The hottest Elections Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Links For July 2025

Astral Codex Ten • 13627 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. AI trained for creative writing may produce repetitive content because it often plays it safe. This shows us the difference between what is considered good writing and good taste.
  2. A unique political event in 1952 Texas saw a candidate run on both major party tickets and win. It was a strategy to attract voters from different sides.
  3. Chances are, we're not burning as many calories during activities like chess as popular belief suggests. The claims of extreme calorie burn by players may be exaggerated.

The Deep State is Alive and Well, Selling the Same Old Lie: "Sources and Methods"

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 9895 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Journalists used to challenge secrecy but now often help government officials keep information hidden. This change makes it hard for the public to get the truth.
  2. The term 'sources and methods' is often used to avoid revealing important details, but sometimes it's just a way to cover up mistakes or bad practices.
  3. There's ongoing conflict in getting the truth out about past government actions, especially related to the Russiagate investigation. Expect more revelations to come.

What is Heather Cox Richardsonism?

Silver Bulletin • 2166 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. A distinct faction called Richardsonism or the #Resistance has emerged inside the Democratic Party, driven by older, highly educated, mostly female readers and powered by popular Substack writing and anti‑Trump activism.
  2. The faction often shows moral certainty and an aversion to self‑critique, at times spreading misleading claims while speaking in a scholarly, partisan tone.
  3. That combination of purity politics and partisan cheerleading can be politically costly — Democrats need to balance principles with pragmatic choices on issues that matter to median voters (for example, immigration) if they want to win elections.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Afrikaners Welcomed to America—and the Ukrainians Forced to Leave. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 431 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
📰 News Elections
  1. America’s refugee policy is being applied selectively: some groups, like white South African Afrikaners, were welcomed but now struggle with poor housing and scarce support, while many Ukrainians who fled war are stuck in legal limbo or forced to leave after relief programs were paused.
  2. A large DOJ release of Jeffrey Epstein-related videos contains disturbing footage that exposes more of his network, but the files are massive and hard to search or browse.
  3. Drones are moving into everyday life with cheap, practical uses—pizza delivery, disaster relief, even catching car thieves—signaling a fast-growing drone age with broad social effects.

The Roundup: Too much ICE

The Watch • 634 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. The administration's immigration enforcement has become increasingly violent and lawless, using paramilitary tactics, masked agents, and reported abuse and deaths in detention and arrests. Accountability is rare as reporting and inspections are blocked and legal limits are stretched.
  2. Ordinary people and local institutions are pushing back hard — nationwide protests, a surge of ICE-watcher volunteers, legal fights, and surprising local election wins show growing resistance and civic mobilization. These actions are drawing attention and slowing or challenging some federal moves.
  3. Institutional capture, secrecy, and surveillance are widening the problem, with weakened oversight, politicized prosecutions, facial-recognition tracking of protesters, and risks of manufactured evidence or election interference. Those trends make abuses harder to check and raise broader threats to democratic norms.

Kamala Harris has Liz Cheney Syndrome

Silver Bulletin • 481 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Harris ran a largely substance-free campaign and didn’t clearly signal her positions, so many voters defaulted to viewing her as left-wing instead of a centrist.
  2. Liz Cheney Syndrome is when different groups each see you as their ideological opposite, and the analysis shows voters reward candidates who seem to match their own views.
  3. Because Harris didn’t define herself strongly, opponents and ads filled the gap; clear messaging (and overcoming possible gendered typecasting) is crucial for persuading voters and reducing ideological distance.

Republican officials threaten to remove Biden from the ballot

Popular Information • 13915 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Republican officials are threatening to remove President Biden from the ballot due to his immigration policies.
  2. The threat is based on a white nationalist conspiracy theory and applying the 14th Amendment to disqualify Trump from the ballot.
  3. Media outlets are discussing the implications of removing Trump from the ballot and the constitutional requirements for presidential candidates.

Expect a Firehose of Obamacare Misinformation From Bad Actors, Insurance Industry Operatives

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 679 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. There will be a lot of misinformation about Obamacare as the election approaches, particularly from bad actors and the insurance industry. It's important to stay informed about the truth.
  2. Obamacare has its supporters and critics, with Democrats generally praising it and Republicans trying to repeal it. Understanding both sides can help in making informed opinions.
  3. Many important protections for consumers are tied to Obamacare, like ensuring insurers cover everyone regardless of health. Recognizing these benefits is crucial in the debate over the law.

In Brutal Document Release, the Russia Hoax is Finally Exposed

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 10663 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. The report claims that the evidence used to suggest that Russia helped Trump was based on unreliable and questionable sources. Much of it was dismissed or deemed inadequate even by those who assembled the report.
  2. Key intelligence that contradicted the narrative about Putin's preference for Trump was omitted from the official assessments. Some analysts within the CIA raised concerns about the integrity of the evidence being presented.
  3. The information shows a pattern of manipulating facts to support a pre-determined narrative, similar to past intelligence failures. This raises serious questions about how intelligence is gathered and presented in political contexts.

Polls: Harris slipping! Race Tightens

COVID Reason • 178 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Polls show Kamala Harris is losing ground to Donald Trump, with the race tightening as the campaign progresses.
  2. Harris is facing criticism for not delivering on her campaign promises, which has disappointed some voters.
  3. Concerns about Harris's past support for certain policies could be used against her in the election, indicating a potential political vulnerability.

Russiagate Releases Lifting a Veil on Surveillance State Abuses

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8939 implied HN points • 14 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Recent findings highlight serious abuses within the surveillance state, suggesting a breakdown of trust and oversight. This raises concerns about how much power intelligence agencies should have over citizens.
  2. Key intelligence leaders appear to have prioritized a unified narrative about Russian interference, ignoring proper evidence and procedural rules. This shows how political agendas can influence intelligence work.
  3. A pattern of surveillance over political figures and ordinary Americans is emerging, which could indicate a broader issue of domestic spying. This affects not just politicians but also journalists who interact with various political sources.

What I think DOGE is really up to

Noahpinion • 26588 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. DOGE is a massive operation that seems focused on reshaping the federal government rather than just cutting costs. People are worried about what it’s doing, but its main aim may be to change the mindset of government workers.
  2. The push to change the federal workforce's ideology may be influenced by the belief that it leans too far left. This could lead to a shift in how government programs function and who runs them.
  3. Understanding DOGE's real purpose is important because it's moving quickly and often in secrecy. Instead of just reacting to its actions, we should be thinking about its long-term effects on government and society.

Financial Empowerment

Points And Figures • 426 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Many athletes have short earning windows and often lack the skills to protect their money, so they need targeted support even though helping them at scale is challenging.
  2. The phrase “financial literacy” is vague and hard to measure, while “financial empowerment” is a clearer, more actionable goal that focuses on practical self-reliance.
  3. Financial empowerment means giving people the ability to be self-reliant regardless of education, and making it a public priority can guide programs and invite people to join the effort.

Can Democrats escape their Florida death spiral?

Silver Bulletin • 384 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Florida has shifted from a true swing state to a Republican-leaning state, with registration and voting trends moving steadily right and the GOP holding statewide power.
  2. The state Democratic Party is underfunded and poorly organized, having diverted resources to outside groups and spread money too thin, which hurts candidate quality and field operations.
  3. Those problems make recovery much harder—mid-decade redistricting and population shifts can entrench GOP advantages—so rebuilding will take years and a focused, well-funded strategy that targets winnable legislative races first.

Jeff Carter for Nevada State Treasurer: Fight Waste & Fraud, Invest Tax Dollars Wisely

Points And Figures • 1385 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Put experienced financial stewardship in the State Treasurer’s office to safeguard taxpayer money, eliminate waste and fraud, and maximize investment returns.
  2. Modernize the Treasurer’s operations using technology to speed payments, cut fees, and expand financial empowerment and better management of programs like 529 plans and unclaimed property.
  3. Require the Treasurer to have real financial credentials and push policies that attract businesses to Nevada while prioritizing pure return-on-investment over political ESG/DEI considerations.

The Right-Wing Troll Who Would Be Governor. Plus. . . 

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 421 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. A young, very online right-wing candidate has built a cult-like following among disaffected young men, showing how trollish internet culture can translate into real political energy.
  2. Big Food’s corporate power and lobbying are major drivers of rising childhood obesity, and experts argue only sweeping policy changes will curb the crisis.
  3. Dark-money donations, threats to press freedom, platform harms, and major labor actions together suggest institutions are under strain and accountability is weakening.

Congressman urging Texas to ignore the Supreme Court is backed by major law firms

Popular Information • 11203 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Congressman Chip Roy is urging Texas to ignore the Supreme Court due to a specific ruling he opposes
  2. Major law firms and corporations are financially supporting Roy's re-election campaign
  3. Other Republican politicians like Oklahoma Governor Stitt and Congressman Higgins have also challenged the authority of the Supreme Court

Sunday Strip: Convoy to Cuba

Who is Robert Malone • 26 implied HN points • 15 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. The Republican Party is jeopardizing its midterm chances by ignoring the voters who elected them and failing to address issues important to their MAHA-aligned base.
  2. Some climate activists are being called out as hypocritical for pushing to allow fossil-fuel imports to Cuba despite previously arguing against fossil fuel use.
  3. Fundraising drives framed as "Free Cuba" efforts to send oil are being portrayed as grifts that would prop up the Cuban regime rather than genuinely help the Cuban people.

How we'll know if Trump is going to sell America out to China

Noahpinion • 33118 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Export controls on technology, especially semiconductors, are really important for keeping the U.S. ahead of China. If Trump stops these controls, it could mean he's not serious about standing up to Chinese power.
  2. There are doubts about Trump's commitment to manufacturing jobs, as his previous promises may not hold true. His tariffs might just be for show and could even hurt U.S. manufacturing instead of helping it.
  3. China is a serious threat to U.S. dominance, and the way Trump handles trade and technology policy will be key in determining the future relationship between the two countries.

A New Rule for Social Interactions with Anyone Who Ever Voted for or Thought of Voting for Donald Trump

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 499 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. People who voted for or even thought of voting for Donald Trump should start interactions by apologizing, repenting, and agreeing to let someone less easily grifted guide all their future voting decisions.
  2. Trump’s plan to close the Kennedy Center leans on vague claims of “highly respected experts,” but there’s no public record of prior warnings, so the closure looks like a post hoc justification rather than a long-standing necessity.
  3. There are real worries about his mental fitness, and it’s alarming that he hasn’t been declared incompetent or had a guardian appointed despite actions that raise serious doubts about who should be making major decisions.

Things Worth Remembering: The Day Jesse Jackson Asked for Forgiveness

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 245 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Concession speeches are one of the hardest tasks for any politician, demanding honesty and composure.
  2. Jesse Jackson’s 1984 concession showed extraordinary humility and public repentance and is remembered as a master class in oratory.
  3. After alienating American Jews and losing the presidential bid, he asked for forgiveness, making the speech a lasting example of humble leadership.

Suggest Questions For Metaculus/ACX Forecasting Contest

Astral Codex Ten • 3441 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. The ACX and Metaculus forecasting contest is looking for interesting questions related to events in 2026. Questions should have clear answers that can be known by the end of the year.
  2. The top ten contributors of question ideas can win prizes ranging from $150 to $700. It's a chance to get recognized for your ideas and earn some money.
  3. This year, the contest will also include AI bots that will compete against human forecasters. This adds a fun twist and a different level of competition to the event.

Identity politics isn't working

Noahpinion • 36824 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Identity politics isn't connecting with voters. Treating people as part of a racial group rather than as individuals hasn’t worked well for Democrats.
  2. Inflation is a bigger concern for people than unemployment. Voters are more focused on rising costs than job numbers.
  3. The educated class is losing touch with regular folks. There needs to be better understanding and communication between these groups.

Public Choice Links, 2/06/2026

In My Tribe • 318 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. People disagree about why government can’t get things done. Some blame public distrust that blocks capacity, while others blame one-party dominance and weak electoral competition at the state level.
  2. Outsourcing welfare services to private firms can create incentives for fraud because firms may keep unspent money as profit. Alternatives include direct public provision or giving recipients cash to spend themselves, which proponents say would reduce waste.
  3. Social Security drifted from a modest safety net toward a broadly generous pension as replacement rates rose in the 1970s. One proposed reform is a flat benefit that focuses the program on protecting poor seniors rather than replacing middle- and upper-income retirement income.

The best-case scenario for Trump's second term

Noahpinion • 33706 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. The economy could keep growing, leading to better wages for workers. If Trump doesn't interfere too much, this growth might continue.
  2. Political unrest may decrease, as many people seem tired of constant outrage. Americans might become more chill and tune out extreme movements on both sides.
  3. Trump might keep some successful policies from Biden while making adjustments. This could boost American industry without causing a lot of controversy.

EARLY VOTING COUNTS ARE IN

COVID Reason • 178 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Early voting policies have changed in many states since the decline of COVID, affecting how people vote.
  2. Republicans are seeing positive trends in party switching and county-level details, especially in Pennsylvania.
  3. However, the number of early ballots returned is still lower than expected, raising concerns for the Republican Party.

ACX Endorses Harris, Oliver, Or Stein

Astral Codex Ten • 37235 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. It's suggested to vote for Kamala Harris in swing states and consider third-party candidates in safe states. This is a way to support candidates seen as better alternatives to Donald Trump.
  2. There are concerns about Donald Trump's authoritarian tendencies, including potential manipulation of election processes and threats to opponents. This could gradually undermine democracy.
  3. Some argue that while both major parties have authoritarian traits, the urgency to prevent Trump's rise is heightened since he might more openly challenge democratic norms compared to the Democrats.

The Week Ahead (01.14.24)

The Status Kuo • 11655 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Deaths at the border as Texas defies federal authority, leading to tragic consequences
  2. Republicans in turmoil over budget negotiations, facing potential government shutdown
  3. U.S. and U.K. launch military strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, escalating tensions

Fact-Checking Glenn Kessler

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 9476 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Glenn Kessler, a fact-checker for the Washington Post, critiqued Tulsi Gabbard's views on U.S. intelligence regarding Russia's influence in the elections. He believes that investigations showed Putin had a clear preference for Trump.
  2. Kessler's statement about 'careful investigative work' lacks specific details but implies that thorough investigation led to the conclusion about Putin's intentions.
  3. Recent reports from the House Intelligence Committee provide new context and information about the intelligence community's assessment from 2017, which may challenge Kessler's claims.

The "Mostly Peaceful" Revolution

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 12731 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Protests labeled as 'mostly peaceful' can overshadow the real violence and chaos happening during events. This phrase has caused confusion about what is truly going on during protests.
  2. Political narratives around protests can shape public perception and influence voter behavior. People often feel caught between political extremes and may become frustrated with both sides.
  3. Refusing to acknowledge the concerns of voters about issues like immigration can lead to political backlash. Politicians need to listen to the public or risk losing support.

A Case for Kamala

Diane Francis • 1199 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Kamala Harris is gaining popularity as the presidential nominee, recently leading in polls against Donald Trump. This suggests that many people are excited about her potential candidacy.
  2. She plans to run her campaign by putting Trump on trial in the public eye, focusing on his past actions and beliefs. This approach aims to shift the election narrative from a typical contest into a moral judgment.
  3. Harris emphasizes her legal background and frames the election as a choice between freedom for all and chaos associated with Trump. She wants voters to see the election as about more than just two candidates, but about values and justice.

What is there left to believe in?

Noahpinion • 25882 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. There is a growing frustration among Americans with current progressive ideas, as many feel these ideas do not resonate with their everyday lives.
  2. On the other hand, conservatism isn't showing a strong comeback, leaving people feeling uncertain about their future beliefs and values.
  3. The political landscape seems dominated by individuals acting out of self-interest, making it hard for people to find reliable leaders or movements to support.

Mean Mr. Mustache

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 7269 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Thomas Friedman used to have a fun and charming writing style, which many feel is missing now. It's sad to see that change.
  2. There's a lot of criticism towards the CIA's actions during Trump's presidency, highlighting issues of trust and responsibility. Critics argue that the CIA's past behavior could complicate current negotiations.
  3. The shift in opinion pieces reflects a broader change in public discourse, moving from light-hearted conversations to more serious and scolding tones. Many readers miss the old, more engaging style of discussion.

Classified Leaks Back in Focus in Russiagate Investigation

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 7751 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Senator Adam Schiff is being investigated for allegedly leaking classified information against former President Trump. A whistleblower has shared that this was discussed in a staff meeting.
  2. These claims have surfaced recently, although investigations have been going on for a long time. The FBI has information about interviews with a staffer who reported these leaks.
  3. The situation is complex, involving various investigations into how classified information was handled. Both the media and Congress have been looking into these leaks for years.

Explosive New CIA Report Details Russiagate Fraud

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 10203 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. A new CIA report suggests that the intelligence used to support the Russiagate claims was manipulated to create a false narrative against Trump. This included favoring certain analysts and ignoring dissenting views.
  2. Former intelligence leaders like John Brennan and James Comey were involved in this manipulation, pushing a narrative that Russia helped Trump win the 2016 election. This set off a series of investigations that affected his presidency.
  3. The report adds new details but doesn't clearly indicate if there will be legal action against those involved in this intelligence fraud. It raises questions about the reliability of past intelligence assessments.

Misunderstanding Trump Voters

Disaffected Newsletter • 4436 implied HN points • 27 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections
  1. Not all Trump voters are fans of his personality; some vote for him despite it. They have serious concerns about the current political climate and feel voting for Trump is their best option.
  2. There are former Democrats who now support Trump because they believe the Democratic agenda is harmful to the country. They’re not swayed by Trump's style but by the policies they disagree with.
  3. Critics like McWhorter may misjudge Trump voters by thinking they are blindly loyal. There's a call for a deeper understanding of their motivations beyond just Trump's persona.