Great post, thank you. Newsom is everything that is needed right now.
I was surprised at this comment:
“Harris? Too stiff. Too reactive.”
Based on Harris’ award winning debate performance in September 2024, ‘REactive’ is not a word I would ever use on her. My recollection is she nailed it. I’ll have to look at more interactions.
You are right about that September 2024 debate… Harris was sharp…quick on the draw… and in full command of the room…my note about “reactive” wasn’t meant to erase that night… it was meant to flag a pattern I’ve seen in day to day exchanges…press gaggles… and unscripted volleys where the other side tries to bait and frame.
In high pressure set pieces…she can be surgical…when the environment turns chaotic… she can slip into answering the insult rather than owning the frame…that’s the tiny hinge I’m pointing at…not a question of brains or talent…but of default pacing under live fire.
Newsom’s edge…in my view…is that he treats Trump like a heckler…not a rival… he smiles… sidesteps… and makes the punch miss… then tags with mockery that turns the bully into a clown…it’s less about policy…more about status judo… and he seems to live there effortlessly.
That said… I’m glad you raised this…Harris has real moments of dominance… and if she leans harder into frame control… short sharp language…and laughter over outrage… she can land the same psychological blows.
Bottom line… I want the Democrat who breaks the spell in real time… if that’s Harris on a roll…I’m cheering… if it’s Newsom smirking a bully into dust…I’m cheering…our goal is the same…crack the trance…win the crowd… protect the republic.
Appreciate you… Mary… keep pushing me to be precise
It’s not often anymore that I’m impressed but you, Jack Hopkins, are impressive.
Thank you for giving consideration to my comment. Thank you for taking the time to write such a comprehensive response. I love your summation of the goal:
“…crack the trance…win the crowd… protect the republic.”
Excellent summary. Really proud of “my” former mayor and present governor. I figured it would likely be him, Pritzker and Shapiro first out of the gate. But apart from the usual hatred of California, he stepped up quickly enough to surprise me with wicked clever and likely effective shows of soft power. Or hard, maybe he’s just warming up. No, cancel the “maybe” and hold my beer.
Randy…I love this note…and I love the pride that comes through when you say “my” former mayor and now governor…because that’s the lens most folks outside California don’t have…they only see the caricature of the state…not the steel that has to be forged to survive politically in it.
You nailed it with “soft power”…Newsom’s delivery looks smooth…almost casual…but the effect is hard as nails…because it gets inside Trump’s head…bends the frame…and makes him look small…it’s psychological warfare with a grin…and it’s devastating.
Pritzker and Shapiro…both sharp…both capable…but Newsom was first to put on the gloves and say…“I’ll fight him where he lives”…that counts for more than most realize…because dominance battles aren’t won on paper…they’re won in the moment with presence…timing…and smirks that stick.
So cancel the “maybe” indeed…because he’s not just warming up…he’s showing the rest of the party how to get in the mud without getting dirty…and if that keeps scaling…it’s game on.
Absolutely right on, Jack! Yes Newsom has some flaws, but the other characteristics you mention far outweigh them and it’s a joy to see taco getting a big serving of his own medicine.
Patricia…absolutely right…and I’m smiling at how you put it…because yes…Newsom has flaws…no one denies that…but stacked against his ability to dominate the frame…mock the bully…and turn Trump into a punchline…those flaws shrink into background noise.
And you’re spot on…it is a joy to see Trump finally choking down a big serving of his own medicine…because for once…it’s being delivered with confidence…wit…and that calm grin that says…“you don’t scare me.”
That’s the energy we’ve been missing…and the more Democrats learn to channel it…the more the spell breaks.
Totally spot on. Our hindbrains sense when a genuine alpha enters the room (think Zelensky). It’s not a conscious decision. I was only tangentially aware of Newsom until recently. And I was kinda meh about what I saw and heard. But the more I watched him (mostly interviews rather than speeches) the clearer it became that this was a guy who was royally pissed at the donny/MAGA BS and wasn’t afraid to call it out and start fighting back. He also actually appears to give a damn about the country and its inhabitants. And yes, I also see that “game on” enjoyment vibe come through. A leader doesn’t have to be perfect - just effective. Newsom might just be able to pull it off. We’ll see.
Chichi…you nailed it! Our hindbrains know before our conscious minds catch up…who walks in as the genuine alpha…and like you said…it’s not a decision…it’s instinct…that’s why when people watch Zelensky...or now Newsom…something deeper than words gets triggered.
I love how you described your shift…from meh…to “wait a second…this guy’s not just polished…he’s pissed…and he’s fighting back.”
That’s exactly the psychological pivot people need to see…because it’s not about perfection…it’s about showing teeth when it matters…and still looking like you give a damn about the people you serve.
And yes…I see that “game on” energy too…it’s rare in politics…and it’s contagious…when a leader carries that vibe…it gives the rest of us permission to step up with the same defiance and fight. Newsom might just be the one who can pull it off.
I didn’t even consider GCN for 2028 a month ago. He has moved way up on my list. I imagine him in a debate with any MAGA candidate and I see him ripping anyone to shreds without a hint of mercy. Stop looking for Sir Galahad!
Larry…I’m with you on that shift. A month ago a lot of people wouldn’t have had Newsom anywhere near their shortlist for 2028…but the way he’s stepped into the fight lately has rocketed him up the board.
And you’re right…picture him on a debate stage with any MAGA candidate…he doesn’t just counterpunch…he dismantles. He takes the bluster apart piece by piece…and he does it without giving an inch of mercy…it’s that ruthless streak dressed up in a calm smile that makes him dangerous in the right way.
And yes…thank you for saying it straight…stop looking for Sir Galahad. We don’t need a mythical knight riding in on a white horse…we need someone who understands this is a street fight for the future of the country…and knows how to break the bully’s spell in real time.
I absolutely positively 💯agree with you. I love Mayor Pete but you are correct in your analysis of him. We need a fighter, a street fighter. I do think Pete would be a great Secretary of State.
Linn…I’m right there with you…I like Pete too. He’s smart…steady…polished…and I think he’d make a phenomenal Secretary of State…traveling the world…building alliances…speaking the language of diplomacy with clarity and calm.
But for the arena we’re in right now…we don’t just need polished…we need a fighter…a street fighter…the kind who doesn’t just know policy…he knows how to throw elbows in the mud and still walk out looking like he owns the place.
That’s where Newsom fits the moment…he doesn’t flinch when Trump tries to dominate…he smirks…he flips it…and he makes the bully look like the clown…that’s what breaks the trance…and that’s what wins.
Pete has recently been disappointing me in all of the recent substack interviews that he has done. He is a master at articulating the problems, but I haven’t heard him come up with any solutions or to step out of his comfort zone and make a little noise so I’m disappointed in Pete. And I agree Julie he’d make a great Secretary of State or chief of staff. The latter runs the entire show for the president. He’d be great at that.
Leslie…I hear you loud and clear…Pete is brilliant at laying out the problems…he can frame an issue so cleanly that you nod along…but then it stops there…no solutions…no fire…no moment where he steps out of the polished comfort zone and makes some noise…and I get why that leaves you disappointed.
I agree with you and Julie…Secretary of State…or even Chief of Staff…he’d be superb in either role…because those jobs reward discipline…structure…articulation…keeping the trains running on time…and Pete is built for that.
But when it comes to the battlefield we’re standing on right now…where you’ve got to fight a brawler with sharper elbows and a grin…he doesn’t bring that energy.
Newsom does…and that’s why I keep hammering this point…this is about who can throw down in the mud without losing the crowd.
Good eye Jack! A point you might have added about Newsome. When there were enough signatures, from the Republicans, for a recall election against a popular billionaire, Newsome won reelection hands down.
He's not perfect, but he knows how to get things done. There's a reason California has the fifth largest economy in the world and it's envy that makes losers try and tarnish our golden state. I'm a proud, fifth generation Californian, does it show, sly grin?
Karen…I love this. And...yes it shows…that fifth generation California pride comes shining right through. And...you’re right to bring up the recall…because that wasn’t some small skirmish…Republicans had the signatures…they had the wind at their back…and Newsom didn’t just survive it…he crushed it…reelection hands down in the middle of a manufactured storm.
That’s not luck…that’s proof of knowing how to get things done under fire…and it ties right to your other point. California isn’t just a state…it’s the fifth largest economy in the world…and the envy is exactly why the losers keep trying to drag it down…they can’t build something equal…so they smear what they can’t match.
Newsom’s not perfect…but he’s battle tested…and when you put him up against Trump or any MAGA challenger…the recall win…his ability to govern through noise…and the scale of what California represents…those all become part of the armor he carries into the fight.
Agree 100%. He is driving the cult out of their minds and I am so here for it. It’s so early, but I don’t see another on the horizon that could give the Pedo President (PP) a run for his money like Newsom. Can you imagine a “debate” between the two? I’m laughing just thinking about it. Having said that, I believe that there is a very good chance the PP has congestive heart failure and will likely not go the distance. Yes, I have been told this is just wishful thinking on my part.
Sherri…I’m right there with you…he is driving the cult straight out of their minds…and it’s a beautiful thing to watch…because every time he smirks…every time he flips the frame…Trump loses a little more of that fake dominance he lives on.
And you’re right…it’s early…but I don’t see anyone else right now who could give the Pedo President a run like Newsom could. I just don't. The idea of a debate between the two…it’s hilarious just to imagine…Trump ranting and red-faced…Newsom calm and grinning…audiences laughing at the bully instead of fearing him.
It would be devastating.
And about Trump’s health…you might be told it’s wishful thinking…but I’ve heard similar whispers…congestive heart failure…long-term stress…diet…age…it all stacks up…the man is not indestructible…and if he doesn’t go the distance…it won’t surprise me.
I managed 12-16 other Navy Corpsman on a Cardiac Unit in San Diego in the 90's, while still making sure to get ample time with direct patient care. Personally, I don't think he's long for this earth.
Either way…whether he collapses under his own weight or gets dismantled on stage…the outcome is the same…the spell breaks…and Newsom is showing he’s the one who can shatter it in real time.
Sue...you are certainly welcome. You hang on to that hope. It's the foundation for everything else you layer-up on top...in resisting this fascist takeover attempt.
Cherae…how could you not like it indeed. It’s pure theater mixed with strategy…and you’re dead on…Newsom is playing the asshole to perfection…and it is glorious. Because it’s the one role Trump can’t out-act or overpower…he hates being laughed at…and Newsom keeps serving it up with a grin.
I love that you called him early while others rolled their eyes…that tells me you’ve got the instinct for spotting who can actually thrive in the mud fight…who enjoys it enough to keep coming back smiling.
And your “Pure GLOWRY” line…I can hear that old church cadence in my head as I read it…and yes…it fits the moment perfectly.
As for Pritzker…I think he’s sharp…solid…capable…and absolutely in the conversation. He’s got the resources and the stature…but compared to Newsom he doesn’t project that same “game on” energy…the smirk…that psychological edge that cuts through Trump’s act.
If Pritzker turns up the heat and shows that side…he could climb…but right now Newsom is the one who’s carrying the glow.
Hey...Wende...I'll take it. My wife doesn't always think I'm "brilliant," when I forget a key ingredient on the shopping list at the store, on one of those...in between grocery shopping runs..lol.
Not as often as I would like, Julie...because I'm so busy doing my own thing...which is quite time consuming...but as much as I can squeeze in...yes. I am a paid subscriber of Jim's newsletter. Jim and I are friends.
I can imagine how much time you spend researching and composing. I was wondering, though, because you and he are speaking about people's psychological manipulation through social media, memes, and LARP narratives. None of us are prepared for this kind of digital manipulation.
Libbey…I love how you put that…because yes…Mamdani stepping into the troll game is exactly what we need. More links in the chain…each one strong enough that no bolt cutters…no saw…no welder can snap it.
That’s how you build resilience against a bully movement. You don’t leave one voice out front to get isolated…you forge a chain of leaders who all know how to smirk back…mock back…and flip the frame…so that the attacks just bounce off.
And when those links keep multiplying…when Newsom does it…Mamdani does it…others step up and do it too…it stops being a one-off tactic and starts becoming a culture of resistance…and that’s the kind of chain Trump can’t cut through!
Great post, thank you. Newsom is everything that is needed right now.
I was surprised at this comment:
“Harris? Too stiff. Too reactive.”
Based on Harris’ award winning debate performance in September 2024, ‘REactive’ is not a word I would ever use on her. My recollection is she nailed it. I’ll have to look at more interactions.
Mary… thank you… truly.
You are right about that September 2024 debate… Harris was sharp…quick on the draw… and in full command of the room…my note about “reactive” wasn’t meant to erase that night… it was meant to flag a pattern I’ve seen in day to day exchanges…press gaggles… and unscripted volleys where the other side tries to bait and frame.
In high pressure set pieces…she can be surgical…when the environment turns chaotic… she can slip into answering the insult rather than owning the frame…that’s the tiny hinge I’m pointing at…not a question of brains or talent…but of default pacing under live fire.
Newsom’s edge…in my view…is that he treats Trump like a heckler…not a rival… he smiles… sidesteps… and makes the punch miss… then tags with mockery that turns the bully into a clown…it’s less about policy…more about status judo… and he seems to live there effortlessly.
That said… I’m glad you raised this…Harris has real moments of dominance… and if she leans harder into frame control… short sharp language…and laughter over outrage… she can land the same psychological blows.
Bottom line… I want the Democrat who breaks the spell in real time… if that’s Harris on a roll…I’m cheering… if it’s Newsom smirking a bully into dust…I’m cheering…our goal is the same…crack the trance…win the crowd… protect the republic.
Appreciate you… Mary… keep pushing me to be precise
It’s not often anymore that I’m impressed but you, Jack Hopkins, are impressive.
Thank you for giving consideration to my comment. Thank you for taking the time to write such a comprehensive response. I love your summation of the goal:
“…crack the trance…win the crowd… protect the republic.”
I am very appreciative.
Excellent summary. Really proud of “my” former mayor and present governor. I figured it would likely be him, Pritzker and Shapiro first out of the gate. But apart from the usual hatred of California, he stepped up quickly enough to surprise me with wicked clever and likely effective shows of soft power. Or hard, maybe he’s just warming up. No, cancel the “maybe” and hold my beer.
Randy…I love this note…and I love the pride that comes through when you say “my” former mayor and now governor…because that’s the lens most folks outside California don’t have…they only see the caricature of the state…not the steel that has to be forged to survive politically in it.
You nailed it with “soft power”…Newsom’s delivery looks smooth…almost casual…but the effect is hard as nails…because it gets inside Trump’s head…bends the frame…and makes him look small…it’s psychological warfare with a grin…and it’s devastating.
Pritzker and Shapiro…both sharp…both capable…but Newsom was first to put on the gloves and say…“I’ll fight him where he lives”…that counts for more than most realize…because dominance battles aren’t won on paper…they’re won in the moment with presence…timing…and smirks that stick.
So cancel the “maybe” indeed…because he’s not just warming up…he’s showing the rest of the party how to get in the mud without getting dirty…and if that keeps scaling…it’s game on.
-Jack
Absolutely right on, Jack! Yes Newsom has some flaws, but the other characteristics you mention far outweigh them and it’s a joy to see taco getting a big serving of his own medicine.
Patricia…absolutely right…and I’m smiling at how you put it…because yes…Newsom has flaws…no one denies that…but stacked against his ability to dominate the frame…mock the bully…and turn Trump into a punchline…those flaws shrink into background noise.
And you’re spot on…it is a joy to see Trump finally choking down a big serving of his own medicine…because for once…it’s being delivered with confidence…wit…and that calm grin that says…“you don’t scare me.”
That’s the energy we’ve been missing…and the more Democrats learn to channel it…the more the spell breaks.
-Jack
It’s not only working on 🍊💩, it’s working on its sycophants, and maga too. The more they howl, the more you know they’re being beaten.
Mo...I like the brevity on that comment. You bundled a whole lot that matters into those few words. Well done.
-Jack
Totally spot on. Our hindbrains sense when a genuine alpha enters the room (think Zelensky). It’s not a conscious decision. I was only tangentially aware of Newsom until recently. And I was kinda meh about what I saw and heard. But the more I watched him (mostly interviews rather than speeches) the clearer it became that this was a guy who was royally pissed at the donny/MAGA BS and wasn’t afraid to call it out and start fighting back. He also actually appears to give a damn about the country and its inhabitants. And yes, I also see that “game on” enjoyment vibe come through. A leader doesn’t have to be perfect - just effective. Newsom might just be able to pull it off. We’ll see.
Chichi…you nailed it! Our hindbrains know before our conscious minds catch up…who walks in as the genuine alpha…and like you said…it’s not a decision…it’s instinct…that’s why when people watch Zelensky...or now Newsom…something deeper than words gets triggered.
I love how you described your shift…from meh…to “wait a second…this guy’s not just polished…he’s pissed…and he’s fighting back.”
That’s exactly the psychological pivot people need to see…because it’s not about perfection…it’s about showing teeth when it matters…and still looking like you give a damn about the people you serve.
And yes…I see that “game on” energy too…it’s rare in politics…and it’s contagious…when a leader carries that vibe…it gives the rest of us permission to step up with the same defiance and fight. Newsom might just be the one who can pull it off.
-Jack
I didn’t even consider GCN for 2028 a month ago. He has moved way up on my list. I imagine him in a debate with any MAGA candidate and I see him ripping anyone to shreds without a hint of mercy. Stop looking for Sir Galahad!
Larry…I’m with you on that shift. A month ago a lot of people wouldn’t have had Newsom anywhere near their shortlist for 2028…but the way he’s stepped into the fight lately has rocketed him up the board.
And you’re right…picture him on a debate stage with any MAGA candidate…he doesn’t just counterpunch…he dismantles. He takes the bluster apart piece by piece…and he does it without giving an inch of mercy…it’s that ruthless streak dressed up in a calm smile that makes him dangerous in the right way.
And yes…thank you for saying it straight…stop looking for Sir Galahad. We don’t need a mythical knight riding in on a white horse…we need someone who understands this is a street fight for the future of the country…and knows how to break the bully’s spell in real time.
-Jack
I absolutely positively 💯agree with you. I love Mayor Pete but you are correct in your analysis of him. We need a fighter, a street fighter. I do think Pete would be a great Secretary of State.
Linn…I’m right there with you…I like Pete too. He’s smart…steady…polished…and I think he’d make a phenomenal Secretary of State…traveling the world…building alliances…speaking the language of diplomacy with clarity and calm.
But for the arena we’re in right now…we don’t just need polished…we need a fighter…a street fighter…the kind who doesn’t just know policy…he knows how to throw elbows in the mud and still walk out looking like he owns the place.
That’s where Newsom fits the moment…he doesn’t flinch when Trump tries to dominate…he smirks…he flips it…and he makes the bully look like the clown…that’s what breaks the trance…and that’s what wins.
-Jack
Pete has recently been disappointing me in all of the recent substack interviews that he has done. He is a master at articulating the problems, but I haven’t heard him come up with any solutions or to step out of his comfort zone and make a little noise so I’m disappointed in Pete. And I agree Julie he’d make a great Secretary of State or chief of staff. The latter runs the entire show for the president. He’d be great at that.
Leslie…I hear you loud and clear…Pete is brilliant at laying out the problems…he can frame an issue so cleanly that you nod along…but then it stops there…no solutions…no fire…no moment where he steps out of the polished comfort zone and makes some noise…and I get why that leaves you disappointed.
I agree with you and Julie…Secretary of State…or even Chief of Staff…he’d be superb in either role…because those jobs reward discipline…structure…articulation…keeping the trains running on time…and Pete is built for that.
But when it comes to the battlefield we’re standing on right now…where you’ve got to fight a brawler with sharper elbows and a grin…he doesn’t bring that energy.
Newsom does…and that’s why I keep hammering this point…this is about who can throw down in the mud without losing the crowd.
-Jack
Good eye Jack! A point you might have added about Newsome. When there were enough signatures, from the Republicans, for a recall election against a popular billionaire, Newsome won reelection hands down.
He's not perfect, but he knows how to get things done. There's a reason California has the fifth largest economy in the world and it's envy that makes losers try and tarnish our golden state. I'm a proud, fifth generation Californian, does it show, sly grin?
Karen…I love this. And...yes it shows…that fifth generation California pride comes shining right through. And...you’re right to bring up the recall…because that wasn’t some small skirmish…Republicans had the signatures…they had the wind at their back…and Newsom didn’t just survive it…he crushed it…reelection hands down in the middle of a manufactured storm.
That’s not luck…that’s proof of knowing how to get things done under fire…and it ties right to your other point. California isn’t just a state…it’s the fifth largest economy in the world…and the envy is exactly why the losers keep trying to drag it down…they can’t build something equal…so they smear what they can’t match.
Newsom’s not perfect…but he’s battle tested…and when you put him up against Trump or any MAGA challenger…the recall win…his ability to govern through noise…and the scale of what California represents…those all become part of the armor he carries into the fight.
-Jack
I can’t wait to see what happens next between the breath of fresh air and the old fart!
LOL...neither can I!
Live what Newsom is doing to drumpf. He deserves everything that he gets from Newsom! His response is so on point and reaped! No delays!
It really is...Teri. Just like a laser-beam. Surgical!
-Jack
Agree 100%. He is driving the cult out of their minds and I am so here for it. It’s so early, but I don’t see another on the horizon that could give the Pedo President (PP) a run for his money like Newsom. Can you imagine a “debate” between the two? I’m laughing just thinking about it. Having said that, I believe that there is a very good chance the PP has congestive heart failure and will likely not go the distance. Yes, I have been told this is just wishful thinking on my part.
Old nurse agrees 👹
Sherri…I’m right there with you…he is driving the cult straight out of their minds…and it’s a beautiful thing to watch…because every time he smirks…every time he flips the frame…Trump loses a little more of that fake dominance he lives on.
And you’re right…it’s early…but I don’t see anyone else right now who could give the Pedo President a run like Newsom could. I just don't. The idea of a debate between the two…it’s hilarious just to imagine…Trump ranting and red-faced…Newsom calm and grinning…audiences laughing at the bully instead of fearing him.
It would be devastating.
And about Trump’s health…you might be told it’s wishful thinking…but I’ve heard similar whispers…congestive heart failure…long-term stress…diet…age…it all stacks up…the man is not indestructible…and if he doesn’t go the distance…it won’t surprise me.
I managed 12-16 other Navy Corpsman on a Cardiac Unit in San Diego in the 90's, while still making sure to get ample time with direct patient care. Personally, I don't think he's long for this earth.
Either way…whether he collapses under his own weight or gets dismantled on stage…the outcome is the same…the spell breaks…and Newsom is showing he’s the one who can shatter it in real time.
-Jack
Thanks Jack! These post always give me hope for our democracy!
Sue...you are certainly welcome. You hang on to that hope. It's the foundation for everything else you layer-up on top...in resisting this fascist takeover attempt.
-Jack
How could I possibly NOT LIKE THIS????
I called Newsom a while ago and friends rolled their eyes. He’s totally playing the asshole and it’s glorious, I tell you!
Pure GLOWRY (as spoken in old times Baptist churches.)
Looking forward to this evening’s post.
What do ya think about Pritz?
Cherae…how could you not like it indeed. It’s pure theater mixed with strategy…and you’re dead on…Newsom is playing the asshole to perfection…and it is glorious. Because it’s the one role Trump can’t out-act or overpower…he hates being laughed at…and Newsom keeps serving it up with a grin.
I love that you called him early while others rolled their eyes…that tells me you’ve got the instinct for spotting who can actually thrive in the mud fight…who enjoys it enough to keep coming back smiling.
And your “Pure GLOWRY” line…I can hear that old church cadence in my head as I read it…and yes…it fits the moment perfectly.
As for Pritzker…I think he’s sharp…solid…capable…and absolutely in the conversation. He’s got the resources and the stature…but compared to Newsom he doesn’t project that same “game on” energy…the smirk…that psychological edge that cuts through Trump’s act.
If Pritzker turns up the heat and shows that side…he could climb…but right now Newsom is the one who’s carrying the glow.
-Jack
Brilliant. (not that I was expecting less from you)
I await your next post.
Hey...Wende...I'll take it. My wife doesn't always think I'm "brilliant," when I forget a key ingredient on the shopping list at the store, on one of those...in between grocery shopping runs..lol.
-Jack
Jack, do you read Jim Stewartson?
Not as often as I would like, Julie...because I'm so busy doing my own thing...which is quite time consuming...but as much as I can squeeze in...yes. I am a paid subscriber of Jim's newsletter. Jim and I are friends.
-Jack
I can imagine how much time you spend researching and composing. I was wondering, though, because you and he are speaking about people's psychological manipulation through social media, memes, and LARP narratives. None of us are prepared for this kind of digital manipulation.
Mamdani is starting to troll trump now, too. We need more links in the chain strong enough that no bolt cutters, saw or welder can cut through it.
Libbey…I love how you put that…because yes…Mamdani stepping into the troll game is exactly what we need. More links in the chain…each one strong enough that no bolt cutters…no saw…no welder can snap it.
That’s how you build resilience against a bully movement. You don’t leave one voice out front to get isolated…you forge a chain of leaders who all know how to smirk back…mock back…and flip the frame…so that the attacks just bounce off.
And when those links keep multiplying…when Newsom does it…Mamdani does it…others step up and do it too…it stops being a one-off tactic and starts becoming a culture of resistance…and that’s the kind of chain Trump can’t cut through!
-Jack