The hottest Candidates Substack posts right now

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

The polls are close, but that doesn’t mean the results will be

Silver Bulletin • 666 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Polling Candidates Forecasting
  1. Polls show a very tight race, but this doesn't guarantee a close election outcome. Both candidates could end up winning by a larger margin than the polls suggest.
  2. Polling errors can happen in either direction, making the election unpredictable. Even a small error could lead to a surprising result on election day.
  3. The focus should be on battleground states, as those will ultimately determine the winner regardless of national polls. The voting patterns in these key areas could lead to differing results from the national poll averages.

Beware the Haley-RINO Trump Trap in New Hampshire and South Carolina

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 2751 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Campaign Strategy
  1. Nikki Haley is being used as a tool by the RINO establishment to try to defeat Trump in the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries.
  2. There is concern about crossover Democrat voters influencing the outcome of the Republican primaries in New Hampshire.
  3. Even if Haley gains momentum in New Hampshire and South Carolina, Trump's strong base and national support make him likely to secure the nomination.

CROSSPOST: Alexandra Petri: It Has Fallen to Me, the ["Washington Post"] Humor Columnist, to Endorse Harris for President

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 584 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Media Democracy Political Commentary
  1. The Washington Post decided not to endorse a candidate for the 2024 presidential election, saying they want to return to their historical roots of neutrality.
  2. The humor columnist publicly endorsed Kamala Harris because she believes it's important to care about the future and the kind of world her child will be born into.
  3. She argues that democracy is fragile and must be actively supported, and that it's crucial to speak out against candidates who threaten it, like Donald Trump.

Post-Apocalypse America

Unsafe • 2260 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Candidates Debates Campaigning
  1. DeSantis struggled due to various factors like his 20-point victory in 2022 affecting his decision-making.
  2. The withdrawal speech was analyzed, including the phrases used, like "No more pale pastels. We need bold colors."
  3. Nikki Haley's behavior and controversies in the political landscape were highlighted, showing how she handles criticism and her approach in debates.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Backlash in Deep-Blue America

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2508 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policies Candidates Polls
  1. One in ten 2020 Biden voters now support Donald Trump, indicating trouble for Biden's reelection bid.
  2. Progressive places like San Francisco and Oregon are embracing law-and-order policies, signaling a shift towards 'common sense' approaches.
  3. Conservatives are gaining ground in political fights in deep-blue areas like Washington, D.C., New York, and California, reflecting a broader conservative backlash.

In 2024: Old vs. Old and Unwell

Diane Francis • 899 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Public Opinion Political strategy Media influence
  1. Both Biden and Trump are old, but age alone shouldn't be the main concern for voters. It's more important to look at their character and mental health.
  2. The media often focuses more on Biden's verbal slips than Trump's, even though both sometimes make mistakes. Age-related mistakes are normal and not always a sign of decline.
  3. Voters are worried about the future as both candidates face serious issues. The election shows a need for fresh competition instead of just choosing between these two older men.

joe biden can beat trump

Airplane Mode with Liz Plank • 1159 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Presidency Candidates Democracy Foreign Relations
  1. There are concerns about Biden's memory and cognitive function affecting his potential reelection campaign.
  2. Biden could prevent Trump's second term by stepping down and allowing new Democratic candidates to enter the race.
  3. Allowing a different candidate to replace Biden could address challenges like lack of enthusiasm among voters and the threat of a second Trump presidency.

Livestream, 7:30 ET Tonight: Walter Kirn and Matt Taibbi Recap Super Tuesday Results

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 2262 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Livestream Candidates Voting
  1. Livestream tonight at 7:30 ET with Walter Kirn and Matt Taibbi to review Super Tuesday results
  2. Sarcasm levels may be high during the livestream, but they aim to keep things in bounds
  3. A significant portion of delegates are being decided, providing material for Walter and Matt to discuss the general election

It’s Trump 2024 Versus a Never-Trump Cartel

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 2122 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Political parties Media Candidates Campaign Strategy
  1. The 2024 Republican presidential primary is a battle between Trump and a well-funded Never-Trump Cartel.
  2. The Never-Trump Cartel includes dark money interests, media conglomerates, and Silicon Valley figures.
  3. Various political figures like Nikki Haley and Chris Christie are part of the Never-Trump Cartel aiming to challenge and diminish Trump's support.

Handicapping the Trump-DeSantis Faceoff

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 2024 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Policies Campaign Strategy Political Analysis
  1. DeSantis may try to claim Trump can't win by showing misleading polls in key battleground states.
  2. Trump might urge supporters to move to more MAGA-friendly media outlets like Newsmax and Real America's Voice.
  3. DeSantis may position himself as an anti-lockdown, anti-vaccine mandate candidate to try to split Trump's base.

Notes toward a theory of the millennial ambition psycho

Read Max • 3214 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Candidates Political Ideologies Political Campaigns Political strategy
  1. Vivek Ramaswamy is a millennial political candidate with a unique and somewhat controversial platform.
  2. Millennial ambition psychos are ambitious, high-achieving individuals with polarizing qualities, often found in influential positions.
  3. Not all millennial politicians fit the mold of millennial ambition psychos, with some like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez having different career paths and viewpoints.

Election Questions

David Friedman’s Substack • 143 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Candidates Political parties Public Opinion
  1. Lawfare might have affected the Democrats' performance. It raises the question of whether talking about Trump's legal troubles helped or hurt their votes.
  2. Many voters supported Trump but didn't vote for other Republicans. This suggests there might be something different happening in down-ballot races versus the presidential election.
  3. Voters seemed to back their chosen candidates more than vote against opponents. This indicates Trump's popularity among his supporters, while Harris faced more opposition.

Project Fear Is Not Enough

The Weekly Dish • 160 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Campaigns Political strategy Voting behavior
  1. Kamala Harris is struggling in her political campaign and isn't gaining much support. It's important for candidates to connect with voters and show strong leadership.
  2. Fear tactics alone won't win elections; candidates need to have clear and positive messages. Engaging people with hope is often more effective than just warning them about the opposition.
  3. A candidate's popularity can be influenced by their ability to communicate and inspire. Good communication skills and a relatable presence make a big difference in how voters perceive them.

Kamala Harris, Crayon Candidate

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 192 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Candidates Elections Public Policy Media influence
  1. Kamala Harris often relies on scripted lines and rarely shows her own thoughts when interviewed. This makes it hard for her to respond to tougher, unexpected questions.
  2. During a recent debate, she struggled to explain key issues like immigration and her differences from Biden. It seemed like she was stuck on talking points against Trump rather than offering her own ideas.
  3. Harris appears to have multiple personalities when speaking, shifting between different styles but not genuinely expressing her stance. This raises questions about her readiness for the role she seeks.

Trump Wins: What a Comeback

The Reactionary • 130 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political strategy Public Opinion Legislation
  1. Trump managed to unite a diverse group of voters, including independents and working-class individuals, which helped him win key states. This shows that many people are looking for change and support candidates who speak to their needs.
  2. Kamala Harris faced challenges as a candidate, which made it hard for her to connect with voters. Her lack of charisma and unchanging policies compared to Biden may have hurt her chances of winning.
  3. There are expectations for Trump's second term to be smoother without the chaos from his first term. This could lead to new legislation to improve the economy and other significant changes.

Reform UK enters Wellingborough byelection battle

NN Journal • 735 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Election Political parties Candidates Conservatives
  1. Reform UK chose Ben Habib as candidate over Nigel Farage or Peter Bone for Wellingborough byelection
  2. Reform UK aims to contest every constituency in upcoming election as the party for the working class
  3. Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, and Britain First all preparing candidates for the Wellingborough byelection expected in February

Election Links

In My Tribe • 364 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Economics Policy Criticism
  1. Elections are needed for people to give up power, but they often lead to fear and anger, making them tough to navigate. It can feel like a necessary evil.
  2. Mainstream economists are worried that neither candidate is addressing serious economic issues, like the future of Social Security and Medicare. It's frustrating when major problems aren't talked about honestly.
  3. Critics say some proposals, like expanding Medicare or helping first-time homebuyers, could actually lead to higher costs for everyone. Policies might sound good but can have unexpected negative effects in the long run.

The Synthetic Candidate

KERFUFFLE • 85 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Campaigns Political Analysis Media influence
  1. iPhones use a tricky method to take photos that aren't exactly real. They take many pictures, mix them, and make one that looks better overall.
  2. This way of taking pictures can make things look too perfect and normal, losing some special qualities that make photos unique.
  3. Similarly, the media is trying to make Kamala Harris look better by hiding her flaws, aiming for a polished image that people can accept, even if she's not the strongest candidate.

Why I'm voting for Donald J. Trump

Unreported Truths • 240 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political parties Political strategy Public Opinion
  1. Donald Trump may not be perfect, but some people believe the country needs change from the current political situation.
  2. Many feel that the Democratic Party is pushing policies that limit free speech and influence various social issues negatively.
  3. Despite concerns about Trump and his actions, some supporters appreciate his determination and willingness to campaign vigorously against the forces they believe are unfairly targeting him.

Trump's "town halls" this week were filled with paid attendees and Republican activists

Michael Tracey • 94 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Candidates Media Activism
  1. Trump's recent events labeled as 'town halls' were staged with paid audience members and partisan activists. This makes them feel less like real discussions and more like organized rallies.
  2. Audience members were often recruited through casting agencies, with some even being paid $80 to attend. Many were unsure about what the event really was before arriving.
  3. These events do not provide a genuine platform for candidates to be questioned honestly. Instead, they tend to favor cheerleading by supporters rather than real scrutiny or debate.

Nikki in NH

Things I Didn't Learn in School • 235 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Leadership Policy Candidates Government
  1. Nikki Haley's potential win in New Hampshire could lead to significant changes and a corrective feature in the US system.
  2. Haley's focus on fiscal responsibility and deflationary policies may impact US Treasuries and the economy positively.
  3. Her background, qualities, and approach suggest a shift in political norms and potential for US power and influence if she wins.

Cuomo Come

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 11 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political parties Public Opinion Corruption
  1. Eric Adams, the current mayor of New York City, is facing serious legal troubles and might not have a future in politics. The situation looks bad for him with upcoming trials and loss of support.
  2. Andrew Cuomo, the former governor, is likely running for mayor and is currently seen as the frontrunner in the race. His reputation is controversial, but he may benefit from a lack of strong opponents.
  3. The Democratic primary for the mayoral race seems weak with no big names besides Cuomo and Adams. This could make it easier for Cuomo to gain solid footing in the election.

Election Countdown, 264 Days to Go: Fuzzy Talk About ‘Fuzzy Memory’

Breaking the News • 397 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Policy Media Government Candidates
  1. Dr. Charan Ranganath distinguishes between everyday forgetting and consequential memory loss, urging focus on actual capabilities rather than age-related slip-ups.
  2. Joe Biden's eloquence shines in longer, less rushed settings, like in major speeches and podcast-style interviews, showcasing a different side than his press availabilities.
  3. In politics, appearances often influence getting the job, but effectiveness in doing the job is what truly matters; the distinction is crucial when discussing candidates like Biden.

Blame Biden

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 47 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Democrats Republicans Campaigns
  1. The 2022 midterms gave Democrats a false sense of confidence that led them to misjudge their chances in the 2024 presidential race.
  2. Joe Biden's decision to run for a second term caused issues for the party, as it didn't allow for a healthy primary process to find a stronger candidate.
  3. Democrats need to reassess their approach to elections, as the current strategy isn't working, especially with Trump's return looming on the horizon.

And the winner is Kennedy….

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 43 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political media Public Opinion Health Policy
  1. Kennedy has created a strong youth movement that affects the presidential race, influencing many young voters to support him and even some to back Trump.
  2. He's successfully brought health issues to the forefront of the political debate, changing how people think about food and health regulations in America.
  3. Kennedy has been given a significant role in a new commission related to presidential assassinations, which could reveal important information about U.S. history and politics.