Interesting take from Larry Sabato in that he feels this cycle dies not have the same “feel” as 2021 when Youngkin was hammering Democrats on parental rights and lock downs.
Larry Sabato and his team is to be VERY respected, however!
Sabato and his team completely missed importance of Democracy issues in 2022, They are again missing the movement to insure a strong and vibrant Democracy in Virginia. btw, Sabato is a part of UVA w his think-tank, an independent political research and analysis firm
Fingers crossed, Simon. My dem group met this past week, first meeting since reorg. Lightly attended, which was a little disappointing. We're just getting to know one another, so I had them each briefly describe what in their life brought them there, what was important to them about the upcoming elections, and what ideas they had about what most needed to be worked on. We each came from a different place, but each story revolved around the need to support and preserve democracy. A strong feeling that all the other things in our party platform depended on putting the safety of democracy and voting first. It was an amazing feeling, and I think we all left with a sense of affirmation. The group attending was not as large as I'd hoped, partly because many people had other commitments, and partly because some former officers are upset that I am (as the new chair) doing things differently than they did. That dumbfounds me a bit: they will attend a social event but not a planning meeting as we approach the most important election in our recent history.
Nonetheless, it was a good start in the direction I'd hoped for, adding to the traditional events the party has always done. All of us recognized that, our state is pretty solidly blue, even with a moderate R incumbant gov who is likely to win. We know our future is linked to what happens in the states who have tight races coming up, and that supporting democracy in those states are vital to achieving our other platform goals. So we are looking at the various ways we can use our time and energy to get out the vote in those states. Some other towns in our state are also doing this, and we are compiling a list of action groups we can join. People are excited to learn that they can take action that can make a difference! I think that as we get going, other people with similar concerns about democracy will become active. As a town meeting we don't have funds as such, and we do have some close races within the state, but, dang, we can write postcards and letters and a bunch of other things!
The big event in the coming year, of course, is the state convention, and I hope we can maintain that sense of connectivity with other states in mind. We can no longer pretend our state is leading the way in a siloed vacuum. It is imperative that we help elect enough Congressional reps to take back the House and hopefully add a couple of Senators as well.
Thanks for all the info and for keeping the focus on what is important. It helps.
Here's a list of every voter engagement opportunity I know of in the next four days, including phonebanks with Maxwell Frost and Jane Fonda today, Eric Swalwell tomorrow, and Brian Tyler Cohen on Tuesday. But loads of other opportunities, too. Please, all, help us win! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nosO8_PbUdzMhgQUcxIel2-6QweU0y1Bh6ADBxtnhM0/edit
Completed a couple of hours of phone banking on Saturday for two of the Virginia Democratic legislative candidates. When I actually got to talk with a voter, the response was mostly positive! I definitely felt energized afterwards.
Just donated for a third time !😎
thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grateful to be reminded to donate again and for your site making it easy to do. Hopium Chronicles is a gift in our lives.
Interesting take from Larry Sabato in that he feels this cycle dies not have the same “feel” as 2021 when Youngkin was hammering Democrats on parental rights and lock downs.
Fingers crossed!
Need to keep working it!
Larry Sabato and his team is to be VERY respected, however!
Sabato and his team completely missed importance of Democracy issues in 2022, They are again missing the movement to insure a strong and vibrant Democracy in Virginia. btw, Sabato is a part of UVA w his think-tank, an independent political research and analysis firm
Fingers crossed, Simon. My dem group met this past week, first meeting since reorg. Lightly attended, which was a little disappointing. We're just getting to know one another, so I had them each briefly describe what in their life brought them there, what was important to them about the upcoming elections, and what ideas they had about what most needed to be worked on. We each came from a different place, but each story revolved around the need to support and preserve democracy. A strong feeling that all the other things in our party platform depended on putting the safety of democracy and voting first. It was an amazing feeling, and I think we all left with a sense of affirmation. The group attending was not as large as I'd hoped, partly because many people had other commitments, and partly because some former officers are upset that I am (as the new chair) doing things differently than they did. That dumbfounds me a bit: they will attend a social event but not a planning meeting as we approach the most important election in our recent history.
Nonetheless, it was a good start in the direction I'd hoped for, adding to the traditional events the party has always done. All of us recognized that, our state is pretty solidly blue, even with a moderate R incumbant gov who is likely to win. We know our future is linked to what happens in the states who have tight races coming up, and that supporting democracy in those states are vital to achieving our other platform goals. So we are looking at the various ways we can use our time and energy to get out the vote in those states. Some other towns in our state are also doing this, and we are compiling a list of action groups we can join. People are excited to learn that they can take action that can make a difference! I think that as we get going, other people with similar concerns about democracy will become active. As a town meeting we don't have funds as such, and we do have some close races within the state, but, dang, we can write postcards and letters and a bunch of other things!
The big event in the coming year, of course, is the state convention, and I hope we can maintain that sense of connectivity with other states in mind. We can no longer pretend our state is leading the way in a siloed vacuum. It is imperative that we help elect enough Congressional reps to take back the House and hopefully add a couple of Senators as well.
Thanks for all the info and for keeping the focus on what is important. It helps.
thanks for what you are doing Annie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why the new Beatles song, "Now and Then" moves this Boomer so much. https://open.substack.com/pub/peterjanovsky/p/why-the-new-beatles-song-now-and?r=1mm69&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web (Has link to Simons VA page)
Here's a list of every voter engagement opportunity I know of in the next four days, including phonebanks with Maxwell Frost and Jane Fonda today, Eric Swalwell tomorrow, and Brian Tyler Cohen on Tuesday. But loads of other opportunities, too. Please, all, help us win! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nosO8_PbUdzMhgQUcxIel2-6QweU0y1Bh6ADBxtnhM0/edit
Signed up for a phone bank shift tomorrow and donated again to the candidates. Trying to leave nothing on the field.
Bravo Jason!
Thanks, Simon!
Thank you for all the effort for support in VA and OH! I gave money!
Completed a couple of hours of phone banking on Saturday for two of the Virginia Democratic legislative candidates. When I actually got to talk with a voter, the response was mostly positive! I definitely felt energized afterwards.
Doing work for VA. Donated.
Read the article about the new NYT /Sienna poll. Need to hear your take on this.