The hottest Campaign Strategy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

One Sneaky Reason Why Sports Media Shunned Kamala Harris

House of Strauss • 44 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Strategy
  1. Kamala Harris struggled to connect with the sports media, which is a vital cultural space in America. This made it hard for her campaign to reach younger audiences who are more engaged with sports than with traditional politics.
  2. Young men have shifted their political support away from the Democrats, making it tough for the party to connect with this demographic. This change has been influenced by cultural figures and platforms that resonate more with younger guys.
  3. Sports media is becoming more conservative, which complicates efforts from political figures like Harris to gain support. As sports and culture merge with conservative values, it becomes tricky for athletes and media personalities to engage in politics.

Taking Illiberalism seriously

Theory Matters • 5 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Strategy
  1. Illiberal movements often get underestimated because people don't take them seriously. This leads to ignoring deeper issues that let these movements grow.
  2. The current political climate is shaped by performance and storytelling, rather than just facts. To connect with people, liberals need to engage in better narratives.
  3. Rights and values need a strong reason behind them. Simply saying rights matter isn’t enough; there needs to be a clear understanding of why they are important.

Why Liberals Should Vote for President Trump

Outspoken with Dr Naomi Wolf • 5 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Strategy
  1. Vote for Trump because Vice President Harris didn't do her job when it came to President Biden's health. If she had acted on it, she could have become President, which raises questions about our national security.
  2. Trump won't ban abortion completely as some fear. Many states still allow safe and legal abortions, and Trump has shown support for access during the first trimester.
  3. Having RFK Jr. on board with Trump means the environment will still have a strong advocate in the White House. He has a good track record for environmental issues, which could lead to effective policies under a Trump administration.

On Warm Buckets of Piss***

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 22 Apr 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Strategy
  1. Choosing a vice president usually doesn't change the election outcome much. It often matters more what the other side does than who you pick.
  2. A vice president can affect things significantly if the president dies. This is an important reason to think carefully about who to choose.
  3. Political parties often prioritize short-term gains from a VP selection over long-term party strength. It's better to choose someone who can lead well if needed.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Donald Trump, Poet

Wide World of News • 0 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Strategy
  1. Donald Trump is seen as a poet in his communication style, which contrasts with Ron DeSantis's more pragmatic approach.
  2. The essence of politics is often described as 'campaigning in poetry and governing in prose,' highlighting the different communication styles needed for different stages of leadership.
  3. Public perception and electoral success can be strongly influenced by a candidate's ability to connect with voters through compelling storytelling or emotional rhetoric.

And that, as they say, is what makes a horse race

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 27 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Strategy
  1. The media benefits from portraying elections as competitive so they can attract more viewers and advertisers.
  2. Democrats want the GOP primary to appear close so it can weaken resources for the Republican candidates.
  3. Different parties and states involved in the primaries gain advantages and resources when the race seems undecided, even if it really isn't.

On Presidential Debates and Antebellum Nostalgia

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Strategy
  1. Presidential debates are very controlled events, limiting candidates' freedom to speak openly. The rules often make debates feel more like scripted shows than real discussions.
  2. Nostalgia for historic debates, like Lincoln-Douglas, might not reflect what voters want today. Those debates were lengthy speeches without direct engagement or questions.
  3. In debates, candidates often focus on attacking each other's positions rather than clearly sharing their own. Debates mainly show how well candidates think on their feet rather than informing voters about policies.

On the idea of "anti-incumbency"

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 18 May 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Strategy
  1. There's a lot of talk about anti-incumbency, but it might not be the right term for what's happening. Many races don't even have incumbents, which makes it hard to really call it anti-incumbent sentiment.
  2. Sometimes, it looks like people are more upset with political ideologies rather than just incumbents themselves. Candidates may lose because voters prefer different policies, not just because they're incumbents.
  3. A real anti-incumbent wave would mean voters are unhappy with both parties equally, leading to a big shakeup in Congress. However, it seems like dissatisfaction often targets the party in power instead, which doesn't fit the anti-incumbent idea.

Easy Money

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 03 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Strategy
  1. Investing in political contracts can offer good returns. For example, buying contracts on a candidate's success can make a lot of sense if the odds are in your favor.
  2. Market behavior can be skewed by people's desire to back longshot candidates. This can create opportunities for smart investors who see value in the favorites.
  3. Polls and media narratives can shape public perception of a race. It's important to focus on solid data rather than just what is being reported.

The Contours of Biden/Trump

Wide World of News • 0 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Strategy
  1. The potential Biden/Trump rematch may follow a predictable path despite possible twists.
  2. Biden's focus on Trump, democracy, and norms gives him an advantage in news cycles.
  3. Key factors in the Biden/Trump rematch include Trump's policy focus, Biden's campaigning challenges, and media influence.