Gov. Tim Walz vows to fight Donald Trump’s agenda while working to understand his appeal

I am fucking astounded that there is still a disconnect even with high level Democrats who can't seem to grasp that much of America is living in a completely alternate reality because of the right-wing propaganda machine, exacerbated by foreign adversaries like Russia.

Lichtman's (one saving grace from this election I never have to hear about this charlatan) keys prove this because he never accounts for the disconnect between what we see versus those in the echo-chamber perceive.

The megaphone of disinformation and sowing of distrust of traditional media, in my view, was the single biggest reason for our loss.

I would have posted this as a post if not violative of Rule 1, but Jon Stewart's The Weekly Show posted a great episode yesterday with a very thoughtful political theorist guest. It focuses on why the disinformation campaigns are responsible for this election.
In short: We have already reached a point where real policy and positions is no match for propaganda. Political power was decisively proven this election to derive from creating and exploiting a false reality, with multiple groups in Trump's coalition directly and decisively voting against their interests because they simply believed Trump more than reality. In Russia this is called "political technology" and Trump followed that playbook exactly.
Is it even possible to learn that lesson in time? I don't think so - I think we missed our last chance. Because Trump's campaign so effectively recognized this, we can also expect them to recognize that media cannot be allowed to be independent and control of the media is how they maintain that false reality. Like Hitler, like Putin, like Xi, expect that Trump's team - given free rein by his sycophantic House, Senate and Supreme court - will ruthlessly crack down on free press. I'd be shocked if it doesn't happen in the first few months.
We're about to enter a very dark time, and by the midterms, it's likely that even with a "free and fair" election, it will be so tainted by state-sponsored misinformation there is no hope of the public voting out the right.
- You just explained precisely why I'm working on a plan to get out. This country is no longer safe for my family.
- I watched that as well yesterday. Somber albeit pointed episode. Political theology nails it because we're entering a phase (see Michael Flynn going around promoting the Christian Nationalist movement) where GOP leadership is elevated to a religious faith. And we all know arguments of reason or ethics do not work on those whose belief set is forged on blind faith and loyalty.
  It's probably best that we hope for the best and expect the worst. At this point, it seems the only way things will course-correct is when it all comes crashing down. And that won't be pretty for anyone.
- Thank you for that. I'm not normally a podcast watcher and didn't know Jon had one. I'll check it out!
Lichtman's still 10 for 11 (considering that Gore did win FL, only to have the SC overturn the results), so I think he'll still be around for a while.
Agreed on the media silos though - the right-wing media ecosystem is almost wholly disconnected from reality and any other viewpoints.
If that’s the terrain you have to fight on, there’s not much you can do about it.
- There is, but the solution comes before the indoctrination. It's much easier to vaccinate and inoculate before being infected with the mental illness. After that, the best defense really is just a bullet. You can't operate a functional democracy when the majority of the population are demented and actively working to tear it apart.
Yeah billionaires with their finger on the media scale. We can't allow them to get away with this.
- Not much we can do, is there?

Jesus, when it's put that way... Holy fuck. We're not in a good place
Not the first time

For those unfamiliar with Minnesotan language, that's what this vow is.

He will fight Project 2025 as state governor, which does give him powers the president can't just take. "While working to understand the appeal" means he acknowledges that Magats are idiots and will also work on a way to get through their thick skulls to also reject the Presidents agenda.

Minnesota nice is fun :)

Edit: another interpretation would be he said to Trump supporters: "Y'all need Jesus."

I'm kinda in love with Walz right now. Hopefully he'll be my governor soon™. Fuck Greg Abbott. Just hope I manage to get out before Texas fascists go full nuts.
- You could also come over to Illinois. It's shaping up to be a stronhold for the Trump resistance as well.
- I can barely see him from over the pond but he seems somewhat decent
A helpful guide for those in need
They all already have Jesus, that fat orange spawn of Satan. The is to he worshipped
And nothing was learned, yet again.
- Not true. We learned that apparently being decent, caring, and empathetic won't win against racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and hate.

His appeal? Anger is a more powerful motivator than fear.

It's not just anger. The majority of voters take actual delight in harming others, even when the cost of doing so is harming themselves too.
Collectively, humans are evil to the core. That's the problem that Trump is a symptom of - even if he chokes to death on Putin's dick right now the problem isn't going to go away. Some other Nazi will fill in and the 73 million traitors that voted for Trump will just redirect their support to the next guy.
- I think you're absolutely right about the hate vs. fear. But when the charismatic (Trump? Ew, how?) cult leader dies, sometimes the cult doesn't have anyone else they all believe in, and it breaks apart. I'm hoping for that.
- So why can't all that hate be used back against the ignoramuses and wannabe fascists?
- I think you’re right. It may be hate vs. fear.
Trump has propaganda from republicans, billionaires and foreign actors helping him. Anger is just one of the tools used with propaganda.

Maybe next time have the Dems focus on the economy first and foremost, even if its lies, and they'll win

Clearly anything can be the truth. Just yell loud, have a good propaganda arm, and a solid amount of cult members.
Lies won't work as well on people who have a world view anywhere close to reality. That's why good fascism isn't a thing.

GDI Walz, it's ok to be out of touch and confused, but keep the fucking quiet part quiet. Figure it out and fix it, reboot the DNC to the left and give us something compelling. I voted, but more as a sense of duty than actual being hopeful for the future.

No it's how we state this shit in Minnesota. He knows they're dumb and hateful. What he's saying is that he's going to get them to reject it too.
I think the candor will help build trust.

Well, he better do it quickly. I anticipate a round-up of dissidents in 2025.

I don’t expect that to come first. First they’ll go for the “illegals” which will likely be any brown people regardless of immigration status.
That will probably take them a couple years. But the outrage it causes will compel the “dissidents” to speak out and resist. At this point, they’ll really turn up the propaganda machine on them, demonizing them and making them easy targets. By the next election cycle (if we even have one by then), they’ll start round them up and it will all be over.
While Project 2025 suggested the use of the military as law enforcement in Democratic cities - in reality this can only work in Red States. The federation style of government gives power to the state in the form of the National Guard.
I believe there is some sort of power that enables Governors to draw up reserves too, and any federal military stationed in the State.
Sort of like the Fediverse - the instance admin ultimately decides what can and cannot be fed into their instance, and enforce their own moderation rules within it.