I have been shocked to read that in many districts in red states, there were NO Democratic candidates, and when there were, they could have as little as $5000 for a campaign!
I have said for a long time, the US, with the Electoral College, is not a true democracy. That national campaigns focus more and more on "swing states", emphasizes this.
I am pleased to see more articles about small town/rural voters.
Living in rural Alabama, no hope for our votes to count here. But we continue to hold fast. My modest monthly donations have been going to Gloria Johnson in Tennessee, which seemed like a place they might count.
Good choice. She’s fantastic. Running against the hair pie, right? I heard an hour long interview with her on The Warning with Steve Schmidt, of all places, and came away very optimistic & even more impressed. I hope she was in a safe district in the TN House.
And this—-/U.S. Sen. Katie Britt championed a two-bill package Wednesday that would cut child care costs for families, while at the same time, vowed to oppose a separate bill scheduled for a vote in the Senate this week that would expand child tax credits.
Michele, I am THRILLED VP Harris chose Tim Walz. I had a gut feeling that people would react to him as they have. But even I have been shocked by the visceral and positive response to him, and to VP Harris too of course. People are desperate for the chaos and cruelty to be over. Yes, Gov. Walz can appeal to “normal” people in the heartland, but he appeals to “normal” people everywhere. I pray he plays a part in breaking the fever dream we have been living through these past 9 years. Thanks for this great column.
As an old white guy myself, living in Texas, you are dead right about red state Democrats. Energy!!!! I have never even been super political until Trump, but I always leaned D. I am now a radical D, as the R party has absolutely debased itself at the Trump altar, and is certifiably insane, not to mention immoral, vile and vulgar.
Everyone needs to relentlessly push to purge our country of Trump and I pray at least some of the cult will finally return to “normal.”
Someone like Gov. Walz is exactly what we need for this year. I know VP picks usually mean nothing, but not this year. It will impossible for them to hang the Radical communist label on him with a straight face. It is obviously and patently absurd and I believe even most Republicans will see that.
I'm from western deep red Kansas. I know what they call Democrats. It's not good listening, shall we say. Communist, socialist, libtard, and much worse. Most can't define the first two terms accurately and have listened to right wing lies and distortions for so long without opposing viewpoints that of course this is all truth to them. I've felt for a long time that Democrats needed to show up. Some will never listen, but there are always some open-minded people who will walk away thinking that person actually spoke some common sense, didn't have devil horns and didn't tell me I'm going to hell. Show up! It starts with a trickle.
I’m so glad I stumbled across you during a sleepless night last night and I’m working my way through your old articles. I can’t complain about the political climate where I live but being in the bluest area in a blue state leaves us feeling pretty useless. I joined my organization of county Democrats but while those in other states are organizing and knocking and fundraising, mine were most recently having a wine-tasting (I’m not making this up.) I’ll definitely take you up on your suggestions for where I can lend my support, even if it can’t be in person.
Need you in NC! I had to move from MD to NC and now facing one of the biggest fights. 4 election deniers on the ballot her in NC not to mention our Dem Governor had to drop out of the VP consideration because folks might over throw Gov Coopers govt. NC could use any extra help. For tracking See-www.electiondeniers.org; and Joanna Lydgate’s www.statesuniteddemocracy.org which is dedicated to protecting free and fair elections.
It is time to end this shit show !!! We’re all sick of the insanity / stupidity. Also would be nice for Ohio to finally fix the cheating republican gerrymandering for good. Trumpie will be too old to run and he’ll need free time to attend all of his court dates. Will be a great way to spend his golden years. He’s earned it.
For my Sisters in Alabama- wouldn’t it help to talk about this a lot? —Medicaid in Alabama is limited to children, the elderly and those with disabilities. Childless adults never qualify, and parents only qualify if they make 18% of the federal poverty level, about $4,678 a year for a three-person household.
Medicaid expansion would allow anyone making up to 138% of the poverty level – $20,783 a year for an individual; $35,632 for a family of three – to receive benefits. It would also extend coverage to approximately 100,000 Alabamians in the “coverage gap” — people who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid and too little to qualify for subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans.
Ruth, 11 States in total as of today. Black / White issue. If you go back and read about Johnson’s passage of the Medicare Act- July 30 1965 it had a lot to do with “equal care for all citizens.” Hospitals turned away citizens who were of color so Johnson had to lay down the law and linked Social Security with Medicare to ensure hospitals would be paid provided they had care for ALL citizens. A scholarship I received is named after the woman who is the architect of Social Security benefits- Frances Perkins class of 1910 Mount Holyoke College and first woman In Roosevelt’s cabinet(Labor).
PACs or "C" level, consistently locally failed politician wannabes who want a career out of it ,...who'll ask you to donate for probabilistically implausible outcomes,when those resources can go to more competitive states or districts that are better served by those additional resources. Texas should get way more Dem money than it does. It's an expensive market.
Alabama is fucking irrelevant politically at the moment,and most probably for a long time.
A child molester Republican who rode to the polling booth on a horse almost beat the Democrat for the Senate seat.
No seat unchallenged. Terrible to think that Ds bear a decent share of blame for the red state horror shows we have now in Ohio, Tennessee, etc. Because a cynical man and (many others) were too cynical to devote resources for recruiting and supporting D candidates.
Michele, 16 uncontested seats in Tennessee! Your excellent research into the 50 State strategy certainly could have helped there. Is this why we have Emily’s list and ActBlue?
Thanks for highlighting the Covid Moonshot. My 15 year old son is one of the many children with LC (1.5 years with no improvement). I’m fortunate that Tim Kaine is one of my senators 💕
I'm so sorry, Heidi. Senator Kaine has been more responsive than most (it helps that he has personal experience), but the lack of treatments for LC is more than frustrating. Ignoring LC won't make it go away, much as we'd love it to. (And folks wonder why I mask everywhere?)
There are so many different "flavors" of LC, and so many potential causes/triggers. I'm sure you've already had all the conversations about and tried all the treatments, but I try to be helpful so I hope you'll indulge me (and apologies if it's annoying to have yet another person offer another idea – not intended to give you work, but to show solidarity and perhaps share some info that's been helpful to our family). Mast cell activation is common in the community; if you've not yet tried a very low histamine diet (and I mean very very low ) it's worth a try for a few days to gauge improvement. (And of course all the antihistamines, hitting both an H1 and H2 blocker.) I'll be thinking of you and your son. 💙
Lifelong Missouri Democrat. I remember the thrill of meeting Presidential candidate John Kerry on the riverfront in Washington MO in 2004. His train pulled in along the tracks and we cheered and waved signs. (The anti abortionists were sidling almost on top of us even back then.) In 2008 I was unable to attend dozens of friends joyfully rally with Obama in St Louis under the arch. In 2016 I educated my blue friends about the importance of having Claire McCaskill on our side in the senate even though she had to compromise to get small victories and grieved when she lost her seat. It’s been a lonely time for us rural blue dots in this red state. I’m hopeful for America and maybe even Missouri again. Thanks for your stack.
I have been shocked to read that in many districts in red states, there were NO Democratic candidates, and when there were, they could have as little as $5000 for a campaign!
I have said for a long time, the US, with the Electoral College, is not a true democracy. That national campaigns focus more and more on "swing states", emphasizes this.
I am pleased to see more articles about small town/rural voters.
EVERYONE matters.
Absolutely, here in Alabama we often have no Democrat running for offices.
Living in rural Alabama, no hope for our votes to count here. But we continue to hold fast. My modest monthly donations have been going to Gloria Johnson in Tennessee, which seemed like a place they might count.
Good choice. She’s fantastic. Running against the hair pie, right? I heard an hour long interview with her on The Warning with Steve Schmidt, of all places, and came away very optimistic & even more impressed. I hope she was in a safe district in the TN House.
And this—-/U.S. Sen. Katie Britt championed a two-bill package Wednesday that would cut child care costs for families, while at the same time, vowed to oppose a separate bill scheduled for a vote in the Senate this week that would expand child tax credits.
Scary mom. I liked her better when she was Scarlett Johansson.
Hilarious! I know- Scarlett nailed it so I had to go back and watch again!
I'm donating to her too! From Massachusetts, where my donations aren't needed. Oh I hope she will win.
Wonderful! Thank you!
S. SssDdzfdd was f
Michele, I am THRILLED VP Harris chose Tim Walz. I had a gut feeling that people would react to him as they have. But even I have been shocked by the visceral and positive response to him, and to VP Harris too of course. People are desperate for the chaos and cruelty to be over. Yes, Gov. Walz can appeal to “normal” people in the heartland, but he appeals to “normal” people everywhere. I pray he plays a part in breaking the fever dream we have been living through these past 9 years. Thanks for this great column.
As an old white guy myself, living in Texas, you are dead right about red state Democrats. Energy!!!! I have never even been super political until Trump, but I always leaned D. I am now a radical D, as the R party has absolutely debased itself at the Trump altar, and is certifiably insane, not to mention immoral, vile and vulgar.
Everyone needs to relentlessly push to purge our country of Trump and I pray at least some of the cult will finally return to “normal.”
Someone like Gov. Walz is exactly what we need for this year. I know VP picks usually mean nothing, but not this year. It will impossible for them to hang the Radical communist label on him with a straight face. It is obviously and patently absurd and I believe even most Republicans will see that.
I'm from western deep red Kansas. I know what they call Democrats. It's not good listening, shall we say. Communist, socialist, libtard, and much worse. Most can't define the first two terms accurately and have listened to right wing lies and distortions for so long without opposing viewpoints that of course this is all truth to them. I've felt for a long time that Democrats needed to show up. Some will never listen, but there are always some open-minded people who will walk away thinking that person actually spoke some common sense, didn't have devil horns and didn't tell me I'm going to hell. Show up! It starts with a trickle.
The trickle is becoming a very large wave… 🇺🇸😁🌊
Where, how? What would be the first step? What city needs the Dems message the most?
I’m so glad I stumbled across you during a sleepless night last night and I’m working my way through your old articles. I can’t complain about the political climate where I live but being in the bluest area in a blue state leaves us feeling pretty useless. I joined my organization of county Democrats but while those in other states are organizing and knocking and fundraising, mine were most recently having a wine-tasting (I’m not making this up.) I’ll definitely take you up on your suggestions for where I can lend my support, even if it can’t be in person.
Need you in NC! I had to move from MD to NC and now facing one of the biggest fights. 4 election deniers on the ballot her in NC not to mention our Dem Governor had to drop out of the VP consideration because folks might over throw Gov Coopers govt. NC could use any extra help. For tracking See-www.electiondeniers.org; and Joanna Lydgate’s www.statesuniteddemocracy.org which is dedicated to protecting free and fair elections.
Pam, thanks so much for this excellent URL: https://electiondeniers.org (and, b/c, like you, I’m also in NC, https://electiondeniers.org/north-carolina). And agree so much: NC certainly could use extra help.
It is time to end this shit show !!! We’re all sick of the insanity / stupidity. Also would be nice for Ohio to finally fix the cheating republican gerrymandering for good. Trumpie will be too old to run and he’ll need free time to attend all of his court dates. Will be a great way to spend his golden years. He’s earned it.
Alabama checking in!!! We are gathering together to help!
For my Sisters in Alabama- wouldn’t it help to talk about this a lot? —Medicaid in Alabama is limited to children, the elderly and those with disabilities. Childless adults never qualify, and parents only qualify if they make 18% of the federal poverty level, about $4,678 a year for a three-person household.
Medicaid expansion would allow anyone making up to 138% of the poverty level – $20,783 a year for an individual; $35,632 for a family of three – to receive benefits. It would also extend coverage to approximately 100,000 Alabamians in the “coverage gap” — people who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid and too little to qualify for subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans.
Unbelievable that there are still states opting out of Medicaid expansion on “behalf” of their citizens. Totally fucked.
I spent 6 months in SLC before UT signed on & left, in large part, because I couldn’t find FT work & couldn’t get health insurance.
Ruth, 11 States in total as of today. Black / White issue. If you go back and read about Johnson’s passage of the Medicare Act- July 30 1965 it had a lot to do with “equal care for all citizens.” Hospitals turned away citizens who were of color so Johnson had to lay down the law and linked Social Security with Medicare to ensure hospitals would be paid provided they had care for ALL citizens. A scholarship I received is named after the woman who is the architect of Social Security benefits- Frances Perkins class of 1910 Mount Holyoke College and first woman In Roosevelt’s cabinet(Labor).
Correction 10- NC just signed last year!!!!!
You're in Alabama? Where are these gatherings?
Watch for democrat grifters in
PACs or "C" level, consistently locally failed politician wannabes who want a career out of it ,...who'll ask you to donate for probabilistically implausible outcomes,when those resources can go to more competitive states or districts that are better served by those additional resources. Texas should get way more Dem money than it does. It's an expensive market.
Alabama is fucking irrelevant politically at the moment,and most probably for a long time.
A child molester Republican who rode to the polling booth on a horse almost beat the Democrat for the Senate seat.
💯
No seat unchallenged. Terrible to think that Ds bear a decent share of blame for the red state horror shows we have now in Ohio, Tennessee, etc. Because a cynical man and (many others) were too cynical to devote resources for recruiting and supporting D candidates.
Change is coming, though. Or maybe it’s here.
An Ohio win would signal a landslide.
Brilliant piece! Vote Blue 💙🇺🇸💙
Thank you, Diane! 💙
Thank you, Michele, for all you do 💙🇺🇸
Michele, 16 uncontested seats in Tennessee! Your excellent research into the 50 State strategy certainly could have helped there. Is this why we have Emily’s list and ActBlue?
Thanks for highlighting the Covid Moonshot. My 15 year old son is one of the many children with LC (1.5 years with no improvement). I’m fortunate that Tim Kaine is one of my senators 💕
I'm so sorry, Heidi. Senator Kaine has been more responsive than most (it helps that he has personal experience), but the lack of treatments for LC is more than frustrating. Ignoring LC won't make it go away, much as we'd love it to. (And folks wonder why I mask everywhere?)
There are so many different "flavors" of LC, and so many potential causes/triggers. I'm sure you've already had all the conversations about and tried all the treatments, but I try to be helpful so I hope you'll indulge me (and apologies if it's annoying to have yet another person offer another idea – not intended to give you work, but to show solidarity and perhaps share some info that's been helpful to our family). Mast cell activation is common in the community; if you've not yet tried a very low histamine diet (and I mean very very low ) it's worth a try for a few days to gauge improvement. (And of course all the antihistamines, hitting both an H1 and H2 blocker.) I'll be thinking of you and your son. 💙
Lifelong Missouri Democrat. I remember the thrill of meeting Presidential candidate John Kerry on the riverfront in Washington MO in 2004. His train pulled in along the tracks and we cheered and waved signs. (The anti abortionists were sidling almost on top of us even back then.) In 2008 I was unable to attend dozens of friends joyfully rally with Obama in St Louis under the arch. In 2016 I educated my blue friends about the importance of having Claire McCaskill on our side in the senate even though she had to compromise to get small victories and grieved when she lost her seat. It’s been a lonely time for us rural blue dots in this red state. I’m hopeful for America and maybe even Missouri again. Thanks for your stack.
Love Claire!
Excellent! Restocked!
Thanks, Pam! 💙
Coast Dems learned a lesson the hard way in 2016. Let's hope Harris/Walz govern the way they campaign and build on Biden's momentum.
I'm still mad about what the press did to Howard Dean. What a crock.