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...
To your numbers 5 an 6, I wonder why You and the Media have not figured out how to cover Donald Trump after some seven to eight years. And yet you correctly identify him as a threat to American Democracy. Hè draws unnecessary attention to himself and the press likes it so they give him these free exposure under the disguise of exposing him. For example, Biden issued a statement condeming his his ''poison of the blood'' statement over the weekend, but only a handful of the media carried Biden's message. Trump was on the other hand on TV all weekend and still today
Commercial media depend upon attracting viewers & listeners. Donald Trump is charismatic and strategically says something new and outrageous each week. He's like an F3 tornado, Category 3+ hurricane, 5-alarm fire, double-digit multiple car highway crash. He attracts listeners/viewers.
So this is a great point, Lisa. Why doesn’t the media discuss Biden’s accomplishments? The improving economy? It doesn’t bring ratings to hear about steady Joe. It’s not exciting. Instead, the focus is on Biden’s age. Trump’s crazy rantings. His strong poll numbers against his GOP competitors. It drives ratings. So much of what the media is doing is shaping the narrative and lifting Trump up. As much as the media says they are fact givers, they are pouring fuel on this fire.
I also have to wonder if networks, like CNN, would desire a Trump presidency? It does wonders for their ratings because it’s a constant train wreck with a plethora of distortions of truth, lies, crimes and completely feeds people’s anxiety. Keeps them coming back for more. I wish networks would put aside the ratings and not give Trump any coverage at all. Not offer him a platform for his hate speeches and lies.
The otherwise-unemployables of the meee-deee-yaaa don't know how to do political reporting other than the "horse race" and CNN has been told by the new boss to give "honest coverage" of Trump's campaign, which means back to uncritical coverage of his hatealongs. Still the Cretin News Network like always.
Your e-mails are the first I look for every day. Glad I am a paid subscriber, and I am definitely getting my money's worth. Drew hit it on the head, I can't say it better: " 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."
I do not agree with your predictions for 2024 mostly. Joe Biden is going to WIN in 2024. The Democrats are going to win back the House making Hakeem Jeffries the Speaker of the house and along with Kamala Harris will seamlessly certify Biden's win without any Drama like the one we saw in 2020. Republicans will win the Senate in 2024 so that is why Schummer should hurry up in confirming as many Judges as possible now.
Glad to contribute to your being able to think. I like what you say, which is perhaps why I follow you. I worry every minute of my waking day about what the future election holds for us. I fear for America. I am an immigrant as of 1986 and of course now I am a citizen too. But I worry that I made a mistake in coming to America. It was the beacon of light and freedom to which I was drawn, but now I wonder whether I was drawn to it like a moth to the flame. Trump would for me be the coup de gras. But the thought also that Nicky Haley would be the second Republican choice when she would in many ways be but an extension of Trump in a different guise? Oh what a sad thought. And yes, the senate will swing right and be in the hands of racist, fascist wanna be’s, while who knows what might happen to the house.
It is all so terrible. I don’t know how to manage 10 more months of this constant anxiety???????
And Nikki Haley is Trump in a skirt without the bad language and the Nazi thing, but she is no "moderate." She believes in a national abortion ban. She is an active anti-vaxxer who claims that the government ordered the shutdowns so that people would have to take the vaccine that really isn't any good, because the government ordered the companies to make it and it's the only way they could get people to take it. She has also promised to get rid of Social Security and Medicare. And even if all that didn't matter, she would still be leading a government of a Trumpified GOP and would be using Project 2025. The difference with her is she would be "nice" and garrote you in your sleep rather than shoot you in your face.
Chris, thanks for writings and all you do. Been reading your writings since your days at the Post. You are the only SubStack subscription I have. And hang in there! I struggle during the Holidays too. Makes me feel better knowing I’m not alone.
I completely appreciate Chris’ candor and “honesty”. He’s calling balls and strikes the way he sees them and whether people agree or disagree, he’s speaking what he believes and sees through years of experience. What’s really important to realize is that if Trump were to be re-elected, he says he will go after the media. Presumably anyone that disagrees with him and doesn’t lavish praise on him. Censorship and freedom of speech is on the table. The very core of what this country has been founded on. News stations like CNN and MSNBC will not longer be able to report news that isn’t “Trumpian”. Even a newsletter like Chris’ could be silenced. In its place we will be subjected to Truth Social, Trump TV and endless 24 hour reruns of The Apprentice.
Chris, as you might notice, I'm catching up on some articles of yours that I set aside for when I had the bandwidth to read and think about them.
Personally, I find what you're writing her to be a very brave mix of the political and personal. I've always learned a lot from your writing when it comes to politics. Now I feel like I am learning more, not just about you personally but also about myself by inspiring me to think about different things. Thank you.
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...
To your numbers 5 an 6, I wonder why You and the Media have not figured out how to cover Donald Trump after some seven to eight years. And yet you correctly identify him as a threat to American Democracy. Hè draws unnecessary attention to himself and the press likes it so they give him these free exposure under the disguise of exposing him. For example, Biden issued a statement condeming his his ''poison of the blood'' statement over the weekend, but only a handful of the media carried Biden's message. Trump was on the other hand on TV all weekend and still today
Commercial media depend upon attracting viewers & listeners. Donald Trump is charismatic and strategically says something new and outrageous each week. He's like an F3 tornado, Category 3+ hurricane, 5-alarm fire, double-digit multiple car highway crash. He attracts listeners/viewers.
So this is a great point, Lisa. Why doesn’t the media discuss Biden’s accomplishments? The improving economy? It doesn’t bring ratings to hear about steady Joe. It’s not exciting. Instead, the focus is on Biden’s age. Trump’s crazy rantings. His strong poll numbers against his GOP competitors. It drives ratings. So much of what the media is doing is shaping the narrative and lifting Trump up. As much as the media says they are fact givers, they are pouring fuel on this fire.
I wish they can just come out and tell the citizens what they are all about like FOX news, so that people will not continue to believe them.
I also have to wonder if networks, like CNN, would desire a Trump presidency? It does wonders for their ratings because it’s a constant train wreck with a plethora of distortions of truth, lies, crimes and completely feeds people’s anxiety. Keeps them coming back for more. I wish networks would put aside the ratings and not give Trump any coverage at all. Not offer him a platform for his hate speeches and lies.
The otherwise-unemployables of the meee-deee-yaaa don't know how to do political reporting other than the "horse race" and CNN has been told by the new boss to give "honest coverage" of Trump's campaign, which means back to uncritical coverage of his hatealongs. Still the Cretin News Network like always.
Your e-mails are the first I look for every day. Glad I am a paid subscriber, and I am definitely getting my money's worth. Drew hit it on the head, I can't say it better: " 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."
Glad to already be a paid subscriber and I agree with each of your ten points!
I'm sorry to hear you're struggling, Chris.
If it's any consolation, I greatly appreciate the content you provide.
I do not agree with your predictions for 2024 mostly. Joe Biden is going to WIN in 2024. The Democrats are going to win back the House making Hakeem Jeffries the Speaker of the house and along with Kamala Harris will seamlessly certify Biden's win without any Drama like the one we saw in 2020. Republicans will win the Senate in 2024 so that is why Schummer should hurry up in confirming as many Judges as possible now.
I sincerely hope you are correct in your predictions!!!😀
Glad to contribute to your being able to think. I like what you say, which is perhaps why I follow you. I worry every minute of my waking day about what the future election holds for us. I fear for America. I am an immigrant as of 1986 and of course now I am a citizen too. But I worry that I made a mistake in coming to America. It was the beacon of light and freedom to which I was drawn, but now I wonder whether I was drawn to it like a moth to the flame. Trump would for me be the coup de gras. But the thought also that Nicky Haley would be the second Republican choice when she would in many ways be but an extension of Trump in a different guise? Oh what a sad thought. And yes, the senate will swing right and be in the hands of racist, fascist wanna be’s, while who knows what might happen to the house.
It is all so terrible. I don’t know how to manage 10 more months of this constant anxiety???????
And Nikki Haley is Trump in a skirt without the bad language and the Nazi thing, but she is no "moderate." She believes in a national abortion ban. She is an active anti-vaxxer who claims that the government ordered the shutdowns so that people would have to take the vaccine that really isn't any good, because the government ordered the companies to make it and it's the only way they could get people to take it. She has also promised to get rid of Social Security and Medicare. And even if all that didn't matter, she would still be leading a government of a Trumpified GOP and would be using Project 2025. The difference with her is she would be "nice" and garrote you in your sleep rather than shoot you in your face.
"He who frames the issue wins that issue more often than not." -Anonymous
Chris, you are a winner!
It’s a bargain!
I was really hoping your one word was going to be “more videos.” 😂
Chris, thanks for writings and all you do. Been reading your writings since your days at the Post. You are the only SubStack subscription I have. And hang in there! I struggle during the Holidays too. Makes me feel better knowing I’m not alone.
I completely appreciate Chris’ candor and “honesty”. He’s calling balls and strikes the way he sees them and whether people agree or disagree, he’s speaking what he believes and sees through years of experience. What’s really important to realize is that if Trump were to be re-elected, he says he will go after the media. Presumably anyone that disagrees with him and doesn’t lavish praise on him. Censorship and freedom of speech is on the table. The very core of what this country has been founded on. News stations like CNN and MSNBC will not longer be able to report news that isn’t “Trumpian”. Even a newsletter like Chris’ could be silenced. In its place we will be subjected to Truth Social, Trump TV and endless 24 hour reruns of The Apprentice.
Richard, you mean false social, Trump TV like Trump University etc etc
All Trump propaganda.
Which is why I am renewing my passport.
Chris, as you might notice, I'm catching up on some articles of yours that I set aside for when I had the bandwidth to read and think about them.
Personally, I find what you're writing her to be a very brave mix of the political and personal. I've always learned a lot from your writing when it comes to politics. Now I feel like I am learning more, not just about you personally but also about myself by inspiring me to think about different things. Thank you.
Thanks for all your hard work, Chris. I stay on the monthly plan just so I can give you a (very) tiny bit extra. Well worth the investment.