1. Waiting for the debate results then if it’s Kamala decisive, they’ll endorse.
2. Waiting until the Kamala excitement begins to wane and strategically endorse her.
3. Curling up in the fetal position, sucking their thumb, afraid that if Trump wins and they’ve endorsed Kamala, Trump will come after them.
Two of the options would be reasonable. The other one option, would be probable.
And, I feel it should be observed that, if this is the quality of retired military that Trump engages with regularly, I kinda of understand his negativity towards military personnel.
What I really want is a shirt that says jlv is always right one side, Sarah is always right on the other side, and Tim is always right on a sleeve. I don't want to have to choose. And it could have a pocket that says except that one time.
It is not a new strategy. Howard DEan of vermont called it the 50 state strategy. When use correctly and effectively it negates the Republican small state electoral college advantage. The Republicans disadvantage is the popular vote. which is the objective of a 50 state strategy.
Make them compete everywhere ! The more resources they have to spend in small states to defend the less they have to spend in toss up states .
the final part of this strategy is the long game . Promoting Democratic approach in small states will eventually allow for those states to become competitive on a local level . use what walz 's approach has been in Minnesota ., what Brown's approach is in Ohio . and adopt it to other small states and you will have a winning formula .
Re Shapiro vs Walz - I did prefer Walz even before he was picked. But as much as it's great to see JVL being "Walzpilled" I don't think it's fair to compare them based on the speeches they gave. Shapiro was given a particular theme to hit (I assume they do that) - he wasn't there to talk about his family, or how he got there, or anything like that. When I went back and re-watched it, he did a good speech on freedom; that was his task. If he had been picked for VP he would have had a different task.
I still think Walz was the better pick; but their speeches that night aren't really comparable.
You gotta love a candidate whose speeches always veer towards locker room pep talks. To steal a line from Jon Lovettz, you walk away from his speeches ready to go out and vote and/or beat East Manketo High
Gus Walz crying for his dad told me the Dad Energy isn’t a bit and that this is not a family of professional politicians. Obama called it with the shirts - this is not a family shaped by political consultants. They are the real deal.
Thanks for the electoral college explanation. It confirms what we all know: the EC is anti democratic and long outlived its usefulness. There's a reason no other country has adopted it.
Thanks JV. I am a Democrat and a new subscriber. I appreciate the work of the Bulwark because although I live in a blue state, CT, the MAGA movement supporters are everywhere. I need to understand them so I can provide effective ways to counter their viewpoints, which I find dangerous and appalling.
The consensus was that Harris needed to pick a straight white guy. I'd say she picked the straightest, whitest guy in the running. And that was brilliant!
"By disadvantaging the urban party, the Electoral College incentivizes it to broaden its coalition. Which means that the Democratic party of this moment must be constantly seeking to expand its reach and bring in new constituencies if it is to have a chance at holding executive power."
Sorry, but I need to keep repeating this in my comments. In 2020 only 72% of eligible voters were registered and only 66% voted! I haven't found the breakdown, but suspect the %s are even a bit lower for Democrats and for "urban" voters. It is at least as important to get those %s higher as it is to win over conservatives and independents. One issue outweighs all the others (inflation, Gaza, abortion, immigration, etc.) combined for me, and ought to for everyone. That is to keep out of power a party that has turned into a cult. One which will make its leaders unaccountable for stealing classified documents, interfering in an election and commanding an insurrection. A cult where membership requires lying about past elections and willingness to steal future ones. If you're not registered, do it now! Help a friend do it. Then vote. Straight blue. If like me you want to vote red again (at least for someone like Adam Kinzinger or Liz Cheney), you'll have that chance in a few years. You might not if the cult gets back in power.
Nice job JVL. Came to this conclusion over the last few days. Shapiro was a "defensive pick" to gain a single state (his other gifts aside). Walz was an offensive signal that they think the much more could be in play and thereby enlarge the map. History will tell the story. But this team is not taking the points or playing for a tie. Admirable. It's up to voters to prove it prescient.
I was ok with Shapiro as a VP pick, but I was Walz curious just because of his bio. He's been the obvious best choice from the day Harris made the announcement. Love him and his family! I hope JVL is right about Wes Moore! His convention speech was terrific!!
JVL -- great writeup. You and several commenters remarked specifically about Gus Walz and his reaction to his dad. I too was moved by the boy's reaction. What a contrast of his love and joy with the ugly and disgusting things that have popped up on social media since then. I couldn't believe my eyes. Just when I think they can't go any lower, they do.
Well, I’m guessing they’re:
1. Waiting for the debate results then if it’s Kamala decisive, they’ll endorse.
2. Waiting until the Kamala excitement begins to wane and strategically endorse her.
3. Curling up in the fetal position, sucking their thumb, afraid that if Trump wins and they’ve endorsed Kamala, Trump will come after them.
Two of the options would be reasonable. The other one option, would be probable.
And, I feel it should be observed that, if this is the quality of retired military that Trump engages with regularly, I kinda of understand his negativity towards military personnel.
So the obvious question is whether the Bulwark store will start selling a shirt that says "JVL is always right (except for that one time)."
What I really want is a shirt that says jlv is always right one side, Sarah is always right on the other side, and Tim is always right on a sleeve. I don't want to have to choose. And it could have a pocket that says except that one time.
It is not a new strategy. Howard DEan of vermont called it the 50 state strategy. When use correctly and effectively it negates the Republican small state electoral college advantage. The Republicans disadvantage is the popular vote. which is the objective of a 50 state strategy.
Make them compete everywhere ! The more resources they have to spend in small states to defend the less they have to spend in toss up states .
the final part of this strategy is the long game . Promoting Democratic approach in small states will eventually allow for those states to become competitive on a local level . use what walz 's approach has been in Minnesota ., what Brown's approach is in Ohio . and adopt it to other small states and you will have a winning formula .
Thanks for admitting you were wrong about Shapiro. I wanted Whitmer, but did not know Walz existed! He is amazing/
Re Shapiro vs Walz - I did prefer Walz even before he was picked. But as much as it's great to see JVL being "Walzpilled" I don't think it's fair to compare them based on the speeches they gave. Shapiro was given a particular theme to hit (I assume they do that) - he wasn't there to talk about his family, or how he got there, or anything like that. When I went back and re-watched it, he did a good speech on freedom; that was his task. If he had been picked for VP he would have had a different task.
I still think Walz was the better pick; but their speeches that night aren't really comparable.
You gotta love a candidate whose speeches always veer towards locker room pep talks. To steal a line from Jon Lovettz, you walk away from his speeches ready to go out and vote and/or beat East Manketo High
Wes Moore 4 President: JVL is always right
I no longer think you're doomed. One has to be far from sentient about broad appeal to miss the messages of Kamela Harris.
As a Canadian, I really hope I'm right.
Gus Walz crying for his dad told me the Dad Energy isn’t a bit and that this is not a family of professional politicians. Obama called it with the shirts - this is not a family shaped by political consultants. They are the real deal.
Thanks for the electoral college explanation. It confirms what we all know: the EC is anti democratic and long outlived its usefulness. There's a reason no other country has adopted it.
Thanks JV. I am a Democrat and a new subscriber. I appreciate the work of the Bulwark because although I live in a blue state, CT, the MAGA movement supporters are everywhere. I need to understand them so I can provide effective ways to counter their viewpoints, which I find dangerous and appalling.
The consensus was that Harris needed to pick a straight white guy. I'd say she picked the straightest, whitest guy in the running. And that was brilliant!
"By disadvantaging the urban party, the Electoral College incentivizes it to broaden its coalition. Which means that the Democratic party of this moment must be constantly seeking to expand its reach and bring in new constituencies if it is to have a chance at holding executive power."
Sorry, but I need to keep repeating this in my comments. In 2020 only 72% of eligible voters were registered and only 66% voted! I haven't found the breakdown, but suspect the %s are even a bit lower for Democrats and for "urban" voters. It is at least as important to get those %s higher as it is to win over conservatives and independents. One issue outweighs all the others (inflation, Gaza, abortion, immigration, etc.) combined for me, and ought to for everyone. That is to keep out of power a party that has turned into a cult. One which will make its leaders unaccountable for stealing classified documents, interfering in an election and commanding an insurrection. A cult where membership requires lying about past elections and willingness to steal future ones. If you're not registered, do it now! Help a friend do it. Then vote. Straight blue. If like me you want to vote red again (at least for someone like Adam Kinzinger or Liz Cheney), you'll have that chance in a few years. You might not if the cult gets back in power.
Nice job JVL. Came to this conclusion over the last few days. Shapiro was a "defensive pick" to gain a single state (his other gifts aside). Walz was an offensive signal that they think the much more could be in play and thereby enlarge the map. History will tell the story. But this team is not taking the points or playing for a tie. Admirable. It's up to voters to prove it prescient.
Maybe JVL should talk to the Beg to Differ know it alls. Maybe Tim and Sarah too.
I was ok with Shapiro as a VP pick, but I was Walz curious just because of his bio. He's been the obvious best choice from the day Harris made the announcement. Love him and his family! I hope JVL is right about Wes Moore! His convention speech was terrific!!
JVL -- great writeup. You and several commenters remarked specifically about Gus Walz and his reaction to his dad. I too was moved by the boy's reaction. What a contrast of his love and joy with the ugly and disgusting things that have popped up on social media since then. I couldn't believe my eyes. Just when I think they can't go any lower, they do.
I was afraid some people out there would make fun of his learning disability. I refuse to look. I've deleted Twitter this time for good.
Good choice