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| How to Survive Thanksgiving | How to Survive Thanksgiving |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Hi. Welcome to On Politics, your guide to the day in national politics. I’m Lisa Lerer, your host. | Hi. Welcome to On Politics, your guide to the day in national politics. I’m Lisa Lerer, your host. |
| [Get On Politics delivered to your inbox.] | [Get On Politics delivered to your inbox.] |
| Thanksgiving and politics. Oy. | Thanksgiving and politics. Oy. |
| Yes, politics has always been intertwined with the most quintessentially American holiday — just ask those turkeys the presidents pardon every year. | Yes, politics has always been intertwined with the most quintessentially American holiday — just ask those turkeys the presidents pardon every year. |
| But in the Trump era, there’s growing evidence that partisanship is having a serious impact on our Thanksgiving Day festivities (see: yesterday’s newsletter). | But in the Trump era, there’s growing evidence that partisanship is having a serious impact on our Thanksgiving Day festivities (see: yesterday’s newsletter). |
| A majority of adults say they “dread the thought of having to talk about politics at Thanksgiving dinner,” according to a poll conducted last year by PBS NewsHour, NPR and Marist. | A majority of adults say they “dread the thought of having to talk about politics at Thanksgiving dinner,” according to a poll conducted last year by PBS NewsHour, NPR and Marist. |
| A study published in June found that celebrations were about 30 to 50 minutes shorter for Americans who crossed partisan lines for the holiday than for those who traveled to areas that voted like their own. The impacts were worse in battleground districts: Every 1,000 political ads aired in a specific area correlated to 2.6 minutes off the length of Thanksgiving dinner. | A study published in June found that celebrations were about 30 to 50 minutes shorter for Americans who crossed partisan lines for the holiday than for those who traveled to areas that voted like their own. The impacts were worse in battleground districts: Every 1,000 political ads aired in a specific area correlated to 2.6 minutes off the length of Thanksgiving dinner. |
| That added up to 34 million hours of lost cross-partisan discourse in 2016, according to the study’s authors, who analyzed location information from more than 10 million smartphones and voting results from more than 172,000 precincts nationwide. | That added up to 34 million hours of lost cross-partisan discourse in 2016, according to the study’s authors, who analyzed location information from more than 10 million smartphones and voting results from more than 172,000 precincts nationwide. |
| The internet is full of survival guides for talking politics at the Thanksgiving table, and we’ve collected some of the best tips here. Now you can keep your holiday debates focused on the real issues, like to brine, or not to brine? | The internet is full of survival guides for talking politics at the Thanksgiving table, and we’ve collected some of the best tips here. Now you can keep your holiday debates focused on the real issues, like to brine, or not to brine? |
| Don’t mention President Trump | Don’t mention President Trump |
| A SurveyMonkey audience poll conducted last year found that Mr. Trump was the biggest culprit in hijacking Thanksgiving dinner, with 37 percent of respondents saying mention of the president was most likely to start an argument. | A SurveyMonkey audience poll conducted last year found that Mr. Trump was the biggest culprit in hijacking Thanksgiving dinner, with 37 percent of respondents saying mention of the president was most likely to start an argument. |
| The feeling cut across party lines, with Mr. Trump the most common answer among self-identified Democrats, Republicans and independents. | The feeling cut across party lines, with Mr. Trump the most common answer among self-identified Democrats, Republicans and independents. |
| (If you’re wondering: In 2014, 11 percent of Americans indicated that President Barack Obama was most likely to spur an argument.) | (If you’re wondering: In 2014, 11 percent of Americans indicated that President Barack Obama was most likely to spur an argument.) |
| Focus on the food | Focus on the food |
| That’s part of how the Supreme Court justices help keep comity, according to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor. The justices host a steady stream of elaborate birthday lunches, retirement dinners and weekend bagel spreads. | That’s part of how the Supreme Court justices help keep comity, according to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor. The justices host a steady stream of elaborate birthday lunches, retirement dinners and weekend bagel spreads. |
| “We can’t talk about cases,” said Justice Sotomayor. “That’s our absolute rule.” | “We can’t talk about cases,” said Justice Sotomayor. “That’s our absolute rule.” |
| There’s a long tradition of shared meals at the court: During the early years, the justices took nearly all their meals together in a shared boardinghouse. “When the boardinghouse style disappeared,” said Justice Ginsburg, “dissent began to appear.” | There’s a long tradition of shared meals at the court: During the early years, the justices took nearly all their meals together in a shared boardinghouse. “When the boardinghouse style disappeared,” said Justice Ginsburg, “dissent began to appear.” |
| Lay down the law | Lay down the law |
| Some basic ground rules can help make everyone feel comfortable during the holiday. What do those look like? Well, maybe designate the living room as a “politics zone.” Or place certain topics off-limits. Hosts can play a big role in this process: Considering starting the night with a toast to civility, and arrange seats at the dinner table strategically. | Some basic ground rules can help make everyone feel comfortable during the holiday. What do those look like? Well, maybe designate the living room as a “politics zone.” Or place certain topics off-limits. Hosts can play a big role in this process: Considering starting the night with a toast to civility, and arrange seats at the dinner table strategically. |
| Forget about winning | Forget about winning |
| We know, it’s not that you want to win, it’s just, how could your mother/uncle/second cousin be so delusional! Wrong attitude. The key to successful conversations, according to a guide created by the founders of the Women’s March, is open-ended questions, no judgment, respect, and a balance of talking and listening. Basically, be kind. Remember: These people are (supposedly) your “loved ones.” | We know, it’s not that you want to win, it’s just, how could your mother/uncle/second cousin be so delusional! Wrong attitude. The key to successful conversations, according to a guide created by the founders of the Women’s March, is open-ended questions, no judgment, respect, and a balance of talking and listening. Basically, be kind. Remember: These people are (supposedly) your “loved ones.” |
| If you’re really worried, you can practice good argument techniques with Uncle Angry Bot, a tool developed by the former psychiatrist Karin Tamerius, the founder of Smart Politics, a liberal nonprofit advocating the use of “radical civility.” | If you’re really worried, you can practice good argument techniques with Uncle Angry Bot, a tool developed by the former psychiatrist Karin Tamerius, the founder of Smart Politics, a liberal nonprofit advocating the use of “radical civility.” |
| But if that feels impossible … | But if that feels impossible … |
| Go cute or go home | Go cute or go home |
| Our advice? Find the cutest thing in the room and home in. Be it the grandchildren or the dog, nothing builds group morale more than something adorable. Of course, editor Tom and I have the CUTEST CHILDREN IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. (What can we say? We’re very lucky.) So this is an easy strategy for us. | |
| For those of you without children, just pull up a YouTube of “baby laughing at ripping paper.” Trust us on this one. | For those of you without children, just pull up a YouTube of “baby laughing at ripping paper.” Trust us on this one. |
| [Sign up here to get On Politics in your inbox every evening.] | [Sign up here to get On Politics in your inbox every evening.] |
| ____________________ | ____________________ |
| We’re taking off the rest of this week to eat turkey, burrow into our couches and avoid arguments about politics. When we return next week, we’ll be on a reduced schedule — with the midterms over, we figured we could all stand to slow down for a bit. | We’re taking off the rest of this week to eat turkey, burrow into our couches and avoid arguments about politics. When we return next week, we’ll be on a reduced schedule — with the midterms over, we figured we could all stand to slow down for a bit. |
| What are we thankful for? Finally realizing that those Black Friday deals are mostly duds. And, of course, all of you. | What are we thankful for? Finally realizing that those Black Friday deals are mostly duds. And, of course, all of you. |
| Thanks, as always, for reading. Best wishes for a lovely, lazy Thanksgiving! | Thanks, as always, for reading. Best wishes for a lovely, lazy Thanksgiving! |
| ____________________ | ____________________ |
| An update on an undecided House race in Georgia, from our colleague Alan Blinder: | An update on an undecided House race in Georgia, from our colleague Alan Blinder: |
| Florida’s statewide recounts are finished. Georgia’s governor’s race came to an acrimonious end. But the South is not done counting votes. | Florida’s statewide recounts are finished. Georgia’s governor’s race came to an acrimonious end. But the South is not done counting votes. |
| In fact, Georgia is set to start counting again on Wednesday, when elections officials are expected to pore over about 280,000 ballots in the Seventh Congressional District race. Representative Rob Woodall, a four-term Republican, leads the Democratic nominee, Carolyn Bourdeaux, by 419 votes. | In fact, Georgia is set to start counting again on Wednesday, when elections officials are expected to pore over about 280,000 ballots in the Seventh Congressional District race. Representative Rob Woodall, a four-term Republican, leads the Democratic nominee, Carolyn Bourdeaux, by 419 votes. |
| “Part of this is making sure that we really have a fair and transparent election process,” Ms. Bourdeaux said on Tuesday, echoing the recent message of other Georgia Democrats. “It goes beyond my own race.” | “Part of this is making sure that we really have a fair and transparent election process,” Ms. Bourdeaux said on Tuesday, echoing the recent message of other Georgia Democrats. “It goes beyond my own race.” |
| Mr. Woodall’s campaign said it had anticipated a recount, which is allowed under Georgia law because of the narrow margin, “so this next phase does not come as a surprise and certainly is not alarming.” | Mr. Woodall’s campaign said it had anticipated a recount, which is allowed under Georgia law because of the narrow margin, “so this next phase does not come as a surprise and certainly is not alarming.” |
| Atlanta’s diversifying suburbs, which Republicans dominated not long ago, were hospitable to Democrats this year. The House seat in the neighboring Sixth District — once held by Newt Gingrich — fell to the Democratic candidate Lucy McBath, and Stacey Abrams, the Democratic nominee for governor, carried the counties that immediately ring Atlanta. | Atlanta’s diversifying suburbs, which Republicans dominated not long ago, were hospitable to Democrats this year. The House seat in the neighboring Sixth District — once held by Newt Gingrich — fell to the Democratic candidate Lucy McBath, and Stacey Abrams, the Democratic nominee for governor, carried the counties that immediately ring Atlanta. |
| ____________________ | ____________________ |
| Presidents have always shared a connection to Thanksgiving. George Washington proclaimed the first national day of Thanksgiving in 1789, and Abraham Lincoln made it official in 1863, when he declared the last Thursday in November to be “a day of thanksgiving and praise.” | Presidents have always shared a connection to Thanksgiving. George Washington proclaimed the first national day of Thanksgiving in 1789, and Abraham Lincoln made it official in 1863, when he declared the last Thursday in November to be “a day of thanksgiving and praise.” |
| Here are a few other notable moments in presidential Thanksgiving history: | Here are a few other notable moments in presidential Thanksgiving history: |
| “Franksgiving” | “Franksgiving” |
| In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday to the second-to-last Thursday in November, giving in to pressure from retailers worried about Christmas shopping. The public was furious. | In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday to the second-to-last Thursday in November, giving in to pressure from retailers worried about Christmas shopping. The public was furious. |
| The Nov. 23 holiday became known as “Franksgiving.” And when Roosevelt did it again the next year, The New York Times reported that 16 states chose to celebrate it on Nov. 28 instead. | The Nov. 23 holiday became known as “Franksgiving.” And when Roosevelt did it again the next year, The New York Times reported that 16 states chose to celebrate it on Nov. 28 instead. |
| In 1941, Congress passed a law declaring Thanksgiving to be on the fourth Thursday of every November. | In 1941, Congress passed a law declaring Thanksgiving to be on the fourth Thursday of every November. |
| The first pardon | The first pardon |
| The National Turkey Federation started donating two turkeys to the White House annually in 1947. Until President Ronald Reagan, most presidents chose the sensible option of simply eating the birds. (Though President John F. Kennedy sent one of his turkeys back to the farm, grousing that it wasn’t yet big enough.) | The National Turkey Federation started donating two turkeys to the White House annually in 1947. Until President Ronald Reagan, most presidents chose the sensible option of simply eating the birds. (Though President John F. Kennedy sent one of his turkeys back to the farm, grousing that it wasn’t yet big enough.) |
| The first turkey pardon didn’t come until 1987, when Mr. Reagan granted clemency as a joke to deflect questions from reporters asking about the Iran-contra scandal. His successor, President George H.W. Bush, made it an annual event in 1989. | The first turkey pardon didn’t come until 1987, when Mr. Reagan granted clemency as a joke to deflect questions from reporters asking about the Iran-contra scandal. His successor, President George H.W. Bush, made it an annual event in 1989. |
| If you’re curious, the last few pardoned turkeys have been living out their years at Gobbler’s Rest, part of Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. | If you’re curious, the last few pardoned turkeys have been living out their years at Gobbler’s Rest, part of Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. |
| Kill, baby, kill | Kill, baby, kill |
| Weeks after losing the 2008 election, Sarah Palin returned to Alaska, where she was still governor, to pardon some turkeys at a local farm. But as Ms. Palin answered questions about her campaign and governorship in a television interview, a farmer began casually killing some birds behind her — well within view of the camera. | Weeks after losing the 2008 election, Sarah Palin returned to Alaska, where she was still governor, to pardon some turkeys at a local farm. But as Ms. Palin answered questions about her campaign and governorship in a television interview, a farmer began casually killing some birds behind her — well within view of the camera. |
| “This was neat,” said Ms. Palin, over the sound of turkeys being led to slaughter. “You need a little levity in this job.” | “This was neat,” said Ms. Palin, over the sound of turkeys being led to slaughter. “You need a little levity in this job.” |
| Hunger games, poultry edition | Hunger games, poultry edition |
| In 2013, the White House held a public vote to see which bird — Popcorn or Caramel— would be spared the slaughter. #TeamPopcorn won, but #TeamCaramel was also granted clemency. | In 2013, the White House held a public vote to see which bird — Popcorn or Caramel— would be spared the slaughter. #TeamPopcorn won, but #TeamCaramel was also granted clemency. |
| Popcorn died less than a year later, but Caramel survived. The reason: He lost weight. | Popcorn died less than a year later, but Caramel survived. The reason: He lost weight. |
| Something to think about when you dig in on Thursday. | Something to think about when you dig in on Thursday. |
| ____________________ | ____________________ |
| • President Trump defied his intelligence agencies, and ample evidence, to declare his loyalty to Saudi Arabia over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. | • President Trump defied his intelligence agencies, and ample evidence, to declare his loyalty to Saudi Arabia over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. |
| • The stock market’s gains for 2018 were erased in early trading today. Five tech companies alone have lost $845 billion in market value since the end of August. | • The stock market’s gains for 2018 were erased in early trading today. Five tech companies alone have lost $845 billion in market value since the end of August. |
| • A writer at the website Thrillist declared a local burger joint in Portland the best in the country. It killed the restaurant. | • A writer at the website Thrillist declared a local burger joint in Portland the best in the country. It killed the restaurant. |
| ____________________ | ____________________ |
| Hot Cheetos turkey has exploded the internet. I’d eat it. Admit it, you’d try it too. Don’t you love America? | Hot Cheetos turkey has exploded the internet. I’d eat it. Admit it, you’d try it too. Don’t you love America? |
| _____________________ | _____________________ |
| Credits for the turkey pardon photos, from top to bottom: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters, Alex Wong/Getty Images, Mark Wilson/Getty Images, Tim Sloan/AFP | Credits for the turkey pardon photos, from top to bottom: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters, Alex Wong/Getty Images, Mark Wilson/Getty Images, Tim Sloan/AFP |
| Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox. | Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox. |
| Thanks for reading. Politics is more than what goes on inside the White House. On Politics brings you the people, issues and ideas reshaping our world. | Thanks for reading. Politics is more than what goes on inside the White House. On Politics brings you the people, issues and ideas reshaping our world. |
| Is there anything you think we’re missing? Anything you want to see more of? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com. | Is there anything you think we’re missing? Anything you want to see more of? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com. |
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