Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 1h

Just going to put this here, for no particular reason
youtu.be/wdhAUHMm5-0?...

"The Election of 1800" from HAMILTON

YouTube video by Hamilton

youtu.be

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 4h

The Democratic electoral strategy focuses on flipping voters.
(imo they should spend more energy on turnout, but that's a different conversation)

The easiest way to flip voters is to point out the *completely true fact* that this administration habitually defends pro-Nazi activity!

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 4h

I'm haunted by this image, popularized by an Elon tweet (orig. '21, tweet '22).

Millions of people think this image reflects reality!

Well, in 08 & 12, McCain & Romney led the GOP.
Now the leader of the GOP literally invited a self-described Nazis to dinner, & the VP defends pro-Nazi statements.

Image shows three stick figures over time (2008, 2012, 2021). The “me” figure stays in the same spot, while “my fellow liberal” moves further left, and over time that causes the “center” and “conservative” positions to shift relative to “me.”

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 4h

The modern GOP is an extremist party!
But too many voters don't realize that.
This story is a *perfect* opportunity to push that message.

But if Democrats let it go without a mention, the media will move on too.

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 4h

This story is about "young" Republicans. But it mirrors the actions of the leadership of the party, as I pointed out in my initial response yesterday.

(in which I mistakenly referred to these adults as "kids", my bad on that)
bsky.app/profile/rikl...

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 2d

The SecDef has a Nazi tattoo*.
The President's biggest donor did a Nazi salute twice after referencing a famous Nazi slogan.
The VP intervened to make sure the admin rehired someone fired for pro-Nazi statements.

These kids are following the examples set by their leadership.

Politico @politico.com · 2d

EXCLUSIVE: Thousands of leaked messages show leaders of Young Republican groups joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape in a private Telegram chat.

Inside rising GOP leaders’ racist chats — obtained by POLITICO and spanning more than 7 months👇

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 4h

In addition to being important on the merits in obvious ways, this is another example of DC Democrats failing the modern media environment.

This is a salacious story that also relates to a critical GOP-wide them - the GOP's embrace of and comfort with extremism, hatred, and open bigotry.

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 4h

It's been about 48 hours since this report. "Young" Republicans - all 18+, many in their 30s, including a State Senator, a member of the Trump admin.

As far as I can tell, neither of my opponents (Markey, Moulton), have commented on this publicly.

Politico @politico.com · 2d

EXCLUSIVE: Thousands of leaked messages show leaders of Young Republican groups joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape in a private Telegram chat.

Inside rising GOP leaders’ racist chats — obtained by POLITICO and spanning more than 7 months👇

‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat

Thousands of private messages reveal young GOP leaders joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape.

www.politico.com

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 5h

Hi!
1 & 2 are on my "platform" page, and I go into more detail on 1, 2, & 4 in the AMA linked below.
Re: 3: I support it! Long way to go getting it to majority support, tho.
Re: 5: Also yes, & pairing with efficiency efforts could maintain functionality.

www.reddit.com/r/massachuse...

From the massachusetts community on Reddit: I'm Alex Rikleen & I'm running against Senator Markey in the '26 Democratic primary. AMA! (starting Thursday 9/17 @9:30am)

Explore this post and more from the massachusetts community

www.reddit.com

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 6h

If you want to support a candidate who won't abandon communities that don't poll well, please support my campaign.

If you want a younger candidate, but one who has more reasons to run than just age (my website doesn't mention age!), please support my campaign.

secure.actblue.com/donate/alexr...

I support Alex Rikleen!

If you're ready for a campaign built on courage, not compromise, chip in now to help us take this fight to Washington.

secure.actblue.com

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 6h

Helpful thread on a new form of Trump lawlessness, and how it is embraced and enabled by the GOP.

This is egregious disrespect for American rule of law.

Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 1d

Trump's mechanism to pay the troops during the shutdown is by far the most illegal budgetary action he's taken as POTUS, potentially setting the stage to break everything.

It's also needless because Congress would easily pass a troop pay bill if Johnson were willing to gavel in.

Long thread.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/10/national-security-presidential-memorandum-nspm-8/

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 7h

Thank you!

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 15h

The success of the 50501 movement - sprung up in days, now the largest sustained protest movement in US history - and Democratic leadership's refusal to react to the urgency they're demanding

is a primary factor in why I am running for Senate.

Will Stancil @whstancil.bsky.social · 17h

The reason No Kings has had limited political impact isn’t the size of the thing, which is astounding, but because it’s largely been ignored by the institutional structures that call crystallize popular anger and discontent into lasting policy and pressure for change. Dems won’t claim it, basically

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 16h

So, clear violations of the constitution.

Crimes committed by the government are the most corrosive to a society.

The individuals responsible must be held accountable.

Lynda Lopez @lyndab08.bsky.social · 20h

"The boy, who is Hispanic and African American, was held in a garage for five hours “without informing his family, stating any charges, or allowing him to call an attorney,” the statement said. He is a U.S. citizen, as is his entire immediate family, the release said."

Feds ram SUV after chase down residential street in Chicago, then tear-gas crowd

The crash happened late Tuesday morning near 105th Street and Avenue N in the East Side neighborhood. Two men being pursued were arrested as were two bystanders. The crash drew dozens of neighbors who...

chicago.suntimes.com

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 16h

Yup, hi!

bsky.app/profile/rikl...

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · May 27

They said "existential threat".
I believed those words - but they're acting like they didn't.

I'm Alex Rikleen, and I am running for US Senate in Massachusetts.

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 21h

My statement on Congressman Seth Moulton's entrance into the US Senate race, challenging myself and Senator Markey.

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 23h

Actually, let's play a game:

Send this quote to any Dem/left political consultant you know.

Let's see if we can find a (one) consultant to go on the record saying that they think Moulton is being honest here, and that the consultant would advise Moulton to *avoid* talking about Markey's age.

“Is he too old?” Moulton told the paper. “Look, every political consultant will tell me not to say this, but the honest truth is, yes, Senator Markey is a very nice guy, but he’s been in Congress for 50 years, and he’ll be 86 years old at the end of his next term as our junior senator.”

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 1d

In the online far-right, a racist realm obsessed with (among other weird things) IQ scores, Asians rate higher than Black people.

No surprise to see that parroted by Trump.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d

Trump: "Boston had a bad mayor who at least is a reasonable IQ person. Most of them are low IQ. I mean, what's going on in Chicago ... "

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 1d

Good job to everyone involved in this!

Jen Bendery @jbendery.bsky.social · 1d

A 3,000-pound, 17-foot-long "DEMOCRACY" ice sculpture is melting away on the National Mall today, a statement from activists and artists on the weakened state of American democracy under the Trump administration.
www.huffpost.com/entry/democr...

A 3,000-Pound Ice Sculpture Of 1 Word Is Melting In Front Of The U.S. Capitol

“It's time for all of us to resist, speak up and save our democracy before it's too late,” artist Marshall Reese said of his 17-by-5-foot installation.

www.huffpost.com

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 1d

Oh! And I forgot! The biggest one!

- consultants are *begging* me to talk about Markey's age. He's being completely dishonest when he claims consultants are telling him not to talk about age. It's the first quote of the article, and it is pure dishonesty.

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 1d

For anyone who likes the idea of generational change, but wants a candidate who won't throw trans kids under the bus:

Markey already has a challenger!

bsky.app/profile/rikl...

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · May 27

They said "existential threat".
I believed those words - but they're acting like they didn't.

I'm Alex Rikleen, and I am running for US Senate in Massachusetts.

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Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 1d

For anyone who likes the idea of generational change, but wants a candidate who won't throw trans kids under the bus:

Markey already has a challenger!

bsky.app/profile/rikl...

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · May 27

They said "existential threat".
I believed those words - but they're acting like they didn't.

I'm Alex Rikleen, and I am running for US Senate in Massachusetts.

2

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 1d

For anyone who likes the idea of generational change, but wants a candidate who won't throw trans kids under the bus:

Markey already has a challenger!

bsky.app/profile/rikl...

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · May 27

They said "existential threat".
I believed those words - but they're acting like they didn't.

I'm Alex Rikleen, and I am running for US Senate in Massachusetts.

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 1d

For anyone who likes the idea of generational change, but wants a candidate who won't throw trans kids under the bus:

Markey already has a challenger!

Also, re: your bio, court expansion is a core part of my platform!

bsky.app/profile/rikl...

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · May 27

They said "existential threat".
I believed those words - but they're acting like they didn't.

I'm Alex Rikleen, and I am running for US Senate in Massachusetts.

1

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 1d

Re: B, that candidate is already running! I even called out Moulton's anti-teans remarks in my launch speech, back when we didn't think he was running and I just thought it was important to say!

bsky.app/profile/rikl...

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · May 27

They said "existential threat".
I believed those words - but they're acting like they didn't.

I'm Alex Rikleen, and I am running for US Senate in Massachusetts.

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · 1d

For anyone who likes the idea of generational change, but wants a candidate who won't throw trans kids under the bus:

Markey already has a challenger!

bsky.app/profile/rikl...

Alex Rikleen @rikleen.bsky.social · May 27

They said "existential threat".
I believed those words - but they're acting like they didn't.

I'm Alex Rikleen, and I am running for US Senate in Massachusetts.

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