I'm feeling it too. My husband is suddenly interested and will watch Rachel Maddow. He hasn't done that since Obama. I've ratcheted up my postcarding and donations. Family members who wouldn't talk about the election are now willing to listen. I know we can do this! That you, Jess. You have really been a force these past few months. Missouri is lucky to have you.
This very much feels like when Obama ran. The joy, the hope. The positive vibes. I cried the night he won and I will probably again when Kamala wins. Our country needs this win.
Kamala Harris is fresh and inspiring — while Trump seems like old news.
So great and refreshing to see the positive energy that Kamala Harris brings to this race! MAGAs are all negative and she is such a contrast.
This "Kamala removes stubborn orange stains" t-shirt is funny 👇 🤣
I love that T-shirt! There are so many great ones I can hardly decide which one to get--I was going to wait until we have a name for VP, but I may not be able to wait!
I'm ordering one from here in Sweden. I've been here 5 years and have twice seen Swedes wearing MAGA hats, which is two times too many. Time to wear this!
Maybe it’s because I’m older now and have daughters but this feels different than Obama.
Obama was kinda like a “oh hell no, not another old white man again” situation. Looking back, I’m sure McCain would have made a fine, yet unremarkable president. He was a good man.
But this is different. The energy is different. I feel different. I’m not sure how or why, but it is.
I too was upset about Biden stepping down. Not only for all he’s accomplished, but there seemed to be no plan going forward if he did. But what he did was genius. I felt the change immediately when he fully endorsed Kamala and everyone fell in line. I had no doubt that Biden would win, but there’s been a cosmic shift in the atmosphere! Our work isn’t done, but it doesn’t seem as daunting. Kamala! 💙
I’m getting teary-eyed reading this. I feel lucky in many ways to live in very blue Massachusetts, but the hate and bigotry we’ve seen rise since Trump came on the scene lives throughout our country. I have a trans daughter and I truly fear for her mental and physical safety. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to feel hope and see it everywhere. To see white men and women so excited about a female woman of color for President, without being threatened or making it conditional is no small thing. Thank you for your work, your words, and your courage and dedication. Let’s do this thing! ♥️
In MA too, and feel compelled to reach out to work for candidates in other states or contribute as best I am able. However we still have work to do to educate some of our fellow residents, bigotry and hate are still here. Education helps, and Jess, amongs others , are so important in helping me with information and talking points when the opportunity lends itself. I have been able to actually have conversation and provide sources for people not aware of Project 2025 and how important whst is going on in other states impacts all of us. Keep at it Jess!!
I sympathize re the trans daughter. We have a lesbian granddaughter who is a joy: smart, funny, articulate. The Republican vilification of these groups is despicable and unwarranted.
Bill you do know that Trump’s ambassador to Germany was gay, or maybe not, living in your blue bubble. The number of things that Democrats know that just aren’t so is astounding to normal people.
Roger; what we in the “Blue Bubble” do know is Trump and the Republicans are pushing fascism. The number of things Republicans know that just aren’t true is so astounding to normal people.
Can define fascism, I don’t think so; what the Biden administration pushed during COVID (and still does in the bluest of states & their VP candidate pushed in MN still is fascism . I also don’t think you have the faintest idea what normal people think; it has been scientifically demonstrated that liberals and leftists have higher levels and proportions of mental health issues: the thing speaks for itself.
If you cut me not only would I bleed blue, but you’d see I’m through and through blue. Yes I knew that he appointed a gay man to be ambassador to Germany. But did you know one of the first things trump did was to remove the LGBTQ page from the White House resources pages? Nearly every state began trying to remove rights for LGBTQ students and parents of LGBTQ children. Books were removed from school libraries if they mentioned two dads, or two moms. It has been an all out war on us, and President Biden tried to pull back the hate, and the removal of civil rights, but has no power to change things in each state.
Not healthy to normalize pathology and sin. No need to have an alphabet pervert page in the White House; you can find that crap in any book store or public library.
You have homonymous hemianopsia. Biden has had some of the most rants on national television ever recorded (outside of Hitler & Hillary, but you don’t recognize that because you agree with the hate.
Gillie, you have all the civil rights that I have and then some. You just want special privileges, like parading down the street naked during Gay pride (both of which are sins and abominations in the site of the Lord, and you all have been shown Grace that your immediate fate has not been that of Sodom and Gomorrah)month .
I'm here in Massachusetts too, and I also got a little teary-eyed reading Jenn's post. I'm blaming it on the oppressive humidity we're experiencing. ;--)
I live in very blue NYS, but also in the northern region which is Elise Stefanik territory 🤢. Our district is over 60% Republican and there are some nasty folks in our rural areas. Thankfully, like Jess, there are like minded folks as well. Feeling hopeful !
Read about Chloe Cole’s ordeal. I pray that you don’t allow her misguided doctors to do permanent damage to her before she outgrows her transient psychosis/ delusion.
So encouraging and beautifully written. I am a Missourian and the politics here have turned scary. It can be very deflating. I’m so happy to see the enthusiasm for Kamala! I think she’s a great candidate and I will happily vote for her. I will vote blue no matter what because I feel it’s necessary to vote with what we don’t want in mind. We must fight the dictatorship mentality. Thank you Jess for standing up for all that is right in this nation.
About a week ago, my husband said, I think some of these states, like Missouri etc can go blue. I said, I follow a Substack writer from Missouri and although there are more people than we know who probably can’t admit they’d vote blue, I’m not so sure but progress IS being made. Well, as of today, nothing will surprise me. I do know that women don’t want to be controlled or disrespected. And we women are a FORCE. Jess, I sent you a clip on another post from Jeff Tiedrich. It was about The Village in Florida, A conservative stronghold for trump. Numerous women have set up tables for VP Kamala & next Madam President!! It’s happening!
There is a right wing troll on Robert Reich's substack (well they are growing in number as Nov 5 draws near) who thinks that leftie is a slur, (Chuck Campbell) he was aghast when I told him that it was a badge I proudly wear. The right wing echosphere has convinced themselves that leftie, leftist, liberal are slurs which we run from.
And perhaps we did in the past, we let the right dominate the political envirnonment.. No more, no more.
You nailed it. He can't help himself, prod him a bit, give him something he can think he can use as a weapon, and he grabs it like it is a light saber. He is a poor loser, and worse he doesn't know the difference between a horse and an automobile, which convinced me that "he" wasn't human, but an AI bot. AI Bots lack imagination and they feed off the energy of their opponent.
If they think they have found a chink in the armor they bore in constantly, not realizing that there is nothing to bore into, Don Quixote tilting at windmills, play them it is fun.
Interesting. And really concerning. So exhausting to go through life where truth or honor is no longer relevant and investor-zombies are hurling money at anything relating to AI. Humans LOVE trends.
Imagine what it was like,say in Tudor times. If you were able to climb the social ladder, but were still a commoner, your life was always at the discretion of the King (or Queen).
Thomas Cromwell, a commoner but an important advisor to Henry 8, lost his head because he convinced Henry to marry an unattractive woman. Anne of Cleves.
Yep idiot humans love trends, remember Beanie Babies, my MIL, sunk a couple of thousand into them. My mother who lived in Social Security, bought worthless paper money from foreign countries and "collectors plates".
I read today that many women may be losing their vote to controlling husbands, especially in places where mail in voting is required (rural and red?). Remind women their vote is their birthright and ballots are secret. Maybe we need to literally be offering women we know the opportunity to vote in person. Jess do you have any information on this kind of behavior women are subject to and how to address?
That’s a horrifying thought. I can’t imagine it’s that many women overall, but I also tend to be very (too?) optimistic. Can you tell me where you read this, if you remember?
Lord, I truly hate what Trump and his minions have done to this country. It feels SO incredibly fantastic to have hope again!!! LOTUS for POTUS!!
Me too re optimism. It was in the comments of a substack post, someone mentioned their brother filled out his and the sister in laws' ballots (yes plural) and the sister in law was totally passive in her marriage, not an apparently 'abusive' relationship. This is why I was asking if Jess or anyone else had heard of this being a thing that happens. Subtle yet alarming. And illegal. Remember every accusation of voter fraud by GOP is a confession.
And then I read somewhere else that women are majority voters and white women vote in majority numbers for GOP. So imagine where GOP voters are compelled/required to vote via mail (not secret) in rural strongholds and then DEM voters are not allowed to vote by mail in urban areas and then access is also restricted. It apparently is up to women, no surprise, to fix all this and clean up the mess. Women have to unite on Kamala and voting and court reform. ERA is the law that will change these dynamics. Go Kamala.
Wow!! So well written. I’m totally down with all of this. I am an independent, who will be voting blue for the foreseeable future. The right has lost their ever loving minds.
I also didn’t want to see Biden step down, but it was the change we needed. And republicans are shitting their pants. I love it!! Go Kamala!!! Yes we kam!
DO NOT sell yourself short Jesse, there may have been several speakers there that had as important a message but I’m sure many came to hear YOU. Just did ragbrai this past week and we actually saw some “vote democratic” signs in red Iowa. That was encouraging. Your message must be getting out. So continue your great work and the rest of us will pitch in as much as we can.
I’m seeing fewer Trump flags and banners and yard signs in rural Indiana than in election cycles before. I think. I don’t know if it is too early in the season or not, but it feels like fewer than what I remember from years past. But in the case of Indiana, it may still not amount to a dilution of red.
I'm in NW Indiana and great hope we can FLIP the state BLUE for Kamala Harris, President and Jennifer McCormick for Governor. We went blue for Obama in '08, let's do it in '24 for Harris!!! 💙💙💙
Jennifer certainly would be in great shape against Mike Braun, a nonentity as a Senator whose most notable campaign plank was "I'm going to support Trump" and he did. I don't know much about Suzanne Crouch but wish Ms. McCormick all the best.
Mike Braun is an election denying MAGA who wouldn't hesitate for a minute to implement Project 2025 in Indiana should Trump be elected. We need to elect Harris AND McCormick!! 💙💙
Same in southern missouri. The ones that have been flying them FOR YEARS are still flying them. But I haven't seen a new crop of flag bearers at all. Nothing like what it wasv5 years ago
In spite of living in a Blue State, our town is very Trumpy. I am especially enjoying seeing the newly bought Let’s Go Brandon banners which are now meaningless. At least it shows us who to avoid.
Same here. I live in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and Trump came here on Saturday for a rally. There are FAR fewer Trump signs in yards than there were in the last election cycle, even with the Rally. (Insert barfing face here)
I’m loving the idea of your governor being VP! I just started to hear him speak and he won me over immediately. He’s Fantastic! I hope you feel the same.
YAY!! It's going to be an exciting 3 months, but we can't let the energy slip! Keep educating, encouraging people to register, especially young people, and of course to vote! We CAN do this!! 💙🗳💙
This comment is for you and the hope that you, in particular, give to people so far away from where you live that you may not have heard of our little Canadian province (in population, if not geographic size). I've been following you for a few months, trying to learn and understand the myriad forces at play in our elephant-sized neighbor. You've taught me about life as it it really is in rural Missouri, and of how things look on the ground. Of course we share a dread and fear of a second Trump Presidency, but we also share HOPE and in some cases we've shared a laugh. Think back to your substack about the TRUMP store, to be honest I've read that one out loud to quite a few people just to enjoy some laughter.
But last weekend I saw you upset, I think even mad about Biden stepping down and your suspicion of the large and wealthy forces at play in bringing that about. And I wasn't sure how to react to your reaction, because about two weeks earlier I had been shown some polling that had Kamala in a much better position vis a' vis Trump that President Biden, but I had also been an ardent believer and supporter of your beloved President Joe. By the time of the announcement I have to admit that I could see the strategic value of Biden stepping down, but I wasn't sure of who would best pick up the torch and win the race. Kamala has come out of the starting gate in a furious sprint and that sprint is paying (literally and figuratively) huge dividends thus far. So let me get to my point. When I read your substack that revealed your anger at the apparent "forced change" I became VERY worried that Democrats would begin infighting and split the party, handing Trump an easy victory. That that hasn't happened is something I am deeply grateful for.
So when I saw your post this morning, and realized that you were seeing a groundswell of support and hope for Kamala Harris, and that this was something that you too could happily support, well that just simply made my day. I haven't even gotten to all my other reading yet as I wanted to write you to encourage you, to show you some support and love from far away. When I read about the rise of hope in rural Missouri and the hopeful power rising in southern Illinois, well you were responsible for a rising tide of hope here in Saskatchewan too. Thank you for your words, your efforts, your strength and maybe most of all for your kindness.
Now, back to work with you, ... you and quite a few million of your fellow Democrats have an election to win!!
Good news. Seeing similar stirring here in rural upper Hudson Valley of NY. The deep cultists aren’t going away, but those who’ve still got open minds are having their eyes opened too.
I love to hear your confidence and fervor. I’m a longtime Democrat living in Dallas, TX. I feel the ground swelling and the excitement but concern. I believe Joe Biden will save the American country a second time and I like the choice of the probable candidate to replace him. I too wanted him to stay but it just wasn’t right but now I’m excited about the future. Thank you for your outspoken position. I feel it’s about to get louder.
It was great to read this post. Hard to believe that it was only ONE WEEK AGO, that President Biden set all of this in motion with his decision to step aside.
We've seen, heard, and read reports from the large cities and battleground states, but through it all I was thinking about you and wondering how all of this was playing on the ground in one of the reddest states in the nation. Your post is just another blast of great news on top of all of the other encouraging things we've seen over the past week.
My own half-assed theory is that many of us (and perhaps even more so where you are) have been living under an umbrella of MAGA intimidation. There are many more "loners" out there than any of us ever dreamed of. They want to be heard and they want to be connected to others that feel the same way, but there's an underlying fear that if they say the wrong thing to the wrong person, they'll be exposed and ostracized by the MAGA mob. No different from what many experienced in 1940's Germany.
The cork has popped out of the bottle and all of these pent-up (and fed-up) voters now have a beacon of hope and promise to rally around, and that alone has given them the strength to come forward and stand up.
MAGA will go down as one of saddest (and dangerous) hoaxes pulled on the American public. As they say in Texas, all hat and no cattle. Give them some credit though, through fear, intimidation, and violence, they've been successful.
I'm what's called a "recovering Catholic", but I still pray to God that Kamala Harris will ride the support of women, young generation voters, and sane men, onto a victory in November and MAGA begins its self-destruction.
Quincy is my hometown - the whole family was born there, and many still remain. I am so proud of those that showed up for this gathering! Not sure where most of the relatives back there stand politically, but I know at least a few will be behind Kamala. What an uplifting read this was, and yes, you can feel the excitement and the sense of hope just tingling the air these days. I hope we can keep the momentum going all the way to November - and beyond! Thank you, Jess!
I'm feeling it too. My husband is suddenly interested and will watch Rachel Maddow. He hasn't done that since Obama. I've ratcheted up my postcarding and donations. Family members who wouldn't talk about the election are now willing to listen. I know we can do this! That you, Jess. You have really been a force these past few months. Missouri is lucky to have you.
This very much feels like when Obama ran. The joy, the hope. The positive vibes. I cried the night he won and I will probably again when Kamala wins. Our country needs this win.
Kamala Harris is fresh and inspiring — while Trump seems like old news.
So great and refreshing to see the positive energy that Kamala Harris brings to this race! MAGAs are all negative and she is such a contrast.
This "Kamala removes stubborn orange stains" t-shirt is funny 👇 🤣
https://libtees-2.creator-spring.com/listing/votek
Make America Laugh Again! 💙
MALA
Make America Laugh Again
Love This.
I love that T-shirt! There are so many great ones I can hardly decide which one to get--I was going to wait until we have a name for VP, but I may not be able to wait!
I'm ordering one from here in Sweden. I've been here 5 years and have twice seen Swedes wearing MAGA hats, which is two times too many. Time to wear this!
Maybe it’s because I’m older now and have daughters but this feels different than Obama.
Obama was kinda like a “oh hell no, not another old white man again” situation. Looking back, I’m sure McCain would have made a fine, yet unremarkable president. He was a good man.
But this is different. The energy is different. I feel different. I’m not sure how or why, but it is.
LFG
Love them! How to decide which one(s) to buy….🤔
😉
Obama was a creature of Wall Street who murdered by drone.
Thank God the vibes are changing!
I too was upset about Biden stepping down. Not only for all he’s accomplished, but there seemed to be no plan going forward if he did. But what he did was genius. I felt the change immediately when he fully endorsed Kamala and everyone fell in line. I had no doubt that Biden would win, but there’s been a cosmic shift in the atmosphere! Our work isn’t done, but it doesn’t seem as daunting. Kamala! 💙
I’m getting teary-eyed reading this. I feel lucky in many ways to live in very blue Massachusetts, but the hate and bigotry we’ve seen rise since Trump came on the scene lives throughout our country. I have a trans daughter and I truly fear for her mental and physical safety. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to feel hope and see it everywhere. To see white men and women so excited about a female woman of color for President, without being threatened or making it conditional is no small thing. Thank you for your work, your words, and your courage and dedication. Let’s do this thing! ♥️
In MA too, and feel compelled to reach out to work for candidates in other states or contribute as best I am able. However we still have work to do to educate some of our fellow residents, bigotry and hate are still here. Education helps, and Jess, amongs others , are so important in helping me with information and talking points when the opportunity lends itself. I have been able to actually have conversation and provide sources for people not aware of Project 2025 and how important whst is going on in other states impacts all of us. Keep at it Jess!!
So, I take it Southie is still Southie and Field's Corner is still Field's Corner?
I sympathize re the trans daughter. We have a lesbian granddaughter who is a joy: smart, funny, articulate. The Republican vilification of these groups is despicable and unwarranted.
Bill you do know that Trump’s ambassador to Germany was gay, or maybe not, living in your blue bubble. The number of things that Democrats know that just aren’t so is astounding to normal people.
Roger; what we in the “Blue Bubble” do know is Trump and the Republicans are pushing fascism. The number of things Republicans know that just aren’t true is so astounding to normal people.
Can define fascism, I don’t think so; what the Biden administration pushed during COVID (and still does in the bluest of states & their VP candidate pushed in MN still is fascism . I also don’t think you have the faintest idea what normal people think; it has been scientifically demonstrated that liberals and leftists have higher levels and proportions of mental health issues: the thing speaks for itself.
No.
Yes
If you cut me not only would I bleed blue, but you’d see I’m through and through blue. Yes I knew that he appointed a gay man to be ambassador to Germany. But did you know one of the first things trump did was to remove the LGBTQ page from the White House resources pages? Nearly every state began trying to remove rights for LGBTQ students and parents of LGBTQ children. Books were removed from school libraries if they mentioned two dads, or two moms. It has been an all out war on us, and President Biden tried to pull back the hate, and the removal of civil rights, but has no power to change things in each state.
Not healthy to normalize pathology and sin. No need to have an alphabet pervert page in the White House; you can find that crap in any book store or public library.
You have homonymous hemianopsia. Biden has had some of the most rants on national television ever recorded (outside of Hitler & Hillary, but you don’t recognize that because you agree with the hate.
Gillie, you have all the civil rights that I have and then some. You just want special privileges, like parading down the street naked during Gay pride (both of which are sins and abominations in the site of the Lord, and you all have been shown Grace that your immediate fate has not been that of Sodom and Gomorrah)month .
Troll. Every good Substack has one. Does it help your self-respect? Because I only see extremism.
PS: the Democrats are the normal people .
Log in eye syndrome.
😂
Or maybe not? Doesn’t sound like you are in the know, lol.
What did I say that was not true?
I'm here in Massachusetts too, and I also got a little teary-eyed reading Jenn's post. I'm blaming it on the oppressive humidity we're experiencing. ;--)
In California, thank goodness, but sending love to you and your trans daughter.
I live in very blue NYS, but also in the northern region which is Elise Stefanik territory 🤢. Our district is over 60% Republican and there are some nasty folks in our rural areas. Thankfully, like Jess, there are like minded folks as well. Feeling hopeful !
Read about Chloe Cole’s ordeal. I pray that you don’t allow her misguided doctors to do permanent damage to her before she outgrows her transient psychosis/ delusion.
So encouraging and beautifully written. I am a Missourian and the politics here have turned scary. It can be very deflating. I’m so happy to see the enthusiasm for Kamala! I think she’s a great candidate and I will happily vote for her. I will vote blue no matter what because I feel it’s necessary to vote with what we don’t want in mind. We must fight the dictatorship mentality. Thank you Jess for standing up for all that is right in this nation.
About a week ago, my husband said, I think some of these states, like Missouri etc can go blue. I said, I follow a Substack writer from Missouri and although there are more people than we know who probably can’t admit they’d vote blue, I’m not so sure but progress IS being made. Well, as of today, nothing will surprise me. I do know that women don’t want to be controlled or disrespected. And we women are a FORCE. Jess, I sent you a clip on another post from Jeff Tiedrich. It was about The Village in Florida, A conservative stronghold for trump. Numerous women have set up tables for VP Kamala & next Madam President!! It’s happening!
There is a right wing troll on Robert Reich's substack (well they are growing in number as Nov 5 draws near) who thinks that leftie is a slur, (Chuck Campbell) he was aghast when I told him that it was a badge I proudly wear. The right wing echosphere has convinced themselves that leftie, leftist, liberal are slurs which we run from.
And perhaps we did in the past, we let the right dominate the political envirnonment.. No more, no more.
OMG, Chuck Campbell is a horrible troll, a maliciously stupid, miserable, human being. Another Stephen Miller.
You nailed it. He can't help himself, prod him a bit, give him something he can think he can use as a weapon, and he grabs it like it is a light saber. He is a poor loser, and worse he doesn't know the difference between a horse and an automobile, which convinced me that "he" wasn't human, but an AI bot. AI Bots lack imagination and they feed off the energy of their opponent.
If they think they have found a chink in the armor they bore in constantly, not realizing that there is nothing to bore into, Don Quixote tilting at windmills, play them it is fun.
Interesting. And really concerning. So exhausting to go through life where truth or honor is no longer relevant and investor-zombies are hurling money at anything relating to AI. Humans LOVE trends.
Imagine what it was like,say in Tudor times. If you were able to climb the social ladder, but were still a commoner, your life was always at the discretion of the King (or Queen).
Thomas Cromwell, a commoner but an important advisor to Henry 8, lost his head because he convinced Henry to marry an unattractive woman. Anne of Cleves.
Yep idiot humans love trends, remember Beanie Babies, my MIL, sunk a couple of thousand into them. My mother who lived in Social Security, bought worthless paper money from foreign countries and "collectors plates".
Bad as Stephen Miller … that’s pretty bad ‼️ Every time I see his face I think, «Nazi», and it’s worse when I hear him speak.
In The Villages? Now that’s really something!! Good job ladies.
Word has it that there were about 500 golf carts supporting Kamala and everything blue. Now that’s a good start!
Yes. That should have been plural The Villages.
I read today that many women may be losing their vote to controlling husbands, especially in places where mail in voting is required (rural and red?). Remind women their vote is their birthright and ballots are secret. Maybe we need to literally be offering women we know the opportunity to vote in person. Jess do you have any information on this kind of behavior women are subject to and how to address?
That’s a horrifying thought. I can’t imagine it’s that many women overall, but I also tend to be very (too?) optimistic. Can you tell me where you read this, if you remember?
Lord, I truly hate what Trump and his minions have done to this country. It feels SO incredibly fantastic to have hope again!!! LOTUS for POTUS!!
Me too re optimism. It was in the comments of a substack post, someone mentioned their brother filled out his and the sister in laws' ballots (yes plural) and the sister in law was totally passive in her marriage, not an apparently 'abusive' relationship. This is why I was asking if Jess or anyone else had heard of this being a thing that happens. Subtle yet alarming. And illegal. Remember every accusation of voter fraud by GOP is a confession.
And then I read somewhere else that women are majority voters and white women vote in majority numbers for GOP. So imagine where GOP voters are compelled/required to vote via mail (not secret) in rural strongholds and then DEM voters are not allowed to vote by mail in urban areas and then access is also restricted. It apparently is up to women, no surprise, to fix all this and clean up the mess. Women have to unite on Kamala and voting and court reform. ERA is the law that will change these dynamics. Go Kamala.
Yup. Women always be cleanin and pickin up the messes that the men make! Thanks for responding so quickly to my question!
Wow!! So well written. I’m totally down with all of this. I am an independent, who will be voting blue for the foreseeable future. The right has lost their ever loving minds.
I also didn’t want to see Biden step down, but it was the change we needed. And republicans are shitting their pants. I love it!! Go Kamala!!! Yes we kam!
Good news. The DA, AG, Senator vs the rapist, fraudster, traitor. Should be fun. You do good work Jess.
Prosecutor vs the Felon
DO NOT sell yourself short Jesse, there may have been several speakers there that had as important a message but I’m sure many came to hear YOU. Just did ragbrai this past week and we actually saw some “vote democratic” signs in red Iowa. That was encouraging. Your message must be getting out. So continue your great work and the rest of us will pitch in as much as we can.
Iowa used to be populated by a healthy mixture of Dems and Repubs. Back in the old days, the 1980s.
Actually I did live in Iowa from 1980 to 1986, terry branstadt , governor , tom harkin , senator . A nice mix.
Me, 1982-1986.
I’m seeing fewer Trump flags and banners and yard signs in rural Indiana than in election cycles before. I think. I don’t know if it is too early in the season or not, but it feels like fewer than what I remember from years past. But in the case of Indiana, it may still not amount to a dilution of red.
I'm in NW Indiana and great hope we can FLIP the state BLUE for Kamala Harris, President and Jennifer McCormick for Governor. We went blue for Obama in '08, let's do it in '24 for Harris!!! 💙💙💙
Jennifer certainly would be in great shape against Mike Braun, a nonentity as a Senator whose most notable campaign plank was "I'm going to support Trump" and he did. I don't know much about Suzanne Crouch but wish Ms. McCormick all the best.
Mike Braun is an election denying MAGA who wouldn't hesitate for a minute to implement Project 2025 in Indiana should Trump be elected. We need to elect Harris AND McCormick!! 💙💙
Braun is terrible, another guy in a suit with nothing to add.
Go Indiana!!
From your neighbor in Michigan.
Go Indiana! From your neighbor in Chicago
Same in southern missouri. The ones that have been flying them FOR YEARS are still flying them. But I haven't seen a new crop of flag bearers at all. Nothing like what it wasv5 years ago
In spite of living in a Blue State, our town is very Trumpy. I am especially enjoying seeing the newly bought Let’s Go Brandon banners which are now meaningless. At least it shows us who to avoid.
☝️💙
I was laughing at someone's banner today... Definitely behind the times... Not that it made the least sense...
Trying to explain it to someone whose out of the constant news source flood plain..
How thing tied into ... Brandon a race car driver... To Biden the president.
Yep, no real correlation...
Which might explain a lot of their takes.
Cult... Mind wash...
Flood plane... Duh...
I felt like I was seeing fewer in Missouri too, but I thought it must be my imagination.
Same here. I live in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and Trump came here on Saturday for a rally. There are FAR fewer Trump signs in yards than there were in the last election cycle, even with the Rally. (Insert barfing face here)
I’m loving the idea of your governor being VP! I just started to hear him speak and he won me over immediately. He’s Fantastic! I hope you feel the same.
Hey fellow Hoosier! I’m from central Indiana and sense the shift as well. Feels so good to be hopeful again!!!
YAY!! It's going to be an exciting 3 months, but we can't let the energy slip! Keep educating, encouraging people to register, especially young people, and of course to vote! We CAN do this!! 💙🗳💙
Hi Jess,
This comment is for you and the hope that you, in particular, give to people so far away from where you live that you may not have heard of our little Canadian province (in population, if not geographic size). I've been following you for a few months, trying to learn and understand the myriad forces at play in our elephant-sized neighbor. You've taught me about life as it it really is in rural Missouri, and of how things look on the ground. Of course we share a dread and fear of a second Trump Presidency, but we also share HOPE and in some cases we've shared a laugh. Think back to your substack about the TRUMP store, to be honest I've read that one out loud to quite a few people just to enjoy some laughter.
But last weekend I saw you upset, I think even mad about Biden stepping down and your suspicion of the large and wealthy forces at play in bringing that about. And I wasn't sure how to react to your reaction, because about two weeks earlier I had been shown some polling that had Kamala in a much better position vis a' vis Trump that President Biden, but I had also been an ardent believer and supporter of your beloved President Joe. By the time of the announcement I have to admit that I could see the strategic value of Biden stepping down, but I wasn't sure of who would best pick up the torch and win the race. Kamala has come out of the starting gate in a furious sprint and that sprint is paying (literally and figuratively) huge dividends thus far. So let me get to my point. When I read your substack that revealed your anger at the apparent "forced change" I became VERY worried that Democrats would begin infighting and split the party, handing Trump an easy victory. That that hasn't happened is something I am deeply grateful for.
So when I saw your post this morning, and realized that you were seeing a groundswell of support and hope for Kamala Harris, and that this was something that you too could happily support, well that just simply made my day. I haven't even gotten to all my other reading yet as I wanted to write you to encourage you, to show you some support and love from far away. When I read about the rise of hope in rural Missouri and the hopeful power rising in southern Illinois, well you were responsible for a rising tide of hope here in Saskatchewan too. Thank you for your words, your efforts, your strength and maybe most of all for your kindness.
Now, back to work with you, ... you and quite a few million of your fellow Democrats have an election to win!!
Good news. Seeing similar stirring here in rural upper Hudson Valley of NY. The deep cultists aren’t going away, but those who’ve still got open minds are having their eyes opened too.
I have driven up and down VT these past couple of days. 1 Trump flag and it was tattered and old.
I love to hear your confidence and fervor. I’m a longtime Democrat living in Dallas, TX. I feel the ground swelling and the excitement but concern. I believe Joe Biden will save the American country a second time and I like the choice of the probable candidate to replace him. I too wanted him to stay but it just wasn’t right but now I’m excited about the future. Thank you for your outspoken position. I feel it’s about to get louder.
“I believe Joe Biden will save the American country a second time.” 🏆
He is!
He is simply the BEST!! 🍦💙🍦💙🍦
He IS saving the country a second time! By stepping aside and handing the baton to Kamala!!!
Hi Jess,
It was great to read this post. Hard to believe that it was only ONE WEEK AGO, that President Biden set all of this in motion with his decision to step aside.
We've seen, heard, and read reports from the large cities and battleground states, but through it all I was thinking about you and wondering how all of this was playing on the ground in one of the reddest states in the nation. Your post is just another blast of great news on top of all of the other encouraging things we've seen over the past week.
My own half-assed theory is that many of us (and perhaps even more so where you are) have been living under an umbrella of MAGA intimidation. There are many more "loners" out there than any of us ever dreamed of. They want to be heard and they want to be connected to others that feel the same way, but there's an underlying fear that if they say the wrong thing to the wrong person, they'll be exposed and ostracized by the MAGA mob. No different from what many experienced in 1940's Germany.
The cork has popped out of the bottle and all of these pent-up (and fed-up) voters now have a beacon of hope and promise to rally around, and that alone has given them the strength to come forward and stand up.
MAGA will go down as one of saddest (and dangerous) hoaxes pulled on the American public. As they say in Texas, all hat and no cattle. Give them some credit though, through fear, intimidation, and violence, they've been successful.
I'm what's called a "recovering Catholic", but I still pray to God that Kamala Harris will ride the support of women, young generation voters, and sane men, onto a victory in November and MAGA begins its self-destruction.
Quincy is my hometown - the whole family was born there, and many still remain. I am so proud of those that showed up for this gathering! Not sure where most of the relatives back there stand politically, but I know at least a few will be behind Kamala. What an uplifting read this was, and yes, you can feel the excitement and the sense of hope just tingling the air these days. I hope we can keep the momentum going all the way to November - and beyond! Thank you, Jess!
Thank you for your lovely essay. By the way, theatre geeks rule.
My daughter was in theater too! The high school performances were nothing short of incredible!
Same! I miss seeing them now that she’s at college!
Theatre geeks also throw the best f-ing parties. Definitely get to know a few before election night.
This is very exciting. Thanks for the Sunday dose of hope.