Thank you for this timely call to arms. I don't accept the conventional wisdom that Democrats will be shellacked in the midterms. Protection of the integrity of the election is key, but a Democrat sweep must be fought for, and this of course depends on independents voting Democrat. Warren is absolutely correct, Democrats have to get a strong message out and loud.
Professor, Because no one seems to have a ready answer about how to resuscitate momentum at the federal level, I couldn’t agree more that we must look to how we can defend democracy at the state and local levels.
Though far less polished than your messaging, since the failed Senate vote this past January to pass minimum nationwide voting standards, I, along with a host of others, have emphasized the need for enthusiastic poll workers and other election officials—county clerks and election judges—who can help people easily to register and stay registered and also ensure that their votes are counted. We’re also amplifying the importance of out-organizing Republicans, who, as you stated, ruthlessly are organizing to fill state and local positions with their own people—people who don’t believe in free and fair elections. As important, we’re in touch with groups that provide lists of Secretary of State candidates that need our support.
Though I haven’t given up on getting some federal voter safeguards passed, I, nonetheless, know we need to get started, nationwide, mobilizing for democracy at the state and local levels.
My sincere thanks for today’s comprehensive and highly accessible newsletter that merits the broadest distribution each of us can manage.
Perhaps another thing local people can do is ask candidates for every office, "who won the 2020 presidential election and how do you know?" Then ask if they would swear to that. Anyone who can't acknowledge the truth of Biden's win is a potential coup participant. It is sad so many people are desperate for excitement and will put our democracy at risk to get it. They are hoping they will be in the elite group when the Trumpers take over. They have no clue that the Trumpers are as disgusted with the screamers at rallies as with everyone else who is not white, straight, rich, and male. They simply tolerate the women and others who are willing to give up their souls for them, only as long as they are useful.
It's hard to believe that people like Brian Kemp can get away with what he did. How is it that a person with an obvious conflict of interest can just go ahead and mess up the set up? No wonder things have gotten as bad as they are now!
That's why I became a poll worker for Polk County, Florida during the presidential election and while I intend to work as one in the upcoming election.
I don't know how to get a message to people who think the Republican Party is on their side? I know that a small minority of Americans are both under-educated and of less than average intelligence. Nonetheless, these people are still citizens and I would defend their right to vote their conscience. But there is another whole bunch of folks who are not that dumb and not that uneducated, but who still vote for the Republican ticket. Say all you want about the pernicious impacts of false media and bemoan the role of money in politics until the cows come home, there is still something wrong with our understanding of these people! Why are they vulnerable to those false claims on media? Even worse, in one survey I heard about, some folks admitted that they knew the claims were false but they liked the messages anyway! I think we have come to a time when "root cause analysis" is of little use; now is the time to deal with the reality on the ground. In addition to what Secretary Reich recommends, those of us with even modest means must challenge all crimes in a court of law. I live in California, a pretty strong blue State. But we have some Republicans in Congress from our State and we have some Republican challengers now that district lines have been re-drawn. I'm searching for those people who are trying to break down our legitimate election processes, and I'm going to do something about it!
The scenario that Robert describes seems more and more probable, ending our democracy. Since the last election cycle, the Republicans have been putting in place the people and procedures to guarantee that they will win the midterm election coming soon and the next Presidential election. The danger is already happening! People need to wake up!
It is disheartening, sad, irritating, frustrating, etc., that you even have to write this piece since the evidence is so overwhelming and PUBLIC, and yet we still contend with criminals who seem to hold our government hostage.
When states can determine who WE elect president, then we have lost democracy. There is still a short window of opportunity for Dems to do something to protect our government and, ultimately, our country, but is appears that is not high on the agenda.
Finally, I realize that DOJ need to get their ducks in a row before going after the insurrectionists, but prolonging the process is giving the republican traitors the ability to SHOUT their message to the cult following.
To say I am frustrated, embarrassed, and, frankly, confused is an understatement. If the DEMS don't find some mental strength, then it is certainly possible the mid-terms will be lost.
IMHO, the underlying problem is having a single partisan official, the secretary of state, with the power to supervise and certify elections in his/her state. Elect or appoint the wrong person to this position, such as Brian Kemp, and you get the abuses seen in the 2018 Georgia governor's race, where Kemp's actions stole the election from Stacy Abrams. In Virginia, a group of appointed individuals, the State Board of Elections, supervises elections. I believe this makes it less likely for election abuse to occur. Other states should consider a similar system.
Once again, we expect people to overwhelmingly show up for a known corrupt process! The focus should be on immediate arrests of those planning coups in the open! We continue to do things backwards and then get shocked when we are overthrown. I believe in 6 out of the past 7 elections the Democrats won the popular vote! Yet we’ve had republican so-called presidents. There are many years of getting trampled and expecting the winners to forego their hopes for moving forward. Part of this is lack of arresting those responsible. We’ve watched the police kill black citizens over petty crimes, but taking down our Democracy/government sits on the back burner!
We are out of time for this next election…we must ALL vote to reverse everything the republican lunatics have put in place. If we can do this, we (Progressives-representing the majority of the nation-based on approval stats for priority of Climate action, Health Care for All, Free/low cost Higher Ed etc) MUST BE REWARDED WITH MEANINGFUL CHANGES! Last chance!
And lets be sure, those committing the heinous crimes of Trump et al are put under arrest immediately after the crime is committed. We do this for middle/lower class citizens.
That is a scary scenario! But more scary is people don't really understand the dire consequences to that. How dangerous that is. This must be made repeatedly clear to the voters. And sadly, Democrats are not making it! Too trusting and complaisant in their positions.
Let this be a major wakeup call to all of us. The 2020 election was saved from Trumps coup by state election officials who followed the rule of law and refused to succumb to lies and threats. If we don't protect these same people we'll end up with officials who will do everything they can to rig the vote to ensure their own victory. If we thought the 2020 election was important, the 2024 election is not only important but critical in saving our country and democracy itself. Scary times require aggressive action. Get involved now.
Once again, your commentary has focused on a crucial issue in American politics. As in other responses, I keep coming back to the crying need to reeducate (for lack of a better term) the working class citizens who make up much of the Trump/Bannon base. This is a complex undertaking that will walk a fine line between traditional activism and modern media targeting. There is a perception that the Dems have become the party of minorities, immigrants and far-left radicals, rather than the general public. Irrespective of whether it has even a grain of basis in reality, it has a disproportionate influence on perceptions. The battle for hearts and minds can't be won when it's diverted from truth to lies and false perceptions. Ideally, the education system should be providing the basis for discerrnment, but it's too easily lost in the culture wars. So, it's a matter of paying attention to Secretary of State races, as well as school boards and other lynchpin elected offices. This has to be repeated on a state by state and an ongoing basis. If not, the Trumpannons will have their way.
The OH Supreme Court has just ruled unconstitutional the Republicans' 4th "tweaked" version of a gerrymandered voter districting map previously ruled unconstitutional. That means I'll be working 2 elections. Since the Federal court refused to intervene with the congressional elections, those candidates along with local issues will appear on the May 3 ballot. State General Assembly candidates will be voted on in a later election. OH Republicans aren't trying to suppress the vote. They're trying to choose who will vote for the candidates they're running - a subtler move, indeed, except they can't get it past the kind of conservative supreme court they prefer! More on this as it unfolds.
Thank you for this timely call to arms. I don't accept the conventional wisdom that Democrats will be shellacked in the midterms. Protection of the integrity of the election is key, but a Democrat sweep must be fought for, and this of course depends on independents voting Democrat. Warren is absolutely correct, Democrats have to get a strong message out and loud.
Professor, Because no one seems to have a ready answer about how to resuscitate momentum at the federal level, I couldn’t agree more that we must look to how we can defend democracy at the state and local levels.
Though far less polished than your messaging, since the failed Senate vote this past January to pass minimum nationwide voting standards, I, along with a host of others, have emphasized the need for enthusiastic poll workers and other election officials—county clerks and election judges—who can help people easily to register and stay registered and also ensure that their votes are counted. We’re also amplifying the importance of out-organizing Republicans, who, as you stated, ruthlessly are organizing to fill state and local positions with their own people—people who don’t believe in free and fair elections. As important, we’re in touch with groups that provide lists of Secretary of State candidates that need our support.
Though I haven’t given up on getting some federal voter safeguards passed, I, nonetheless, know we need to get started, nationwide, mobilizing for democracy at the state and local levels.
My sincere thanks for today’s comprehensive and highly accessible newsletter that merits the broadest distribution each of us can manage.
A message... Don't allow republicans to hand over American democracy to Trump/Putin.
Perhaps another thing local people can do is ask candidates for every office, "who won the 2020 presidential election and how do you know?" Then ask if they would swear to that. Anyone who can't acknowledge the truth of Biden's win is a potential coup participant. It is sad so many people are desperate for excitement and will put our democracy at risk to get it. They are hoping they will be in the elite group when the Trumpers take over. They have no clue that the Trumpers are as disgusted with the screamers at rallies as with everyone else who is not white, straight, rich, and male. They simply tolerate the women and others who are willing to give up their souls for them, only as long as they are useful.
It's hard to believe that people like Brian Kemp can get away with what he did. How is it that a person with an obvious conflict of interest can just go ahead and mess up the set up? No wonder things have gotten as bad as they are now!
That's why I became a poll worker for Polk County, Florida during the presidential election and while I intend to work as one in the upcoming election.
I don't know how to get a message to people who think the Republican Party is on their side? I know that a small minority of Americans are both under-educated and of less than average intelligence. Nonetheless, these people are still citizens and I would defend their right to vote their conscience. But there is another whole bunch of folks who are not that dumb and not that uneducated, but who still vote for the Republican ticket. Say all you want about the pernicious impacts of false media and bemoan the role of money in politics until the cows come home, there is still something wrong with our understanding of these people! Why are they vulnerable to those false claims on media? Even worse, in one survey I heard about, some folks admitted that they knew the claims were false but they liked the messages anyway! I think we have come to a time when "root cause analysis" is of little use; now is the time to deal with the reality on the ground. In addition to what Secretary Reich recommends, those of us with even modest means must challenge all crimes in a court of law. I live in California, a pretty strong blue State. But we have some Republicans in Congress from our State and we have some Republican challengers now that district lines have been re-drawn. I'm searching for those people who are trying to break down our legitimate election processes, and I'm going to do something about it!
The scenario that Robert describes seems more and more probable, ending our democracy. Since the last election cycle, the Republicans have been putting in place the people and procedures to guarantee that they will win the midterm election coming soon and the next Presidential election. The danger is already happening! People need to wake up!
It is disheartening, sad, irritating, frustrating, etc., that you even have to write this piece since the evidence is so overwhelming and PUBLIC, and yet we still contend with criminals who seem to hold our government hostage.
When states can determine who WE elect president, then we have lost democracy. There is still a short window of opportunity for Dems to do something to protect our government and, ultimately, our country, but is appears that is not high on the agenda.
Finally, I realize that DOJ need to get their ducks in a row before going after the insurrectionists, but prolonging the process is giving the republican traitors the ability to SHOUT their message to the cult following.
To say I am frustrated, embarrassed, and, frankly, confused is an understatement. If the DEMS don't find some mental strength, then it is certainly possible the mid-terms will be lost.
IMHO, the underlying problem is having a single partisan official, the secretary of state, with the power to supervise and certify elections in his/her state. Elect or appoint the wrong person to this position, such as Brian Kemp, and you get the abuses seen in the 2018 Georgia governor's race, where Kemp's actions stole the election from Stacy Abrams. In Virginia, a group of appointed individuals, the State Board of Elections, supervises elections. I believe this makes it less likely for election abuse to occur. Other states should consider a similar system.
Once again, we expect people to overwhelmingly show up for a known corrupt process! The focus should be on immediate arrests of those planning coups in the open! We continue to do things backwards and then get shocked when we are overthrown. I believe in 6 out of the past 7 elections the Democrats won the popular vote! Yet we’ve had republican so-called presidents. There are many years of getting trampled and expecting the winners to forego their hopes for moving forward. Part of this is lack of arresting those responsible. We’ve watched the police kill black citizens over petty crimes, but taking down our Democracy/government sits on the back burner!
We are out of time for this next election…we must ALL vote to reverse everything the republican lunatics have put in place. If we can do this, we (Progressives-representing the majority of the nation-based on approval stats for priority of Climate action, Health Care for All, Free/low cost Higher Ed etc) MUST BE REWARDED WITH MEANINGFUL CHANGES! Last chance!
And lets be sure, those committing the heinous crimes of Trump et al are put under arrest immediately after the crime is committed. We do this for middle/lower class citizens.
That is a scary scenario! But more scary is people don't really understand the dire consequences to that. How dangerous that is. This must be made repeatedly clear to the voters. And sadly, Democrats are not making it! Too trusting and complaisant in their positions.
Let this be a major wakeup call to all of us. The 2020 election was saved from Trumps coup by state election officials who followed the rule of law and refused to succumb to lies and threats. If we don't protect these same people we'll end up with officials who will do everything they can to rig the vote to ensure their own victory. If we thought the 2020 election was important, the 2024 election is not only important but critical in saving our country and democracy itself. Scary times require aggressive action. Get involved now.
Once again, your commentary has focused on a crucial issue in American politics. As in other responses, I keep coming back to the crying need to reeducate (for lack of a better term) the working class citizens who make up much of the Trump/Bannon base. This is a complex undertaking that will walk a fine line between traditional activism and modern media targeting. There is a perception that the Dems have become the party of minorities, immigrants and far-left radicals, rather than the general public. Irrespective of whether it has even a grain of basis in reality, it has a disproportionate influence on perceptions. The battle for hearts and minds can't be won when it's diverted from truth to lies and false perceptions. Ideally, the education system should be providing the basis for discerrnment, but it's too easily lost in the culture wars. So, it's a matter of paying attention to Secretary of State races, as well as school boards and other lynchpin elected offices. This has to be repeated on a state by state and an ongoing basis. If not, the Trumpannons will have their way.
The OH Supreme Court has just ruled unconstitutional the Republicans' 4th "tweaked" version of a gerrymandered voter districting map previously ruled unconstitutional. That means I'll be working 2 elections. Since the Federal court refused to intervene with the congressional elections, those candidates along with local issues will appear on the May 3 ballot. State General Assembly candidates will be voted on in a later election. OH Republicans aren't trying to suppress the vote. They're trying to choose who will vote for the candidates they're running - a subtler move, indeed, except they can't get it past the kind of conservative supreme court they prefer! More on this as it unfolds.
So worried