Top Row: Sara Gideon (ME), John Hickenlooper (CO) Middle Row: Jaime Harrison (SC), Mark Kelly (AZ), Jon Ossoff (GA) Bottom Row: Amy McGrath (KY), Theresa Greenfield (IA), Cal Cunningham (NC)
This is my first diary since 2014. I’ve been more than active — all the normal stuff plus a few weeks of producing campaign ads for underdog Dems — just not active at DKos. But last night, I happened to read a RawStory piece about Barney Frank and some political advice he had for Senate Dems in 2020 and it instantly brought me back here.
The former Congressman’s pitch grabbed me and shook me hard. It’s simple but it’s vicious:
You Don’t Have To Live In Kentucky To Vote Against Mitch McConnell
Anyone else just absolutely fucking love this? Anyone not see the beauty of it?
Nationally, Mitch McConnell is more universally despised than Trump:
According to the Huffington Post, a poll conducted by End Citizens United across 10 battleground states showed that anti-McConnell messaging is more effective than anti-Trump messaging. Democrats started with a 3-point advantage on the generic ballot, but among voters who were exposed to messaging about McConnell, it grew to a 12-point advantage. Trump messaging only generated a 6-point advantage.
In his home state of Kentucky, he’s doing even worse. With an in-state approval rating of 18%, he will need to squeeze Citizens United and his big donors for every last drop of corrupt leverage. He will undoubtedly outspend Amy McGrath and, despite being so hated in his own state, he is still likely to be re-elected.
Which brings us back to Barney Frank’s amazing slogan. Let’s use it. Let’s pressure the candidates to use it. Let’s reach out to everyone we know in ME, CO, AZ, SC, NC, GA, IA and KY and remind them that a vote for the Dem Senate candidate in their state is a vote against Mitch McConnell.
Most of all, let’s let our friends at the DSCC / (202) 224-2447 and the DNC / (202) 863-8000 — know how we feel about it. Help them understand the benefit of running against McConnell in the critical states.
And, of course, let’s all do what we can to help these Senate candidates. (** I’m listing more than one candidate who has not yet won his/her primary. If your preferred name isn’t on this list, feel free to substitute your fave.**)
Cal Cunningham (NC)
Sara Gideon (ME)
Theresa Greenfield (IA)
Jaime Harrison (SC)
John Hickenlooper (CO)
Mark Kelly (AZ)
Amy McGrath (KY)
Jon Ossoff (GA)
