I am pleased that a people’s movement helped force Joe Biden to step down. I’m beyond thrilled with the choice of Midwestern Gov. Tim Walz for VP. As one of my favorite political strategists, Jonathan Smucker, said on Twitter, “It almost seems like they're playing to win.” Will wonders never cease?! I will be working for them here in Wisconsin.
Good News
Kamala Harris has brought optimism and joy to a Presidential campaign that, with Biden, was all despair, anger and sadness. Not only donations, but volunteer sign-ups and polling are all going in the right direction. Interest groups from “white dudes” (led by Jeff Bridges, of course) to Silicon Valley VC guys are organizing themselves in support. While she is not exactly progressive, the more I learn about Harris, the more I like her. Rep. Katie Porter, who’s worked for her, told the American Prospect that Harris “is not for sale.”
Even Better News
Tim Walz is on board! I haven’t heard a discouraging word. A rainbow of Democrats from AOC to Joe Manchin were immediately thumbs-up. He speaks rural. He speaks Midwest. He has a stellar record of delivering progressive results – and working with others respectfully - from his years in the House to his time as governor of Minnesota.
My favorite thing about him so far is why he became the faculty advisor for the first Gay Straight Alliance at Mankato West High School in Minnesota. He was a teacher there, and also a coach. He said, “It really needed to be the football coach, who was the soldier and was straight and was married,” … “There’s a collective good,” he added. “We all benefit from programs like that.”
Even grouchy Sarah Smarsh loves him, saying “Democrats have needed someone like him for decades.” True that!
Walz will do so much to help the Democratic Party not only win rural voters, but make better policy for rural areas, as well as so many progressive priorities from abortion rights to labor and climate.
And Yet
Not only is Israel still committing genocide in Gaza, but apparently, Israel now has the power and the will to remove pro-Palestinian elected officials from our government. Even worse, rather than saying “no” to further military support as Israel threatens the rest of the Middle East with a wider war, we’re sending fighter jets and naval support. If we’re sending that stuff to anyone, it should be Ukraine, who is actually defending themselves from an invasion.
Although progressives were able to stave off “Genocide Josh” as VP, we’re still a long way from getting government – especially Democrats - to recognize that the majority of Americans don’t support this war or our role in it.
How Did I Get Here?
Also, we have not reckoned with how we got here, and how we can make sure something like Biden’s failed campaign never happens again.
Biden’s White House and campaign staff, and apparently his family, were prepared to lose the Presidential election and Congress, rather than face the fact that he wasn’t up to the job. They were - and remain to this day - arrogant, selfish, and delusional. They lied to America about his condition, and ran a terrible campaign. Worst of all, they were running the kind of operation where many people knew Biden had to go, but wouldn’t tell him. These people were afraid of retaliation – and they felt no one would take action anyway.
These staffers and advisers don’t belong in leadership. I don’t understand why they still have jobs (though several of them have left the White House). Also, let’s not forget that, for too long, the party leadership wasn’t listening to people either. The day before Biden stepped down, party chairs in seven battleground states lined up behind him. What the hell? They knew he was dragging them down.
The party is lucky Nancy Pelosi is among them, and helped them dodge a bullet that could well have been fatal.
The Next 90 Days – and Beyond
We have an incredible opportunity now. Not just to win the Presidency, not just to win the House and Senate so we can pass legislation, not just to win more state and local elections with Harris’ coattails, but also to show just how much the American people want a progressive future.
If we do that, progressives will be in a position of power to help fix the Democratic Party and our electoral system at large.
So what can one person do?
If you’re a delegate to the DNC or know a delegate, support the Unity Reform Commission - launched by 1,300 Bernie delegates at the 2016 convention, which spent years working to reduce the power of superdelegates in the presidential nominating process, and mandated that the 57 state/territory parties adopt same-day primary voter registration and vote by mail.
Last week, the DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee voted to extend these critical reforms indefinitely, and sent the proposal to DNC convention delegates in Chicago for final approval. Add your name and tell DNC delegates to vote YES.
If this work sounds exciting to you, get involved with Our Revolution and/or your local Democratic party. The party desperately needs members who will challenge current leadership, replace them as needed, and create a culture where members have power and leaders lead, not dictate.
Learn about the local/state/Congressional candidates, ballot initiatives, and Constitutional amendments that will appear on your ballot in November.
Work for whatever candidates or issues most float your boat. If you don’t like knocking on doors or making phone calls, there is other work that needs to be done, like research, tech, events and media, including social media.
Give money if you can, especially to local/state candidates. I don’t think Kamala really needs your money.
Vote, of course.
Encourage your friends, family, neighbors, and co workers to do the same.
Stay involved after the election. Whether it’s with the Democratic party/candidates/political clubs, electoral reform groups, community organizations, issue advocacy groups, or proto-new parties like WFP or DSA, do something.
This is such an exciting time. If you haven’t yet, I hope you find something to plug into!
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