I think we need massive GOTV efforts focused on Gen Z and Milllenials (on issues like reproductive rights/student debt/DEI). Also, put young comms leaders in charge of strategy. They know best how to connect and get results.
I just finished Jonathan Martin's "Politico" piece Here’s How Biden Can Turn It Around https://politi.co/3MFNp36 via @politico. I want the Biden campaign to read it, take its points seriously and use it as their campaign guide.
Furthermore, I was heartened to read the title of today's Nov. 12, 2023 The Washington Post article "Echoing Hitler, Mussolini, Trump calls political foes 'vermin'. (page A-2 !!!) In it Reporter Maryanne LeVine wisely quotes expert and NYU historian on Mussolini and authoritarianism, Ruth Ben Ghiat, as well as Timothy Naphtali who both point out Trump's use of the word "vermin" dehumanizes opponents which is what dictators do. My only disappointment: the article belongs on the top fold of the Post's front page. Still progress.
We need more consistent push-back to authoritarian ploys in all media, on all fronts. And we need the Biden Campaign Team to get moving on their strategy to combat the forces of Trump's Authoritarian campaign trickery, Now, Consistently, Forcefully, until the Nov.2024 Presidential Election.
I did not care for Martin’s Politico piece. From the premise in the headline on. Whether or not TFG survives until Election Day, the country has no appetite for more *American Carnage*. Folks will carp about POTUS but they don’t want a reboot of chaos, extremism , and incompetence. They want the opposite: boring normalcy. Even a lot of trad GOP folks. There’s way too much Dem handwringing over early (suspect) polling. The story is if we GOTV, Dems win big.
And, please please please do not bring back my former Congressman and Mayor, Amb. Rahm Emanuel, to lead any campaign efforts (acting as a fundraiser/offensive surrogate is OK). Bad idea Hall of Fame. I still haven’t forgiven him for killing Howard Dean’s 50 state strategy, giving a massive, long lasting gift to extremists across the nation. And he’s guaranteed to alienate critical young, progressive voters. I don’t know exactly how he’ll do it...but he’ll say/do something.
I reviewed Let the Great World Spin years ago while at The Buffalo News. I was so pleased that my review was blurbed in the paperback. (Cheap thrills...)
non-fiction and old. But I finally got around to reading the Power Broker. Fascinating but what surprised me is that it has a significant thread on importance of the press. 1) How press promoted and protected Moses 2) particularly, how Iphegene Ochs Sulzberger squelched NY Times criticism of him 3) how afternoon papers (that no longer exist) did the hard work to expose him.
Loved Demon Copperhead as well...I think you’ve already read it (by your comments) but recommend Marty Baron’s book. And if you’re into nonfiction/history, The Road to Surrender by Evan Thomas (my neighbor)! Just keep going....
Hi, Margaret--Let me offer my sincerest condolences at the loss of your colleague, Linda Hirshman (wonderful NYT obit 11/12/23 print edition). She sounds like an absolutely amazing person. Since I am such an admirer of Fredrick Douglass, I have just ordered her most recent book, “The Color of Abolition” and also hope that you can carry on with “Hate, Inc.” and publish it in her memory. It is a necessary project.
For very atmospheric fiction, The Lewis Trilogy by Peter May, set in the Hebredean islands of Scotland. I just traveled from Buffalo to the Isle of Skye and Peter May nails it, with a great story, setting and dialogue. Non-fiction: American Midnight-Adam Hochschild....we've been down this fascist road before.
Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorite authors. But, even so, Demon Copperhead blew me away. Covenant of Water and Hello Beautiful are 2 of my favorite recent novels.
You’re right, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
I think we need massive GOTV efforts focused on Gen Z and Milllenials (on issues like reproductive rights/student debt/DEI). Also, put young comms leaders in charge of strategy. They know best how to connect and get results.
And perhaps a boost from Taylor Swift, Gene.
She’s been amazing.
I just finished Jonathan Martin's "Politico" piece Here’s How Biden Can Turn It Around https://politi.co/3MFNp36 via @politico. I want the Biden campaign to read it, take its points seriously and use it as their campaign guide.
Furthermore, I was heartened to read the title of today's Nov. 12, 2023 The Washington Post article "Echoing Hitler, Mussolini, Trump calls political foes 'vermin'. (page A-2 !!!) In it Reporter Maryanne LeVine wisely quotes expert and NYU historian on Mussolini and authoritarianism, Ruth Ben Ghiat, as well as Timothy Naphtali who both point out Trump's use of the word "vermin" dehumanizes opponents which is what dictators do. My only disappointment: the article belongs on the top fold of the Post's front page. Still progress.
We need more consistent push-back to authoritarian ploys in all media, on all fronts. And we need the Biden Campaign Team to get moving on their strategy to combat the forces of Trump's Authoritarian campaign trickery, Now, Consistently, Forcefully, until the Nov.2024 Presidential Election.
I did not care for Martin’s Politico piece. From the premise in the headline on. Whether or not TFG survives until Election Day, the country has no appetite for more *American Carnage*. Folks will carp about POTUS but they don’t want a reboot of chaos, extremism , and incompetence. They want the opposite: boring normalcy. Even a lot of trad GOP folks. There’s way too much Dem handwringing over early (suspect) polling. The story is if we GOTV, Dems win big.
And, please please please do not bring back my former Congressman and Mayor, Amb. Rahm Emanuel, to lead any campaign efforts (acting as a fundraiser/offensive surrogate is OK). Bad idea Hall of Fame. I still haven’t forgiven him for killing Howard Dean’s 50 state strategy, giving a massive, long lasting gift to extremists across the nation. And he’s guaranteed to alienate critical young, progressive voters. I don’t know exactly how he’ll do it...but he’ll say/do something.
I’m in the same predicament. My sister in law recommended Ramp Hollow which I haven’t yet started. More a cultural history, not a novel.
Greetings from Buffalo!
Best,
Jim Whitford
Tell Buffalo hi for me!
For a nuanced, multi-layered understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, you can do no better than Apeirogon, a novel by Colum McCann.
As a recently retired reporter, I so appreciate what you have to say in today’s newsletter. We’re bringing pails of piss to a five-alarm fire.
I have read others by McCann, so I will check this out. Thanks!
I reviewed Let the Great World Spin years ago while at The Buffalo News. I was so pleased that my review was blurbed in the paperback. (Cheap thrills...)
Will do. Thanks for your great work now and since your days at the Buffalo News.
Thanks very much!
non-fiction and old. But I finally got around to reading the Power Broker. Fascinating but what surprised me is that it has a significant thread on importance of the press. 1) How press promoted and protected Moses 2) particularly, how Iphegene Ochs Sulzberger squelched NY Times criticism of him 3) how afternoon papers (that no longer exist) did the hard work to expose him.
I heard Caro speak recently, at a screening of the documentary about him and his longtime editor. He’s still got it. Thank you for this.
Non fiction ideas: The Fourth Turning is Here by Neil Howe; and Eve - how the female body drove 200 million years of human evolution.
I’m not reading much fiction but look forward to reading it
Also loved Demon Copperhead and looking forward to recommendations in this discussion!
Loved Demon Copperhead as well...I think you’ve already read it (by your comments) but recommend Marty Baron’s book. And if you’re into nonfiction/history, The Road to Surrender by Evan Thomas (my neighbor)! Just keep going....
Hi, Margaret--Let me offer my sincerest condolences at the loss of your colleague, Linda Hirshman (wonderful NYT obit 11/12/23 print edition). She sounds like an absolutely amazing person. Since I am such an admirer of Fredrick Douglass, I have just ordered her most recent book, “The Color of Abolition” and also hope that you can carry on with “Hate, Inc.” and publish it in her memory. It is a necessary project.
Thanks so much. She was a close friend in addition to being my collaborator and the loss is very painful.
I’m looking at the obit in print right now
For very atmospheric fiction, The Lewis Trilogy by Peter May, set in the Hebredean islands of Scotland. I just traveled from Buffalo to the Isle of Skye and Peter May nails it, with a great story, setting and dialogue. Non-fiction: American Midnight-Adam Hochschild....we've been down this fascist road before.
Thank you! Appreciate your kind words as you subscribed.
Suggested book: Kliph Nesteroff's "Outrageous."
Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorite authors. But, even so, Demon Copperhead blew me away. Covenant of Water and Hello Beautiful are 2 of my favorite recent novels.
I read Hello Beautiful and enjoyed. Covenant of Water is now on my list -- thanks!
I hope you like it. If you liked Pachinko and Love Songs of WEB Du Bois, it's a similar style.