Ralf W
@raflw.bsky.social
"We collectively need to remind ourselves that the arc of history only stays bent if we are constantly pushing on it." –Gwen Snyder
Peripatetic pessimist-optimist.
Hanger-on at Balloon Juice.
MSP / CO / WI
Peripatetic pessimist-optimist.
Hanger-on at Balloon Juice.
MSP / CO / WI
Pinned
Ralf W
@raflw.bsky.social
· 2h
Four polls in recent days now have Trump in the 30s, with 3 at 35%-36%: 2/
35%-62% (-27) ARG
35%-56% (-21) High Point University
36%-60% (-24) Gallup
38%-57% (-19) Econ/YouGov
Again, Trump just keeps dropping.
bsky.app/profile/simo...
35%-62% (-27) ARG
35%-56% (-21) High Point University
36%-60% (-24) Gallup
38%-57% (-19) Econ/YouGov
Again, Trump just keeps dropping.
bsky.app/profile/simo...
Two polls released today have Trump at 35% job approval, his lowest yet.
35%-62% ARG
35%-56% High Point University
Economist/YouGov track had him at 38%-57%, their lowest reading this year. He just keeps dropping.
Wag the dog time!
Data and graph from fiftyplusone.news/polls/approv...
35%-62% ARG
35%-56% High Point University
Economist/YouGov track had him at 38%-57%, their lowest reading this year. He just keeps dropping.
Wag the dog time!
Data and graph from fiftyplusone.news/polls/approv...
36%-60% (-24) Gallup is just staggeringly bad.
Where are the "Trump must radically change course" think pieces?
It's an indictment of our press that we're not getting front page stories questioning how Trump can continue to even run the country at this level of deep and broad dissatisfaction.
Where are the "Trump must radically change course" think pieces?
It's an indictment of our press that we're not getting front page stories questioning how Trump can continue to even run the country at this level of deep and broad dissatisfaction.
Endless, non-stop corruption at the White House.
November 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Endless, non-stop corruption at the White House.
36%-60% (-24) Gallup is just staggeringly bad.
Where are the "Trump must radically change course" think pieces?
It's an indictment of our press that we're not getting front page stories questioning how Trump can continue to even run the country at this level of deep and broad dissatisfaction.
Where are the "Trump must radically change course" think pieces?
It's an indictment of our press that we're not getting front page stories questioning how Trump can continue to even run the country at this level of deep and broad dissatisfaction.
Four polls in recent days now have Trump in the 30s, with 3 at 35%-36%: 2/
35%-62% (-27) ARG
35%-56% (-21) High Point University
36%-60% (-24) Gallup
38%-57% (-19) Econ/YouGov
Again, Trump just keeps dropping.
bsky.app/profile/simo...
35%-62% (-27) ARG
35%-56% (-21) High Point University
36%-60% (-24) Gallup
38%-57% (-19) Econ/YouGov
Again, Trump just keeps dropping.
bsky.app/profile/simo...
Two polls released today have Trump at 35% job approval, his lowest yet.
35%-62% ARG
35%-56% High Point University
Economist/YouGov track had him at 38%-57%, their lowest reading this year. He just keeps dropping.
Wag the dog time!
Data and graph from fiftyplusone.news/polls/approv...
35%-62% ARG
35%-56% High Point University
Economist/YouGov track had him at 38%-57%, their lowest reading this year. He just keeps dropping.
Wag the dog time!
Data and graph from fiftyplusone.news/polls/approv...
November 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
36%-60% (-24) Gallup is just staggeringly bad.
Where are the "Trump must radically change course" think pieces?
It's an indictment of our press that we're not getting front page stories questioning how Trump can continue to even run the country at this level of deep and broad dissatisfaction.
Where are the "Trump must radically change course" think pieces?
It's an indictment of our press that we're not getting front page stories questioning how Trump can continue to even run the country at this level of deep and broad dissatisfaction.
As everything falls apart, as Trump (and Miller, and others) rather up the overt and disgusting anti-immigrant, racist attacks, it is all the more important to see how deeply unpopular all of this is!
He's doing it. It's terrible. But he's not delivering what Americans want. Not at all.
He's doing it. It's terrible. But he's not delivering what Americans want. Not at all.
Something to cheer about today:
Trump’s job approval rating has fallen five percentage points to 36%, the lowest of his second term, while disapproval has risen to 60%.
news.gallup.com/poll/699221/...
Trump’s job approval rating has fallen five percentage points to 36%, the lowest of his second term, while disapproval has risen to 60%.
news.gallup.com/poll/699221/...
Trump's Approval Rating Drops to 36%, New Second-Term Low
President Donald Trump's job approval rating has slipped to a new second-term low point and is approaching his all-time low of 34%.
news.gallup.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:05 PM
As everything falls apart, as Trump (and Miller, and others) rather up the overt and disgusting anti-immigrant, racist attacks, it is all the more important to see how deeply unpopular all of this is!
He's doing it. It's terrible. But he's not delivering what Americans want. Not at all.
He's doing it. It's terrible. But he's not delivering what Americans want. Not at all.
He seems fully aware of how weak he is, yet also oblivious to how ridiculous and sad it makes him appear. (No, I do not feel sorry for him. Not one tiny bit.)
This is quite funny but also brutal. From a softball interview it shines through that this l guy’s life is just as horrifying as you suspect it might be, and I love that for him.
November 28, 2025 at 3:56 PM
He seems fully aware of how weak he is, yet also oblivious to how ridiculous and sad it makes him appear. (No, I do not feel sorry for him. Not one tiny bit.)
Reposted by Ralf W
Trump does this because other people aren't really people for him. We're not subjects to be interacted with, but objects to be manipulated. It's why he told Kelly that American war dead are suckers & losers. He has no understanding of selfless service & servant leadership. I wrote about that here:
November 28, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Trump does this because other people aren't really people for him. We're not subjects to be interacted with, but objects to be manipulated. It's why he told Kelly that American war dead are suckers & losers. He has no understanding of selfless service & servant leadership. I wrote about that here:
Thanksgiving dinner, while tasty, is largely a launch pad for dessert.
November 27, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Thanksgiving dinner, while tasty, is largely a launch pad for dessert.
This hideous stuff needs to headline the national news every night (including things like the abductions after green card hearings).
Everyone in America needs to understand what's being perpetrated in our names.
Everyone in America needs to understand what's being perpetrated in our names.
I feel much safer today knowing that we deported a Babson College student back to a country where she hasn't lived since childhood.
She wasn't even flying internationally. She was flying to Texas.
She wasn't even flying internationally. She was flying to Texas.
A Babson College student wanted to surprise her family for Thanksgiving. She was deported instead. - The Boston Globe
Any Lucia Lopez Belloza was at Logan to catch a flight to Texas when immigration authorities detained her as she was about to board the plane.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:52 PM
This hideous stuff needs to headline the national news every night (including things like the abductions after green card hearings).
Everyone in America needs to understand what's being perpetrated in our names.
Everyone in America needs to understand what's being perpetrated in our names.
A huge, and I believe intentional, press failure has been a total unwillingness to grant agency or power (or even just column inches) to non-white working class voters.
Sure there's some coverage of Hispanic non-college Republicans, because journos find that 'interesting', but POC as a bloc? Nope.
Sure there's some coverage of Hispanic non-college Republicans, because journos find that 'interesting', but POC as a bloc? Nope.
Yes, Trump dominates among the *white* working class (if defined as people without a college degree). But even here, religion played a key role: In 2024, about 86 percent of non-college white evangelicals voted for Trump – vs. only a minority of the non-evangelical white working class.
November 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
A huge, and I believe intentional, press failure has been a total unwillingness to grant agency or power (or even just column inches) to non-white working class voters.
Sure there's some coverage of Hispanic non-college Republicans, because journos find that 'interesting', but POC as a bloc? Nope.
Sure there's some coverage of Hispanic non-college Republicans, because journos find that 'interesting', but POC as a bloc? Nope.
These ideas are stubborn because actual elite in this country, those who earn above $500K a year, want low taxes and a workforce anxious enough to not seek protections/rights.
That's the whole ballgame. And the media infrastructure of politics editors, columnists and TV pundits build it for them.
That's the whole ballgame. And the media infrastructure of politics editors, columnists and TV pundits build it for them.
Ideas of a “populist revolt” against ignorant liberal elites, a backlash against “woke” radicalism are stubbornly persistent – as is the idea that Trump emerged from the election with a broad mandate to correct course and impose his radical agenda.
But it’s just not true.
But it’s just not true.
November 27, 2025 at 2:27 PM
These ideas are stubborn because actual elite in this country, those who earn above $500K a year, want low taxes and a workforce anxious enough to not seek protections/rights.
That's the whole ballgame. And the media infrastructure of politics editors, columnists and TV pundits build it for them.
That's the whole ballgame. And the media infrastructure of politics editors, columnists and TV pundits build it for them.
"The country’s leading newspapers & influential commentators attempted to outdo each other w/ ever more sweeping narratives, mostly built on vastly inadequate, unreliable data – and a whole lot of personal preference."
Again cause it's central to media failure: *A whole lot of personal preference.*
Again cause it's central to media failure: *A whole lot of personal preference.*
The Myth of a Rightward Realignment
Let’s discard some stubborn misconceptions about Trump’s support and what happened in the 2024 election. They are only obscuring our understanding of a profound de-alignment.
As the piece is partially behind a paywall, I’ll share some key thoughts:
🧵
Let’s discard some stubborn misconceptions about Trump’s support and what happened in the 2024 election. They are only obscuring our understanding of a profound de-alignment.
As the piece is partially behind a paywall, I’ll share some key thoughts:
🧵
The Myth of a Rightward Realignment
Let’s discard some stubborn misconceptions about Trump’s support and what happened in the 2024 election that are obscuring our understanding of a profound de-alignment
steady.page
November 27, 2025 at 2:17 PM
"The country’s leading newspapers & influential commentators attempted to outdo each other w/ ever more sweeping narratives, mostly built on vastly inadequate, unreliable data – and a whole lot of personal preference."
Again cause it's central to media failure: *A whole lot of personal preference.*
Again cause it's central to media failure: *A whole lot of personal preference.*
I think on one level, it could be true when some R voters say "I didn't vote for this."
But given how chaotic and terrible Trump's first term was, that notion starts to fall apart pretty quickly.
"Mass Deportations Now!" was the slogan. WTF did R voters think 'mass' meant?! They enabled evil.
But given how chaotic and terrible Trump's first term was, that notion starts to fall apart pretty quickly.
"Mass Deportations Now!" was the slogan. WTF did R voters think 'mass' meant?! They enabled evil.
"We followed everything we were supposed to do"
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
I think on one level, it could be true when some R voters say "I didn't vote for this."
But given how chaotic and terrible Trump's first term was, that notion starts to fall apart pretty quickly.
"Mass Deportations Now!" was the slogan. WTF did R voters think 'mass' meant?! They enabled evil.
But given how chaotic and terrible Trump's first term was, that notion starts to fall apart pretty quickly.
"Mass Deportations Now!" was the slogan. WTF did R voters think 'mass' meant?! They enabled evil.
Hoping for smooth travel for all of you boarding a plane today 🦃. We'll be among the millions in cars, which, I dunno, better or worse? 🤔
November 26, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Hoping for smooth travel for all of you boarding a plane today 🦃. We'll be among the millions in cars, which, I dunno, better or worse? 🤔
So much touching the raging hot stove.
This is another major blow to extending the expiring ACA tax credits as sharp premium hikes await millions of Americans starting in January. Some Republicans want a temporary extension to avert that, but they are losing the argument. www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
Trump says he would 'rather not' extend Obamacare tax credits 'at all'
The president said he prefers to let the Affordable Care Act subsidies expire on schedule at the end of December, saying if anything he wants the money to go to "the people directly."
www.nbcnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:58 AM
So much touching the raging hot stove.
Reposted by Ralf W
As always, Drudge shows how the press would cover Trump if Trump were a Democrat and/or they weren't afraid of him.
November 26, 2025 at 12:28 AM
As always, Drudge shows how the press would cover Trump if Trump were a Democrat and/or they weren't afraid of him.
Just horrendous people doing Stephen Miller's evil bidding.
November 25, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Just horrendous people doing Stephen Miller's evil bidding.
Very Minnesota moment this afternoon. It was 55° and sunny. Time to paddle board on Lake of the Isles!
November 24, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Very Minnesota moment this afternoon. It was 55° and sunny. Time to paddle board on Lake of the Isles!
Reposted by Ralf W
Crockett on MTG resigning: "Honestly, I was like, you got to be kidding. You're on the other side of the president for one week and you can't take the heat? Imagine what it is to sit in my shoes."
November 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Crockett on MTG resigning: "Honestly, I was like, you got to be kidding. You're on the other side of the president for one week and you can't take the heat? Imagine what it is to sit in my shoes."
This is insane. Every blood bank, every surgical center, every state health department should be screaming about this.
"White House has proposed shutting down HIV prevention and surveillance at the CDC."
House Republicans' "proposal would eliminate the federal program [..] that has strived to [..] reduce new HIV infections."
"[A]lso want to axe core parts of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program."
#USA #Healthcare
House Republicans' "proposal would eliminate the federal program [..] that has strived to [..] reduce new HIV infections."
"[A]lso want to axe core parts of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program."
#USA #Healthcare
America's most basic HIV protections are in danger as a decade of progress unravels
Health experts are alarmed as Republicans degrade the country’s pivotal HIV programs — and break promises made during Trump's first term.
19thnews.org
November 23, 2025 at 10:43 PM
This is insane. Every blood bank, every surgical center, every state health department should be screaming about this.
It's the best thing that you've ever had
The best thing you've had has gone away
So don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
The best thing you've had has gone away
So don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
November 23, 2025 at 7:14 PM
It's the best thing that you've ever had
The best thing you've had has gone away
So don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
The best thing you've had has gone away
So don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Reposted by Ralf W
I'm skeptical that Trump's make Ukraine surrender plan wasn't real.
Trump envoy Witkoff negotiated it, details and threats to Ukraine were public for multiple days, and Rubio didn't dispute it then, only after the plan got a bad reception and rejected by Europe.
Look like attempting to save face.
Trump envoy Witkoff negotiated it, details and threats to Ukraine were public for multiple days, and Rubio didn't dispute it then, only after the plan got a bad reception and rejected by Europe.
Look like attempting to save face.
Republican Senator Mike Rounds said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a call to senators, confirmed the so-called 28-point “peace plan” was actually a Russian wishlist and is “not the administration’s position”. Nor is there any threat to cut off weapons or intelligence to Ukraine.
November 22, 2025 at 11:46 PM
I'm skeptical that Trump's make Ukraine surrender plan wasn't real.
Trump envoy Witkoff negotiated it, details and threats to Ukraine were public for multiple days, and Rubio didn't dispute it then, only after the plan got a bad reception and rejected by Europe.
Look like attempting to save face.
Trump envoy Witkoff negotiated it, details and threats to Ukraine were public for multiple days, and Rubio didn't dispute it then, only after the plan got a bad reception and rejected by Europe.
Look like attempting to save face.
Reposted by Ralf W
Oh cute. They're trying to say they tricked the Russians into something they sent directly to the Ukrainians, thereby getting the two sides to talk to each other.
Nu-uh. Witkoff got rolled again, and they're trying to get the stink off them.
Nu-uh. Witkoff got rolled again, and they're trying to get the stink off them.
November 23, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Oh cute. They're trying to say they tricked the Russians into something they sent directly to the Ukrainians, thereby getting the two sides to talk to each other.
Nu-uh. Witkoff got rolled again, and they're trying to get the stink off them.
Nu-uh. Witkoff got rolled again, and they're trying to get the stink off them.
Just catastrophic amateur hour over there at the WH.
Daily.
Daily.
Republican Senator Mike Rounds said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a call to senators, confirmed the so-called 28-point “peace plan” was actually a Russian wishlist and is “not the administration’s position”. Nor is there any threat to cut off weapons or intelligence to Ukraine.
November 22, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Just catastrophic amateur hour over there at the WH.
Daily.
Daily.
Reposted by Ralf W
This is a story about how America’s world-leading cancer and dementia research system was destroyed by frauds and naifs who broke the law.
There must be consequences.
There must be consequences.
Some incredible details in this piece
*one DOGE faction was planning the future of the US government at a venture capital firm
*illegally communicating on Signal to avoid transparency laws was deeply embedded into organizational culture to be taken for granted
*one DOGE faction was planning the future of the US government at a venture capital firm
*illegally communicating on Signal to avoid transparency laws was deeply embedded into organizational culture to be taken for granted
November 22, 2025 at 10:12 PM
This is a story about how America’s world-leading cancer and dementia research system was destroyed by frauds and naifs who broke the law.
There must be consequences.
There must be consequences.
Reposted by Ralf W
I think the public gets some of the notes wrong but the music right in its angst about the state of the political press. It too-easily falls into traps about left-right or issue-specific biases; the rot is more institutional. Reporters cozying up to sources and treating it all as a game.
November 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I think the public gets some of the notes wrong but the music right in its angst about the state of the political press. It too-easily falls into traps about left-right or issue-specific biases; the rot is more institutional. Reporters cozying up to sources and treating it all as a game.
Reposted by Ralf W
Seriously - go look at the front pages of Axios, Politico, WaPo and NYT right now. Is there any sense of the depth of America’s betrayal of Europe? Does the coverage reflect in any way how GOP has suddenly made America subservient to Russia? That’s a nyet.
November 22, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Seriously - go look at the front pages of Axios, Politico, WaPo and NYT right now. Is there any sense of the depth of America’s betrayal of Europe? Does the coverage reflect in any way how GOP has suddenly made America subservient to Russia? That’s a nyet.