So far it seems that the billionaires aren't getting all that much bang for their megabucks. If you have connections in an area being targeted by Big Money, or live in one, make use of them.
Until campaign finance laws are reformed (if ever), a candidate can publicize their position on relevant issues and differentiate themselves from their opponent. If their opponent makes outrageous statements about them, come back at them with what is true. Be straightforward and honest.
Attack ads have been around a long time. They have been more frequently used (every commercial break on the nightly news) since Citizen's United. In this election cycle, desperate candidates use them because they know their positions are unpopular. Their campaign manager believes some voters are swayed by them.
The two races in Michigan I'm following are very close. Post-election surveys should ask voters if they were influenced by attack ads.
Elect politicians that form serious administrations that will hold the billionaires accountable. It's not that we can't or even shouldn't, we even know how. There are PLENTY of laws on that exist right now today that would see any one of them stop their shinannigans. They just aren't being enforced by this administration's DOJ. They are focused, else where. And the weak politicians interested only in being re-elected, are too stupid or spineless to force them to do so.
This is not an unfixable problem. In fact, it wasn't even a problem until this administration got into office. In October 2024 the United States was helping Ukraine win for Democracy against the heavily sanctioned Russian oligarcy lead by Vlad. Putin. We also had an economy that was the envy of the world, after our brilliant recovery from the COVID epidemic led by the Biden administration. We hadn't quiet gotten our feet back under us by election time and the Trump oligarcy used American frustration and dissatisfaction as a wedge to regain power.
We have the means and the power to regain control. The question remains whether or not we will. I'm doing my part. Are you having the conversations needed with all those people in your circle of friends and neighborhood, who so proudly staked out their yard and filled football stadiums for Trump, to help them make a better choice this time?
If they couldn't use psychological projection to accuse those who oppose them of everything evil they're doing themselves, they'd be left with nothing to say.
Do Ohio voters know they are being lied to? Do they know their vote is being paid for? Do they know billionaires who have no civic duty are paying for their vote (but not paying them)? Do they know that New Yorkers LOVE Zohran? Do they know how Vivek made his money? Are Democrats fighting dirty or keeping their hands clean and above the fray? Do we need to take the high road? Republicans are so comfortable on the low road and have discovered that many people live on that road.
As Mark Twain reminds us: Never argue with a fool, they will drag you down to their level and win every time. Can Ohio rise above the cesspool of GOP politics?
Yes many Ohioans know these things! Are you an Ohioan? Many of us have broadcast this info many times on social media. The ones who believe attack ads were never ours anyway.
Having been around in '64 -- politically savvy for a 13-year-old! -- I remember the Democratic ads suggesting that electing Goldwater would lead to nuclear war. Look up the "Daisy" ad. One particular slogan: Goldwater in '64, Cold Water in '65, Bread & Water in '66, No Water in '67.
Goldwater publicly advocated for dropping atomic bombs on North Vietnam. The Birch Society distributed racist posters trying to show that Johnson a) cared too much for African-Americans and Mexican immigrants, and b) was lying about his past efforts to help those same populations.
My favorite was their claim that fluoride in the water was a Russian plot to get control of the minds of American kids. The Koch’s daddy was a co-founder of that crackpot extremist organization.
My wife’s late mother was an ardent anti-Bircher fighter on that particular issue. That shite cuts deep. One of my best friends lived across the straight from Birchers and his parents warned him about that family.
No, but not surprised. Have you read "Black Like Me" ? A white man, with help from black friends, colored his skin, went out and lived in the community, to see how he was treated as a black man. It opened his eyes and was a popular book bc it was lived experience. My construction worker dad was reading it so I knew the book that way. Of course it would be considered not PC today but for its time, it was brave.
Some of these claims appear to meet the legal definition of libel. I wonder if a PAC could be funded (what's good for the goose...) to begin suing these lying monsters. Might it cause them to rethink their strategy?
When it comes to public figures -- which include politicians running for public office -- the standard for libel is higher. Check out the Supreme Court decision in New York Times v. Sullivan (1964). Basically, a defendant must prove that a statement or publication was made with "actual malice." That's not so easy. Here's the Wikipedia entry on the case: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_Co._v._Sullivan
Excellent reasons for 90%+ tax on assets over a couple billion dollars!
I could wallpaper my home with these expensive, deceitful mailers against Acton and Brown, as well as for the wife-beating Max Miller, a sign of the nearly unlimited funds our oligarchy is putting into support for fascist politics.
We have mixed voting over here, and in that part of the district where people vote either way. They'll do them no good, no matter how many they send.
Generally, the news is good, and we're hopeful that not only will we be able to stop his predations, but pursue really criminal charges. At the same time, I am trying to forget how Biden handled it!
Desperate is the word and it shows. Never a good thing to fight among yourselves in public. (Dems take note). The GOP has Max Miller who is running for Congress publicly trading insults with Husted who is on the same ballot for US Senate.
People may be skeptical about polling but with a constant drumbeat of polling that shows the GOP not winning hurts.
I read that OH did away with the 4 day grace period for mail in ballots and fewer have been requested compared to previous elections. Maybe that’s why it was reported that as early voting began people were in line before the polls opened.
EV gives folks an opportunity to take action NOW. In Cincinnati/Hamilton County, SW OH our Dem campaigns make the first day of voting into a celebration. Voters like the idea of 'banking' their votes. Campaigns can pull the public records of who has already voted. That info saves door knocks, calls and lit!
I remember when that was the norm in many places. There was a big backlash against non-profits doing that by Republicans. (And they are at it again) Apps have made GOTV more efficient.
I think the best ground games are on the ground long before the election. They know where the votes are & and who might be persuadable early. The GOP usually has more $$ and does that. There’s conjecture it is how the decisions were made to pull out of some states where there isn’t much polling. But a lot of the Dem candidates with some support from the DNC began doing it earlier this yr too. I think it helped candidates define themselves before the GOP got a chance. 🤞
People used to be more conflicted about voting too early because unexpected things could happen. More and more it is seen as ‘insurance’.
KY cut our early voting to 3 days and ramped up voting by mail which was working well until our mail started being unpredictable. Now our SoS is being ‘investigated’ for not turning over voter rolls even though their case was thrown out by the court.
Thank you. The constant barrage of deeply disturbing lies this political cycle demands change in what’s permitted. To have no guardrails is untenable. Vitriol. Lies. Utterly disgusting.
V-PAC spokesperson? Now there’s a job with a future in Republican party leadership. No doubt we’ll be hearing more from Conor McGuiness in the future. Off to a great start.
Okay infuriating but how do we counter given the billionaires have unlimited resources and dont care about truth or ethics?
So far it seems that the billionaires aren't getting all that much bang for their megabucks. If you have connections in an area being targeted by Big Money, or live in one, make use of them.
Until campaign finance laws are reformed (if ever), a candidate can publicize their position on relevant issues and differentiate themselves from their opponent. If their opponent makes outrageous statements about them, come back at them with what is true. Be straightforward and honest.
Attack ads have been around a long time. They have been more frequently used (every commercial break on the nightly news) since Citizen's United. In this election cycle, desperate candidates use them because they know their positions are unpopular. Their campaign manager believes some voters are swayed by them.
The two races in Michigan I'm following are very close. Post-election surveys should ask voters if they were influenced by attack ads.
Elect politicians that form serious administrations that will hold the billionaires accountable. It's not that we can't or even shouldn't, we even know how. There are PLENTY of laws on that exist right now today that would see any one of them stop their shinannigans. They just aren't being enforced by this administration's DOJ. They are focused, else where. And the weak politicians interested only in being re-elected, are too stupid or spineless to force them to do so.
This is not an unfixable problem. In fact, it wasn't even a problem until this administration got into office. In October 2024 the United States was helping Ukraine win for Democracy against the heavily sanctioned Russian oligarcy lead by Vlad. Putin. We also had an economy that was the envy of the world, after our brilliant recovery from the COVID epidemic led by the Biden administration. We hadn't quiet gotten our feet back under us by election time and the Trump oligarcy used American frustration and dissatisfaction as a wedge to regain power.
We have the means and the power to regain control. The question remains whether or not we will. I'm doing my part. Are you having the conversations needed with all those people in your circle of friends and neighborhood, who so proudly staked out their yard and filled football stadiums for Trump, to help them make a better choice this time?
Heck, yeah! The app is already paying dividends. Way to go, Pop Info readers!
Ironic how many of those false accusations against Acton are the very characteristics of so many Trump Cabinet members.
It helps explain how the Republican campaigns get the ideas for their attack ads!
They've raised the act of projection to an art form.
If they couldn't use psychological projection to accuse those who oppose them of everything evil they're doing themselves, they'd be left with nothing to say.
Do Ohio voters know they are being lied to? Do they know their vote is being paid for? Do they know billionaires who have no civic duty are paying for their vote (but not paying them)? Do they know that New Yorkers LOVE Zohran? Do they know how Vivek made his money? Are Democrats fighting dirty or keeping their hands clean and above the fray? Do we need to take the high road? Republicans are so comfortable on the low road and have discovered that many people live on that road.
As Mark Twain reminds us: Never argue with a fool, they will drag you down to their level and win every time. Can Ohio rise above the cesspool of GOP politics?
Yes many Ohioans know these things! Are you an Ohioan? Many of us have broadcast this info many times on social media. The ones who believe attack ads were never ours anyway.
Yes we do, but how many of us remains to be seen
The shrinking pool of MAGAites will not save them this time.
Great timely reporting… Wisconsin folks saw through Musk’s buying spree… Only hope Ohioans see through it too. Katy right on!
The Birchers used to throw stuff like this at LBJ back in ‘64. Plus ça change, plus la même chose.
Having been around in '64 -- politically savvy for a 13-year-old! -- I remember the Democratic ads suggesting that electing Goldwater would lead to nuclear war. Look up the "Daisy" ad. One particular slogan: Goldwater in '64, Cold Water in '65, Bread & Water in '66, No Water in '67.
Goldwater publicly advocated for dropping atomic bombs on North Vietnam. The Birch Society distributed racist posters trying to show that Johnson a) cared too much for African-Americans and Mexican immigrants, and b) was lying about his past efforts to help those same populations.
My favorite was their claim that fluoride in the water was a Russian plot to get control of the minds of American kids. The Koch’s daddy was a co-founder of that crackpot extremist organization.
My wife’s late mother was an ardent anti-Bircher fighter on that particular issue. That shite cuts deep. One of my best friends lived across the straight from Birchers and his parents warned him about that family.
Haven't thought about the John Birch Society in ages but they were tame compared to Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.
The root, or one of them, to the tree. Did you know that Dan Quayle’s wife’s family was directly connected to the original Birch Society founders?
No, but not surprised. Have you read "Black Like Me" ? A white man, with help from black friends, colored his skin, went out and lived in the community, to see how he was treated as a black man. It opened his eyes and was a popular book bc it was lived experience. My construction worker dad was reading it so I knew the book that way. Of course it would be considered not PC today but for its time, it was brave.
Updating post, the book:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Like_Me
A formative book for me. Opened my eyes and they ain’t been shut since. Also Dick Gregory’s autobiography.
Some of these claims appear to meet the legal definition of libel. I wonder if a PAC could be funded (what's good for the goose...) to begin suing these lying monsters. Might it cause them to rethink their strategy?
When it comes to public figures -- which include politicians running for public office -- the standard for libel is higher. Check out the Supreme Court decision in New York Times v. Sullivan (1964). Basically, a defendant must prove that a statement or publication was made with "actual malice." That's not so easy. Here's the Wikipedia entry on the case: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_Co._v._Sullivan
Great! Thanks.
Excellent reasons for 90%+ tax on assets over a couple billion dollars!
I could wallpaper my home with these expensive, deceitful mailers against Acton and Brown, as well as for the wife-beating Max Miller, a sign of the nearly unlimited funds our oligarchy is putting into support for fascist politics.
If you're getting their mailers they're targeting the wrong voters, which is good for us. I've never received their lit.
They won't penetrate my blue wall - 50+ years of solid D ballots and a yard full of signs ward them off 😁.
We have mixed voting over here, and in that part of the district where people vote either way. They'll do them no good, no matter how many they send.
Generally, the news is good, and we're hopeful that not only will we be able to stop his predations, but pursue really criminal charges. At the same time, I am trying to forget how Biden handled it!
They’ve got nothing but the “Red Scare” and persecution of transgender people….that’s every ad I’ve seen so far. They are desperate.
Desperate is the word and it shows. Never a good thing to fight among yourselves in public. (Dems take note). The GOP has Max Miller who is running for Congress publicly trading insults with Husted who is on the same ballot for US Senate.
People may be skeptical about polling but with a constant drumbeat of polling that shows the GOP not winning hurts.
I read that OH did away with the 4 day grace period for mail in ballots and fewer have been requested compared to previous elections. Maybe that’s why it was reported that as early voting began people were in line before the polls opened.
EV gives folks an opportunity to take action NOW. In Cincinnati/Hamilton County, SW OH our Dem campaigns make the first day of voting into a celebration. Voters like the idea of 'banking' their votes. Campaigns can pull the public records of who has already voted. That info saves door knocks, calls and lit!
I remember when that was the norm in many places. There was a big backlash against non-profits doing that by Republicans. (And they are at it again) Apps have made GOTV more efficient.
I think the best ground games are on the ground long before the election. They know where the votes are & and who might be persuadable early. The GOP usually has more $$ and does that. There’s conjecture it is how the decisions were made to pull out of some states where there isn’t much polling. But a lot of the Dem candidates with some support from the DNC began doing it earlier this yr too. I think it helped candidates define themselves before the GOP got a chance. 🤞
People used to be more conflicted about voting too early because unexpected things could happen. More and more it is seen as ‘insurance’.
KY cut our early voting to 3 days and ramped up voting by mail which was working well until our mail started being unpredictable. Now our SoS is being ‘investigated’ for not turning over voter rolls even though their case was thrown out by the court.
Looks like Acton should sue the PAC for slander, if that possible.
Thanks as always for your excellent reporting.
Thank you. The constant barrage of deeply disturbing lies this political cycle demands change in what’s permitted. To have no guardrails is untenable. Vitriol. Lies. Utterly disgusting.
The only way any Republican can get elected to office is to lie and cheat. Period. Hard Stop.
(Mmmmm, I think I made this statement before.)
V-PAC spokesperson? Now there’s a job with a future in Republican party leadership. No doubt we’ll be hearing more from Conor McGuiness in the future. Off to a great start.
Thanks for keeping your truth candle glowing!
Hold Trump & MAGA Inc accountable for their fraud & corruption. Bring on a Blue Tsunami!