First today, I just want to say thank you to everyone who was able to donate money yesterday to the campaign! The ActBlue page is more than halfway to its goal of 50 contributors and we've raised over $1000 for the campaign so far! Go team!
Secondly, I want to take today's diary to point out some other positive news. Since I began this series, way back in aught-two-weeks-ago, the media has been clobbering us over and over again with the narrative that Toomey is too far ahead, Dems are dispirited and hate Obama, Pennsylvania is swinging to the right, etc...
Well, yesterday, in the wake of some better polling numbers this week (and, I suspect, a renewed grassroots effort), that narrative is starting to change. Witness headlines like:
Poll: Sestak within striking distance in Penn. -MSNBC
Follow over the fold for my thoughts and to-do items to keep this train moving in the right direction.
First things first, of course - I wanted to point out that anyone, anywhere can help the campaign by Donating or Calling (through the campaign's virtual phone bank) --- this is one race the Netroots should get behind. Sestak challenged Republican-turned-Democrat Sen. Arlen Specter in the primary and beat him, despite a complete lack of support from the establishment, and is now in a serious contest with one of the most extreme right-wingers this election cycle.
Yes, yesterday, the headlines shifted --- now, instead of having the Joe Sestak so far behind he can never catch up, the media is just starting to say he's in "striking distance":
It's a swing state that's been the site of many down-to-the-wire elections, and a new poll indicates that the Senate race in Pennsylvania might be no exception.
The Susquehanna Polling & Research survey conducted for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review poll shows Democrat Joe Sestak within the margin of error in the race against Republican Pat Toomey for the seat that Republican-turned-Democrat Sen. Arlen Specter held for 30 years. ---MSNBC
Other articles say things like the following:
In the past 10 days, the shot-for-shot action has been relentless, some playing out publicly and in TV ads, others via strategically released press releases, social network posts, conference calls and hastily summoned press conferences.
“It’s very typical and it means that they’re close,” said Michael Hooper, professor of political science at Temple University in Philadelphia. “And it’s going to get worse.” ---Patriot-News
Now, I'm not crazy, and I'm not the type to go believing every poll that says what I want it to say -- it could be that this thing really has started to tighten up (that's certainly what I'm working for!), and it could be that it hasn't and the media just found a new way to spin the story that they think will attract more attention.
What I think is remarkable here is that the narrative is changing, and that that has the power to impact people. I mean, usually, I'm bitterly complaining that the media only reports the spin, without any substance on the candidates, and this is certainly no exception. The problem with it, obviously, is that reporting this way has the power to change opinion without informing anyone of anything. It's more than annoying, it's destructive to democracy. However, if that's all we can expect from the traditional media these days, then I will take what I can get, and be pleased if opinion shifts in our favor.
If our efforts are starting to change the narrative, then by all means, lets keep it going.
(Speaking of media distortion, All Things Considered on NPR, by the way, agrees that Sestak has been misrepresented in at least one campaign ad by the opposition.)
Pittsburghers and those in the area, don't forget about these events on Saturday:
--- Joe Sestak will be walking in the African American Heritage Parade at 11AM (if you're interested in marching, call the office at 412-533-1200) It's about a mile from Mellon Arena to the August Wilson Center.
--- Rally to Move Pennsylvania Forward - 3pm - Mellon Square - 6th Avenue and Smithfield St., Downtown Pittsburgh. If I can get there, I'll have the fam in tow.
And for everyone, here are the important to-do items:
- Donate (I set up a new ActBlue page, it seems to me this series ought to be able to get at least 50 contributors - my email - feel free to cut-and-paste - got us several new donors!)
- Canvass --- getting out the vote is critical. You can also go to their contact us page --- they just opened four new offices!
- Call - they have a Virtual Phone Bank, so you can make calls from anywhere! (h/t angel65)
- Send email (link takes you to the diary yesterday with a template) or call or talk in person with those you know in Pennsylvania about this race.
- And, if you are in Pennsylvania, plan to vote, and bring as many people with you as possible.
Other diaries in the series:
#11 - Matching funds until tonight! And, Sestak in his own words.
#10 - New Poll, We're Gaining Ground!
#9 - Toomey's outlandish beliefs on parade
#8 - Knocking on doors in Pittsburgh this past weekend
#7 - The Admirable Admiral weighs in on tax cuts.
#6 - Sestak v. Toomey on crime
#5 - Mobilizing Pennsylvania's Progressives
#4 - Why is dKos advertising for a Tea Party Republican?!
#3 - Obama's other engagement today
#2 - Lies, Damn Lies, and Pat Toomey's ads.
#1 - Let's do better than the teabaggers in DE. Seriously, people, fight for it.
Thanks for reading, and make sure to check in tomorrow to see what a new day brings in this incredibly important contest.