I’m migrating back to you Charlie! I’m so happy to have you back in podcast form. I know it won’t be an everyday thing this time but I will take what I can get!!!
Gotta admit Biden's performance at his last State of the Union address left me feeling optimistic. I had the image of the old lion using his experience and wisdom to swat down the babbling fool that Trump is. I remember too that his performance scared the crap out of the GOP because he was able to manipulate them and expose their vulnerabilities.
That was the Biden I'd hoped to see at the debate. I knew Trump had nothing but lies and grievances and I was confident that as long as Biden could be the old lion, he'd expose Trump the same as he had the GOP side of the aisle.
But all that was shattered as soon Biden entered the stage of the debate. The vacant expression, his little wave at something that wasn't there was scary. I turned it off after the first exchange when Biden uttered his first non sequitur and his voice trailed off into nothingness.
I did watch it a few days later to see if anything could be salvaged from it. It was as I expected. Trump spouted a stream of nonsense and lies. Biden actually did make the better points, and in terms of truthfulness and common sense, I feel Biden won. But Trump delivered his lies with the confidence of a professional shill selling junk life insurance and Biden half muttered and stumbled throughout. So I knew the TV audience would marvel at the authority and gravitas exuded by Trump just as they had when he fired Meatloaf on his game show.
Could it be that deep down inside JB doesn't care about equal rights for women and that should (have) concerned democrats far more than his age. And what happens-talking about insanity doing the same thing over and over- when DT gets it into the Constitution, cause who knows what he's capable of?
I take issue w/ characterization re. “woke”—and yes, cataclysmic losses, but you know bigger picture. Billionaires who control millions of minds, the dumbing down so people fell for the whole bastardization, usurpation, manipulation of what actually is an innocuous term.
But there are millions of us who can’t abide the forces, in the right-wing media but also, alas, the mainstream media, of jumping aboard the “call it ‘woke’ and win the election” propaganda—but CC stereotyped and mocked wide swaths of us.
Propaganda and disinformation made it real. With the help of irresponsible (lazy?) media and so many bad actors. Very sad, but the cost of sustaining a pluralistic, egalitarian society is too great for those who want the country’s power and wealth. We get played again and again, this time so painfully.
Charlie, you are a touchstone as well as a guiding light. "This is not normal," and "you are not the crazy one" have become part of my calming mantras. Many thanks to you and Chris.
Good to hear you again, Charlie, and looking forward to hearing more podcasts come February. You are not irrelevant - none of us are - even though most of us have limited ability/influence to oppose the orange shite; you have a voice with a broad reach, so please continue to use it!
Your advice to not obsess over everything Trump does is well taken. It plays into his ability to deflect attention from the real issues. Greenland? Seriously? The media and the global political community are obsessing over this, while the ghoulish Trump minions, like Stephen Miller conjure their evil spells in the background.
Also keeping a sense of humor is essential, and we can always rely on you to help there!
You are quite correct. Information bubbles are a huge issue. Unfortunately, most people searching for information are not interested in uncovering "truth" but are looking for information to support their particular point of view; they will ignore a body of credible information that contradicts their view and will cherry pick outlying information, or that of dubious origin, if it supports their bias. Search algorithms train themselves to provide answers you want to see, so they constantly reinforce the bubble. How the heck you counter that is beyond me.
You sound exactly like my father when he advised me in my youth. Keep perspective. Studying history really helps in gaining it. Creativity and cooperation is going to save the human race. The Democratic party is going to have to come to the front with some strong language. Fast. We need young persons in the party.
Fetterman lost me when he said he was "ALL IN" with Pete Hegseth. I find this man scarier than TikTok regarding our national security.
What happens when you don't respond to any of the cultural issues, don't take their bait, which I believe is all this is about. Incense the masses so they don't pay attention to what we're actually doing?
For example, I don't think the majority of this country are overly worried about Trans children or the pronouns. Reasonable people should be able to shrug and say, "Not my business, has nothing to do with me, and it is a personal choice that harms no one."
It's seems reasonable to say just don't respond, much as we don't enable bullies by giving them air. The problem, however, is the right media. They're literally making things up, splicing in multiple clips not related to get their points across and gin up discord. And this is something Democrats really need to get serious about: how to widen their media (all forms) footprint.
Still, I don't thing Dems should be responding to any of the distractionary material. The government is not supposed to be that far in our business. Isn't the right even in agreement of government staying out of their business? Stick to the business in front of them. When Trump or Republicans overreach, get strong and loud.
The obvious class issue of all of the billionaires in Trump's cabinet and their obvious desire to harm others not in their same class should be no brainer to be a consistent message from them. Really draining the swamp, hmm?
Regarding the hearings and Democrats. This is where they need Mayor Pete and AOC types. Smart, articulate, knowledgeable and excellent at making points and staying on track. With the exception of 3 or 4 people who successfully interviewed Hegseth.
Term Limits. That is the last thing I'll say here. ;)
Charlie, isn’t it possible Trump is pushing Greenland to distract people from his comment he can’t lower prices? It was the biggest issue for most of his voters, and locally, 18 eggs cost $9.67 last week. I think it seems obvious.
Hi Evelyn, Jared Moskowitz has what I think is a very good idea about that at around the 11 minute mark here. It’s a very good interview, and not too long.
Your article relates to this initial round of confirmation hearings. Throughout the nomination efforts, we made several strategic mistakes.
First, we failed to communicate our opposition in ways that resonated with the broader public.
Second, we didn't effectively utilize our platforms and messaging capabilities.
While respected voices like Charlie Sykes advocate for selective opposition to avoid diluting our message, I see it differently. Our approach to Trump's nominees illustrates the problem: rather than developing a coherent strategy with consistent core messages that could build momentum and understanding, we scattered our opposition like a game of whack-a-mole - reacting to each nominee individually without connecting the dots for the public.
A more effective strategy would have identified four or five fundamental principles that all these nominations violated, and then shown how each nominee represented a pattern of undermining these core values. There is still time for to help the public understand the bigger picture rather than seeing each opposition as an isolated protest.
D elected leaders and Party officials have forgotten the alphabet of organizing. In contrast, MAGA, Repub Party and Repub elected officials excel at speaking from the same playbook. We can borrow what works, but not adopt the Trump fealty pledges.
There’s been a hole in my heart since Charlie left the Bulwark. I’m so glad to have this voice of sanity to talk me down off the ledge again!
I’m migrating back to you Charlie! I’m so happy to have you back in podcast form. I know it won’t be an everyday thing this time but I will take what I can get!!!
Good to hear Charlie again. I hope he is on here or another pod more regularly in 2025.
Gotta admit Biden's performance at his last State of the Union address left me feeling optimistic. I had the image of the old lion using his experience and wisdom to swat down the babbling fool that Trump is. I remember too that his performance scared the crap out of the GOP because he was able to manipulate them and expose their vulnerabilities.
That was the Biden I'd hoped to see at the debate. I knew Trump had nothing but lies and grievances and I was confident that as long as Biden could be the old lion, he'd expose Trump the same as he had the GOP side of the aisle.
But all that was shattered as soon Biden entered the stage of the debate. The vacant expression, his little wave at something that wasn't there was scary. I turned it off after the first exchange when Biden uttered his first non sequitur and his voice trailed off into nothingness.
I did watch it a few days later to see if anything could be salvaged from it. It was as I expected. Trump spouted a stream of nonsense and lies. Biden actually did make the better points, and in terms of truthfulness and common sense, I feel Biden won. But Trump delivered his lies with the confidence of a professional shill selling junk life insurance and Biden half muttered and stumbled throughout. So I knew the TV audience would marvel at the authority and gravitas exuded by Trump just as they had when he fired Meatloaf on his game show.
Could it be that deep down inside JB doesn't care about equal rights for women and that should (have) concerned democrats far more than his age. And what happens-talking about insanity doing the same thing over and over- when DT gets it into the Constitution, cause who knows what he's capable of?
I take issue w/ characterization re. “woke”—and yes, cataclysmic losses, but you know bigger picture. Billionaires who control millions of minds, the dumbing down so people fell for the whole bastardization, usurpation, manipulation of what actually is an innocuous term.
But there are millions of us who can’t abide the forces, in the right-wing media but also, alas, the mainstream media, of jumping aboard the “call it ‘woke’ and win the election” propaganda—but CC stereotyped and mocked wide swaths of us.
Centrist Dem here. Woke is real.
Propaganda and disinformation made it real. With the help of irresponsible (lazy?) media and so many bad actors. Very sad, but the cost of sustaining a pluralistic, egalitarian society is too great for those who want the country’s power and wealth. We get played again and again, this time so painfully.
Charlie, I always learn something new from y’all. Thank you for keeping updated. I appreciate your hard work. Kudos! 💪💙
AOC rocks! 💪💙💙
Charlie, you are a touchstone as well as a guiding light. "This is not normal," and "you are not the crazy one" have become part of my calming mantras. Many thanks to you and Chris.
Good to hear you again, Charlie, and looking forward to hearing more podcasts come February. You are not irrelevant - none of us are - even though most of us have limited ability/influence to oppose the orange shite; you have a voice with a broad reach, so please continue to use it!
Your advice to not obsess over everything Trump does is well taken. It plays into his ability to deflect attention from the real issues. Greenland? Seriously? The media and the global political community are obsessing over this, while the ghoulish Trump minions, like Stephen Miller conjure their evil spells in the background.
Also keeping a sense of humor is essential, and we can always rely on you to help there!
You are quite correct. Information bubbles are a huge issue. Unfortunately, most people searching for information are not interested in uncovering "truth" but are looking for information to support their particular point of view; they will ignore a body of credible information that contradicts their view and will cherry pick outlying information, or that of dubious origin, if it supports their bias. Search algorithms train themselves to provide answers you want to see, so they constantly reinforce the bubble. How the heck you counter that is beyond me.
My favorite moment, "if the threat is existential you can not indulge all your priors."
You sound exactly like my father when he advised me in my youth. Keep perspective. Studying history really helps in gaining it. Creativity and cooperation is going to save the human race. The Democratic party is going to have to come to the front with some strong language. Fast. We need young persons in the party.
Jared Moskowitz advises “Selective resistance”. In other words, have the wisdom to see through the noise and pick the serious issues to focus on.
Thank you, gentlemen, for a great conversation.
Fetterman lost me when he said he was "ALL IN" with Pete Hegseth. I find this man scarier than TikTok regarding our national security.
What happens when you don't respond to any of the cultural issues, don't take their bait, which I believe is all this is about. Incense the masses so they don't pay attention to what we're actually doing?
For example, I don't think the majority of this country are overly worried about Trans children or the pronouns. Reasonable people should be able to shrug and say, "Not my business, has nothing to do with me, and it is a personal choice that harms no one."
It's seems reasonable to say just don't respond, much as we don't enable bullies by giving them air. The problem, however, is the right media. They're literally making things up, splicing in multiple clips not related to get their points across and gin up discord. And this is something Democrats really need to get serious about: how to widen their media (all forms) footprint.
Still, I don't thing Dems should be responding to any of the distractionary material. The government is not supposed to be that far in our business. Isn't the right even in agreement of government staying out of their business? Stick to the business in front of them. When Trump or Republicans overreach, get strong and loud.
The obvious class issue of all of the billionaires in Trump's cabinet and their obvious desire to harm others not in their same class should be no brainer to be a consistent message from them. Really draining the swamp, hmm?
Regarding the hearings and Democrats. This is where they need Mayor Pete and AOC types. Smart, articulate, knowledgeable and excellent at making points and staying on track. With the exception of 3 or 4 people who successfully interviewed Hegseth.
Term Limits. That is the last thing I'll say here. ;)
Charlie, isn’t it possible Trump is pushing Greenland to distract people from his comment he can’t lower prices? It was the biggest issue for most of his voters, and locally, 18 eggs cost $9.67 last week. I think it seems obvious.
The price of eggs is due to a severe shortage which was caused be the avian flu virus.
I know. Trump still put his foot in his mouth and he had to cover it up.
Hi Evelyn, Jared Moskowitz has what I think is a very good idea about that at around the 11 minute mark here. It’s a very good interview, and not too long.
https://open.substack.com/pub/meidastouch/p/meidas-exclusive-first-look-ben-interviews?r=8c7x2&utm_medium=ios
Your article relates to this initial round of confirmation hearings. Throughout the nomination efforts, we made several strategic mistakes.
First, we failed to communicate our opposition in ways that resonated with the broader public.
Second, we didn't effectively utilize our platforms and messaging capabilities.
While respected voices like Charlie Sykes advocate for selective opposition to avoid diluting our message, I see it differently. Our approach to Trump's nominees illustrates the problem: rather than developing a coherent strategy with consistent core messages that could build momentum and understanding, we scattered our opposition like a game of whack-a-mole - reacting to each nominee individually without connecting the dots for the public.
A more effective strategy would have identified four or five fundamental principles that all these nominations violated, and then shown how each nominee represented a pattern of undermining these core values. There is still time for to help the public understand the bigger picture rather than seeing each opposition as an isolated protest.
I agree. Democrats miss the ABCs. Always be campaigning. Show your disgust at every opportunity.
D elected leaders and Party officials have forgotten the alphabet of organizing. In contrast, MAGA, Repub Party and Repub elected officials excel at speaking from the same playbook. We can borrow what works, but not adopt the Trump fealty pledges.