Two Truths and an Observation

Got pre-election anxiety? Let me help you.

October of an election year is my least favorite time in the political cycle. People are anxious, they all have opinions about what Democrats should or shouldn’t be doing, and there’s a constant stream of polls to freak out over. The press is salivating for an October Surprise—anything that will make the campaign cycle go off script and drive engagement. The fundraising appeals and mailers are incessant. It’s an exciting time but also exhausting. 

I also want to offer some perspective and some hope. Here are two truths and an observation about this election:

We know Donald Trump’s plan because the MAGA playbook never changes. No matter the election results, Trump will claim victory and attempt to seize power. There are two ways to look at this. On the one hand, we’ve already seen how far Trump and his die-hard supporters are willing to go to keep him in power, and the prospect of another January 6-like event is unnerving. But on the other hand, we know what they’re planning and Trump hasn’t exactly tried to hide setting up the same scenario this time around. Everyone from local election officials, Congress, the Harris campaign, advocacy groups, the press, and voters are all watching. 

I liked John Oliver’s segment on what Trump and his cronies are planning and the levers they’ve put in place. And as much as I complain about media coverage, I’ve been pleased by how many reporters and outlets are also talking about this. 

Donald Trump is a fascist who is unfit to be president. Kamala Harris points this out at every opportunity. In an interview with radio and podcast personality Charlamagne “tha God” this week, Kamala Harris agreed with his assertion, replying, “Yes, we can say that.” I was so glad to hear our nominee call Trump’s political movement for what it is. Harris isn’t the first high-profile public figure to say it, but it was important for the nominee to acknowledge and say out loud.

Harris and her campaign don’t mince words about Trump. She has repeatedly said that he’s “increasingly unstable” and unfit for the office. Harris has encouraged voters to actually listen to what Trump says at his rallies and included clips of Trump talking about the “enemy within” on the campaign trail. 

Here’s my observation: Trump’s Campaign is in freefall. Trump’s own behavior has been completely off the rails, and the media are paying attention. His closing argument seems to be that he’s in cognitive decline and not capable of another term as president. I won’t speculate about what’s going on with him but something clearly is, and whatever the issue is it should be disqualifying.

But beyond that, Trump hasn’t built a robust campaign operation. Yes, the polls are close, but he doesn’t have the organization to take advantage of that. He’s raised only half of what the Harris campaign has, but his campaign consultants are raking it in for themselves. Trump is getting heavily outspent on both TV and digital ads, and I’ve had multiple sources tell me that his digital ads are barely registering in the places he needs them to. His biggest pro-Trump super PAC seems like a scam to con Elon Musk out of millions of dollars, and there’s growing evidence that the TPUSA field operation is maybe another scam to con GOP donors.

It will be hard for Trump to turn out the votes he needs. Not impossible, but he hasn’t made it easy on himself. 

When people express anxiety to me, I generally tell them that the best way to deal with it is by doing something. Sign up to make calls, knock on doors, or text voters. Make your plan to vote, check in with friends and family, and make sure they have a plan too. Taking action is an excellent way to deal with your nerves while also doing work that helps us save democracy and hopefully beats Trump once and for all.

We’ve got 15 days left, and the momentum is on our side. Let’s win this thing. 

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ICYMI

Suspect Arrested After Reports of Threats Toward FEMA Operations in North Carolina (CNN)

An unfortunate coda to last week’s newsletter about hurricane disinformation.

8 Reasons Harris' Fox News Interview Was a Great Idea (DailyKos)

I’m generally of the opinion that Democrats shouldn’t go on Fox News, and that includes Kamala Harris. But I think Markos’ take and his view on what the interview accomplished is worth reading and considering. 

GOP Candidates Are Spending Millions Claiming They’ll Protect Women’s Sports, but Maga Media Won’t Stop Dunking on Female Athletes (Media Matters)

Republicans don’t actually care about women’s sports and Media Matters has the receipts.

Trump Team Silent Over Teleprompter at His Town Hall—after Building Frenzied Conspiracy About Harris Having One (The Daily Dot)

With Trump and the GOP it’s always, always, always projection.

Want even more links? Subscribers receive a special ICYMI edition of CARD on Fridays. 

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Coda

My review of Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter is now free to read online. 

We’ve got just over two weeks left until the election. Don’t forget to get some rest, get some movement, and stay hydrated! I’ll talk to you again next week.