Josh Zingher
@zingherpolisci.bsky.social
Political Scientist. Author of “Political Choice in a Polarized America” @OUP. Dad. Sauna enthusiast. Crossword solver. Powerlifter. Cyclist. ✡️ ∞
Views are mine alone. RT!=endorsement
Views are mine alone. RT!=endorsement
Pinned
Josh Zingher
@zingherpolisci.bsky.social
· Mar 28
The Trump Administration is trying to forge a personalist authoritarian regime and honestly the conditions for success are there. However, they're *way* out over their skis at the moment. Their pure recklessness is making their path to success way harder 1/x
Reposted by Josh Zingher
I'm a guy. I have a lot of struggles. They aren't so much "man" things as human things. Loneliness, economic hardship, wondering what your purpose is in society/family. These are things men and women have trouble with. BTW there are plenty of good examples how to be a man, they don't want them.
I always admire @winterjessica.bsky.social 's work, and this was no different.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
What Did Men Do to Deserve This?
Changes in the economy and in the culture seem to have hit them hard. Scott Galloway believes they need an “aspirational vision of masculinity.”
www.newyorker.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I'm a guy. I have a lot of struggles. They aren't so much "man" things as human things. Loneliness, economic hardship, wondering what your purpose is in society/family. These are things men and women have trouble with. BTW there are plenty of good examples how to be a man, they don't want them.
I refuse to live in a country where that haircut is Constitutional but gay marriage is not.
“She said that as a conservative Christian who opposed same-sex marriage, she should have a religious right not to put her name on marriage licenses involving same-sex couples.”
From Wikipedia: “Davis has been married four times to three husbands.”
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
From Wikipedia: “Davis has been married four times to three husbands.”
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
Supreme Court rejects long-shot effort to overturn same-sex marriage ruling
The court turned away an appeal filed by Kim Davis, a former county clerk in Kentucky who was sued after refusing to issue a marriage license to a gay couple.
www.nbcnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I refuse to live in a country where that haircut is Constitutional but gay marriage is not.
Whelp, evidently not. Dems just flipped the governor’s mansion, AG office, and 13 house of delegates seats in Virginia, the state more affected by the shutdown than any other. I struggle to see what tea leaves the Senate Dems were trying to read? They had the upper hand and struck a bad deal.
👇Dems “won” the shutdown, to the extent something so moronic can be won. The only question is how long it takes for everyone to realize this fact.
The longest shutdown in history might get messier after Dems’ sweeping victories Tuesday.
It’s hard to see many of them wanting to temper the momentum after witnessing a major voter backlash to the GOP.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
It’s hard to see many of them wanting to temper the momentum after witnessing a major voter backlash to the GOP.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
November 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Whelp, evidently not. Dems just flipped the governor’s mansion, AG office, and 13 house of delegates seats in Virginia, the state more affected by the shutdown than any other. I struggle to see what tea leaves the Senate Dems were trying to read? They had the upper hand and struck a bad deal.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
To understand Trump is to understand he doesn't believe in repeated games where cooperation is the equilibrium strategy because people can punish non-cooperation in the future. He thinks everything is a one off prisoner's dilemma and tries to screw the other party no matter the future consequences.
For Trump, there is no time horizon that matters beyond the immediate. He could care less about the Republican Party of 2027, let alone 2029 and beyond. This is the Republican deal with the devil. They put Trump in charge, but Trump doesn’t care about others beyond how it affects him. 2/4
November 9, 2025 at 6:33 PM
To understand Trump is to understand he doesn't believe in repeated games where cooperation is the equilibrium strategy because people can punish non-cooperation in the future. He thinks everything is a one off prisoner's dilemma and tries to screw the other party no matter the future consequences.
To understand Trump is to understand he doesn't believe in repeated games where cooperation is the equilibrium strategy because people can punish non-cooperation in the future. He thinks everything is a one off prisoner's dilemma and tries to screw the other party no matter the future consequences.
For Trump, there is no time horizon that matters beyond the immediate. He could care less about the Republican Party of 2027, let alone 2029 and beyond. This is the Republican deal with the devil. They put Trump in charge, but Trump doesn’t care about others beyond how it affects him. 2/4
November 9, 2025 at 6:33 PM
To understand Trump is to understand he doesn't believe in repeated games where cooperation is the equilibrium strategy because people can punish non-cooperation in the future. He thinks everything is a one off prisoner's dilemma and tries to screw the other party no matter the future consequences.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
I think both Mamdani and Spanberger got at this dynamic by campaigning on cost of living without explicitly connecting democracy and the economy. I'm on the fence about whether making the subtext explicit would be a good strategy going forward not.
We democracy scholars need to explain *why* the coming economic and social breakdowns are downstream from *democratic* breakdowns. We need to explain democracy’s benefits in dollars and cents terms and not just values 8/x
November 6, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I think both Mamdani and Spanberger got at this dynamic by campaigning on cost of living without explicitly connecting democracy and the economy. I'm on the fence about whether making the subtext explicit would be a good strategy going forward not.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
The Democrats won several VA House seats where winning looked like a pipe dream going into the election. The Dems won these seats because they recruited candidates and actually campaigned. Important lesson for 26--the electorate is pissed--but you can only win when you run. Run everywhere!
Democrats contested all 100 Virginia House of Delegates races. Part of the party’s statewide success is due to the synergies between the legislative and statewide campaigns—even the losing ones. This is a big reason why Jay Jones won comfortably. This is a model the Dems should emulate everywhere
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The Democrats won several VA House seats where winning looked like a pipe dream going into the election. The Dems won these seats because they recruited candidates and actually campaigned. Important lesson for 26--the electorate is pissed--but you can only win when you run. Run everywhere!
"I unequivocally reject identity politics" i scream, right before selecting my five gallon cowboy hat for my Fox Business interview.
November 6, 2025 at 9:25 PM
"I unequivocally reject identity politics" i scream, right before selecting my five gallon cowboy hat for my Fox Business interview.
Taking a break from hanging a cursive script "wine" sign in my kitchen to let you know we need to rip out ICE root and branch so the people can be free from jackbooted government oppression.
I gotta say, I’m seeing the most Live Laugh Love women I went to all girls high school with in Ohio posting anti-ICE Instagram reels and demanding people pay attention to the threat of fascism
November 6, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Taking a break from hanging a cursive script "wine" sign in my kitchen to let you know we need to rip out ICE root and branch so the people can be free from jackbooted government oppression.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are good things, and we should say so.
🔥 "These [election] results make one thing clear: Americans are rejecting authoritarianism and embracing leaders who reflect the nation’s diversity and champion equity and inclusion." [DEI]
thefulcrum.us/inclusion-di...
thefulcrum.us/inclusion-di...
Mamdani, Sherrill, and Spanberger Win Signal Voter Embrace of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
In a sweeping rebuke of President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda, voters in three key races delivered historic victories to Democratic candidates Zohran Mamdani, Mikie Sherrill, and Abigail Spanber...
thefulcrum.us
November 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are good things, and we should say so.
I think both Mamdani and Spanberger got at this dynamic by campaigning on cost of living without explicitly connecting democracy and the economy. I'm on the fence about whether making the subtext explicit would be a good strategy going forward not.
We democracy scholars need to explain *why* the coming economic and social breakdowns are downstream from *democratic* breakdowns. We need to explain democracy’s benefits in dollars and cents terms and not just values 8/x
November 6, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I think both Mamdani and Spanberger got at this dynamic by campaigning on cost of living without explicitly connecting democracy and the economy. I'm on the fence about whether making the subtext explicit would be a good strategy going forward not.
As a field general there were few, if any, that ever did better. When the Dems needed 218, she'd get 218.
JUST IN: Nancy Pelosi, the first female speaker of the House, won't seek re-election, ending a nearly 40-year career in Congress.
Nancy Pelosi, first female speaker of the House, won't seek re-election to Congress
The California Democrat led her party in the House for two decades. Her decision will open up her San Francisco-based seat for the first time in nearly 40 years.
nbcnews.to
November 6, 2025 at 2:16 PM
As a field general there were few, if any, that ever did better. When the Dems needed 218, she'd get 218.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
one way to understand the dysfunction on display here: these people push the argument that woke, multiculturalism, any and all norms against exclusionary behavior, etc impedes authentic social cohesion & organizational effectiveness, but their experience shows what bullshit this is in practice (1/n)
🚨 WaPo SCOOP: Inside the crisis at the Heritage Foundation
The group behind Project 2025 is facing a rebellion — and has been for months.
The Tucker Carlson/Nick Fuentes/antisemitism saga is just what caused it to break into the open.
🎁 Gift link:
The group behind Project 2025 is facing a rebellion — and has been for months.
The Tucker Carlson/Nick Fuentes/antisemitism saga is just what caused it to break into the open.
🎁 Gift link:
Heritage staff in open revolt over leader’s defense of Tucker Carlson
At least five members of Heritage’s antisemitism task force resigned after Roberts defended Carlson’s interview with antisemitic white nationalist Nick Fuentes.
wapo.st
November 6, 2025 at 1:17 PM
one way to understand the dysfunction on display here: these people push the argument that woke, multiculturalism, any and all norms against exclusionary behavior, etc impedes authentic social cohesion & organizational effectiveness, but their experience shows what bullshit this is in practice (1/n)
Latino turnout was way up, too, perhaps unsurprisingly.
Latino voters swinging hard towards the Democrats in Jersey and VA makes that Texas gerrymander look a lot riskier for the Republicans than it did a month ago.
November 6, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Latino turnout was way up, too, perhaps unsurprisingly.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
Both Kash Patel and Zohran Mamdani are sons of Gujaratis who were expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin. Demographic are not destiny, evidently.
November 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Both Kash Patel and Zohran Mamdani are sons of Gujaratis who were expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin. Demographic are not destiny, evidently.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
You’re seeing the limits of an entire political movement based around one guy. Trump won in 24 with a unique coalition of Latinos and young people in addition to the traditional R voters, and Trump just completely abandoned these new supporters as president to the detriment of the entire party 1/4
November 5, 2025 at 1:01 PM
You’re seeing the limits of an entire political movement based around one guy. Trump won in 24 with a unique coalition of Latinos and young people in addition to the traditional R voters, and Trump just completely abandoned these new supporters as president to the detriment of the entire party 1/4
Both Kash Patel and Zohran Mamdani are sons of Gujaratis who were expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin. Demographic are not destiny, evidently.
November 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Both Kash Patel and Zohran Mamdani are sons of Gujaratis who were expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin. Demographic are not destiny, evidently.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
A big part of the reason why the Democratic Congressional delegation is so old is that so many Democratic state legislators got their careers nipped in the bud in 2010 and 2014. Focusing on winning as many state legislative seats as possible is the real way to fix the gerontocracy problem, too.
November 5, 2025 at 3:30 PM
A big part of the reason why the Democratic Congressional delegation is so old is that so many Democratic state legislators got their careers nipped in the bud in 2010 and 2014. Focusing on winning as many state legislative seats as possible is the real way to fix the gerontocracy problem, too.
The Democrats won several VA House seats where winning looked like a pipe dream going into the election. The Dems won these seats because they recruited candidates and actually campaigned. Important lesson for 26--the electorate is pissed--but you can only win when you run. Run everywhere!
Democrats contested all 100 Virginia House of Delegates races. Part of the party’s statewide success is due to the synergies between the legislative and statewide campaigns—even the losing ones. This is a big reason why Jay Jones won comfortably. This is a model the Dems should emulate everywhere
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The Democrats won several VA House seats where winning looked like a pipe dream going into the election. The Dems won these seats because they recruited candidates and actually campaigned. Important lesson for 26--the electorate is pissed--but you can only win when you run. Run everywhere!
Reposted by Josh Zingher
Trump has a personalistic cult he is able to activate when he is on the presidential ballot. A large portion of this cult are simple MAGA bigots from the GOP base. But it's rounded out by low-engagement / low trust voters who show up only for him. (1/n)
You’re seeing the limits of an entire political movement based around one guy. Trump won in 24 with a unique coalition of Latinos and young people in addition to the traditional R voters, and Trump just completely abandoned these new supporters as president to the detriment of the entire party 1/4
November 5, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Trump has a personalistic cult he is able to activate when he is on the presidential ballot. A large portion of this cult are simple MAGA bigots from the GOP base. But it's rounded out by low-engagement / low trust voters who show up only for him. (1/n)
Latino voters swinging hard towards the Democrats in Jersey and VA makes that Texas gerrymander look a lot riskier for the Republicans than it did a month ago.
November 5, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Latino voters swinging hard towards the Democrats in Jersey and VA makes that Texas gerrymander look a lot riskier for the Republicans than it did a month ago.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
Given my 15-yr experience w/ Virginia politics, I had serious doubts that the state's electorate would overcome its deep-seated prejudices and deliver a serious rebuke to MAGA candidates in the 2025 election. They proved me wrong! I lost a bet with @zingherpolisci.bsky.social. Donation made, Josh.
November 5, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Given my 15-yr experience w/ Virginia politics, I had serious doubts that the state's electorate would overcome its deep-seated prejudices and deliver a serious rebuke to MAGA candidates in the 2025 election. They proved me wrong! I lost a bet with @zingherpolisci.bsky.social. Donation made, Josh.
👇Dems “won” the shutdown, to the extent something so moronic can be won. The only question is how long it takes for everyone to realize this fact.
The longest shutdown in history might get messier after Dems’ sweeping victories Tuesday.
It’s hard to see many of them wanting to temper the momentum after witnessing a major voter backlash to the GOP.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
It’s hard to see many of them wanting to temper the momentum after witnessing a major voter backlash to the GOP.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
November 5, 2025 at 1:23 PM
👇Dems “won” the shutdown, to the extent something so moronic can be won. The only question is how long it takes for everyone to realize this fact.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
Trump is entirely transactional. Young people and Latinos no longer have anything to offer Trump now that he can't run for president again.
Unless Republicans can offer Trump something he wants in exchange for their electoral future, they're not going to get any help from him.
Unless Republicans can offer Trump something he wants in exchange for their electoral future, they're not going to get any help from him.
You’re seeing the limits of an entire political movement based around one guy. Trump won in 24 with a unique coalition of Latinos and young people in addition to the traditional R voters, and Trump just completely abandoned these new supporters as president to the detriment of the entire party 1/4
November 5, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Trump is entirely transactional. Young people and Latinos no longer have anything to offer Trump now that he can't run for president again.
Unless Republicans can offer Trump something he wants in exchange for their electoral future, they're not going to get any help from him.
Unless Republicans can offer Trump something he wants in exchange for their electoral future, they're not going to get any help from him.
Democrats contested all 100 Virginia House of Delegates races. Part of the party’s statewide success is due to the synergies between the legislative and statewide campaigns—even the losing ones. This is a big reason why Jay Jones won comfortably. This is a model the Dems should emulate everywhere
November 5, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Democrats contested all 100 Virginia House of Delegates races. Part of the party’s statewide success is due to the synergies between the legislative and statewide campaigns—even the losing ones. This is a big reason why Jay Jones won comfortably. This is a model the Dems should emulate everywhere