In 2006 and 2008, the early polls said that progressive Democrats would not do well. As the 2006 election season began, everyone also lamented that young people, non-whites, and progressives would not turn out for a mid-term election. But the reality is that progressive activists worked hard which meant that young people, non-whites, and progressives did turn out and progressive Democrats won a lot of elections.
Part of the strategy of the corporate establishment is to convince us all that nothing can be done -- that our efforts are all for naught and we should just give up and sit at home feeling hopeless. But if we ignore the propaganda and stand up and fight for what we believe in, then we actually can bring about significant change.
This year will only be a bad year for progressive Democrats if we all do nothing. But if we work as hard as we did in 2006 and 2008, it is possible that we can bring about similar results: the election of even more progressive Democrats.
Next Tuesday, May 4 is our first chance to show the world what an energized progressive Netroots and grassroots can do: Jennifer Brunner for Senate
In Ohio's Democratic primary, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is running for the US Senate to replace retring Republican George Voinovich. Brunner, who cleaned up the mess created by Republican SoS Ken Blackwell (remember the 12-hour lines of students waiting to vote in college towns), is running against Lt. Governor Lee Fisher. Fisher is an ok liberal, but hesitant and wishy-washy. Brunner is a fighting progressive who'll challenge the powerful interests in Washington. This has been a difficult race for Brunner because Fisher's campaign crushed Brunner's fundraising, leaning on major liberal groups and donors to stay away from her. The Fisher campaign also twisted the arms of state officeholders to endorse Fisher and pushed Brunner's supporters to remain silent. So now polling shows Fisher ahead. But Fisher's support is very soft and most voters are still undecided. Personal contact can easily sway people to turn out and vote for Brunner. This race is not over yet.
Because she is a fighter, Brunner actually polls slightly better than Fisher in the November contest against Republican Rob Porter, the former Bush Trade Representative and darling of corporate interests. Like her mentor, Senator Sherrod Brown, many moderates and conservatives support Brunner because she fights for ordinary people. She is the stronger candidate to fight entrenched interests.
Brunner is currently touring the state on a converted school bus, talking 5-6 times a day to people about her campaign. Volunteers are working hard to ensure that she is elected. But the beleaguered progressives of Ohio need help. In a low-turnout election, a few votes can make a big difference.
Now, today and all through this weekend, is the time to pick up the phone and make calls on behalf of Jennifer Brunner. So read about Jennifer Brunner, read her positions on the issues, read what other Kossacks have had to say recently, and thencontact the campaign to start making phone calls.