Today’s semi-random thoughts – Enough with politics! Let’s talk about the … political economy? Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed to slap tariffs (i.e. taxes) on imported goods from overseas, in an attempt to protect and promote manufacturing jobs here in the U.S. Believe it or not, this is going to be a big deal in Massachusetts. Manufacturing has been in decline for a long time in the Bay State, but it’s still a critical part of our economy, employing nearly a quarter of a million people and accounting for just under 10 percent of the total state output. If Trump’s tariffs work as planned (and that’s a big ‘if’), it could help firms that produce products here by making their prices more competitive against imported goods. … But tariffs could hurt local companies that have factories overseas, increasing their costs of shipping products back to the U.S. No news (yet) on local Massachusetts companies scrambling in anticipation of likely tariff hits. But Bloomberg and the NYT report some tariff-sensitive firms around the country are already making plans to exit China. …

Here’s the thing: Exiting a country targeted for tariffs is easier said than done, or, as one business person told the Times: ‘‘It’s a nice idea on paper.” The problem is supply chains. Relocating an overseas factory is an expensive and complicated undertaking in and of itself. But it also has to be done in close coordination with plant suppliers. No suppliers, no functioning factories. … And there’s no guarantee U.S. manufacturers will bring jobs back to America. They may opt to move from one low-cost country to another, such as from China to Vietnam. … The guy to watch in all of this: Protectionist guru Robert Lighthizer, who may or may not return as trade chief in a second Trump administration. Btw: He’s a lawyer, not an economist. Make of that what you will. … The local organization to watch re tariffs: Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the state’s most powerful business group and whose membership has historically been dominated by manufacturers.

Seth Moulton, the heretic, Part II 

He’s not backing down from his criticism of identity politics and trans athletes, blasting ‘purity test’ politics, etc. And the IP establishment in Massachusetts is politically doing what it does best: denouncing and trying to silence the heretic. … 

Maura Healey, the non-heretic

She kind of had to say it, if only to be consistent on State Police not cooperating with fed arrests of immigrants. But she doesn’t sound too excited about saying it. That’s just my impression. … Don’t forget her GOP predecessor, Charlie Baker, also had to walk a fine line between his duties as governor and dislike of Trump. A governor has to keep the lines open to the White House while opposing many White House policies. … Joe Battenfeld previews the tired back-to-the-future immigrant arguments we’ll be hearing a lot in coming years. … It already feels like Trump never left the White House, doesn’t it? …

‘Preconceived notions’ of blame 

I’m guilty. I admit it. As you might have guessed, I’m definitely one of those people whose analysis of what went wrong for Dems on Tuesday – and how they can win moving forward — just so happens to “fit neatly into their preconceived notions,” as a NYT article recently put it. … So with full acknowledgment of my preconceived notions of who is to blame for Tuesday, I can honestly say I absolutely loved the headlines on the following pieces. From The Atlantic: “What the Left Keeps Getting Wrong.” … From the NYT: “‘It’s Time to Resist the Resistance.” … From the Washington Post: “Democrats’ three big mistakes.” ‘

‘Biden’s legacy is Trump II’

Still on the subject of blame: Nancy Pelosi is partly blaming Harris’s big loss on Biden’s tardy exit from the race. But a friend of mine said it better in an email the morning after the election: “Biden’s legacy is Trump II: ‘The Revenge Tour!’” … Don’t miss Andrew Sullivan’s brutal takedown of Biden.