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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsB CLINTON "Our side’s not used to voting in midterms-We gotta get used to it-There’s a lot at stake”
For the purposes of understanding this midterm election, the most important quote of the weekend by far comes from Bill Clinton, who said this while in Iowa yesterday:
Ive studied all the polls and I really believe that were still in a zone where theyre all real close and it depends on who decides to show. And our sides not used to voting in midterms. We gotta get used to it. Theres a lot at stake.
In that interview, Clinton suggested that this is particularly true of the Senate contests in southern states. Clinton said that Senator Mark Pryor could probably hang on in Arkansas if we get the turnout. And speaking about the contest between Dem Michelle Nunn and GOPer David Perdue, Clinton said that African Americans are under-registered in Georgia and added that if Dems increase the number, victory is possible even in that red state.
Clinton is right. It isnt just that core Dem voter groups tend to drop off in midterms. Its also that this time around, they dont necessarily know whats at stake in this election and why it should matter to them, as Dem focus grouping I reported on last week clearly shows. Whats more, as Nate Cohn recently demonstrated, for a variety of reasons, black voters are poised to play a pivotal and historic role in multiple Senate races in the south. If they turn out.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/09/15/morning-plum-bill-clinton-tells-dem-voters-to-wake-up-already/
Peacetrain
(22,875 posts)We had a huge discussion about that this week.. there ARE more of us than there are of them.. we have to get off our butts and go to the booth every time there is an election. Have to.. can't sit and wait for the next fellow to do the job for us..
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)CentralMass
(15,265 posts)riqster
(13,986 posts)CentralMass
(15,265 posts)Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)MineralMan
(146,288 posts)Huge in importance, anyhow. It remains to be seen how huge it will be in numbers. It's time, right now, to begin:
GOTV 2014 and Beyond!
jwirr
(39,215 posts)happened many times in the past. Especially to minorities who felt they had no hope in the past. I am hoping we are in a new day. It all depends our GOTV.
leftstreet
(36,107 posts)when the Democrats campaigned on an actual issue...ending the war...and triumphed?
He's often just as tone deaf as his wife
riqster
(13,986 posts)It is a valid concern and worth talking about.
leftstreet
(36,107 posts)riqster
(13,986 posts)Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)riqster
(13,986 posts)I am done waiting for the party to give me something to vote for. Fuck that passive-reactor bit.
I am voting against Teapubbies. That ALWAYS provides ample motivation.
riqster
(13,986 posts)handmade34
(22,756 posts)Autumn
(45,066 posts)GOTV by trumpeting and pushing Democratic values. "Not as bad as the other guys" just don't work anymore. neither does "who else you gonna vote for" and "it's your fault for staying home" is sort of fallen by the wayside , no one believes that anymore
And don't even get me started on you have to vote for the blue dog or a republican will get elected and it's all your fault because that's a fucking joke
The Democratic leaders need to step up and GIVE us a reason to vote. Give me a reason I want to vote for you and enjoy it and know that I am voting for the betterment of our country and not the corporations and the 1%.
Now it's a shame that I have to post a disclaimer but I have voted in every election for any Democrat and I will never sit one out and will voted for any Democrat who is nominated but there are people out there that won't. Give them and me a reason to vote.
riqster
(13,986 posts)Do we wait for someone else to give us a reason? Or provide our own reason?
You, I suspect, provide your own motivation, as do I.
Instead of validating those who will not vote unless someone gives them a reason, let's help people to motivate themselves.
Because parties suck, and cannot be counted upon to perform when required to.
Autumn
(45,066 posts)don't give us a reason to vote for them or motivate us to vote for them? If our party cannot be counted upon to perform when we require them to preform what is the use in voting for them? I have never rewarded bad behavior in my children or family members why should I reward the ones that I vote to represent my values and needs when their behavior is bad.
I can be motivated to vote easily, shouldn't the ones I vote for be motivated to represent me? You just can't get people to motivate themselves to elect someone to power and wealth just to watch them screw over the very ones who voted for them. The veil has been lifted and now with the power of the internet politicians need to realize that the games are not working any more. We see their actions and back room deals clearly.
Cha
(297,196 posts)it seems they didn't in 2010.
Our side needs to be smarter than that.