Wonderful, yet scary article. I cancelled my NYT subscription about 5 months ago, due to the things you have mentioned. I feel like we are in Deja vu 1930's Germany. And I am often left speechless at what total MAGA BS former friends are FB posting...
I think maybe, a lot of people think that somehow, maybe because of the "magic ink" the constitution is written in, or maybe because we are the USA, that it cannot happen here.
I agree 100% with you, Dan-o. And I, too, am heartbroken.
My parents fled Hitler and were able to come to America as Displaced Persons in 1949. I was am beyond grateful that I was born here.
I KNOW what happened in 1930's Germany and it is exactly what's happening here right now. My parents are now gone. I am relieved they are not here to see this. May God help Kamala Harris win this critical election!
Qualitative complaints about the mainstream media are easy to refute (e.g., with examples of some good journalism that still exists in pockets.) The quantitative analysis of how many stories address the actual risks of MAGA wins in front page stories, column inches (or their digital equivalents) is much more compelling. In the short run, the lesson for me (as a phonebanker) is that I need to make clear that these threats to the voter's freedom are not "just talk."
Mr. Podhorzer, I usually agree with your in-depth analyses, but I think what you’re documenting here is, in part, a change in the mission of The New York Times from being the newspaper of record, which established its brand, to capitalizing on its brand as a media conglomerate seeking clicks. I differentiate the NYT editorial choices from the opinions of its readers, many of whom are sophisticated. Just look at the Comments section to many major articles or opinion pieces, and you will see that the great majority of readers, at least those who choose to comment, are well aware of the issues and alert to Trump’s dangers. The same is true for the Washington Post and other MSM.
I also disagree with your analysis that the NYT or MSM editorial choices have much impact on voters who are only now tuning in. Few if any of them get their news from MSM. More often, it’s social media or word of mouth, or it’s a news story or ad they see on social media. Probably both campaigns are targeting such channels. Many of those voters are struggling to make ends meet, and many believe their vote won’t make a difference. But they can be reached. The Harris campaign and organizations working to turn out votes for Harris and Democrats are much more savvy this time about how to reach those infrequent voters and how to register voters who would tend to vote Democratic. There’s far more money and effort underway with grassroots support than merely her fundraising. Her campaign and these organizations are scientifically testing messages and means of reaching voters. Ordinary citizens are also doing creative outreach. An example is women leaving Post-Its in restrooms alerting other women that who they vote for is private, which will peel some away from voting with their MAGA husbands. Many women are alarmed at the right-wing assault on reproductive freedom and are disturbed by Trump’s dishonorable character.
Harris has appeared in non-traditional forums where she reaches millions of voters who would never look at the NYT and certainly couldn’t afford a subscription. Her messaging has focused on pocket book concerns and fears stirred up by repeated MAGA lies about immigration, crime and the economy. Those who are caught in the right-wing media echo chamber aren’t very persuadable, but that isn’t who we need to reach. Trump’s defeat will say something to some of them.
Many organizations supporting Democrats and Harris herself have also wizened up to disillusionment about the economy being about the difficulty of affording food, housing, childcare, elder care, health care, etc., whether or not inflation has cooled or the stock market and corporate profits attain record highs.
Harris, Walz and their surrogates who can attract big crowds are barnstorming swing states and holding far more rallies and media appearances than Trump is. MSM is now also covering Trump’s bizarre meltdowns, like his recent rally where he stopped answering questions and bopped to music for 39 minutes. That’s a click-bait story too, so it gets coverage.
And, having gotten many people’s attention, including through endorsements by Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey and others, Harris is mobilizing people on the ground to sound the alarm about Trump’s extremism. She may not directly reach tuned out voters, but those who knock on doors or do phone banking may. There are record postcarding campaigns to reach infrequent Democratic voters, sending waves of postcards timed to motivate those voters, and those mailings are only reaching voters now. Just one organization, Activate America, has sent 40 million postcards. Postcard campaigns can turn out 1.4% more infrequent Democratic voters.
There’s also far more outreach and messaging to traditionally conservative voters, for example, powerful videos created by VoteVets, which also sends its bus with effective signage to Trump rallies. There’s the Lincoln Project, Republicans for Harris, White Men for Harris, and so many more.
Those of us who are activists are hitting the bricks and the phones and helping where it’s most needed in swing states and critical campaigns for offices rather than confine our efforts to local and state races. This is all so new that I don’t think it is easily tracked. Although the situation is serious and dangerous, like Kamala Harris, I refuse to live in fear but am making my best efforts along with millions of fellow activists to reach people where they are.
You make a critical point, Michael, when you tease out the NYT coverage. The paper of record has utterly failed in its responsibility to inform the public. I'm appalled several times a week at NYT headlines that sanitize Trump's comments or twist situations around to mask the craziness. It's as if the reporters live in an alternate universe. Not only is the Times not even attempting to make it clear what a genuine threat the GOP candidate is, the paper is going to some lengths to normalize and sanewash him.
not sure how I fit on the enthusiastic vs less so scale. I am enthusiastic about Harris for most things. I am very opposed on the Middle East Situation.
The only way to deal with the Middle East conundrum is to consider whether trump would be any BETTER than Harris on that issue. The answer is a resounding NO. Given that, this is definitely not the time to "go third party" to somehow "punish" Harris for her anodyne stance. It will only punish ourselves. So will any third party vote because the Dems aren't "progressive" enough.
Anyone with half a brain should be able to see that this is not the time for a "protest" third party vote. Too many of those, and it is clear that the result will be the end of peaceful protests, period
I hope that those telling pollsters that they will follow through with a protest vote will, in the privacy of the ballot booth, choose against trump.
like most partisan, you can't be bothered to listen to what those who don't agree with you are actually saying.
Most of the "won't vote for Harris" aren't "protesting". They're making a moral decision to not acquiesce to genocide. You're sense of morality may make supporting the "ok with genocide, but a little less genocidal than the other choice" acceptable to you. And that's fine.
But this isn't about a 'protest". Its simply a refusal to support evil.
Oh, I hear what they are saying. "Let's refuse to support evil and do nothing to actually stop it."
And who can effectively oppose that evil? If you do not take some action to stop it, are you not complicit? Choose the candidate likeliest to both have the power and be persuaded to act to end it. That is a choice and action you can make. Or you can stay pure of heart.
Self righteous moral stands rarely end evil. It takes some sort of action, commensurate with whatever power one has. In the case of Civil Rights, people acted and (more or less, for a while) ended Jim Crow. Similar actions have a chance to persuade one viable candidate, but not the other.
What action will you take, keeping in mind that voting third party is a vain act, as will be helping trump win by refusal to vote?
It is important to reframe the notion of "sleep walking," toward a serious form of depression, namely "learned helplessness." One recalls the many unbelievable behaviors and policies of Trump with the alarmist reaction, "Can he do that?" That he repeatedly could and can, was experienced as a kick in the gut by many, (a form of cognitive dissonance) and with a confused sense that he was an entertainer. In fact, the major beneficiaries --who can rightly be dubbed "sleep walker" --are comics as SNL who minimise the tragedy unfolding by laughter. My mother lost over 40 relatives in 3 short months to the Hungarian countryside in the Hungarian Holocaust when Jewish leadership was struck by this depression, learned helplessness. They were simply disbelieving!! Can Trump build concentration camps for 1 million immigrant annually? Can he do that? Yes and yes again! And yes, the media should become alarmist!!
Great article, thank you! So, the question for me would be: How do we get people to understand how likely he is to enact his fantasies this time around, given all the money and preparation that has been poured into legal challenges, the judiciary, and preparation (e.g., Project 2025)? And how do we get people to realize the much more dire stakes relative to similar episodes in history, given the current state of the planet, geopolitics and advances in weaponry?
The media are missing the motive behind Trump’s escalation of fascism and hatred in the final stretch. People too readily equate this to cognitive decline. No, he’s purposeful. He expects to lose a legitimate election. So he’s inciting violence and extra-legal means to steal the election by pumping up the fear, hatred and outrage of his most radical followers.
Really good analysis, but your prebuttal doesn't really work, because you treat each criticism as a discrete thing to be disproven/rebutted, when its those factors in combination that explain the current situation.
The TImes (lack of) coverage of Trump's fascism can be explained by the fact that its not news AND Harris didn't (until very recently) make it a big issue.
This is not to excuse the Times, far from it. Rather, its a recognition that one big reason we're at this juncture is the way that the Democratic establishment has allowed Trump to be normalized over the last four years (while the left has been screaming its head off, to no effect).
One of the key elements of leadership is anticipating problems, and being prepared for them. Nothing you describe about the Times' (and the rest of the mainstream media's) campaign coverage is especially surprising to anyone who have been reading their coverage for the last four years. Nor is anyone who has followed Trump the least bit surprised at his words/actions.
So why is Harris, and the Democratic establishment she represents, being caught so flat-footed? How did she manage to squander the overwhelming goodwill and momentum that was gifted to her once Biden finally withdrew from the race?
These are the questions that need to be answered immediately if Harris is going to turn things around in the next 18 days.
Great article. Leads me to wonder (something I’ve wondered for a while), do you think people understand fascism? At a fundamental level, do they get what it is? What it looks like? How it functions to undermine democracy? I just feel like when I talk to people, it’s a word that has lost all meaning to people. I don’t know how to bridge that gap.
A brilliant polemic long enough for a short book. Yet, what does it tell us that those who read “the paper of record” don’t already know? The New York Times could not be more clear: it does not believe defending democracy is its mission. Indeed, the Times insufficient and often critical reporting of those who champion democracy is widely known. For many, canceling the Times is like leaving an abusive relationship, including being violated intellectually, psychologically, and even spiritually. As Bob Dylan said, the times they are a changing; but at The New York Times, not a good way.
excellent article. We are scared history could repeat itself & America is demolished by trump dictatorship. Still can't believe there are so many people who don't understand what is happening. Be praying God intercedes & blesses America again with Kamala like He did giving us President Biden, such a great man, leader with character, moral values, intelligence & such hard work for the American people & democracy around the world.
Wonderful, yet scary article. I cancelled my NYT subscription about 5 months ago, due to the things you have mentioned. I feel like we are in Deja vu 1930's Germany. And I am often left speechless at what total MAGA BS former friends are FB posting...
I think maybe, a lot of people think that somehow, maybe because of the "magic ink" the constitution is written in, or maybe because we are the USA, that it cannot happen here.
It is heartbreaking, at least to me.
Thank you
I agree 100% with you, Dan-o. And I, too, am heartbroken.
My parents fled Hitler and were able to come to America as Displaced Persons in 1949. I was am beyond grateful that I was born here.
I KNOW what happened in 1930's Germany and it is exactly what's happening here right now. My parents are now gone. I am relieved they are not here to see this. May God help Kamala Harris win this critical election!
Qualitative complaints about the mainstream media are easy to refute (e.g., with examples of some good journalism that still exists in pockets.) The quantitative analysis of how many stories address the actual risks of MAGA wins in front page stories, column inches (or their digital equivalents) is much more compelling. In the short run, the lesson for me (as a phonebanker) is that I need to make clear that these threats to the voter's freedom are not "just talk."
It's not sleepwalking.
The Trumpetoons WANT FASCISM.
Mr. Podhorzer, I usually agree with your in-depth analyses, but I think what you’re documenting here is, in part, a change in the mission of The New York Times from being the newspaper of record, which established its brand, to capitalizing on its brand as a media conglomerate seeking clicks. I differentiate the NYT editorial choices from the opinions of its readers, many of whom are sophisticated. Just look at the Comments section to many major articles or opinion pieces, and you will see that the great majority of readers, at least those who choose to comment, are well aware of the issues and alert to Trump’s dangers. The same is true for the Washington Post and other MSM.
I also disagree with your analysis that the NYT or MSM editorial choices have much impact on voters who are only now tuning in. Few if any of them get their news from MSM. More often, it’s social media or word of mouth, or it’s a news story or ad they see on social media. Probably both campaigns are targeting such channels. Many of those voters are struggling to make ends meet, and many believe their vote won’t make a difference. But they can be reached. The Harris campaign and organizations working to turn out votes for Harris and Democrats are much more savvy this time about how to reach those infrequent voters and how to register voters who would tend to vote Democratic. There’s far more money and effort underway with grassroots support than merely her fundraising. Her campaign and these organizations are scientifically testing messages and means of reaching voters. Ordinary citizens are also doing creative outreach. An example is women leaving Post-Its in restrooms alerting other women that who they vote for is private, which will peel some away from voting with their MAGA husbands. Many women are alarmed at the right-wing assault on reproductive freedom and are disturbed by Trump’s dishonorable character.
Harris has appeared in non-traditional forums where she reaches millions of voters who would never look at the NYT and certainly couldn’t afford a subscription. Her messaging has focused on pocket book concerns and fears stirred up by repeated MAGA lies about immigration, crime and the economy. Those who are caught in the right-wing media echo chamber aren’t very persuadable, but that isn’t who we need to reach. Trump’s defeat will say something to some of them.
Many organizations supporting Democrats and Harris herself have also wizened up to disillusionment about the economy being about the difficulty of affording food, housing, childcare, elder care, health care, etc., whether or not inflation has cooled or the stock market and corporate profits attain record highs.
Harris, Walz and their surrogates who can attract big crowds are barnstorming swing states and holding far more rallies and media appearances than Trump is. MSM is now also covering Trump’s bizarre meltdowns, like his recent rally where he stopped answering questions and bopped to music for 39 minutes. That’s a click-bait story too, so it gets coverage.
And, having gotten many people’s attention, including through endorsements by Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey and others, Harris is mobilizing people on the ground to sound the alarm about Trump’s extremism. She may not directly reach tuned out voters, but those who knock on doors or do phone banking may. There are record postcarding campaigns to reach infrequent Democratic voters, sending waves of postcards timed to motivate those voters, and those mailings are only reaching voters now. Just one organization, Activate America, has sent 40 million postcards. Postcard campaigns can turn out 1.4% more infrequent Democratic voters.
There’s also far more outreach and messaging to traditionally conservative voters, for example, powerful videos created by VoteVets, which also sends its bus with effective signage to Trump rallies. There’s the Lincoln Project, Republicans for Harris, White Men for Harris, and so many more.
Those of us who are activists are hitting the bricks and the phones and helping where it’s most needed in swing states and critical campaigns for offices rather than confine our efforts to local and state races. This is all so new that I don’t think it is easily tracked. Although the situation is serious and dangerous, like Kamala Harris, I refuse to live in fear but am making my best efforts along with millions of fellow activists to reach people where they are.
Excellent post. Thank you.
You make a critical point, Michael, when you tease out the NYT coverage. The paper of record has utterly failed in its responsibility to inform the public. I'm appalled several times a week at NYT headlines that sanitize Trump's comments or twist situations around to mask the craziness. It's as if the reporters live in an alternate universe. Not only is the Times not even attempting to make it clear what a genuine threat the GOP candidate is, the paper is going to some lengths to normalize and sanewash him.
Thank you
not sure how I fit on the enthusiastic vs less so scale. I am enthusiastic about Harris for most things. I am very opposed on the Middle East Situation.
The only way to deal with the Middle East conundrum is to consider whether trump would be any BETTER than Harris on that issue. The answer is a resounding NO. Given that, this is definitely not the time to "go third party" to somehow "punish" Harris for her anodyne stance. It will only punish ourselves. So will any third party vote because the Dems aren't "progressive" enough.
Anyone with half a brain should be able to see that this is not the time for a "protest" third party vote. Too many of those, and it is clear that the result will be the end of peaceful protests, period
I hope that those telling pollsters that they will follow through with a protest vote will, in the privacy of the ballot booth, choose against trump.
like most partisan, you can't be bothered to listen to what those who don't agree with you are actually saying.
Most of the "won't vote for Harris" aren't "protesting". They're making a moral decision to not acquiesce to genocide. You're sense of morality may make supporting the "ok with genocide, but a little less genocidal than the other choice" acceptable to you. And that's fine.
But this isn't about a 'protest". Its simply a refusal to support evil.
Oh, I hear what they are saying. "Let's refuse to support evil and do nothing to actually stop it."
And who can effectively oppose that evil? If you do not take some action to stop it, are you not complicit? Choose the candidate likeliest to both have the power and be persuaded to act to end it. That is a choice and action you can make. Or you can stay pure of heart.
Self righteous moral stands rarely end evil. It takes some sort of action, commensurate with whatever power one has. In the case of Civil Rights, people acted and (more or less, for a while) ended Jim Crow. Similar actions have a chance to persuade one viable candidate, but not the other.
What action will you take, keeping in mind that voting third party is a vain act, as will be helping trump win by refusal to vote?
It is important to reframe the notion of "sleep walking," toward a serious form of depression, namely "learned helplessness." One recalls the many unbelievable behaviors and policies of Trump with the alarmist reaction, "Can he do that?" That he repeatedly could and can, was experienced as a kick in the gut by many, (a form of cognitive dissonance) and with a confused sense that he was an entertainer. In fact, the major beneficiaries --who can rightly be dubbed "sleep walker" --are comics as SNL who minimise the tragedy unfolding by laughter. My mother lost over 40 relatives in 3 short months to the Hungarian countryside in the Hungarian Holocaust when Jewish leadership was struck by this depression, learned helplessness. They were simply disbelieving!! Can Trump build concentration camps for 1 million immigrant annually? Can he do that? Yes and yes again! And yes, the media should become alarmist!!
Great article, thank you! So, the question for me would be: How do we get people to understand how likely he is to enact his fantasies this time around, given all the money and preparation that has been poured into legal challenges, the judiciary, and preparation (e.g., Project 2025)? And how do we get people to realize the much more dire stakes relative to similar episodes in history, given the current state of the planet, geopolitics and advances in weaponry?
The media are missing the motive behind Trump’s escalation of fascism and hatred in the final stretch. People too readily equate this to cognitive decline. No, he’s purposeful. He expects to lose a legitimate election. So he’s inciting violence and extra-legal means to steal the election by pumping up the fear, hatred and outrage of his most radical followers.
Really good analysis, but your prebuttal doesn't really work, because you treat each criticism as a discrete thing to be disproven/rebutted, when its those factors in combination that explain the current situation.
The TImes (lack of) coverage of Trump's fascism can be explained by the fact that its not news AND Harris didn't (until very recently) make it a big issue.
This is not to excuse the Times, far from it. Rather, its a recognition that one big reason we're at this juncture is the way that the Democratic establishment has allowed Trump to be normalized over the last four years (while the left has been screaming its head off, to no effect).
One of the key elements of leadership is anticipating problems, and being prepared for them. Nothing you describe about the Times' (and the rest of the mainstream media's) campaign coverage is especially surprising to anyone who have been reading their coverage for the last four years. Nor is anyone who has followed Trump the least bit surprised at his words/actions.
So why is Harris, and the Democratic establishment she represents, being caught so flat-footed? How did she manage to squander the overwhelming goodwill and momentum that was gifted to her once Biden finally withdrew from the race?
These are the questions that need to be answered immediately if Harris is going to turn things around in the next 18 days.
Some of us aren’t sleepwalking
Great article. Leads me to wonder (something I’ve wondered for a while), do you think people understand fascism? At a fundamental level, do they get what it is? What it looks like? How it functions to undermine democracy? I just feel like when I talk to people, it’s a word that has lost all meaning to people. I don’t know how to bridge that gap.
The New York Times are cowards.
A brilliant polemic long enough for a short book. Yet, what does it tell us that those who read “the paper of record” don’t already know? The New York Times could not be more clear: it does not believe defending democracy is its mission. Indeed, the Times insufficient and often critical reporting of those who champion democracy is widely known. For many, canceling the Times is like leaving an abusive relationship, including being violated intellectually, psychologically, and even spiritually. As Bob Dylan said, the times they are a changing; but at The New York Times, not a good way.
Here on the recommendation of James Fallows.
Thank you, Michael.
excellent article. We are scared history could repeat itself & America is demolished by trump dictatorship. Still can't believe there are so many people who don't understand what is happening. Be praying God intercedes & blesses America again with Kamala like He did giving us President Biden, such a great man, leader with character, moral values, intelligence & such hard work for the American people & democracy around the world.