I live in SC, and I am supporting Annie Andrews' campaign against Lindsey Graham. She acknowledges that this is a long shot, but she is a wonderful candidate. If some people come out to hear her and some see her videos, that's a win. She would be getting the message to voters that Graham does not care about SC at all. And if we can chip away at Graham, I'm all for it.
Personally I am tired of the old stalwart Democrats trying to discourage new candidates. I like Graham Platner, and he is the type of candidate we need. Scrappy and of the people. But nooooo Schumer and the tired old party folks got Governor Mills to run to challenge Susan Collins. Mills is 77. It's predicted that she will get votes due to name recognition, but she will not energize voters and will not win. If they put their energy into Platner, he just might win. That's what people are looking for. Not the same old candidate. When will Schumer and his cronies learn. They may drive the party into the ground before they get a freaking clue.
The problem is that in almost every political unit the Democratic Party and Democratic Primaries are dominated by activists who skew to the left of the population within that district. Democrats need to open the process, and implement a way for voters to support outside challengers without sacrificing their voice (open primaries with ranked choice voting.)
The DNC needs to let people run period. This is there issue. The opinion of people like me is they don’t let us choose. When the fired David Hogg and didn’t listen to him, this is when they lost me. He wanted people over a certain age to step down AND he is right. They could have come up with a strategy for the older Dems to become mentors, campaign with the younger folks, give them a space on the halls of Congress but they said no. This inability to change and flex sign the times is their problem.
I don’t know about the folks in Maine, but I have very little patience with ANY Democrat who has voted with Republicans lately. There is an other candidate running in Maine. I see his ads and don’t know much about him. Why do Democratic leaders decide who runs without input from the people of that area?
I don't care what stupid, petty complaints over the behavior of some Democratic Pols. Trump got elected having multiple felonies and his yelling during the debates, " they're eating the cats; they're eating the dogs." If he can win after all that, voters aren't very discerning.
Democrats have had a string of impressive finishes this year in more than three dozen special elections. So the tide is turning. Trump's approval rating has always been underwater. I think people are looking to balance his bad policies with Democratic opposition.
Porter’s behavior in these clips, coupled with her terrible performance in the Senate race, are disqualifying. She was an effective Rep, but she got way over her skies leaving the House to run for Senate.
I haven't had time to read through all 131 comments so my apologies if this candidate has already been addressed. For those readers in Maine, any thoughts on Graham Platner. His ads fill my Instagram feed and as a Center Left leaning Democrat (Army brat, Army wife), I like his message and he's made me curious enough to look up the Senate race in Maine (please let them vote out Susan Collins!). In the article, Graham's race appears to be an afterthought - which certainly belies how often I see his ads in my feed. Thoughts from Mainers would be greatly appreciated.
I see him also and he seems like the candidate who can appeal to working people. Why do Democratic leaders get to decide who runs without input from the people in that area?
I'm personnally trying to launch a long-shot bid in a Republican District, and I find those massive fundraising numbers to be VERY annoying. You aren't beating McConnell, no matter how much money you spend (until you do...), and looking at the current candidates pulling big numbers, I have to ask: Is the correct thing to do, to beg for money multiple times a day with annoying emails? Is that the ONLY way to win? Does that get your message out? I need more help, but I'm not sure that kind campaign is the correct way any more.
The DNC will tell you it's all about the fundraising, but it's not. It's about fundraising for them to give you money, but their money comes with strings. There are lots of ways to win. I ran against Nancy Mace in 2017. I spent $10,000. I couldn't event afford a mailing. She spent over $150,000. I lost by 500 votes as the first Democrat to run in 20 years. It was a special election and I only had a few months over Christmas! But I was everywhere talking to people. I had some ideas to talk about. I had people all over the country write postcards for me. Sometimes I think big spending backfires.
2020 fundraising for Harrison and McGrath hugely benefited from Graham and McConnell getting Amy Coney Barrett onto the Supreme Court replacing RBG. I was one of the out-of-state donors to both of them and knew nothing about them as candidates. I've not made that mistake again and started learning more before donating. Nothing against either of them, I appreciate what Amy McGrath has done and her speaking up for veterans.
Talk to Jess Piper (https://substack.com/@jesspiper) here in Missouri. After losing her race she’s still out in the rural areas trying to get Republican candidates to explain their policies and answer for their votes. When Dems gave up funding much (if at all) to these state races the Rs ending up running unopposed in too many areas and never had to defend their anti-rural votes. Missouri was a purple state twenty or so years ago. It’s not going to be a quick fix to put things back, but one worth trying for.
I'm sorry to hear that Amy McGrath's race is considered a vanity. I live in Minnesota and I know a lot about her, based on her pod and her TV appearances and she's very impressive. Contrast that to not knowing who this other person from Pennsylvania is, the one who told her not to run. I'll need to look up who her Dem competition would be in KY, as well as the likely MAGAs who would run against her.
So, everyone is sick of the Democratic Party as is…. why wouldn’t they absolutely want to run the “long shots?” What they’re doing isn’t t working - then try something else.
“It’s to find ways to make Democratic candidates who are palatable to conservative voters more exciting to liberals as well.”
This is the key, and this is why the Dems are in a major conundrum.
Fact is, when the base of your party is ethnic minorities, a ConservaDem who cozies up to White Nationalists or downplays the risk will not only fail to generate excitement, but will actually not get votes.
TBH, what Dems would be better served doing is leaning into what they are and stop being afraid to stand up for their values. Dems are always afraid of being what they are. That’s dumb because most people see right through BS.
Dems should be out front:
- we stand for a government that helps every American be the best version of themselves.
- safe streets, safe schools and safe neighborhoods.
- a government of the people for the people and by the people.
Notice that race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or any other subgroup was mentioned. These are universal. Also, they are flexible: they mean different things to different people in different areas. In CA, it may mean less government and lower taxes; in TX, it could mean the opposite. In rural areas, it could mean more trade and better crops support, but it in a major industrial area it may mean something else.
I live in SC, and I am supporting Annie Andrews' campaign against Lindsey Graham. She acknowledges that this is a long shot, but she is a wonderful candidate. If some people come out to hear her and some see her videos, that's a win. She would be getting the message to voters that Graham does not care about SC at all. And if we can chip away at Graham, I'm all for it.
Personally I am tired of the old stalwart Democrats trying to discourage new candidates. I like Graham Platner, and he is the type of candidate we need. Scrappy and of the people. But nooooo Schumer and the tired old party folks got Governor Mills to run to challenge Susan Collins. Mills is 77. It's predicted that she will get votes due to name recognition, but she will not energize voters and will not win. If they put their energy into Platner, he just might win. That's what people are looking for. Not the same old candidate. When will Schumer and his cronies learn. They may drive the party into the ground before they get a freaking clue.
The problem is that in almost every political unit the Democratic Party and Democratic Primaries are dominated by activists who skew to the left of the population within that district. Democrats need to open the process, and implement a way for voters to support outside challengers without sacrificing their voice (open primaries with ranked choice voting.)
You might want to proofread the first sentence. It's Jared, not Jarden.
The DNC needs to let people run period. This is there issue. The opinion of people like me is they don’t let us choose. When the fired David Hogg and didn’t listen to him, this is when they lost me. He wanted people over a certain age to step down AND he is right. They could have come up with a strategy for the older Dems to become mentors, campaign with the younger folks, give them a space on the halls of Congress but they said no. This inability to change and flex sign the times is their problem.
This article does a good job of covering a critically important issue. Nice work.
I don’t know about the folks in Maine, but I have very little patience with ANY Democrat who has voted with Republicans lately. There is an other candidate running in Maine. I see his ads and don’t know much about him. Why do Democratic leaders decide who runs without input from the people of that area?
I don't care what stupid, petty complaints over the behavior of some Democratic Pols. Trump got elected having multiple felonies and his yelling during the debates, " they're eating the cats; they're eating the dogs." If he can win after all that, voters aren't very discerning.
Democrats have had a string of impressive finishes this year in more than three dozen special elections. So the tide is turning. Trump's approval rating has always been underwater. I think people are looking to balance his bad policies with Democratic opposition.
Porter’s behavior in these clips, coupled with her terrible performance in the Senate race, are disqualifying. She was an effective Rep, but she got way over her skies leaving the House to run for Senate.
except if I lived in CA I don't know who else I would vote for - not exactly in inspiring lot
I haven't had time to read through all 131 comments so my apologies if this candidate has already been addressed. For those readers in Maine, any thoughts on Graham Platner. His ads fill my Instagram feed and as a Center Left leaning Democrat (Army brat, Army wife), I like his message and he's made me curious enough to look up the Senate race in Maine (please let them vote out Susan Collins!). In the article, Graham's race appears to be an afterthought - which certainly belies how often I see his ads in my feed. Thoughts from Mainers would be greatly appreciated.
I see him also and he seems like the candidate who can appeal to working people. Why do Democratic leaders get to decide who runs without input from the people in that area?
I'm personnally trying to launch a long-shot bid in a Republican District, and I find those massive fundraising numbers to be VERY annoying. You aren't beating McConnell, no matter how much money you spend (until you do...), and looking at the current candidates pulling big numbers, I have to ask: Is the correct thing to do, to beg for money multiple times a day with annoying emails? Is that the ONLY way to win? Does that get your message out? I need more help, but I'm not sure that kind campaign is the correct way any more.
The DNC will tell you it's all about the fundraising, but it's not. It's about fundraising for them to give you money, but their money comes with strings. There are lots of ways to win. I ran against Nancy Mace in 2017. I spent $10,000. I couldn't event afford a mailing. She spent over $150,000. I lost by 500 votes as the first Democrat to run in 20 years. It was a special election and I only had a few months over Christmas! But I was everywhere talking to people. I had some ideas to talk about. I had people all over the country write postcards for me. Sometimes I think big spending backfires.
Cindy, thank you for this. reach out at johnduresky4congress@outlook.com. I would love to pick your brain a bit.
John. Happy to help. My email would not go through. Try me at cindybboat@gmail.com.
2020 fundraising for Harrison and McGrath hugely benefited from Graham and McConnell getting Amy Coney Barrett onto the Supreme Court replacing RBG. I was one of the out-of-state donors to both of them and knew nothing about them as candidates. I've not made that mistake again and started learning more before donating. Nothing against either of them, I appreciate what Amy McGrath has done and her speaking up for veterans.
Talk to Jess Piper (https://substack.com/@jesspiper) here in Missouri. After losing her race she’s still out in the rural areas trying to get Republican candidates to explain their policies and answer for their votes. When Dems gave up funding much (if at all) to these state races the Rs ending up running unopposed in too many areas and never had to defend their anti-rural votes. Missouri was a purple state twenty or so years ago. It’s not going to be a quick fix to put things back, but one worth trying for.
I'm sorry to hear that Amy McGrath's race is considered a vanity. I live in Minnesota and I know a lot about her, based on her pod and her TV appearances and she's very impressive. Contrast that to not knowing who this other person from Pennsylvania is, the one who told her not to run. I'll need to look up who her Dem competition would be in KY, as well as the likely MAGAs who would run against her.
So, everyone is sick of the Democratic Party as is…. why wouldn’t they absolutely want to run the “long shots?” What they’re doing isn’t t working - then try something else.
“It’s to find ways to make Democratic candidates who are palatable to conservative voters more exciting to liberals as well.”
This is the key, and this is why the Dems are in a major conundrum.
Fact is, when the base of your party is ethnic minorities, a ConservaDem who cozies up to White Nationalists or downplays the risk will not only fail to generate excitement, but will actually not get votes.
TBH, what Dems would be better served doing is leaning into what they are and stop being afraid to stand up for their values. Dems are always afraid of being what they are. That’s dumb because most people see right through BS.
Dems should be out front:
- we stand for a government that helps every American be the best version of themselves.
- safe streets, safe schools and safe neighborhoods.
- a government of the people for the people and by the people.
Notice that race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or any other subgroup was mentioned. These are universal. Also, they are flexible: they mean different things to different people in different areas. In CA, it may mean less government and lower taxes; in TX, it could mean the opposite. In rural areas, it could mean more trade and better crops support, but it in a major industrial area it may mean something else.
Read Theodore Sorenson, "Why I am a Democrat.