In the West Wing-verse, President Bartlett was just reelected. It was apparently a tough campaign, but then he pulled ahead at the end and won in a landslide. According to the show, he gave a phenomenal debate performance in which he embraced the complexity of the world and delved deeply into issues and solutions. And this swayed something like 70% of undecided voters to vote for him. So, still a fairy tale, but the angle took a little shift there. Fairy tale about the american electorate.
Politics · page 3
Further down today’s ranking of Politics: page 3 of 7.
Something I was thinking yesterday evening reading a Guardian piece on her is that if Badenoch takes her party backwards at the next GE, which is not unlikely, the Tories are really stuffed. Even just in terms of thinking about who might replace her.
Our current National government proposing random drug testing for people on jobseekers benefits. Given the importance of their jobs, I think maybe it should be mandatory for MPs. That and breath testing for alcohol. Similarly, I think their wage in parliament should match that of job seeking benefit, and the meals they get when at parliament be the same as school dinners. It might concentrate their minds a bit on what the impacts of their decisions actually are
Economic policy should serve people and planet, not arbitrary fiscal rules and targets. The speech by chancellor John Healey earlier this week may as well have been another speech by Rachel Reeves. greenparty.org.uk/2026/10/04/g...
The new, mandatory, effectively privatized, expensive, and gloriously inefficient invoicing system enforced in Greece is another example of just how failed and corrupt this state is.
Really sad to hear about increased ASB in #Blakelaw. I heard first hand from kids from Projects4Change years ago about the lack of engagement in the design and scope of the previous administrations "investment" in Blakelaw. #RightToPlay @makespaceforgirls.bsky.social
[3/4] condemning the evil values of these right-wing extremists and refusing to tolerate atrocities by Australian soldiers. If I were Australian, I would not support a plutocratist party overall. Plutocratist policies are driving the non-rich into penury. But I have to admire Hastie's adamant support for the laws of war. The other soldier was not prosecuted for murder. Rather, he sued, for defamation, those who reported on the murders. He lost the case because the judge ruled that the
This is from an article about a rare grove of American chestnut trees about to be demolished in WV — and we have no say in it! My former* delegate, Kayla Young, broke it down in her newsletter a few months back. (She's still a delegate, but for a neighboring district. I wish she was still mine!)
If we really want to reduce immigration, it's would need to be the later parts of a detail plan. Up front it would require several years of investment is education and training. Not window dressing, real change like free tuition for all and means tested allowances for living expenses. Anything less is destined for failure, with lots of adverse side effects across the community. Failing to do that, ends in MAGA style blow back for it's electoral supports.
It's a good thing that people with extremely conservative views also think racism is bad.
I spent all day on election activism. There’s a county clerk here who is interfering with duly appointed election watchers’ access to the polls. I was settling down for the evening, when I read this opinion and it reminded me of why I am working so hard to make sure the U.S. election is free and fair and the results are respected and implemented. The opinion is an order to make ICE bring back a man they kidnapped and flew to Equatorial Guinea. The author is a Trump appointed judge. 1/ #LawFedi
There’s a reason, when writing my first book on the Tories, that I insisted on the importance of “the party in the media” as an integral part of their milieu.
#RoryStewart & #AlastairCampbell are v good interviewers. They don't challenge hard, but do gently draw ppl out. #TheRestIsPolitics Leadjng is usually a fine listen, despite the duo being austerity backer & #warcriminal who cheered Starmer. But I couldn't listen to TRIP interview of #GordonBrown. It's not just the mendacity of #TheVow. Brown's 13 yrs in govt was bullying neoliberalism, & he does no self-criticism. Of 10 PMs since Thatcher, the fake-left Broon revolts me the most. 🤮 😡 #ukpol
Kolmannes pois STEA-avustuksista, tilalle 25 milj. € yhden vuoden hankkeisiin. Luottamus ja vaikuttavuus rakentuvat ajan kanssa, eivät yhdessä vuodessa. Rahoituksen pitää mahdollistaa toiminnan jatkuvuus.
Here in the US we're four weeks away from the midterm elections. But I have to admit that my family and I are considering that maybe we're three weeks away from some invented disaster that Trump uses to declare martial law and prevent the elections from taking place. We're stocking up on essentials just in case such a disaster has wider implications. It's saddening that we even have to consider such things, but the govt is certainly less predictable and less reliable than just ten years ago...
The USA has reached the point where county election officials are purchasing hardened ballot boxes with active fire suppression and telemetry. And telling voters to use them instead of the USPS. www.cnn.com/2026/10/07/p...
This article on how inequality destroys democracy, written by Casey Michel, author of "United States of Oligarchy," is well-worth the five minutes it takes to read. lucid.substack.com/p/heres-how…
This is a really important point. The narrative is all "Kemi Bounce" on the right. I listened to The Spectator podcast from Tory conference the other day and you'd think they were on 45 points the way they were talking. They're polling worse than they have in 100 years.
Jon McDonnell says on #Peston that [Israel] "has created an apartheid state" RP replies, "but that is contested" Fact check The three parties who represent Palestinian and Arabic rights in Israel have been told they can not run in this month's general election. That will means that there is no political representation for arabs in government. That is literally apartheid. Robert, do better, love
My experience of the left over 25 years? It's a fringe (albeit a loud one) that's indulgent of e.g. Hamas. For most of us, we focus on the UK & its allies because that's what we can affect with our work. We see condemnations of actors who are bad, but whose actions we can't affect, as mere posturing
‘ A Liberal MP is calling for more guardrails as the Carney government moves to fast-track construction of major projects like pipelines, mines and ports. Liberal MP Patrick Weiler spoke in the House of Commons on Tuesday night, breaking ranks with his party on the Building Canada Strong Act, Bill C-39. It's an early sign that concerns are starting to bubble up within the Liberal caucus about the Carney government's changes to Canada's environmental laws. ‘ #Canada #climate #energy cbc.ca/news/politics/building-…
A referendum isn’t a life sentence. In 2016 voters chose Brexit, but they didn’t vote to surrender the right of future generations to reconsider it. Since the consequences have proved damaging, democracy allows the freedom to debate, vote again, & change course. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/o...
Rightwing pundit Matt Goodwin has written what he describes as " one of the most important books in contemporary history". This reviewer is not so sure: politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog… #SuicideOfANation #MattGoodwin #UKPolitics #ReformUK #RightWing
On top of these polling methodology issues, here are 3 other reasons to think there’s not much of a pro-Dem bias: 1. Repubs aren’t successfully spinning the press & getting a lot of favorable coverage 2. A lot of press coverage about Repubs is they see doom 3. Repubs are spending in very R areas
The right wing is getting desperate about the upcoming midterm elections. How do I know? Because for the first time in my 60 years on this planet, they're spamming me, a person who (if they bothered to check) has donated money to Democrats (and only Democrats), has only ever voted in Democratic primaries, and lives in a very Democratic-leaning neighborhood. The spam I get is outrageous but illuminating. The latest one from the Heritage Foundation has this subject line: “We cannot stop fighting to end birthright citizenship.” Something I received yesterday had this call-to-action button: “STOP TALARICO FROM TRANSITIONING YOUR KIDS >>” Fuck these guys. #USPolitics
Midterm candidates are talking up Medicare for All, and in a poll 2 out of 3 Americans said they support it. The phrase speaks to a desire for radical change, though many don't really know what it is. www.kjzz.org/npr-top-stor...
“We continue to live on the fumes of an historic view of Australian egalitarianism, while now even the Labor Party is committed to the sort of policies that undermine it.” tdunlop.substack.com/p/pessimi… #AusPol #USpol #authoritarianism #Democracy
'terror attack, provoke response, alienate pop. from authority, push towards attacker's cause' dynamic is pretty well known & there are definitely cases where you could argue it was a successful strategy, but also when you read actual terrorists own writings on their goals they're rarely that smart
In every generation, America has a group of immigrants who augment and bolster the Union. For a long time that was my community, even as late as the end of the Cold War. Jewish people famously emigrated through Ellis island as a classic story of American greatness and welcoming.
Subbing in a pre-K classroom this morning, I saw a baby doll with a head injury wearing a "Future President" onesie and leaking green goo from its mouth. Humanity's political Devolution is proceeding according to schedule.
Thatchers ‘legacy’ is flattered by what went before, industrial mayhem that she partially ended. But she sold off the family silver privatising swathes of British industry and squandering North Sea oil and crippling rather than subduing union power. She encouraged greed and the loadza money society.
Trump’s messaging on nuclear threats was essentially an incoherent brain fart from a senile psychopath. 60 years ago political messaging on the horror of nuclear war was artistic and emotionally impactful. We have lost so much in such a short period of time. youtu.be/riDypP1KfOU
I voted just now in the Holborn & St Pancras by-election despite being away from home, coming back tomorrow. It’s the first time I’ve ever appointed a proxy - it’s quite secure and easy although I do enjoy the process of voting 🗳️. And I completely trust the neighbour who is casting my vote!
Apple seems to be doing a pretty good job of hiding spam texts. Yes I have to clear them of notifications, but I don’t actually look at ANY of the political fundraising texts. That’s got to be having an effect. As long as Citizens United stands, I am not spending a nickel on political campaigns. #USPol #Elections #FEC
I am deeply sympathetic to people organizing tirelessly against genocide for years, and think a degree of grace should be given in light of that context But damn does this show the limitations of a political strategy based around organizing protests against whoever happens to be in power
Interesting news from just across the border in SW Michigan about the "red undertow" that is depressing normally hardcore Republicans this election. People can't afford daily life and it is damping Republicans' enthusiasm. nytimes.com/2026/10/08/us/elec… #uspol #politics #news #michigan
I still maintain this should not be allowed the same as the Reform member who switched to Plaid. Under the Senedd voting system you were not voted in as an individual you were voted in under a party list. To still allow MS’s (regardless of the party) to switch is completely undemocratic.1/2
This man has zero self awareness. He is an immigrant from a country that was dominated by a more powerful neighbor which exploited its natural resources, filled it with organized crime and then instigated a multi-generational embargo that left it in economic ruin. How’s all that conquering going for your corrupt pedophile administration now, lil’ Marco? He may want to brush up on actual history. Greece was conquered by the Romans, who were sacked by the Visigoth’s. Centuries later, Europe fought two World Wars against each other, destroying each other’s populations and cultural treasures for no practical benefit. Rubio Urges Europe to Awaken From ‘Slumber’ and Uphold Western Dominance In Greece, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Western nations must embrace an earlier ethos of exploration and conquest as part of their civilization, to remain ‘at the head of the world.’ nytimes.com/2026/10/07/world/e… #uspol
One important reason Platner was tanking in the polls even before he was forced out is that he obviously didn't actually care about beating the senator he voted for multiple times. You could watch his speeches and ads after Mills dropped out and have no idea who his general election opponent was
"...fundraising reports from Lyons’ #MAHA Political Action Committee that show fewer than 20 donors this year, totaling $1 million, far short of the $100 million Lyons promised to raise to help #Republicans allied with Kennedy in this year’s elections. Many of its donors are companies that have interests before the Health Department, POLITICO found. The PAC has spent less than $800,000 to support candidates in federal races this year." politico.com/news/2026/10/04/r…
My generation (and the one after) cannot accept that the Central Belt doesn't belong to Labour (even though parts of it belonged to the Tories in the 70s). Even when there is no Labour Party, they'll be in denial.
"Children as young as 5 years old were incarcerated for criminal offenses, as well as a number of non-criminal reasons, including being poor, homeless or orphaned," npr.org/2026/10/07/nx-s1-59861…
Our prime ministers have become mere spokesmen for the Treasury. They keep waiting for it to provide the answers. But it is the Treasury senior staff who are the problem.
While there's no indication Gov. Ferguson will increase the engineers’ salaries beyond their promised extra fish, at press time he was reportedly researching whether the ferries already do that steel door locking thing the Titanic did to below-deck engineers as it was sinking.
couple theories for GA/NC 1. It’s so Cooper/Ossoff can move their state dollars around to more effectively boost the state coordinated campaigns 2. It’s to drive those races to near double digit wins to help the downballot candidates Have to look into it seeing as you can’t “coordinate” *wink*
A reminder that when Jim Bakker's fraud and corruption were exposed by the local newspaper in 1987, he used what has become a familiar playbook on the evangelical right in the U.S.: He admitted no guilt and blamed the media and his "enemies" #JimBakker #PTL
When people feel systematically unheard, radical-right populists fill the void. They claim to restore power to “the people”, even as they erode the checks and balances upon which liberal democracy depends.
Fifty years after South Africa had its Rocky Rioter Teargas Show, with school pupils protesting against inferior education, France is experiencing the same thing. Perhaps it is significant that this happened in South Africa a year after South African troops invaded Angola. In France, and other Western European countries, politicians are saying that there is no money for education, healthcare and the like, because of the need to increase military spending. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Fre…
I was recently reading a polsci book be Arend Lijphart. One of the things he talked about was how a) when turnout drops it drops more at the poorer end, and b) lower turnout favours right-wing parties
I think we need to clear up something about the much vaunted conservative plans for #Britaniashield missile defense. The key thing is the Israelis want the UK to be trapped into an Israel dependant missile defense system, and conservative politicians in the UK want to ingratiate themselves with the Israelis.
