Thank you Dan...so thankful for Anita Dunn and husband Bob Bauer...and Jen O'Malley Dillon who warned us not to be complacent, as well as you. I'm over the tantrum and theatrics and we all need to look to President Elect Joe Biden and his calm and cool and reassuring manner. I trust him and it's why, despite PSA's embrace of others, he was my number one guy from April 25, 2019. And I never wavered. Knew he was THE man for THIS moment. Now onwards...can we have an honest discussion about WHAT HAPPENED in the Senate races? I have already signed up for Stacey Abrams Fairfight.com but I am already worried about Latinx vote in 2022 and whether we will continue to eat our own. Seriously...we have a problem out there....why is that?
Good morning, Dan. Thanks for the usual insightful and helpful piece. I particularly like your recommendation that we use our anxious energy to find a way to help in Georgia.
I know I'm several days late with this, but I would find it helpful if you were able to help us better understand both the opportunities and the limitations with regard to President-Elect Biden's possible use of executive orders to prioritize and accelerate change/erasure of some of Trump's most egregious policies.
Quick comment (following the discussion of Barton Gellman's Atlantic article on today's pod):
Gellman's dire scenarios absolutely freaked out Democratic voters -- which was a great thing! If I heard one message -- from friends, family, activists -- it was: We have to win with such great margins that the election can't be stolen. All the consequent hyperventilating about edge cases probably helped create a sense of urgency that every single last person should vote. We're this comfortable because we're not dealing with razor-thin margins in one or two states. Particularly since the polling was off (again)!
So as a piece of journalism that attempts to offer plausible scenarios as predictions, perhaps it was a bit much. But as a piece of writing to be distributed among persuasion channels such as FB to *prevent* any such scenarios from even being possible: A-plus!
Just trying to keep a little perspective; to remember and respect the legitimate fear we all had a few weeks ago.
It is wild to me that Republicans are just going along with the grift for this hope of keeping his base, when it is clear they are insatiable for nothing less than glorious leader. Maybe they can swing people back to trusting elections during their primaries? Not going to pretend to understand how Republican brains work anymore.
This is, indeed, very comforting to learn. My husband has been hate-watching Fox News just to keep up with what garbage they are shoveling out, and he's beside himself with concern. He's convinced we are headed for Civil War given how hate-filled and misleading their content is. He's also extremely concerned about Trump's "cleansing" of Pentagon officials. Can you shed some light on what he's done and what it might mean? In other words, assure us all that Trump has no chance/hope of using the military to try some kind of coup d'etat when his stupid legal shenanigans don't work? Asking for 77+ million friends.
I just gave more money to FairFight and the Senate races -- the Message Box is like stimulus-response. You gotta love the Biden-Harris calm, their self-assured inevitability and momentum, focus on covid and climate and the economy, their horizontal approach to solving problems. Like good parents they ignore the tantrum going on in their peripheral vision and wait for some positive behaviour they can reinforce. Thank you, Dan, for keeping us focused on the races in Georgia and January 5th.
Thanks, Dan. Just forwarded to two groups of friends who are nearing panic and asking why I’m not. It’s no time to be blasé, but it’s an absolute waste of energy to worry. Flipping Georgia is where I’m focused.
While I think that Trump can be explained by his usual cocktail of ego, theatrics, and grift, there's nothing fake about the damage he's doing to the transition and whatever else he can break in the next 70 days. What continues to scare me is Barr, Pompeo, and various R electeds. Had the results been closer, I am not confident that they would not be pushing this this coup narrative much more seriously.
I've been pleasantly surprised by the (mostly) firm tone the MSM has been taking post-election. But if Trump retires to a prominent media platform and essentially starts running for 2024, as he's suggesting, I expect the media will use that as permission to once again trip over themselves to cover his every move and tweet. Their current caution aside, I don't think they've learned much over the past 5 yrs--except that he's profitable.
With Georgia in mind, it seems surprising that no one is really talking about the perspective of individual voters in this. Basically, each of these law suits it about taking the vote away from ordinary US citizens who took the time to participate in the democratic process. "Only people who vote for me should be allowed to have their vote counted". The shenanigans from the GOP2 in Georgia seems like an opportunity for an 'elite says you have no right to vote against them' message?
I was literally texting in two separate conversations last night telling people to relax, Trump has no credible way of overturning the election results. Thank you for the impeccable timing. Going to forward this along as evidence to calm down and that they need to sub to this. Thanks Dan.
I’m concerned that if this moron announces his 2024 candidacy before he leaves, his lawyers will argue that he can’t be prosecuted because it would be politically motivated prosecution.
I guess we would let the law work its way out but I can see him using the MAGA crowd to echo his sentiments.
Bob Bauer is a badass. I loved the tone of that briefing and sent it to so many people. Theatrics, indeed.
So the underlying issues: the right wing media machine; the foundations of our democracy being based a great deal on precedent and not law; Mark Zuckerberg's desire to avoid taking responsibility for misinformation, promoting conspiracy theories, and exacerbating hatred and division; the republicans' willingness to jettison democracy and forgo attempts at governing in an effort to increase their popularity with an ever shrinking base; and the need for us to get our message out (aside from the time leading up to an election, though that time increases each year) to the people who need to hear it most--working people in rural communities.
Well, I'm ready to tackle this. But first I need large mason jar of wine.
THANK YOU! This DOES make me feel better. Although I am probably old enough to be your mother, I gotta say, you are like a Dad when it comes to this shit. So, thank you Dan Pfeiffer! You have definitely talked me down off a ledge more than once. I appreciate you and the Pod Save America team so much. You've been my beacon of hope these last four years. ども ありがと (Domo arigato!)
Thank you Dan...so thankful for Anita Dunn and husband Bob Bauer...and Jen O'Malley Dillon who warned us not to be complacent, as well as you. I'm over the tantrum and theatrics and we all need to look to President Elect Joe Biden and his calm and cool and reassuring manner. I trust him and it's why, despite PSA's embrace of others, he was my number one guy from April 25, 2019. And I never wavered. Knew he was THE man for THIS moment. Now onwards...can we have an honest discussion about WHAT HAPPENED in the Senate races? I have already signed up for Stacey Abrams Fairfight.com but I am already worried about Latinx vote in 2022 and whether we will continue to eat our own. Seriously...we have a problem out there....why is that?
Good morning, Dan. Thanks for the usual insightful and helpful piece. I particularly like your recommendation that we use our anxious energy to find a way to help in Georgia.
I know I'm several days late with this, but I would find it helpful if you were able to help us better understand both the opportunities and the limitations with regard to President-Elect Biden's possible use of executive orders to prioritize and accelerate change/erasure of some of Trump's most egregious policies.
Thanks for considering and have a wonderful day.
Quick comment (following the discussion of Barton Gellman's Atlantic article on today's pod):
Gellman's dire scenarios absolutely freaked out Democratic voters -- which was a great thing! If I heard one message -- from friends, family, activists -- it was: We have to win with such great margins that the election can't be stolen. All the consequent hyperventilating about edge cases probably helped create a sense of urgency that every single last person should vote. We're this comfortable because we're not dealing with razor-thin margins in one or two states. Particularly since the polling was off (again)!
So as a piece of journalism that attempts to offer plausible scenarios as predictions, perhaps it was a bit much. But as a piece of writing to be distributed among persuasion channels such as FB to *prevent* any such scenarios from even being possible: A-plus!
Just trying to keep a little perspective; to remember and respect the legitimate fear we all had a few weeks ago.
Thank you for all you do, Dan. On to Georgia!
It is wild to me that Republicans are just going along with the grift for this hope of keeping his base, when it is clear they are insatiable for nothing less than glorious leader. Maybe they can swing people back to trusting elections during their primaries? Not going to pretend to understand how Republican brains work anymore.
This is, indeed, very comforting to learn. My husband has been hate-watching Fox News just to keep up with what garbage they are shoveling out, and he's beside himself with concern. He's convinced we are headed for Civil War given how hate-filled and misleading their content is. He's also extremely concerned about Trump's "cleansing" of Pentagon officials. Can you shed some light on what he's done and what it might mean? In other words, assure us all that Trump has no chance/hope of using the military to try some kind of coup d'etat when his stupid legal shenanigans don't work? Asking for 77+ million friends.
I just gave more money to FairFight and the Senate races -- the Message Box is like stimulus-response. You gotta love the Biden-Harris calm, their self-assured inevitability and momentum, focus on covid and climate and the economy, their horizontal approach to solving problems. Like good parents they ignore the tantrum going on in their peripheral vision and wait for some positive behaviour they can reinforce. Thank you, Dan, for keeping us focused on the races in Georgia and January 5th.
Thanks, Dan. Just forwarded to two groups of friends who are nearing panic and asking why I’m not. It’s no time to be blasé, but it’s an absolute waste of energy to worry. Flipping Georgia is where I’m focused.
While I think that Trump can be explained by his usual cocktail of ego, theatrics, and grift, there's nothing fake about the damage he's doing to the transition and whatever else he can break in the next 70 days. What continues to scare me is Barr, Pompeo, and various R electeds. Had the results been closer, I am not confident that they would not be pushing this this coup narrative much more seriously.
I've been pleasantly surprised by the (mostly) firm tone the MSM has been taking post-election. But if Trump retires to a prominent media platform and essentially starts running for 2024, as he's suggesting, I expect the media will use that as permission to once again trip over themselves to cover his every move and tweet. Their current caution aside, I don't think they've learned much over the past 5 yrs--except that he's profitable.
With Georgia in mind, it seems surprising that no one is really talking about the perspective of individual voters in this. Basically, each of these law suits it about taking the vote away from ordinary US citizens who took the time to participate in the democratic process. "Only people who vote for me should be allowed to have their vote counted". The shenanigans from the GOP2 in Georgia seems like an opportunity for an 'elite says you have no right to vote against them' message?
I was literally texting in two separate conversations last night telling people to relax, Trump has no credible way of overturning the election results. Thank you for the impeccable timing. Going to forward this along as evidence to calm down and that they need to sub to this. Thanks Dan.
I’m concerned that if this moron announces his 2024 candidacy before he leaves, his lawyers will argue that he can’t be prosecuted because it would be politically motivated prosecution.
I guess we would let the law work its way out but I can see him using the MAGA crowd to echo his sentiments.
Bob Bauer is a badass. I loved the tone of that briefing and sent it to so many people. Theatrics, indeed.
So the underlying issues: the right wing media machine; the foundations of our democracy being based a great deal on precedent and not law; Mark Zuckerberg's desire to avoid taking responsibility for misinformation, promoting conspiracy theories, and exacerbating hatred and division; the republicans' willingness to jettison democracy and forgo attempts at governing in an effort to increase their popularity with an ever shrinking base; and the need for us to get our message out (aside from the time leading up to an election, though that time increases each year) to the people who need to hear it most--working people in rural communities.
Well, I'm ready to tackle this. But first I need large mason jar of wine.
How do I change my banking info for my subscription?? Can't find it on the crooked website. HELP!
This post made me feel better. Your thoughtful, insightful analysis always does
THANK YOU! This DOES make me feel better. Although I am probably old enough to be your mother, I gotta say, you are like a Dad when it comes to this shit. So, thank you Dan Pfeiffer! You have definitely talked me down off a ledge more than once. I appreciate you and the Pod Save America team so much. You've been my beacon of hope these last four years. ども ありがと (Domo arigato!)
It does make me feel better, as does most everything you have written about this election. Thanks.