Micah, it is extremely rare that when reading a political analysis these days, I smile let alone cheer. I think it's because optimism and hope are both on the same page in your piece.
"The millions that these two progressive icons raise mostly go to pay for big digital media and fundraising teams."
I'm reading the same complaint from Corbin Trent. It's hard to believe that these two progressive icons, who have contributed so much, are failing at this critical juncture.
Micah, thank you so much for this I cried while I read it as I thought of my two young adult kids and how angry and dissociated they feel about our politics. They care deeply but feel so defeated. This shows us the way forward. Also, thanks for calling out Bernie and AOC for their failure, similar to the DNC’s, to build and organize a movement. I do wonder about your use of quotes around genocide, given that every objective expert source, even those in Israel, have declared Gaza a genocide. Tax the rich. Fuck Ice. Free Palestine. Free Buses. Free Childcare. Freeze the Rent. Onward.
Separately, the challenge of connecting people to stay involved is critical. Same challenge with No Kings where huge numbers participated, but most weren't connected to orgs.
I wrote about one possible solution of QR codes after the first No Kings--but it's true for any efforts where huge numbers of people gather in the surge moments. We can't afford for them to then melt away. So it's great that they were using QR codes here to have people sign up to canvass
micah, this was a interesting and enjoyable piece to read and the bit about Stewart-Coysins and Hokul showing up was a shocker. the refrain during the Mamdani run was that he will never get his agenda passed in Albany and will disappoint. if he delivers even a third of it now that he has their support, it will be a real shock to the system. but it will be in the teeth of Trump's fiercest attacks because this is a model that MUST be discredited by Trump. The drivers behind Trump's and Mamdani's popularity are closer than we want to admit but Trump *knows* it instinctively and will want to discredit Mamdani's more authentic populism. gonna be ugly.
A truly great feat of reporting. Crisp and clear with sharp focus on all the strategic highlights. No other reporting on the rally even faintly compares. My condolences for having to pen the words Graydon Carter and Chuck Shumer. INSPIRATIONAL.
All of this and we have to also dive in, understand, and replicate across campaigns what Zohran Mamdani‘s team is achieving in the digital space - and what I am mean by this - not JUST showing up on Instagram and TikTok - while he executes well - his digital team has been able to pull folks out of the digital space into the campaign - that is the golden nugget of success. Gabriella Zutrau is behind pulling in marketing strategies that we have been screaming - yes screaming for the democrats to use. Follow her over on LinkedIN to learn more - she is very open and shares what they have been up to. @Michal you ask the right questions- what happens to this energy, these volunteers after next week?
This is a great one, Micah! And I’m not just saying that because you wrote the perfect paragraph about the destruction of OFA, an obsession I forgot we shared. But also because of how you explain how power and organizing can work - is working! - in a state and a city, and why that’s significant nationally.
Micah - thanks so much for this great piece. I still have a hole in my heart from when BO demobilized all of us in OFA and always wonder how things might have been different if he (plus Dems) had not 😩
(PS minor correction but if you can edit this post, it’s Hakeem Jeffries, not Hakim)
Micah, it is extremely rare that when reading a political analysis these days, I smile let alone cheer. I think it's because optimism and hope are both on the same page in your piece.
I can go back to being grumpy and cheerless next week.
"The millions that these two progressive icons raise mostly go to pay for big digital media and fundraising teams."
I'm reading the same complaint from Corbin Trent. It's hard to believe that these two progressive icons, who have contributed so much, are failing at this critical juncture.
Micah, thank you so much for this I cried while I read it as I thought of my two young adult kids and how angry and dissociated they feel about our politics. They care deeply but feel so defeated. This shows us the way forward. Also, thanks for calling out Bernie and AOC for their failure, similar to the DNC’s, to build and organize a movement. I do wonder about your use of quotes around genocide, given that every objective expert source, even those in Israel, have declared Gaza a genocide. Tax the rich. Fuck Ice. Free Palestine. Free Buses. Free Childcare. Freeze the Rent. Onward.
Separately, the challenge of connecting people to stay involved is critical. Same challenge with No Kings where huge numbers participated, but most weren't connected to orgs.
I wrote about one possible solution of QR codes after the first No Kings--but it's true for any efforts where huge numbers of people gather in the surge moments. We can't afford for them to then melt away. So it's great that they were using QR codes here to have people sign up to canvass
https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/trump-opposition-activism-no-kings-organizing/
So glad you were there to witness this!
Well reported and said Micah. And a true ray of organizing hope that is rewriting the Democratic electoral picture.
micah, this was a interesting and enjoyable piece to read and the bit about Stewart-Coysins and Hokul showing up was a shocker. the refrain during the Mamdani run was that he will never get his agenda passed in Albany and will disappoint. if he delivers even a third of it now that he has their support, it will be a real shock to the system. but it will be in the teeth of Trump's fiercest attacks because this is a model that MUST be discredited by Trump. The drivers behind Trump's and Mamdani's popularity are closer than we want to admit but Trump *knows* it instinctively and will want to discredit Mamdani's more authentic populism. gonna be ugly.
A truly great feat of reporting. Crisp and clear with sharp focus on all the strategic highlights. No other reporting on the rally even faintly compares. My condolences for having to pen the words Graydon Carter and Chuck Shumer. INSPIRATIONAL.
All of this and we have to also dive in, understand, and replicate across campaigns what Zohran Mamdani‘s team is achieving in the digital space - and what I am mean by this - not JUST showing up on Instagram and TikTok - while he executes well - his digital team has been able to pull folks out of the digital space into the campaign - that is the golden nugget of success. Gabriella Zutrau is behind pulling in marketing strategies that we have been screaming - yes screaming for the democrats to use. Follow her over on LinkedIN to learn more - she is very open and shares what they have been up to. @Michal you ask the right questions- what happens to this energy, these volunteers after next week?
Great summary. I live on the opposite coast, but really caught the uplifting feel
This is a great one, Micah! And I’m not just saying that because you wrote the perfect paragraph about the destruction of OFA, an obsession I forgot we shared. But also because of how you explain how power and organizing can work - is working! - in a state and a city, and why that’s significant nationally.
Thank you Micah for this eyewitness account and your analysis, truly exciting and makes me feel hopeful!
Micah - thanks so much for this great piece. I still have a hole in my heart from when BO demobilized all of us in OFA and always wonder how things might have been different if he (plus Dems) had not 😩
(PS minor correction but if you can edit this post, it’s Hakeem Jeffries, not Hakim)