the United States
Donald Trump represents an active and unique threat to American democracy
Joe Biden doesn’t get enough credit from the public for the policy successes he has achieved with a divided Congress
Joe Biden’s advanced age is a major issue for voters who will decide the next president
The mainstream media still has not figured out how to cover Donald Trump
I have not, totally, either
Nikki Haley is the strongest general election nominee for Republicans — and would be clearly favored to beat Biden
Win or lose, Donald Trump will still control the Republican party in 2025.
Republicans are favored to win back the Senate majority
The House is a toss up
These may not be your opinions. You may disagree with some or all of them. But I think what we can all agree on is that we are entering an election year the likes of which we have never seen before. The stakes are massive. A victory by Trump would fundamentally alter the way we think about our government and our democracy. (That’s not me talking, that’s what Trump himself has promised in a 2nd term.)
Lots of people talk about how an election is the most important one in their lifetimes. I actually think this one is.
My promise? I will always level with you. I won’t pull punches. I don’t have a boss telling me what to write or say. I only report to you. What appears in this space is what I honestly believe to be true — whether or not it is a popular opinion. If you have a problem with something I write, I am here to listen. You can always email me — directly! — at cillizzac@gmail.com.
That promise extends to my writing outside of politics too. I have tried to be as open and transparent as I can be about my own challenges (and successes) as I navigate my post-CNN world. I have detailed my hard times — coping with loss, making friends, finding hobbies — in ways I have never done before in all my years of writing.
(Sidebar: Here’s a bit of honesty: I am struggling some lately. Maybe it’s the holidays. Maybe it’s the uncertain job future. Who knows!)
My goal? To show you my authentic self — someone who is doing his best to deal with the changing media landscape while also trying to be a role model to my two sons and a loving and supportive husband to my wife.
Honesty. Transparency. Authenticity.
And now, the ask: To keep doing this sort of work, I need the investment from you all. Ideally that’s a paid subscription — $5 a month or $50 for the year. I know that might be a lot of money for some of you. But I am writing 3-ish times a day, at least 5 days a week. I personally promise you will get your money’s worth over this next year.
If you can’t make that work, then at least become a free subscriber and/or spread the word about this newsletter to your friends!
Remember: We are all in this together. And by being honest and clear-eyed about the challenges we (and the country) face, we can get through it — no matter what comes next.
I wish I didn't agree with your assessment of where things stand, but I do. This is such a dangerous time for this country.
Chris, I’m a hard sell on SubStack subscriptions. But you’re one of three - and the only non-sports one - for which I have a paying subscription. I don’t always agree with you, but you always ‘show your work’ and provide strong analysis. You’re well worth the $5 per month! And, I hear you on having trouble these days - I don’t think it’s holidays; I think it’s short days and darkness coming early. Three more months til spring...