Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
@drsfarnsworth.bsky.social
Professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, focusing on the mass media, the presidency and US & VA politics. [email protected] Web: stephenfarnsworth.net RT ≠…
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
Restoring liberalism after illiberalism is no easy task: Leaders face hard choices between acting quickly and effectively while maintaining a commitment to democratic procedure. Worse, their illiberal opponents stand to benefit either way.
Democracy After Illiberalism: A Warning from Poland | Journal of Democracy
Restoring liberalism after illiberalism is no easy task: Leaders face hard choices between acting quickly and effectively while maintaining a commitment to democratic procedure. Worse…
www.journalofdemocracy.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Restoring liberalism after illiberalism is no easy task: Leaders face hard choices between acting quickly and effectively while maintaining a commitment to democratic procedure. Worse, their illiberal opponents stand to benefit either way.
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
A Gen Z-led advocacy group announced a boycott campaign targeting major corporations “that enable, profit from, or directly collaborate with ICE.” Beyond the Ballot launched “Not With My Dollars: ICE Out of My Wallet” just days before Black Friday kicks off.
Boycott Campaign Targets Companies Tied to ICE Ahead of Black Friday
The Not With My Dollars campaign takes aim at Amazon, Whole Foods, Dell, Microsoft, Home Depot, Spotify, and Target.
truthout.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:38 PM
A Gen Z-led advocacy group announced a boycott campaign targeting major corporations “that enable, profit from, or directly collaborate with ICE.” Beyond the Ballot launched “Not With My Dollars: ICE Out of My Wallet” just days before Black Friday kicks off.
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
They are aware that Russians quite literally wrote the capitulation document that some people in the White House and sadly many people in the media refer to as a peace plan.
Congressional Republicans including Senator Mitch McConnell are openly blasting President Trump’s team of appeasing Russia, warning that doing so would not lead to lasting peace.
Republicans Fight With Trump’s Team Over Ukraine Talks
Senator Mitch McConnell and several other lawmakers accused President Trump’s team of appeasing the Kremlin, warning that doing so would not lead to lasting peace.
nyti.ms
November 26, 2025 at 5:20 PM
They are aware that Russians quite literally wrote the capitulation document that some people in the White House and sadly many people in the media refer to as a peace plan.
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
I swore an oath to the Constitution in 1986. I've upheld it through 25 years of service and every day since I retired.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
November 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I swore an oath to the Constitution in 1986. I've upheld it through 25 years of service and every day since I retired.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
Seems like Article I ends this challenge of a Senator.
BREAKING: Days after Trump called for the execution of a group of Democratic lawmakers, the Department of War now says it’s investigating Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a decorated Navy veteran, for “serious allegations of misconduct.”
After Trump's Death Threats, Defense Department Opens Probe into Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly
Read more here.
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Seems like Article I ends this challenge of a Senator.
Had a great time talking about the latest in Virginia politics with my friends at the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce today. Thanks for the invitation!
November 14, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Had a great time talking about the latest in Virginia politics with my friends at the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce today. Thanks for the invitation!
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
How often American adults were able to correctly identify the sitting president during major political events. www.pbump.net/o/someone-fi...
November 4, 2025 at 7:42 PM
How often American adults were able to correctly identify the sitting president during major political events. www.pbump.net/o/someone-fi...
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
Know your rights when voting today.
November 4, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Know your rights when voting today.
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
"If there's one thing I know it is that power can always be made ridiculous. The bigger that fellow gets, the harder my laughter will hit him." - Charlie Chaplin, on laughing at fascists, as discussed in this great @ptklein.com piece: www.howtoreadmovies.com/how-to-laugh...
The officer Sandwich Guy is charged with assaulting testifies that he could feel the impact of the sandwich through his ballistic vest, and it “exploded all over my uniform.” He says he could “smell the onions and the mustard.”
November 4, 2025 at 5:43 PM
"If there's one thing I know it is that power can always be made ridiculous. The bigger that fellow gets, the harder my laughter will hit him." - Charlie Chaplin, on laughing at fascists, as discussed in this great @ptklein.com piece: www.howtoreadmovies.com/how-to-laugh...
Washington Republicans are not done undermining Virginia Republicans this year
Breaking news: The Trump administration is sending messages to federal staff suggesting only those who are working during the government shutdown will be paid when it ends, despite a 2019 law that guarantees pay to furloughed employees, too.
Administration hints furloughed workers may not be paid after shutdown
Agencies are sending messages indicating that workers who are on the job will be paid when the government reopens — with no mention of those on furlough, despite a 2019 law protecting their wages.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Washington Republicans are not done undermining Virginia Republicans this year
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
Local News Rules
McLean resident who helped engineer invasion of Iraq dies at 84
McLean resident who helped engineer invasion of Iraq dies at 84 | FFXnow
Longtime McLean resident and former vice president Dick Cheney has died, leaving behind a legacy largely defined by his advocacy for the U.S.'s invasion of Iraq and expansion of the surveillance state...
www.ffxnow.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Local News Rules
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
Attn Pennsylvania voters: A massive wave of texts is being sent from random numbers telling Democrats and Independents to vote “No” on the Supreme Court retention questions. These messages are fake and misleading, part of a coordinated disinformation push.
November 4, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Attn Pennsylvania voters: A massive wave of texts is being sent from random numbers telling Democrats and Independents to vote “No” on the Supreme Court retention questions. These messages are fake and misleading, part of a coordinated disinformation push.
These threats target NJ polling locations with large numbers of non-white voters.
Across New Jersey, bomb threats at multiple polling locations have prompted closures and relocations today
Bomb threats force closures at some New Jersey polling places
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said polling sites at School 2 and School 10 in Paterson were shut down after threats were received.
newjersey.news12.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
These threats target NJ polling locations with large numbers of non-white voters.
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
The problem with most of Yglesias’s advice for Democrats is that Republicans do the opposite and win all the time. So it’s either bad advice or evidence of an asymmetric playing field, which he never addresses.
My working hypothesis is that the reason Matt Yglesias was booed off of Bluesky isn’t because Bluesky is too leftist or too toxic.
It’s because he sucks.
It’s because he sucks.
November 4, 2025 at 1:11 PM
The problem with most of Yglesias’s advice for Democrats is that Republicans do the opposite and win all the time. So it’s either bad advice or evidence of an asymmetric playing field, which he never addresses.
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
Virginia has seen a surge in early voting – and leaders in both parties say they think they’ve gained an advantage.
The Fairfax County GOP chair said she thinks the Jay Jones texting scandal energized Republicans.
The Fairfax County GOP chair said she thinks the Jay Jones texting scandal energized Republicans.
Who's benefiting from Virginia's bump in early voting? Both parties have their spin
The Fairfax County GOP chair said she thinks the texting scandal involving Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones energized Republican voters.
www.nbcwashington.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Virginia has seen a surge in early voting – and leaders in both parties say they think they’ve gained an advantage.
The Fairfax County GOP chair said she thinks the Jay Jones texting scandal energized Republicans.
The Fairfax County GOP chair said she thinks the Jay Jones texting scandal energized Republicans.
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
9/ What isn't part of Trump's "deal" with China. No commitments from Xi to stop financing Russia's war against Ukraine. No protections for Taiwan. No restrictions on China's export of fentanyl ingredients.
China keeps getting away with murder.
China keeps getting away with murder.
Russia looks to cosy up with China after Trump’s meeting with Xi
Russian officials appeared eager to reafiirm Moscow's alliance with China following President Donald Trump's meeting with Xi Jinping last week.
www.cnbc.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:29 PM
9/ What isn't part of Trump's "deal" with China. No commitments from Xi to stop financing Russia's war against Ukraine. No protections for Taiwan. No restrictions on China's export of fentanyl ingredients.
China keeps getting away with murder.
China keeps getting away with murder.
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
Sometimes I wonder if giving up a steady paycheck was the right call and sometimes I don't.
Another abominable editorial from the Wash Post
November 3, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Sometimes I wonder if giving up a steady paycheck was the right call and sometimes I don't.
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
Trump responds to Reagan ad with own commercial featuring Jean Chrétien strangling protestor
www.thebeaverton.com/2025/11/trum...
www.thebeaverton.com/2025/11/trum...
Trump responds to Reagan ad with own commercial featuring Jean Chrétien strangling protestor
Shawinigan, Quebec - US President Donald Trump has responded to Ford’s anti-tariff commercial with his own anti-protestor commercial featuring previous Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien.
www.thebeaverton.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Trump responds to Reagan ad with own commercial featuring Jean Chrétien strangling protestor
www.thebeaverton.com/2025/11/trum...
www.thebeaverton.com/2025/11/trum...
There's a lovely tribute to VPAP in the Virginia Mercury today by Bob Lewis, who knows a thing or two about reporting in the bad old days of less transparent politics. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/03/a...
A Virginia political scribe recalls the dark ages of covering campaigns and elections before VPAP • Virginia Mercury
We Virginians are about to elect our 75th governor, the first woman to hold the office. For those not yet up to speed, you can learn quite a lot about Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome...
virginiamercury.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:33 PM
There's a lovely tribute to VPAP in the Virginia Mercury today by Bob Lewis, who knows a thing or two about reporting in the bad old days of less transparent politics. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/03/a...
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
"Factchecking Trump on '60 Minutes'"
In today's 'First Draft' morning newsletter from Zeteo, I counted and debunked at least *17 obvious, brazen lies* that the president told CBS's Norah O'Donnell, and that she just let slide:
In today's 'First Draft' morning newsletter from Zeteo, I counted and debunked at least *17 obvious, brazen lies* that the president told CBS's Norah O'Donnell, and that she just let slide:
🧾 Factchecking Trump on '60 Minutes'
Mehdi debunks the president's lies, unpacks the failure of our mainstream media, and has the latest from Gaza, as well as Trump's 'Great Gatsby'-esque Halloween party.
zeteo.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:57 PM
"Factchecking Trump on '60 Minutes'"
In today's 'First Draft' morning newsletter from Zeteo, I counted and debunked at least *17 obvious, brazen lies* that the president told CBS's Norah O'Donnell, and that she just let slide:
In today's 'First Draft' morning newsletter from Zeteo, I counted and debunked at least *17 obvious, brazen lies* that the president told CBS's Norah O'Donnell, and that she just let slide:
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
VPAP top 10 early voting districts at end
Keep in mind partisanship is different for some in this environment
HD-73 Competitive
HD-71 Lean Dem
HD-74 Lean GOP
HD-72 Strong GOP
HD-69 Competitive
HD-56 Strong GOP
HD-5 Strong Dem
HD-55 Strong Dem
HD-6 Strong Dem
HD-30 Competitive
Keep in mind partisanship is different for some in this environment
HD-73 Competitive
HD-71 Lean Dem
HD-74 Lean GOP
HD-72 Strong GOP
HD-69 Competitive
HD-56 Strong GOP
HD-5 Strong Dem
HD-55 Strong Dem
HD-6 Strong Dem
HD-30 Competitive
November 2, 2025 at 10:26 PM
VPAP top 10 early voting districts at end
Keep in mind partisanship is different for some in this environment
HD-73 Competitive
HD-71 Lean Dem
HD-74 Lean GOP
HD-72 Strong GOP
HD-69 Competitive
HD-56 Strong GOP
HD-5 Strong Dem
HD-55 Strong Dem
HD-6 Strong Dem
HD-30 Competitive
Keep in mind partisanship is different for some in this environment
HD-73 Competitive
HD-71 Lean Dem
HD-74 Lean GOP
HD-72 Strong GOP
HD-69 Competitive
HD-56 Strong GOP
HD-5 Strong Dem
HD-55 Strong Dem
HD-6 Strong Dem
HD-30 Competitive
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
Yes, an important test for the midterms.
If ICE agents begins harassing voters on the way to vote on Tuesday, we need local prosecutors to charge the ICE officers with state law crimes. We need to send a message for 2026 that they will be swiftly arrested.
November 2, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Yes, an important test for the midterms.
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
If the bottom falls out for Virginia GOP, keep an eye out on House of Delegates
Dems spending big hoping to knock off a bunch of incumbents
Current 51-49 Dem majority almost certain to grow
We’ll see where it ends up, but they are aiming for 60 seats and not out of question
Dems spending big hoping to knock off a bunch of incumbents
Current 51-49 Dem majority almost certain to grow
We’ll see where it ends up, but they are aiming for 60 seats and not out of question
November 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
If the bottom falls out for Virginia GOP, keep an eye out on House of Delegates
Dems spending big hoping to knock off a bunch of incumbents
Current 51-49 Dem majority almost certain to grow
We’ll see where it ends up, but they are aiming for 60 seats and not out of question
Dems spending big hoping to knock off a bunch of incumbents
Current 51-49 Dem majority almost certain to grow
We’ll see where it ends up, but they are aiming for 60 seats and not out of question
In the Washington Post today talking about early voting in Virginia. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Virginia sees surge in early voting, mostly among likely Democratic voters
Early voting, which ends Saturday, has steadily increased in Virginia since the Democratic-controlled General Assembly expanded ballot access in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:35 PM
In the Washington Post today talking about early voting in Virginia. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Reposted by Prof. Stephen Farnsworth
We’ve made our dataset public, read the full investigation at: www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/10...
Tear Gas, Pepper Balls Among Weapons Deployed Against Illinois Protesters
A judge issued a restraining order on crowd-control tactics by federal agents, including those involved in Operation Midway Blitz in the Chicago region.
www.bellingcat.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:15 PM
We’ve made our dataset public, read the full investigation at: www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/10...