The hottest Campaigns Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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How do Politicians remember everyone?

Recontact • 0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns Communication Data Management Security CRM
  1. Politicians need strong interpersonal skills to build public trust, understand constituent needs, and communicate effectively.
  2. CRM systems are essential for politicians to manage data, personalize communication, improve campaign efficiency, and track engagement.
  3. Politicians use CRMs uniquely by segmenting voters, integrating with social media, ensuring compliance, and managing large-scale operations.

Elecshun Dae 2020

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 20
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Political Analysis Democracy Campaigns
  1. Don't watch TV coverage before evening results come in. It’s usually filled with pointless chatter and won't help you understand the election better.
  2. Know the electoral map really well. Understanding which states are important can help you keep track of the electoral votes needed to win the presidency.
  3. Get familiar with key Senate races and House districts. Knowing which races matter can make watching the election more interesting and meaningful.

FIVE POINTS: The Worst Job in Washington

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 02 Feb 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Legislation Political Process Campaigns Governance
  1. Being a Congressman is getting less enjoyable. Many members are spending more time on boring tasks and fundraising rather than making laws and engaging in policy discussions.
  2. The budget process is messy and needs reform, but figuring out how to change it is complicated. Many agree it's broken, but the details of how to fix it are hard to sort out.
  3. There's a lot of talk about an infrastructure plan, but it seems to keep getting delayed. With so many other issues on the table, it's unclear when or if it will actually happen.

Primaries, All The Way Down

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 28 Sep 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Populism Campaigns
  1. Many politicians are more scared of losing their primary elections than the general ones. This means they focus on pleasing their party's base instead of the wider public.
  2. There's a growing trend where conservative candidates challenge established politicians. These challenges often lead to incumbents retiring or changing their views to avoid conflict.
  3. Leaders in Congress face a tough situation. If they make deals to get things done, they risk angering their party's base, which could lead to primary challenges.

Elecshun Dae 2016

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 07 Nov 16
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Political Analysis Democracy Campaigns
  1. Stay away from TV news all day. It's mostly pointless chatter and won't help you understand the election better.
  2. Know the important states and races to watch. Focus on the ones that will really affect the election outcome.
  3. Discuss politics with colleagues and friends in a positive way. Listening to different views can be really interesting and help you think about democracy.
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Cocktails, Candidates, and Confederates

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Debates Political parties Campaigns Culture
  1. The author plans to watch a GOP debate at home with drinks, likely bourbon, involved. It's a casual setting where he intends to enjoy himself.
  2. He humorously describes a fictional drink called a 'Modern Whig' to illustrate his feelings about the debate questions.
  3. The author invites local friends to join him for the debate and drinks, creating a social atmosphere around a political event.

GOP Primary Candidate Venn Diagaram #8: Ron Paul

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 31 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political parties Voting Campaigns
  1. Ron Paul is a notable figure in the GOP primary race. He is known for his distinct political views.
  2. The Venn diagram for Ron Paul highlights the intersections of his ideas and those of other candidates. It shows how his beliefs compare with others in the party.
  3. This analysis helps people understand where Ron Paul stands among his peers. It provides insight into his unique position in the political landscape.

GOP Primary Candidate Venn Diagram #7: Rick Santorum

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 28 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political parties Campaigns Voter Behavior
  1. Rick Santorum is one of the candidates in the GOP primary race. He shares some similar views with other candidates, making him a notable figure in the election.
  2. The candidate diagrams highlight how different GOP candidates compare with one another. This helps people understand their positions better.
  3. Venn diagrams can be a fun and visual way to look at political contests. They show overlaps in beliefs and campaign styles among candidates.

GOP Primary Candidate Venn Diagram #6: Herman Cain

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 25 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Campaigns Political Analysis Voting Trends
  1. Herman Cain was a notable GOP primary candidate. He gained attention for his unique perspectives and business background.
  2. Venn diagrams were used to compare candidates in the GOP primary. These visual tools helped illustrate the similarities and differences among the candidates.
  3. The discussion included various other GOP candidates. Each candidate brought their individual qualities to the race, contributing to a diverse field.

GOP Primary Candidate Venn Diagram #5: Rick Perry

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Campaigns Political Analysis Electoral process
  1. Rick Perry is one of the GOP primary candidates and has unique characteristics that set him apart. Understanding these differences can help voters make informed choices.
  2. The Venn diagram shows how Rick Perry compares with other candidates, highlighting both overlaps and distinctions. This visual tool makes it easier to see where he stands.
  3. Analyzing candidates like Rick Perry helps people understand the political landscape better, especially during elections. It's important to look at each candidate's strengths and weaknesses.

GOP Primary Candidate Venn Diagram #4: Michele Bachmann

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 22 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political parties Campaigns Voter Behavior
  1. Michele Bachmann is one of several candidates in the GOP primary race. Each candidate brings unique views and policies to the table.
  2. The use of Venn diagrams helps to visualize the overlaps and differences between these candidates. It makes comparing them easier.
  3. Understanding these candidates is important for voters, especially as they navigate their choices in the primary elections.

GOP Primary Candidate Venn Diagram #3: Willard Mitt Romney

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political parties Campaigns Political Analysis
  1. Mitt Romney is a notable candidate in the GOP primary race. He has a mix of traditional and modern Republican ideals.
  2. Understanding candidates through visuals like Venn diagrams can simplify their positions. This method helps highlight similarities and differences among candidates.
  3. Analyzing political candidates can help voters make informed choices. It’s important to know where candidates stand on various issues.

GOP Primary Candidate Venn Diagram #2: Jon Huntsman Jr.

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 20 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political parties Political strategy Campaigns
  1. Jon Huntsman Jr. is one of the candidates in the GOP primary race. He is noted for his unique positions compared to other candidates.
  2. The Venn diagram shows the overlapping views and differences among GOP primary candidates. It helps to visualize where they stand on various issues.
  3. Other candidates have their own Venn diagrams which highlight their specific traits and policies. This provides a broader understanding of the primary race.

GOP Primary Candidate Venn Diagram #1: Newt Gingrich

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 19 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political parties Political Analysis Campaigns
  1. Newt Gingrich ran as a candidate in the GOP primary, known for his influential role in politics. He is seen as a significant figure within the Republican Party.
  2. Venn diagrams of political candidates can show how they relate to each other and their voter bases. They help visualize differences and similarities among various candidates.
  3. Other GOP candidates like Mitt Romney and Ron Paul were also part of the primary process. Each candidate had their unique approach and message, impacting the election dynamics.

The Adventures of Link(s)

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 19 Nov 11
🎾 Sports Baseball Playoffs Economics Campaigns Elections
  1. Baseball playoffs are exciting but often unfair, making them more about luck than skill. The beauty of baseball lies in the long season, not just the post-season rush.
  2. There's a debate about how much campaigns really matter in elections. Many people wish for democracy to be more about great ideas and leaders than just voting based on tough times.
  3. Election outcomes are usually influenced by bigger factors than campaigns, with candidates' fates often decided before they even start campaigning. It's important to understand the underlying trends rather than just the surface drama.

Double Herman-uetic

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 31 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Scandals Media Political Analysis
  1. Amateur candidates often face more scrutiny for past mistakes than seasoned politicians. Career politicians usually have their issues dealt with through previous campaigns, so they have less to worry about.
  2. Some people believe controversies won't hurt a candidate, but many factors suggest otherwise. Allegations can impact a candidate's support, especially when they are competing against others in their own party.
  3. Even if a candidate survives a scandal, it can hurt their overall appeal and support. The lack of endorsements and fundraising issues can become more pronounced after such controversies.

It doesn't matter. But in what way?

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Political Science Decision-making
  1. Not everything in politics affects the outcome. Some things, like debates or running mate choices, seem important but often don’t really change what happens.
  2. There are different reasons why something might not matter. Sometimes it’s because there’s no clear advantage to choosing one option over another.
  3. Campaigns tend to be cautious because avoiding mistakes is a smart strategy. They focus on minimizing errors to protect against losing advantages they don’t even have.

Posterior Perry-bility: A (semi-serious) Bayesian update of Rick Perry

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 13 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Analysis Campaigns Polling Political theory
  1. Rick Perry's chances of becoming the GOP nominee have dropped after performing poorly in four debates.
  2. Bayesian analysis shows that his updated probability of being the nominee is now 24%, down from 39%.
  3. The discussion raises questions about how to accurately assess someone's debate performance and its impact on their nomination chances.

On the effectiveness of campaigns

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 17 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns Political Science Voter Turnout
  1. Most of the money spent on campaigning is wasted. It's hard to know what actually works, so campaigns often spend in a scattershot way.
  2. There are methods like running experiments to see what campaign strategies are effective and how much they really cost. Door-to-door contact, for example, is usually more effective than phone calls.
  3. While research is helping campaigns waste less money, it may still only cut down the waste to two-thirds instead of eliminating it completely. There's always going to be some level of uncertainty in what works.

On the possibiltiy of a centrist 3rd party in 2012

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 15 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties Elections Campaigns
  1. The chances for a successful centrist third party depend on the Republican nominee being very conservative, which could push some moderate voters toward an independent candidate.
  2. Starting a third party campaign is tough because of strict campaign finance laws and the need for early fundraising and organization.
  3. Even if a credible centrist candidate emerges, it might not lead to a lasting third party due to the strong two-party system in place.

On longshots

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 07 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Legislation Political Ideology Public Policy
  1. Not all candidates run for president to win. They might have other reasons like raising awareness for issues or building their political network.
  2. Some candidates aim to change their party's views or set themselves up for future elections, even if they know they are longshots.
  3. Similarly, politicians introduce lots of bills that won't pass for various reasons, like showing their ideals or gaining media attention, which is usually a cheap and easy process.

On candidates holding odd jobs

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 16 Aug 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political Science Political History Campaigns
  1. It's very rare for someone who's currently in the House of Representatives to run for president. Only a few have even won significant votes in the past.
  2. Being a sitting Representative often means lacking enough political experience and stature that voters expect from presidential candidates.
  3. Representatives can have a lot to lose if they run for president because they might have to give up their powerful roles in Congress, and their long voting history can be used against them.

I told you so

Numb at the Lodge • 0 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Public Opinion Campaigns Democracy
  1. There are two main groups in American politics: one that is educated and informed, and another that is often seen as less informed. This divide affects who wins elections.
  2. Kamala Harris, while politically skilled, failed to connect with voters, which led to her loss. The Democratic Party didn't pick a strong candidate to face Trump.
  3. People feel forced to choose between candidates, often leading to dissatisfaction. Many voters believe they are stuck in a bad situation without real options.