Destabilization in government could actually be a good thing for consumer and investor sentiment short term since they view the federal government as overreaching as it is. An already frozen job market plus tarriffs are the real drag/immediate fear. When workers are laid off, still high inflation and the wrecked government will be there to greet them. There's going to be a huge surge in govt spending again, and a debt crisis that will force a reduction in spending. It's starting to feel like 1930's, except worse. It's going to be a dumpster fire of epic proportions.
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that, as Mike and others have noted, Democrats’ numbers are in the toilet as well. Aspirational messaging about solutions to the affordability problem have to accompany the attacks on Republicans in charge.
Their numbers are in the toilet because they keep following the advice laid out by people like Carville to 'go silent' or as Schumer put it, "just wait". Hakeem Jeffries even said "What do you want us to do?" as if it is our job to tell him how to do his. (And he spent a week or two just hawking a children's book).
If the Democrats want their numbers to improve they need to carry hopeful messaging yes, but they also need to fight and fight hard. Right now the Democratic "leadership" is an anchor dragging against change, not a driver of it. And we don't need an anchor right now.
I agree. Mike has the right. Just being anti-trump does not appear to have worked and does not seem likely to work in the future. The dems need to define themselves and that is, not surprisingly, an issue. they have a big tent and cant figure out how to unite it.
Just like Trumpists did, right or wrong, they have to be willing to push some people out to circle around a popular vision. Most likely taxing the rich and tackling income equality would fly right now, possibly with taking up the mantel of fixing healthcare again, all while reducing spending on republican sacred cows like military to balance it all out. Those over the top social activitsts and environmentalists that defined the democrats during the last 10 or so years? Nobody wants to hear from them anymore. Bigger, immediate problems are clearly afoot. Instead Dems waffle around pretending like talking tough about it and waiting for their moment to pounce is the best strategy. They should be out there leading protests, rallying around popular causes that their party polls better on. Instead it feels like they're almost rooting for the country to fail quickly instead of trying to save it. This way the sooner they can, again, restore government back to the way it was. It's disingenuous at best, and vindictive at worst. We really need a third party to emerge now more than ever.
When I had to pay $4.50 for a 14-ounce can of tomatoes and $15 for a bag of coffee this weekend in the local market I weighed whether I wanted to eat or not.
They're still too stuck on idealism. It might be intelligently reasoned and feel right, but it doesn't resonate broadly enough. All it does is bury democrats in issues like the high cost of renewables, the now deeply unpopular "DEI" and "Woke" monikers, and being viewed as establishment. They need to go all in a popular issue the poll well in that would be viewed as directly helping people' economic future(in red and blue states). Taxing billionaires and large corporations to pay for free basic healthcare or to reduce tax rates on the middle/upper middle class is just one example.
Great analysis you keep me grounded and informed. The last paragraph is what the dems need to do, will they and when?
“ Trump is mishandling the economy. His opponents would be wise to flip the script and use the same economic attack lines that Trump wielded so effectively against Biden”
I want to feel “safe” again. frump’s mind is much worse than Biden’s. He’s constantly falling asleep in front of everyone and he’s not in this for the American people, he’s destroying America and us and going for Kingship…
This is a straight up shock doctrine approach paired with basic hatred. We should absolutely call out Trump's actions, but I think we also need to do more to get in the face of everyone who voted for this so they know who to blame. Contrary to James Carville's bad advice, going silent is just plain useless.
The problem is, he'll blame democrats before handing them a mess, now so huge they won't be able to remotely fix it, and the vicious cycle of political polarization and flip-flopping populist voters will continue.
It's also important to note the stabilizing role that multiple federal entities play in the economy. Dismantling equals destabilization.
Destabilization in government could actually be a good thing for consumer and investor sentiment short term since they view the federal government as overreaching as it is. An already frozen job market plus tarriffs are the real drag/immediate fear. When workers are laid off, still high inflation and the wrecked government will be there to greet them. There's going to be a huge surge in govt spending again, and a debt crisis that will force a reduction in spending. It's starting to feel like 1930's, except worse. It's going to be a dumpster fire of epic proportions.
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that, as Mike and others have noted, Democrats’ numbers are in the toilet as well. Aspirational messaging about solutions to the affordability problem have to accompany the attacks on Republicans in charge.
Their numbers are in the toilet because they keep following the advice laid out by people like Carville to 'go silent' or as Schumer put it, "just wait". Hakeem Jeffries even said "What do you want us to do?" as if it is our job to tell him how to do his. (And he spent a week or two just hawking a children's book).
If the Democrats want their numbers to improve they need to carry hopeful messaging yes, but they also need to fight and fight hard. Right now the Democratic "leadership" is an anchor dragging against change, not a driver of it. And we don't need an anchor right now.
I agree. Mike has the right. Just being anti-trump does not appear to have worked and does not seem likely to work in the future. The dems need to define themselves and that is, not surprisingly, an issue. they have a big tent and cant figure out how to unite it.
Just like Trumpists did, right or wrong, they have to be willing to push some people out to circle around a popular vision. Most likely taxing the rich and tackling income equality would fly right now, possibly with taking up the mantel of fixing healthcare again, all while reducing spending on republican sacred cows like military to balance it all out. Those over the top social activitsts and environmentalists that defined the democrats during the last 10 or so years? Nobody wants to hear from them anymore. Bigger, immediate problems are clearly afoot. Instead Dems waffle around pretending like talking tough about it and waiting for their moment to pounce is the best strategy. They should be out there leading protests, rallying around popular causes that their party polls better on. Instead it feels like they're almost rooting for the country to fail quickly instead of trying to save it. This way the sooner they can, again, restore government back to the way it was. It's disingenuous at best, and vindictive at worst. We really need a third party to emerge now more than ever.
When I had to pay $4.50 for a 14-ounce can of tomatoes and $15 for a bag of coffee this weekend in the local market I weighed whether I wanted to eat or not.
Democrats need to hire guys like Mike and Lincoln Project folks, they know how to message and we absolutely suck at it.
They're still too stuck on idealism. It might be intelligently reasoned and feel right, but it doesn't resonate broadly enough. All it does is bury democrats in issues like the high cost of renewables, the now deeply unpopular "DEI" and "Woke" monikers, and being viewed as establishment. They need to go all in a popular issue the poll well in that would be viewed as directly helping people' economic future(in red and blue states). Taxing billionaires and large corporations to pay for free basic healthcare or to reduce tax rates on the middle/upper middle class is just one example.
Need to talk in three word sentences and lie a lot.
Great analysis you keep me grounded and informed. The last paragraph is what the dems need to do, will they and when?
“ Trump is mishandling the economy. His opponents would be wise to flip the script and use the same economic attack lines that Trump wielded so effectively against Biden”
Thanks for the update.
Stop threatening me with a good time
I m waiting for tariffs to hit those months will MAGA …. Cause tons of riots and unemployment
This type of analysis is the primary reason I subscribe to you--thank you.
I want to feel “safe” again. frump’s mind is much worse than Biden’s. He’s constantly falling asleep in front of everyone and he’s not in this for the American people, he’s destroying America and us and going for Kingship…
It's going to be a long time before any of us can feel safe again.
Trump has already stated his "solutions" to the problem. The first is simply to cook the books and claim there is no problem.
https://newrepublic.com/post/192216/trump-lutnick-economic-statistics-gdp-doge
The second is to privatize everything *because* of the problem. (See comments by Bessenet reported here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-158234878).
This is a straight up shock doctrine approach paired with basic hatred. We should absolutely call out Trump's actions, but I think we also need to do more to get in the face of everyone who voted for this so they know who to blame. Contrary to James Carville's bad advice, going silent is just plain useless.
Right on.👍
It's almost like he's handing 2026 and 2028 to Democrats on a silver platter. 😂 And it's impossible for him to stop being chaotic...
The problem is, he'll blame democrats before handing them a mess, now so huge they won't be able to remotely fix it, and the vicious cycle of political polarization and flip-flopping populist voters will continue.