Michael Podhorzer
@mikepod.bsky.social
Former political director, AFL-CIO. Senior fellow, CAP. My Substack: www.weekendreading.net
Pinned
The Courts Will Not Save Us
We must resist the learned helplessness of judicial supremacy.
www.weekendreading.net
Are we on the brink of a constitutional crisis? No—we’re already in one, and have been for two decades.
Here, I explain how even progressive legal experts have enabled this coup, and how we can start to reclaim our own power to decide constitutional meaning.
www.weekendreading.net/p/the-courts...
Here, I explain how even progressive legal experts have enabled this coup, and how we can start to reclaim our own power to decide constitutional meaning.
www.weekendreading.net/p/the-courts...
It's a dangerous mistake to see the Epstein files vote as a sign Trump is getting weaker.
The real power center is not Trump—it's the oligarchs who ensured his return to power and continue to support him. The Epstein files are of no moment to most of them.
More here:
The real power center is not Trump—it's the oligarchs who ensured his return to power and continue to support him. The Epstein files are of no moment to most of them.
More here:
Epstein and Oligarchy
Meeting the Moment with Anat Shenker-Osorio
www.weekendreading.net
November 19, 2025 at 9:36 PM
It's a dangerous mistake to see the Epstein files vote as a sign Trump is getting weaker.
The real power center is not Trump—it's the oligarchs who ensured his return to power and continue to support him. The Epstein files are of no moment to most of them.
More here:
The real power center is not Trump—it's the oligarchs who ensured his return to power and continue to support him. The Epstein files are of no moment to most of them.
More here:
Reposted by Michael Podhorzer
Join us again today at 1pm ET for Meeting with Moment on Substack Live with @anatosaurus.bsky.social and @mikepod.bsky.social!
LIVE SOON: Meeting the Moment with Anat Shenker-Osorio
Starting Nov 19 at 1:00 PM EST
open.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Join us again today at 1pm ET for Meeting with Moment on Substack Live with @anatosaurus.bsky.social and @mikepod.bsky.social!
My big takeaway from last week's election, as I told @perrybaconjr.bsky.social , is that this should be an accountability election not just for MAGA, but for the commentariat that keeps telling us the wrong thing about what’s going on in America.
www.weekendreading.net/p/election-d...
www.weekendreading.net/p/election-d...
November 10, 2025 at 10:58 PM
My big takeaway from last week's election, as I told @perrybaconjr.bsky.social , is that this should be an accountability election not just for MAGA, but for the commentariat that keeps telling us the wrong thing about what’s going on in America.
www.weekendreading.net/p/election-d...
www.weekendreading.net/p/election-d...
Join me live with Esosa Osa of Onyx Impact at 2:30 pm ET! We'll talk about their new report (blackoutreport.org/report/?utm_...) showing over 15,000 instances of the Trump regime suppressing info about Black history, health, education, and economic opportunity.
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
LIVE SOON: WER Live with Esosa Osa
Starting Nov 6 at 2:30 PM EST
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Join me live with Esosa Osa of Onyx Impact at 2:30 pm ET! We'll talk about their new report (blackoutreport.org/report/?utm_...) showing over 15,000 instances of the Trump regime suppressing info about Black history, health, education, and economic opportunity.
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
Unpacking last night's election results and more, with @anatosaurus.bsky.social
www.weekendreading.net/p/why-democr...
www.weekendreading.net/p/why-democr...
Why Democrats Dominated
Meeting the Moment with Anat Shenker-Osorio
www.weekendreading.net
November 5, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Unpacking last night's election results and more, with @anatosaurus.bsky.social
www.weekendreading.net/p/why-democr...
www.weekendreading.net/p/why-democr...
Reposted by Michael Podhorzer
Mamdani is a Magnetist. And last night showed the credulity chasm is closing.
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
Bringing a Survey to a Gun Fight
“Pollingism” Has Failed Democrats and Voters. Here’s Why, and What to Do Instead.
www.weekendreading.net
November 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Mamdani is a Magnetist. And last night showed the credulity chasm is closing.
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
Tune in at 1pm! We'll talk about last night's election results, what they mean, and what's next, and take your questions.
Today @ 1pm ET! Join @anatosaurus.bsky.social and @mikepod.bsky.social on Substack Live for their weekly Meeting the Moment!
LIVE SOON: Meeting the Moment with Anat Shenker-Osorio
Starting Nov 5 at 1:00 PM EST
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Tune in at 1pm! We'll talk about last night's election results, what they mean, and what's next, and take your questions.
Reposted by Michael Podhorzer
“Stop conferring symmetry where there is none. Stop calling capture “jurisprudence.” Stop laundering tyranny as “the [ #SCOTUS] decisions.” Name shadowcasters, not the shadows. Then act as if the govt belongs to the people who live under it—because if we don’t, it never will.” @mikepod.bsky.social 🔥
Calling This Court "Supreme" Is Obeying in Advance
When will legal elites stop passing off tyranny in robes as the rule of law?
open.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:36 PM
“Stop conferring symmetry where there is none. Stop calling capture “jurisprudence.” Stop laundering tyranny as “the [ #SCOTUS] decisions.” Name shadowcasters, not the shadows. Then act as if the govt belongs to the people who live under it—because if we don’t, it never will.” @mikepod.bsky.social 🔥
1️⃣ Calling This Court “Supreme” Is Obeying in Advance
When will legal and media elites stop passing off tyranny in robes as the rule of law?
Why “Supreme Court Poised to Weaken Voting Rights Act,” when it should be “Republican Justices Appear Poised to Entrench Republican House Control"?
When will legal and media elites stop passing off tyranny in robes as the rule of law?
Why “Supreme Court Poised to Weaken Voting Rights Act,” when it should be “Republican Justices Appear Poised to Entrench Republican House Control"?
Calling This Court "Supreme" Is Obeying in Advance
When will legal elites stop passing off tyranny in robes as the rule of law?
www.weekendreading.net
October 28, 2025 at 3:17 PM
1️⃣ Calling This Court “Supreme” Is Obeying in Advance
When will legal and media elites stop passing off tyranny in robes as the rule of law?
Why “Supreme Court Poised to Weaken Voting Rights Act,” when it should be “Republican Justices Appear Poised to Entrench Republican House Control"?
When will legal and media elites stop passing off tyranny in robes as the rule of law?
Why “Supreme Court Poised to Weaken Voting Rights Act,” when it should be “Republican Justices Appear Poised to Entrench Republican House Control"?
Join me at 1pm ET on Substack Live for an interview with Harvard Law Professor Michael Klarman to discuss his essential work on the Constitution and the Supreme Court. open.substack.com/live-stream/...
LIVE SOON: Weekend Reading Live with Michael Klarman
Starting Oct 23 at 1:00 PM EDT
open.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Join me at 1pm ET on Substack Live for an interview with Harvard Law Professor Michael Klarman to discuss his essential work on the Constitution and the Supreme Court. open.substack.com/live-stream/...
Reposted by Michael Podhorzer
Join @anatosaurus.bsky.social and @mikepod.bsky.social again today @ 1pm ET for Meeting the Moment on Substack!
Live stream here:
Live stream here:
LIVE SOON: Meeting the Moment with Anat Shenker-Osorio
Starting Oct 15 at 1:00 PM EDT
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Join @anatosaurus.bsky.social and @mikepod.bsky.social again today @ 1pm ET for Meeting the Moment on Substack!
Live stream here:
Live stream here:
The Roberts Court could use this case to rig Congress in Republicans' favor for at least a generation: www.politico.com/f/?id=000001...
www.politico.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:20 AM
The Roberts Court could use this case to rig Congress in Republicans' favor for at least a generation: www.politico.com/f/?id=000001...
Join me and @anatosaurus.bsky.social at 1pm today! We'll discuss the new Roberts Court term and Anat's vital new piece about why "Pollingism" has failed Democrats and voters (www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...)
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
LIVE SOON: Meeting the Moment with Anat Shenker-Osorio
Starting Oct 8 at 1:00 PM EDT
open.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Join me and @anatosaurus.bsky.social at 1pm today! We'll discuss the new Roberts Court term and Anat's vital new piece about why "Pollingism" has failed Democrats and voters (www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...)
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
Reposted by Michael Podhorzer
This is a long, thoughtful, and brilliant post about how to understand political campaigning & strategy from one of the progressive left's most brilliant thinkers and practitioners @anatosaurus.bsky.social. Read it and listen to her: Bringing a Survey to a Gun Fight open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Bringing a Survey to a Gun Fight
“Pollingism” Has Failed Democrats and Voters. Here’s Why, and What to Do Instead.
open.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:37 PM
This is a long, thoughtful, and brilliant post about how to understand political campaigning & strategy from one of the progressive left's most brilliant thinkers and practitioners @anatosaurus.bsky.social. Read it and listen to her: Bringing a Survey to a Gun Fight open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
ICYMI, a tour de force guest post at Weekend Reading by @anatosaurus.bsky.social
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
Here it is, my answer for every time I get asked "why don't (most) Dems just...[message better, be bolder, sound authentic...etc]"
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
Bringing a Survey to a Gun Fight
“Pollingism” Has Failed Democrats and Voters. Here’s Why, and What to Do Instead.
www.weekendreading.net
October 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
ICYMI, a tour de force guest post at Weekend Reading by @anatosaurus.bsky.social
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
Reposted by Michael Podhorzer
Here it is, my answer for every time I get asked "why don't (most) Dems just...[message better, be bolder, sound authentic...etc]"
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
Bringing a Survey to a Gun Fight
“Pollingism” Has Failed Democrats and Voters. Here’s Why, and What to Do Instead.
www.weekendreading.net
October 4, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Here it is, my answer for every time I get asked "why don't (most) Dems just...[message better, be bolder, sound authentic...etc]"
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...
Reposted by Michael Podhorzer
Please join me on Substack Live today at 2pm ET with @thelisagraves.bsky.social.
Her must-read new book "Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights" breaks much new ground on how we got here.
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
Her must-read new book "Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights" breaks much new ground on how we got here.
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
LIVE SOON: Weekend Reading Live with Lisa Graves
Starting Oct 1 at 2:00 PM EDT
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Please join me on Substack Live today at 2pm ET with @thelisagraves.bsky.social.
Her must-read new book "Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights" breaks much new ground on how we got here.
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
Her must-read new book "Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights" breaks much new ground on how we got here.
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
Please join me on Substack Live today at 2pm ET with @thelisagraves.bsky.social.
Her must-read new book "Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights" breaks much new ground on how we got here.
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
Her must-read new book "Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights" breaks much new ground on how we got here.
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
LIVE SOON: Weekend Reading Live with Lisa Graves
Starting Oct 1 at 2:00 PM EDT
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Please join me on Substack Live today at 2pm ET with @thelisagraves.bsky.social.
Her must-read new book "Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights" breaks much new ground on how we got here.
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
Her must-read new book "Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights" breaks much new ground on how we got here.
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
New at Weekend Reading: What the Kimmel dust-up tells us about the demise of free speech.
This incident felt like state censorship—but Kimmel’s suspension and un-suspension were both business decisions. And we almost never notice or object to the ways that censorship has been privatized. 🧵
This incident felt like state censorship—but Kimmel’s suspension and un-suspension were both business decisions. And we almost never notice or object to the ways that censorship has been privatized. 🧵
Jimmy Kimmel Live! Lives On While the Oligarchs' Power Grab Rolls On
What the Kimmel dustup tells us about the demise of free speech
www.weekendreading.net
September 30, 2025 at 10:27 PM
New at Weekend Reading: What the Kimmel dust-up tells us about the demise of free speech.
This incident felt like state censorship—but Kimmel’s suspension and un-suspension were both business decisions. And we almost never notice or object to the ways that censorship has been privatized. 🧵
This incident felt like state censorship—but Kimmel’s suspension and un-suspension were both business decisions. And we almost never notice or object to the ways that censorship has been privatized. 🧵
It’s no accident that authoritarians like Trump attack both public education and the labor movement.
Great chat with @rweingarten.bsky.social on why fascists fear teachers:
www.weekendreading.net/p/randi-wein...
Great chat with @rweingarten.bsky.social on why fascists fear teachers:
www.weekendreading.net/p/randi-wein...
Randi Weingarten on Why Fascists Fear Teachers
A recording of Weekend Reading Live
www.weekendreading.net
September 30, 2025 at 4:22 PM
It’s no accident that authoritarians like Trump attack both public education and the labor movement.
Great chat with @rweingarten.bsky.social on why fascists fear teachers:
www.weekendreading.net/p/randi-wein...
Great chat with @rweingarten.bsky.social on why fascists fear teachers:
www.weekendreading.net/p/randi-wein...
Reposted by Michael Podhorzer
Today @ 1pm ET - join @anatosaurus.bsky.social and @mikepod.bsky.social on Substack Live.
Join the live chat here:
Join the live chat here:
LIVE SOON: Meeting the Moment with Anat Shenker-Osorio
Starting Sep 24 at 1:00 PM EDT
open.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Today @ 1pm ET - join @anatosaurus.bsky.social and @mikepod.bsky.social on Substack Live.
Join the live chat here:
Join the live chat here:
A geeky deep-dive on opinion research and message testing with @farrahbostic.bsky.social www.weekendreading.net/p/how-to-fix...
How to Fix Democrats' Brand Problem
Start by treating it like an actual brand. With Farrah Bostic on Weekend Reading Live.
www.weekendreading.net
September 19, 2025 at 3:53 PM
A geeky deep-dive on opinion research and message testing with @farrahbostic.bsky.social www.weekendreading.net/p/how-to-fix...
Reposted by Michael Podhorzer
And remember:
it’s not just corporations, it’s wealth however packaged that drives politics —
— unless effectively constrained by law as made by and for ordinary people, not just the wealthy or the elite
it’s not just corporations, it’s wealth however packaged that drives politics —
— unless effectively constrained by law as made by and for ordinary people, not just the wealthy or the elite
New at Weekend Reading:
John Dewey warned us: big business casts the shadow we call politics.
Today, we ignore the shadow-casters, construing their shadows—politicians and their campaigns—to be the whole story.
www.weekendreading.net/p/shadows-an...
John Dewey warned us: big business casts the shadow we call politics.
Today, we ignore the shadow-casters, construing their shadows—politicians and their campaigns—to be the whole story.
www.weekendreading.net/p/shadows-an...
Shadows and Shadow Casters
Politics is about power.
www.weekendreading.net
September 19, 2025 at 12:49 PM
And remember:
it’s not just corporations, it’s wealth however packaged that drives politics —
— unless effectively constrained by law as made by and for ordinary people, not just the wealthy or the elite
it’s not just corporations, it’s wealth however packaged that drives politics —
— unless effectively constrained by law as made by and for ordinary people, not just the wealthy or the elite
New at Weekend Reading:
John Dewey warned us: big business casts the shadow we call politics.
Today, we ignore the shadow-casters, construing their shadows—politicians and their campaigns—to be the whole story.
www.weekendreading.net/p/shadows-an...
John Dewey warned us: big business casts the shadow we call politics.
Today, we ignore the shadow-casters, construing their shadows—politicians and their campaigns—to be the whole story.
www.weekendreading.net/p/shadows-an...
Shadows and Shadow Casters
Politics is about power.
www.weekendreading.net
September 17, 2025 at 4:38 PM
New at Weekend Reading:
John Dewey warned us: big business casts the shadow we call politics.
Today, we ignore the shadow-casters, construing their shadows—politicians and their campaigns—to be the whole story.
www.weekendreading.net/p/shadows-an...
John Dewey warned us: big business casts the shadow we call politics.
Today, we ignore the shadow-casters, construing their shadows—politicians and their campaigns—to be the whole story.
www.weekendreading.net/p/shadows-an...
LIVE SOON: Weekend Reading Live with Farrah Bostic
Starting Sep 17 at 1:00 PM EDT
open.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 4:23 PM