156 Comments
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

Earl, I’ve left all the high-profile MSM outlets behind (dumped the NYT, WAPO, et al) and am sticking with a few of the most ethical, thoughtful, interesting, and important writers here on Substack. YOU are my absolute favorite for more reasons than I have time to share right/write now.

What I will share with the little time I have today, is my gratitude for ALL you do, and ALL you are, and how wonderful it is to follow you. 🎯 THANK YOU to infinity‼️ (And YES, I’m SHOUTING)

Expand full comment
author

I really appreciate the kind words, Suzy.

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

There will be more, Earl…

Expand full comment

We are THIS close to making history, folks...as others have said, this is NOT 2016, but 2024, and - yes - it IS at long last "her" time...rock it!

Expand full comment

Time to make some HERstory‼️🎉

Expand full comment

I have done the same and feel the same, thank you!

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

Earl, pollsters this election cycle are SO worried yet again about "missing" the understated tRump voter that they're still tweaking their "models" to try to account for this cohort. In point of fact, the biggest fuck-up of the polls this go-round is NOT factoring in the FEMALE voter cohort, which will deliver this election to Harris-Walz, full stop! Gender gap is yuuuge, as is the enthusiasm factor...I mean, only a fraction of those mythical "bro-tRumpers" will come out of Mom's basement to vote, and they already have been overwhelmed by women voters, of ALL ages!

Early-vote returns suggest your call on the "Blue Wall" is spot on, and the tRump campaign just cannot match the fervor of Kamala voters, no WAY can they top the women's vote for the Dem ticket.

Go Blue!

Expand full comment
Nov 2·edited Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

2024 is not 2016. The reason why so many were on the "she's going to win, so I don't need to vote" for Hillary Clinton train generally disliked Clinton, anyway.

The Democratic voter base was very divided. Those divisions do not exist on any concerning level in 2024. We have a popular candidate and no one will ever take a Trump loss for granted again as those who did still have the PTSD scars.

The 2022 midterm elections were horribly predicted by polls. I was constantly hearing about a red wave, which, in realty, turned into a blue tsunami.

Kamala is going to win, I’m sure of it. Mark my words.

Can't wait to celebrate her EPIC victory wearing this "Kamala removes stubborn orange stains" hoodie 👇 🤣

https://libtees-2.creator-spring.com/listing/votek?product=227

When we vote, we win!

Expand full comment
author

Spot on. This is NOTHING like 2016.

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

Not even like 2020...*Dobbs* remains a BIG factor, GOP misogynism remains a BIG factor, and the gender gap remains a BIG factor. String them all together and one ineluctably concludes it's a BIG win for Harris-Walz...take a beat, peeps, we got this one!

Expand full comment

And no Bernie Bros.

Expand full comment

I think many of which were Russian 'bots. Because they never turned out to vote for him in the next presidential election.

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

I am praying every day that you are correct. I don’t want to live under a second trump presidency. I am to old to move to another country. Vice President Harris and Governor Walz have given me hope for a better tomorrow, just like President Biden did. Thank you, Joe, for bringing us out of the darkness. I pray we continue in the light.

Expand full comment
author

Good will prevail over evil.

Expand full comment

I really hope so.

Expand full comment

💙🌊🇺🇲🙏🙏🙏

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

I am a blue dot in red Montana. We used to be a purple state until covid when we got an influx of wealthy trumpers moving here. We are small in population but our R supermajority is fighting to get attention for how they are following in the tracks of TX and FL in cruelty being their signature legislation.

The air smells like Tester will pull out a third down-to-the-line squeaker win because we are big on the military service members he is an advocate for. We have abortion on the ballot again, and this is most certainly a state where women may want to keep their ballots secret from their weak-ass 'alpha male christian' husbands.

I very much look forward to having my faith in humanity restored on Wednesday. Thanks for all you're doing to keep Democracy rolling, Earl. My fervent hope for younger people is they develop the thinking that Democracy is a participatory part of life and teach that to their children.

Expand full comment
author

Never count Jon Tester out. NEVER

Expand full comment

If Montanans sour even a little bit on tRump, Tester squeaks through...anybody else heading the GOP ticket would have taken Tester down with Harris...but now...?

Expand full comment

I worry about Tester. The guy running against him looks fake. So glad you can vote for Tester. 🤞🤞🤞💕

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

I love your story Earl. Here in MI the results of the 2020 and 2022 elections have kept me sane while others around me have been much more anxious. I will be phone banking and meeting up with Big Gretch (Gov Whitmer) on Monday to canvass door to door. Your enthusiasm and commitment to the idea that we are winning just makes me even happier. So glad that we are on the same team fellow patriot!!! (And we get to take back the words patriot and freedom)!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for all you are doing. I seriously love your governor.

Expand full comment

You have a pretty good gov too 😊

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

Thank you for that most welcome infusion of Hope and Positivity. You made my day!

Expand full comment
author

Then it was worth writing.

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

Yes it will. Have faith. Lift each other up. We got this.

https://open.substack.com/pub/albellenchia/p/closing-argument?r=7wk5d&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Expand full comment
author

Yes we do, Al.

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

Preach!

I'm ordering in and planning to stay in close touch with my "If I hated Donald Trump any more, I'd have to be two people" friends from near and far. And that includes all of you in Earl World. No more hand-wringing. Just high vibes. Come on Kamalaaaaaa!

What are your plans, everyone?

Expand full comment
author

I am going to canvass in 30 minutes.

Expand full comment

Excellent🎉

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

Hoping for a landslide for you! 🇨🇦

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Alice!

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

My common sense tells me you are on the mark with your expectations. My nerves are still freaking out though.

Expand full comment

That’s the 2016 PTSD talking. Take a long walk or a hot bath - or do some door knocks or phone banks. You’ll feel better 🥰

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

Thank you so much for this uplifting post, I appreciate your dedication and intellect on all of these important issues. Great photo too!! My two heroes 💕 I'm hoping & praying for a massive victory for all of our BLUE compatriots.....we've got this!

🌊🙏💙🇺🇲💙🙏🌊

Expand full comment
author

YES WE DO, Diane.

Expand full comment
Nov 2·edited Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

We absolutely 💯 have got this but should NEVER turn our backs on the crazy power-hungry ones — not ever. But, I sheepishly add, we need to maintain our optimism!😝😎💕

Expand full comment

Great point—so agree & hardly in my personal life—I might have flashed on that adjective as I typed at the same time my eyes hit a sheep toy!😂😎

Expand full comment

🥰😂😘😄

Expand full comment

Optimism doesn’t need to include sheepish-ism! I’m trying on unbridled optimism, and finding that it’s a good look on me 🤗

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

A love letter from Canada in the form of Oscar Peterson’s Hymn to Freedom.

Hoping for the #BlueTsunami

https://youtu.be/tCrrZ1NnCuM?si=wcrjVXH9da4-nT8A

Expand full comment

Beautiful

Expand full comment

One of my all time favs 😊

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

A little bit OT but I wanted to share a link to the film Zurawski v Texas, produced by Jennifer Lawrence, and Hilary and Chelsea Clinton, which allows you to watch FREE this weekend before it gets distributed. The film follows the stories of the women suing the state of Texas over its sadistic, murderous abortion legislation. Since its premiere in August, it's played to packed theaters and standing ovations, and I'm not surprised: I watched it last weekend and I was blown away by it - these women and their legal team are amazing, fired up with a righteous anger and grief, persisting in the face of the most egregious hateful legislation, and an inspiring example to us all of what it means to fight, fight, fight.

Please watch, and please share this link widely, especially if you have friends/family in Texas. Here it is: https://bit.ly/ZurawskivTexas

Expand full comment
author

POWERFUL

Expand full comment

Watched it last weekend. Highly recommend

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

Thanks so much for this uplifting post; so well needed in these final days, when I worry far too much. Your Declaration of Interdependence is good for my Constitution!

Expand full comment
Nov 2Liked by D. Earl Stephens ✍️

💙🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼💙

Expand full comment