I think it is a pretty cool endorsement of the impact of this community that Simon is getting these interviews with party chairs 1-2 days after the primaries. Obviously they just crossed a huge inflection point and have a ton of work to do. But they think it is important to set aside time with/for us.
Inspiring interview! Proud to have supported this in any way. Speaking of Texas, and since we all love Tom Bonier, he did a great interview with Bryan Tyler Cohen of his analysis of the voting patterns
Kendall Scudder had me at Dr. Pepper ,) One of the (many things I love about Texas is that its conference rooms are reliably stocked with Dr Pepper, and hopefully Dr Pepper Zero these days, the best soft drink/soda pop ever made, so delicious it *has* to be bad for you ;)
Been dreaming of this day for a long time (there's a little image of Ann Richards on every page of our website), writing and creating art about it, too. The best proof that the Texas Republican Party is the most immoral and unconstitutional political organization this side of NAMBLA is this: in every other majority/minority state in the country, *every* state office is held by a Democrat; in Texas, *none* are, and haven't been for nearly thirty years. We have a moral obligation, for the sake of the soul of our nation, to crush it. Beyond this, anyone who hates the Electoral College should know that if you want to drive a stake through its undead heart, the best--and maybe the only--way to do it *today* is to liberate Texas and make it a competitive democracy again.
Everything Texas Dems are doing feels (strongly) like a thoroughly realistic way to do this--gold, not the usual pyrite. Gregg Abbott is Macbeth, and it sure looks like Kendall has a forest headed towards Austin (which will welcome it with open arms). Thanks much for this inspiring interview, Simon, and for everything you're doing in our name to help make it so!!
As an Austinite, I can't say how thrilled we are. My wife was up late watching all the returns. Though we both favored Jasmine we pretty much knew James Talarico would win and we're fine with that. He'll be great. And he WON'T run against traditional Dem values, such as support for LGTBQ rights or abortion rights just to pander to moderates. Meanwhile, we're praying she runs again for something down the road. And per Simon's discussion with Kendall: in 2012 moderate David Dewhurst was ahead of Ted Cruz in the primary (less than 50% vote though) and Cruz went on to win the GOP runoff. Expect the same, unless Trump endorses Cornyn, in which case anything can happen....
Amazing! Proud to say I did a ton of research on open seats in TX with Contest Every Race /Movement Labs several years back, and since then, they have been critical in candidate recruitment and support in TX and elsewhere. Hours of drudge work, calling obscure clerks in small towns, prowling websites--it all made a difference. This is exciting for the Lone Star State, and I really think the (lone) stars are aligning this year. Keep going!
I am SO impressed with Kendall!! Wow, and I just love his bio...what a great upbringing and impressive background. Thank you so much for sharing this interview, Simon; it's fascinating learning about state parties, their struggles, and why it's vital to support them. You and folks like Kendall and Anderson give me such Hopium!!!!!
Re: voting shenanigans - I heard Dan Freeman, litigation director at the DNC, speak about how they are protcting voting rights. Simon, Dan would be great for an interview!
SO glad this great community has committed so many resources to helping build State Parties. That investment is already paying multiple dividends and that will only continue. A strong State Party is there, listening to voters, building campaign infrastructure, being present in communities not just at election time but all year round. So that when candidates are nominated, there's support and mechanisms already built in for them to use. It makes the difference in so many races. Congrats to Kendall and Anderson and so many others who are fighting on the front lines of democracy every day!
I think it is a pretty cool endorsement of the impact of this community that Simon is getting these interviews with party chairs 1-2 days after the primaries. Obviously they just crossed a huge inflection point and have a ton of work to do. But they think it is important to set aside time with/for us.
I’m loving these bright and shiny young people
Sign me,
An exhausted 71 year old activist
Impressive interview. What a great state chair!
Wow. As a former 30 year Texan, I AM so proud of Kendall. This is fantastic!
What a good guy!
I hope that some of that cash infusion goes to a salary for Chair Scudder! He has earned it!
Inspiring interview! Proud to have supported this in any way. Speaking of Texas, and since we all love Tom Bonier, he did a great interview with Bryan Tyler Cohen of his analysis of the voting patterns
https://youtu.be/p25iR3DV2Zo?si=d6-9VLqzXd9907y9
Kendall Scudder had me at Dr. Pepper ,) One of the (many things I love about Texas is that its conference rooms are reliably stocked with Dr Pepper, and hopefully Dr Pepper Zero these days, the best soft drink/soda pop ever made, so delicious it *has* to be bad for you ;)
Been dreaming of this day for a long time (there's a little image of Ann Richards on every page of our website), writing and creating art about it, too. The best proof that the Texas Republican Party is the most immoral and unconstitutional political organization this side of NAMBLA is this: in every other majority/minority state in the country, *every* state office is held by a Democrat; in Texas, *none* are, and haven't been for nearly thirty years. We have a moral obligation, for the sake of the soul of our nation, to crush it. Beyond this, anyone who hates the Electoral College should know that if you want to drive a stake through its undead heart, the best--and maybe the only--way to do it *today* is to liberate Texas and make it a competitive democracy again.
Everything Texas Dems are doing feels (strongly) like a thoroughly realistic way to do this--gold, not the usual pyrite. Gregg Abbott is Macbeth, and it sure looks like Kendall has a forest headed towards Austin (which will welcome it with open arms). Thanks much for this inspiring interview, Simon, and for everything you're doing in our name to help make it so!!
100% on Texas and the Electoral College. If we can take their castle,
California + Texas alone gets you to almost 100 EC votes. I think Republicans will get in line behind the Compact or an amendment at that point.
As an Austinite, I can't say how thrilled we are. My wife was up late watching all the returns. Though we both favored Jasmine we pretty much knew James Talarico would win and we're fine with that. He'll be great. And he WON'T run against traditional Dem values, such as support for LGTBQ rights or abortion rights just to pander to moderates. Meanwhile, we're praying she runs again for something down the road. And per Simon's discussion with Kendall: in 2012 moderate David Dewhurst was ahead of Ted Cruz in the primary (less than 50% vote though) and Cruz went on to win the GOP runoff. Expect the same, unless Trump endorses Cornyn, in which case anything can happen....
“My primary (nutrition) is Dr Pepper”
Oh man this makes my Texan heart proud
Amazing! Proud to say I did a ton of research on open seats in TX with Contest Every Race /Movement Labs several years back, and since then, they have been critical in candidate recruitment and support in TX and elsewhere. Hours of drudge work, calling obscure clerks in small towns, prowling websites--it all made a difference. This is exciting for the Lone Star State, and I really think the (lone) stars are aligning this year. Keep going!
I am SO impressed with Kendall!! Wow, and I just love his bio...what a great upbringing and impressive background. Thank you so much for sharing this interview, Simon; it's fascinating learning about state parties, their struggles, and why it's vital to support them. You and folks like Kendall and Anderson give me such Hopium!!!!!
Kendall rocks the house. What a great party chair. I'm giving to the audacious five and to Talerico through Hopium as my very next task.
Re: voting shenanigans - I heard Dan Freeman, litigation director at the DNC, speak about how they are protcting voting rights. Simon, Dan would be great for an interview!
Hallelujah! One Down, ( Christi Noem) Two to go?? Maybe more??
SO glad this great community has committed so many resources to helping build State Parties. That investment is already paying multiple dividends and that will only continue. A strong State Party is there, listening to voters, building campaign infrastructure, being present in communities not just at election time but all year round. So that when candidates are nominated, there's support and mechanisms already built in for them to use. It makes the difference in so many races. Congrats to Kendall and Anderson and so many others who are fighting on the front lines of democracy every day!