The hottest Partisanship Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

What Did We Expect Would Happen?

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 2365 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Science Public Policy Partisanship Higher education
  1. Over the years, science has become very political in the U.S., with both major parties using it to gain power. This shift means scientists and universities are often seen as part of the political fight instead of neutral sources of knowledge.
  2. Democrats have begun to support science more because it helps their wealthy, educated voters, while Republicans have moved away from it, positioning it as elitist. This division creates a big gap in how each side views scientific authority.
  3. Many scientists have chosen sides in these political battles, which hurts the public's trust in science. The original idea that science benefits everyone, regardless of their political views, has been largely forgotten.

Strange Bedfellows

Campaign Trails • 4625 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Political strategy Political History Partisanship
  1. People from different political backgrounds can still agree on important issues, like protecting democracy. It's curious to see alliances form where you least expect them.
  2. Supporting a candidate like Kamala Harris doesn't mean changing beliefs or plans. It's more about attracting voters from all sides for a better chance at winning an election.
  3. Historically, reaching out to people from the opposing party has led to successful campaigns. Winning broad support is key to pushing forward important policies after elections.

How America's Accurate Election Polls Were Covered Up

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 11997 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Polling Media Partisanship Data journalism
  1. Some polls are seen as biased or not reliable because they're labeled as 'partisan', even if they prove to be more accurate than those deemed 'nonpartisan'. This can affect their credibility.
  2. Wikipedia removed a popular polling aggregator, Real Clear Politics, right before the election, saying it had a bias, but later had to restore it after realizing its accuracy.
  3. There's a concern that mainstream media may manipulate polling data to fit a narrative, which can mislead the public about the actual state of elections.

People Aren't Garbage. Partisan Politics Is

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 12968 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting Partisanship Media Political Opinions Public Sentiment
  1. People are not defined by their political choices. Voting can say little about who we are as individuals.
  2. The media often ignores the majority of people who don’t vote, creating a misleading view of public opinion. This exclusion strengthens the divide between those who are politically active and those who are not.
  3. Caring deeply about politics is seen as essential now, and those who aren't invested are looked down upon. This mindset can harm relationships and mischaracterize people.

One Man

Steady • 45343 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Elections Partisanship Leadership
  1. One man has fundamentally changed the political landscape and societal norms.
  2. He has impacted various aspects of life, from personal interactions to policies and climate change efforts.
  3. His influence has provoked divisions and challenges that require collective effort to address.
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The Media Keeps Trying to “Understand” Trump Voters Because They Don’t Want to Accept the Truth About Them

Bulwark+ • 14976 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Elections Partisanship Democracy Authoritarianism
  1. The media attempts to understand Trump voters but may not fully accept the truth about their motivations.
  2. Guardrails in democracy may not be enough to prevent certain actions of those seeking power.
  3. Google search influences web design, impacting user experience and content creation.

It's Time To Stop Blaming Misinformation for Cynicism and Mistrust

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 4072 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Misinformation Public Trust Social media Partisanship
  1. Misinformation doesn't change people's minds as much as we think. Most people don't consume or believe it that much.
  2. The ones who share misinformation are often driven by strong political beliefs, not ignorance. They want to support their views against the opposing party.
  3. Fighting misinformation online might not help restore trust in institutions. Instead, we should focus on the deeper reasons why people lose faith in them.

Both Democrats and Republicans can pass the Ideological Turing Test

Experimental History • 11606 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Partisanship Political Behavior Public Opinion Research Methods
  1. Democrats and Republicans misunderstand each other, but both sides can convincingly mimic each other's views. This shows they actually have a better grasp of each other's beliefs than they think.
  2. In a study, both parties struggled to differentiate between real and fake statements from their opponents, suggesting they might not truly know the depth of each other's perspectives.
  3. The findings imply that political disagreements might be REAL differences, not just simple misunderstandings, challenging the idea that better communication could solve everything.

North Carolina Republicans create "secret police force"

Popular Information • 13718 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Government oversight Transparency Accountability Partisanship
  1. North Carolina Republicans have created a 'secret police force' through a legislative committee with extraordinary investigative powers.
  2. The new rules by North Carolina Republicans could potentially compromise privacy, attorney-client privilege, and accountability.
  3. Changes in public records laws in North Carolina give lawmakers more authority over what documents are considered public, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

The Authoritarian Playbook: 2025

Bulwark+ • 7488 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Elections Leadership Policies Partisanship
  1. A report warns of destructive actions an authoritarian president could take in 2025, building on past behaviors.
  2. The report outlines potential actions, such as abusing pardons to incite violence and using federal power for political aims.
  3. The authors stress the importance of not underestimating the potential impact of a second term for Trump and the need for vigilance.

And Now, the Narrative Changes

Bulwark+ • 7075 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Media Partisanship Polling General election
  1. The Republican Party is facing challenges due to a significant portion of voters who do not align with Trump's base.
  2. There's a shifting focus from primary battles to the upcoming general election, where Trump may struggle with moderates and independents.
  3. Biden's reelection campaign could benefit from improving economic optimism among voters, resembling Obama's successful 2012 campaign.

Don't mistake Democratic partisan orthodoxy for a "coherent" philosophy

Silver Bulletin • 764 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Partisanship Political parties Political Ideologies Voter Behavior Election Dynamics
  1. The Democratic Party is made up of different groups with conflicting ideas, making it hard to have a clear, unified philosophy. Loyalty to the party can sometimes overshadow genuine ideological beliefs.
  2. Many voters have mixed political views that don’t fit neatly into one party, and that's often seen as confusing. However, their perspectives can actually make sense when you consider their desire for change.
  3. Interest groups and party tactics can create contradictions within the Democratic Party. Sometimes, these groups want different things, leading to conflicts in party policies and priorities.

Behold, A Pale Horse Race

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 5611 implied HN points • 05 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Genocide Government Foreign Policy Partisanship
  1. The Biden administration's lack of accountability for past crimes, continuation of harmful policies, and complicity in various problematic actions is concerning.
  2. Both parties in the U.S. exhibit a form of elite criminal impunity, impacting policies and maintaining grave injustices.
  3. The importance of recognizing and standing against oppression, even in situations where voting or elections may not immediately address the underlying issues.

How Universities Went Off Track

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 2051 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Advocacy Public Trust Higher education Partisanship
  1. Many people are losing trust in universities, especially conservatives and working-class folks. The political views of university staff are mostly leaning left, making this trust fall even more.
  2. Changes in society are pushing universities to be more politically involved. They need to show how their research benefits society, which can lead to more advocacy instead of just education.
  3. There is pressure within universities to support certain political ideas, which can stifle open discussions. A lot of people feel they can’t speak up if they don’t share the same views as the majority.

It's time we learned to love the Lords

Striking 13 • 2316 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Democracy Legislation Reform Partisanship
  1. The House of Lords, despite being undemocratic, is effective in improving laws and providing scrutiny in ways the Commons can't.
  2. The lack of a majority in the Lords prevents the government from unchecked power, forcing better governance and encouraging consensus-building.
  3. Expertise in the Lords, particularly from crossbenchers, plays a key role in improving legislation and offering valuable insights, highlighting the importance of a balanced approach to democracy.

How Science Must Change

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1845 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🔬 Science Scientific research Public Trust Policy Implications Partisanship
  1. Science should focus on serving everyone, regardless of their political beliefs. This means making science accessible and relatable to all citizens.
  2. Many scientists in leadership are becoming too partisan, which creates a divide between science and the public. This partisanship can lead to mistrust and alienation among people with differing views.
  3. To regain trust, the scientific community needs to foster inclusivity and understand the diverse perspectives of the public. This includes recognizing that scientists should work to serve the interests of all Americans.

Chartbook 346: Against overcorrection. Yellen's Treasury defends the legacy of Democratic fiscal policy.

Chartbook • 815 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Fiscal policy Elections Partisanship Economic Growth Inflation
  1. When a political party loses, there’s a temptation to rethink past policies. Critics may blame inflation on spending decisions, but the Democrats didn't do as poorly as expected in recent elections.
  2. Inflation feels different depending on your political views. Partisanship affects how people perceive the economy, making it hard to pin down economic sentiment just to inflation rates.
  3. Despite losing to Trump, the Democratic fiscal policies in recent years were effective. Inflation rates have fallen and job numbers have remained strong, suggesting that bold policy decisions can be successful.

2024: The year we bury the culture war

Striking 13 • 2136 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Media Culture Election Partisanship
  1. In politics, we need to move towards a quieter, less divisive approach that focuses on policies rather than group conflicts.
  2. The media dynamics have favored sensationalism and polarization, but a shift towards a more transactional government might change that.
  3. Journalists and commentators could face challenges as the political landscape shifts away from identity wars towards policy-driven governance.

American Politics is Bringing Us Down

The Liberal Patriot • 1729 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Citizenship Partisanship Democracy Activism
  1. Many voters view politics negatively and feel disheartened by the current state of American politics.
  2. Engaging in non-political activities and discussions can provide a refreshing break from partisan divides.
  3. Reinvigorating democracy requires looking beyond partisan politics and working together in various civic roles to address societal challenges.

Mainstream media also has audience capture

Wyclif's Dust • 1073 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Partisanship Trust Public Opinion Journalism
  1. Mainstream media has higher standards but still faces declining trust and increased criticism from the public. People seem to prefer media that closely matches their political beliefs.
  2. As media costs go down, more specialized outlets emerge, often catering to narrower political viewpoints. This fragmentation shifts mainstream media to become more partisan over time.
  3. The mainstream media wants to appeal to a broad audience but struggles because their original audience is drifting away to more extreme and specialized sources. This leads to an 'audience capture' effect.

Of Snakes, Deep Swamps, and Kevin McCarthy’s Bid to Govern From the Middle

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 2338 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Political Dynamics Leadership Partisanship Elections
  1. Kevin McCarthy's deal with President Joe Biden may trigger a potential vote to oust him as Speaker.
  2. The deal lacks guarantees for deficit reductions and neglects relief for America's fossil fuel producers.
  3. McCarthy's political sin was agreeing to kick the debt limit can past the 2024 elections, prioritizing his own fortunes over his Party.

The Biden-McCarthy Memorial Weekend Surrender Institutionalizes Stagflation

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 2044 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Economy Partisanship Leadership
  1. Historians may see Kevin McCarthy's quick surrender to Biden as a footnote in history, not a turning point.
  2. Biden's spending may lead to both demand-pull and cost-push inflation, similar to the stagflation of the 1970s.
  3. McCarthy missed a chance to assert America's energy dominance and combat inflation by caving to Biden's spending plans.

Useless Partisanship Weakens Necessary Partisanship

Drezner’s World • 1100 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Partisanship Oversight Congress
  1. Partisanship is important in politics but can become harmful if taken too far, leading to government dysfunction.
  2. Transparency and proper communication are essential in high-ranking government positions, like Secretary of Defense.
  3. Having a functioning opposition party is crucial for proper governance, as it ensures accountability and oversight.

Should I go all in on post-partisanship?

Jeff Giesea • 419 implied HN points • 25 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Partisanship Democracy Political Identity Polarization
  1. Post-partisanship is all about working together and finding real solutions instead of sticking strictly to one political party's views. It's about being practical and collaborative.
  2. There's a growing fatigue with constant polarization in politics, and many people want to see a shift towards more open-minded discussions and problem-solving between different sides.
  3. Rebranding could help connect better with the idea of post-partisanship, but it's important to think about what that change means for staying true to personal beliefs and identity.

Missouri is a Microcosm of Republican Dysfunction

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 756 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Extremism Partisanship Elections
  1. One-party dominance can lead to undemocratic behavior and chaos within a state.
  2. Extreme factions within political parties can obstruct progress and harm the interests of their constituents.
  3. Having nominees on every ballot gives voters choices and reduces the ability of political extremists to pass harmful laws.

Narrow decisions, broad goals

Adam's Legal Newsletter • 239 implied HN points • 29 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Supreme Court Partisanship Race
  1. The South Carolina redistricting case was decided 6 to 3, with a majority opinion written by Republican-appointed Justices and a dissent by Democratic-appointed Justices, showing a split along party lines.
  2. The decision-making in cases like _Alexander_ and _Cromartie II_ was influenced by the broader legal context surrounding partisan and racial gerrymandering issues, leading to close calls among the Justices.
  3. Judges tend to apply their ideological views to non-ideological issues when those issues are close, as seen in the standing decisions related to ideological issues in cases like the student loan disputes and _Alexander_.

The E_ection Special

Soaring Twenties • 170 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Analysis Political culture Partisanship Political Commentary
  1. Election season brings a lot of noise and chaos online. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by political talk and negative content.
  2. This writing aims to provide a break from the stressful election narratives. It encourages creativity and humor to lighten the mood.
  3. There are diverse essays and fictional pieces that tackle election themes in fun and unique ways. This makes political discussions more enjoyable and less serious.