Jane!

Jane – and congrats katymine!

Jane !!

… and our Hero Howie !

Begin coalescing around a presidential candidate for ‘08.

I’ve found all these years later, that Fortunate Son still works.

Jane! : )

Howie is safely out of Paraguay.
http://aroundtheworldblog.blogspot.com/

Blue America! Jane, are you still accepting donations to Esten Maxwell’s fund-raiser?

The ActBlue strategy is the way to prove that public financing of elections or removing corporate money from elections works. Candidates have to be accountable to the people.

As an FYI, my boyfriend who is a freelancer for ESPN on Monday Night football has been known to play “Had Enough” as part of his music shuffle when they are striking the games. I have head others in the crew “singing” along in the background during phone calls. Viral way to spread the message.

Music is a great way to do it, it puts the message out in a non-threatening way but gets the job done.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 4

Begin coalescing around a presidential candidate for ‘08.

Yes!
We’ve got to pull together all our resources, and use them for whomever we agree is the best Dem candidate for ‘08. : )

Bring the 2.9 million registered nurses into the Democratic party’s fold. Nurses make up the largest invisible profession in the US. They provide the majority of all healthcare services to patients, they lean heavily Democratic, and they have enormous potential political and policy power.

Devote scads more time in interviewing influential nurses (Linda Aiken, Patricia Moccia, Jeanette Lancaster, Kathy Kolcaba, Greer Glazer, Rebecca Patton, May Wykle, and Jean Watson, Joyce Clifford for starters) and in highlighting the many issues facing nurses and patients (that’s the rest of us) around patient safety, the intensifying nursing shortage, universal healthcare, and nurses’ workplace issues.

Resource information and articles at Universal Health

I suspect that if nurses’ interests were aligned with the public’s interest around universal health, that the tipping point could be attained in 2007, and that universal healthcare would be able to move forward in a real and significant manner.

When I first started reading the blogs, I found fdl. I was absolutely overwhelmed at all the information available.

So I sent a meek little email to lady Jane asking her if she could recommend which organization to contribute to. At that time I rarely commented and received no reply to my email that in retrospect, went to a very busy lady with an overflowing in-basket.

Slowly I saw other similar questions of financing. In typical blogospherical fashion, not liking the options available, we built one ourselves.

This lesson has taught me not to try to slip a self-believed stupid question quietly into an email. A great deal of talent exists on the ‘nets, and thankfully, the ladies of the lake are good at directing these efforts.

Good on ‘ya.

I’d like to see Blue America start earlier. Look at all the fine people who almost made it into the House. What if we had started earlier? It takes time to build up the cash to run, when said cash is coming from we humble working folk.

And we had one primary challenge in the House, Donna Edwards. That’s understandable, we had to get the Republicans criminal party out of the majority.

I think now that we know what we can do, let’s make a bigger challenge to the Tauschers and Emanuels out there.

This year I would like FDL to take an occassional look at the House of Delegates race in Virginia’s 13th District. Some of you know we had one of those Get-the-Gays amendments on the ballot this year. It was put there by the current Republican incumbant Bob Marshall (not related) versus Bruce Roemmelt, former Vietnam Vet, former firefigher, current college professor and all aournd good guy. Winning this seat would set Virginia up to carry for the 2008 presidential nominee, win another US Senate seat and generally be a very good thing.

I almost forgot, Jeff Dion is running right now in a special election for Board of Supervisors in Prince William County.

Jane,
Sometimes I have ideas for political commercials, however, I have no time or ability to actually produce them. I’m certain others have this same problem.

Can Blue America form an ad hoc agency to produce spots generated from ideas on the web? Would it be better for me to try and recruit locally, as everyone else?

ifthethunderdontgetya @ 12

I think now that we know what we can do, let’s make a bigger challenge to the Tauschers and Emanuels out there.

CA progressives are already worked up about Tauscher…
Now is there someone who’s preparing a nice primary surprise for Rahmbo?

Note from Esten’s mom on his “CarePage”:

Hi Everyone! Well, today is the big day of the benefit/auction for Esten. We are very touched and humbled by the effort and excitement behind this project. My mom is coming today and she will help take care of Evelyn and bring her to part of the festivities. Tom will be at the benefit playing music at different times and will keep me posted on the fun. I’ll be at the hospital with Esten trying to keep him occupied…he’s doing great and should be out of the hospital by mid-week! I’m sorry I won’t be able to attend today, but we’re all doing our part to keep the train on tracks, so to speak. Thanks again for the great messages and hope you all can come to part of the benefit today! Much love, Mel.

For Esten.

To donate, click the paypal button or the visa/mastercard button on the upper-right margin, and make certain your donation ends with a .03 amount (His age) so they know the donation is for him!

Hi Jane– I love what Blue America did to introduce real, progressive candidates this last election.

I’m sure that FDL will focus on the new Congress as a way to further expose the incumbents and DINOS and hold their feet to the fire and highlight those who are fighting the good fight and reinforce their behavior as a means of encouraging others to join in the conversation and to indeed consider running for public office.

I would like to see us all better prepared for the next election– all of them, so perhaps we could focus very early on those candidates who are out there and start the support and conversation sooner. I, of course, agree that the Presidential election is of maximum importance, but I would hate to see all the oxygen sucked out of the Congressional and Senate races and I think Blue America is the perfect spot for it.

Hooowwwwieeee! Jane!

The success of BlueAmerica was indeed a high spot in the election. Our local DFA just sent around an email saying that the progressives are taking the lead in the CA state party, opportunities abound all around to influence the progress of the next 20 years.

I would love to see some sort of virtual organization set up, a sort of think tank/war room combination, sort of a wiki thing (pardon my rambling, I’m just sorting this out myself) to provide opposition research to our side and counter theirs. If we start building it now, it will be ready for ‘08.

The roots project substructure is in place (bless you, pach), could be built upon with ease. This being the internets and all, fact checking could be a problem, but it seems to be pretty self-leveling so far. People love to call bullshit and that is a good thing for truth, justice and the American way.

The potential for success is huge. FDL is an influential blog. For all their kicking and screaming, BlueDogs know blogs are part of the game now. Think of the power of JaneReddPachTrexscarecrowhughandguests, the access, via the community, to data bases the rest of us can’t access, the personal contacts, the sheer brains and talent of the netrootz. Virtually unbeatable.

Jacqrat @
8

Blue America! Jane, are you still accepting donations to Esten Maxwell’s fund-raiser?

Yes we are, people should just make sure to put .03 at the end of the donation.

In other words, will Blue America remain primarily a funding tool, or can it try to displace the DC consultants as best as possible?

Oilfieldguy @
21

In other words, will Blue America remain primarily a funding tool, or can it try to displace the DC consultants as best as possible?

great thought and question!

Oklahoma kiddo @
4

Begin coalescing around a presidential candidate for ‘08.

I think we may be waiting for the field to sort out a bit. Right now I have to say there is nobody who has distingued themselves (aside from Feingold, who is out) when it comes to speaking to the stuff we care about.

I think we’ll be focusing on House and Senate races for the time being (and Tauscher is certainly one of them). Surprises can always happen and I’ll be delighted if they do, but if the ticket winds up being some version of Hillary/Obama I think we’ll be focusing on building up progressive infrastructure, emboldening progressive candidates from the ground up and supporting the 50 State Strategy in whatever way we can.

There are plenty trying to make the party GOP lite, I think that the whole goal of Blue America is to combat that impulse.

Seems to me the next election, if it’s not still about the war (and it may be), could be fought about the meaning of populism. For liberals, it’s essentially about class war, or the narrower version that Lou Dobbs calls the “war on the middle class” and the need to redress the movement of wealth towards the super rich of the last few years. Digby’s posts have lately talked about that from the societal viewpoint, the notion that there is a privileged class in America and it’s only what they think and do that matters. A key defining point is whether populism starts to look like the liberal FDR version, with it’s focus on lifting up everyone in an egalitarian sense, or something much worse, something that’s based on demogoguery and exploitation of fundamentalist “family” values, while the wealth shift continues unabatted — as we’ve seen in recent years.

These two views are going to be contending for the disaffected who abondoned the Republicans this year and voted for Democrats. Our focus, I think, should be to keep them Democrats and help define what populism means, and it needs to include a strong dose of appreciation for the Constitutional separation of powers and Bill of Rights issues we care about, along with a repulsion against militarism, lawlessness and torture. The problem will be that the other view of populism can just as easily reject those values.

So what I hope for the next campaign is that we have that choice available to us and candidates that reflect our (my?) preferences. Cause you know the other side is going to have theirs, and the Rahms of the world will be out there trying to subvert us with the corporate perversion too.

Recall Pachacutec’s “three parties.” We need to be promoting the third one he discussed. JMHO.

Blue America ‘08 has been stuck at 10 donors for several weeks. Prime the ‘08 pump with a few bucks and get the donor number up.
http://www.actblue.com/page/blueamerica08

Here’s my $.02:

1. Stay true to first principles.

2. Stay Congressional.

3. Support 2007 candidates in special elections called to replace criminals and pedophile-enablers.

4. Build an infrastructure for 2008.

5a. Make a decision about whether to go Presidential. My suggestion: stick to our knitting in Congressional races.

5b. Allow BA and FDL to become a forum for wide-ranging views of Presidential hopefuls, maintaining strict neutrality in order for all Democratic progressives and liberals to voice our approval and opprobrium of those in the race.

You’ll notice that my proposed Congressional focus leaves me out of the direct fun; I doubt there’ll be a primary challenge to my Congresswoman. But I believe there’s lots of room for BlueAmerica to grow in other enticing Congressional races. Special elections in 2007 could very well include primary challenges to our 2006 candidates who might be swamped by DCCC poachers (e.g., IL-14).

Think global; act local; be agnostic on the Presidential.

Oh, and:

Troops
Home
NOW

After the first couple of hundred campaign commercials I saw this year, I stopped listening and seeing them. My suggestion is a series of informational commercials, al la Olberman: funny but effective on any number of political topics that we, the dems, want to bring to the public’s attention. Make people think, muse if you will, between election seasons, make them see the dangers and absurdities of where we are now and who got us here.

One of the best things Blue America can do is to be an early adopter of Progressive Populists like Jon Tester and Larry Kissell — this blows up the DC consultant lie that only blue dog centerists can win in red states, and helps take our party back from the K Street sellouts.

Here’s what we need to do — the question is with what and whether BlueAmerica can help:

1) Identify key seats that are on the bubble – not using the DCCC or DSCC benchmarks, but the benchmarks of the netroots. (What are those benchmarks, folks? What made any of the BlueAmerica candidates preferable to the annointed-disappointments of the DCCC/DSCC?)

2) Identify the resources needed for those key seats – is there a potential candidate that hasn’t yet been persuaded to run? is there a need for candidate training, or for local activist training? is there a need for money in 2008 that might take all 2007 to raise?

3) Identify trainings that the netroots can use at large, so that they are better prepared to hit the ground running in 2008 — could we work with DFA to encourage use of their Night School trainings throughout a broader audience?

4) Continue to distill best practices from 2006 season – what worked, what didn’t, and get them posted to the Roots Project.

For starters…

Oilfieldguy @ 21

In other words, will Blue America remain primarily a funding tool, or can it try to displace the DC consultants as best as possible?

No I don’t think it’s primarily a funding tool, although the ability to raise money certainly facilitates what we’re trying to do.

Anyone who hasn’t read the letter from Carol Voisin’s campaign should certainly familiarize themselves with it, because it really opened my eyes about what we are capable of. There are places that have been abandoned by the Rahm/Chuck show, where Howard Dean is starting to make some inroads, but our ability to affect and support was nothing short of miraculous, at least to me (I had no idea). I want to do a LOT more of this, and that has to do with building a positive progressive culture that people want to be associated with, even in areas where they feel bereft and alone. That’s how you build a strong majority, not by selling out the rights of those in the party least able to defend themselves.

I don’t see us as displacing the DC consultant class at all, but helping in a way that they just can’t. They’re a bankrupt bunch at best and some outside energy and enthusiasm can only be helpful.

Sage advice Ted

The most important thing to do is impeach bush, via willing congresspeople or state legislators, and have the nation prepped for Carter to finish the term. Despite however many of the 79 theses ass-wipe recommendations bush decides to heed, within the next 6 mths Iraq will fully implode. There is nothing the US can do to stop it. And US troops, concentrated in large bases, will be sitting ducks. Bush will want to go all in. Lots more troops. When this happens, an articulate, prepared impeachment choice needs to be on the ground. The only way to get a successful impeachment in risky war setting is to have a clear alternative. Carter is that.

I say we target a few Dem Senators that did not back Lamont (i.e. Schumer.) Let them know we have a long memory, and will fight against them when they’re up for re-election. We should also find and fund candidates RIGHT NOW for the 2008 House in which we lost close elections this year.

Keep the pressure on!

angie @
18

Hi Jane– I love what Blue America did to introduce real, progressive candidates this last election.

I’m sure that FDL will focus on the new Congress as a way to further expose the incumbents and DINOS and hold their feet to the fire and highlight those who are fighting the good fight and reinforce their behavior as a means of encouraging others to join in the conversation and to indeed consider running for public office.

I would like to see us all better prepared for the next election– all of them, so perhaps we could focus very early on those candidates who are out there and start the support and conversation sooner. I, of course, agree that the Presidential election is of maximum importance, but I would hate to see all the oxygen sucked out of the Congressional and Senate races and I think Blue America is the perfect spot for it.

One of the biggest things BA had going for it in the last cycle was to give less well known candidates visibility and an opportunity to get funded. Looking ahead, presidential candidates are not generally in need of either – even the lesser well known ones.

I’d like to see Blue America keep its focus on the House and Senate – and step up efforts at recruiting and supporting possible candidates earlier in the process. Let’s force Rahm to play catchup . . .

Jane Hamsher @ 20

Jacqrat @
8

Blue America! Jane, are you still accepting donations to Esten Maxwell’s fund-raiser?

Yes we are, people should just make sure to put .03 at the end of the donation.

Jane, could you please edit my #17 comment to spell Esten’s name correctly? (Obviously going to get a my first cup of coffee just now was a GOOD idea… d’oh!)

Most of what I have for ideas has been expressed already, but I wonder if there is any way we can identify and recruit? I goes with out saying that we should identify those candidates who share our views and give them early support, could we not use a promise of resources to persuade some fine folks in our communities to run?

Rayne @ 29

Here’s what we need to do — the question is with what and whether BlueAmerica can help:

1) Identify key seats that are on the bubble – not using the DCCC or DSCC benchmarks, but the benchmarks of the netroots. (What are those benchmarks, folks? What made any of the BlueAmerica candidates preferable to the annointed-disappointments of the DCCC/DSCC?)

2) Identify the resources needed for those key seats – is there a potential candidate that hasn’t yet been persuaded to run? is there a need for candidate training, or for local activist training? is there a need for money in 2008 that might take all 2007 to raise?

3) Identify trainings that the netroots can use at large, so that they are better prepared to hit the ground running in 2008 — could we work with DFA to encourage use of their Night School trainings throughout a broader audience?

4) Continue to distill best practices from 2006 season – what worked, what didn’t, and get them posted to the Roots Project.

For starters…

Excellent suggestions, Rayne.

Let’s continue to build networks. Every time we link up in virtual space, let’s continue that at the YKos Convention coming up, with the intent to strengthening alliances all over the country.
Let’s continue to advocate to our legislators – invite Bob Geiger, who watches Congress, to keep us fully informed early on about pending legislation – so we can organize a response like we began to do last year.
Let’s encourage more of us pups to persue, research, and publish here stuff of which they well know – Prof Foland = nuclear physics; scarecrow = energy regulation; Pach = grassroots; Hugh = (i don’t know your specific expertise, but you got some!)

mmmm….thinking..

Hillary/Obama. Yuk. At this point, Hillary/anybody. Yuk.

The main thing is for Demo candidates to stake out clear positions. Wishy-washiness will not do. Otherwise: no money.

Jacqrat @ 35

Jane Hamsher @ 20

Jacqrat @
8

Blue America! Jane, are you still accepting donations to Esten Maxwell’s fund-raiser?

Yes we are, people should just make sure to put .03 at the end of the donation.

Jane, could you please edit my #17 comment to spell Esten’s name correctly? (Obviously going to get a my first cup of coffee just now was a GOOD idea… d’oh!)

Somebody beat me to it.

We have the best mods.

6. Take over local party organizations, just like our Rayne’s done so successfully.

[ps jacqrat — done]

Kathryn in MA @ 38

Let’s continue to build networks. Every time we link up in virtual space, let’s continue that at the YKos Convention coming up, with the intent to strengthening alliances all over the country.
Let’s continue to advocate to our legislators – invite Bob Geiger, who watches Congress, to keep us fully informed early on about pending legislation – so we can organize a response like we began to do last year.
Let’s encourage more of us pups to persue, research, and publish here stuff of which they well know – Prof Foland = nuclear physics; scarecrow = energy regulation; Pach = grassroots; Hugh = (i don’t know your specific expertise, but you got some!)

mmmm….thinking..

BTW, the Roots site has become more ambitious than we originally intended, and that’s why it’s been a bit slow in getting up. But it’s going to be VERY cool and I think it will be a valuable tool in all of this.

Jane Hamsher @ 40

Jacqrat @ 35

Jane Hamsher @ 20

Jacqrat @
8

Blue America! Jane, are you still accepting donations to Esten Maxwell’s fund-raiser?

Yes we are, people should just make sure to put .03 at the end of the donation.

Jane, could you please edit my #17 comment to spell Esten’s name correctly? (Obviously going to get a my first cup of coffee just now was a GOOD idea… d’oh!)

Somebody beat me to it.

We have the best mods.

They are the very model of progressive moderation;
They block the spam and stand on guard for Troll Eradication.

Howie seems to have such an impeccable eye for candidates.

Though it’s the fault of no one here, I was disappointed that there seemed to be no candidate to go up against some of the true and most egregious of the criminal class – Jerry Lewis coming most immediately to mind.

Is there any way that we/he/us/somebody can begin, right now, vetting viable candidates for 2008?

OT..Digby has a comment on Meteor Blades @ Kos
Both are worth reading.
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/

DFA Night School trainings are available on the DFA Website – DFA Training

DFA Night School DVD

DFA Night School downloads

atdnext @
16

ifthethunderdontgetya @ 12

I think now that we know what we can do, let’s make a bigger challenge to the Tauschers and Emanuels out there.

CA progressives are already worked up about Tauscher…
Now is there someone who’s preparing a nice primary surprise for Rahmbo?

Oh, Christine Cegelis for IL-05, please!!!

Jane Hamsher @ 30

There are places that have been abandoned by the Rahm/Chuck show, where Howard Dean is starting to make some inroads, but our ability to affect and support was nothing short of miraculous, at least to me (I had no idea). I want to do a LOT more of this, and that has to do with building a positive progressive culture that people want to be associated with, even in areas where they feel bereft and alone. That’s how you build a strong majority, not by selling out the rights of those in the party least able to defend themselves.

I don’t see us as displacing the DC consultant class at all, but helping in a way that they just can’t. They’re a bankrupt bunch at best and some outside energy and enthusiasm can only be helpful.

I agree! Combining the energy and enthusiasm of the blog community with Howie’s focus, intellect and knowledge made Blue America force to be reckoned with. Starting earlier, like we are and with the lessons learned in ‘06, the sky is the limit!

TeddySanFran @ 41

6. Take over local party organizations, just like our Rayne’s done so successfully.

Tuesday Dec 12th is our county Dem Meeting with election of officers and January will be the state elections. From all over the state we have been working to build a progressive slate of officers to do just that.

Perhaps, this early in the cycle, it would be wise to focus on seats rather than people. Identify some new seats that we would like to target, and get someone (head of local dem group, past candidate/rep, local FDLer, etc.) to host a thread to raise up that district – “here are the local issues, here’s how they tie into the national scene, here’s some history of their current players . . .” In some cases, we might have a name or two in play already, while in others we might be able to brainstorm some possibilities and ways to recruit them.

The biggest dilemma for this community is the Presidential campaigns, imho. Sucking all the oxygen (and $$ and time and resources) while splitting apart our community over well-thought-out and passionately-held views of Democratic patriots. Aren’t we lucky, really, that there are no Presidential candidates of illwill among our choices?

Of course, I could be guilty of both pre-11/7 and pre-12/6 (B/H-ISG) thinking. Could we instead, by midyear 2007, unite to elect President Pelosi to her own Presidential term? That would be great for our party, allowing progressive and liberal focus on San Francisco values implemented nationwide.

vachon @
28

After the first couple of hundred campaign commercials I saw this year, I stopped listening and seeing them. My suggestion is a series of informational commercials, al la Olberman: funny but effective on any number of political topics that we, the dems, want to bring to the public’s attention. Make people think, muse if you will, between election seasons, make them see the dangers and absurdities of where we are now and who got us here.

good one!

oops – read first, type later…

What Rayne said @29 – especially at 1) and 2).

what she said.

Thanks, Jane. I’m still smarting over a seat we lost here locally for a mere 500 votes.

500 votes, or roughly .066%. (Yes, we’re recounting, but the prospects are grim.)

That would have been the difference between a winger BigPharma whore who actually voted to give immunity from prosecution to BigPharma for drugs that were knowingly released to the public in spite of studies showing that BigPharma hid negative data — and the first African-American state senator from this district, one with a distinguished career as a progressive.

There were 6 precincts that didn’t turn out in the numbers we needed; there are so many reasons why we came up short, but this one community and its 6 precincts only needed to produce 100 votes more in each precinct to win. Could have been as little as a handful of votes in each neighborhood. How can we change this? How does BlueAmerica’s efforts make the kind of impact that reaches down to these neighborhoods and compels them to vote? It’s this kind of reality we need to keep in mind as we formulate a vision.

Should we have had a different candidate? I don’t think so, but YMMV depending on your own district. Should we have done a better job with activist outreach and training? Probably, and I can’t think of a precinct anywhere in which this isn’t the case. Should we have done more in the way of advertising? Most definitely, since the opposition candidate outspent on primarily negative ads by 2 or 3 times over; this was common across the country. Should we have done a better job with precinct delegates? Heck yes, we know they were weak in those precincts, and your own precincts could be in the same straights.

So…how does BlueAmerica plug in?

DFA had a workshop at YKos Convention – let’s all sign up for another one1

katymine @
9

The ActBlue strategy is the way to prove that public financing of elections or removing corporate money from elections works. Candidates have to be accountable to the people.

As an FYI, my boyfriend who is a freelancer for ESPN on Monday Night football has been known to play “Had Enough” as part of his music shuffle when they are striking the games. I have head others in the crew “singing” along in the background during phone calls. Viral way to spread the message.

Music is a great way to do it, it puts the message out in a non-threatening way but gets the job done.

I completely agree. This is seminal legislation. IMHO, it’s more important than overturning the MILITARY COMMISSIONS ACT. I think publicly financing national elections also fits well with the Congressional investigations of war profiteering […] that will dominate the news cycle in 07. The sooner we get this passed (presumably over a Presidential veto), the sooner we can select a candidtate indpendent of the size of their “war chest.”

I have a feeling that if investigations truly do go forward with the gusto that they should, there are going to be not only big opportunities for gain, but also a need for a message and candidates that go beyond “anti corruption”. Populism should be part of it, but by no means all.

“elect me, because I am not a republican” is not enough to sustain the long term change we need in this country.

(see Gates nearly unanimous confirmation because he was “not Rumsfeld”– but will he change course? Doubt it)

OT,

I heard Tony Snowjob say, in his Friday presser,
that we had WON the Cold War?
Was I snoozing, when was the date of victory?

Jack

What about bringing Dr. Dean in for a thread on the 50 state strategy, akin to Joe Wilson’s recent thread on Iraq?

I’d love to hear, from his standpoint, where he sees the 50 state strategy at this point. Are there places that need reinforcement, places that are going great guns and have some ideas to share, etc.

Another possibility would be to ask him for some suggestions of people who emerged in the 50 state strategy at the local level in the last cycle, and bring in a couple of them for a thread on how things went and where they are going next in their districts. Some of these are folks in districts who have been overlooked and written off by the national party for far too long, and now are starting to emerge. I’d love to hear how things went for them in 2006, to be able to spread the efforts in 2008.

We certainly need help in Oklahoma. Coburn and Inhofe? Yegads. I keep hammering them on my blog, especially Inhofe, the blantant homophobe and big oil shill. He’s up for re-election in ‘08 and however the Dem selection for President is will have a major impact on downticket races like his.

TeddySanFran @
42

6. Take over local party organizations, just like our Rayne’s done so successfully.

[ps jacqrat — done]

Thank you, m’Lord!

2007 DFA Training Schedule
I do not see Chicago on the list for June.

Your local group can schedule the training here:
http://www.democracyforamerica…..g/requests

Steve @ 25

Blue America ‘08 has been stuck at 10 donors for several weeks. Prime the ‘08 pump with a few bucks and get the donor number up.
http://www.actblue.com/page/blueamerica08

I’m in…I’ve been letting the credit card cool off since November. It’s finally safe to handle!

The problem as I am seeing it, is there are certain Demo candidate(s) for the presidency with mountains of money, connections and name recognition, and that issues will become, well…

We are getting steamrollered is the fear. With only twenty-three months left, I admit to being a bit antsy. Particularly about the WH. The Republicans have control of the Judicial Branch. We have a slim hold on the Legislative Branch (at least in the Senate). We really need the Executive Branch.

Ah, what Peterr (59) said!!

Heck, have Howard Dean one week on the 50-State Strategy’s current benchmarks.

Follow the next week with Jim Dean on how DFA sees itself assisting the DNC in spite of its inability to coordinate (legally cannot coordinate with DNC due to restrictions on 527’s).

And then the third week have Eli Pariser from MoveOn discuss its vision for 2007-2008.

Jane …

Keep the $5 a week going. Get some sort of good graphic …. Something maybe like “another drop in the bucket.”

Every time you make ten grand, park it in a CD.
IE Put the money to work, until it’s used.
Call these “CeeD CD’s” ….. Use them to help whatever and whomever may come-up during the next cycle.

Peterr @ 59

What about bringing Dr. Dean in for a thread on the 50 state strategy, akin to Joe Wilson’s recent thread on Iraq?

I’d love to hear, from his standpoint, where he sees the 50 state strategy at this point. Are there places that need reinforcement, places that are going great guns and have some ideas to share, etc.

Another possibility would be to ask him for some suggestions of people who emerged in the 50 state strategy at the local level in the last cycle, and bring in a couple of them for a thread on how things went and where they are going next in their districts. Some of these are folks in districts who have been overlooked and written off by the national party for far too long, and now are starting to emerge. I’d love to hear how things went for them in 2006, to be able to spread the efforts in 2008.

Wooo I like this idea….

He is the king of grassroots and “gets it”.
What Dr/Gov Dean sees the future of the DNC and how we can help. Let him see what we have done and can do…. Great Idea!

I would like a continued effort at a written progressive platform as Pachacutec has worked on in several posts.
Then start promoting it….

Also

Help recruit the next round of candidates.

Identify, examine and help progressive candidates for the next round asap.

And support a whole lot of excellent ideas I read in just the first twenty comments. You all are awesome!

Rayne @ 65

Ah, what Peterr (59) said!!

Heck, have Howard Dean one week on the 50-State Strategy’s current benchmarks.

Follow the next week with Jim Dean on how DFA sees itself assisting the DNC in spite of its inability to coordinate (legally cannot coordinate with DNC due to restrictions on 527’s).

And then the third week have Eli Pariser from MoveOn discuss its vision for 2007-2008.

(continuing the dream . . .)

And then the fourth week, invite Rahm and Chuck to come in and chat . . .

Seriously, as much as we knock the two of them, I’d love to give them an opportunity to share in this discussion. They’re not going away, and neither are we – is is possible that we might be able to teach them a bit about the netroots and Blue America?

Thanks for all the DFA links to training, katymine.

For those of you interested in scheduling a DFA training session, keep in mind that you’ll need to help with a venue, getting 100 or more participants. At least these were the criteria for their training sessions last year. Don’t let these put you off, though; if you think about these issues first, DFA will be faster at getting your venue on their calendar. Food for thought.

Folks who don’t want to organize but might want to attend training should also check with their state party (I know Michigan Democratic Party will have their own training programs), as well as Camp Wellstone.

I agree that the effort, at the moment, should be toward electing members of the House. House seats can be swayed by efforts involving thousands of dollars, as opposed to the millions of dollars necessary in order to influence a senatorial, or presidential race.

What do we know now? Is Charlie Brown running again? Can we find someone viable to run against Jerry Lewis?

Can we identify, right now, those who truly need to become unemployed in late 2008?

(no I’m not from California – it just pisses me off)

Agree, agree, agree.

We are good at local/state/and national Gongress races, ‘coz we *are* the grassroots. Pres — that’s not our fault so much, but helloo? Nobody really there. Maybe Gore, but he’s maybe not running. I’d love Howard Dean but he says he’s not. Any choice of available candidated now could not make more than 20% pof us really happy and probably piss off or at least discourage the other 80%. I know I’d leave if FDL got behind either Obama or Hill. It’s one thing to hold nose and vote, another to campaign hard for a second-rater.

I would identify the priorities as:

1.) maintaining the means.
a.) keep Internet neutral. w/o the Net, no netroots and b.) free and fair vote tabulation. Get the machines the f out.

Beyond that, local, state and congressional seats as per usual.

Second the wiki or other permanent base for strategic and reference info.

Howie is da best for vetting candidates. One of the best things about Blue America was having Howie give us the real skinny through the bullshit on candidates websites.

Peterr @
60

What about bringing Dr. Dean in for a thread on the 50 state strategy, akin to Joe Wilson’s recent thread on Iraq?

I’d love to hear, from his standpoint, where he sees the 50 state strategy at this point. Are there places that need reinforcement, places that are going great guns and have some ideas to share, etc.

Another possibility would be to ask him for some suggestions of people who emerged in the 50 state strategy at the local level in the last cycle, and bring in a couple of them for a thread on how things went and where they are going next in their districts. Some of these are folks in districts who have been overlooked and written off by the national party for far too long, and now are starting to emerge. I’d love to hear how things went for them in 2006, to be able to spread the efforts in 2008.

Yes, yes, yes: let’s also invite Rahm!

The Blue America page shows a total of $545,000 raised, presumably this year. This site has 80000 viewers a day in peak periods, so the average contribution was $70. We need to find a way to raise real money in advance of next year’s election.

Pach points out that we are facing the money party and the theocratic party. Our own people are tripping over each other to work with that jackass president and to raise money from the money party.

If we want to beat the money party, we have to elect people with our money. We have manpower and brains, but they are worthless without money.

I do not think we should focus our efforts on presidential politics. We are too small and diffuse to have a realistic chance of affecting the outcome. We can make a difference at the State level and the Congressional level.

Among the readers of this site are plenty of people with enough money to make a difference in several races around the country. Surely ActBlue can identify the big donors among our Blue America contributors. We can organize behind someone like Howie or others to put serious money behind a few really progressive congressional candidates well in advance, when it does some real good. That way, when our people get to Congress they won’t turn to K Street to save the trouble of raising money for reelection, with the compromises that entails.

Regarding my comment at #66

Here’s the idea I’m thinking of :

http://mysite.verizon.net/myk15/tipjar.html

I’m sure the Professor will help out with it, He’s here :

http://professorsmartass.blogspot.com/

Hi everyone.

Jane, I let Howie know before he zipped off to S. America but for your info as well, I’ve got the URL’s BlueAmerica08.com and several others and will be working with Howie to build them out into large and comprehensive resource sites for BlueAmerica.

I also own http://www.BlueAmerica.TV and I’m using my Producers status with LiveDigital to create a complete channel for it. Unlimited video hosting, channel features, citizen journalism upload capabilities, etc… Lots of media/video possibilities with that one.

I’ll keep working with Howie on building out the infrastructure and once we’ve got some stuff together, we’ll start getting feedback from the whole gang on site look and feel and what kind of online resources you’d like to see it have.

How are we going to keep honest the ones we helped elect in 2006? Haven’t there been some disappointments ALREADY? Didn’t Kristen and a Murphy join the BDDs? Didn’t some we worked for join the NDC?

How teh suck is that?

ifthethunderdontgetya @ 63..It’s a hard time of year to free up extra cash..but a few $ into the Blue America bucket, now and again, keeps it alive. At this stage, I think the donor number may mean more than the $ number.

TeddySanFran @ 78

How are we going to keep honest the ones we helped elect in 2006? Haven’t there been some disappointments ALREADY? Didn’t Kristen and a Murphy join the BDDs? Didn’t some we worked for join the NDC?

How teh suck is that?

Maybe a “are you a TRUE dirty hippie?” test before we endorse? :)

Blood oaths are so… messy, don’t ya know?

Big fan of BlueAmerica.

I recommend:

(1) primary challenges for Congress,

(2) that we NOT rush into a choice for President, too divisive for us.

i’d love to see Richard Dreyfuss (D-Jaws) do a guest post – i saw him speak (youtube?) about putting civics back into the HS curriculum – educate young Americans about how government is supposted to work – and about voting.

TeddySanFran @ 77

How are we going to keep honest the ones we helped elect in 2006? Haven’t there been some disappointments ALREADY? Didn’t Kristen and a Murphy join the BDDs? Didn’t some we worked for join the NDC?

How teh suck is that?

Invite our new BA-backed Reps-to-be back for a couple of threads, both to remind them of the folks who helped get them to DC and to give them a chance to share with us their impressions of their new jobs. Don’t let BA become the “once every two years” gig for any of them – or for us.

Here I sit – thinkin’ about money – readin’ about money. Fuck that.

Elections should be publicly financed, period.

What can we do about that?

Nate @
77

Hi everyone.

Jane, I let Howie know before he zipped off to S. America but for your info as well, I’ve got the URL’s BlueAmerica08.com and several others and will be working with Howie to build them out into large and comprehensive resource sites for BlueAmerica.

I also own http://www.BlueAmerica.TV and I’m using my Producers status with LiveDigital to create a complete channel for it. Unlimited video hosting, channel features, citizen journalism upload capabilities, etc… Lots of media/video possibilities with that one.

I’ll keep working with Howie on building out the infrastructure and once we’ve got some stuff together, we’ll start getting feedback from the whole gang on site look and feel and what kind of online resources you’d like to see it have.

Holy Sh!t!

Jacqrat @ 62

TeddySanFran @
42

6. Take over local party organizations, just like our Rayne’s done so successfully.

[ps jacqrat — done]

Well…since Jane already brought up Carol Voisin’s campaign…

Even though she lost, she has been asked to run with the current Oregon Dem Chair as the Vice Chair. Rumors are the Chair will retire soon, so Carol could indeed end up in a position that will allow her more power to create change then she might have had as a frosh congresswoman. (Hope I got the details right, but that’s the gist of it.)

Thank you, m’Lord!

TSF @ 77..Joe Sestak is a member of NDC, a real disappoint for me. Chris Carney is bad news but he wasn’t Sherwood. The question is how to change the Dem party, one primary at a time, without loosing the majority.

I’d like to see more research and links on the issues facing congress this next session to help us write letters of the editor. I really hope to get some letters out during the next two years.

And I truly enjoyed the Blue America series–got to know several great candidates. By the way, Kissell is gearing up to run again in 2008!

I kinda screwed up that zig. My comments were these:

Well…since Jane already brought up Carol Voisin’s campaign…

Even though she lost, she has been asked to run with the current Oregon Dem Chair as the Vice Chair. Rumors are the Chair will retire soon, so Carol could indeed end up in a position that will allow her more power to create change then she might have had as a frosh congresswoman. (Hope I got the details right, but that’s the gist of it.)

masaccio @
75

The Blue America page shows a total of $545,000 raised, presumably this year. This site has 80000 viewers a day in peak periods, so the average contribution was $70. We need to find a way to raise real money in advance of next year’s election.

Pach points out that we are facing the money party and the theocratic party. Our own people are tripping over each other to work with that jackass president and to raise money from the money party.

If we want to beat the money party, we have to elect people with our money. We have manpower and brains, but they are worthless without money.

I do not think we should focus our efforts on presidential politics. We are too small and diffuse to have a realistic chance of affecting the outcome. We can make a difference at the State level and the Congressional level.

Among the readers of this site are plenty of people with enough money to make a difference in several races around the country. Surely ActBlue can identify the big donors among our Blue America contributors. We can organize behind someone like Howie or others to put serious money behind a few really progressive congressional candidates well in advance, when it does some real good. That way, when our people get to Congress they won’t turn to K Street to save the trouble of raising money for reelection, with the compromises that entails.

We need to remember our collaborative partners in Blue America, Crooks & Liars and downwithtyranny. On any given day, C&L’s traffic is probably double that of FDL and their contributions were a very significant chunk of the total.

Steve @ 86

TSF @ 77..Joe Sestak is a member of NDC, a real disappoint for me. Chris Carney is bad news but he wasn’t Sherwood. The question is how to change the Dem party, one primary at a time, without loosing the majority.

We don’t have to beat them all, just make an example of a few of the worst.

I love all of the suggestions. Blue America impressed me the most of all the brilliant election work FDL did this cycle. And we have so much to be proud of.

I’m looking forward to the next two years to watch it flesh out even more, make more inroads, more groups networking with us, and implement more plans and goals to get Progressives elected.

FDL and Blue America rocks.

I would like to see Blue America pour all of its money and resources into defeating Lieberman in the 2007 election.

jayt @ 84

Here I sit – thinkin’ about money – readin’ about money. Fuck that.

Elections should be publicly financed, period.

What can we do about that?

Jayt, we change that by winning elections with people who will vote for public financing. That takes money, lots of it.

Imagine for moment what Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter would have accomplished with a progressive House and or Senate. I sincerely believe Hillary would be surprisingly good with progressives at her back as well. It’s the best stategy for straightening out a triangle…and as mentioned abovem much more affordable.

Rayne or others who are experienced. Could you develop or point us to a small primer for those of us who might want to break into our party on the state/local level?

masaccio @ 75

The Blue America page shows a total of $545,000 raised, presumably this year. This site has 80000 viewers a day in peak periods, so the average contribution was $70. We need to find a way to raise real money in advance of next year’s election.

That can be ‘real money’ if properly used. How much does a vote ‘cost’? I think persuading people with the truth costs lots less than selling a lie.

Pach points out that we are facing the money party and the theocratic party. Our own people are tripping over each other to work with that jackass president and to raise money from the money party.

If we want to beat the money party, we have to elect people with our money. We have manpower and brains, but they are worthless without money.

Don’t agree. Most money in big-bucks campaings goes for consultants and TV advertising that most people come to hate very early on. Pfft, cash to advertising agencies and TV networks, it’s just another aspect of the wingnut welfare program.

I do not think we should focus our efforts on presidential politics. We are too small and diffuse to have a realistic chance of affecting the outcome. We can make a difference at the State level and the Congressional level.

We can make a difference *everywhere* by supporting and electing good candidates. That’s the problem with presidential, at least at the moment.

Among the readers of this site are plenty of people with enough money to make a difference in several races around the country. Surely ActBlue can identify the big donors among our Blue America contributors. We can organize behind someone like Howie or others to put serious money behind a few really progressive congressional candidates well in advance, when it does some real good. That way, when our people get to Congress they won’t turn to K Street to save the trouble of raising money for reelection, with the compromises that entails.

Keep big money out. A whore is a whore, no matter who pays the fee, and the one who pays calls the tune. K Street will always out-money us. The top 2% has 50% of the assets — remember? But we can run ourselves to exhaustion trying to be just like them, for sure. And what if we succeeded?

jayt @
84

Here I sit – thinkin’ about money – readin’ about money. Fuck that.

Elections should be publicly financed, period.

What can we do about that?

Hey jayt – what a great question!

Are there any states where fdl/blue america could succeed in seriously advancing publicly funded elections?

Is the next Arizona out there waiting to tip over for public finance – and could Blue America help pull them towards democracy?

Shez @ 92

I love all of the suggestions. Blue America impressed me the most of all the brilliant election work FDL did this cycle. And we have so much to be proud of.

I’m looking forward to the next two years to watch it flesh out even more, make more inroads, more groups networking with us, and implement more plans and goals to get Progressives elected.

FDL and Blue America rocks.

My favorite part was getting to know the candidates, and learning just how GREAT the challengers were (compared to what we see on the national level, anyway). Also ADORED hearing stories like from the John Laesch campaign, where they were able to drive off Hastert’s people from the train station by blasting “Have You Had Enough?” on their car speakers… That made me SOOOOOOOO happy, and made the work more than worth it.

RGB @ 90 is right, of course. Actually, I took another look at the site. The foot to the table of contributors shows a total of 6139 contributors, so the average contribution was $900.

This suggests thinking about how to persuade the contribution lurkers to join the giving.

But the point remains. Among the contributors, the larger givers are giving well into the thousands. That could make a difference if we focussed tighter and earlier.

The problem with Hillary is Iraq. And being blindly supportive of whatever the Israeli government does (Gaza, Lebanon). President Carter would not agree with Senator Clinton on her Middle East positions.

masaccio @ 93

jayt @ 84

Here I sit – thinkin’ about money – readin’ about money. Fuck that.

Elections should be publicly financed, period.

What can we do about that?

Jayt, we change that by winning elections with people who will vote for public financing. That takes money, lots of it.

Catch-22?

Maybe a place to start would be to adjust the rules as to what may or may not be done with funds raised within a particular campaign after that campaign is over?

(I’m thinking, at least intitially, of the allowance of use of campaign funds, a la Tom DeLay, to defend against criminal charges arising out of fraud committed whilst a member of Congress).

I’m also thinking that Hillary Clinton’s extra $10 Million could be put to profitable use right here in the USA – or in Darfur, or in some designated charity.

Nate @ 77

Hi everyone.

Jane, I let Howie know before he zipped off to S. America but for your info as well, I’ve got the URL’s BlueAmerica08.com and several others and will be working with Howie to build them out into large and comprehensive resource sites for BlueAmerica.

I also own http://www.BlueAmerica.TV and I’m using my Producers status with LiveDigital to create a complete channel for it. Unlimited video hosting, channel features, citizen journalism upload capabilities, etc… Lots of media/video possibilities with that one.

I’ll keep working with Howie on building out the infrastructure and once we’ve got some stuff together, we’ll start getting feedback from the whole gang on site look and feel and what kind of online resources you’d like to see it have.

Wo Nate, amazing stuff.

Keep us posted.

I assume you’ll be the first to tell us when Doolittle resigns and there is a special election for Charlie Brown :)

egregious @ 81

Big fan of BlueAmerica.

I recommend:

(1) primary challenges for Congress,

(2) that we NOT rush into a choice for President, too divisive for us.

Hi egregious…

I’m with you on this one. I’m all for primary challenges in Congress. Helping to establish who are the “People’s Choices” for the “People’s House of Government” is critical and it was a key ingredient for the success of BlueAmerica this year.

I absolutely agree with you that BlueAmerica should refrain from backing a Presidential candidate. The choice for candidate for Prez is a personal choice to the individual and it would be impossible to achieve any collegiality in the decision as a vast organization spread across the entire nation.

I think we should keep it focused on doing “We The People’s” work by shaping OUR House of Government.

By the way… How are you?

Nate @
77

Hi everyone.

Jane, I let Howie know before he zipped off to S. America but for your info as well, I’ve got the URL’s BlueAmerica08.com and several others and will be working with Howie to build them out into large and comprehensive resource sites for BlueAmerica.

I also own http://www.BlueAmerica.TV and I’m using my Producers status with LiveDigital to create a complete channel for it. Unlimited video hosting, channel features, citizen journalism upload capabilities, etc… Lots of media/video possibilities with that one.

I’ll keep working with Howie on building out the infrastructure and once we’ve got some stuff together, we’ll start getting feedback from the whole gang on site look and feel and what kind of online resources you’d like to see it have.

Fantastic news Nate! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help with backend work, podcast production, etc. and so on.

Margarete @ 88

I’d like to see more research and links on the issues facing congress this next session to help us write letters of the editor. I really hope to get some letters out during the next two years.

And I truly enjoyed the Blue America series–got to know several great candidates. By the way, Kissell is gearing up to run again in 2008!

NC-08 in 08!

We’ll be there for him.

Hotflash @ 96

There are plenty of readers of the Blue America blogs who could pony up $5000 in 2007. Just guessing, based on my estimate of an average 900 per contributor, and my reading of these pages on contribution days, I bet there are at least 500. That would make $2.5 million.

Supporting good candidates with real money does not make us whores.

Nate @ 103

egregious @ 81

Big fan of BlueAmerica.

I recommend:

(1) primary challenges for Congress,

(2) that we NOT rush into a choice for President, too divisive for us.

Hi egregious…

I’m with you on this one. I’m all for primary challenges in Congress. Helping to establish who are the “People’s Choices” for the “People’s House of Government” is critical and it was a key ingredient for the success of BlueAmerica this year.

I absolutely agree with you that BlueAmerica should refrain from backing a Presidential candidate. The choice for candidate for Prez is a personal choice to the individual and it would be impossible to achieve any collegiality in the decision as a vast organization spread across the entire nation.

I think we should keep it focused on doing “We The People’s” work by shaping OUR House of Government.

By the way… How are you?

what egregious (and nate) said…

Hey Nate,

How am I…it’s December and I have seasonal affective disorder. My brain turns to mush and I feel lethargic, my appetite is gone for anything except sugar, and the tiniest little thing makes me cry. For about 6 weeks. Other than that things are groovy.

My kids are happy and all coming home for Christmas, and the Russia work goes well, so all is good for the day job(s). Trip #29 coming up soon.

egregious @ 107

Hey Nate,

How am I…it’s December and I have seasonal affective disorder. My brain turns to mush and I feel lethargic, my appetite is gone for anything except sugar, and the tiniest little thing makes me cry. For about 6 weeks. Other than that things are groovy.

My kids are happy and all coming home for Christmas, and the Russia work goes well, so all is good for the day job(s). Trip #29 coming up soon.

Hey egregious:

Have I ever said, right out loud, how much I admire you?

Fini FiniTOOBZ! @ 104

Nate @
77

Hi everyone.

Jane, I let Howie know before he zipped off to S. America but for your info as well, I’ve got the URL’s BlueAmerica08.com and several others and will be working with Howie to build them out into large and comprehensive resource sites for BlueAmerica.

I also own http://www.BlueAmerica.TV and I’m using my Producers status with LiveDigital to create a complete channel for it. Unlimited video hosting, channel features, citizen journalism upload capabilities, etc… Lots of media/video possibilities with that one.

I’ll keep working with Howie on building out the infrastructure and once we’ve got some stuff together, we’ll start getting feedback from the whole gang on site look and feel and what kind of online resources you’d like to see it have.

Fantastic news Nate! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help with backend work, podcast production, etc. and so on.

Thanks Toobz… Shoot me an email at getintheirface (at) gmail (dot) com so I have your contact info. I’ll definitely take you up on your offer. One of the things I’m going to need is ‘content’. Podcasts, self-produced video segments, interviews with local activists, call-ins to campaigns, updates about who’s running, etc… etc…

masaccio @
106

Hotflash @ 96

There are plenty of readers of the Blue America blogs who could pony up $5000 in 2007. Just guessing, based on my estimate of an average 900 per contributor, and my reading of these pages on contribution days, I bet there are at least 500. That would make $2.5 million.

Supporting good candidates with real money does not make us whores.

I completely support where you’re headed, but did you drop a decimal point somewhere? My math says $545,068 raised for Blue America ‘06 from 6,139 contributors is an average contribution of $88.78. Am I missing something here?

tap, tap, tap….is this thing on? *s*

Thanks jayt. Much appreciated. And in fact much needed.

OK @ 99 Hillary has a lot of problems but the major one, I think, is that her politics are artificial and she can’t pull it off. Bill was and is more “political” than Hillary but he pulls it off. The best example is to watch Bill and Hillary interact with African Americans. Hillary talks down with a fake “southern-black” accent, Bill just talks to people.

I think Hillary made a huge miscalculation with Iraq. I think she and her handlers thought she couldn’t win in NY without AIPAC support. I think she was wrong and it will prevent her from becoming president.

Exactly Jacqrat, it was getting to know the National Candidates that will be serving us as an entire Nation that was so fascinating to me, hearing their stories and individual state issues and election challenges/problems that do affect us all as a whole. Back in the day I would have not dreamed of getting to know any candidates other than from my state or from seeing on TV, and now I care about every single one of them from all 50 states.

Having the blogs etc., is kind of like natural parental thinking: what in the world did I do with my life before I had a child? Now it’s, “What did I do with my life before we had blogs and teh Internets?”.

jayt @ 109

egregious @ 107

Hey Nate,

How am I…it’s December and I have seasonal affective disorder. My brain turns to mush and I feel lethargic, my appetite is gone for anything except sugar, and the tiniest little thing makes me cry. For about 6 weeks. Other than that things are groovy.

My kids are happy and all coming home for Christmas, and the Russia work goes well, so all is good for the day job(s). Trip #29 coming up soon.

Hey egregious:

Have I ever said, right out loud, how much I admire you?

What Jayt said! :)

I don’t think I have ever taken the opportunity to tell you how much I admire your work and dedication so let me do it now.

What part of Russia are you going to? My time there didn’t allow for “sight-seeing” but it looked like a beautiful country.

RBG at 111 My math says $545,068 raised for Blue America ‘06 from 6,139 contributors is an average contribution of $88.78. Am I missing something here?

Wishful thinking?

egregious @ 81

Big fan of BlueAmerica.

I recommend:

(1) primary challenges for Congress,

(2) that we NOT rush into a choice for President, too divisive for us.

Primaries, OK, here are the Dem Senators who voted for the Military Commissions Act who are coming up for re-election in 2008, to begin with:

Tim Johnson (SD) — 2008
Mary Landrieu (LA) — 2008
Frank Lautenberg (NJ) — 2008
Mark Pryor (AR) — 2008

I’d also like to see Rep Candace Miller (R- MI 10)get put out of the House.

Coming at it from the other angle, we have some very fine ‘leftover’ candidates, eg Coleen Rowley, Charlie Brown, Vic Wulsin, Diane Benson, Jim Marcinkowski.

OTOH, we have some who got in that I’m a-wondering about, such as Joe Sestak and Kirsten Gillibrand.

I would also observe that if the Dems we did just elect turn out to act just like the rascals that were turned out, we are fucked.

RBG @ 111

masaccio @
106

Hotflash @ 96

There are plenty of readers of the Blue America blogs who could pony up $5000 in 2007. Just guessing, based on my estimate of an average 900 per contributor, and my reading of these pages on contribution days, I bet there are at least 500. That would make $2.5 million.

Supporting good candidates with real money does not make us whores.

I completely support where you’re headed, but did you drop a decimal point somewhere? My math says $545,068 raised for Blue America ‘06 from 6,139 contributors is an average contribution of $88.78. Am I missing something here?

$545K was how much was raised in total for both BlueAmericaPAC and ALL of the BlueAmerica individually supported candidates.

For just the PAC the total was just over $50K and was used for radio buys for the “Had Enough” commercial.

egregious @ 112

Thanks jayt. Much appreciated. And in fact much needed.

I got a special light for my SAD (good). I also get into unhealthly tanning beds (bad), ’cause they seem to help too – maybe even a little more.

Maybe we were just born to live on a beach – whaddya think?

Nate–

Thank you for your kind words.

I work mostly in St. Petersburg, but we train surgeons from Archangelsk to Yakutsk. Been looking for a large enough city starting with Z, altho technically that doesn’t work because Z isn’t the last letter of the Russian alphabet.

egregious @
117

RBG at 111 My math says $545,068 raised for Blue America ‘06 from 6,139 contributors is an average contribution of $88.78. Am I missing something here?

Wishful thinking?

Sadly, my credit card statement is still somewhere between masaccio’s average and mine.

Nate – let’s talk. Our friend and sister, Nicole Sawaya has some thoughts about broadcast and it may well make sense to hook up.

I’m definitely with the congressional focus – and I’d like to see us keep up and expand our tracking of legislation and coordinating efforts around the key issues – including keeping a close eye on our BA winners and reminding them (Sestak, are you listening?) that we are interested in what they do … and will base future support on how they perform.

I’d also like to avoid recreating other efforts – and since our best work seemed to be creative outside-the-box efforts like Had Enough, let’s stay alert for more opportunities like that.

HotFlash @ 117

egregious @ 81

Big fan of BlueAmerica.

I recommend:

(1) primary challenges for Congress,

(2) that we NOT rush into a choice for President, too divisive for us.

Primaries, OK, here are the Dem Senators who voted for the Military Commissions Act who are coming up for re-election in 2008, to begin with:

Tim Johnson (SD) — 2008
Mary Landrieu (LA) — 2008
Frank Lautenberg (NJ) — 2008
Mark Pryor (AR) — 2008

I’d also like to see Rep Candace Miller (R- MI 10)get put out of the House.

Coming at it from the other angle, we have some very fine ‘leftover’ candidates, eg Coleen Rowley, Charlie Brown, Vic Wulsin, Diane Benson, Jim Marcinkowski.

OTOH, we have some who got in that I’m a-wondering about, such as Joe Sestak and Kirsten Gillibrand.

I would also observe that if the Dems we did just elect turn out to act just like the rascals that were turned out, we are fucked.

ALL great candidates and I can confirm for you that Charlie Brown is actively working to on things now. There is a good chance that John Doolittle won’t last out his term due to indictments and scandals and Charlie is standing by.

I’m working with several other groups and orgs that supported him and we’re all staying active and ready to provide him a turn-key campaign support force.

everyone is invited to step on up to the new thread

We have a good opportunity to pick up Senate seats in ‘08 and solidify our majority there. Maybe even a filibuster-proof majority.

More House seats can be won, if we start early and work hard. Should the Republicans take the White House (shudder), we’ll need a solid Congression bulwark in place.

I think we can have some impact on the presidential campaign, but not enough to sacrifice gains we might make at other levels. We’ve got long-term vision, passion, and some spectacularly talented people to keep us organized and focused.

Yes to a wiki project, starting soon, to gather information about local issues likely to be in play. Also, a section devoted to probable Republican candidates. Any one of us can “adopt” a candidate and help compile a dastardly dossier for future reference.

With my own Congressional district happily out of play, I’m going after the repellent Brian Bilbray.

I want to pile on with my own admiration for egregious and Nate, and so many others here.

Nate, I’ll be shooting you an email too ok? Your new project sounds excellent.

egregious @ 120

Nate–

Thank you for your kind words.

I work mostly in St. Petersburg, but we train surgeons from Archangelsk to Yakutsk. Been looking for a large enough city starting with Z, altho technically that doesn’t work because Z isn’t the last letter of the Russian alphabet.

My ex-wife spent a month in St. Petersburg on a military exchange program (she’s a Russian linguist) not long after they became our “friends”. She raved about the city but said the culinary selection was a bit lacking. Other than that she loved the place. She said that while there, the richness of the culture was almost overwhelming.

Yes, the disconnect between their amazing culture and their economy was shocking.

The food has gotten a lot better.

OOPS! Should have used my handy calculator.

But I stand by my guestimate that there are 500 who could put up $5K in 2007.

Can Howie or someone look at the contribution list and see?

Siun @ 122

Nate – let’s talk. Our friend and sister, Nicole Sawaya has some thoughts about broadcast and it may well make sense to hook up.

I’m definitely with the congressional focus – and I’d like to see us keep up and expand our tracking of legislation and coordinating efforts around the key issues – including keeping a close eye on our BA winners and reminding them (Sestak, are you listening?) that we are interested in what they do … and will base future support on how they perform.

I’d also like to avoid recreating other efforts – and since our best work seemed to be creative outside-the-box efforts like Had Enough, let’s stay alert for more opportunities like that.

Hi Siun. I’d like that. This time around we have a lot more time to organize and provide online and media resources for the netroots pockets around the nation.

TRex’s Virtual USO Tours and the Ned Lamont videos that kept coming in and the interviews I did with Paul Hackett and Charlie Brown got me thinking that with time to plan and organize, we could create a new kind of Grassroots Media through BlueAmerica. Any help, suggestions, advice, ideas are MOST welcome!

masaccio @ 106

Hotflash @ 96

There are plenty of readers of the Blue America blogs who could pony up $5000 in 2007. Just guessing, based on my estimate of an average 900 per contributor, and my reading of these pages on contribution days, I bet there are at least 500. That would make $2.5 million.

Supporting good candidates with real money does not make us whores.

No. It makes them whores.

Nate—I feel like I invested in Xerox, before anybody knew who they were :)

jayt @ 109

egregious @ 107

Hey Nate,

How am I…it’s December and I have seasonal affective disorder. My brain turns to mush and I feel lethargic, my appetite is gone for anything except sugar, and the tiniest little thing makes me cry. For about 6 weeks. Other than that things are groovy.

My kids are happy and all coming home for Christmas, and the Russia work goes well, so all is good for the day job(s). Trip #29 coming up soon.

Hey egregious:

Have I ever said, right out loud, how much I admire you?

what jayt said!

egregious, I hope the next days pass quickly for you.

Only twelve days till the nights grow shorter…

Thanks for all that you do ohere and in the wide world.

Shez @ 126

I want to pile on with my own admiration for egregious and Nate, and so many others here.

Nate, I’ll be shooting you an email too ok? Your new project sounds excellent.

Hi Shez! Definitely shoot me that email. All help and advice welcome.

If all goes well I’m going to be spending my time between now and 08′ doing critical work for a wonderful organization. If it pans out, I’ll have the privilege and honor of doing something I truly love for people who deserve it most. I can’t broadcast it publicly until next week but I’m happy to talk about it privately in emails.

egregious @ 132

Nate—I feel like I invested in Xerox, before anybody knew who they were :)

I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you egregious. And that is a fact!

Thank you again… and always!

Nate @ 136

egregious @ 132

Nate—I feel like I invested in Xerox, before anybody knew who they were :)

I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you egregious. And that is a fact!

Thank you again… and always!

Always on the lookout for outstanding talent and opportunities. Kind of a social venture capitalist.

Nate and Fini – could you both be in Chicago in August (?) for the Ykos Convention? i’d love a workshop on how to utilize the media

egregious @ 105

Margarete @ 88

I’d like to see more research and links on the issues facing congress this next session to help us write letters of the editor. I really hope to get some letters out during the next two years.

And I truly enjoyed the Blue America series–got to know several great candidates. By the way, Kissell is gearing up to run again in 2008!

NC-08 in 08!

We’ll be there for him.

me too … or ditto!

egregious @
108

How am I…it’s December and I have seasonal affective disorder. My brain turns to mush and I feel lethargic, my appetite is gone for anything except sugar, and the tiniest little thing makes me cry. For about 6 weeks. Other than that things are groovy.

Hey egregious! My little buddy says “Arf. Arf arf arf.” (means hey nice lady in dog)

Longer days coming soon, egr! Hang in there — I am, and so can you, I know it. We are in the Slough of Despond the next 4 weeks — it’ll only get better if we make through the rough patch.

I want to tell you how much it helps to have other SADs in da toobz!

Kathryn in MA @
138

Nate and Fini – could you both be in Chicago in August (?) for the Ykos Convention? i’d love a workshop on how to utilize the media

Kathryn… I was planning on being there. I try never to miss a chance for Chicago in the summer. Besides, it gives me a chance to take my favorite vacation known to many as the California Zephyr. An Amtrak train that runs from San Fran, across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, through the Rocky Mountains, across the Nebraska/Iowa plains and on to Chicago.

Can you help organize a workshop for that? I definitely have some ideas. Not just working with “the media” which I only have moderate experience in and mostly Radio at that… But rather utilizing and creating whole new forms of citizen media and best capitalizing on “new media” technologies.

Nate 142 – i also heard some video/bloggers from CT (remember Spazeboy?) were wondering about attending. But what an opportunity to get connected! I will see about organizing…. thanks for the vote of confidence

PS i love train rides – took the kids from Boston to Pocatello, Idaho on Amtrak – then up to the log cabin at Yellowstone -3 days there, 3 days back and 8 days in Yellowstone and environs. Now, that was a vacation

How about shoving this down the throats of the New Minority:

A non-binding resolution to the effect of “Any governmental infringement upon basic civil liberties or rights articulated in our Bill of Rights is profoundly un-American and a debasement to the character of our Republic.”

You know – Patriot Act, habeus corpus, “free speech” zones, etc., etc.

I’m probably sounding like a broken record but personally, I’d like to see BlueAmerica use some of it’s influence to keep wayward Dems in line. I propose that Dems coming up for reelection in 2008 be given a “Lamont Score” based on degree of support for progressive causes, avoidance of K Street coziness, and avoidance of other actions that reflect poorly on the Democratic party.

Those with low scores would be flagged as semi-finalists for a primary challenge with funding from BlueAmerica with the “winner” chosen based on votes in the 110th Congress.

Of course there may not be a progressive candidate to take the incumbent on but the threat alone might induce some behavior modification. For starters, here’s a list of House Dems that voted:

o For the Military Commissions Act

o For the Bankruptcy bill (technically known as “Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act”)

o Against Net Neutrality (technically the “Markey of Massachusetts Amendment” to the “Communications, Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006″), and

o For Federal Government intervention in the Terry Schiavo case (technically known as “For the Relief of the Parents of Theresa Marie Schiavo”)

But rather utilizing and creating whole new forms of citizen media and best capitalizing on “new media” technologies.

right – screw corporate media. just like BlueAmerica, let’s develop an alternative that works for us.

Kathryn in MA @
144

PS i love train rides – took the kids from Boston to Pocatello, Idaho on Amtrak – then up to the log cabin at Yellowstone -3 days there, 3 days back and 8 days in Yellowstone and environs. Now, that was a vacation

So do I. Bring a laptop and you can work, sightsee, socialize and relax… All at the same time! And few people get to see what a beautiful country this is in such a way. I took that ride through the Sierras and Rockies almost two decades ago and I was literally overwhelmed by the sights.

That’s great about Spazeboy and the gang. I wanna start working on a write up / suggestions for people how to do ‘citizen journalism’. How long to make the movies, podcasts etc. What is best format for web production. Suggestions on good cheap cameras. File types. etc etc etc…

I can’t help but think that we have an opportunity to change the relationship between politicians and the people they work for by taking out the horrible and interest/profit driven middle-men of MSM.

Nate at 148
I wanna start working on a write up / suggestions for people how to do ‘citizen journalism’. How long to make the movies, podcasts etc. What is best format for web production. Suggestions on good cheap cameras. File types. etc etc etc…

I can’t help but think that we have an opportunity to change the relationship between politicians and the people they work for by taking out the horrible and interest/profit driven middle-men of MSM.

That willl be sooooo fantastic. That’s exactly what we need. I’m already working on getting people together.

jeffreyw @ 140

egregious @
108

How am I…it’s December and I have seasonal affective disorder. My brain turns to mush and I feel lethargic, my appetite is gone for anything except sugar, and the tiniest little thing makes me cry. For about 6 weeks. Other than that things are groovy.

Hey egregious! My little buddy says “Arf. Arf arf arf.” (means hey nice lady in dog)

Oh that’s so sweet! Cute dog!

Let’s really concentrate on putting pressure on Congress to get the troops out of Iraq in 2007. I intend, beginning with the first day of the new Congress on 1/4/07 to email and/or call each of my senators and my congressional representative every single day with a simple message:

As one of your constituents I insist that you do whatever you have to do to get our troops out of Iraq immediately.

I will sign the mesage with my real name and address and I will send or call it in each and every day until they get our kids out of there. I urge everyone here to do the same. It’s not much effort, but if we all did that, and did it consitently every day, I think it would send a very powerful message.

3 – 15 second phone calls, 3 emails. That’s all it takes.

Oilfieldguy @ 22

In other words, will Blue America remain primarily a funding tool, or can it try to displace the DC consultants as best as possible?

I thought that one of our most wonderful accomplishments– even beyond raising money– was to help Larry Kissell work out that cheap gasoline media event that put his campaign on the map. That’s the kind of thing the DCCC should be doing, instead of wrecking independent-minded challengers’ campaigns.

How about getting involved in recruiting candidates? Is there any way to act like a baseball scout going to high schools to look for the best fastballers and power hitters? Perhaps you could fund people to monitor State legislature or even City council hearings and see who has strong progressive values and good charisma, and we can work on recruiting them for House runs?

Anyway, just a thought. And, of course, I really admire what you guys did in the ‘06 cycle. You make a huge difference.

-pontificator

Howie Klein @
152

Oilfieldguy @ 22

In other words, will Blue America remain primarily a funding tool, or can it try to displace the DC consultants as best as possible?

I thought that one of our most wonderful accomplishments– even beyond raising money– was to help Larry Kissell work out that cheap gasoline media event that put his campaign on the map. That’s the kind of thing the DCCC should be doing, instead of wrecking independent-minded challengers’ campaigns.

HOWIE!

Good to see you. Still in S. America? Thanks for checking in!

pontificator @ 153

How about getting involved in recruiting candidates? Is there any way to act like a baseball scout going to high schools to look for the best fastballers and power hitters? Perhaps you could fund people to monitor State legislature or even City council hearings and see who has strong progressive values and good charisma, and we can work on recruiting them for House runs?

Anyway, just a thought. And, of course, I really admire what you guys did in the ‘06 cycle. You make a huge difference.

-pontificator

Hi Pontificator!

Are you the same pontificator from DKos? If so, sorry if I was a jerk on the Blog Awards diary I posted. I was pretty aggressive in stomping on negativity and came down like an ass on your snark comment for it. I did however recommend the diary you did shortly thereafter about Foley’s IM’s from years ago being covered up.

Hi Pontificator!

Are you the same pontificator from DKos? If so, sorry if I was a jerk on the Blog Awards diary I posted. I was pretty aggressive in stomping on negativity and came down like an ass on your snark comment for it. I did however recommend the diary you did shortly thereafter about Foley’s IM’s from years ago being covered up.

Hi Nate!

The same

I totally missed your comment, or if I saw it, I don’t even remember it! I don’t take those things so seriously, so don’t worry about it!

Jon aka pontificator

pontificator @ 156

Hi Pontificator!

Are you the same pontificator from DKos? If so, sorry if I was a jerk on the Blog Awards diary I posted. I was pretty aggressive in stomping on negativity and came down like an ass on your snark comment for it. I did however recommend the diary you did shortly thereafter about Foley’s IM’s from years ago being covered up.

Hi Nate!

The same

I totally missed your comment, or if I saw it, I don’t even remember it! I don’t take those things so seriously, so don’t worry about it!

Jon aka pontificator

Thanks Jon.

DKos can be a bit of a barracks room mentality in its lively arguments and spiteful comments so on the rare occasions I post a diary there, I tend to hang around to aggressively combat nay-sayers and jerks and I didn’t catch your comment for the snark it was before smacking down on the send key.

well, assuming Howie is gonna read this far down when he gets back from vacation (and Howie and I certainly have differing definitions of what constitutes a “vacation”…)

I think the best strategy for 2007 is to attempt to empower the Democratic Progressive Caucus in Congress by raising funds for a PAC under the control of the caucus — with, of course, the understanding that it would be used to support expansion of the progressive caucus in 2008 (this, of course, includes supporting endangered progressives — people like Jerry McNerny are gonna need our help in 2008, because you KNOW the GOP is gonna target his district). The Rahms and Steny’s derive their power because of their ability to write checks — consequently, lots of congresscritters find themselves “owing” Rahm and Steny’s corporate masters and their DLC approved agenda.

Atrocities like the bankruptcy bill passed because there were a lot of potential “no” votes that voted “yes” because they feared facing credible GOP challengers without support from the DCCC. Potential progressives in Congress need to know that there is a source of money for those who vote their consciences…. that they need not sell their souls to Rahm and his cronies to stay in congress.

Troops Home is #1.

1. Stay true to first principles. ETHICS reform and some existing legislation must go. Bankruptcy, tax breaks, get minimum wage and negotiated medicines, balance the budget.

2. Stay Congressional. We have some great candidates who deserve to be elected this time around.

3. Support 2007 candidates to replace criminals and pedophile-enablers.

4. Build an infrastructure for 2008.

5a. …My suggestion: stick to our knitting in Congressional races.

5b. Allow BA and FDL to become a forum for wide-ranging views of Presidential hopefuls, maintaining strict neutrality in order for all Democratic progressives and liberals to voice our approval and opprobrium of those in the race.

I like the idea of musical commercials, Have you had enough? was terrific, and perhaps it’s time to encourage more unionizing?

TeddySanFran @ 27

Here’s my $.02:

1. Stay true to first principles.

2. Stay Congressional.

3. Support 2007 candidates in special elections called to replace criminals and pedophile-enablers.

4. Build an infrastructure for 2008.

5a. Make a decision about whether to go Presidential. My suggestion: stick to our knitting in Congressional races.

5b. Allow BA and FDL to become a forum for wide-ranging views of Presidential hopefuls, maintaining strict neutrality in order for all Democratic progressives and liberals to voice our approval and opprobrium of those in the race.

You’ll notice that my proposed Congressional focus leaves me out of the direct fun; I doubt there’ll be a primary challenge to my Congresswoman. But I believe there’s lots of room for BlueAmerica to grow in other enticing Congressional races. Special elections in 2007 could very well include primary challenges to our 2006 candidates who might be swamped by DCCC poachers (e.g., IL-14).

Think global; act local; be agnostic on the Presidential.

Oh, and:

Troops
Home
NOW

What TeddySF said. Exactly that. I’d rather see the netroots raise the bar for President, put all of them through their paces, let the process handle it.

The effect this site can have on grassroots challengers like my guy Roth (CA-45) really makes a difference. We did lose, but we scared Bono silly in the process, and that never happened here before.

Hey FDL’ers comments #16 #28 and #131 all talked about the notion of using some visual media in conjunction with all the other wonderful tools that Howie, Jane and John got together for the elections. Howie asked me to put together some videos for some deserving candidates and I was very proud of the work we did Hall and Lamont and a few others. I think in the future we should do more. Problems are that it is expensive to do something good. Or, if not expensive, time intensive and that also takes us back to…expensive. I would love to do more and maybe even some longer form media that takes some of the wonderful and incisive commentary we get at FDL and C&L DOwn with Tyranny etc; and take it to the vermin. I am willing and excited to commit time and resources but it would be better and more effective if we formed a committee or an alliance through ActBlue and then agreed on some Audio Visual Initiatives be they Commercials or Rants or even DOCS.

WE would in a minute jump on board.

ADam Friedman
Traveling Light

john in california @ 33

The most important thing to do is impeach bush, via willing congresspeople or state legislators, and have the nation prepped for Carter to finish the term. Despite however many of the 79 theses ass-wipe recommendations bush decides to heed, within the next 6 mths Iraq will fully implode. There is nothing the US can do to stop it. And US troops, concentrated in large bases, will be sitting ducks. Bush will want to go all in. Lots more troops. When this happens, an articulate, prepared impeachment choice needs to be on the ground. The only way to get a successful impeachment in risky war setting is to have a clear alternative. Carter is that.

I suggest a little time spent on Scenario Option Development Planning. This one, whether we like it or not IS a scenario, and like others we might not prefer, we can be influential (successful) in ALL scenarios if we plan ahead.

We were good in 2006. It will be different in 2008. Expect the unexpected.