Sunday Best: Democrats should ‘shut up about the unpopular stuff’

David Shor's modeling has people talking.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story October 17, 2021 Democrats have only a small window of time before they lose power for the next decade. Or at least that's what David Shor, a top election forecaster, told Ezra Klein. To avoid that looming disaster, Shor says the party "should do a lot of polling to figure out which of their views are popular and which are not popular, and then they should talk about the popular stuff and shut up about the unpopular stuff," Klein writes. But as Spencer Bokat-Lindell notes in Times Opinion's Debatable newsletter, not everyone agrees with Shor's analysis. For one, Thomas Edsall argues that Democrats simply downplaying tough issues "may not be adequate," and Jamelle Bouie ponders how Shor envisions this "popularism" actually playing out in practice. One thing, however, is clear: Democrats are in for some serious soul-searching. Which, Ross Douthat says, may actually be "a healthy development for liberalism." — Jennifer Brown IN THE TIMES This Is How Everyday Sexism Could Stop You From Getting That Promotion Even a tiny bit of gender bias can change the trajectory of a career. By Jessica Nordell and Yaryna Serkez Spencer Platt/Getty Images Zeynep Tufekci The Unvaccinated May Not Be Who You Think Science can find a cure for our diseases, but not for our societal ills. By Zeynep Tufekci My Toxic Afghan Love Story Abandoned by the U.S., an Afghan woman secretly records video diaries while on the run from the Taliban. By Alexander Stockton, Kirk Semple and Zach Goldbaum Art Streiber Guest Essay Dave Chappelle's Brittle Ego If the comedian expects us to take a joke, he should be able to take criticism.  By Roxane Gay Gabriel Alcala Guest Essay You're Anxious. You're Afraid. And I Have Just the Solution. Dealing with horror on the screen and on the page can help you deal with horror in the real world.  By Stephen Graham Jones Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT EDITOR'S PODCAST PICK Erin Schaff/The New York Times Adam Schiff on Facebook, Fox News and the Trump Cult The congressman gives an update on the Jan. 6 committee and talks about the future of Trump and the country. By 'Sway' Subscribe Today New York Times Opinion curates a wide range of views, inviting rich discussion and debate that helps readers analyze the world. This work is made possible with the support of subscribers. Please consider subscribing to The Times with this special offer. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Sunday Best from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018