The hottest Political parties Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

The Art of the Pardon. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 384 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. President Trump has dramatically expanded clemency in his second term, and the pardon process increasingly benefits people with wealth or close ties to the administration.
  2. J.D. Vance is urging the MAGA movement to drop purity tests and broaden its base, a deliberate strategy that risks embracing people who flirt with conspiracy theories and antisemitism.
  3. There’s a growing alarm about generational economic strain, with expensive entitlements that funnel money from younger people to retirees being called “Total Boomer Luxury Communism” and argued to be unsustainable.

CROSSPOST: Alan Wolff: Bamboozled: What made anyone think the Trump tariffs were legal?

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 199 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. The Trump tariff package lacked a valid legal basis because the emergency statute used (IEEPA) doesn’t authorize broad, across-the-board tariffs and the Nixon 1971 surcharge precedent was misread.
  2. Other institutions failed to check the move—Congressional leaders avoided confrontation and courts were slow or enabling, letting an executive power grab undermine the separation of powers.
  3. This episode highlights the danger of loosely defined emergency powers and the need for Congress to reassert control over tariffs and investigate how the constitutional guardrails were bypassed.

Democrats should not be kissing up to Musk

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3164 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Democrats should think carefully before welcoming Elon Musk back into their fold. His actions and views may harm the party's credibility in the long run.
  2. Trying to make alliances with rich and controversial figures like Musk can make voters feel like the party stands for nothing important.
  3. Musk is mainly looking out for himself, and cozying up to him may not be a smart move for progressive leaders.

The Base Is Done with MAGA. It Wants America First.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 468 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Longtime Trump supporters in places like Georgia are feeling betrayed and have lost faith in him.
  2. Their disillusionment centers on his stance toward Israel and his resistance to releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files, which they see as proof he’s become a sellout.
  3. As a result, parts of the conservative base are shifting away from MAGA and demanding a tougher "America First", anti-establishment agenda.
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The Democratic base isn’t in the mood to compromise

Silver Bulletin • 468 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Democratic voters are angry and are gravitating toward combative, base-oriented candidates, so a message like “when we fight, we win” will be powerful in primaries even if it hurts general-election prospects.
  2. Selling moderation and “electability” is getting harder because many Democrats distrust the establishment, prefer anger-forward messaging, and turnout-based strategies no longer reliably favor Democrats.
  3. In Texas specifically, centrist options like Colin Allred stepped back while James Talarico may be the more electable choice, but insurgent figures like Jasmine Crockett have strong base appeal and the party can’t easily stop less-general-election-friendly nominees.

Why Starmerism failed

Wrong Side of History • 531 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Labour ministers seem confused about their roles, asking civil servants for ideas on running the government, which shows a lack of leadership.
  2. Keir Starmer struggles to connect with his MPs, making him seem unapproachable and ineffective as a leader.
  3. There’s a decline in the quality of elected representatives, partly due to political changes that deter talented individuals from entering politics.

Republicans Are No Friends of the Jews

American Dreaming • 215 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Anti‑Semitism has become mainstream on the right, with high‑profile commentators and politicians normalizing conspiracies and hate. Polling shows large shares of Republican/Trump voters accept Holocaust denial and other antisemitic beliefs.
  2. Some Jewish voters moved toward Republicans because of rising anti‑Semitism on the left and dissatisfaction with Democrats' response, but that shift doesn't mean the GOP is a safe haven. The Republican movement contains widespread hostility and many unreliable allies.
  3. The problem looks generational and institutional: younger conservative voters show higher levels of antisemitic views, and party leaders often shrug off or enable extremism. That suggests the threat to Jewish Americans could worsen and become entrenched.

Trump, Dumb, and Dumber

Diane Francis • 1059 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Trump allegedly paid hush money to cover up affairs, but it didn't work. The details became public anyway.
  2. Many believe Trump shows poor judgment and impulse control, which raises doubts about his ability to lead effectively.
  3. There’s a chance he may not be the Republican nominee for the upcoming presidential election because of the ongoing issues.

The Washington Post Bloodbath Shows The Essence of Being A Leftist Is Being Dismissed As Unserious for Being Correct Too Early

JoeWrote • 110 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Progressive critiques about concentrated corporate influence, U.S. imperialism, and authoritarian tendencies were often correct well before mainstream commentators admitted it.
  2. Mainstream media and centrist figures routinely dismissed these warnings as unserious, then later acknowledged the realities without crediting those who raised them.
  3. Public sentiment often supports humane immigration reform and skepticism of elite power, and recognizing those positions could be politically advantageous for established parties.

The Democrats Go AWOL on Iran

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2383 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. The Democrats are not speaking up about important foreign policy issues, especially regarding Iran. This is surprising since they usually have a lot to say on other topics.
  2. Most of the discussion about military action in Iran is happening mostly among Republicans and not the Democrats. This shows a lack of engagement from the Democratic side.
  3. There's a big change happening in the Middle East due to military actions, but the Democrats seem focused on issues that are not related to international conflicts. This could affect their influence in major decisions.

And People Had No Problem Saying That Joe Biden Was Cognitively "Challenged"

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 369 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Many people openly said Joe Biden was cognitively "challenged." That would have been unthinkable before 2016 without invoking the 25th Amendment.
  2. The case being made against him is largely false—almost every sentence of that argument is inaccurate.
  3. Professional Republicans and many reporters apparently recognize these falsehoods but overwhelmingly do not correct them, which raises concerns about declining norms for calling out untrue claims.

The "Ten Years Behind" Theory

I Might Be Wrong • 7 implied HN points • 13 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Political shifts tend to echo across parties: the dramatic changes that hit one side often show up in the other about ten years later.
  2. The breakup of a shared news culture and the rise of partisan media and talk radio made it easy for more extreme, conspiratorial ideas to spread and become mainstream within a party.
  3. You can’t always see these changes in real time, but stepping back shows a clear cycle driven by new media and generational shifts that move political norms over time.

Chartbook 353 How Munich got Maga-ed, or Vance, bull**** & the European furore.

Chartbook • 4306 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. MAGA politics often come off as confusing and illogical, but they do pose a real threat. Leaders like J.D. Vance play on nationalistic ideas, creating divisions rather than solving actual problems.
  2. Europe's relationship with the U.S. is strained, especially after Vance's speech at the Munich Conference. Many Europeans feel they might have to treat the U.S. as a foreign country due to these differences in political style and values.
  3. For Europe to dismiss radical right-wing ideas effectively, it needs to develop its own security strategies. Relying solely on American support could backfire and bring MAGA-style politics into European conversations.

America First vs. MAGA. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 361 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. The Republican coalition is fracturing as many populist voters shift from MAGA toward a purer "America First" stance, empowering hardline figures who feel betrayed by party leaders.
  2. Republicans keep failing to present a clear, credible healthcare plan, leaving them politically vulnerable when costs and expiring subsidies become front‑page issues.
  3. The post‑Trump political climate has eroded norms and amplified fringe voices and self‑dealing concerns, prompting renewed debates and calls for ethical and policy reforms.

TGIF: Pardon Me?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5587 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Hunter Biden has been pardoned by President Joe Biden after previously stating he wouldn't do so. This has raised concerns about honesty and the influence of politics on justice.
  2. Some people reacted to the assassination of a healthcare CEO with celebrations and jokes, showing a disturbing trend of desensitization towards violence.
  3. The media's change in tone about Biden's pardon highlights how quickly narratives can shift based on political loyalties, often ignoring previous criticisms.

When Both Sides Go Quiet

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 50 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. When both political parties go quiet about a serious issue, it often means the truth is worse than it appears and could damage actors on both sides.
  2. The Epstein revelations involve people across media, finance, academia, and politics, which makes full accountability politically difficult and slows transparency.
  3. Redactions, delays, and partial disclosures show institutional failure and possible cover‑ups, eroding public trust and risking that taxpayers absorb the consequences.

Somewhere in America...

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 5583 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. People's experiences shape their political beliefs. Different backgrounds can lead individuals to align with either party based on personal stories and values.
  2. Public opinion matters in a democracy. Even if many people have extreme views, elections remind them that they are part of a larger society with diverse opinions.
  3. The process of voting and engaging in politics can feel fragmented and chaotic, but it reveals who will ultimately hold power, making it an interesting and important spectacle.

TGIF: The Lame Duck

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4488 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. President Biden is facing criticisms about his mental health and lack of engagement with key government officials, raising concerns about his leadership capabilities.
  2. President-elect Elon Musk and Donald Trump are disrupting the traditional budget process, causing Congress to struggle with passing a new budget amid rising tensions.
  3. There's a contrast in political styles between Biden, who presents a moderate image, and Musk, who is approaching governance in a radically different way, hinting at significant changes ahead.

The Real Threat to Democrats Isn’t Redistricting

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1131 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Redistricting is a common political strategy, but it might not harm Democrats as much as they think. Factors favoring Democrats could outweigh any redistricting efforts by Republicans.
  2. Many Democratic districts are becoming less competitive, which means incumbents don’t worry much about losing to Republicans. Instead, they might face challenges from more left-leaning candidates within their own party.
  3. This lack of competition can lead to less motivation for Democrats to be moderate. They might focus more on their partisan base rather than appealing to a broader range of voters.

Legislator Gao Chin vs the Kitchen Sink

Taipology • 30 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Political parties
  1. Prosecutors sometimes use a “kitchen sink” tactic — piling on many unrelated or old grey-area charges and staging dramatic raids and media leaks so the public assumes guilt.
  2. That playbook is often used against opposition politicians, turning prosecutions into political battles that are confusing because the charges are heterogeneous.
  3. Even if legally permissible, this approach erodes trust in the rule of law and condemns defendants to years of legal limbo and public damage regardless of the final outcome.

Donald Trump Sides with Israel—and Rejects the Restrainers

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1817 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Donald Trump openly supports Israel and its fight against Iran, showing where he stands on foreign policy. This support is stronger than what many politicians offer.
  2. There's a divide among Trump’s supporters, especially within the Republican Party, regarding how America should engage with the world. Some believe in a more restrained and noninterventionist approach.
  3. The situation reveals ongoing tensions in Trump's administration about the right way to handle foreign relations and military action. This debate is becoming more important as events unfold.

The Issue of Our Age. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 380 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Immigration has become the defining issue of our age, reshaping American identity and driving heated political debates that push policy toward harsher enforcement.
  2. Trump’s new peace plan has put heavy pressure on Ukraine, with allies meeting in Geneva and Zelensky facing a tight deadline that could shift the war’s political dynamics.
  3. A string of developments — from a congresswoman’s resignation and an Israeli strike to shifting U.S. migration rhetoric and surprising local political stories — shows growing volatility at home and abroad and strains on institutions.

Why Everyone Hates the Democrats

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 1267 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Democrats are facing a significant image problem, with approval ratings at historic lows compared to Republicans. Many Americans simply don't trust the Democratic Party right now.
  2. Instead of just policy issues, Democrats are losing support because they aren't seen as strongly opposing Donald Trump and his influence. This makes it harder for them to gain back trust.
  3. Even within their own party, Democratic leaders are facing dissatisfaction, especially among left-leaning voters. Many of these voters feel unhappy with how the party is handling its direction.

By-election results: The Tories are finished

Striking 13 • 2355 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. The by-election results show massive swings favoring Labour, hinting at a potential huge Labour majority in the next election.
  2. The significant swings in Mid Beds and Tamworth by-elections, overthrowing large Tory majorities, are quite unusual and challenging for the Conservatives.
  3. The efficiency of the anti-Tory vote, tactical voting by people to hurt the government, and the squeeze on other parties like Greens and Lib Dems indicate a tough road ahead for the Tories.

Voters Sent Democrats a Clear Message. They Don’t Want to Hear It.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3700 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Democrats are ignoring important cultural issues like race and immigration that many voters care about. This disconnect is hurting their popularity.
  2. Ruy Teixeira believes that the party's focus on strict ideological beliefs is driving away working-class Americans. It’s crucial for them to regain this group's support.
  3. Instead of reevaluating their stance on cultural issues, Democrats seem to be avoiding serious discussions. This denial could keep them unpopular with the general public.

Russia's Republicans

Diane Francis • 999 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. The Republican Party is seen as a major supporter of Putin in the conflict with Ukraine. Some members oppose military aid just to oppose President Biden.
  2. House Speaker Mike Johnson has blocked a significant foreign aid bill while having past campaign ties to Russian donors. This raises concerns about his motivations.
  3. Experts warn that stopping aid to Ukraine effectively helps Putin in his war efforts. It's important to consider how political actions impact global conflicts.

Is Trump a lame duck?

Silver Bulletin • 340 implied HN points • 18 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  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.

Mamdani Botches the Math on Socialist Grocery Stores

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1284 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Zohran Mamdani, a candidate for mayor, wants to create socialist grocery stores. He claims he can fund these by cutting subsidies to corporate grocery stores.
  2. However, Mamdani seems to misunderstand how much the city currently spends on grocery subsidies. He thinks there’s $140 million available when that may not be true.
  3. His plan relies on money that doesn't actually exist, which raises questions about the feasibility of his grocery store proposal.

How New York Became a Hotbed of Chinese Meddling

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 222 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  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.

Institutionalists and Brokenists, Continued

In My Tribe • 911 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. There are two main groups discussing the state of institutions: Institutionalists, who want to improve flawed systems, and Brokenists, who think radical changes are necessary. The Institutionalists believe that though there are issues, destroying everything isn't the answer.
  2. The center-left is struggling to appeal to both traditional voters and more extreme activists. They face challenges in balancing their party's direction and keeping support from both groups as they feel tensions rising.
  3. Social justice movements have caused fractures in various sectors, including education and media, leading to distrust in these institutions. Some believe these issues can only be resolved with significant changes, like shifting education to focus on merit rather than entitlement.

ACX Local Voting Guides

Astral Codex Ten • 4198 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Local voting guides are available for various cities, helping voters understand their options. Each city offers unique insights and recommendations based on local issues.
  2. Cities like Austin and Boston have put a lot of thought into their guides, even discussing candidates who may not fit typical party lines. This can help voters make better choices.
  3. Voting decisions can be influenced by community discussions and guides, highlighting important issues and candidate positions in a way that's easy to digest.

Weekend Update #160: The US Becomes A Mouthpiece To Pass On Putin's Demands

Phillips’s Newsletter • 307 implied HN points • 23 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. The Trump administration is using a peace plan that seems to echo Russian demands. This raises serious doubts about the US being a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict.
  2. JD Vance is a significant supporter of this peace plan and holds an anti-Ukraine stance, which could have dangerous implications for Ukraine's future.
  3. Many figures who claimed to support Ukraine appear to back this plan, revealing a deeper agenda where Trump supporters might prioritize loyalty over genuine support for Ukraine.

The Vibe Shift Comes to the Super Bowl. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2582 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. This year's Super Bowl showed a shift in culture with new messages like 'Choose Love' in the end zone. The halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar mixed patriotism with social commentary.
  2. Democrats are trying to defend USAID amid controversies, but many people believe foreign aid is excessive, which could backfire on their political support.
  3. American public education continues to struggle, with students falling behind, and some educators are allegedly trying to obscure the problem instead of fixing it.

The Democrat Fighting the Gerontocracy

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 969 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez openly criticized President Biden's capability to continue leading, especially after his poor debate performance. She believes he's not fit for the job and that his advisors are too controlling.
  2. While many Democrats avoid discussing Biden's decline, Perez stresses the importance of having elected officials in charge rather than unelected staff. This is a key concern for her and reflects a bigger issue in the party.
  3. The Democratic Party is facing serious challenges, including low donor support and approval ratings. Many party members prefer not to confront the issue of leadership, particularly concerning Biden's decision to run for reelection.

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 Political parties
  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.

Trump 2.0: A Survival Guide for Democrats

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2541 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties
  1. The Democratic Party is struggling more than ever, with only a third of Americans viewing it positively. This is the lowest approval rating the party has seen since 1992.
  2. Recent leadership changes in the DNC seem out of touch with the voters, as the new chair candidates focused on discussions around identity politics rather than addressing the party's failures.
  3. Young voters, especially Gen Z, feel unheard by the Democrats. Key issues like school safety, climate change, and economic pressures need to be prioritized if the party wants to connect with them.