Jason McDaniel
@valisjason.bsky.social
Political scientist at San Francisco State University
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
The most important thing to me about my review of this week's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is that I cite Tom Spurgeon in it by name. AKOTSK is a decency fantasy, a term Tom coined—a heroic narrative that puts kindness, cooperation, competence and fundamental humanity above all else. (Gift link)
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Season 1, Episode 4 Recap: Is There No True Knight?
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:15 PM
The most important thing to me about my review of this week's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is that I cite Tom Spurgeon in it by name. AKOTSK is a decency fantasy, a term Tom coined—a heroic narrative that puts kindness, cooperation, competence and fundamental humanity above all else. (Gift link)
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
In light of Trump’s post yesterday, some history:
“On Memorial Day 1927, 1,000 white-robed Klansmen marched through the Jamaica neighborhood, eventually spurring an all-out brawl in which seven men were arrested. One of those arrested was Fred Trump.” www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix...
“On Memorial Day 1927, 1,000 white-robed Klansmen marched through the Jamaica neighborhood, eventually spurring an all-out brawl in which seven men were arrested. One of those arrested was Fred Trump.” www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix...
In 1927, Donald Trump’s father was arrested after a Klan riot in Queens
On Sunday, Trump declined to disavow the support of white supremacists.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:46 PM
In light of Trump’s post yesterday, some history:
“On Memorial Day 1927, 1,000 white-robed Klansmen marched through the Jamaica neighborhood, eventually spurring an all-out brawl in which seven men were arrested. One of those arrested was Fred Trump.” www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix...
“On Memorial Day 1927, 1,000 white-robed Klansmen marched through the Jamaica neighborhood, eventually spurring an all-out brawl in which seven men were arrested. One of those arrested was Fred Trump.” www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix...
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
Here's @rickhasen.bsky.social detailing the scenario in which Trump uses search warrant to seize ballot boxes in a contested 2026 locale. This is more worrisome than ICE at the polls. Hasen also suggests ways to act against this now.
It's harrowing stuff:
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
It's harrowing stuff:
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
February 6, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Here's @rickhasen.bsky.social detailing the scenario in which Trump uses search warrant to seize ballot boxes in a contested 2026 locale. This is more worrisome than ICE at the polls. Hasen also suggests ways to act against this now.
It's harrowing stuff:
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
It's harrowing stuff:
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
Just wanna highlight Rick’s scenario, where the biggest danger is a close outcome. If it seems like a steal in 1 or a few races would swing House, Senate, or state control.
Right now, the outpouring of hostility over Trump’s misrule is setting up a massive blowout. And he’ll only make it worse.
Right now, the outpouring of hostility over Trump’s misrule is setting up a massive blowout. And he’ll only make it worse.
Here's @rickhasen.bsky.social detailing the scenario in which Trump uses search warrant to seize ballot boxes in a contested 2026 locale. This is more worrisome than ICE at the polls. Hasen also suggests ways to act against this now.
It's harrowing stuff:
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
It's harrowing stuff:
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
February 7, 2026 at 2:09 AM
Just wanna highlight Rick’s scenario, where the biggest danger is a close outcome. If it seems like a steal in 1 or a few races would swing House, Senate, or state control.
Right now, the outpouring of hostility over Trump’s misrule is setting up a massive blowout. And he’ll only make it worse.
Right now, the outpouring of hostility over Trump’s misrule is setting up a massive blowout. And he’ll only make it worse.
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
February 2, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
very fun to think that there are at least four votes for "the president can unilaterally rewrite a constitutional amendment"
A different kind of April fools
*SUPREME COURT SETS BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ARGUMENTS FOR APRIL 1
*SUPREME COURT SETS BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ARGUMENTS FOR APRIL 1
January 30, 2026 at 4:35 PM
very fun to think that there are at least four votes for "the president can unilaterally rewrite a constitutional amendment"
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
Alarmingly relevant new paper out in @apsrjournal.bsky.social by Turku Isiksel and @tompepinsky.com. They take on the question of whether citizens of authoritarian states should vote in their often unfair elections, & find reason to do so.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
![Voting in Authoritarian Elections
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 March 2025
TURKULER ISIKSEL
Open the ORCID record for TURKULER ISIKSEL [Opens in a new window]
and
THOMAS B. PEPINSKY
Open the ORCID record for THOMAS B. PEPINSKY [Opens in a new window]
Show author details
Article
Figures
Supplementary materials
Comments
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Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]
Abstract
Democratic theorists hold that voting contributes to some political good: individual and collective autonomy, equality, justice, pluralism, stability, better policies, and many others. But elections are common under authoritarianism, and empirical research finds that holding elections can stabilize authoritarian regimes. This creates what we term the democrat’s dilemma, where citizens who vote in authoritarian elections may bolster the regimes they wish to unseat, even when they cast a vote for the opposition. We identify three major ways of thinking about the democratic value of electoral participation—justice-based, epistemic, and proceduralist approaches—and use them to examine the complex moral considerations that confront voters in authoritarian regimes. We contend that authoritarian elections’ residual democratic value can justify voting, even when doing so could further entrench the autocrat. Our argument also implies that the democratic principles that justify voting in authoritarian elections oblige citizens to choose the most democratic alternative.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2c4hmyxdfk4aky3jeoulhog5/bafkreig6uaxlnavb3rnzc65gpm4f7rlwassqjaqgx5spnhay25qlar6h2y@jpeg)
January 30, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Alarmingly relevant new paper out in @apsrjournal.bsky.social by Turku Isiksel and @tompepinsky.com. They take on the question of whether citizens of authoritarian states should vote in their often unfair elections, & find reason to do so.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
Wow: San Jose had zero market-rate multifamily starts in 2024. And this is a generally pretty pro-housing administration. Cities like San Jose urgently need the state to fix condominium presale and defect law to get more projects pencilling.
www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/26/s...
www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/26/s...
San Jose could add financial perks to help speed up housing development
San Jose is exploring the expansion of its multi-family incentive program and tax and fee reductions for some commercial-to-residential conversions downtown
www.mercurynews.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Wow: San Jose had zero market-rate multifamily starts in 2024. And this is a generally pretty pro-housing administration. Cities like San Jose urgently need the state to fix condominium presale and defect law to get more projects pencilling.
www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/26/s...
www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/26/s...
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
I voted against the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security and I was pleased to speak with Ta-Nehisi Coates @VanityFair about the mood surrounding that debate.
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
“The Homeland” Is War on America: The Blood-and-Soil Nationalism That Killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti
In the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Trump has clarified an inconvenient fact: The culture war is an actual war.
www.vanityfair.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:11 PM
I voted against the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security and I was pleased to speak with Ta-Nehisi Coates @VanityFair about the mood surrounding that debate.
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office
A Science analysis reveals how many were fired, retired, or quit across 14 agencies
www.science.org
January 27, 2026 at 5:26 PM
U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
“San Francisco taxes new housing at about the same rate that it taxes cigarettes.” www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open... by @dbroockman.bsky.social
If S.F. Mayor Lurie wants affordability, he should stop taxing new homes at the same rate as cigarettes
OPINION: If Mayor Lurie wants to deliver on his promises of affordability, he should San Francisco from putting sin taxes on new homes, David Broockman writes.
www.sfchronicle.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:23 PM
“San Francisco taxes new housing at about the same rate that it taxes cigarettes.” www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open... by @dbroockman.bsky.social
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
add in there that the last time a Republican Senate majority confirmed a Democratic Supreme Court appointee was 1895
The fact that a Democrat has never been head of the FBI in its entire history rivals the fact that liberals have not had a SCOTUS majority in 56 years as the most bonkers statistic in 🇺🇸 politics
I swear to god if we never get to have a woman or a Democrat lead the FBI he should at least wear a fucking suit all the time.
January 27, 2026 at 3:48 AM
add in there that the last time a Republican Senate majority confirmed a Democratic Supreme Court appointee was 1895
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
Former tech reporter Pranshu and I worked with his predecessor as India bureau chief, the fearless Gerry Shih, on a Pulitzer-finalist series about that country’s domination of US tech giants. Gerry now leads Israel coverage, and both of their jobs are at risk. #SavethePost, tell Jeff Bezos.
January 27, 2026 at 4:04 AM
Former tech reporter Pranshu and I worked with his predecessor as India bureau chief, the fearless Gerry Shih, on a Pulitzer-finalist series about that country’s domination of US tech giants. Gerry now leads Israel coverage, and both of their jobs are at risk. #SavethePost, tell Jeff Bezos.
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
wrote about an apparent policy change in the payments industry www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
Payment processors were against CSAM until Grok started making it
“The industry is no longer willing to self-regulate.”
www.theverge.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:33 PM
wrote about an apparent policy change in the payments industry www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
This is a really incredible piece. Share it widely 🎁https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/01/minneapolis-uprising/685755/?gift=C-rzmQ8PsUHt15odxTKJDn7xrpPNxSpotkNz_P27oI0
Welcome to the American Winter
In the frozen streets of Minneapolis, something profound is happening.
www.theatlantic.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:29 AM
This is a really incredible piece. Share it widely 🎁https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/01/minneapolis-uprising/685755/?gift=C-rzmQ8PsUHt15odxTKJDn7xrpPNxSpotkNz_P27oI0
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
The DOJ demand for voter rolls is not about micro-targeting. That kind of voter data is already freely available between the public voter lists and data brokers. The difference in what they're demanding is more technical backend metadata so they can make spurious claims about list maintenance.
January 26, 2026 at 3:47 PM
The DOJ demand for voter rolls is not about micro-targeting. That kind of voter data is already freely available between the public voter lists and data brokers. The difference in what they're demanding is more technical backend metadata so they can make spurious claims about list maintenance.
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
The Pohlad family, who own the Minnesota Twins, got asked at FanFest yesterday about what are doing to stop ICE violence in their community. After a wishy-washy 🤷 response, the fan suggested they call Trump because he listens to other billionaires. Worth watching!: www.reddit.com/r/minnesotat...
From the minnesotatwins community on Reddit: The Pohlads and Twins on ICE
Explore this post and more from the minnesotatwins community
www.reddit.com
January 25, 2026 at 7:07 PM
The Pohlad family, who own the Minnesota Twins, got asked at FanFest yesterday about what are doing to stop ICE violence in their community. After a wishy-washy 🤷 response, the fan suggested they call Trump because he listens to other billionaires. Worth watching!: www.reddit.com/r/minnesotat...
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
Let’s be clear about what the Trump regime is saying to Minnesota: “We will continue murdering your citizens unless you help us rig your election.”
Pam Bondi's conditions for Minnesota: 1) give us all your state data on your food programs, including SNAP 2) repeal all your sanctuary policies in the state (since it has led to "so much crime and violence") and 3) hand over your state voting rolls. Letter here: www.fox9.com/news/minneap...
Minneapolis shooting: AG Pam Bondi gives Gov. Walz conditions for ICE to leave Minnesota
www.fox9.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:35 AM
Let’s be clear about what the Trump regime is saying to Minnesota: “We will continue murdering your citizens unless you help us rig your election.”
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
Another thing I learned in the town hall is that the events in Minneapolis are being well-documented because of the thousands of people who trained to become legal observers after the murder of George Floyd
We are observers, not protestors. We show up to document and film the atrocities ICE is committing. Using 5 year olds as bait. Kidnapping senior citizens. Breaking down doors without warrants. Murdering poets and nurses. Media has all of that information because *observers* were there to document it
January 25, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Another thing I learned in the town hall is that the events in Minneapolis are being well-documented because of the thousands of people who trained to become legal observers after the murder of George Floyd
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
Reading the new Claude Constitution feels like an important moment.
blog.mattglassman.net/immediate-br...
blog.mattglassman.net/immediate-br...
Immediate reaction to a first reading of the Claude Constitution
Read it . Reminder that I am not an AI expert, and as such these are the reaction of a layman.
...
blog.mattglassman.net
January 22, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Reading the new Claude Constitution feels like an important moment.
blog.mattglassman.net/immediate-br...
blog.mattglassman.net/immediate-br...
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
Two things to remember about Jack Smith’s testimony:
1. The only people who question his objectivity are GOP politicians and members of the Trump-obeisant media.
2. No one has as complete a picture of the evidence as does Smith and his team. His critics, in fact, have usually willfully ignored it.
1. The only people who question his objectivity are GOP politicians and members of the Trump-obeisant media.
2. No one has as complete a picture of the evidence as does Smith and his team. His critics, in fact, have usually willfully ignored it.
January 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Two things to remember about Jack Smith’s testimony:
1. The only people who question his objectivity are GOP politicians and members of the Trump-obeisant media.
2. No one has as complete a picture of the evidence as does Smith and his team. His critics, in fact, have usually willfully ignored it.
1. The only people who question his objectivity are GOP politicians and members of the Trump-obeisant media.
2. No one has as complete a picture of the evidence as does Smith and his team. His critics, in fact, have usually willfully ignored it.
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
"This is why Judge Menendez’s ruling is so critical: it may be the last opportunity a federal judge has to intervene before matters spiral completely out of control."
January 21, 2026 at 5:23 PM
"This is why Judge Menendez’s ruling is so critical: it may be the last opportunity a federal judge has to intervene before matters spiral completely out of control."
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
London Breed has kept a low profile since leaving the mayor’s office a year ago. Here’s what she has been up to — and what she thinks of the praise being heaped on her successor, Daniel Lurie.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/u...
San Francisco Is on the Rebound. What Happened to Its Ousted Mayor?
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:31 PM
London Breed has kept a low profile since leaving the mayor’s office a year ago. Here’s what she has been up to — and what she thinks of the praise being heaped on her successor, Daniel Lurie.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/u...
Reposted by Jason McDaniel
Really enjoyed appearing on the UCL Uncovering Politics podcast with the brilliant @alanrenwick.bsky.social to discuss my recent paper in Electoral Studies!
ucl-uncovering-politics.simplecast.com/episodes/doe...
ucl-uncovering-politics.simplecast.com/episodes/doe...
Does Owning A Home Make You More Right Wing? | UCL Uncovering Politics
This week we’re looking at the electoral politics of housing. Does whether you own or rent your home affect how you vote? And is this relationship changing over time?
ucl-uncovering-politics.simplecast.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Really enjoyed appearing on the UCL Uncovering Politics podcast with the brilliant @alanrenwick.bsky.social to discuss my recent paper in Electoral Studies!
ucl-uncovering-politics.simplecast.com/episodes/doe...
ucl-uncovering-politics.simplecast.com/episodes/doe...