Nick Rafter
@nickrafter.bsky.social
🇺🇸🏳️🌈 Bronx-born, Queens-raised son of a Brooklyn dad and Manhattan mom who met in Staten Island. Aspiring Author, Realtor, AvGeek, Europhile, the best political strategist Democrats never had.
https://nickrafter.substack.com/
https://nickrafter.substack.com/
Pinned
Nick Rafter
@nickrafter.bsky.social
· Oct 9
I'm happy to announce that my first novel, Lower Than the Angels, has been published. It is available in all formats, including ebook, here a.co/d/gygW1jb
Everyone expected a UFC cage match. Instead, they got a senile old man fanboying a good-looking young guy. Progressives shouldn't read too deep into this bromance, though; like all things with Trump, it's all just an act.
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Notes On The Mamdani-Trump Mashup
Fewer Events In The Trump Era Have Made People This Insane
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Everyone expected a UFC cage match. Instead, they got a senile old man fanboying a good-looking young guy. Progressives shouldn't read too deep into this bromance, though; like all things with Trump, it's all just an act.
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
My take on the irrational rage toward Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez from some on the Left, and their hypocritical defense of Rep. Chuy Garcia. Take a read:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
The Left Engages In Blatant Electoral Hypocrisy
Chuy Garcia's Shady Exit Erodes Leftists' Chief Complaint Against The Establishment
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
My take on the irrational rage toward Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez from some on the Left, and their hypocritical defense of Rep. Chuy Garcia. Take a read:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
It’s a widely accepted narrative that big cities like New York are not great places to raise children, but here I share a story from my youth growing up in New York City that counters that narrative. Take a read.
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
The Big City Can Offer Kids Safety And Security
Bullying Can Make A Child Feel Trapped, And Living Amongst Millions Can Ease That
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
It’s a widely accepted narrative that big cities like New York are not great places to raise children, but here I share a story from my youth growing up in New York City that counters that narrative. Take a read.
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
New followers, come and subscribe. 20 percent off annual subscriptions through November 30. nickrafter.substack.com/onehundredsu...
Subscribe to Nick Rafter Writes
One man's commentary on politics, culture and society. Click to read Nick Rafter Writes, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
nickrafter.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
New followers, come and subscribe. 20 percent off annual subscriptions through November 30. nickrafter.substack.com/onehundredsu...
Epstein Emails And Trump's Declining Power.
How the Trump era might come to an end. open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
How the Trump era might come to an end. open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Epstein Emails And Trump's Declining Power
Trump's Strength Is Relevance, And His Increasing Lame Duck Status Takes That Away
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Epstein Emails And Trump's Declining Power.
How the Trump era might come to an end. open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
How the Trump era might come to an end. open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
When Democrats picked Nancy Pelosi to be Minority Leader in 2002, the consensus was that they were making a huge mistake. She turned out to be probably the Greatest Speaker In American History.
Here's a look at her legacy:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Here's a look at her legacy:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Nancy Pelosi Proved Everybody Wrong
First Dismissed And Underestimated, She May Be The Best To Ever Hold The Gavel
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:24 PM
When Democrats picked Nancy Pelosi to be Minority Leader in 2002, the consensus was that they were making a huge mistake. She turned out to be probably the Greatest Speaker In American History.
Here's a look at her legacy:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Here's a look at her legacy:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
My election night roundup on what was a banner election for the Democratic Party, we thought was beleaguered.
Plus thoughts on what it means for the debate over whether the party should go left or right to win, and whether that debate is even relevant at all.
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Plus thoughts on what it means for the debate over whether the party should go left or right to win, and whether that debate is even relevant at all.
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
It's (Maybe) The End Of MAGA As We Know It...
...And I Feel Fine
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:08 PM
My election night roundup on what was a banner election for the Democratic Party, we thought was beleaguered.
Plus thoughts on what it means for the debate over whether the party should go left or right to win, and whether that debate is even relevant at all.
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Plus thoughts on what it means for the debate over whether the party should go left or right to win, and whether that debate is even relevant at all.
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Why does it feel like Democrats have no grand vision?
I explore my theory here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
I explore my theory here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
The Obama Generation Lost Hope, And Elections
The Far Left And Right Gained Because Democrats Are Scared To Make Promises
open.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Why does it feel like Democrats have no grand vision?
I explore my theory here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
I explore my theory here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
I'm happy to announce that my first novel, Lower Than the Angels, has been published. It is available in all formats, including ebook, here a.co/d/gygW1jb
October 9, 2025 at 1:59 AM
I'm happy to announce that my first novel, Lower Than the Angels, has been published. It is available in all formats, including ebook, here a.co/d/gygW1jb
Ezra Klein caught a lot of heat for suggesting Democrats should compromise on abortion rights to win red states, but the larger point, which is cultural issues are hurting the party’s ability to rebuild the Clinton/Obama-era tent is correct. Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
What Ezra Klein Is Right About
It May Not Be On Abortion, But Compromise Will Be Necessary To Win Red States
open.substack.com
October 7, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Ezra Klein caught a lot of heat for suggesting Democrats should compromise on abortion rights to win red states, but the larger point, which is cultural issues are hurting the party’s ability to rebuild the Clinton/Obama-era tent is correct. Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
This Government Shutdown Ain't It:
Doing something for the sake of doing something is dumb. open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Doing something for the sake of doing something is dumb. open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
This Government Shutdown Ain't It
Doing Something With No Exit Strategy Just To 'Do Something' Is Unspeakably Stupid
open.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:05 PM
This Government Shutdown Ain't It:
Doing something for the sake of doing something is dumb. open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Doing something for the sake of doing something is dumb. open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
One Friday afternoon in 2012, Americans learned that their President was black. It triggered a backlash that brought us to this moment. Read more: open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
The Obama Moment That Sparked MAGA
The Price Black Americans Pay To Have Power And Influence Is To Abandon Blackness
open.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:22 PM
One Friday afternoon in 2012, Americans learned that their President was black. It triggered a backlash that brought us to this moment. Read more: open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Could Susan Collins Lose To A Leftist? Check out my take on #MESen and Graham Platner open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Could Susan Collins Lose To A Leftist?
Graham Plater is Giving Moderates Heartburn, But Maine is Winnable Even With Him
open.substack.com
September 3, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Could Susan Collins Lose To A Leftist? Check out my take on #MESen and Graham Platner open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Democrats can't get away with what Republicans can, but in the Trump 2.0 era, they don't seem to care anymore.
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
The Double Standard Dogging Democrats
Republicans Face No Accountability Because Voters Don't Know Or Want To Stop Them
open.substack.com
August 7, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Democrats can't get away with what Republicans can, but in the Trump 2.0 era, they don't seem to care anymore.
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
All It Takes Is A White Man, Apparently
The Manosphere embraces Elizabeth Warren's message when it comes from Jon Ossoff. Read now: Free for all. Read, Like, Share and Subscribe:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
The Manosphere embraces Elizabeth Warren's message when it comes from Jon Ossoff. Read now: Free for all. Read, Like, Share and Subscribe:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
All It Takes Is A White Man, Apparently
Brocasters Fawn Over Elizabeth Warren/Kamala Harris' Words From A Dude's Mouth
open.substack.com
July 31, 2025 at 2:33 PM
All It Takes Is A White Man, Apparently
The Manosphere embraces Elizabeth Warren's message when it comes from Jon Ossoff. Read now: Free for all. Read, Like, Share and Subscribe:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
The Manosphere embraces Elizabeth Warren's message when it comes from Jon Ossoff. Read now: Free for all. Read, Like, Share and Subscribe:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
A look at the new insane, and dangerous, scapegoats the Right has created to explain a changing climate. open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
The Right Concedes The Climate Is Changing, But With A Catch
MAGA Scapegoats Are Immigrants, Jews, And A Sinister Plot To Manipulate Weather
open.substack.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM
A look at the new insane, and dangerous, scapegoats the Right has created to explain a changing climate. open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Trump Swipes The Dude Bros' Man Card
In which I express my schadenfreude in watching the manosphere realize they get conned by Don open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
In which I express my schadenfreude in watching the manosphere realize they get conned by Don open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Trump Swipes The Dude Bros' Man Card
They Backed Trump To Look Like Alpha Men, He Made Them Look Like Beta Clowns
open.substack.com
July 14, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Trump Swipes The Dude Bros' Man Card
In which I express my schadenfreude in watching the manosphere realize they get conned by Don open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
In which I express my schadenfreude in watching the manosphere realize they get conned by Don open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Some fun things coming this week related to the manosphere's pathetic buyer's remorse regarding Trump and the real causes of unaffordability in New York City. nickrafter.substack.com
July 13, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Some fun things coming this week related to the manosphere's pathetic buyer's remorse regarding Trump and the real causes of unaffordability in New York City. nickrafter.substack.com
In May and June, I worked with about three dozen people who were on housing assistance in the poor Brooklyn neighborhood of Brownsville and met several Trump supporters, all men of color, in the community that usually gives Assad margins to Democrats. Take a read: open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
What Men In Brownsville Told Me
Notes From A Poor Black Nabe That Moved 20 Points To Trump From 2016 and 2024
open.substack.com
July 12, 2025 at 2:48 PM
In May and June, I worked with about three dozen people who were on housing assistance in the poor Brooklyn neighborhood of Brownsville and met several Trump supporters, all men of color, in the community that usually gives Assad margins to Democrats. Take a read: open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Trump used the Epstein Hoax to con voters into giving him and his party the power to protect himself and destroy millions of lives.
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
The Epstein Hoax And MAGA's Humiliation
It Would Be Fun To Watch Them Get Conned, If It Wasn't Also So Sad And Dangerous
open.substack.com
July 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Trump used the Epstein Hoax to con voters into giving him and his party the power to protect himself and destroy millions of lives.
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Leftists are widely seen as smug, arrogant, and hypocritical, and the media believes Mamdani's "scandal" reinforces that stereotype.
Read More:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Read More:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
What Makes Mamdani's College Admissions Story Newsworthy?
It's Not About Zohran, It's About The Hypocrisy And Disingenousness Of The Left
open.substack.com
July 7, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Leftists are widely seen as smug, arrogant, and hypocritical, and the media believes Mamdani's "scandal" reinforces that stereotype.
Read More:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Read More:
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
MAGA Is A Movement Of Sociopaths
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
MAGA Is A Movement Of Sociopaths
They Think They Can Get Away With It Because America Will Let Them
open.substack.com
July 3, 2025 at 1:57 PM
MAGA Is A Movement Of Sociopaths
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Mamdani tried to explain the phrase "Globalize The Intifada" in a way other than the violent, anti-Semitic meaning it’s taken on. It didn’t work, highlighting a problem with progressive messaging.
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Zohran Mamdani Muddles A Message
Mayoral Hopeful's Gaza Flub Shines A Light On The Left's Most Serious Problem
open.substack.com
June 18, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Mamdani tried to explain the phrase "Globalize The Intifada" in a way other than the violent, anti-Semitic meaning it’s taken on. It didn’t work, highlighting a problem with progressive messaging.
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
It's a common refrain, that New York keeps electing shitty politicians. I explore why ahead of what I believe will be another example of that this year. open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Why New York Elects Terrible Politicians
Most Voters Don't Care And Think They'll Be Living Somewhere Else Next Election
open.substack.com
June 16, 2025 at 2:20 PM
It's a common refrain, that New York keeps electing shitty politicians. I explore why ahead of what I believe will be another example of that this year. open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
These are your working class champions? open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...
Leftists, Come Get Your Boy (And Girl)
You Can't Be Champions Of The Working Class While Mocking Working People
open.substack.com
June 12, 2025 at 1:08 PM
These are your working class champions? open.substack.com/pub/nickraft...