The hottest Campaigns Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Election Update 6: The Puckering

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 7102 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Democrats are feeling anxious as key states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin show Trump leading. It's crucial for Harris to win all three to take the presidency.
  2. Many Democrats may have overlooked voter sentiments, which can lead to big consequences. There's a sense that the Democratic Party needs to reconnect with American voters.
  3. This election isn't just about who wins but also reflects broader public opinions on political messaging. The results could spark major changes in media and party leadership.

The Talented Mr. Newsom

Unreported Truths • 42 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. He lacks a consistent ideology and deep policy understanding. Because of dyslexia he relies on memorized bullet points and constantly adapts his image to win approval.
  2. His record in California includes major failures on issues like COVID policy, housing, homelessness, and public safety, yet elite backing and a strong personal network have kept him politically resilient.
  3. His charisma, town-hall campaigning style, and ability to connect one-on-one make him electorally powerful and a real contender for higher office, even if he is seen as lacking competence or firm principles.

Reclaiming Freedom as a Progressive Value

The Message Box • 3144 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. President Biden is emphasizing freedom as a progressive value in his campaign messaging.
  2. Democrats must connect policies to values like patriotism and freedom to build a diverse coalition.
  3. The Republican Party has historically framed freedom in a way that favors big business and individual liberties.

The Race to Succeed Pelosi Is a Fight for the Future of the Democratic Party

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 255 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Nancy Pelosi's retirement has triggered a high-profile San Francisco primary between state senator Scott Wiener and Saikat Chakrabarti, a former AOC chief of staff.
  2. The contest symbolizes a larger Democratic split between steady, establishment progressivism and newer, more radical reformers, and the result will influence the party's future direction.
  3. The race is highly nationalized and contentious, with policy proposals (like Wiener's No Kings Act) and fierce attacks from opponents shaping how voters view each candidate.
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Why Can’t the Trump Administration Log Off?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 217 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. The Trump team was once very effective at dominating media cycles and using new platforms like podcasts and X.
  2. After less than a year in power, that media edge is slipping as they make clumsy, tone-deaf moves.
  3. Their nonstop social posting and podcasting now risk backfiring, with ill-timed releases (for example, a podcast dropped during a major manhunt) that look like self-inflicted damage.

Making Sense of Mamdani

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1386 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Zohran Mamdani ran a very effective campaign that connected well with young voters, using social media and grassroots efforts to reach people across New York City.
  2. Despite some viewing him as inexperienced, he gained a significant following, winning over 430,000 votes in a crowded primary.
  3. Understanding the reasons behind his popularity is important for both supporters and critics, as it reflects the hopes and frustrations of many New Yorkers.

Is Trump a lame duck?

Silver Bulletin • 340 implied HN points • 18 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Trump's approval ratings have been surprisingly stable, but recent events have caused some drops in popularity. It's not true that he can do anything and still keep his base satisfied.
  2. There have been significant political losses for Republicans recently, indicating that Trump's influence in the party might be weakening.
  3. Ongoing scandals, like the Epstein situation, could add pressure on Trump and affect public perception further.

How New York Became a Hotbed of Chinese Meddling

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 222 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Rep. Elise Stefanik says Governor Kathy Hochul has allowed the Chinese Communist Party to gain widespread political influence in New York, and she escalated the claim by co-writing a formal letter with Rep. Jim Jordan.
  2. Lawmakers allege New York has become a national epicenter for CCP election interference, political intimidation, and systematic violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and other federal laws.
  3. They argue growing evidence means state and federal authorities must take aggressive, coordinated action, and the dispute has intensified as officials prepare for the upcoming governor’s race.

America This Week - Livestream Tonight at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 2542 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. There's a livestream event called 'America This Week' happening tonight at 8 PM ET. It's a chance to catch up on current topics in America.
  2. The hosts will discuss various issues, including Tulsi Gabbard's and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Senate votes and Trump's comments about Gaza.
  3. They'll also cover recent media controversies and how traditional news outlets are changing or declining in relevance.

SBSQ #27: Is redistricting backfiring on Republicans?

Silver Bulletin • 212 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Both parties are locked in a redistricting arms race that looks like a prisoner’s dilemma, pushing maps toward maximal partisan advantage even though that outcome can hurt both sides.
  2. There are real brakes on extreme gerrymanders — incumbents don’t want to risk their own seats, and public opinion plus courts make truly outrageous maps politically and legally risky.
  3. If the Voting Rights Act is weakened, Republicans could gain a several-seat structural edge in the House, but strategic responses by Democrats and future coalition shifts could reduce or counteract that advantage.

This Election, Prepare for the Unexpected

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 3348 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. The outcome of the upcoming presidential election could be very unpredictable. Even if a candidate seems to win, a lot could still happen before they take office.
  2. There are serious questions about the rules governing how votes are counted and certified. Changes have been made to laws, but misunderstandings and disputes could complicate the process.
  3. The possibility of legal challenges is high if there's a conflict after the election. Various interpretations of laws can lead to confusion about who is actually president if issues arise.

Only Eric Adams Can Stop Mamdani

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 848 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Eric Adams is seen as the best option to prevent Mamdani from becoming mayor of New York City. Even with flaws, he is thought to be a safer choice.
  2. The slogan 'Vote for the Crook: It’s Important' highlights how voters can sometimes choose a less desirable option to avoid a worse one.
  3. This situation reflects how often voters must choose between candidates they may not fully trust, emphasizing the challenges of political elections.

Can a Kennedy Beat New York’s Most Ambitious Democrats?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 139 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Manhattan’s 12th Congressional District is extremely wealthy and influential, giving its representative big fundraising advantages and a fast track to power.
  2. The open seat after decades has drawn many long-time Democratic operatives who have built local networks and are aggressively competing.
  3. A Kennedy’s famous name would bring national attention and celebrity, but they would still face stiff competition from well-connected, careerist Democrats.

The Most Important Campaign Stop Is a Rabbi’s Grave

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1701 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Visiting the grave of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson is seen as an important gesture by political figures. They believe it connects them to spiritual strength and wisdom.
  2. New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing political challenges, with resignations and scrutiny around his actions. He is leveraging visits to the rabbi's grave for personal and public support.
  3. Political leaders often seek guidance from religious and historical figures during tough times. This reflects a desire for deeper connections and reassurance in the face of adversity.

Zohran Mamdani’s Identity Games

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 806 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Zohran Mamdani recorded his racial identity as both Asian and Black on his college application, which raised questions about his honesty or how he identifies.
  2. Despite stating his diverse background, Mamdani was not admitted to Columbia University, where his father was a professor, and instead attended Bowdoin College.
  3. Mamdani recently faced scrutiny for a social media post wishing followers a happy Hanukkah with a video that featured Indian performers, leading to discussions about his cultural representation.

February 2, 2026

Letters from an American • 37 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. After a very long stretch without a break, a night off is finally being taken.
  2. Rest is accepted reluctantly because waiting for a 'slow day' would mean never getting any time off.
  3. The plan is to pause and come back fresh tomorrow, with a note about how quickly time passes from January's full moon to February.

A Decade of Donald Trump

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 867 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Donald Trump's announcement to run for president in 2015 shocked many, despite initial low polling numbers. He had a strong ability to attract attention and rally supporters.
  2. Trump quickly became the main focus of political news, shaping discussions and setting the agenda for the following years.
  3. Even after a decade, Trump hasn't changed much in style, though he has aged and adapted his approach, remaining a significant figure in politics.

Andrew Cuomo’s last stand

Silver Bulletin • 247 implied HN points • 04 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral race, which highlights the struggles of Andrew Cuomo as a candidate. Voters seemed to favor Mamdani over Cuomo and a weaker opponent, Curtis Sliwa.
  2. Cuomo's negative approval ratings and the lack of positive support made it hard for him to gain traction in the election. Many voters had a clear preference against him.
  3. Mamdani ran a successful campaign focused on positivity, while Cuomo's approach relied on attacking his opponent rather than building his own image. This difference in strategy likely impacted their voter appeal.

Coming soon

SPARC '24 JC Blog • 39 implied HN points • 21 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. There is a new blog called SPARC '24 JC that will launch soon. It's a place to share information and updates.
  2. The blog has a subscription option for readers who want more content. Signing up will keep you in the loop.
  3. The blog seems to be focused on community engagement and sharing new ideas. It's a good spot to learn and connect.

The Shot That Changed America

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 704 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump was a major event in the 2024 election, changing the way people viewed the race.
  2. A young sniper used an AR-15 to shoot at Trump, hitting three people and killing a fireman, which shocked the public.
  3. There's still debate about the true impact of this event and what it means for American society moving forward.

Election Countdown: The Day After.

Breaking the News • 2347 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Voters had several years to see Donald Trump's actions and behavior clearly, and they still chose him again. This shows a significant change in how the public views him compared to past elections.
  2. Kamala Harris ran a strong campaign with few mistakes, while Trump had a rocky one. Despite this, the election outcome favored Trump, which highlights a surprising shift in voter priorities.
  3. Two experts who believed Americans would make a rational choice were proven wrong. This suggests that the election results reflect a deeper understanding of current American values and beliefs.

What the Epstein Fight Is Really About

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 663 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. There seems to be a power struggle happening within political circles, with some groups fighting for control rather than focusing on real issues. It's like they're playing a game instead of working for the people.
  2. Even though things are going relatively well for the president in terms of policy and economics, his supporters are fixated on the Epstein controversy. This shows a disconnect between his successes and their concerns.
  3. The government has closed the case on Epstein, stating there’s no evidence of a larger conspiracy, yet many still want answers. This ongoing interest highlights a deeper desire for accountability and transparency.

Eric Adams to Andrew Cuomo: ‘Get Out of the Race’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 690 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Eric Adams believes Andrew Cuomo should drop out of the mayoral race to help New York City. He thinks it's the right move, especially since both are competing for similar voters.
  2. Adams sees Cuomo as his main rival despite other candidates emerging in the election. He worries that if they both stay in, they could split the moderate vote and help the socialist candidate, Zohran Mamdani.
  3. Adams has started attacking Mamdani, calling him misleading and trying to stop his rise in popularity. He feels confident he can turn the tide in the election against Mamdani.

Andrew Cuomo Enters His Influencer Era. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 551 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Andrew Cuomo is trying to adapt to modern politics by becoming more active on social media. His new strategy aims to show a more relatable side of himself as he runs for office as an independent.
  2. Zohran Mamdani, a young candidate, is using creative and funny videos to connect with voters. His social media presence has been important in gaining support during his campaign.
  3. The connections between progressive activists and Islamist extremists have historical roots. This relationship raises concerns about how Western ideals can become misaligned with extremist views.

The iPhone Update That Could Wreck Political Fundraising

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 537 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. A new iPhone feature will let users filter messages from unknown senders, making it harder for political campaigns to reach voters by text.
  2. This change could cost political campaigns a lot of money, as they rely heavily on text messages for fundraising.
  3. Political operatives are worried that this feature could drastically reduce their ability to communicate with potential donors.

Is Elon Musk the New Ross Perot?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 649 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Elon Musk is trying to start a new political party called America Party, similar to how Ross Perot started the Reform Party years ago. People are curious about what this party will really do.
  2. Musk believes both Republicans and Democrats are not addressing the important issues, like the country's debt. He wants to bring change from outside traditional politics.
  3. There are still a lot of questions about Musk's new political venture, like whether he has done the necessary paperwork to officially start the party. Until then, it's unclear how serious this effort really is.

Trump vs Kamala: Who's winning online?

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2179 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Trump is getting a lot more social media attention compared to Kamala, with nearly double the mentions. This shows he has a strong online presence.
  2. Most social media talks about the candidates are negative, but older voters seem to have a more positive view of Kamala. Younger people prefer Trump.
  3. Trump's approach focuses on longer content like podcasts, which helps him connect better with his audience. Kamala's shorter, snappy content may not build the same strong relationships.

THE MIDTERMS WILL NOT BE KIND TO THE REPUBLICANS

Seymour Hersh • 38 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Internal polling suggests Republicans face big losses and Democrats are likely to win back the House.
  2. Several Senate races are competitive and Democrats have strong chances in multiple states, putting the GOP's slim majority at risk.
  3. Backlash against hardline immigration enforcement, protests over ICE tactics, and unmet promises on the economy and foreign policy are weakening the GOP's political standing.

Six Ways Being a Cardplayer Helps me Analyze Politics

Matt’s Five Points • 199 implied HN points • 21 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Understanding the rules of the game is key in both cards and politics. Just like in a card game, knowing the rules of political systems helps you make better decisions and predictions.
  2. Political players have different goals, just like card players. It's important to recognize that not everyone is trying to win; some are in it for fun or other reasons.
  3. Many times, outcomes in politics and card games are influenced by chance. Good players focus on making smart decisions rather than stressing about random events outside their control.

DeSantis Disaster: Why a wannabe dictator's campaign fails

georgelakoff • 1081 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. DeSantis failed by trying to run against Trump and betraying him, violating a key rule in Republican politics.
  2. In the authoritarian cult of Trump's Republican party, loyalty to the leader is paramount, and attempting to displace him is a major violation.
  3. DeSantis' attempt to outdo Trump with harsh policies backfired, alienating swing voters and positioning him as worse than Trump in the eyes of some.

No better room

benn.substack • 1815 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. The team had multiple backup plans ready for the election night, but they ended up not needing them at all because the outcome was clear very quickly. This shows how sometimes, despite all the preparation, things can turn out differently than expected.
  2. Even though they lost the election, the atmosphere in the room was charged with intensity and urgency as they worked together to process data. The experience was thrilling, highlighting the importance of being actively involved even when facing tough situations.
  3. The hardworking people behind the scenes may not get recognition for their efforts after a loss, but their commitment and dedication are valuable. They might be unnoticed now, but their hard work is still important for future efforts.

Live Video with Dr. Amy Acton

Thinking about... • 118 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Dr. Amy Acton is running for governor of Ohio and has a strong background in public health. She's recognized for her calm leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. The upcoming live video on November 20 will be an informal chat about Ohio's issues and potential solutions.
  3. Timothy Snyder encourages viewers to join the live conversation through the Substack app and share it with others interested in the discussion.

The bossiness of veganuary

The Free Mind • 511 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Campaigns
  1. Only 2% of Brits are vegan, but there's pressure from various groups to promote Veganuary.
  2. Veganuary promotes flexitarianism, a diet with mostly plants but some animal products.
  3. Some individuals try and stick to veganism after participating in Veganuary.

Big Media Wish Kennedy Oblivion and Death

husseini • 864 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns
  1. Kennedy highlighted not wanting the Democratic party to represent fear, pharma, war, and censorship.
  2. Mainstream media portrayed Kennedy's speech negatively and focused on specific topics like vaccines instead of the broader issues he addressed.
  3. Despite the media coverage, Kennedy's speech raised important topics like the collusion of state and business, war, racism, and our relationship with nature.