8.9.24 Newsletter
Blog Update, The RRrrrRoyal Appointment, Entourage, and more
Real Talk
What if…
Several factors in my life necessitate that I buckle down and put together a full time job. To be perfectly frank, I would love that to include my Substack, but I can only continue to do it at this level and expand with your support.
I am so grateful to everyone who reads my writing at any subscription level. This has never felt like a chore for me—it’s a passion. Please consider subscribing at the paid or founder tiers to receive extra content each week. Major changes in my life are coming along with tough decisions on top of an already difficult year. My goal is to continue this blog and grow it. It’s scary to be so vulnerable and flat out ask like this. Thank you for allowing me to be so open in this space.
U.S. Politics
If you saw my post from earlier this week (all my 2024 US Election coverage is free!) you know I think Minn. Governor Tim Walz was the best choice for VP out of the contenders. Which is why it feels strange that he was selected. It’s almost like…we’re being listened to?
I hope we move in the direction of more Tim Walz’s in politics. People who don’t become politicians to enrich themselves or view it as a long-term career. Former teachers like Walz who want to help people because they know what it’s like for the average American. This is the first ticket since I "believe” LBJ to not attend an Ivy and that is refreshing. There’s nothing democratic about only elite individuals and/or lawyers running our country. It’s not representative of America.
Tim Walz’s ability to sign huge legislation initiatives also shows the power of organizing at a state level. 2023 was the first time in 8 years that Democrats have controlled both chambers and the Governor’s office. They have a ONE seat advantage in the Senate, which has allowed them to pass bills that the Republican Senate previous rejected. Read here about the incredible 2023 legislative record out of Minnesota.
I’ll have a post out this weekend about how you can get involved in the 2024 Election at all levels. Don’t forget local and state government. That’s where you feel the impact first.
Royal Corner
The Rrrrroyal Appointment
Subject line: The moment that Harry and Meghan’s critics predicted
I have read that headline 3 times and it still makes little sense to me. The first half of the piece details their week with tidbits like: Harry’s ITV interview, the announcement of a tour in Colombia, a US interview to promote a new initiative to protect kids on social media, and a People Magazine cover story about the couples’ security concerns and the King hitting the bitch button or something on Prince Harry. While someone from The Sussex camp could have spoken to People, it’s worth mentioning that it’s not an interview, there’s no direct quotes from anyone on record, etc.
The writer says the response has been muted, but offers nothing in the way of facts and figures to back up her hypothesis. She’s just going off vibes.
I think it’s more that the coverage continues to be biased and downright ridiculous from large swaths of the British media. Here’s a sampling:
Truthfully, I hope the fan-fic coverage and the viciousness online is losing steam. I can’t help but think about US politics and how done we are with outlandish politicians, offensive remarks and straight up lies. It’s probably naive of me, but maybe people are getting fed up with the non-coverage, coverage of the “non-working royals” that the media keeps telling people are unimportant, but cover them feverishly. We need to continue to reject this kind of coverage.
Have a Great Weekend to Everyone Except…
Trump Campaign’s Comms Team.
Actually, please keep doing exactly what you are doing it’s fabulous.
It was another week of a series of easily avoidable blunders for the Trump campaign, primarily JD Vance, who appears to be the only one on the ticket actually campaigning. There was the event planning fail where the campaign put a sign behind JD Vance that said “Kamala Choas”, but since they also put people behind Vance, it looked like:
Then came the truly baffling (and somewhat terrifying?) move of landing the Trump/Vance plane on the same tarmac as the Vice President’s plane to…answer the press because Kamala won’t maybe?
They really thought they did something with this one:
But then came Kamala Harris’ response:
As a digital marketer who has worked in Comms on several campaigns, this is the kind of marketing I absolutely salivate over doing, but rarely do you get the green light. Never stop.
-Meredith
Walz was the best choice. Amazing that that they agreed with us! And on top of “weird”, Dems need to start using “stalker”, too. That is creepy sh$t and I highly doubt Vance would have done that if the Dem nominee were male. It’s so gross and says so much about who they really are.
Good Morning. As another long time campaigner...My role was always press advance teams. Makes sense, doesn't it?
I would maintain a watch on Trump campaign chairman Chris LaCivita, the Kerry Swiftboater himself. He plays fast, lose, and nasty. Is the Harris Campaign Teflon? I really think it will be how they can make a return when the swiftboat comes. I hope we are ready.
Little wisps of information out of Balmoral or in the creative minds of "royal experts", particularly curious. William is raging about Harry getting inheritance......Royal family want to figure out how to use Meghan and Harry to get them out of the looming trouble with the riots and their own reputation. AND calling for Harry to come to Balmoral for a family meeting..... Nothing has legs so far. The press seems to have turned on Charles and William too. Maybe Karma or school of hard knocks in the works