Populists like Smith don’t just win by mobilizing their base — they win by convincing everyone else that their base is bigger and more mainstream than it actually is.

👉That’s the core of the populist playbook: make a small, loud group look universal so everyone else stays quiet.

It was good!

Just once I would love to have a conversation with a conservative voter that didn’t immediately become a list of grievances that they expect to debate. I usually talk about all the things we actually agree on. Show that we can find common ground. They do not care. They just want to be mad.

We will need courage. And unity. And a sharp eye out for plausible Quislings who try to erode our resolve.