Down-Ticket Elections
Even as we celebrate the most successful Democratic National Convention ever, too many of us probably know a bunch of folks who didn't watch either of the conventions and aren't convinced that it's crucial to vote in this particular election. Some of them are unconvinced that what goes on in Washington has an impact on them or on anything or anyone they care about. Some know they are uninformed or insufficiently informed, so rather than vote and risk making a mistake, they sit out elections and allow other voters to take the credit or the blame for the results :-(
This is where we come in. It has been my experience that some of those folks will listen, will check out links if I provide them, and will get involved if I can figure out what will interest them. In Texas (my state), lots of folks are interested in down-ticket races because we've been feeling the impact of draconian Republican policies for several years now.
Trying to decide where to begin? Check out your state or local Democratic Party office. And every evening between now and November 6th, Election Diary Rescue posts a diary that rescues all of the down-ticket election diaries posted during each 24-hour period ending at noon. "Down-ticket" basically encompasses everything on the ballot other than the presidential race. Today's diary, Election Diary Rescue 9/8/12, features U.S. Senate races in Nevada and Wisconsin; U.S. House races in Iowa, Maryland, and Minnesota; one State race in Montana; one Ballot Initiative in Florida; one Polling update for various races; and one update regarding Ohio's early voting hours. EDR highlights one of this site's strengths, and is worth reading every night, imo.
Of course, you don't have to take just my word regarding the importance of down-ticket elections. In reply to a comment in Tortmaster's excellent diary listing President Obama's numerous accomplishments during the past three months, Meteor Blades posted this reminder last night:
Down-ticket races... (18+ / 0-)
...remain to be won. Not just Congress, but state legislatures, governorships, attorneys general and, very importantly, secretaries of state. Don't forget putting up some money and putting in some time for them.
Later he responded to a reply with this reminder:
Big money can still have an impact this.... (9+ / 0-)
...year at the congressional and, even more, the state level. As you know, the state level is where a great deal of the damage is being done now, on everything from reproductive rights to public sector unions. The 1%ers have made common cause with the Tenthers to transfer more power over regulations to the states. See, for instance, Romney's statements in favor of letting states have the final say over oil drilling and regulating fracking. (That's just a first step but it's one dear to the hearts of the oil and gas guys like Romney angel Harold Hamm. It takes phenomenally little money to win a state legislative seat. [snip]
We have arguably the strongest campaign organizers ever at the top of the ticket, but we cannot afford to relax.
Now is the time to donate your money—even if you have only a few bucks to spare, donating those dollars
now can make a huge difference in state and local races. And if you haven't already done so, decide where and how you want to donate your time and your energy. During September, registering voters is crucial. During October, the focus shifts to mail-in ballots and early voting. And throughout the next 58 days, every campaign is grateful for volunteers, whether you want to help reelect Obama/Biden or to elect/reelect a Democratic candidate in a down-ticket race. As dopper0189 pointed out in
yesterday's Black Kos,
Every political campaign will tell you that every volunteer is worth 5-12 votes.
Donate to re-elect Obama/Biden through ActBlue:
ObamaNightlyNews for Obama/Biden 2012.
Buy Obama/Biden gear at the Obama 2012 Store.
Volunteer at Obama For America to help register voters and participate in GOTV events. And check with your state Democratic Party office to find volunteer opportunities.
Share two sites that help voters in each state:
Gotta Register generates a voter registration form for your state; Gotta Vote explains how to vote early, how to find your polling place, and what to bring when voting in each state. Voters can also download convenient checklists with all of that information and sign up for voting-related reminders.
Obama Nightly News posts every night at 9:00 ET, 6:00 PT
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"Punt it away! ... That's a losing season."
This afternoon, Obama for America posted a video excerpt from President Obama's speech in Toledo, Ohio on September 3rd:
And then, after the convention, Governor Romney came here to Ohio, and he said he's going to be the coach that leads America to a “winning season.” The problem is everybody has already seen his economic playbook. We know what’s in it.
On 1st down, he hikes taxes by nearly $2,000 on the average family with kids in order to pay for a massive tax cut for multi-millionaires. That's on 1st down. It sounds like unnecessary roughness to me. (Laughter and applause.)
On 2nd down, he calls an audible, and undoes reforms that are there to prevent another financial crisis and bank bailout. He wants to get rid of rules that are there to protect our air and our water, and workers’ rights, and protections to make sure health care is there for you when you get sick.
And then, on 3rd down, he calls for a Hail Mary -- ending Medicare as we know it by giving seniors a voucher that leaves them to pay any additional cost out of their pocket. There’s a flag on the play -- loss of up to an additional $6,400 a year for the same benefits you get now.
That’s their playbook. That’s their economic plan. And I’ve got one piece of advice for you about the Romney/Ryan game plan, Ohio: Punt it away! (Applause.) It won’t work. It won’t win the game. You don’t need that coach. That’s a losing season.
Weekly Address: Coming Together to Remember September 11th
This morning, Susan Gardner posted her regular diary highlighting President Obama's Weekly Address:
Obama lauds national unity in weekly address as September 11 anniversary approaches.
And finally, instead of turning inward with grief, we’ve honored the memory of those we lost by giving back to our communities, serving those in need, and reaffirming the values at the heart of who we are as a people. That’s why we mark September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Because we are one American family. And we look out for each other – not just on the difficult days, but every day.
Get the Facts
WhiteHouse.gov has posted a series of
Policy Snapshots on issues ranging from creating jobs to health care:
Each policy snapshot has two sections: Progress, which gives you a quick overview of the work President Obama has done since taking office, and What's Next, which helps you understand President Obama’s plans for continuing the progress underway.
Check it out!