A woke Wisconsin win is just the start of the left’s 2026 push



When I went to bed Tuesday night, the race for the open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court had already been called — unsurprisingly — for Susan Crawford, the ultra-woke candidate. With more than two-thirds of the votes counted, Crawford held a lead of more than 10 percentage points.

Despite complaints from Wisconsin Democrats about Elon Musk’s support for Republican candidate Brad Schimel, Crawford outspent him by a margin of roughly 2 to 1. Her campaign benefited from funding from George Soros, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), and other wealthy backers with culturally progressive agendas. Powerful public-sector unions in Wisconsin also rallied behind Crawford, opposing Musk’s calls for reducing the influence of government bureaucrats.

Does anyone seriously believe Democrats won’t use Susan Crawford’s court victory to gerrymander two new congressional districts?

As usual, the Democratic base — racial minorities and college-educated white women — turned out in strong numbers to support her.

Watching the activist left unite behind a candidate who embraces the very ideologies that writer Christopher Rufo has documented in his research on institutional wokeness, I was reminded of the overly optimistic narratives coming from some in the conservative media.

We keep hearing that the Democratic Party is falling apart — that it’s resorting to riots and hurling obscenities because it has lost the support of ordinary voters. But these talking points ignore political reality.

The claim seems to rest on Donald Trump’s victory in 2024, which was hardly a landslide, and came against a tongue-tied mediocrity. Tuesday night’s results in Wisconsin tell a different story. With record Democratic turnout, Crawford defeated Schimel handily. The left, far from collapsing, remains highly mobilized and effective.

The cheerleading from Fox News pundits likely stems from their inability — or unwillingness — to believe that anyone could support a party as deeply unserious and radical as today’s Democrats. But the reality is right in front of us.

Why would any voter — citizen or not — back candidates who insist there are more than two genders, advocate for biological men in women’s sports, excuse the burning of Tesla dealerships, and elevate political carnival acts like Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.)?

The answer is straightforward: The left, across the Western world, is backed by immense institutional power. It enjoys the support of major financial interests, the legacy media, most of the entertainment industry, and nearly the entire education system. It also benefits from every new expansion of the electorate.

More importantly, the left plays to win — and to stay in power. Does anyone seriously believe Democrats won’t use Susan Crawford’s court victory to gerrymander two new congressional districts? Of course they will. And if they retake the House, they’ll waste no time rallying their obedient congressional foot soldiers for yet another effort to impeach Donald Trump.

Democrats will also keep using the courts to target Trump’s administration, relying on friendly federal district judges to strike down any executive action that doesn’t serve their agenda.

And let’s not forget the 10 to 20 million illegal aliens the Democratic Party has welcomed and intends to keep here — criminal gang members included. These individuals are not just here to stay; they’re here to vote. As Elon Musk pointed out, though lapdog media outlets rushed to deny it, Democratic politicians and bureaucrats have pushed to issue Social Security numbers to noncitizens — numbers that can serve as voter ID.

The left has mastered the art of weaponizing the judiciary, both in the United States and across Europe, against its already weakened opposition. It reflexively smears anyone who resists its cultural agenda — on family, gender, or borders — as a “Nazi.” And it works.

The left wins because it has more power: more institutional support, more funding, more cultural dominance. The notion that it's collapsing because it acts outrageously is laughable. That behavior energizes its base. As we saw on April 1, even in so-called purple states, that base remains large — and ready to deliver.

One major advantage the American right still holds — unlike, say, its counterparts in Germany, England, Spain, and elsewhere in the West — is a substantial electoral base. Roughly 40% of the electorate continues to resist a full leftist takeover. We also have a president willing to use whatever authority he’s given to push back against the left’s grip on the permanent bureaucracy.

These advantages matter. I’m delighted they still exist. But let’s not kid ourselves: The Democrats and their ideological allies are not vanishing. Far from it.

And there’s no reason to pretend that those who reliably vote with the left, excuse its political games, and indulge its outbursts and riots somehow share “common ground” with their opponents. That fantasy only weakens the real resistance. It promotes the delusion that if we’re just a little “nicer,” the Democrats will magically start playing fair.

We’re told we can return to the supposed golden age when Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill shared drinks and Irish jokes after trading barbs in public. If that era ever existed, it’s gone — and it isn’t coming back.

Restore self-government by handing debt power to states



Donald Trump last week shocked Congress by demanding that the debt limit either be abolished or at least suspended during his presidency — a stance typically championed by Democrats. While the plan, thankfully, has been shelved for now, there might be a way for conservatives to turn this political lemon into lemonade. What if Congress eliminated the debt limit in the much-anticipated budget reconciliation bill but did so in a way that tackled the debt itself rather than the ceiling?

Want to restore relevance to state legislatures and self-government while addressing the debt crisis? Consider putting the states in charge of managing the debt. The idea might not be as far-fetched as it sounds.

As part of the upcoming reconciliation bill, Congress could implement a rule requiring that the debt limit cannot be raised unless two-thirds of state legislatures approve.

We are no longer a self-governing people. Politics today reveals a troubling reality for both the right and the left: Our government no longer operates of, by, for, or in response to the people. The cause lies in the dismantling of the federalist system created by the Constitution. Instead of states representing the people in federal government, the entire arrangement has been turned upside down.

The states have become a joke, a bunch of shleppers doing the bidding of the federal government and groveling for its attention and money. Our founders envisioned the need for localism when America was a relatively homogenous group of just 3 million people. How much more so now with 340 million very diverse individuals and communities?

From a liberal and conservative perspective, restoring the balance of power the founders intended requires flipping the tables. Few solutions achieve this better than devolving debt authority to the states, an idea first proposed by the Goldwater Institute and recently promoted by Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) on my podcast.

Putting the states in the driver’s seat

Empowering the states through this transformational reform will strengthen self-governance. It will make state and local elections more relevant, align state governments with the priorities of their people, and hold the federal government more accountable.

States and local governments have lost influence because they collect only $3.5 trillion in revenue combined, while the federal government collects $5 trillion in one central pot. The federal government then returns about $1.1 trillion to the states, burdened with conditions and distortions that leave state officials unable to control their own destinies.

The federal government collects most of its revenue from the wealthy, leaving half the country indifferent to reining in federal overreach. Meanwhile, the truly wealthy accept their burden, content to pay what amounts to a bribe for maintaining their status. At this point, we might as well hand our money to the King of England. These funds bear no connection to self-governance or the character of our communities and epitomize the “taxation without representation” that sparked the war for independence.

In recent years, much of this revenue hasn’t even come from taxes but from money printing to service the interest on the debt through treasury auctions. This practice has burdened Americans with an even worse tax — long-term, intractable inflation. What if we shifted control of the printing presses to the states, placing them firmly in the driver’s seat?

Empowering grassroots conservatives

As part of the upcoming reconciliation bill, Congress could implement a self-imposed rule requiring that the debt limit cannot be raised unless two-thirds of state legislatures approve. Even a 26-state threshold would demand agreement from several Republican-controlled chambers for every Democratic-controlled chamber to raise the limit. This approach wouldn’t delegate Congress’ appropriations authority to the states but would instead impose a self-restraint, limiting federal spending without state approval to raise the cap.

Currently, Democrats fully control both legislative chambers in only 18 states. Even a simple majority-rule requirement would still need approval from eight GOP-controlled states or chambers to lift the debt ceiling. Shifting this power to state legislatures would bring the debate over the federal government’s scope to a local level, empowering conservative grassroots movements to wield a veto over excessive spending. It would also make state legislators key players in Congress’ most critical decisions, in effect serving as a backdoor repeal of the 17th Amendment.

Over time, this plan would compel states to take control of their own futures and permanently reduce the size of the federal government. Once states take the lead on managing the debt, the conservative vision of states fully overseeing health care, transportation, education, and agriculture could become a reality.

Civil society established the states, and the states established the federal government. Many of today’s public policy problems arise from flipping this governance on its head. Granting states authority over the debt limit could address not only the federal spending crisis but also fix the broader dysfunction of the federal government in a single, systemic move. Now, we need elected officials with the courage to champion this or other bold ideas to promote localism. It’s not too late to include this reform in next year’s most important bill.

How A Strong Ground Game Helped Trump Flip Michigan Red

Grassroots groups knocked on thousands of doors, sometimes in Michigan's most unlikely areas, to help deliver the state for Trump.

Trump’s authenticity reshapes 2024 race as early votes pour in



As a grassroots consultant who played a key role in campaigns across the years, including my firm’s work knocking on millions of doors and being an essential player in Dr. Ben Carson’s 2016 presidential campaign, I have seen my share of election cycles. We have canvassed pivotal Senate and House races in vital swing states, but I have never seen early voting numbers like we are seeing for Donald Trump right now.

Despite relentless media attacks and indictments, Trump is gaining unprecedented momentum, especially in swing states. He has never looked better, and it is not due to fleeting moments. A series of key events have fueled this surge, setting the stage for a strong performance at the polls.

Today, we are seeing the real Donald Trump — the one his supporters have always known.

The assassination attempt against Trump was a turning point. He did not retreat — he stood firm. This resonated with voters tired of weakness in Washington. Trump embodied the “fight, fight, fight” spirit that many Americans crave, especially in contrast to the Biden-Harris administration, which has often struggled to project competence. The debate that followed showcased this stark contrast. Trump remained calm and resolute, highlighting his presidency’s strength, while Biden’s leadership appeared to falter. For many Americans, this was a reminder that Trump is a fighter — a trait they respect in these uncertain times.

That show of strength wasn’t lost on swing-state voters. I’ve been on the ground across these states, and you can feel the shift. People are noticing, especially those who feel abandoned by the current administration. Early voting numbers reflect this renewed energy, and it’s clear that voters are rallying around a leader who will not back down.

Then there was Kamala Harris’ disastrous handling of Hurricane Helene. While she attended fundraisers and podcasts, Trump was doing what leaders do: He took action and showed empathy. He offered help to victims, donating rooms at his hotels for first responders, while Kamala appeared disconnected. It was not just a failure of optics; it was a failure of leadership. And voters noticed.

Trump’s presence and decisiveness struck a chord with voters who expect action in times of crisis. Meanwhile, Kamala’s absence left a void that Trump filled with ease. Soon after, Elon Musk’s America PAC and Team Trump RNC volunteers started breaking through in swing states. The groundwork had already been laid, but this moment gave it the spark needed to boost early voting in key areas.

Today, we are seeing the real Donald Trump — the one his supporters have always known. He is not just a fighter but someone who genuinely cares about the American people. Whether it is helping hurricane victims or standing up for families affected by illegal immigration, Trump has shown an empathy that Kamala Harris seems to lack. He is also showcasing a more relatable side, appearing in long-form podcasts and having fun with things like McDonald’s visits. It is humanizing and authentic, and voters are responding.

That same authenticity is breaking through, especially with black and Latino men in cities like Milwaukee and Philadelphia. These voters, who feel left behind by Kamala’s empty promises, remember being better off under Trump just four years ago. They are looking for solutions to realities such as inflation, rising business costs, and job security, but all Kamala offers them is talk about abortion. While that may resonate with some, it neglects to address the economic pain these communities are facing.

These voters are seeking leadership that understands their struggles, and Kamala Harris simply is not delivering. Conversely, Trump is showing up, offering action and solutions, and it’s clearly resonating in early voting numbers across the country.

This has led to what we are witnessing today: the collapse of Kamala Harris and of the tired narrative that Trump is some kind of villain. Voters are seeing through the media’s constant barrage. The more they see of the real Trump, the more they like him. Combine that with the impressive ground game that’s been built, and you have a formula for success. Early voting numbers are already reflecting this momentum, with GOP ballots overperforming and Democratic enthusiasm lagging.

It isn’t just about enthusiasm. Ground games matter, and the Trump campaign has built one that is laser-focused on key swing states. Personally, I have been in every major battleground this month, and you can feel the energy. People are talking about Trump in ways that they were not just a few months ago. Campaign efforts are building the foundation for a massive Election Day turnout. If early voting trends continue, a wave of Republican votes may overwhelm the Democrats.

As someone who has been in the trenches of political campaigns for years, I can tell you this: Donald Trump has never looked better. The movement on the ground is real, the early voting numbers are proving it, and if this momentum continues, we are looking at a GOP victory that will shock the establishment once again.

Can This Grassroot Group’s Ballot-Chasing Efforts Help Turn Nevada Red This November?

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Grassroots Patriot Dave Carter Quietly Helped Election Officials Keep Voter Rolls Clean

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Image-7-26-24-at-12.11 PM-1200x675.jpg crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Image-7-26-24-at-12.11%5Cu202fPM-1200x675.jpg%22%7D" expand=1]We can all look to Dave Carver as an example of the importance of accurate voter lists and how citizens can be effective in that effort.

Republicans Keep Losing Because They’re Reactive, Not Proactive

If the Republican grassroots can mobilize, and GOP leadership can commit to fighting at the state level, profound change will be inevitable.

Conservative Guerrilla Marketing Like The ‘Big Based Book Sale’ Is How We Fight Leftist Gatekeepers

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Winning Political Boycotts Requires Strategic Organizing, Not Just A Loud Megaphone

The right needs to take a page from left-wing organizers who have turned political boycotts into a science.