By the time Senator Sage gets to Washington, American and Iowa will be on rebuild or on a continuing slide to chaos. As an enlisted veteran who demonstrably understands the folly of unconstitutional wars and the subversion of the public interest of both national political parties he gives America and Iowa a chance to rebuild.
He is what Ronald Reagan sought to create in the Citizen-Soldier of the All-Volunteer Force.
Why doesn’t Sage mention anything about civil rights for females, people of color, LGBTQIA+ on his website? His campaign is not addressing >1/2 the voters. Who are the other Democratic candidates running for this seat & are they willing to state clear policy positions like this guy hasn’t? Does Sage believe in the separation of church & state? Would he vote against the SAVE act? Does he believe the ERA should be enforced? Is anti-Black racism wrong? Should girls be forced to carry their rapists’ child? Will he fight to save contraceptive access, gay marriage & no fault divorce? This essay doesn’t quote Sage on policy, it intimates what his positions may be. It’s not journalism.
Great article with a hopeful message! No mention of Nathan's religious perspectives and background, which likely is a factor (although certainly didn't seem to hurt Trump) in Iowa. Senator is a big shoe to fill especially as a first-time office for Sage, but I will be glad to support him to get the bigger bread wrappers for his campaign.
I think it is a good move. Osborn had a chance in Nebraska because the Democrats chose not to run a candidate. I would bet that Iowa Democrats wouldn’t make that choice and both the Democrats and Independent would be doomed.
Apparently the Democratic party would have been political death to Osborn in Nebraska. Is it different in Iowa - and other "red" states? I don't see the evidence that it is different.
I'm not criticizing Sage, as I hardly know anything about his positions. If his positions are independent Osborn-like, as sounds like, then that's far better than the Republican alternative - clearly.
The problems that Sage will need to overcome while running as a Democrat (unlike Osborn) are what tanked the Democrats in the last election. And there is no getting away from that, as I'm sure you are aware. The warning sirens are blaring. Democrats had better figure it out in advance if they want to be successful this time. Independent candidates like Osborn don't inherit those glaring and global problems.
I could detail those problems and you could detail those problems, and somebody needs to do that and address those problems with the best answers, otherwise forget success running under the banner that was thoroughly trounced last time - even possibly despite what Trump continues to do. People are not in a forgiving mode of either dominant party - almost no matter what. There are plain reasons for that on the Dem side that need to be addressed and that have not been addressed, not in Iowa or anywhere. Apart from Rashida Tlaib and her very, very close allies.
Running as a progressive populist is not as cut and dried as some would like to hope - especially on the Democratic ticket rather than as an independent. It involves real geopolitical integrity. And there needs to be a real banner for that. What progressive can't see this, right? Counting on Trump again to blow it, even now, is an ongoing desperate and wild gamble that does nothing to address the legion of self-owns filling the Dems pockets. In other words, there needs to be new strong talking points, from a new strong basis of policy, with real integrity, like never before.
That's the problem with running on the Democratic ticket in a red state, and it needs to be addressed boldly, I would suggest, because the baggage is huge and ongoing. My hunch is that that boldness needs to be bigger than Bernie at this point. Counterintuitively perhaps, I would suggest looking to Tlaib and AOC, or things may fall apart quick. After all, that's no more counterintuitive than trying to run a progressive populist on the Dem ticket in the red Midwest at this point.
You're on the ground there, so you know a lot that I don't, especially from an organizing perspective. From the outside, it looks worrisome and like a too familiar inertia. I don't think there is any getting around that there needs to be new basic answers, and new paths, very public answers to the obvious inherited problems.
"For some of us, the American dream is a nightmare." Heartbreaking that this is true. I will be following Nathan's campaign and sent a dontion his way.
Someone needs to do search engine optimization. I went looking for _his_ site on DDG, and it was on the second page. The link went to "privacy policy". IMO the photo on that page was not great. I think it should be a photo of him engaging with someone.
SEO is basic stuff. I couldn’t find his site at all. The site itself is very, very male in tone & art direction. Policy section doesn’t mention anything about women, kids or civil rights. I worry he’s a Fetterman or Sinema pretending to be liberal to get donations.
By the time Senator Sage gets to Washington, American and Iowa will be on rebuild or on a continuing slide to chaos. As an enlisted veteran who demonstrably understands the folly of unconstitutional wars and the subversion of the public interest of both national political parties he gives America and Iowa a chance to rebuild.
He is what Ronald Reagan sought to create in the Citizen-Soldier of the All-Volunteer Force.
DLS, ASA-M&RA 1983-1988.
Thanks, Del. I shared it with Nathan and the team, and they were most appreciative.
Why doesn’t Sage mention anything about civil rights for females, people of color, LGBTQIA+ on his website? His campaign is not addressing >1/2 the voters. Who are the other Democratic candidates running for this seat & are they willing to state clear policy positions like this guy hasn’t? Does Sage believe in the separation of church & state? Would he vote against the SAVE act? Does he believe the ERA should be enforced? Is anti-Black racism wrong? Should girls be forced to carry their rapists’ child? Will he fight to save contraceptive access, gay marriage & no fault divorce? This essay doesn’t quote Sage on policy, it intimates what his positions may be. It’s not journalism.
Ad for SageforSenate gets 266K views and this from @ JoJofromJerz:
"Holy shit you guys.
This ad for Iowa Senate candidate Nathan Sage is f’ng fire.
A Marine mechanic raised in a trailer park is about to send Trump humping toady Joni Ernst back to castrating hogs.
And we can help him do it."
https://x.com/JoJoFromJerz/status/1912658809643815323
Welp, I just changed my voter registration too. I’m now officially a former republican. So for now Nathan is at the top of my senator list.
Sounds like some Sage advice for the people
A powerful column. So beautifully executed.
Great article with a hopeful message! No mention of Nathan's religious perspectives and background, which likely is a factor (although certainly didn't seem to hurt Trump) in Iowa. Senator is a big shoe to fill especially as a first-time office for Sage, but I will be glad to support him to get the bigger bread wrappers for his campaign.
Curious as to why run as a Democrat rather than as an independent like Osborn?
I think it is a good move. Osborn had a chance in Nebraska because the Democrats chose not to run a candidate. I would bet that Iowa Democrats wouldn’t make that choice and both the Democrats and Independent would be doomed.
I can't speak for Nathan, but I think the Democratic party needs some help righting their ship, and that played a role in the decision.
Apparently the Democratic party would have been political death to Osborn in Nebraska. Is it different in Iowa - and other "red" states? I don't see the evidence that it is different.
I think Iowa is changing. The rage against Trump and Musk is rising.
I guess we'll see. Seems to me like Sage is stepping on a very slippery slope.
I don't think so. He's standing on firm ground with the values we need.
I'm not criticizing Sage, as I hardly know anything about his positions. If his positions are independent Osborn-like, as sounds like, then that's far better than the Republican alternative - clearly.
The problems that Sage will need to overcome while running as a Democrat (unlike Osborn) are what tanked the Democrats in the last election. And there is no getting away from that, as I'm sure you are aware. The warning sirens are blaring. Democrats had better figure it out in advance if they want to be successful this time. Independent candidates like Osborn don't inherit those glaring and global problems.
I could detail those problems and you could detail those problems, and somebody needs to do that and address those problems with the best answers, otherwise forget success running under the banner that was thoroughly trounced last time - even possibly despite what Trump continues to do. People are not in a forgiving mode of either dominant party - almost no matter what. There are plain reasons for that on the Dem side that need to be addressed and that have not been addressed, not in Iowa or anywhere. Apart from Rashida Tlaib and her very, very close allies.
Running as a progressive populist is not as cut and dried as some would like to hope - especially on the Democratic ticket rather than as an independent. It involves real geopolitical integrity. And there needs to be a real banner for that. What progressive can't see this, right? Counting on Trump again to blow it, even now, is an ongoing desperate and wild gamble that does nothing to address the legion of self-owns filling the Dems pockets. In other words, there needs to be new strong talking points, from a new strong basis of policy, with real integrity, like never before.
That's the problem with running on the Democratic ticket in a red state, and it needs to be addressed boldly, I would suggest, because the baggage is huge and ongoing. My hunch is that that boldness needs to be bigger than Bernie at this point. Counterintuitively perhaps, I would suggest looking to Tlaib and AOC, or things may fall apart quick. After all, that's no more counterintuitive than trying to run a progressive populist on the Dem ticket in the red Midwest at this point.
You're on the ground there, so you know a lot that I don't, especially from an organizing perspective. From the outside, it looks worrisome and like a too familiar inertia. I don't think there is any getting around that there needs to be new basic answers, and new paths, very public answers to the obvious inherited problems.
"For some of us, the American dream is a nightmare." Heartbreaking that this is true. I will be following Nathan's campaign and sent a dontion his way.
Thanks so much! The donations will matter so much!
Someone needs to do search engine optimization. I went looking for _his_ site on DDG, and it was on the second page. The link went to "privacy policy". IMO the photo on that page was not great. I think it should be a photo of him engaging with someone.
SEO is basic stuff. I couldn’t find his site at all. The site itself is very, very male in tone & art direction. Policy section doesn’t mention anything about women, kids or civil rights. I worry he’s a Fetterman or Sinema pretending to be liberal to get donations.
Thanks for encouraging him to run! Hoping to meet him on 5/12 in DM. Sounds like an incredible guy who matches well against Ernst!!!
Godspeed, Nathan! Thank you, Bob!
Thanks Bob for your insights, impressions and writing today. Nathan Sage is in my brain and offers hope.
I appreciate all your writing, but this one struck home at a level I wasn't anticipating. Thank you.
And that my dear friend at Blue Gate Farm might very well be the difference in 2026 for Democrats. Striking home is going to be key!
good luck
I probably don't need to keep saying this but... Bob always seems to be right where the universe needs him to be!
Agree