The campaign only has so much money, and ads are expensive. They're not running in blue states either.
I'd think the best way to make change in red states is to do what Stacy Abrahams did in Georgia - spend 10 years building up a turnout operation, build up the state and local party, etc.
Yes, give to local parties and grassroots groups. Many of them are caught in a catch-22 where people won't donate because the conventional wisdom is we can't win there, so they don't have the resources to build up and eventually win. In these areas it often starts with a single school board or city council race.
Then yesterday, Jessica posted about a generous reader who is donating matching funds for donations to 3 of Jessica's favorites:
* Run for Something - which helps first-time candidates (and I think second time candidates if they don't win the first time) get elected to office including the aforementioned school board and city council. They have a great track record!
* Movement Voter Project - MVP does the research to identify the best local voter engagement organizations, and streamlines your giving — operating like a “mutual fund for political donations.”
*The states Project - works at the state legislature level in swing states usually to either flip a chamber to Democrats, strengthen a thin Democratic majority, or break a GOP super majority. In 2024, the states are AZ, KS, MI, MN, NV, NH, NC, and PA. Funds are raised through giving circles (they pick which states to support) and the states project picks which races are funded. (The CWCW giving circle is donating to AZ and PA in 2024).
Dorrie, I am taking this post down for anger and disappointment is an inappropriate way to respond to this remarkable week and the current aggressive messaging of the campaign. If you want to come back using more appropriate sentiment have it but don't bring that stuff in here, not now. Thank you.
Dorrie, I believe you can see those ads online, on the campaign’s YouTube channel and in their social media threads. That’s where I see them – in addition to enjoying them in Simon’s updates.
That said, I hope someone posts a web page with ALL the amazing ads/videos that were shown during the DNC! (Please post a link if you know of such a page.)
When you sign up to volunteer with DNC, you can get access to "Reach" https://www.reach.vote/ . The Reach app has comprehensive library of content of all types, organized by topic, including videos. New content is constantly being added. It is an amazing resource.
I want to applaud whoever did the detailed programming of the Democratic National Convention. Yes, there were great major speeches – amazing and uplifting speeches! And of course it was all brought to an epic conclusion by Kamala Harris’ thunderous acceptance speech.
But what really struck me was the astounding number of short speeches: three-minute, two-minute, even 90-second speeches. All of them highly articulate, succinct, and extremely respectful of the clock. And the variation kept it interesting; the repeated voicing of key themes kept the DNC’s overarching message unified and intense – and joyful!
So, to whoever did the detailed programming and enforced discipline: you did an amazing job. Absolutely masterful!
To add to your comments, the programming that had been planned for months had to be altered at the last minute due to the switch at the top of the ticket. You would have thought they had months instead of hours to get the new line up in place. Great job. Makes me so proud of my party.
I was impressed with the masterful camera work and brilliant on-the-fly directing that really captured the joy and energy, and at times the somber steadfastness underneath it all. It backgrounded the speeches and at the same time framed them. Very, very impressed!
BREAKING NEWS, Bedminster, New Jersey: "In a special ceremony later today, RFK Jr and Donald Trump will press their ears together for the symbolic Passing of the Brain Worm."
GLENDALE, ARIZONA (The Borowitz Report)—Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed Donald J. Trump on Friday night in order to lend “much-needed sanity” to the GOP campaign, the former third-party candidate said.
“You spend any amount of time with Trump and you realize he’s a whack job,” Kennedy told reporters. “I decided that somebody needed to tell him to get a grip.”
Stating that he hoped to be “the voice of reason” in the Trump campaign, Kennedy ticked off a list of the Republican nominee’s obsessions that he called “just plain nuts.”
“Windmills, sharks, Hannibal Lecter,” Kennedy said. “And why does he keep exaggerating about how big his crowds are? I would never lie about the size of my worm.”
Ya know, I used to take my kids fishing at a pond right near there; my son's college roommate worked as a server there. Small world. I was blissfully unaware of the place until the idjt became president. I still have a hard time with this nightmare; 2016, pandemic, Biden defeating him ( and waiting days to find out while in isolation because the vaccines were not ready yet and people were still dying all around me ) then joy that he lost....and then he rose up again like a horror movie villain with all its ugliness. In my heart, I don't believe tfg and his appeals to misery have a prayer against JOY.
Simon, you are so right about how important Kinzinger is, and has been since January 6th. Let us put out an even bigger welcome mat for principled Republicans.
Kinzinger was great, Vladimir Zelenskyy was incredible. And our President to Be and her running mate are perhaps a miracle for generations. Thank you for sharing. We all must win this. We are not going back!
Thanks for sharing the video on Ukraine's Independence Day today. Stunningly beautiful landscape and people. Zelensky is such a tough leader and an example of incredible strength for his people. I had chills watching the video. So much destruction but so much hope! My heart is with the people of Ukraine always but especially today as they celebrate their countries Independence.
PLEASE GIVE CORRECT SIGN UP LINK for Phonebanking for Josh Riley this Thursday:
In this Aug 24 issue of Hopium Chronicles, it says
"Thursday Night Postcarding and Phonebanking for Josh Riley (NY-19) - We are back at it this Thursday at 730pm ET for a night of work for a great House candidate from New York, Josh Riley. You can register here...."
Does anyone know where we sit with governor's races this year, and specifically anything about WA? I'm getting texts that the Dem Bob Ferguson can't fund his ads which seems bonkers.
You’re right; it is very odd. I wonder if there’s a way to check with his campaign. Of course, they won’t turn down a donation, so maybe that’s not the best idea.
Welcome John to Team Hopium!
The campaign only has so much money, and ads are expensive. They're not running in blue states either.
I'd think the best way to make change in red states is to do what Stacy Abrahams did in Georgia - spend 10 years building up a turnout operation, build up the state and local party, etc.
Yes, give to local parties and grassroots groups. Many of them are caught in a catch-22 where people won't donate because the conventional wisdom is we can't win there, so they don't have the resources to build up and eventually win. In these areas it often starts with a single school board or city council race.
I also subscribe to Jessica Craven's "Chop Wood, Carry Water" substack. She had an interesting discussion about this catch 22 the other day:
https://open.substack.com/pub/chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions/p/chop-wood-carry-water-822-c54?r=1aiy5t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Then yesterday, Jessica posted about a generous reader who is donating matching funds for donations to 3 of Jessica's favorites:
* Run for Something - which helps first-time candidates (and I think second time candidates if they don't win the first time) get elected to office including the aforementioned school board and city council. They have a great track record!
* Movement Voter Project - MVP does the research to identify the best local voter engagement organizations, and streamlines your giving — operating like a “mutual fund for political donations.”
*The states Project - works at the state legislature level in swing states usually to either flip a chamber to Democrats, strengthen a thin Democratic majority, or break a GOP super majority. In 2024, the states are AZ, KS, MI, MN, NV, NH, NC, and PA. Funds are raised through giving circles (they pick which states to support) and the states project picks which races are funded. (The CWCW giving circle is donating to AZ and PA in 2024).
In order to have your donations eligible for matching funds, click theough the links in yesterday's newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions/p/chop-wood-carry-water-823-3f0?r=1aiy5t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Another organization that is trying to address the Catch-22 is Forgotten Democrats
(https://forgottendemocrats.org/about/) which helps close the gaps in funding for candidates in tough races using a "bottom-up bathtub model".
Then, “Do something”
-Michelle Obama & VP (soon to be President) Kamala Harris
Dorrie, I am taking this post down for anger and disappointment is an inappropriate way to respond to this remarkable week and the current aggressive messaging of the campaign. If you want to come back using more appropriate sentiment have it but don't bring that stuff in here, not now. Thank you.
Dorrie, I believe you can see those ads online, on the campaign’s YouTube channel and in their social media threads. That’s where I see them – in addition to enjoying them in Simon’s updates.
That said, I hope someone posts a web page with ALL the amazing ads/videos that were shown during the DNC! (Please post a link if you know of such a page.)
When you sign up to volunteer with DNC, you can get access to "Reach" https://www.reach.vote/ . The Reach app has comprehensive library of content of all types, organized by topic, including videos. New content is constantly being added. It is an amazing resource.
Keep on keepin’ on Simon! Thank you!!!
Get to 55% -- partner with FT 6. Register more Democrats, save the world.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/about-us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpsqCGP0fX4&t=120s
Fred's Hopium Bender at the DNC. Simon makes a cameo.
I want to applaud whoever did the detailed programming of the Democratic National Convention. Yes, there were great major speeches – amazing and uplifting speeches! And of course it was all brought to an epic conclusion by Kamala Harris’ thunderous acceptance speech.
But what really struck me was the astounding number of short speeches: three-minute, two-minute, even 90-second speeches. All of them highly articulate, succinct, and extremely respectful of the clock. And the variation kept it interesting; the repeated voicing of key themes kept the DNC’s overarching message unified and intense – and joyful!
So, to whoever did the detailed programming and enforced discipline: you did an amazing job. Absolutely masterful!
Yes!! Agree!
Truly! Masterful…Mistressful ☺️… Happy , Joyous , and FREE
Mistressful!! Oh yes. Absolutely appropriate given the joyful numbers of women stepping into those shoes!
To add to your comments, the programming that had been planned for months had to be altered at the last minute due to the switch at the top of the ticket. You would have thought they had months instead of hours to get the new line up in place. Great job. Makes me so proud of my party.
Indeed!
Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me (NPR Quiz Show) was also at the convention and had a special podcast about their adventures. The part about the speech-writer begins at about 4:29. https://chrt.fm/track/138C95/prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-344098539/traffic.megaphone.fm/NPR7734579729.mp3?d=816&size=13061687&e=1198920318&t=podcast&p=344098539&sc=siteplayer&aw_0_1st.playerid=siteplayer
That was fascinating, Thanks!
I was impressed with the masterful camera work and brilliant on-the-fly directing that really captured the joy and energy, and at times the somber steadfastness underneath it all. It backgrounded the speeches and at the same time framed them. Very, very impressed!
I think Jamie Harrison 🤔?
BREAKING NEWS, Bedminster, New Jersey: "In a special ceremony later today, RFK Jr and Donald Trump will press their ears together for the symbolic Passing of the Brain Worm."
Thank you for the laugh. I'm in Mesa AZ and the two worms pledged their love for one another yesterday.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA (The Borowitz Report)—Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed Donald J. Trump on Friday night in order to lend “much-needed sanity” to the GOP campaign, the former third-party candidate said.
“You spend any amount of time with Trump and you realize he’s a whack job,” Kennedy told reporters. “I decided that somebody needed to tell him to get a grip.”
Stating that he hoped to be “the voice of reason” in the Trump campaign, Kennedy ticked off a list of the Republican nominee’s obsessions that he called “just plain nuts.”
“Windmills, sharks, Hannibal Lecter,” Kennedy said. “And why does he keep exaggerating about how big his crowds are? I would never lie about the size of my worm.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/borowitzreport/p/rfk-jr-brings-much-needed-sanity?r=fqsxl&utm_medium=ios
Ya know, I used to take my kids fishing at a pond right near there; my son's college roommate worked as a server there. Small world. I was blissfully unaware of the place until the idjt became president. I still have a hard time with this nightmare; 2016, pandemic, Biden defeating him ( and waiting days to find out while in isolation because the vaccines were not ready yet and people were still dying all around me ) then joy that he lost....and then he rose up again like a horror movie villain with all its ugliness. In my heart, I don't believe tfg and his appeals to misery have a prayer against JOY.
What are the early voting states so we can focus our “Do Something” actions to get out the early vote?
Here you go, two overviews:
https://www.usvotefoundation.org/early-voting-dates
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/which-states-start-early-voting-first-in-the-2024-presidential-election/ar-AA1oVPyI
Pennsylvania is first, with early voting starting on 16 September.
thank you, Arctic
You are amazing, Arctic! Talk about DOING something! 💙⭐️💙
All states have to begin sending Special Absentee ballots 45 days ahead of general. North Carolina sends 60 days ahead - and that is Sept 6!
Yes, real ballots to voters going out! Exciting!
Here's a simple and important way to help reach them - https://www.mobilize.us/buildbridges4am/event/643789/
Simon, you are so right about how important Kinzinger is, and has been since January 6th. Let us put out an even bigger welcome mat for principled Republicans.
https://www.haleyvotersforharris.org/
https://rvat.org/
Great PAC, but , based on my experience of a few minutes ago, they need to fix their Donate button...
Kinzinger was great, Vladimir Zelenskyy was incredible. And our President to Be and her running mate are perhaps a miracle for generations. Thank you for sharing. We all must win this. We are not going back!
Thanks for sharing the video on Ukraine's Independence Day today. Stunningly beautiful landscape and people. Zelensky is such a tough leader and an example of incredible strength for his people. I had chills watching the video. So much destruction but so much hope! My heart is with the people of Ukraine always but especially today as they celebrate their countries Independence.
Tears in my eyes for the Ukraine video. What an incredible leader. Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦 ♥️
Simon, the link for postcarding/phonebanking registration is taking me to YouTube, so it may need a fix. Thanks for all you do!
Yes, same comment! Thank you!
PLEASE GIVE CORRECT SIGN UP LINK for Phonebanking for Josh Riley this Thursday:
In this Aug 24 issue of Hopium Chronicles, it says
"Thursday Night Postcarding and Phonebanking for Josh Riley (NY-19) - We are back at it this Thursday at 730pm ET for a night of work for a great House candidate from New York, Josh Riley. You can register here...."
The link given a the word "here" takes you to https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=aIYSU5omhqM&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email which is a video of Adam Kinsinger speaking at the Convention.
IT WOULD BE GOOD TO FIX THIS LINK ASAP so people can sign up
Thanks. I thought it was just me.
Link to Thurs nite goes to YouTube…
Does anyone know where we sit with governor's races this year, and specifically anything about WA? I'm getting texts that the Dem Bob Ferguson can't fund his ads which seems bonkers.
I can’t answer your good question. I have heard though that there are a number of scam texts. We should all be cautious.
I hope someone who knows can say more about this. I don’t want to be a fear mongerer.
I think the texts are legit but seems very odd that the Dem gubernatorial nominee in a "blue" state can't find the money to run ads.
You’re right; it is very odd. I wonder if there’s a way to check with his campaign. Of course, they won’t turn down a donation, so maybe that’s not the best idea.
Please fix the link to register to make calls for Josh Riley on Thurs., August 29. He is a wonderful candidate.