Campaign Trails

Campaign Trails is a newsletter that examines American politics through a historical lens, focusing on civil rights, religious nationalism, and modern conservatism. It critically analyzes current political figures, movements, and ideologies, drawing parallels between past and present, while also addressing the platform's stance on hate speech.

American politics Civil rights Religious nationalism Modern conservatism Historical analysis Platform moderation and hate speech Immigration and racial theories Public sentiment and activism Media representation and language Political legacy and memory

The hottest Substack posts of Campaign Trails

And their main takeaways

The Right to Vote

4426 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting Rights Civil Rights Political History Activism Election Integrity
  1. Voting is really important, and it has a long history of struggle. Many people fought hard to secure the right to vote for everyone.
  2. Some activists even lost their lives while fighting for voting rights. This shows just how much they believed voting mattered.
  3. If voting wasn't important, people wouldn't have had to sacrifice so much to protect it. Everyone should remember the value of their vote.

Your Emotional Support Historian

4844 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Predictions Polling Political History Campaigns
  1. Historians are trained to look back at events, not predict the future. They often find it tricky to offer reassurance during election seasons.
  2. Making confident predictions can lead to embarrassment, as history shows many past predictions were wrong. This causes historians to be cautious when discussing possible outcomes.
  3. Predictions about elections are often unreliable and should be taken with a grain of salt. The best approach is to focus on getting people to vote rather than getting caught up in the predictions.

Strange Bedfellows

4625 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Political strategy Political History Partisanship
  1. People from different political backgrounds can still agree on important issues, like protecting democracy. It's curious to see alliances form where you least expect them.
  2. Supporting a candidate like Kamala Harris doesn't mean changing beliefs or plans. It's more about attracting voters from all sides for a better chance at winning an election.
  3. Historically, reaching out to people from the opposing party has led to successful campaigns. Winning broad support is key to pushing forward important policies after elections.

Make America Gilded Again

5064 implied HN points • 04 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political History Campaign strategies Economic Policy Social movements Populism
  1. Many people support Trump's idea of making America great again, but it's mostly based on nostalgic feelings about the past. They often don't really specify what that 'great' time is.
  2. Trump's idea seems to relate to the 1890s, a time known for wealth for a few and poverty for many. Most people were struggling to get by while a small number of rich people thrived.
  3. The 1890s also had serious issues with racism and restrictions on people's rights. For many, that period was quite harsh, showing that Trump's vision might not be good for everyone.

Brand X

5502 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
  1. The resurgence of the Great Replacement Theory is deeply racist and historically significant.
  2. Elon Musk's embrace of the Great Replacement Theory is based on outdated and flawed assumptions about immigration policies.
  3. The notion that immigrants will all vote Democratic en masse is oversimplified and ignores the complexities of voter behavior.
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Substackers Against Nazis

7197 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
  1. Substack is being called out for allowing Nazis and white nationalists to use their platform
  2. Prominent Substack writers are leaving due to concerns over the platform's promotion of white nationalism
  3. There is a call for Substack leadership to take a stand against platforming hate groups

Moving Forward

5682 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
  1. The author will be looking for a new platform due to concerns about Nazis on Substack.
  2. Some sites allow easy migration of subscription lists and payment plans.
  3. Readers are encouraged to wait until the New Year for a smooth transition to a new platform.

Of Little Faith

6340 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
  1. Rep. Mike Johnson has been elevated to a powerful position, but there's uncertainty about his financial assets.
  2. Johnson uses religious references but may not have a deep understanding of religion and politics in America.
  3. Johnson distorts historical facts to justify his political crusades, pushing a biased narrative.

Meatball Sub

3967 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
  1. Ron DeSantis lacked special political skills and had a mediocre campaign history.
  2. DeSantis tried to outmaneuver Trump by moving further right on cultural issues, but it didn't resonate widely.
  3. DeSantis's campaign focused on performative cruelty, which ultimately failed to win him the nomination but left a damaging legacy in Florida.

If You Come at the King

3867 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
  1. Conservatives have long tried to claim Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy as their own.
  2. Conservatives used to strongly oppose King and the Civil Rights Movement.
  3. There has been a historical struggle between modern conservatism and civil rights initiatives.

Original Intent

3788 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
  1. Previous politicians have been barred for insurrection, which forces current Trump supporters to argue he didn't incite an insurrection.
  2. Conservative legal theorists who emphasize 'original intent' are hypocritical in downplaying Trump's role in the insurrection.
  3. Numerous prominent Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and former President George W. Bush, have acknowledged the insurrection and held Trump responsible.

King Lear

4007 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
  1. Norman Lear, a legendary TV producer and liberal activist, has passed away at 101.
  2. Kevin M. Kruse shared a personal story about his interaction with Norman Lear.
  3. Norman Lear was described as smart, sweet, and sharp by Kevin M. Kruse in his tribute.

All The Platitudes That Fit

4186 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
  1. Historically, newspapers used to use clear and direct language in their headlines, even for sensitive topics like racism and extremism.
  2. Current newspapers seem to shy away from using strong labels like 'racist' or 'extremist' in their headlines.
  3. The shift towards vague and neutral headlines may have negative implications for maintaining a clear and honest public discourse.

The Not-So-Great Replacement Theory

4107 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
  1. The replacement theory argues that immigration is a conspiracy to ruin lives, not individuals seeking better lives.
  2. The theory has roots in racist beliefs from the 1910s and 1920s which influenced immigration policies and led to the rise of hate groups.
  3. Fears around demographic changes fueled immigration restrictions in the U.S. that later inspired racial laws in Nazi Germany.

"The Devil Can Cite Scripture for His Purpose"

5861 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
  1. Politicians using historical quotes to back their beliefs may not always be accurate.
  2. The Founding Fathers had diverse views and beliefs, not a single unified vision.
  3. The Constitution is clear on the separation of religion and government.

The Big Pupdate

3369 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
  1. Having pet insurance can be a lifesaver during unexpected emergencies.
  2. Recovery from accidents can be a long process, requiring patience and care.
  3. Kindness from strangers and support from social media can make a big difference during difficult times.

Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me

4206 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
  1. Public protests for civil rights were often viewed negatively by the majority of Americans in the past.
  2. Despite public sentiment against protests, civil rights activists continued their efforts for equality.
  3. White moderates advocating for caution and gradualism were criticized by Martin Luther King Jr. for hindering progress towards justice.

The Only MLK Quote They Know

3748 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
  1. Conservative politicians and pundits often misinterpret Martin Luther King Jr.'s stance on affirmative action.
  2. King openly supported affirmative action programs during his lifetime.
  3. It is a distortion to claim that King would have opposed affirmative action programs.

Confidence Men

3349 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
  1. Jimmy Carter's 'Crisis of Confidence' speech was not deeply unpopular.
  2. The speech focused on the economic challenges and the need for unity in America.
  3. After the speech, Carter's approval rating increased significantly, but he faced challenges later.

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

4 HN points • 10 Oct 23
  1. The author is leaving Twitter due to the platform's decline in quality and increase in harmful content.
  2. The author realizes their impact on Twitter has decreased significantly under the new system.
  3. Despite missing positive connections, the author is looking forward to focusing more on Substack and other social media platforms.