Today, Nate Cohn noted in the New York Times that the policies President Joe Biden and the Democrats are putting in place are hugely popular, and yet Biden’s own popularity numbers have dropped into the low 40s.
And don’t forget to include other widely-read news outlets: Washington Post, The Guardian, LA Times. Maybe even the WallStreetJournal could be convinced to widen their view with Heather’s Letter.
I agree. This letter provides so much positive that we never hear from MSM. We are drowned out by negative reporting on everything Biden and the Democrats.
I firmly believe the reason Biden’s numbers dropped from Afghanistan is because he rescued ally’s, not just any ally, “terrorists” in the peoples minds because this is what the Republicans fed the public. My own Rep. Darrell Issa put out multiple negative tweets every day and did endless interviews. He still says Americans are left behind. Then he sneaks in the fear mongering ever so carefully because he has a big community of Afghan constituents. Some of them were ones “left behind”. They went in the Spring, ignoring all the warnings. Plus, as I replied many times to Issa, the U.S. doesn’t track people, they were free to go.
Jim, you are correct. As I've written here and on the Washington Post: If you want to get supporters, you need to go to the hollers and the hoods to listen to the people and do what they want. This is what the Rev. William Barber has been telling people for some time. And if the Democrats really want to gather power and remain so, they need to do this, rather than going to places like The Hamptons to raise money from wealthy Democratic elite supporters.
Yes, Chaplain Terry, but votes are more important. And if you listen to the those folks in the hollers and the hoods and actually do things from what you heard, you might actually receive small amounts of cash from those people in addition the votes you would need to win in the next election. If the Democrats don't, it's very likely they will lose both houses of Congress. They must get off their elite asses and get out there!
How about somebody start some cheap rags that openly cheer the Dems (and us !) to crowd out "The Mirror" and the "Sun" that stare at you as you wait for the food to go down the conveyer belt and you brainlessly absorb what you see? Be blatant in celebration! F' them if they can't take a joke.
Jim—I disagree. The “choir,” so to speak, is increasingly checking out because, despite some accomplishments, they understandably are discouraged by the degree of polarization and disfunction that, for example, blocks their own party, without Republican support, from passing voter protection legislation, even while GOP controlled state legislatures unilaterally pass bill after bill that restricts voting and nullifies votes.
I contend that those among us, who are becoming increasingly disheartened, need to hear from HCR. Even as our partners in this struggle call optimism into question, we all need fortification to remain hopeful, if for no other reason than to stay in the fight.
I agree. that matters and needs to happen. Still, let's not imagine that the words we read, and the forums we visit to comfort ourselves and maintain our strength are the same ones that will reach the people who aren't checked out from discouragement, but simply because they haven't checked in since last November.
Subscribers don't imagine that our roles on the forum of LFAA is to solely soothe our 'savage' breasts and minds as we're here to learn, share with one another, support social justice, economic fairness and Democracy. I'm a tad annoyed if being talked down to.
Thank you, Barbara. Subscribers on the forum expressed appreciation for this Letter and some were sharing it with people they know as well as posting it on Facebook/Meta. My question to Jim is why do you remain in this choir? Is to preach a different sort of sermon? That's okay, Jim has a before him the choir that HCR built.
In early 2016 when I expressed fear that Trump could win, someone tried to persuade me that it could not happen because our country was not that angry. Since its become clear that many are that angry and others were clever enough to harness the anger to gain support and win votes where they mattered. The Republican leaders, using disinformation, are conducting a very well orchestrated campaign of anger and fear — much of it is nonsensical, but it worked — it is working.
Democrats have been countering that campaign with uncoordinated expressions of outrage among their loyal and often disparate constituents. Editorials in MSM function as internal communications. The Party’s policies are sound; the messaging and execution are not.
Instead of talking just to one another, Democrats need a means to reach outsiders via their favored media and in their own voices. Messages about Biden’s accomplishments need to reach patrons of right wing media in voices that resonate to that audience. The challenge is to impact the narrative from within not from outside. Foreign actors found a way to control such conversations, why can’t the Democrats do the same but with facts and truth?
Nonetheless, every American needs to read this Letter. Bravo and thank you Heather Cox Richardson.
Sorry, this reads like a press release from the DNC rather than a piece of objective reporting or even an Op-Ed that makes well reasoned arguments. To pick just one item as example, prior to the Afghanistan withdrawal Biden made numerous false statements. For example, downplaying the risk of a Taliban takeover (see July 8 WH Q&A) or saying that troops would remain until 100% of Americans were evacuated. And, on Syria, Trump WAS absolutely killed for the Syrian withdrawal - even by Republicans. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/disaster-betrayal-mistake-republicans-slam-trump-s-syria-pull-out-n1063251
Boo! So you’d point out Biden’s accomplishments differently? How? Remember, readers here are recommending this letter as an op-ed piece. An op-ed piece!
I think you can still do that with some objectivity. (See for example the David Brooks piece 'Joe Biden is Succeeding" in NYT - although I think he's too optimistic.) I thought people read HCR to learn something - and this seems to be all about cheerleading. There are a thousand sources I can get cheerleading from - on both the left and right. BTW, in answer to the commenter below, I voted for Biden in 2020 and would do so again.
I think there are some of Heather’s pieces that certainly speak to this audience. This may be one of them. However, if you are writing a column regarding Biden’s accomplishments, I imagine it’s going to read very optimistically unless it’s balanced by decisions that either didn’t work or haven’t gone over well with both parties. I don’t even consider Republican criticism of Biden because, let’s face it, they’re out to skewer him any way they can. They are shameful, hateful hypocrites who don’t care about bipartisanship, the Constitution or democracy, or any American who they consider “left,” which is basically all Democrats. I understand there are some good Republicans, but unfortunately the overwhelming majority of them are cowards who follow Trump only because they don’t have the guts to stand up against his incessant intimidation. Biden has done a lot for the country already but he’s simply not given enough credit. The media seems far more interested in what jerks like Trump, Bobert, Greene, Gaetz, Godard, etc. ad infinitum, do and think. Hate seems to sell ad space and get more reads than decency and good stewardship of the country. I think Heather did a good job of compiling Biden’s efforts to be a good steward. For God sakes, look at the scale of hate he’s up against. Every time I see my brother-in-law, a nice guy but a Republican conspiracy theorist, he makes unnecessary wise cracks about Biden, from his age and supposed senility to his son Hunter’s involvement with whatever he’s supposedly involved with. I don’t reply for my wife’s sake, but I’d really just like to treat him like a bad child, which to me he is. Imagine being Biden and putting up with a whole country of these idiots. I know I’m digressing. Biden will only get his due when history examines his actions weighed against the hateful environment that stifles his presidency. Good for Heather to list them, even for an audience that is largely pro-Biden.
Yet you’re here with zero objectivity. It seems you’re looking for Biden to fail. Do you want HCR to preach doom and gloom? Is that the only acceptable form of writing you’re open to? There are no lies is what HCR said. Why do you insist on denigrating her? I don’t care who you voted for, it sounds like you’re the cheerleader for Trump here and only want to hear the Biden is failing. Maybe you should read what you wrote from the perspective of your audience.
If you don’t respect the honesty that HCR employs to write her newsletters and provide information why do you read them? After all it appears you are out here to criticize Biden and support the actions of Republicans. They could have stopped the slaughter of the Kurds, but they didn’t. They could have been proactive in the transition so the Biden Administration was prepared. Even today Ted Cruz is doing everything he can to keep posts from being filled and putting the security of the country at risk just so they can make Biden look bad. And you seem to have fallen for it hook, line and sinker.
Thank you for this account of Biden’s accomplishments. They are many, starting with the simple fact that he had the resume for the job of US President, unlike his predecessor who purposely left our country in disaray in part to cover his incompetence. Second, Biden truly believes in this country, it’s founding ideals, and democracy. By both action & inaction, the Republicans of today are proving they do not.
Finally, Biden knows how our political system works and understands the rule of law. His fierce commitment to negotiation & compromise is evidence that he walks the talk of a true American President, one who sees his leadership as a service to the country, not a personal power grab.
We must all do a better job supporting this man. Our goal must be to talk about his accomplishments until his strengths & positive impact for regular Americans reach critical mass and are undeniable in the minds of America and inescapable for the media.
Take a look a this by Oliver Willis. I am frustrated the link won't work. Anyway. Type in Oliver Willis Tracking what Joe Biden has accomplished since becoming the 46th president of the United States on January 20, 2021.
As of November 2021 there are 110 verified accomplishments for Biden on the comprehensive list.
These accomplishments will not light a fire under Democratic voters in 2022 and 2024. They will, however, open the door to Republican lies, casting doubt about them. The only path to Democratic victories in 2022 and 2024 is to lock in the votes of persons of color and women by repeatedly pointing out that Republicans, at all levels, vote against what benefits them, and that any person of color or woman who votes Republican is out of their mind.
"The only path to Democratic victories in 2022 and 2024 is to lock in the votes of persons of color and women."
I am sorry, but to me that borders on sexist, racist - and defeatist.
For the past 15 years, I've volunteered for local Democratic committees and on various campaigns getting out the vote - sometimes almost full time in weeks leading up to elections. In some cycles, I've made tens of thousands of phone calls and knocked on thousands of doors. Every person whose told me their opinions is an education. Every potential voter is a potential ally.
The only path to Democratic victories is for each of us to do as much GOTV outreach during the months leading up to an election as we can. It's not about the money donations, it's about our volunteer labor.
I agree. And it would really help if Democrats gave messages that were easier to understand for less informed and engaged voters, and if they were better at painting the villains on the other side as the villains they are.
I so agree about the messaging!!! I've been sending suggestions to DNC, Lincoln Project, etc. but I don't know what else to do. I want to scream, "It's the MESSAGING, stupid!!!!
This is problem. . . they never respond. It is so frustrating. The same applies to groups like Indivisible and Move-On (groups that I financially support and am an active member). I'm a fan of Robert Hubble's - Today's Edition. I often think he should run the Democratic Party! (https://substack.com/profile/3956425-robert-b-hubbell)
Maybe it's a fine line, or maybe not. Sure, it's technically racist or sexist to target a specific group of voters, but it's also demographics and messaging mechanics, which is what modern politics (and advertising) is built on.
I agree with you, Lin. I will add that we need to convince non-party affiliated independent voters that it is in their personal best interest and the interest of our Democratic system of government to vote for Democrats both in Congress and in State Houses.
How??? I think one of the answers is better story telling ... "How (a particular accomplishment) changed my life" from ordinary people in lots of media. But I don't know whom to tell that to!!!
I call it as I see it. GOTV efforts have to be more specifically targeted. I've worked on GOTV efforts targeting Democratic-leaning precincts, as I am sure you have, and gotten DeSantis, Rubio and Scott as a result. That's just not enough. There's another side of the coin to racism and sexism, a positive one, and it should be targetted.
I now live in a predominantly White state. Many voters identify as Independent. My call/turf lists reach out to a wide range of voters.
We have 2 congressional districts. I am in the more red rural district and yet we have been able to elect a moderate Democratic representative to Congress - who helps give us the majority.
By listening and speaking politely with anyone willing, we gain interest and even support for Democratic goals and candidates. Even from Republicans intrigued by our goodwill and commitment. We have Ranked Choice Voting - so even getting someone interested in ranking our candidates second can contribute to a win.
My call or postcard lists (I'm too old to canvass any longer) consist of registered Democrats first, who, when we get them to vote, we know what we are getting. But that's not enough. When we get an "NPA" to vote, we don't know what we are getting. Usually, my CD votes Democratic by about 70 -30, but in 2020, with a Trump-loving Republican running, the margin dropped to 60-40. GOTV activities must be targeted toward those groups which are specifically hurt by Republican "no" votes .
My hope is that when the direct benefits of both the hard and soft infrastructure bills are seen in a voter’s pocketbook they will recognize the source of the benefits and support more Democrats.
Part #2 infrastructure must be put in place soon. Very soon.
Hope is a slender read to lean on when democracy is in peril. We can not and should not rely on people making any connections that we fail to make it for them in easy, relatable terms. Rest assured, the Republicans are busy cooking up a fresh batch of lies and distractions to keep us on the defensive.
click the little box with three lines in it that is in the URL box. That will eliminate all the junk and leave the content. Wishing I could post a photo...
Yes. I think packing articles with ads, particularly the same political ad repetitively, interrupts the reader and, for me is irritating. Not unique to this article or site by any means.
Biden has done a superlative job in my opinion, and I've been singing his praises for months. I suspect he's going to go down as the best president since Roosevelt. I voted enthusiastically, and I will do so again.
That said, he's making a huge mistake on one particular policy. I hasten to say that despite that mistake I think he's doing a terrific job, and that as I've gotten older, I've ceased hoping that any politician would do everything I want. But the approval rating on this policy—immigration--is the lowest Biden gets on any policy, at 35 percent.
The border is a mess, and the GOP has been making a big deal of that.
There is a new book out--which anyone who wants to understand what mass immigration has been about for the last 200 years should buy: Back of the Hiring Line: A 200 Year History of Immigration surges, Employer Bias, and Depression of Black Wealth, by Roy Beck.
It's a brilliant, easily digestible presentation that gives a succinct overview within the intro and first chapter of how from the early 1800s to the present, time after time, mass immigration has resulted in African Americans seeing their wages reduced, and losing jobs to immigrants.
When immigration has been low, Black fortunes have risen. But surges, the latest of which has been going on for 50 years, and getting worse as the years have gone by, always push their fortunes back down. And as the author makes clear, in this latest surge, each wave of immigrants also suffers along with Blacks as a new wave breaks, and poor whites suffer as well.
Think of that, and remember how 45 gained a greater share of Hispanic voters in '20 than he had had in '16. And when you think of all those whites listening to the nonsense of Fox News, and believing it, realize that the surges of immigrants--a million annually for the most part since the mid-90s--has been taking their jobs, and giving us a country where nearly half the population can't afford to deal with a $400 dollar emergency, whether a car repair or a medical emergency.
Remember also, in the ’16 election, the popularity of the populist policies of Bernie Sanders and 45 (who of course was not the populist president he’d promised to be).
The book is a slam dunk, backing the thesis with a thorough survey of the relevant academic economic history, along with statements from Black leaders beginning with Frederick Douglass, articles from the Black press going way way back, and the results of government commissions on immigration reform, including the Rockefeller Commission in '72, the Hesburgh Commission (1979), and the Barbara Jordan commission, mid-90s, and others, all of which recommended reducing immigration. (Jordan was a very impressive character worth googling.)
The author, who now runs NumbersUSA, but was a journalist until the late '90s, also draws on his own reporting, to great effect.
A major source of lobbying for more immigration was the companies that used low-skilled labor. They wanted an oversupply, so that they could reduce wages, and speed up the lines (resulting in loads of repetitive injuries among workers). Absent the oversupply, the Black workers had some bargaining power, and could take a recuperation break if they were injured, knowing they'd be hired anew when they were healed.
But in the "poultry crescent", "a half-continent arc of processing plants that extends from Maryland, down through Georgia, over to Mississippi, and back up to northern Arkansas," with the threat of "the corporation bringing buses of foreign workers to fill their jobs if they kept complaining, it was getting more difficult [for Blacks] to stand up for themselves."
Plant managers claimed the immigrant workers had a superior work ethic to American workers of either color, but Beck reported that "the foreign workers often didn't last a year on the job. Many employers didn't seem to hold that against them because there always was a fresh supply of new foreign workers to take their place at the same wages and working conditions, or lower."
in 2019 , the employment rate for Black men and women starting out, at ages 18-29, without a high school degree, was 32%. For similarly situated Whites, it was 39%. At 56%, the rate for immigrants was nearly twice that of African Americans.
Beck emphasizes over and over that Congress, not immigrants, is to blame for these conditions, and that it has always been thus.
Beck’s book is available through Amazon for $9 in hard copy, and less for kindle and audio. To my knowledge, it is unfortunately not available at local bookstores, but may come to them eventually.
Excellent point, which speaks directly toward the crying need to understand and respond to the problems of the vast middle of our population. The book by Roy Beck you cite sounds very worthwhile. I will at least add it to my reading list (which, sadly, is already insurmountably long).
Thanks Syd. It is an incredibly worthwhile book, one that I think will change a lot of minds. He makes an ironclad case, and it's well written. I view it as the most important book I've read probably since the turn of the millennium. Despite the fact that Matthew Walker's Why We Sleep will probably result in my prolonging my life some by getting better sleep.
" ... there always was a fresh supply of new foreign workers to take their place at the same wages and working conditions, or lower."
I witnessed some of this. As an adolescent in central Florida in 1962, a buddy and I decided to go down to Miami that summer and work for six weeks before we had to be back at school. At that time, the Cuban refugees were flowing into Miami to escape the Castro revolution. Minimum wage at the time was $1.25/hour. The refugees got jobs paying 1/2 the minimum wage and thus took jobs away from the local Black population who mostly held those jobs. (Also, the refugees might have been receiving supplemental income from the U.S. government at the time due to their being "political refugees.") This caused a lot of resentment in the Black community and understandably so. (My friend and I got jobs selling magazine subscriptions door to door as no one else wanted those jobs.)
Carole: You use the word "until" in your third paragraph. Will "until" come in time for 2022 and 2024? Democrats cannot play softball while Republicans play hardball.
You are so right. “Until” must come in time for 2022. Democrats cannot play softball, or simply “hope” that Biden’s obvious successes are indeed obvious to others in spite of constant media takedown.
Carole—Notwithstanding HCR’s flawless account of Biden’s mighty impressive accomplishments, I prevail upon all of us also to remain steadfastly focused on the faltering ratings both for the Biden Administration and for Democrats overall, despite policies shown repeatedly to have broad appeal. Though I imagine some Democrats are growing increasingly discouraged by the polarization and disfunction that daily infects our politics, I believe more of us are rightfully concerned that neither Biden nor Democratic lawmakers overall are doing nearly enough to shape their party’s story. I am eager to receive more guidance from this community regarding how best to direct my activism.
Looking for guidance? Join groups actively working to get out the vote of women and persons of color, groups which continue to be hurt by Republican obstructionism. Put the policies and issues aside and concentrate on getting out that vote. That's the way to win elections. Don't waste time defending against Republican lies.
Have you ever tried to have an exchange of ideas with a Republican lately? Or someone carrying an AR-15? Time and energy thusly spent would be better directed toward registering voters, mailing postcards, making phone calls and getting out the vote.
To clarify, by “activism” I meant a refusal on my part merely to watch and wait to see what the politicians and experts will do. Instead, I train myself, I acquire the knowledge I need to at least have a shot at not merely having to look through the window but, rather, to come through the door. HCR’s LFAA followed by this group’s discussions have been enormously valuable. As for the actions listed in your missive, I do that too.
In February 1952 President Truman has a 22% positive rating in a national poll. Historians and political scientists, in the highly credible CSpan poll ranking American presidents have ranked Truman 6th greatest in their most recent polls in 2017 and 2021.
I am appalled, though not surprised, that President Biden is polling so low these days. Asking present-day Americans what they think of President Biden is akin to asking them to rate an excellent teacher who is pulling them out of their educational and sloppy work habit funks.
President Biden inherited a country in the worst shape of an incoming president in my 88 years. The pandemic had been dreadfully handled by Trump and his unscientific sycophants. Our economy was in a tail spin. The phrase ‘climate change’ had been banned from all government documents. The outgoing president, refusing to accept the electorate’s vote, triggered a Capitol Building insurrection in an effort to block the constitutional vote in favor of if incoming President Biden. FALSE FACTS was the staccato chant by a president who had the first ongoing tally of his lies and false facts (over 40,000 according to the documented Washington Post scorecard. The corruption and mismanagement of Trump and his minions made President Harding look rather admirable by comparison.
As a Foreign Service Officer, I am appalled by how Trump dissed American strategic interests internationally. His bromance with Putin I found treasonous. His withdrawal from international climate-change agreements, his high-handed withdrawal from the 6-power Iranian nuclear monitoring agreement endangered the Middle East, his egotistical ‘love affair’ with North Korea’s Kim was revolting and ineffective, his bromance with Mohamed bin Salman, Netanyahu and others undermined America’s core national interests. As for China, Trump got into an escalating tariff fight that damaged our economy and prompted him to shovel out tens of billions of dollars to farmers who were hurt by his barnyard bully tantrums.
In less than a year President Biden, with a razor-thin majority in the House and a 50/50 split in the senate (with two fence-sitting Democratic senators) has steered Trump’s Titanic deftly away from the ice berg and on a positive course nationally and internationally. Despite his heroic efforts to vax and mask the nation, the Delta virus and and scurrilous, Republican-hailed effort to sabotage such policies have seriously impeded science-backed efforts to render America more healthy.
With his passed-and pending physical and social infrastructure legislation (both widely favored in public polls), President Biden is providing for much-needed investments of a New Deal and Great Society magnitude designed to equip America and the great majority of American people to flourish in the 21st century. He has restored professionalism, integrity and humanity to American government.
Internationally, President Biden has restored our relationships with our traditional allies and is treating authoritarian governments with professional firmness. NATO has welcomed back an American president who respects and supports NATO’s core mission. Climate-change policies have once again become a national American policy. In Afghanistan, after a failing 20-year-war, President Biden had the guts to withdraw our troops. No such end-of-a-failing-war goes smoothly, as we learned in Vietnam. Despite ‘precipitous collapse, the United States was able to evacuate over 120,000 human beings, including about 7,000 Americans, during a frenetic six weeks.
Thanks in good part to President Biden and his professional team, our economy has rebounded considerably during less-than-year in office. All this despite worldwide disruptions caused by the pandemic, with the exacerbation by the Delta virus, global supply disruptions, and the affect all of this has had on daily life. The media feeds on daily screaming headlines. Republicans are bleating naysayers, despite leaving such a mess for President Biden. Many Americans are distressed that the pandemic has disrupted their normal lives and seek someone to blame for the most deadly global pandemic since, perhaps, the Great Plague of the 14th century.
The American public is far more self-centered than what I experienced during World War II. Then shortages were related to a concerted war effort. Today, side efforts of President Biden’s massive rescue initiatives—including a temporary rise in inflation sparked, in part, by the massive financial assistance that the Biden administration has provided to citizens and corporations—that cannot avoid the massive global impacts of the pandemic on our daily life.
I doubt, over the coming weeks and months, that President Biden can avoid being the target of an American public ‘blame game.’ Many are being ‘discomforted’ by the broad and sustained impact of this multiple pandemic. Instead of applauding the accomplishments of their new quarterback, who already has racked up some impressive wins, they are in a bitchy mood. My hope (and expectation) is that quarterback Biden will have a good to-excellent 2022 season. The pandemic will be under control, despite the anti-vaxers and anti-maskers, the economy will rebound robustly as will the economy, the impacts of President Biden’s game-changing legislation will begin to reach the American people, and Americans will once again have reason to be proud of America’s role in the international community.
I look forward to when the current presidential booing of President Biden turns increasingly into cheers, no thanks to the media or the Trumpites.
I continue to be amazed and disappointed that the media just hypes any downturn or discord , while it treats poll numbers as gospel . Polls have been poor guides. But it appears talk of discord is popular.
Cathy- But I think a good journalist could make it so. The “bleed and lead” headlines are easy work. Crafting excitement around the mundane takes more skill. I think that’s evident right here in Heather's daily letters.
Daria Some years ago there was a weekly titled GOOD NEWS. I found it uplifting—and it soon failed. You’re right—good news seldom sells, unless its a major sporting event or, for oldies like me, when we win a World War.
Keith, I remember Good News. You're right, it failed fairly quickly. You know, its always interesting to read the comment section following an uplifting/good news story; the comments are almost always very positive and supportive. In the long run, though, it just doesn't sell.🌷
Daria The Week weekly magazine has at least one page of ‘good news’ which I find uplifting. It also has a section that lists candidates for the Darwinian prize (those whose gene extinction would better the human race.)
Keith, a follow up: The Week is available through many libraries via Overdrive. I just downloaded the new issue and look forward to reading it. Thanks for the recommendation. (I'm deleting my prior response to your comment.)
News: newly received or noteworthy information, especially about recent or important events.
If it ain’t new and noteworthy, it ain’t news. And that’s a fact.
Oh, and that also provides opportunities to make news by doing something new and noteworthy in an observable and reportable way. In other words, making a difference on something important.
Bruce, I don't want to sound contentious but I'm curious why you're defining the word news for me. I know what news is. My comment was: Good news doesn't sell.
Please don't jump on me for making an accurate statement. I don't need to have things "explained" to me.
A comprehensive study published in the International Journal of Press/Politics in 2014 called, "Consumer Demand for Cynical and Negative News Frames", focused on the why of this phenomenon. It makes for very interesting reading. The study is pay walled so I can't share it but I will share the link so if you're interested you can read it. There is a very long list of references supporting the " bad news sells" theory.
Sigh … unfortunately the format of the forum does not distinguish comments attached to another’s comment that are meant to reinforce the comment rather than attempt to correct it. If my intention to support your point and not refute or refine it was misinterpreted I apologize. If my remark had been directed specifically to you I would have tried to make that clear.
I will go stand in the corner for a well deserved five minute timeout for my discourtesy.
It is important to remember - the President and Congress’ job is not to be “Popular.” Their job, collectively I might add, is to get “stuff” done. I agree on the need for attention to messaging but only to extent it helps in getting stuff done. Other than that the time to pay greater attention to messaging is after accomplishment not before. If you want to be featured at the Hall of Presidents in Disney World you better have accomplished something worth talking about. There are many reasons Lincoln gets a featured speaking role rather than Warren Harding, and none of those are based on either President’s poll ratings.
Bruce Anyone who has been a good leader knows that you should do what’s best rather than what’s popular. Unfortunately, President Biden is facing mid-term elections in 2022 where his squeaky hold on Congress is at risk. Being applauded two decades hence might be called by some a Pyrrhic victory. (Lincoln, in the summer of 1864, seemed quite certain that he would lose the November election. Fortuitously, several decisive military victories and the troops strongly favoring Lincoln over their previous general McClellan rendered Lincoln ‘a man for the ages.)
I agree. However, I subscribe to the view I would prefer being remembered for meaningful Pyrrhic victories making a real difference in people’s lives than meaningless cheers of a Tя☭mp Train procession. The cheers fade but the differences in lives are lasting even if Pyrrhic due to unfortunate gerrymandered elections.
We are perhaps now victims of that ancient Chines curse of living in interesting times. As such we must make the best of whatever opportunities are presented and continue our efforts to create more opportunities while solving whatever challenges we are able.
Excellent summary. " Instead of applauding the accomplishments of their new quarterback, who already has racked up some impressive wins, they are in a bitchy mood."
I remember as you do. I’m old, but not bat-shit crazy as I think many fox-watching oldsters have become. They, like me, probably had a family member who died or was maimed in WW2. Sadly, the world-class propaganda that worked prior to WW2 is with us today. So hope I can look forward to “truth in packaging” but Democrats will need a 90-decibel bull horn and I don’t see one. PS. The Japanese attack United a divided country, what will it take now?
Jeri You are ‘mature’ or, as I liked to call myself, ‘late middle age,’and are crazy like a fox, Not Fox. Your family and mine were saddened by WW II losses, as were our neighbors.
Indeed, my cult brother was named for my nephew who was killed in Italy the year bro was born. My Mom would be stunned, she and her sister never got over his loss. Are we really the children of the greatest generation, or just so disconnected from reality that propaganda is enticing.
It will take some re-education of the slave-master mentality and since it is peppered all over the USA, we will all have to stand up to them instead of drawing a Mason Dixon line somewhere. We will have to draw the line in our sense of morality.
Very well said, Keith, although I would caution against your optimism for the coming year. The effects of climate breakdown and other over-extractions of our resources are driving all the symptoms we face in our culture, the ineffable propaganda, the dis-ease that plagues our media. Fair-weather projections are just too risky in this environment; we need to steel ourselves for a fight for survival.
Agree. But it is far more important to the press to grab a headline. And for an individual reporter, to ask Jen Psaki what Biden will do about the price of gas. (Even as crude oil is already falling in price).
The realist and the magician reign together in this symphony of thought, Keith. Will it require a divine intervention to bring these two eloquently described acts together?
Fern ‘Divine and eloquent?’ At 3:15 a. M., without a cup of coffee, at times I feel inspired to spew forth more from the heart than the head, then not even read the sucker before rushing back to bed. My high-tech buddies would call this a ‘data dump.’ Somethings, in the morning when I read my ‘kitten-on-the-keys,’ I am tempted to sell my soul (‘divine’) for an eloquent editor.
Keith: I couldn’t agree more with Keith Kulper’s assessment of your text. You brilliantly have reconciled HCR’s flawless account of Biden’s accomplishments with the regrettably faltering ratings both for the Biden Administration and for Democratic lawmakers overall, despite policies shown repeatedly to have broad appeal. If I may, I merely would note that, in my view, neither Biden nor our Democratic representatives are doing nearly enough to shape the party’s story.
Barbara, With a somewhat different view, although I agree with you about the Democratic Party, Joe Biden, no orator, nonetheless, turns the United States of America towards goodness.
Fern, Though I fully share your perception of Biden, still, I continue to write letters prevailing upon Biden, as he did with the American Rescue Plan, to get the two coalitions in his Party together and united. Whether it be the Freedom to Vote Act, the Social and Climate Action package, or some other legislation, in my view, Biden must be mindful that the fate of the Democratic Party, ultimately, does not rest solely with individual Senators or with different coalitions within the Party. Rather, it’s the Party leadership that must lead, come up with the deal, and get the job done. I suppose you can tell I’m passionate, hopefully not offensively so, about Party leadership.
Do you passionately look for a 'god' to cast a spell on individual politicians who serve themselves and not the state? Do you not think that Biden, Schumer, Sanders (I-Vt.), Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and other determined Democrats as well as citizens, such as yourself, have not tried and tried? Failure or success in this has not yet been determined. Now is not a time like FDR's or LBJ's. The citizens are different, so is the media and the balance of power with the minority so much in charge. All recognizing the need for the state to represent the people must continue to keep trying, organizing and raising the voice of the people. Why aren't citizens more involved? Where is the pro-democracy movement? Are grassroots organizations working together? Why isn't there a mass movement?
As someone who mainly responds to daily requests from various grassroots civic organizations by trying to lend her voice in ways she deems most productive, I have no idea what triggered your insulting opening remark nor the expressed outrage that followed.
Barbara, I understand your anger at my response, it was not intended to be as personal as it was rightly read. Our fears about the current state of affairs are warranted. My concern has been that so much of the disappointment has been leveled against Biden. I tried to identify factors working against him. The Democratic party as a whole has been failing for more than 40 years, part of that is it weaknesses in combating the power that the Republicans have assumed and its failure to support the working class and middle class as Reaganomics and racism pressed the gas pedal. I do not know exactly how much the stress and uncertainty as a result of the pandemic has effected the public's attitude toward political engagement. Perhaps, even now, as the Biden administration has delivered on some of his promises with more to go, the government may still thought of in a negative way. That a new variant has emerged and the pandemic rages on, it is impossible to get a break. Barbara, I am sorry to have offended you and did not express myself well. My own passion overwhelmed the message that I tried to share.
Why not submit this piece as a letter to the Editor or Opinion Piece in the NYT? You have a wide following and we need to make it ever WIDER!
And don’t forget to include other widely-read news outlets: Washington Post, The Guardian, LA Times. Maybe even the WallStreetJournal could be convinced to widen their view with Heather’s Letter.
I agree. This letter provides so much positive that we never hear from MSM. We are drowned out by negative reporting on everything Biden and the Democrats.
I firmly believe the reason Biden’s numbers dropped from Afghanistan is because he rescued ally’s, not just any ally, “terrorists” in the peoples minds because this is what the Republicans fed the public. My own Rep. Darrell Issa put out multiple negative tweets every day and did endless interviews. He still says Americans are left behind. Then he sneaks in the fear mongering ever so carefully because he has a big community of Afghan constituents. Some of them were ones “left behind”. They went in the Spring, ignoring all the warnings. Plus, as I replied many times to Issa, the U.S. doesn’t track people, they were free to go.
Yes, yes, yes! Even the Lincoln Project referred recently to Heather Cox Richardson's excellent newsletters.
Their ads are placed in all the right places on cable TV.
More preaching to the choir. The people we need to reach don't read those worthy publications.
How might we meet them where they are in a way they understand?
PS-- The first person to throw up their hands and say it's hopeless because of the Fox News bubble will get a Bronx cheer.
Jim, you are correct. As I've written here and on the Washington Post: If you want to get supporters, you need to go to the hollers and the hoods to listen to the people and do what they want. This is what the Rev. William Barber has been telling people for some time. And if the Democrats really want to gather power and remain so, they need to do this, rather than going to places like The Hamptons to raise money from wealthy Democratic elite supporters.
Well maybe they need to do both...the money still matters!
Yes, Chaplain Terry, but votes are more important. And if you listen to the those folks in the hollers and the hoods and actually do things from what you heard, you might actually receive small amounts of cash from those people in addition the votes you would need to win in the next election. If the Democrats don't, it's very likely they will lose both houses of Congress. They must get off their elite asses and get out there!
Yes, Democrats need to show up in rural areas and urban neighborhoods. Be there.
Agreed! Got to get to hometown newspapers. In the middle of America.
And how might we reach the people who don’t read newspapers?
How about somebody start some cheap rags that openly cheer the Dems (and us !) to crowd out "The Mirror" and the "Sun" that stare at you as you wait for the food to go down the conveyer belt and you brainlessly absorb what you see? Be blatant in celebration! F' them if they can't take a joke.
That is a great idea. And we could get it up and running quickly
Yellow journalism can change hue and flow another direction.
Jim, The Bronx is much better than that
Especially the Italian food on Arthur Avenue!
Jim—I disagree. The “choir,” so to speak, is increasingly checking out because, despite some accomplishments, they understandably are discouraged by the degree of polarization and disfunction that, for example, blocks their own party, without Republican support, from passing voter protection legislation, even while GOP controlled state legislatures unilaterally pass bill after bill that restricts voting and nullifies votes.
I contend that those among us, who are becoming increasingly disheartened, need to hear from HCR. Even as our partners in this struggle call optimism into question, we all need fortification to remain hopeful, if for no other reason than to stay in the fight.
I agree. that matters and needs to happen. Still, let's not imagine that the words we read, and the forums we visit to comfort ourselves and maintain our strength are the same ones that will reach the people who aren't checked out from discouragement, but simply because they haven't checked in since last November.
Subscribers don't imagine that our roles on the forum of LFAA is to solely soothe our 'savage' breasts and minds as we're here to learn, share with one another, support social justice, economic fairness and Democracy. I'm a tad annoyed if being talked down to.
Sorry for doing that. I don't want you as an enemy. We are both on the same side.
I wasn't approaching as an 'enemy' Ryan. Your tone sounded more like a lecture than a conversation.
100% concur
Thank you, Barbara. Subscribers on the forum expressed appreciation for this Letter and some were sharing it with people they know as well as posting it on Facebook/Meta. My question to Jim is why do you remain in this choir? Is to preach a different sort of sermon? That's okay, Jim has a before him the choir that HCR built.
I love this choir. But I don't mistake it for the congregation.
In early 2016 when I expressed fear that Trump could win, someone tried to persuade me that it could not happen because our country was not that angry. Since its become clear that many are that angry and others were clever enough to harness the anger to gain support and win votes where they mattered. The Republican leaders, using disinformation, are conducting a very well orchestrated campaign of anger and fear — much of it is nonsensical, but it worked — it is working.
Democrats have been countering that campaign with uncoordinated expressions of outrage among their loyal and often disparate constituents. Editorials in MSM function as internal communications. The Party’s policies are sound; the messaging and execution are not.
Instead of talking just to one another, Democrats need a means to reach outsiders via their favored media and in their own voices. Messages about Biden’s accomplishments need to reach patrons of right wing media in voices that resonate to that audience. The challenge is to impact the narrative from within not from outside. Foreign actors found a way to control such conversations, why can’t the Democrats do the same but with facts and truth?
Nonetheless, every American needs to read this Letter. Bravo and thank you Heather Cox Richardson.
You are absolutely right
That’s a great idea!
Yes! Great idea!
Totally agree! Spread this well-contextualized truth to combat disinformation, misinformation, partial information, and wrong information.
Sorry, this reads like a press release from the DNC rather than a piece of objective reporting or even an Op-Ed that makes well reasoned arguments. To pick just one item as example, prior to the Afghanistan withdrawal Biden made numerous false statements. For example, downplaying the risk of a Taliban takeover (see July 8 WH Q&A) or saying that troops would remain until 100% of Americans were evacuated. And, on Syria, Trump WAS absolutely killed for the Syrian withdrawal - even by Republicans. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/disaster-betrayal-mistake-republicans-slam-trump-s-syria-pull-out-n1063251
Boo! So you’d point out Biden’s accomplishments differently? How? Remember, readers here are recommending this letter as an op-ed piece. An op-ed piece!
I think you can still do that with some objectivity. (See for example the David Brooks piece 'Joe Biden is Succeeding" in NYT - although I think he's too optimistic.) I thought people read HCR to learn something - and this seems to be all about cheerleading. There are a thousand sources I can get cheerleading from - on both the left and right. BTW, in answer to the commenter below, I voted for Biden in 2020 and would do so again.
I think there are some of Heather’s pieces that certainly speak to this audience. This may be one of them. However, if you are writing a column regarding Biden’s accomplishments, I imagine it’s going to read very optimistically unless it’s balanced by decisions that either didn’t work or haven’t gone over well with both parties. I don’t even consider Republican criticism of Biden because, let’s face it, they’re out to skewer him any way they can. They are shameful, hateful hypocrites who don’t care about bipartisanship, the Constitution or democracy, or any American who they consider “left,” which is basically all Democrats. I understand there are some good Republicans, but unfortunately the overwhelming majority of them are cowards who follow Trump only because they don’t have the guts to stand up against his incessant intimidation. Biden has done a lot for the country already but he’s simply not given enough credit. The media seems far more interested in what jerks like Trump, Bobert, Greene, Gaetz, Godard, etc. ad infinitum, do and think. Hate seems to sell ad space and get more reads than decency and good stewardship of the country. I think Heather did a good job of compiling Biden’s efforts to be a good steward. For God sakes, look at the scale of hate he’s up against. Every time I see my brother-in-law, a nice guy but a Republican conspiracy theorist, he makes unnecessary wise cracks about Biden, from his age and supposed senility to his son Hunter’s involvement with whatever he’s supposedly involved with. I don’t reply for my wife’s sake, but I’d really just like to treat him like a bad child, which to me he is. Imagine being Biden and putting up with a whole country of these idiots. I know I’m digressing. Biden will only get his due when history examines his actions weighed against the hateful environment that stifles his presidency. Good for Heather to list them, even for an audience that is largely pro-Biden.
Yet you’re here with zero objectivity. It seems you’re looking for Biden to fail. Do you want HCR to preach doom and gloom? Is that the only acceptable form of writing you’re open to? There are no lies is what HCR said. Why do you insist on denigrating her? I don’t care who you voted for, it sounds like you’re the cheerleader for Trump here and only want to hear the Biden is failing. Maybe you should read what you wrote from the perspective of your audience.
If you don’t respect the honesty that HCR employs to write her newsletters and provide information why do you read them? After all it appears you are out here to criticize Biden and support the actions of Republicans. They could have stopped the slaughter of the Kurds, but they didn’t. They could have been proactive in the transition so the Biden Administration was prepared. Even today Ted Cruz is doing everything he can to keep posts from being filled and putting the security of the country at risk just so they can make Biden look bad. And you seem to have fallen for it hook, line and sinker.
Thank you for this account of Biden’s accomplishments. They are many, starting with the simple fact that he had the resume for the job of US President, unlike his predecessor who purposely left our country in disaray in part to cover his incompetence. Second, Biden truly believes in this country, it’s founding ideals, and democracy. By both action & inaction, the Republicans of today are proving they do not.
Finally, Biden knows how our political system works and understands the rule of law. His fierce commitment to negotiation & compromise is evidence that he walks the talk of a true American President, one who sees his leadership as a service to the country, not a personal power grab.
We must all do a better job supporting this man. Our goal must be to talk about his accomplishments until his strengths & positive impact for regular Americans reach critical mass and are undeniable in the minds of America and inescapable for the media.
Take a look a this by Oliver Willis. I am frustrated the link won't work. Anyway. Type in Oliver Willis Tracking what Joe Biden has accomplished since becoming the 46th president of the United States on January 20, 2021.
As of November 2021 there are 110 verified accomplishments for Biden on the comprehensive list.
Table of Contents
Domestic Policy
Immigration/Border
Climate Change
Human Rights
COVID-19
National Security
Judiciary
Environment
Foreign Policy
These accomplishments will not light a fire under Democratic voters in 2022 and 2024. They will, however, open the door to Republican lies, casting doubt about them. The only path to Democratic victories in 2022 and 2024 is to lock in the votes of persons of color and women by repeatedly pointing out that Republicans, at all levels, vote against what benefits them, and that any person of color or woman who votes Republican is out of their mind.
"The only path to Democratic victories in 2022 and 2024 is to lock in the votes of persons of color and women."
I am sorry, but to me that borders on sexist, racist - and defeatist.
For the past 15 years, I've volunteered for local Democratic committees and on various campaigns getting out the vote - sometimes almost full time in weeks leading up to elections. In some cycles, I've made tens of thousands of phone calls and knocked on thousands of doors. Every person whose told me their opinions is an education. Every potential voter is a potential ally.
The only path to Democratic victories is for each of us to do as much GOTV outreach during the months leading up to an election as we can. It's not about the money donations, it's about our volunteer labor.
I agree. And it would really help if Democrats gave messages that were easier to understand for less informed and engaged voters, and if they were better at painting the villains on the other side as the villains they are.
I so agree about the messaging!!! I've been sending suggestions to DNC, Lincoln Project, etc. but I don't know what else to do. I want to scream, "It's the MESSAGING, stupid!!!!
This is problem. . . they never respond. It is so frustrating. The same applies to groups like Indivisible and Move-On (groups that I financially support and am an active member). I'm a fan of Robert Hubble's - Today's Edition. I often think he should run the Democratic Party! (https://substack.com/profile/3956425-robert-b-hubbell)
Lincoln Project held a member survey last month on what they should focus on. If you are a member you should have gotten the survey and the results.
Maybe it's a fine line, or maybe not. Sure, it's technically racist or sexist to target a specific group of voters, but it's also demographics and messaging mechanics, which is what modern politics (and advertising) is built on.
…and the electoral college.
You got it!
I agree with you, Lin. I will add that we need to convince non-party affiliated independent voters that it is in their personal best interest and the interest of our Democratic system of government to vote for Democrats both in Congress and in State Houses.
How??? I think one of the answers is better story telling ... "How (a particular accomplishment) changed my life" from ordinary people in lots of media. But I don't know whom to tell that to!!!
I call it as I see it. GOTV efforts have to be more specifically targeted. I've worked on GOTV efforts targeting Democratic-leaning precincts, as I am sure you have, and gotten DeSantis, Rubio and Scott as a result. That's just not enough. There's another side of the coin to racism and sexism, a positive one, and it should be targetted.
No, I don't think so. Not in those terms.
I now live in a predominantly White state. Many voters identify as Independent. My call/turf lists reach out to a wide range of voters.
We have 2 congressional districts. I am in the more red rural district and yet we have been able to elect a moderate Democratic representative to Congress - who helps give us the majority.
By listening and speaking politely with anyone willing, we gain interest and even support for Democratic goals and candidates. Even from Republicans intrigued by our goodwill and commitment. We have Ranked Choice Voting - so even getting someone interested in ranking our candidates second can contribute to a win.
My call or postcard lists (I'm too old to canvass any longer) consist of registered Democrats first, who, when we get them to vote, we know what we are getting. But that's not enough. When we get an "NPA" to vote, we don't know what we are getting. Usually, my CD votes Democratic by about 70 -30, but in 2020, with a Trump-loving Republican running, the margin dropped to 60-40. GOTV activities must be targeted toward those groups which are specifically hurt by Republican "no" votes .
My hope is that when the direct benefits of both the hard and soft infrastructure bills are seen in a voter’s pocketbook they will recognize the source of the benefits and support more Democrats.
Part #2 infrastructure must be put in place soon. Very soon.
Hope is a slender read to lean on when democracy is in peril. We can not and should not rely on people making any connections that we fail to make it for them in easy, relatable terms. Rest assured, the Republicans are busy cooking up a fresh batch of lies and distractions to keep us on the defensive.
Benefits won't be seen in time for the 2022 campaign which is NOW! "Hope springs eternal in the human breast, Man never IS but always TO BE blessed."
I think they will need real stories in a lot of media for folks to "recognize the source of the benefits."
Being aware of what this Administration is doing helps us as politically active people speak intelligently to voters.
Here's the link, thanks for suggesting
https://oliverwillis.com/joe-biden-accomplishments-the-full-list/
Thank you
Thx
Did you have as many ads interrupting the accomplishments as I did?
click the little box with three lines in it that is in the URL box. That will eliminate all the junk and leave the content. Wishing I could post a photo...
Yes. I think packing articles with ads, particularly the same political ad repetitively, interrupts the reader and, for me is irritating. Not unique to this article or site by any means.
Try this link:
https://oliverwillis.com/joe-biden-accomplishments-the-full-list/
Amazing. Thank you, Karen.
Biden has done a superlative job in my opinion, and I've been singing his praises for months. I suspect he's going to go down as the best president since Roosevelt. I voted enthusiastically, and I will do so again.
That said, he's making a huge mistake on one particular policy. I hasten to say that despite that mistake I think he's doing a terrific job, and that as I've gotten older, I've ceased hoping that any politician would do everything I want. But the approval rating on this policy—immigration--is the lowest Biden gets on any policy, at 35 percent.
The border is a mess, and the GOP has been making a big deal of that.
There is a new book out--which anyone who wants to understand what mass immigration has been about for the last 200 years should buy: Back of the Hiring Line: A 200 Year History of Immigration surges, Employer Bias, and Depression of Black Wealth, by Roy Beck.
It's a brilliant, easily digestible presentation that gives a succinct overview within the intro and first chapter of how from the early 1800s to the present, time after time, mass immigration has resulted in African Americans seeing their wages reduced, and losing jobs to immigrants.
When immigration has been low, Black fortunes have risen. But surges, the latest of which has been going on for 50 years, and getting worse as the years have gone by, always push their fortunes back down. And as the author makes clear, in this latest surge, each wave of immigrants also suffers along with Blacks as a new wave breaks, and poor whites suffer as well.
Think of that, and remember how 45 gained a greater share of Hispanic voters in '20 than he had had in '16. And when you think of all those whites listening to the nonsense of Fox News, and believing it, realize that the surges of immigrants--a million annually for the most part since the mid-90s--has been taking their jobs, and giving us a country where nearly half the population can't afford to deal with a $400 dollar emergency, whether a car repair or a medical emergency.
Remember also, in the ’16 election, the popularity of the populist policies of Bernie Sanders and 45 (who of course was not the populist president he’d promised to be).
The book is a slam dunk, backing the thesis with a thorough survey of the relevant academic economic history, along with statements from Black leaders beginning with Frederick Douglass, articles from the Black press going way way back, and the results of government commissions on immigration reform, including the Rockefeller Commission in '72, the Hesburgh Commission (1979), and the Barbara Jordan commission, mid-90s, and others, all of which recommended reducing immigration. (Jordan was a very impressive character worth googling.)
The author, who now runs NumbersUSA, but was a journalist until the late '90s, also draws on his own reporting, to great effect.
A major source of lobbying for more immigration was the companies that used low-skilled labor. They wanted an oversupply, so that they could reduce wages, and speed up the lines (resulting in loads of repetitive injuries among workers). Absent the oversupply, the Black workers had some bargaining power, and could take a recuperation break if they were injured, knowing they'd be hired anew when they were healed.
But in the "poultry crescent", "a half-continent arc of processing plants that extends from Maryland, down through Georgia, over to Mississippi, and back up to northern Arkansas," with the threat of "the corporation bringing buses of foreign workers to fill their jobs if they kept complaining, it was getting more difficult [for Blacks] to stand up for themselves."
Plant managers claimed the immigrant workers had a superior work ethic to American workers of either color, but Beck reported that "the foreign workers often didn't last a year on the job. Many employers didn't seem to hold that against them because there always was a fresh supply of new foreign workers to take their place at the same wages and working conditions, or lower."
in 2019 , the employment rate for Black men and women starting out, at ages 18-29, without a high school degree, was 32%. For similarly situated Whites, it was 39%. At 56%, the rate for immigrants was nearly twice that of African Americans.
Beck emphasizes over and over that Congress, not immigrants, is to blame for these conditions, and that it has always been thus.
Beck’s book is available through Amazon for $9 in hard copy, and less for kindle and audio. To my knowledge, it is unfortunately not available at local bookstores, but may come to them eventually.
Excellent point, which speaks directly toward the crying need to understand and respond to the problems of the vast middle of our population. The book by Roy Beck you cite sounds very worthwhile. I will at least add it to my reading list (which, sadly, is already insurmountably long).
Thanks Syd. It is an incredibly worthwhile book, one that I think will change a lot of minds. He makes an ironclad case, and it's well written. I view it as the most important book I've read probably since the turn of the millennium. Despite the fact that Matthew Walker's Why We Sleep will probably result in my prolonging my life some by getting better sleep.
" ... there always was a fresh supply of new foreign workers to take their place at the same wages and working conditions, or lower."
I witnessed some of this. As an adolescent in central Florida in 1962, a buddy and I decided to go down to Miami that summer and work for six weeks before we had to be back at school. At that time, the Cuban refugees were flowing into Miami to escape the Castro revolution. Minimum wage at the time was $1.25/hour. The refugees got jobs paying 1/2 the minimum wage and thus took jobs away from the local Black population who mostly held those jobs. (Also, the refugees might have been receiving supplemental income from the U.S. government at the time due to their being "political refugees.") This caused a lot of resentment in the Black community and understandably so. (My friend and I got jobs selling magazine subscriptions door to door as no one else wanted those jobs.)
And on and on. Quite fabulous. Thank you, Barbara.
Carole: You use the word "until" in your third paragraph. Will "until" come in time for 2022 and 2024? Democrats cannot play softball while Republicans play hardball.
You are so right. “Until” must come in time for 2022. Democrats cannot play softball, or simply “hope” that Biden’s obvious successes are indeed obvious to others in spite of constant media takedown.
Carole—Notwithstanding HCR’s flawless account of Biden’s mighty impressive accomplishments, I prevail upon all of us also to remain steadfastly focused on the faltering ratings both for the Biden Administration and for Democrats overall, despite policies shown repeatedly to have broad appeal. Though I imagine some Democrats are growing increasingly discouraged by the polarization and disfunction that daily infects our politics, I believe more of us are rightfully concerned that neither Biden nor Democratic lawmakers overall are doing nearly enough to shape their party’s story. I am eager to receive more guidance from this community regarding how best to direct my activism.
Looking for guidance? Join groups actively working to get out the vote of women and persons of color, groups which continue to be hurt by Republican obstructionism. Put the policies and issues aside and concentrate on getting out that vote. That's the way to win elections. Don't waste time defending against Republican lies.
Jack: How shortsighted to presume that activism can’t be guided by a provocative exchange of ideas.
Have you ever tried to have an exchange of ideas with a Republican lately? Or someone carrying an AR-15? Time and energy thusly spent would be better directed toward registering voters, mailing postcards, making phone calls and getting out the vote.
To clarify, by “activism” I meant a refusal on my part merely to watch and wait to see what the politicians and experts will do. Instead, I train myself, I acquire the knowledge I need to at least have a shot at not merely having to look through the window but, rather, to come through the door. HCR’s LFAA followed by this group’s discussions have been enormously valuable. As for the actions listed in your missive, I do that too.
Teach literacy.
In time for the 2022 elections?
Susan: As I said to Jack, I find it quite shortsighted to presume that activism can’t be guided by a provocative exchange of ideas.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
In February 1952 President Truman has a 22% positive rating in a national poll. Historians and political scientists, in the highly credible CSpan poll ranking American presidents have ranked Truman 6th greatest in their most recent polls in 2017 and 2021.
I am appalled, though not surprised, that President Biden is polling so low these days. Asking present-day Americans what they think of President Biden is akin to asking them to rate an excellent teacher who is pulling them out of their educational and sloppy work habit funks.
President Biden inherited a country in the worst shape of an incoming president in my 88 years. The pandemic had been dreadfully handled by Trump and his unscientific sycophants. Our economy was in a tail spin. The phrase ‘climate change’ had been banned from all government documents. The outgoing president, refusing to accept the electorate’s vote, triggered a Capitol Building insurrection in an effort to block the constitutional vote in favor of if incoming President Biden. FALSE FACTS was the staccato chant by a president who had the first ongoing tally of his lies and false facts (over 40,000 according to the documented Washington Post scorecard. The corruption and mismanagement of Trump and his minions made President Harding look rather admirable by comparison.
As a Foreign Service Officer, I am appalled by how Trump dissed American strategic interests internationally. His bromance with Putin I found treasonous. His withdrawal from international climate-change agreements, his high-handed withdrawal from the 6-power Iranian nuclear monitoring agreement endangered the Middle East, his egotistical ‘love affair’ with North Korea’s Kim was revolting and ineffective, his bromance with Mohamed bin Salman, Netanyahu and others undermined America’s core national interests. As for China, Trump got into an escalating tariff fight that damaged our economy and prompted him to shovel out tens of billions of dollars to farmers who were hurt by his barnyard bully tantrums.
In less than a year President Biden, with a razor-thin majority in the House and a 50/50 split in the senate (with two fence-sitting Democratic senators) has steered Trump’s Titanic deftly away from the ice berg and on a positive course nationally and internationally. Despite his heroic efforts to vax and mask the nation, the Delta virus and and scurrilous, Republican-hailed effort to sabotage such policies have seriously impeded science-backed efforts to render America more healthy.
With his passed-and pending physical and social infrastructure legislation (both widely favored in public polls), President Biden is providing for much-needed investments of a New Deal and Great Society magnitude designed to equip America and the great majority of American people to flourish in the 21st century. He has restored professionalism, integrity and humanity to American government.
Internationally, President Biden has restored our relationships with our traditional allies and is treating authoritarian governments with professional firmness. NATO has welcomed back an American president who respects and supports NATO’s core mission. Climate-change policies have once again become a national American policy. In Afghanistan, after a failing 20-year-war, President Biden had the guts to withdraw our troops. No such end-of-a-failing-war goes smoothly, as we learned in Vietnam. Despite ‘precipitous collapse, the United States was able to evacuate over 120,000 human beings, including about 7,000 Americans, during a frenetic six weeks.
Thanks in good part to President Biden and his professional team, our economy has rebounded considerably during less-than-year in office. All this despite worldwide disruptions caused by the pandemic, with the exacerbation by the Delta virus, global supply disruptions, and the affect all of this has had on daily life. The media feeds on daily screaming headlines. Republicans are bleating naysayers, despite leaving such a mess for President Biden. Many Americans are distressed that the pandemic has disrupted their normal lives and seek someone to blame for the most deadly global pandemic since, perhaps, the Great Plague of the 14th century.
The American public is far more self-centered than what I experienced during World War II. Then shortages were related to a concerted war effort. Today, side efforts of President Biden’s massive rescue initiatives—including a temporary rise in inflation sparked, in part, by the massive financial assistance that the Biden administration has provided to citizens and corporations—that cannot avoid the massive global impacts of the pandemic on our daily life.
I doubt, over the coming weeks and months, that President Biden can avoid being the target of an American public ‘blame game.’ Many are being ‘discomforted’ by the broad and sustained impact of this multiple pandemic. Instead of applauding the accomplishments of their new quarterback, who already has racked up some impressive wins, they are in a bitchy mood. My hope (and expectation) is that quarterback Biden will have a good to-excellent 2022 season. The pandemic will be under control, despite the anti-vaxers and anti-maskers, the economy will rebound robustly as will the economy, the impacts of President Biden’s game-changing legislation will begin to reach the American people, and Americans will once again have reason to be proud of America’s role in the international community.
I look forward to when the current presidential booing of President Biden turns increasingly into cheers, no thanks to the media or the Trumpites.
This deserves to be NYT Op-Ed …thanks Keith, for your service to our country.
I continue to be amazed and disappointed that the media just hypes any downturn or discord , while it treats poll numbers as gospel . Polls have been poor guides. But it appears talk of discord is popular.
Good news doesn't sell. It's as simply as that.
Shouts of “the weather is great and all the trains are on time” never got any attention.
Cathy- But I think a good journalist could make it so. The “bleed and lead” headlines are easy work. Crafting excitement around the mundane takes more skill. I think that’s evident right here in Heather's daily letters.
Truer than true
Amen.🌷
Daria Some years ago there was a weekly titled GOOD NEWS. I found it uplifting—and it soon failed. You’re right—good news seldom sells, unless its a major sporting event or, for oldies like me, when we win a World War.
Keith, I remember Good News. You're right, it failed fairly quickly. You know, its always interesting to read the comment section following an uplifting/good news story; the comments are almost always very positive and supportive. In the long run, though, it just doesn't sell.🌷
Daria The Week weekly magazine has at least one page of ‘good news’ which I find uplifting. It also has a section that lists candidates for the Darwinian prize (those whose gene extinction would better the human race.)
Keith, a follow up: The Week is available through many libraries via Overdrive. I just downloaded the new issue and look forward to reading it. Thanks for the recommendation. (I'm deleting my prior response to your comment.)
Definition:
News: newly received or noteworthy information, especially about recent or important events.
If it ain’t new and noteworthy, it ain’t news. And that’s a fact.
Oh, and that also provides opportunities to make news by doing something new and noteworthy in an observable and reportable way. In other words, making a difference on something important.
Bruce, I don't want to sound contentious but I'm curious why you're defining the word news for me. I know what news is. My comment was: Good news doesn't sell.
Please don't jump on me for making an accurate statement. I don't need to have things "explained" to me.
A comprehensive study published in the International Journal of Press/Politics in 2014 called, "Consumer Demand for Cynical and Negative News Frames", focused on the why of this phenomenon. It makes for very interesting reading. The study is pay walled so I can't share it but I will share the link so if you're interested you can read it. There is a very long list of references supporting the " bad news sells" theory.
I hope you enjoy your Sunday.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1940161214524832?etoc=
Sigh … unfortunately the format of the forum does not distinguish comments attached to another’s comment that are meant to reinforce the comment rather than attempt to correct it. If my intention to support your point and not refute or refine it was misinterpreted I apologize. If my remark had been directed specifically to you I would have tried to make that clear.
I will go stand in the corner for a well deserved five minute timeout for my discourtesy.
Just look at FOX
Truth. It is a toxic waste site of misery and despair.
It is important to remember - the President and Congress’ job is not to be “Popular.” Their job, collectively I might add, is to get “stuff” done. I agree on the need for attention to messaging but only to extent it helps in getting stuff done. Other than that the time to pay greater attention to messaging is after accomplishment not before. If you want to be featured at the Hall of Presidents in Disney World you better have accomplished something worth talking about. There are many reasons Lincoln gets a featured speaking role rather than Warren Harding, and none of those are based on either President’s poll ratings.
Bruce Anyone who has been a good leader knows that you should do what’s best rather than what’s popular. Unfortunately, President Biden is facing mid-term elections in 2022 where his squeaky hold on Congress is at risk. Being applauded two decades hence might be called by some a Pyrrhic victory. (Lincoln, in the summer of 1864, seemed quite certain that he would lose the November election. Fortuitously, several decisive military victories and the troops strongly favoring Lincoln over their previous general McClellan rendered Lincoln ‘a man for the ages.)
Keith,
I agree. However, I subscribe to the view I would prefer being remembered for meaningful Pyrrhic victories making a real difference in people’s lives than meaningless cheers of a Tя☭mp Train procession. The cheers fade but the differences in lives are lasting even if Pyrrhic due to unfortunate gerrymandered elections.
We are perhaps now victims of that ancient Chines curse of living in interesting times. As such we must make the best of whatever opportunities are presented and continue our efforts to create more opportunities while solving whatever challenges we are able.
It reminds me of everyone who was against Obamacare but liked the Affordable Care Act policies.
Excellent summary. " Instead of applauding the accomplishments of their new quarterback, who already has racked up some impressive wins, they are in a bitchy mood."
I remember as you do. I’m old, but not bat-shit crazy as I think many fox-watching oldsters have become. They, like me, probably had a family member who died or was maimed in WW2. Sadly, the world-class propaganda that worked prior to WW2 is with us today. So hope I can look forward to “truth in packaging” but Democrats will need a 90-decibel bull horn and I don’t see one. PS. The Japanese attack United a divided country, what will it take now?
Jeri You are ‘mature’ or, as I liked to call myself, ‘late middle age,’and are crazy like a fox, Not Fox. Your family and mine were saddened by WW II losses, as were our neighbors.
Indeed, my cult brother was named for my nephew who was killed in Italy the year bro was born. My Mom would be stunned, she and her sister never got over his loss. Are we really the children of the greatest generation, or just so disconnected from reality that propaganda is enticing.
It will take some re-education of the slave-master mentality and since it is peppered all over the USA, we will all have to stand up to them instead of drawing a Mason Dixon line somewhere. We will have to draw the line in our sense of morality.
Very well said, Keith, although I would caution against your optimism for the coming year. The effects of climate breakdown and other over-extractions of our resources are driving all the symptoms we face in our culture, the ineffable propaganda, the dis-ease that plagues our media. Fair-weather projections are just too risky in this environment; we need to steel ourselves for a fight for survival.
Agree. But it is far more important to the press to grab a headline. And for an individual reporter, to ask Jen Psaki what Biden will do about the price of gas. (Even as crude oil is already falling in price).
The realist and the magician reign together in this symphony of thought, Keith. Will it require a divine intervention to bring these two eloquently described acts together?
Fern ‘Divine and eloquent?’ At 3:15 a. M., without a cup of coffee, at times I feel inspired to spew forth more from the heart than the head, then not even read the sucker before rushing back to bed. My high-tech buddies would call this a ‘data dump.’ Somethings, in the morning when I read my ‘kitten-on-the-keys,’ I am tempted to sell my soul (‘divine’) for an eloquent editor.
Keith, You and too funny too cute and too divinely devilish.
Oh, Keith, you're being deluged with 'likes'. BruceC even brought Disney World to your party.
Keith: I couldn’t agree more with Keith Kulper’s assessment of your text. You brilliantly have reconciled HCR’s flawless account of Biden’s accomplishments with the regrettably faltering ratings both for the Biden Administration and for Democratic lawmakers overall, despite policies shown repeatedly to have broad appeal. If I may, I merely would note that, in my view, neither Biden nor our Democratic representatives are doing nearly enough to shape the party’s story.
Barbara, With a somewhat different view, although I agree with you about the Democratic Party, Joe Biden, no orator, nonetheless, turns the United States of America towards goodness.
Fern, Though I fully share your perception of Biden, still, I continue to write letters prevailing upon Biden, as he did with the American Rescue Plan, to get the two coalitions in his Party together and united. Whether it be the Freedom to Vote Act, the Social and Climate Action package, or some other legislation, in my view, Biden must be mindful that the fate of the Democratic Party, ultimately, does not rest solely with individual Senators or with different coalitions within the Party. Rather, it’s the Party leadership that must lead, come up with the deal, and get the job done. I suppose you can tell I’m passionate, hopefully not offensively so, about Party leadership.
Do you passionately look for a 'god' to cast a spell on individual politicians who serve themselves and not the state? Do you not think that Biden, Schumer, Sanders (I-Vt.), Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and other determined Democrats as well as citizens, such as yourself, have not tried and tried? Failure or success in this has not yet been determined. Now is not a time like FDR's or LBJ's. The citizens are different, so is the media and the balance of power with the minority so much in charge. All recognizing the need for the state to represent the people must continue to keep trying, organizing and raising the voice of the people. Why aren't citizens more involved? Where is the pro-democracy movement? Are grassroots organizations working together? Why isn't there a mass movement?
As someone who mainly responds to daily requests from various grassroots civic organizations by trying to lend her voice in ways she deems most productive, I have no idea what triggered your insulting opening remark nor the expressed outrage that followed.
Thank you, Barbara. I am grateful and heartened by your forgiveness.
Barbara, I understand your anger at my response, it was not intended to be as personal as it was rightly read. Our fears about the current state of affairs are warranted. My concern has been that so much of the disappointment has been leveled against Biden. I tried to identify factors working against him. The Democratic party as a whole has been failing for more than 40 years, part of that is it weaknesses in combating the power that the Republicans have assumed and its failure to support the working class and middle class as Reaganomics and racism pressed the gas pedal. I do not know exactly how much the stress and uncertainty as a result of the pandemic has effected the public's attitude toward political engagement. Perhaps, even now, as the Biden administration has delivered on some of his promises with more to go, the government may still thought of in a negative way. That a new variant has emerged and the pandemic rages on, it is impossible to get a break. Barbara, I am sorry to have offended you and did not express myself well. My own passion overwhelmed the message that I tried to share.