Democrats should be pushing a message about the power of voting more than focusing on the threat to democracy. The goal is to win the election, not just the argument.
Well said. So essential that we keep our eye on the unintended impact of our messaging. We have to be especially careful with fear-based appeals. Fear can be a powerful motivator, but piled on without showing people a clear, compelling way to counter it, fear can immobilize people.
Thomas, what can we do specifically to prepare? I believe we're likely to see outright criminal interference with the machinery of the elections and with the processes as well.
Do you think the Democratic Party is prepared to file challenges immediately and across the board?
I just expect we will have ICE and DHS mercenaries roaming the streets of our major cities and Democratic strongholds. The only antidote I can see against that is an activated National Guard. Shouldn't governor Stein declare a state of emergency in advance of electoral disruption with the intention of putting North Carolina forces to work to stop federal interference?
We never did do an audit of the last elaAection, everybody thought we should just swallow the results as though they were real.
James, I think we can get trained as observers during early voting and election day to prevent irregularities. Also, I think there's probably training for the canvas period as well to make sure all the ballots are counted correctly. We have to trust the lawyers. They've done a great job protecting democracy. Marc Elias gets a lot of attention, but local folks have had big victories, too, including the Riggs election.
Absolutely true. But Democrats still act like winning an argument matters more than winning an election, despite getting our electoral heads bashed in election after election. A billion dollar nationwide PAC ad campaign promoting the power of a vote would help. If only….
As a precinct level election official in Durham and Wake Counties for 14 years I totally agree
Well said. So essential that we keep our eye on the unintended impact of our messaging. We have to be especially careful with fear-based appeals. Fear can be a powerful motivator, but piled on without showing people a clear, compelling way to counter it, fear can immobilize people.
Thomas, what can we do specifically to prepare? I believe we're likely to see outright criminal interference with the machinery of the elections and with the processes as well.
Do you think the Democratic Party is prepared to file challenges immediately and across the board?
I just expect we will have ICE and DHS mercenaries roaming the streets of our major cities and Democratic strongholds. The only antidote I can see against that is an activated National Guard. Shouldn't governor Stein declare a state of emergency in advance of electoral disruption with the intention of putting North Carolina forces to work to stop federal interference?
We never did do an audit of the last elaAection, everybody thought we should just swallow the results as though they were real.
James, I think we can get trained as observers during early voting and election day to prevent irregularities. Also, I think there's probably training for the canvas period as well to make sure all the ballots are counted correctly. We have to trust the lawyers. They've done a great job protecting democracy. Marc Elias gets a lot of attention, but local folks have had big victories, too, including the Riggs election.
Absolutely true. But Democrats still act like winning an argument matters more than winning an election, despite getting our electoral heads bashed in election after election. A billion dollar nationwide PAC ad campaign promoting the power of a vote would help. If only….