Don't be a 'political hobbyist.' Here's how to harness your power.
Plus, three eye-rolling media goofs (or actual travesties) of the week
Readers of this newsletter already know we’re in a bad — maybe irrevocably bad — moment in American history.
Today, on Labor Day, Donald Trump’s “strongman” image looms over Washington, DC, including on the Department of Labor building — just like the dictator he promised to be and is in the process of becoming.
The historian Garrett Graff makes a compelling case that, just in the past few weeks, the U.S. tipped over into authoritarianism. His post is here, and it’s well worth reading.
It’s maddening, frustrating, scary. Many of us feel powerless, and so we become what one professor has called “political hobbyists.” Tufts scholar Eitan Hersh writes in his 2020 book that well-intentioned Americans may spend hours a day on politics — listening to podcasts, watching the news, reading newsletters, texting memes and clever observations to our friends — and it may feel as if we’re doing something.
Granted, staying engaged is better than tuning out altogether. But many are really not using their time or energy in a way that could create change or make a difference. And as most of you agree, based on your comments to the question in my most recent post, the elections in 2026 and 2028, are crucially important if there’s a chance of turning things around and reclaiming our democracy. That’s where the focus must be.
So with the help of my brother David, a longtime voting rights lawyer and organizer (check out his Bluesky banner photo in which he scrutinizes a ballot in the hotly contested aftermath of the 2000 presidential election), I’ve assembled some resources for those who want to move beyond hobbyism and into citizen action. (After this list, I’ll tell you my media travesties of the past week.)
Some of these organizations are non-partisan. Some are progressive and overtly political; I think it’s pretty obvious that, if Trump and his minions are to be vanquished, there needs to be a “blue wave” in these elections.
Grassroots groups, which organize locally, put on rallies, and generally get people together:
Important membership organizations to join or donate to:
VoPro Pros (for voter protection)
Third Act (for Americans over 60; climate and democracy-protection activism)
Organizers (you can donate to these):
Field Team 6 (voter reg)
Voters of Tomorrow (youth vote)
Litigation (for donations, rather than direct volunteer work):
It’s also extremely important to support and engage with media organizations and independent journalists that are performing their public service mission (even if imperfectly) rather than cowering or trying to maximize revenue for corporate shareholders. Readers, please let me know of the ways that you are focusing on these all-important elections or helping to reclaim our democracy.
On to my list of media missteps — or downright travesties. First, given the mainstream media’s obsession with President Biden’s health, where is the intense focus on Trump’s failing health? “Why are the country’s biggest newsrooms silent?” asks John Passantino in a recent edition of Oliver Darcy’s Status newsletter. Why, indeed? He contrasted the Drudge Report’s forthright treatment (“PRESIDENT HEALTH CRISIS DEEPENS”) with what was happening (or not happening) in Big Journalism: “No front-page write-ups. No broadcast packages. The visible health problems of the oldest president in American history barely registered in mainstream coverage.” I’ll be tracking this to see if it changes: please let me know what you are seeing and how this is striking you.
Second, obviously less important but maddening, a story in NJ.com headlined, “Do Republicans support Trump 2028? New poll reveals surprising answer.” Frankly, who cares what Republicans think about this, since Trump cannot run in 2028? A story like this only gives fuel to the fire of unconstitutional behavior. It’s irresponsible. (NJ.com is the online version of several New Jersey newspapers, including the state’s largest, the Star-Ledger.)
And third, this silly “news alert” from an ABC affiliate TV station in Central Ohio, WSYX, on an unnecessary story about Trump’s good luck wishes for Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce: “The engagement news broke while Trump was in an hours-long cabinet meeting at the White House.” Stop the presses!
Readers, best wishes for the rest of the long weekend. I remain hopeful — if not optimistic — and committed to doing what I can. Thank you so much for joining me here. Your support and encouragement keep me going.
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My background: I am a Lackawanna, NY native who started my career as a summer intern at the Buffalo News, my hometown daily. After years as a reporter and editor, I was named the paper’s first woman editor in chief in 1999, and ran the 200-person newsroom for almost 13 years. Starting in 2012, I served as the first woman “public editor” of the New York Times — an internal media critic and reader representative — and later was the media columnist for the Washington Post. These days, I write here on Substack, as well as for the Guardian US, and teach an ethics course at Columbia Journalism School. I’ve also written two books and won a few awards, including three for defending First Amendment principles.
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If Garrett Graff is right, we need a national discussion on who will monitor the upcoming 2026 election for freedom and fairness. The Carter Center has traditionally performed this role in other autocracies. How do we find an equivalent organization in a democracy that will perform the same role in the U.S.?
Thanks so much for the links to organizations. We need all hands on deck for sure. There is a "We are America March" upcoming from Philly to DC originally organized by the 50501 chapter in Philly.(I think) I am walking part of the stretch from Wilmington DE to Newark DE.
People showing up and banding together for 14 consecutive days has to count for something, right?
https://www.weareamericamarch.com
As to the health of Trump being treated differently, I think it comes down to the way the media has been deferential to him from the jump. There are definitely varying standards being applied to different participants. I also think much of it has to do with Democrats still thinking that "politics" is still being played the same way. I think it has been the issue since Trump entered the chat.
He is a person who NEVER played by the rules. He is the kid that took home the ball when he started losing, that flipped over the game board when he wasn't winning, who refused to be constrained by rules. If in the last 10 years the media hasn't learned that, I imagine they never will.