David Darmofal
LightNews LightNews
banner
daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal
@daviddarmofal.bsky.social
26K followers 830 following 26K posts

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

Videos
Economics 52%
Political science 27%
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · May 8
Pope Leo XIV: JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 34m
As Trump’s Compact Looms, UT-Austin Affirms ‘Non-Negotiable’ Commitment to Academic Freedom
As Trump’s Compact Looms, UT-Austin Affirms ‘Non-Negotiable’ Commitment to Academic Freedom
The statement also comes amid several high-profile cases in Texas pitting academic freedom against political pressure.
www.chronicle.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

jenrubin.bsky.social
Jen Rubin @jenrubin.bsky.social · 35m
No one should ever confuse Sherrill for Dick Durbin. The former is a disciplined fighter; the latter is an embarrassment.

open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Words & Phrases We Could Do Without
Forget ‘moderates.’ There are ‘fighters’ and there are ‘defeatists’
open.substack.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

jenrubin.bsky.social
Jen Rubin @jenrubin.bsky.social · 35m
After the idiotic cave by these eight self-described “Senate moderate Democrats,” it is about time to ban that phrase. The term for those who snatched defeat from the jaws of victory is “weak Democrats” or “useless Democrats” or simply “defeatists.” open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Words & Phrases We Could Do Without
Forget ‘moderates.’ There are ‘fighters’ and there are ‘defeatists’
open.substack.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

jenrubin.bsky.social
Jen Rubin @jenrubin.bsky.social · 40m
The eight Neville Chamberlains betrayed the thousands of government workers who have held out, the SNAP beneficiaries who have faced starvation, and the millions of Democrats who supported this fight. open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Words & Phrases We Could Do Without
Forget ‘moderates.’ There are ‘fighters’ and there are ‘defeatists’
open.substack.com

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 53m
I’d like to see liberal Archbishop Edward Weisenburger of Detroit chosen today as the new USCCB President, but I know that’s not going to happen. Given that, I’d like to see Bishop Daniel Flores picked. But if he is going to succeed Dolan in NYC soon, they may not want to overload him w/ work.
US Catholic bishops will elect a new leader and contend with Trump’s immigration tactics
The United States’ Catholic bishops are set to elect their next president and vice president in Baltimore.
www.wsls.com

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 1h
If the US Bishops do pick Robert Barron as their president today, that’s a sign that the conservative bishops still run the conference & they want to go to war against Pope Leo by picking a conservative, extremely pro-Trump bishop who’s adept at using the media to promote their cause.

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 1h
Today, Greenville, SC is going to unveil its new Thomas & Vivian A. Wong Honor Tower, honoring first responders, public health workers, & service members. The tower is located in Unity Park, which is named unity to honor and promote ending racial and other divisions in Greenville.
Final piece to Unity Park to honor first responders, public health workers, service members
Originally announced in 2022, the Thomas and Vivian A. Wong Honor Tower will officially open on Veterans Day 2025. Here are the details.
www.greenvilleonline.com

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 1h
What the what, The Atlantic?! Pope Leo's speaking out against Trump far more than Pope Francis did. Does no one know how to cover religion & Catholicism anymore?!

Reposted by Stephen P. Smith, Michael D. McDonald, David Darmofal

marcelias.bsky.social
Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 1h
🚨BREAKING: In a sweeping victory for voters, a Utah court struck down the GOP-controlled legislature’s congressional gerrymander and a companion law designed to entrench partisan power — restoring a fair map for the 2026 elections. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Utah Judge Strikes Down GOP Gerrymander, Restores Voter-Approved Fair Map
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 1h
UNC Chapel Hill Won’t Sign Compact
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
UNC Chapel Hill Won’t Sign Compact
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill made clear Friday that it won’t sign the federal “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” that has been extended to all institutions after ...
www.insidehighered.com

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 1h
Florida Board Says Syllabi, Reading Lists Must Be Posted Publicly for 5 Years
www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
Fla. Board Says Syllabi, Reading Lists Must Be Posted Publicly
Faculty at some Florida public universities argue the new policy is less about transparency for students and more about chilling academic freedom.
www.insidehighered.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

billkristolbulwark.bsky.social
Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 1h
“Such denunciations of antisemitism by Republicans and conservatives are all to the good. But something important is missing. These figures omit any accounting of the prime force fostering a political climate in which all forms of hatred flourish: Donald J. Trump.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/right-wing...
Right-Wing Critics of Antisemitism Keep Weirdly Mum About Trump
But this fish rots from the head.
www.thebulwark.com

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 1h
Some on the ground reporting by Michael Sean Winters on the USCCB President election that's happening today. Conservative Paul Coakley had been the favorite, but Winters reports that momentum's growing for conservative egomaniac Robert Barron, who would be an absolute disaster.
www.ncronline.org

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 9h
ICYMI: Pope Leo’s favorite movies
richraho.bsky.social Rich Raho @richraho.bsky.social · 13h
In anticipation of Saturday’s meeting with the World of Cinema, Pope Leo shares his favorite movies.

Reposted by David Darmofal

crampell.bsky.social
Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 9h
Seems concerning

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 10h
Women Honor Vice President @kamalaharris.com with Flowers & Messages of Gratitude
youtu.be/BjPig-7y9tg?...
Women Honor Vice President Kamala Harris with Flowers & Messages of Gratitude | 107 Days
YouTube video by Storehouse & Friends
youtu.be

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 10h
I'm having problems keeping up with all of @kamalaharris.com's podcast appearances! Will do my best. Here she is on Ruthie's Table 4.
youtu.be/N4Hp5iL_iSI?...
VP Kamala Harris: The Politics of Food and the Importance of Breaking Bread | Ruthie's Table 4
YouTube video by Ruthie's Table 4
youtu.be

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 10h
@jaketapper.bsky.social
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 13h
Trump: "Nobody knows what a magnet is"

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 10h
Republicans would get their first election win in awhile tomorrow if right-winger Paul Coakley is chosen as the new president of the US Catholic Bishops Conference.

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 10h
JD Vance could learn from the Church of which he says he’s a member on how to take seriously allegations of antisemitism.
www.ncronline.org/vatican/vati...
Vatican says Swiss Guards investigating alleged antisemitic gesture
The Vatican press office confirmed the Pontifical Swiss Guard is investigating an incident involving one of the guards who has been accused of making an antisemitic gesture.
www.ncronline.org

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 10h
We’re so thankful for you!

Reposted by David Darmofal

drannieandrews.com
Annie Andrews, MD @drannieandrews.com · 10h
That feeling when you are so mad and sad and frustrated and disappointed and activated that you want to just run for office yourself and then you realize you already are.

Reposted by Dorothy Bishop, Anne Norton, Richard M. Carpiano , and 2 more

samthielman.com
CHOAM Nomsky (thankful) @samthielman.com · 11h
“whatever club he’s invited to join has been devalued by the invitation”
Tweet by Joyce Carol Oates: "wherever he goes, he wants to leave"--that's because when he gets there, he has brought his own self along; & whatever club he's invited to join has been devalued by the invitation. QT of @avidreader1000 Wherever he goes, he wants to leave: SA, Canada, ultimately the U.S. in the long run, based on his behavior. This also includes Earth. A continuous disavowal of your home is odd, to say the least. He seems to have no c...

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 11h
Lindsey Graham won’t support an extension of the ACA subsidies for struggling South Carolinians, but he’s getting the right to sue for $500,000 for the investigation into his behavior during Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election. We can do much better than Graham with @drannieandrews.com
Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

ohiocapitaljournal.com
Ohio Capital Journal @ohiocapitaljournal.com · 11h
In another sign of a stumbling economy, a new report says credit card debt is rising in Ohio at the fifth-fastest rate in the United States ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/11/10/o...
Ohio is among states where credit card debt is rising most quickly • Ohio Capital Journal
A new report says credit card debt is rising in Ohio at the fifth-fastest rate in the United States. It's another sign of a slowing economy.
ohiocapitaljournal.com

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 11h
In Trump’s America you pay for your house for the rest of your life while he’s hosting The Great Gatsby & opera and truffles parties for his wealthy friends at his palatial mansion.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 14h
INGRAHAM: Is a 50 year mortgage really a good idea?

TRUMP: It's not even a big deal. You go from 40 to 50 years. All it means is you pay less per month

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 11h
He’s lying.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 13h
TRUMP: The economy is as strong as it's ever been

INGRAHAM: Then why are people saying they're anxious about the economy?

TRUMP: I don't know they are saying that. The polls are fake. We have the greatest economy we've ever had

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 11h
The only people who don’t see his glaringly obvious decline are @jaketapper.bsky.social & Tapper’s friends in the legacy media.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 13h
Trump: "I stopped 8 wars in the last 9 months. I don't want to be in wars. If I am in a war, we're gonna win the thing fast and it'll be violent."

daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 11h
True Christians do not talk like Trump is talking here. Period.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 13h
Trump on Newsom: "He did something even worse than that. He's now taking a big section of Palisades or some area and he's gonna build low income income where they used to have luxury housing."

Reposted by David Darmofal

jonwalkerpdx.bsky.social
Jon Walker @jonwalkerpdx.bsky.social · 12h
Really cant understand how badly the Dems messaged this fold. The easy out was to say "we never expected Trump would illegally starve children and when SCOTUS stepped in to illegally help him we couldn't put kids at risk."