So argues the son of William Ferguson Reid (civil rights leader, co-founder -- in 1956 -- of the Richmond Crusade for Voters; and in 1967, the first African-American elected to the Virginia General Assembly since the days of Reconstruction) at Blue Virginia. Here's a short excerpt.
Last but not least: If you are a Presidential Candidate - Bernie , Martin , Hillary , Jim , Lincoln , Joe - I'm talking to you guys; can you hear this? GET THEE TO VIRGINIA - AND RIGHT QUICK!! Go to Roanoke, Richmond, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Va. Beach, Williamsburg, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Lorton, Chesterfield Co., Henrico Co., Hanover Co., Stafford Co., Montgomery Co., Loudoun Co., Fairfax Co, etc. BETTER YET - Go as a 5 or 6 person team, "The Democrats-a-Palooza Tour."
Put your egos in check, and your individual self-interests in "Cold Storage" for the next 3 weeks, get into Virginia, ramp up your people, THE PEOPLE. Let them know that the most important way to support you for next year is to SHOW UP AND VOTE THIS YEAR. Play as a team for the next three weeks - and get a crap-ton of free media doing it, while the Republicans are busy engaging in mass, ritual "seppuku" in Washington, D.C. Wat an interesting juxtaposition that would present for the political chattering class!
In general, I'd argue that this isn't just a good idea for 2016 Democratic presidential candidates, but for progressive activists in general, to focus our energies on state and local races, where we can make MUCH more of a difference and which are MUCH more pressing, and deemphasize the national stuff a bit. Again, you can
read the rest at Blue Virginia.