David Darmofal
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daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal
@daviddarmofal.bsky.social

Political scientist. Political behavior + methods. Spatial analysis.
Speaking in a personal capacity. Opinions expressed are my own.

Economics 52%
Political science 27%
Pinned

Lindsey Graham is one of the biggest enablers of the chaotic Trump-Vance-Rubio foreign policy. South Carolina can do better with @drannieandrews.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

Nov 24-25 poll of 8,419 U.S. adults (+/-1.3 points)
% who approve | disapprove of members of Congress telling military members they have a legal duty to refuse illegal orders
U.S. adults 50% | 32%
Democrats 74% | 14%
Independents 50% | 26%
Republicans 27% | 56%
today.yougov.com/topics/polit...

Reposted by David Darmofal

Insightful piece by Larry Lessig on the need for more transparency in Harvard faculty members’ ties to Epstein

The 2020 Harvard Epstein report now looks like a big joke

www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
The First Epstein Report Ignored Summers. Harvard Must Do Better. | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson
How could Harvard have allowed this production of Hamlet without the Prince? And will it now commit to a practice that will not protect the elite among us, while shaming those not quite elite enough?
www.thecrimson.com

The Washington Post editorial board is concerned about how they’re drying their hands after washing themselves of any sense of common decency.
At this point, the Washpost edit page is just trolling its readers.

This is today's actual house editorial.
At this point, the Washpost edit page is just trolling its readers.

This is today's actual house editorial.

Reposted by David Darmofal

This will be my fourth Thanksgiving with cancer. open.substack.com/pub/amyfried...
My Fourth Thanksgiving With Cancer
Reflections on kvetching, loving, and enjoying life with ovarian cancer
open.substack.com

On Drudge right now. I watched the video. His walking does not look good.

America under Trump & Vance

Private payroll losses accelerated in the past four weeks, ADP reports
Private payroll losses accelerated in the past four weeks, ADP reports
Private companies lost an average of 13,500 jobs a week over the past four weeks, ADP said Tuesday.
www.cnbc.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

The most revealing moment in Trump's infamous Jamboree speech was when he was reading from his prepared remarks and started reciting the Scout Law, and was surprised when the huge audience joined in. He didn't know the first thing about Scouting and its values—and he's a living repudiation of them.

A $600K grant program will act as angel investor for technology in SC agriculture
scdailygazette.com/2025/11/24/a...
A $600K grant program will act as angel investor for technology in SC agriculture • SC Daily Gazette
The Cultivating Innovation in SC Agribusiness Program will award $30,000 grants to sustain the state’s agriculture industry.
scdailygazette.com

Crossing out every M on the OSU campus is easily the stupidest tradition in all of college sports & a reflection of how football has far too central a place at OSU.
Why do Ohio State fans cross out M's? The history of The Game tradition
The M's are beginning to disappear all over Columbus, replaced with red ❌'s.
www.dispatch.com

What an absolute mess.
“Vance and his hard-right janissaries have long wanted Rubio gone … It seems they outmanoeuvred him by drafting and leaking the plan behind his back, then forcing his capitulation after he denounced it.”
Wherein I do a bit of Kremlinology around the White House's chaotic Ukraine peace negotiations. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

It’s called the University of Michigan. If you refuse to even say the University of Michigan, examine your priorities in life.

Reposted by David Darmofal

“Vance and his hard-right janissaries have long wanted Rubio gone … It seems they outmanoeuvred him by drafting and leaking the plan behind his back, then forcing his capitulation after he denounced it.”
The Secretary of Defense, ladies and gentlemen
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is seeking to humiliate an American hero.

Senator Kelly flew 39 combat missions during the Gulf War in 1991 and flew four space shuttle missions (commanding two of them).

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

This is happening because of Trump & Vance

Deported and Desperate to Be Reunited With Their Children
Deported and Desperate to Be Reunited With Their Children
www.nytimes.com

Ayanna Pressley would lead Markey by a point if she ran.
Suffolk poll | 11/19-11/23 RV

Massachusetts Senate Democratic primary
Ed Markey 45% (incumbent)
Seth Moulton 22%
Undceided 31%

Ayanna Pressley 35%
Ed Markey 34% (incumbent)
Seth Moulton 16%
Undecided 15%

www.suffolk.edu/-/media/suff...
www.suffolk.edu

Reposted by David Darmofal

Suffolk poll | 11/19-11/23 RV

Massachusetts Senate Democratic primary
Ed Markey 45% (incumbent)
Seth Moulton 22%
Undceided 31%

Ayanna Pressley 35%
Ed Markey 34% (incumbent)
Seth Moulton 16%
Undecided 15%

www.suffolk.edu/-/media/suff...
www.suffolk.edu

Reposted by David Darmofal

NPR @npr.org · 2h
Under new Trump administration rules, students won't be able to borrow as much for medical or nursing school or some other health professions. n.pr/49F5HOn
New limits on school loans could narrow physician and nurse pipeline, educators warn
Under new Trump administration rules, students won't be able to borrow as much for medical or nursing school or some other health professions.
n.pr
One man -- Marco Rubio -- serves this country as both National Security Adviser and Secretary of State.

And he was nowhere near the drafting of that Ukraine 'peace plan,' which was instead devised by the president's real-estate buddy and his son-in-law.

🎁
www.wsj.com/world/russia...

Catholic Bishops of Canada: Affordable housing, just wages, environmental safeguards reduce food insecurity
Bishops: Affordable housing, just wages, environmental safeguards reduce food insecurity
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (OSV News) -- "Give us this day our daily bread." With those words from the Lord's Prayer, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is framing a new national reflection ...
www.osvnews.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

ICE arrests, detains British woman with US husband and newborn when she shows up for her green card interview. She’s now in a detention center, separated from her 6-month-old. No criminal record. She had overstayed her visa.

www.lbc.co.uk/article/brit...
British mum detained by ICE agents in California as six-month old baby and stunned husband watch on | LBC
Katie Paul, 33, was in the process of applying for a green card when she was ambushed by immigration agents
www.lbc.co.uk
In newly leaked audio, Peter Thiel admits he urged JD Vance to ignore Pope Leo XIV on moral questions — including the ethical development of AI.

He goes even further, branding Leo “the woke American pope” and suggesting he’s a tool of the Antichrist.
NEW: JD Vance’s Top Donor Suggests Pope Leo XIV is Antichrist
In a leaked lecture, Peter Thiel says he’s urged Vance to ignore the pope on moral questions — and simply pray for him.
www.thelettersfromleo.com

Americans are upset about prices & things are completely unraveling for Trump.
Americans were upset about prices under Biden & his poll numbers were like Trump's are now.
Americans were upset about prices when @kamalaharris.com ran & she nearly won. Says a lot about her strength as a candidate.

As an academic, I find that @crampell.bsky.social is the commentator and analyst who most thinks like we academics do. I appreciate that. Another smart conversation of hers, this time with @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social
Trump’s Economic Numbers Don’t Add Up | Bulwark on Sunday
YouTube video by The Bulwark
www.youtube.com
Trump Admin planning a rule to re-decide whether *every* refugee who entered under Biden meets their criteria for a refugee. That’s 230,000 people! And no appeals!

www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com
Upcoming deadlines to apply to Syracuse U's great Qualitative and Multi-Method Research 2-week summer program! Fellowships available to cover the costs! Pls circulate widely!

www.maxwell.syr.edu/research/cen...

Reposted by David Darmofal

In the first round of ballots, the candidate who actually led was Cardinal Péter Erdő of Hungary — the great hope of the conservative bloc.

Here's how Leo came back to be elected the 266th successor of St. Peter. www.thelettersfromleo.com/p/secrets-of...
Secrets of Leo XIV’s Election: Smuggled Phones, Double Votes, and a Terrified Papabile
A major insider account of the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV has arrived — in Spanish — spilling jaw-dropping anecdotes from the Sistine Chapel.
www.thelettersfromleo.com
Could be true. I started writing circa 1952, still at it, still here. Writing builds resilience by changing your brain, helping you face everyday challenges theconversation.com/writing-buil...
Writing builds resilience by changing your brain, helping you face everyday challenges
Resilience is often presented as feats of bravery and endurance. But everyday practices like journaling, drafting a text or even writing a to-do list are manifestations of a capacity to adapt.
theconversation.com