"Maybe next time he'll think before he tweets"

https://www.buzzfeed.com/farrahpenn/carrie-underwood-opened-up-the-cmas-by-saying-the?utm_term=.vgR4dqWm3#.dqVdjmOLR


(no youtube video as of yet-- I want to watch this one).

I knocked a few doors, but I spent most of my time running canvasses and phone banks this cycle (as for most cycles now).

I've been reading this a lot here in the last week. AS a political staffer, I want to share a few things with you.

1) It sounds wonderful when you say you'll give directly to candidates instead of the DNC (DSCC/DCCC, etc). Here's the difference. One is a short-term entity and the other is a long-term entity. Your donation to a candidate will help them go on TV or send out a mailer. Your donation to the DNC pays for the long-term infrastructure of the 50 state parties. They provide training to staffers and candidates (and volunteers), pay utility bills and rent to keep HQ opened, maintain the voter file (so a volunteer's call and walk lists are more accurate), provide rapid response to news, and other behind the scenes stuff. Is it sexy? No. But it is necessary.

2) If you think the DNC is writing off certain races, check my inbox. I've received more than a dozen job postings from progressive groups getting organizers on the ground in bright red Alabama. Many 2018 races are starting to staff up.

3) Progressive groups that make the perfect the enemy of the good are the problem not the solution. I have been active with my local DFA chapter in the past. They were a group that I admired and did work for. I'm very disappointed that they're pulling out of a crucial race less than a week out. The time to fight these battles is in the primaries and ONLY in the primaries.

4) ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL. As Frank Underwood said in the first season of House of Cards, vote your district. If Joe Manchin votes more conservatively than Kamala Harris, you need to look at their respective electorates. If Cory Booker is voting in favor of Big Pharma, keep in mind that many of the drug companies are based in his state. Before we rush to judge a politician's vote, keep in mind his or her district/state.

5) We need to focus on building our bench. This means that we need to run candidates in every race from dog catcher to POTUS. Many school board and city council (while technically nonpartisan) have Republican candidates running unopposed. This needs to stop. Step up and run for office (this is happening this year--- 250 women showed up at an Emily's List training about running for office last week in NY).

6) 2018 is shaping up to be a pretty big year but I don't want to speak too soon. We're ahead of candidate recruitment for congressional races than we were last cycle, but I worry that these large primary fields are ignoring downticket races. There's an 8 way primary for a seat in upstate NY. I wish some of those candidates would focus on running for state, county, and local offices to build our bench.

7) Turn your frustration into action. Register new voters in your district, knock on doors, help local candidates run for office, make phone calls, write postcards. There's many ways to get involved.

I live in a deep red legislative districts. Democrats always field candidates, but not successful ones.

So yesterday a canvasser knocked on my door, and instead of leaving just one palm card, they left a whole stack of them. They also left a yard sign at my door.

(This is my first communication from a campaign. I early voted a month ago).

Just received this email about DFA's dialer campaigns in Virginia (crucial elections this year).

If you can, hop on the phones for an hour to call voters.

https://www2.democracyforamerica.com/events/dfadialer/2017?akid=10055.2015136.VpygPh&rd=1&refcode=g-dfadialer1025.d-20171025.m-10055.s-36756&t=2

crazycatlady--

Extreme right-wing candidate Roy Moore won the Republican runoff election to fill Jeff Sessions' Senate seat.

With Moore as the GOP nominee, our chances to flip this Senate seat just got stronger -- but only if we help Democratic nominee Doug Jones kick off the general election with the strongest campaign possible. Are you in?

Chip in $4 right now to elect Democrat Doug Jones and Democratic Senate candidates everywhere, starting with the Alabama Senate special election.

A recent Washington Post op-ed called Roy Moore an "alt-right hero." He's been endorsed by Steve Bannon and Breitbart, and his victory tonight sets a dangerous precedent for other extremist candidates to run in 2018.

If we help Doug win this seat, it will send an unmistakable message that Democrats can compete and win anywhere -- especially against far-right extremists. This Alabama special election is right around the corner, so let's make sure Doug has the resources necessary to compete.

We need to give Doug the strongest possible start to the general election. Chip in $4 right now to elect Doug Jones and Democratic Senate candidates everywhere:

http://www.dscc.org/support-Democratic-Senate-candidates

Thanks for stepping up,

Team DSCC

https://www.buzzfeed.com/jasminnahar/pictures-that-prove-cats-really-are-assholes?utm_term=.aw2kG9MaN#.svEpR8G5Y

I know DU skews older. So Boomers, think about this as you downsize.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/18/your-money/aging-parents-with-lots-of-stuff-and-children-who-dont-want-it.html?_r=0

I'm sure a lot of us are in the process of decluttering (mods move this if necessary) and this could be a support thread/motivation thread.

Any advice on what to do with old photo albums? These are not family photos (think college parties) and I have no need to keep these. I hate to just send them to the trash. (Note-- the people are no longer in my life).

I've been to a lot of protests and marches since 45 took office (mostly in NYC). I'm very hungry to go to another. (Side note, I actually make money at these events as I sell pussyhats there). One I went to this spring was a counter protest in Philly and the antifa people in a way scared me (all black and hiding their identity).

I have made a decision that for my own safety, I'm not going to a counter protest. Even if I were to sell every pussyhat I have, the money would not be worth my safety.