The hottest Political strategy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Support Your Local Collaborator

Astral Codex Ten • 30421 implied HN points • 18 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Trusted cross‑ideological collaborators who can credibly influence a hostile government are rare and often the only ones who can stop truly harmful policies, so avoid publicly shaming or driving them away.
  2. Policy writing and advocacy meant to reach officials will sometimes need pragmatic, respectful framing rather than denunciations; demanding public condemnations or purity signals can destroy practical influence.
  3. Keep ideological minorities inside movements instead of purging them, because they provide access and can win real improvements, and respect individuals’ ethical choices to engage rather than socially pressuring them to quit.

The Garbage Comment

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1318 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Biden called Trump supporters 'garbage', which upset many people and created a bit of chaos in the White House.
  2. A lot of voters, only 28%, think the country is going in the right direction, which is low for an incumbent party.
  3. Instead of sharing their plans to improve things, Biden and some of Harris's supporters are focusing on negative comments about Trump supporters.

Harris Could Win. So Could Trump.

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 2437 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Kamala Harris has a real chance to win if women voters turn out in higher numbers, especially in swing states. Early voting trends show women are leading in participation.
  2. The Republicans are worried about voter turnout, especially among women and Black voters. Both parties need to focus on getting their supporters to the polls.
  3. Trump's controversial jokes and radical comments could harm his campaign. The media is likely to highlight these issues, which might discourage some potential voters.

Hey Democrats, This Is Why You’re Losing Young Men

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1758 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Democrats struggle to connect with young male voters, which could impact upcoming elections.
  2. Some recent campaign ads have missed the mark, focusing on inappropriate and exaggerated themes.
  3. There is a belief among some Democrats that young men care only about sexual issues rather than economic and social concerns.

Steve Bannon: ICE agents at airports are “test run” for midterm elections

Weaponized • 11 implied HN points • 24 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Steve Bannon said using ICE agents now at airports is a “test run” to train them for placing ICE at polling sites during the 2026 midterms.
  2. He and his allies argue putting federal agents at polls would stop noncitizens from voting and would ‘secure’ elections based on claims the 2020 result was stolen.
  3. Critics say this strategy and related pushes like the SAVE Act are voter suppression tactics designed to restrict voting and reduce turnout.
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🚨 BREAKING: Harris Campaign Gives Up. Turns to Shoring Up Congress.

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 3557 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Kamala Harris's campaign is shifting focus from trying to win the White House to supporting Congress candidates in red states.
  2. This change shows that her team is acknowledging a likely loss in the presidential race and is instead working to boost House and Senate seats.
  3. This strategy mirrors what Bob Dole did in 1996 when he realized he would lose and turned his efforts to encourage Republican turnout in important districts.

Strange Bedfellows

Campaign Trails • 4625 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  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.

EXCLUSIVE: Groypers Are Not Welcome, California GOP Says

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 482 implied HN points • 17 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. The California Republican Party has started a formal vetting process to block Nick Fuentes and his far-right influence from joining or shaping the party.
  2. A memo told all county GOP organizations not to recruit, support, or endorse candidates who promote Fuentes’s ideas and to update bylaws so leaders can remove members aligned with him.
  3. The party explicitly rejected antisemitism, white supremacy, and Holocaust denial, and it is the first state Republican organization to take this formal public stand.

The Saturday Read: Mere political games

The Saturday Read • 499 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Labour's ties to American politics can be problematic, like when they were accused of interfering in the US elections. This shows how political games often cross borders and create complications.
  2. Alexei Navalny's memoir reveals his dark humor and predictions about his fate under the Kremlin. It's a powerful reminder of the risks dissidents face for speaking out.
  3. Kamala Harris's campaign struggled because she had little time to connect with voters and build support. This suggests that sometimes, issues go deeper than the candidate's abilities.

ONE WEEK! Here's Your Guide to Election Night

COVID Reason • 178 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. It's important to look closely at county-level data for the election. This helps predict where candidates might do well or struggle.
  2. For Republicans to win, they need to do better in rural areas and keep suburban voters from turning away. They also need to attract more Hispanic voters compared to previous elections.
  3. A detailed spreadsheet is available that tracks key indicators for the election. This will help gauge how each area is leaning as the results come in.

If You Want Different Outcomes, You Have to Do Different Things

Freddie deBoer • 19090 implied HN points • 25 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Anger and protest are justified but not enough; you have to pair righteous rage with clear thinking, ruthless self-criticism, and realistic strategy.
  2. Durable change depends on concrete policy demands and sustained political organizing, not just symbolic goals like abolishing an agency without fixing the wider system.
  3. Tactics matter: calls for violence or naive actions like a general strike can backfire, so prioritize disciplined plans that focus on measurable outcomes.

The Colorado GOP Sounds the Alarm on Speaker Mike Johnson

Emerald Robinson’s The Right Way • 3352 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. The Colorado GOP is worried about Speaker Mike Johnson and thinks there's a plan to control the party in Colorado. They sent a letter to Tucker Carlson about it.
  2. A group of 77 anti-Trumpers tried to have an illegal meeting to replace the Colorado GOP chairman. They didn't have enough people to make it a valid meeting.
  3. There are questions about why Speaker Mike Johnson is still seen with Trump despite the controversy. The Colorado GOP seems unsure if Tucker Carlson has read their letter yet.

The lifeline election (part two)

Comment is Freed • 146 implied HN points • 19 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Trump is likely to try to influence the midterms because losing would weaken his presidency, but elections are run by states and the constitution limits what a president can legally do.
  2. His main options are inserting the federal government into voting, pushing laws like the SAVE America Act, or encouraging voter intimidation, yet each path is legally dubious and risky.
  3. Those tactics are more likely to backfire than succeed, potentially hurting Republican prospects and helping Democrats win Congress, which would greatly curb his power.

Lassiez-Faire vs Control

Points And Figures • 532 implied HN points • 16 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Campaigns feel different from other risky situations because the vote happens on a fixed schedule and you can’t control the final result, even though you can manage messaging and strategy.
  2. Voters prize integrity, honesty, and real professional experience, so candidates who emphasize stewardship of public funds and practical qualifications stand out over empty talk.
  3. Turnout decides elections, so local organizers, precinct workers, and individual registration choices matter a lot, and active mobilization and early voting can change the outcome.

The Democrat Witness Protection Program

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1938 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Major Democratic figures like the Obamas and Clintons are noticeably absent from the campaign trail, raising questions about their support for the party.
  2. Donald Trump's campaigning efforts in key areas might boost Republican turnout, especially since personal visits often energize voters.
  3. Kamala Harris is struggling to connect with voters and lacks the backing of prominent Democrats, which could hurt her chances in the election.

If Iran Kills US Troops, The Blame Rests Solely On The US And Israel

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2086 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Some U.S. officials reportedly want Israel to strike Iran first so an Iranian retaliation against U.S. assets would create political cover for a U.S. war.
  2. Government leaders and mainstream media are pushing misleading or false claims about Iran’s intentions and capabilities to manufacture public support for military action.
  3. Because the U.S. and Israel have pursued sanctions, military deployments, covert actions, and attacks that escalate tensions, any Iranian retaliation that kills U.S. or Israeli troops would be the consequence of those provocations and thus their responsibility.

Does Kamala Harris Want To Win?

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1518 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Kamala Harris's campaign schedule is not what you'd expect from someone who wants to win a presidential election. She's not doing enough events in key areas.
  2. Donald Trump is using a smart strategy by focusing on important issues that matter to everyday voters. This could help him gain more political power.
  3. The Harris team may not fully realize how serious the competition is against Trump. They need to step up their game to stay relevant.

Kamala Is Losing At the Moment

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1978 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Kamala Harris is struggling in her campaign against Trump even though many Americans dislike him. Being tied with him is not a good sign for her as the presumed incumbent.
  2. Harris is focusing on safe topics and friendly interviews, while Trump is actively engaging with voters on hot issues like inflation and housing costs. This could lead to problems for her in gaining support.
  3. Democratic leaders have doubts about Harris's ability to win and have discussed the possibility of Biden needing to step down. Harris's past decisions and strategy may not resonate well with voters right now.

Today's Reads: Election Tensions!

COVID Reason • 376 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Kamala Harris is under pressure as she tries to connect with voters, but her efforts may not be making a big impact. It's important for her to change her focus to what people really need.
  2. Donald Trump remains a strong figure in politics, gaining attention despite the challenges he faces. This shows how both parties have shaped the current political climate.
  3. Democrats are worried about losing support from Black voters and need to find ways to regain that trust. Knowing what matters to this group could change the election's outcome.

Beware biased GOP polls flooding the zone, with corporate media's help

The Signorile Report • 1498 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Be careful with GOP polls; they can be biased and create unnecessary stress for Democrats. It's important to understand that some polls may be designed to make it seem like Republicans are winning.
  2. Trump's own internal polls show different results than public ones, suggesting a bias toward him. This discrepancy raises questions about the reliability of the polls being reported by mainstream media.
  3. It's crucial not to get overly anxious about polling numbers. Focus on real indicators like voter registration and early voting trends, which can provide a clearer picture of the election landscape.

Judicial Notice (10.20.24): Blast Off

Original Jurisdiction • 399 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Mike Davis is gaining attention as a key figure in the Republican party, especially concerning Trump's potential future judicial nominations. He emphasizes the need for bolder and more conservative nominees.
  2. Judge Frederic Block recently granted compassionate release to a man who had been serving multiple life sentences since 1997. This decision came after a reconsideration of the harshness of the original sentence and the defendant's rehabilitation.
  3. A recent ruling upheld a curfew implemented during the protests following a controversial police shooting. The court decided the curfew was valid as it aimed to protect public safety while respecting First Amendment rights.

Trump Himself Is the Trump Movement's Iraq War

Gideon's Substack • 66 implied HN points • 20 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. The Trump movement was less about specific policies and more about regime change in America, driven by a primitive urge to "do something" and impose top-down transformation.
  2. Many intellectuals defended Trump with policy arguments, but those were largely post-hoc rationalizations; the movement centered on Trump’s personality and emotional appeal rather than coherent ideas.
  3. Walking away from Trump requires a deeper reexamination: cults of personality and attempts to decapitate a regime are destructive, and real, lasting change comes from rebuilding politics from the ground up, not from top-down coups or wars.

Insider Details: The Race for the Senate!

COVID Reason • 218 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. The Senate race is getting tight, with many states that seemed safe for Democrats now becoming potential wins for Republicans.
  2. In important states like Ohio and Wisconsin, both parties are fighting hard as the races are seen as toss-ups.
  3. Some unexpected races, like in Nebraska, are showing strong competition for Republicans, indicating this election could lead to surprising results.

THE SHOW NOTES: Harris is Imploding, Milton Surges, & The Crumbling Blue Wall

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1099 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Kamala Harris is struggling with support among working-class voters in key states like Michigan, which is causing concern for her campaign.
  2. Democrats want Harris to focus more on economic issues to better connect with blue-collar workers and union members.
  3. The ongoing violence in the Middle East is causing Arab American voters in Michigan to feel disconnected from the Democratic Party.

News Roundup: Trump's Unpredictable Moves Shaking Up 2024

COVID Reason • 654 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Trump is campaigning in strong Democratic states, which surprises many people. This strategy might help him reach new voters and change the typical campaign rules.
  2. Democrats are feeling anxious as the presidential election approaches. Their campaign seems scattered, showing signs of internal struggle that could impact their chances.
  3. Gender dynamics are shaping the 2024 election. Young women are focused on reproductive rights, while young men are concerned about traditional masculinity and dignity.

Filibuster and Forever

Bet On It • 166 implied HN points • 11 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Trifectas often last many years — the average is about a decade and the median about eight — so a party that removes the filibuster could lock in sweeping policies for a generation or more.
  2. The filibuster survives even though a simple majority can repeal it, which suggests senators expect long-term consequences or fear voter backlash, or else they underestimate how much extra power they’d gain or how long the other party would be out of power.
  3. Abolishing the filibuster would let a ruling party rapidly pass major laws and reshape the courts, so a plausible alternative is to strengthen the rule by raising the supermajority threshold rather than eliminating it.

2026 Predictions

Freddie deBoer • 4733 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. People will insist they’re exhausted by politics and practice a kind of “healthy detachment,” while actually spending more time obsessing over politics than about work, love, or virtue.
  2. Political media will pivot from analysis to emotional soothing, openly validating readers’ anger and prioritizing feeling over explanation, even as that shift remains deeply cynical.
  3. A cultural trend will declare ideology dead but replace it with repackaged ideological projects billed as pragmatism or new brands, and old ideas will resurface under fresh marketing and names.

Business vs Politics

Points And Figures • 506 implied HN points • 04 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Business-minded people tend to decide quickly and act, while politics usually involves long consultation and slower timelines.
  2. Career politicians can make it hard to pass popular or timely measures because they move cautiously and protect entrenched processes.
  3. Putting more entrepreneurs and everyday citizens into leadership and investment roles improves decision-making and execution, and encouraging ordinary people to run for office can make government more efficient and responsive.

No I will not take the high road

Disaffected Newsletter • 3816 implied HN points • 23 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Some people want outspoken others to stay quiet, but those who speak the truth shouldn't feel pressured to do so. It's okay to point out uncomfortable truths.
  2. Many believe that focusing on policies is more important than discussing someone's personal life, but that view can ignore important realities. Voters might care more about the messiness of real life than some think.
  3. People who ask others to stay quiet might not support those who speak up when they see injustice. It's important to recognize those who are truly supportive versus those who just want to avoid confrontation.

Ben Shapiro: Only Cowards Tolerate Conspiracy Theorists

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4743 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Conservatives should publicly reject and denounce influencers who spread conspiracy theories and vague insinuations instead of tolerating them.
  2. Beating distortions and false claims requires responding with honesty, clarity, and factual argument rather than matching or amplifying vague accusations.
  3. The future of the country depends on a conservative movement that remains committed to core principles—freedom, free markets, and limited government—and prioritizes truth.

Horses and Cowboys

Points And Figures • 612 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. A good candidate or public servant should travel to rural communities and listen to people, because it’s about serving them, not promoting yourself.
  2. Being a successful venture capitalist (and a good campaigner) means outworking others, going where opportunities are, and acting as a supportive partner rather than making it all about you.
  3. Horses and cowboys are a strong American symbol of freedom and independence, and many worry that cultural forces are trying to redefine or diminish that heritage.

Should Democrats go back to neoliberalism?

Noahpinion • 18529 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Democrats should reconsider their approach to the economy and think about combining past policies with new ideas for development. Focusing on practical solutions rather than ideological battles can help them respond better to today's challenges.
  2. Blaming grocery stores for high food prices is misplaced. Stronger attacks should be aimed at issues like tariffs, which have a real impact on prices for consumers.
  3. Having a government that can effectively manage and execute projects is important. Instead of relying on outside consultants, a capable bureaucracy can help tackle big problems like infrastructure and housing.

American Apotheosis, Lustration, and Conciliatism

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 33 implied HN points • 17 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. A hidden transnational power structure of cartels, shadow financiers, and kompromat makes courtroom justice ineffective, so the public’s expectation of simple legal reckonings clashes with a much deeper, systemic problem.
  2. A political strategy aims for 'apotheosis by outcome'—becoming an untouchable icon by delivering undeniable global results like reintegration and stability, using insider knowledge rather than moral purity.
  3. Rather than regime change or courts, the approach relies on economic incentives and forensic audits—choking off cash flows and seizing server data and witnesses from foreign partners—to expose and dismantle covert systems of influence.

The Border Is Now Becoming a GOP Crisis

The Status Kuo • 18534 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. The GOP is struggling to turn the border crisis into a political advantage against Biden and Democrats.
  2. Senate Republicans are close to a bipartisan solution for the border crisis, while facing pushback from House Republicans and Trump.
  3. By potentially shutting down the border, Biden could shift the political blame onto Republicans for failing to address the crisis.

Why I Changed My Mind About the Shutdown ‘Surrender.’

Breaking the News • 4283 implied HN points • 17 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Changing my viewpoint made me realize that some political decisions can actually strengthen a party's position, even if they seem like a loss at first.
  2. Political reactions often take time to process, and knee-jerk responses might miss the bigger picture of long-term strategy.
  3. Staying united is crucial for achieving goals, and acknowledging feelings while focusing on the future can help rally support.

The US Empire Needs Men Like Trump

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1909 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. The US power structure values leaders who will carry out long-term imperial goals, and Trump has proven useful as the "bad cop" who can use overt force when needed.
  2. His recent actions and rhetoric around Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran show a willingness to use direct military intervention and extra-legal tactics to achieve regime change.
  3. Trump has moved from earlier anti-intervention posturing to openly allying with hawkish politicians, signaling continued aggressive foreign policy if he stays in power.

Clavicular and the New Influencer Quietism

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 1779 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Trump’s appeal was personal and reshaped political coalitions, so his exit could cause a realignment rather than a smooth transfer of support to a successor.
  2. The 2024 coalition included unusual groups — tech elites, podcast audiences, alternative-health followers, and key swing-state voters — and those diverse constituencies may not back a new leader in the same way.
  3. Apolitical online influencers who push looks-focused self-improvement attract followers outside the left-right divide, so their indifference or future endorsements could meaningfully affect how coalitions form.

We Taught Fascism Wrong

Erik Examines • 1075 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. Fascists usually win by scaring sensible people into choosing them as the "lesser evil," so moderates often enable brutal leaders rather than being converted to extremism.
  2. Communist revolutions tended to succeed where democratic options were blocked, while democratic socialism in Western countries has repeatedly governed without ending democracy, so fears of the democratic left are often overstated.
  3. In the modern information age, movements win by pumping out lies and weaponizing fear, so schools should teach what not to fear and society should hold large media actors accountable for deliberately spreading big, systematic falsehoods.

A Shameful Impeachment

The Status Kuo • 12146 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  1. The GOP is pushing for baseless impeachment articles to politicize the border crisis.
  2. The accusations of willful law non-compliance and lying against Mayorkas lack legal grounds.
  3. There is no constitutional basis for impeaching Mayorkas as confirmed by legal analysts.

What is Heather Cox Richardsonism?

Silver Bulletin • 2166 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy
  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.