Having once lived as a blue dot in a red district GA-7, you are 💯 correct getting involved in the campaigns of state legislators and local races. Gerrymandering districts & voter suppression laws happen at the state level. Now that I’m in FL. Book banning happens in the School Boards. I’ve got stories about GA., I won’t go into them, but I wanted to point out that “blue dots” can shave GOP margins that lead to wins. In 2020 (Biden, Warnock & Osoff) won by slim margins in GA. Also, my wife got me “Myth America” for Christmas, I know I’m behind on my reading. Add the GA GOP, to your list for crisis intervention, RICO criminal trials have a way of shaking things up.
Yeah, absolutely. Both angles matter immensely -- local involvement can significantly improve things for you on the ground (school boards, DAs, etc.), and those small changes can really add up.
Speaking of State legislative races, Tom Keen could use some help in FL (Congrats on big Chiefs win) . Here’s a message from Simon Rosenberg:. “Tom Keen Needs Our Help - The election is Tuesday, and while Florida law prohibits contributions in the final 5 days there are other ways to help Tom win:
Phone Bank - Text Bank - Phone Bank w/Maxwell Frost - Learn More - Orlando Sentinel Endorsement - Watch My Interview With Tom
Thanks to all who have helped Tom so far. Need to close strong this weekend!”
I got cut off earlier and couldn't finish my thought. I hate to put words in her mouth, but basically she is saying progressive ideas and candidates need to be on the ballots. That the GOP has run unopposed in rural Missouri for 30 or more years (you know more about the GOP/Democratic switch than anyone, so I won't even bother to talk about it) and the result of the last 30 years of GOP super majorities is that the GOP claims the state is terrible and that they are victims, etc. etc.
I of course like her politics. I live in Kansas City and am really in awe of her courage to go to school board meetings and small town places and say, "Look at the results. They are killing our small towns. Shutting down our schools. Closing our hospitals. Benefiting corporate farming. And leaving regular people with no jobs, no schools, no healthcare and unsafe drinking water."
I don't think she can win. But I do feel like it is important to support people willing to make that argument. And willing to point out how dysfunctional the GOP is. And I think that message can maybe one day take root.
But I am more swayed by your idea of identifying vulnerable state government seats in contested (generally suburban) districts and giving them all the money. But I also like to support Jess.
I think it's absolutely imperative that Democrats, especially progressive ones, show up in these spaces to present a different view (and dispel the idea that Democrats are all foreign to their experiences). The fact that it's a long shot race makes it all the more impressive.
Having once lived as a blue dot in a red district GA-7, you are 💯 correct getting involved in the campaigns of state legislators and local races. Gerrymandering districts & voter suppression laws happen at the state level. Now that I’m in FL. Book banning happens in the School Boards. I’ve got stories about GA., I won’t go into them, but I wanted to point out that “blue dots” can shave GOP margins that lead to wins. In 2020 (Biden, Warnock & Osoff) won by slim margins in GA. Also, my wife got me “Myth America” for Christmas, I know I’m behind on my reading. Add the GA GOP, to your list for crisis intervention, RICO criminal trials have a way of shaking things up.
Yeah, absolutely. Both angles matter immensely -- local involvement can significantly improve things for you on the ground (school boards, DAs, etc.), and those small changes can really add up.
Speaking of State legislative races, Tom Keen could use some help in FL (Congrats on big Chiefs win) . Here’s a message from Simon Rosenberg:. “Tom Keen Needs Our Help - The election is Tuesday, and while Florida law prohibits contributions in the final 5 days there are other ways to help Tom win:
Phone Bank - Text Bank - Phone Bank w/Maxwell Frost - Learn More - Orlando Sentinel Endorsement - Watch My Interview With Tom
Thanks to all who have helped Tom so far. Need to close strong this weekend!”
Update: Democrats flip seat. Huge win in Florida state legislature. https://www.floridadems.org/2024/01/16/florida-democrats-flip-house-seat-elect-tom-keen-to-florida-house-district-35/
How do you feel about Jess Piper.
She's fighting the good fight in Missouri, seems smart and decent from what I've seen. But I have no idea about the likelihood of her winning
I got cut off earlier and couldn't finish my thought. I hate to put words in her mouth, but basically she is saying progressive ideas and candidates need to be on the ballots. That the GOP has run unopposed in rural Missouri for 30 or more years (you know more about the GOP/Democratic switch than anyone, so I won't even bother to talk about it) and the result of the last 30 years of GOP super majorities is that the GOP claims the state is terrible and that they are victims, etc. etc.
I of course like her politics. I live in Kansas City and am really in awe of her courage to go to school board meetings and small town places and say, "Look at the results. They are killing our small towns. Shutting down our schools. Closing our hospitals. Benefiting corporate farming. And leaving regular people with no jobs, no schools, no healthcare and unsafe drinking water."
I don't think she can win. But I do feel like it is important to support people willing to make that argument. And willing to point out how dysfunctional the GOP is. And I think that message can maybe one day take root.
But I am more swayed by your idea of identifying vulnerable state government seats in contested (generally suburban) districts and giving them all the money. But I also like to support Jess.
I think it's absolutely imperative that Democrats, especially progressive ones, show up in these spaces to present a different view (and dispel the idea that Democrats are all foreign to their experiences). The fact that it's a long shot race makes it all the more impressive.