Thanks for your thoughts/analysis on Steyer Wondering why Steyer has gotten so many critical endorsements. Wish the endorsers explain there thinking on this.
I’ve finally realized what your super power is. It’s not intellect even though you’re my favorite American political intellectual. It’s not principle even though you’re the most principled American I know. Your super power is actually self awareness. I love the way you talked about baseball, tribalism and the Giants.. such clarity! ♥️
Love the analysis, Mike! I agree 100% about standing on principal. Principal, moral stances and policies and discussions or what our political discourse needs. We need people willing to get the bird for the party in order to build a diverse coalition of people that want to preserve our democracy and it’s in institutions, focusing on reform rather than blowing everything up or preserving the corruption that has led to the extremist responses we are living through.
I remain mostly interested in Becerra & Yee, but now she’s out. Becerra speaks to my traditional California background and Yee spoke to extreme competence. So sad that nobody seemed consider her at all. Hilton is oddly smug and so off putting. Nobody talked about Yee’s government experience in our state yet Hilton’s is touted. What gives? Boring competance is apparently still a problem, however maybe that’s why Becerra is doing well now.
Mike, are you saying Steyer is an anti-democracy wannabe authoritarian? Do you believe he would be as destructive and volatile as Trump? Do you think he's lying about his climate change ideas? His understanding that the wealth gap is unsupportable? His plans to help the working class advance? Inquiring minds want to know.
No I don’t know what he stands for and whatever he believes is great. I’m saying the organizations built on opposing billionaires that are endorsing him are no different than MAGA
Steyer seems to be a billionaire trying to right his wrongs. That’s NOT Trump who doubles down. Becerra takes PAC money and has employed Newsom’s campaign team to help him. Standard politician. Who’s better? “Reformation or Transformation.” Whats it gonna be?
I don’t think youre hearing me. This has nothing to do with him. It’s the hypocrisy of those people supporting a billionaire after demonizing them for a decade
Not sparing you. More than decade old talking point. Please. 2012: Steyer officially stepped down from running his hedge fund, Farallon Capital, to focus on climate activism, announcing his intent to divest from fossil fuels.
2013–2014: While he initially sold off coal and oil sands holdings, it took until late 2013 or early 2014 for him to fully divest from natural gas and other remaining fossil fuel-related investments.
Continued Holdings: Despite the public divestment, reports from 2019 and 2020 noted that he still had some remaining investments in funds linked to his old firm, which he described as "dregs".
The move was made to align his personal fortune with his environmental activism following criticism that he was profiting from the same fossil fuel industries he was fighting.
One of the things I've always admired about you since I became a Lincoln Project supporter back in early 2020, is how well you listen when I see videos of you in conversations. I do hear you. I was puzzled that you seemed to lump all billionaires together in the demon bucket and think it's hypocritical for people who have demonized the democracy-hating broligarchy to support any billionaire. But if you don't know what Steyer stands for, I can see why you feel that way.
I listened to both the debate you moderated and last night's debate, and I was impressed that Steyer was unapologetically open about his progressive stands, and how -- unlike most of the other candidates -- he actually shared his policy ideas for achieving his progressive goals. Don't get me wrong -- I'd be happy if Becerra made it to the general election. But if it comes down to Becerra and Steyer, I need to see mild-mannered Xavier take off his Clark Kent glasses and show me some fight.
I didn’t lump all billionaires together. I was referring to his supporters that are suddenly ok supporting billionaires when they’ve been railing against them for the past ten years. It’s hypocritical and all this defense of him sounds like all the MAGA republicans I knew doing the exact same thing for Trump in 2016. It explains why the country is in such horrible shape. Everyone twists their beliefs so long as things bend to their wants. It’s the opposite of principle. I’ve seen this exact thing play out in the gop. Exact. Same. Thing.
Ok. Point well made re: a generalization. But not all billionaires are evil—some give back and do good: Melinda Gates & the like for example. Meantime, like Susan said: wouldn’t it be great if Steyer proves to be an exception.
In 2004-2005, Steyer's former hedge fund, Farallon, invested in Corrections Corporation of America but didn't have anything to do with running CCA. (CCA changed its name to CoreCivic in 2016.) In early 2006, in response to student criticism, Farallon sold all its CCA stock, and Steyer acknowledged that investment had been a mistake and didn't reflect his own philosophy. He left Farallon in 2012 to pursue philanthropy and progressive causes. That's why people who have demonized billionaires can support him without hypocrisy. They know what he stands for. Taxing the wealthy to afford things like single-payer health care, universal pre-K, free community college, criminal justice reform, and union labor support. Please read this: https://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/election/article315341867.html
💯 Steyer’s environmentalism is LEGIT. @Mike Madrid admit it. Not all billionaires are evil. Maybe he made investment mistakes when he was younger wanting to make money. He admits it. He seems to put his money where his mouth is.
I don’t think billionaires are evil. I’ve never said that. I need you to listen here: I’m talking about the hypocrisy of those that are now supporting a billionaire after mollifying them for a decade.
Now it seems like…ih wait if you change and now support what I support you’re no longer evil.
I hear you! However, this billionaire is proving to be an exception so far. He’s not saying one thing and doing the extreme opposite. He’s taking responsibility for his mistakes and wanting to do differently. He’s not standard politician or in this case a snake oil salesman. He puts his money where his mouth is, he walks the talk. I’m not sure how Bernie bros & unions & life-long environmentalists are hypocrites with Steyer’s decade-long track record of divesting and reserving his position. Some people learn from their mistakes—especially as they mature. Maybe give progressives a little more credit in being able to discern BS unlike kool-aid drinking MAGAts. Again, Becerra, while fine and qualified, is standard career politician….
Mike, I appreciate what you’re saying and your expert opinion. I do hear you. But as a voter witnessing Steyer being a billionaire who puts his money where his mouth is…doing good, owning mistakes…is NOT being a hypocrite—this is the type of candidate that has the ability to make changes. Trump IS complete BS & quadruples down on the lies, in bed with AIPAC & taking money with every grift beyond imaginable. Why is it hypocrisy to accept someone who has authentically changed? Trump has always been exactly the same—a malignant narcissist grifter con-artist fraud…not even a true billionaire until now…kinda hypocritical to continue complaining about career politicians who accept PAC money & now Becerra is the “ONE”??? Hypocrisy goes both ways no?
The only way to change from being a billionaire is to stop being a billionaire.
You are not hearing me and I’m done talking to you. I value the dis purse on my page and I’m afraid you’re really lowering the level of discussion here. Truly.
You refuse to listen.
These people - Our Revolution” literally don’t believe billionaires should exist! But somehow it’s ok when they exist so long as they’ve ’seen the light’?
That’s literally MAGA rationalization. It’s sad but more gross than sad. It’s pathetic actually.
I don’t have any qualms with billionaires or people being rich. I don’t think they’re inherently evil.
I do think that people who have been saying they shouldn’t exist now champioingine because it serves their needs is shameful.
The conversations over here. If you respond I’ll block you. You’re not being productive you’re being obstinate. We’re not even disagreeing you’re just not listening.
Tribalism isn’t just about who you vote for. It’s about what you’re willing to ignore, excuse, and defend simply because it’s your side doing it. The reset doesn’t come from a new candidate or a better messaging strategy. It comes when enough people decide that doing the right thing matters more than winning the news cycle.
I think the affinity of some Democratics for Steyer is very weird as well--I think it's Democrats who have fantasies that he will somehow evolve and change and become who they want him to be--a fantasy about billionaires reforming themselves somehow (someday the world will be perfect, after everyone sees the light the way we do). At bottom, just weird though.
I was disappointed with the debate. There was little actual depth to the conversation on the key topics that most voters care about. Perhaps the only interesting part of the evening, for me, was Hilton not going after unions, especially the teacher's union, like he did during the debate you moderated. I remain among the undecided.
Here’s a great interview with Becerra. There were some tough questions there and Becerra gave good answers and handled them with unflappable calm and poise. When he’s given more than 15 seconds to speak, he does quite well https://youtu.be/E3W4IBXKjlQ?si=Nz5aUG2dmGkOSv9-
Thanks for your thoughts/analysis on Steyer Wondering why Steyer has gotten so many critical endorsements. Wish the endorsers explain there thinking on this.
money and power. same as rump.
I’ve finally realized what your super power is. It’s not intellect even though you’re my favorite American political intellectual. It’s not principle even though you’re the most principled American I know. Your super power is actually self awareness. I love the way you talked about baseball, tribalism and the Giants.. such clarity! ♥️
🙏🏼
I have no guilt or regret about anything. It’s been an honor to keep fools like you from ever achieving power
Off topic. Mike, your discussion with Ron on Politicology today was incredible in every way. I learned so much. Bravo.
Agree with you Mike in the Steyer issue
Love the analysis, Mike! I agree 100% about standing on principal. Principal, moral stances and policies and discussions or what our political discourse needs. We need people willing to get the bird for the party in order to build a diverse coalition of people that want to preserve our democracy and it’s in institutions, focusing on reform rather than blowing everything up or preserving the corruption that has led to the extremist responses we are living through.
I remain mostly interested in Becerra & Yee, but now she’s out. Becerra speaks to my traditional California background and Yee spoke to extreme competence. So sad that nobody seemed consider her at all. Hilton is oddly smug and so off putting. Nobody talked about Yee’s government experience in our state yet Hilton’s is touted. What gives? Boring competance is apparently still a problem, however maybe that’s why Becerra is doing well now.
Right their with you Mike on Steyer and liberal progressive voters. I've been seeing and saying this for years!
Exactly 💯 and it's insane!
It's also racist as hell to ignore Beccera.
becerra is thus far the candidate with the most integrity and experience in public service.
Mike, are you saying Steyer is an anti-democracy wannabe authoritarian? Do you believe he would be as destructive and volatile as Trump? Do you think he's lying about his climate change ideas? His understanding that the wealth gap is unsupportable? His plans to help the working class advance? Inquiring minds want to know.
No I don’t know what he stands for and whatever he believes is great. I’m saying the organizations built on opposing billionaires that are endorsing him are no different than MAGA
Steyer seems to be a billionaire trying to right his wrongs. That’s NOT Trump who doubles down. Becerra takes PAC money and has employed Newsom’s campaign team to help him. Standard politician. Who’s better? “Reformation or Transformation.” Whats it gonna be?
Wouldn't it be great if he were the exception that proves the rule.
I don’t think youre hearing me. This has nothing to do with him. It’s the hypocrisy of those people supporting a billionaire after demonizing them for a decade
@Mike Madrid not hypocritical. A billionaire trying to right his younger wrongs.thats redeeming. Steyer is authentic environmentalist.
He sold his oil holdings just a few months ago. Spare me.
Not sparing you. More than decade old talking point. Please. 2012: Steyer officially stepped down from running his hedge fund, Farallon Capital, to focus on climate activism, announcing his intent to divest from fossil fuels.
2013–2014: While he initially sold off coal and oil sands holdings, it took until late 2013 or early 2014 for him to fully divest from natural gas and other remaining fossil fuel-related investments.
Continued Holdings: Despite the public divestment, reports from 2019 and 2020 noted that he still had some remaining investments in funds linked to his old firm, which he described as "dregs".
The move was made to align his personal fortune with his environmental activism following criticism that he was profiting from the same fossil fuel industries he was fighting.
One of the things I've always admired about you since I became a Lincoln Project supporter back in early 2020, is how well you listen when I see videos of you in conversations. I do hear you. I was puzzled that you seemed to lump all billionaires together in the demon bucket and think it's hypocritical for people who have demonized the democracy-hating broligarchy to support any billionaire. But if you don't know what Steyer stands for, I can see why you feel that way.
I listened to both the debate you moderated and last night's debate, and I was impressed that Steyer was unapologetically open about his progressive stands, and how -- unlike most of the other candidates -- he actually shared his policy ideas for achieving his progressive goals. Don't get me wrong -- I'd be happy if Becerra made it to the general election. But if it comes down to Becerra and Steyer, I need to see mild-mannered Xavier take off his Clark Kent glasses and show me some fight.
I didn’t lump all billionaires together. I was referring to his supporters that are suddenly ok supporting billionaires when they’ve been railing against them for the past ten years. It’s hypocritical and all this defense of him sounds like all the MAGA republicans I knew doing the exact same thing for Trump in 2016. It explains why the country is in such horrible shape. Everyone twists their beliefs so long as things bend to their wants. It’s the opposite of principle. I’ve seen this exact thing play out in the gop. Exact. Same. Thing.
Ok. Point well made re: a generalization. But not all billionaires are evil—some give back and do good: Melinda Gates & the like for example. Meantime, like Susan said: wouldn’t it be great if Steyer proves to be an exception.
how someone who made their money on for profit prisons and detention centers can even try to rebrand themself as a dem is beyond the pale.
In 2004-2005, Steyer's former hedge fund, Farallon, invested in Corrections Corporation of America but didn't have anything to do with running CCA. (CCA changed its name to CoreCivic in 2016.) In early 2006, in response to student criticism, Farallon sold all its CCA stock, and Steyer acknowledged that investment had been a mistake and didn't reflect his own philosophy. He left Farallon in 2012 to pursue philanthropy and progressive causes. That's why people who have demonized billionaires can support him without hypocrisy. They know what he stands for. Taxing the wealthy to afford things like single-payer health care, universal pre-K, free community college, criminal justice reform, and union labor support. Please read this: https://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/election/article315341867.html
💯 Steyer’s environmentalism is LEGIT. @Mike Madrid admit it. Not all billionaires are evil. Maybe he made investment mistakes when he was younger wanting to make money. He admits it. He seems to put his money where his mouth is.
I don’t think billionaires are evil. I’ve never said that. I need you to listen here: I’m talking about the hypocrisy of those that are now supporting a billionaire after mollifying them for a decade.
Now it seems like…ih wait if you change and now support what I support you’re no longer evil.
Madness.
I hear you! However, this billionaire is proving to be an exception so far. He’s not saying one thing and doing the extreme opposite. He’s taking responsibility for his mistakes and wanting to do differently. He’s not standard politician or in this case a snake oil salesman. He puts his money where his mouth is, he walks the talk. I’m not sure how Bernie bros & unions & life-long environmentalists are hypocrites with Steyer’s decade-long track record of divesting and reserving his position. Some people learn from their mistakes—especially as they mature. Maybe give progressives a little more credit in being able to discern BS unlike kool-aid drinking MAGAts. Again, Becerra, while fine and qualified, is standard career politician….
You don’t hear me. Literally completely ignoring the basic point here.
Completely explains the MAGA behavior. Unbelievable
Mike, I appreciate what you’re saying and your expert opinion. I do hear you. But as a voter witnessing Steyer being a billionaire who puts his money where his mouth is…doing good, owning mistakes…is NOT being a hypocrite—this is the type of candidate that has the ability to make changes. Trump IS complete BS & quadruples down on the lies, in bed with AIPAC & taking money with every grift beyond imaginable. Why is it hypocrisy to accept someone who has authentically changed? Trump has always been exactly the same—a malignant narcissist grifter con-artist fraud…not even a true billionaire until now…kinda hypocritical to continue complaining about career politicians who accept PAC money & now Becerra is the “ONE”??? Hypocrisy goes both ways no?
The only way to change from being a billionaire is to stop being a billionaire.
You are not hearing me and I’m done talking to you. I value the dis purse on my page and I’m afraid you’re really lowering the level of discussion here. Truly.
You refuse to listen.
These people - Our Revolution” literally don’t believe billionaires should exist! But somehow it’s ok when they exist so long as they’ve ’seen the light’?
That’s literally MAGA rationalization. It’s sad but more gross than sad. It’s pathetic actually.
I don’t have any qualms with billionaires or people being rich. I don’t think they’re inherently evil.
I do think that people who have been saying they shouldn’t exist now champioingine because it serves their needs is shameful.
The conversations over here. If you respond I’ll block you. You’re not being productive you’re being obstinate. We’re not even disagreeing you’re just not listening.
Please go away.
Tribalism isn’t just about who you vote for. It’s about what you’re willing to ignore, excuse, and defend simply because it’s your side doing it. The reset doesn’t come from a new candidate or a better messaging strategy. It comes when enough people decide that doing the right thing matters more than winning the news cycle.
And thanks for sticking to your principles with your Democratic party friend--we need that!
I think the affinity of some Democratics for Steyer is very weird as well--I think it's Democrats who have fantasies that he will somehow evolve and change and become who they want him to be--a fantasy about billionaires reforming themselves somehow (someday the world will be perfect, after everyone sees the light the way we do). At bottom, just weird though.
I was disappointed with the debate. There was little actual depth to the conversation on the key topics that most voters care about. Perhaps the only interesting part of the evening, for me, was Hilton not going after unions, especially the teacher's union, like he did during the debate you moderated. I remain among the undecided.
I just can’t vote for a hedge fund manager, like Steyer, retired or not. His ability to set aside the human equation for the wealth is dangerous.
Here’s a great interview with Becerra. There were some tough questions there and Becerra gave good answers and handled them with unflappable calm and poise. When he’s given more than 15 seconds to speak, he does quite well https://youtu.be/E3W4IBXKjlQ?si=Nz5aUG2dmGkOSv9-
Thank you, Mike! we’re lucky your here in California. please keep us updated and informed.
What’s your thoughts on Tony Thurmond?