It's been a week
4 pieces I wrote on the election
I imagine you’re all overloaded with information right now, and probably like me, really feeling in need of a weekend. I get that, and hope everyone is doing okay. No need to read any of this, of course.
For anyone who wants it though, for now or later, here’s what I’ve been working on this week
1. What Trump’s win means for abortion rights
(Most likely: enforcement of the Comstock Act, anti-abortion federal agency appointments, and judicial appointments who are open to fetal personhood arguments. Least likely: overturning the filibuster to pass a federal abortion ban through Congress.)
2. Trump won, but so did 7 ballot measures protecting abortion rights
Missouri became the first state to overturn a total ban on abortion! Colorado eliminated its ban on public funding for the procedure. Blue states like New York and Maryland voted to protect abortion, and so did other red and purple states like Nevada, Arizona and Montana. Losses in Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota.
3. Arizona’s unprecedented crackdown on homeless encampments
Voters this week approved a first-of-its-kind ballot measure to pay property owners if cities don’t clear out camps. This is a pretty big post Grants Pass v. Johnson development.
4. Did Democrats lose the 2024 election because of “bad” policies?
This was more of a “take” but I argue that betting on voter gratitude is a common mistake. Relevant to consider re: all the people now saying Democrats should run on policies to appeal to the working class.
I’ve also been really impressed by a lot of work from my colleagues over the last week. This youtube video went up early Wednesday (I make a small appearance in it!) of how Trump’s second term might be different. And I found this Today Explained podcast episode on how Trump won and what comes next clarifying.
A little too exhausted so just going to press send now, hopefully no critical typos above!