A new poll run by Data For Progress found that voters are more likely to support candidates who support trans rights. People also believe political attack ads have gotten out of hand.
This is both tremendously encouraging news and superb assembly of it in one post; great work, Erin!
It also reinforces the critical importance of being strategic about this election (not that we have much time left to do anything, but there is still a little). Transphobic (transmisic) candidates should be rejected out of hand, but I don't think there is a single one running under the Democratic label. Some Democrats (Allred and Sherrod Brown being examples) may be lukewarm and far from our ideal, but a Democratically-controlled Senate can do useful things for us; a Republican one will, on the other hand, actively hunt us with intent to do grievous harm.
At the risk of beating a dead horse, I would refer to the example of Lyndon Johnson and civil rights. A Black person in the U.S. in 1964 who knew anything about Johnson would not have had a very positive opinion of him, to put it mildly. But he got that landmark 1965 Civil Rights law passed, and Barry Goldwater sure as hell would not have.
Excellent example, Jayna. In other words, *Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.*
I’m in Texas and will be voting for Allred, despite his less than ideal support on trans issues, for that exact reason. I’d MUCH rather have Allred than Cruz!! Lord I am so unbelievably sick of these MAGAs telling me how to live my life and raise my kids!!! And in Texas, I’m surrounded by it 24/7/365. They’ve turned my state into a living hellhole, where it was once a beautiful and kind place to live. I used to be able to proudly say, “I’m a Texan.” Now it’s just embarrassing.
A new poll of voters in my household, taken just now by me, shows that 100% of voters in my household who are me, and also 100% of non-voting cats in residence, are thoroughly sick of the Republican Party's shit.
Thanks for the call-out, Rachel. I actually still subscribe to the Post (whose record on these issues is far from stellar, though better than the NYT), and hadn't noticed that article. For what little it's worth, I'll add my comment there (and amplify on my own social media).
I agree with you, but I think outside of the far right base, voters are getting tired of the hate and the continuous presence of the government in their business. I live in Kansas which, as Erin’s map shows, is not great for trans folks right now. Kris Kobach is the worst!
But, as conservative as the state is, there is a strong libertarian streak that just wants the government to leave them alone. I think that helped two years ago with the abortion amendment and is also true of the small trans population. The Democratic governor, Laura Kelly, tried to veto anti-trans legislation but was overridden by a Republican supermajority. I am cautiously optimistic we can break the supermajority this election. I just saw an article that some of the most anti-abortion legislators were now campaigning as supportive of the right to abortion. I don’t believe it for a second, but I do think they’ve read the writing on the wall when it comes to voters.
I am a Kansas Expatriate. I keep in touch. Mr. Kobach has a First Class ticket on the proverbial "ship of stone, with masts of steel, sails of lead, ropes of iron, the Devil at the helm, the wrath of God for a breeze, and Hell for his destination."
Being a coward (attacking a vulnerable population for political gain or failing to defend someone from a bully) is never the right decision. It's a lousy way to earn the respect of others or to retain your own self-respect. I do hope Collin Allred is listening.
That's my take as well, it's a loser strategy, it might get out the votes he thinks he can get, but it'll get out votes *against* it, too - I bet KDH is our next president.
This is both tremendously encouraging news and superb assembly of it in one post; great work, Erin!
It also reinforces the critical importance of being strategic about this election (not that we have much time left to do anything, but there is still a little). Transphobic (transmisic) candidates should be rejected out of hand, but I don't think there is a single one running under the Democratic label. Some Democrats (Allred and Sherrod Brown being examples) may be lukewarm and far from our ideal, but a Democratically-controlled Senate can do useful things for us; a Republican one will, on the other hand, actively hunt us with intent to do grievous harm.
At the risk of beating a dead horse, I would refer to the example of Lyndon Johnson and civil rights. A Black person in the U.S. in 1964 who knew anything about Johnson would not have had a very positive opinion of him, to put it mildly. But he got that landmark 1965 Civil Rights law passed, and Barry Goldwater sure as hell would not have.
Excellent example, Jayna. In other words, *Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.*
I’m in Texas and will be voting for Allred, despite his less than ideal support on trans issues, for that exact reason. I’d MUCH rather have Allred than Cruz!! Lord I am so unbelievably sick of these MAGAs telling me how to live my life and raise my kids!!! And in Texas, I’m surrounded by it 24/7/365. They’ve turned my state into a living hellhole, where it was once a beautiful and kind place to live. I used to be able to proudly say, “I’m a Texan.” Now it’s just embarrassing.
A new poll of voters in my household, taken just now by me, shows that 100% of voters in my household who are me, and also 100% of non-voting cats in residence, are thoroughly sick of the Republican Party's shit.
Lol.
This article is a perfect rebuttal to Megan McArdle's column yesterday in the Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/10/23/harris-trump-transgender-ads/
She states, without any basis beyond her own feelings, that Trump's anti-trans ads are effective. The evidence says otherwise.
Thanks for the call-out, Rachel. I actually still subscribe to the Post (whose record on these issues is far from stellar, though better than the NYT), and hadn't noticed that article. For what little it's worth, I'll add my comment there (and amplify on my own social media).
The MSM is not our friend. That much is abundantly clear.
For all my sins, I submit that those expecting Republican politicians to abandon transphobia as a campaign issue are on a hiding to nothing.
I agree with you, but I think outside of the far right base, voters are getting tired of the hate and the continuous presence of the government in their business. I live in Kansas which, as Erin’s map shows, is not great for trans folks right now. Kris Kobach is the worst!
But, as conservative as the state is, there is a strong libertarian streak that just wants the government to leave them alone. I think that helped two years ago with the abortion amendment and is also true of the small trans population. The Democratic governor, Laura Kelly, tried to veto anti-trans legislation but was overridden by a Republican supermajority. I am cautiously optimistic we can break the supermajority this election. I just saw an article that some of the most anti-abortion legislators were now campaigning as supportive of the right to abortion. I don’t believe it for a second, but I do think they’ve read the writing on the wall when it comes to voters.
I am a Kansas Expatriate. I keep in touch. Mr. Kobach has a First Class ticket on the proverbial "ship of stone, with masts of steel, sails of lead, ropes of iron, the Devil at the helm, the wrath of God for a breeze, and Hell for his destination."
Being a coward (attacking a vulnerable population for political gain or failing to defend someone from a bully) is never the right decision. It's a lousy way to earn the respect of others or to retain your own self-respect. I do hope Collin Allred is listening.
That's my take as well, it's a loser strategy, it might get out the votes he thinks he can get, but it'll get out votes *against* it, too - I bet KDH is our next president.
"Likely Voters are Tired of Anti-Trans Ads" - I know I am, lol!
Listen, I have to resist the urge to throw a shoe at my TV. Mine are heavy enough to break it. LOL
Thank you for all of your efforts Erin. My nerves can't take much more😬
Hugs. Hang in there.