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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

IFwanderer use political terms to describe, not insult from Earth Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
use political terms to describe, not insult
#170701: Jan 29th 2017 at 11:30:05 AM

[up]x5[awesome]

Another thing: WaPo: ‘We’re learning the lessons that Republicans learned in 2010′: How Democrats plan to rebuild state legislatures:

Everyone knows Democrats are in the minority at nearly all levels of government. Nobody in the party seems to know for sure quite how to rebuild. But one strategy has been gaining steam: forget the top-down fixation, say state party advocates. It's time to embrace the reverse.

Jessica Post, executive director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, is heavily lobbying Democratic leaders to pick a chair of the Democratic National Committee who is deeply committed to winning statehouse elections.

Post recently spoke by phone with The Fix to explain why some Democrats say the path to the majority runs through the nation's statehouses. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

THE FIX: This seems like an obvious thing to say, but I guess you feel like you need to say it: The incoming DNC chair should want Democratic state legislative majorities.

POST: There are many people who have this D.C.-centric view that if you win the presidency, all of it should just trickle down and that's how we'll rebuild.

And we feel like they need to take the opposite approach. State legislatures determine voting rights, congressional districts, things like collective bargaining, the schools people go to — the everyday things in people's lives. And I think we're finally starting to realize that you can't win a Michigan without thinking about grass roots organizing and getting to these towns and these cities. The right way to do that is with state legislatures.

You recently spoke about this at a Democratic National Committee gathering. Why did it take until now — when you don't have a Democratic president nor a Democratic-controlled Congress — for the Democratic Party to have this conversation?

In 2010 [midterms], maybe our national donors didn't think we had the same level of problems nationally, in part because of the success of the Obama presidency and the success of Democrats nationally. We had 60 votes in the Senate coming off the 2008 cycle, so it wasn't a time for party introspection.

During Obama's presidency, Democrats lost more than 20 state legislative chambers. In 2017, Republicans have total control of government in at least 25 states. What did they do right?

In 2010, Republicans thought they didn't have a path to the presidency, so I think they did a great job of going to their national donors and making the case to focus on state legislatures. They went to them with a really good value proposition: You invest $30 million, we'll save $150 million in federal House dollars [by redistricting] over the next decade.

We're trying to make a similar value proposition to our donors. I think we're learning the lessons that Republicans learned in 2010.

Let's talk about redistricting, which is a big part of your argument to get the Democratic Party to focus on state legislatures.

We certainly have to win back state legislatures if we ever want to win back Congress. There are 37 states where the state legislature draws the congressional map, and in many of the states that Republicans won in 2010, you can see that they have tilted the maps in a way that favors them.

So looking at the 2018 map, states like Colorado and New York will be top of mind, as well as states like North Carolina and Virginia [that could or will have state elections in 2017.]

And then traditional Rust Belt states like Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio are all key states we'll take a look at.

And now you have help from the highest levels of the Democratic Party, with a redistricting effort headed by former attorney general Eric Holder and backed by President Obama himself.

We're delighted by the development of this. I'm a board member. I think this is an outgrowth of some of the working groups we've been having. President Obama did a number of things to be committed to us, including signing fundraising emails and direct mail solicitations to donors for us. We're super excited that commitment will go beyond the White House. I think this will generate additional resources and a strategic alignment for our part that simply didn't exist in 2010.

Winning back these legislatures could take some time — in Ohio, for example, Republicans control 14 out of 16 of Senate seats and have a 2-to-1 advantage in the House. Could that be a deterrent to donors and the party?

In some cases, it will be a multi-cycle strategy to get back these legislatures. But a large number of seats flip more often than you might expect. It's not uncommon to pick up double-digit state house seats in a Michigan or a Pennsylvania. And that's a helpful argument to make to donors who may just see the numbers and think it's too tough.

[Editor's note: State legislative Democrats also point out that the last time midterm elections were held under a Republican president, Democrats picked up 10 state legislative chambers.]

Has the Democratic pipeline suffered from losing so many chambers?

I think there are a lot of very good state legislative leaders that are ready to run for higher office.

We have Crisanta Duran, the first Latina speaker of the house in Colorado history. Aaron Ford, who is majority leader of the Nevada State Senate, put himself through school, has a Ph D and a law degree. Speaker Tina Kotek in Oregon — I could tell you 15 people off the top of my head who I think could run for higher office.

But we have lost some leaders that could have had long careers in states like Ohio, for example, by losing them from the legislature.

Are there any candidates for DNC chair you're learning toward supporting?

We at DLCC won't endorse a specific candidate, but our delegates to the DNC may. As long as whoever becomes chair focuses on what he or she is supposed to be focusing on, we're going to be in good shape.

edited 29th Jan '17 11:30:28 AM by IFwanderer

1 2 We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be. -KV
RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#170702: Jan 29th 2017 at 11:36:48 AM

One person in my program at college thinks the holocaust was a good thing. And he told me that while I was driving him somewhere. He got a two hour long walk home from the side of the highway. (He's okay. An awful person, but not seriously hurt or anything.)

[awesome][awesome][awesome]note 

[up][up][up] Jesus Christ. And it's only beginning.

[up] Yet another reason for people to get involved in local politics. The state legislatures are the first domino we need to topple on the road to retaking the White House. Think nationally, act locally.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
Antiteilchen In the pursuit of great, we failed to do good. Since: Sep, 2013
In the pursuit of great, we failed to do good.
#170703: Jan 29th 2017 at 11:41:27 AM

30+ civilians were also killed, 10 of them being women or children.

Erm, a civilian is a civilian. If they're male or female doesn't matter.

ViperMagnum357 Since: Mar, 2012
#170704: Jan 29th 2017 at 11:42:55 AM

[up][up][up][up][up]Killing almost 3 civilians for every militant, while taking almost 1 for 3 casualties anyway-I expect this to be the highlight of this administration's military policy.

edited 29th Jan '17 11:43:38 AM by ViperMagnum357

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#170705: Jan 29th 2017 at 11:43:35 AM

I'm just waiting for Trump to fuck up the Battle of Mosul somehow.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#170706: Jan 29th 2017 at 11:47:27 AM

McCain and Graham have issued a joint statement condemning the Muslim ban, on both practical and humanitarian grounds.

In other words—that's right everyone, our old friends the Weasel Twins are pretending to take a stand on something again! While I think this gesture is more or less a positive thing, they've still got no credibility in my eyes. Until they vote the way they talk, I won't believe a word they say.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
TerminusEst from the Land of Winter and Stars Since: Feb, 2010
#170707: Jan 29th 2017 at 11:48:31 AM

[up]x4

All males 16 and up are counted as "acceptable" targets, or at least that's what it used to be at some point. More likely to be militants.

Not entirely sure was this JSOC, CIA or Air Force targetting policy, or a government thing.

edited 29th Jan '17 11:49:54 AM by TerminusEst

Si Vis Pacem, Para Perkele
CenturyEye Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign? from I don't know where the Yith sent me this time... Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign?
#170708: Jan 29th 2017 at 11:54:43 AM

NVM

edited 29th Jan '17 12:21:21 PM by CenturyEye

Look with century eyes... With our backs to the arch And the wreck of our kind We will stare straight ahead For the rest of our lives
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#170709: Jan 29th 2017 at 11:54:51 AM

Protests planned at Boise Airport to oppose Trump immigration ban

http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/article129463644.html

I don't know if anyone's being held at any airports in Idaho, but there's support for them here, regardless

RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#170711: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:03:53 PM

Sounds like tens of thousands of people are gathering on Copley Square in Boston to protest the Muslim ban, with hundreds more arriving every minute.

This is what democracy looks like, you GOP scum.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#170712: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:07:34 PM

https://mobile.twitter.com/williamjordann/status/825781634330980352

Days until achieving MAJORITY disapproval from @Gallup

Reagan: 727
Bush I: 1336
Clinton: 573
Bush II: 1205
Obama: 936

Trump: 8. days.

edited 29th Jan '17 12:07:52 PM by sgamer82

Luigisan98 A wandering user from Venezuelan Muscat Since: Oct, 2013 Relationship Status: I <3 love!
A wandering user
#170713: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:12:20 PM

[up] If that happened for just 8 days, then he should know something IS wrong with him.

The only good fanboy, is a redeemed fanboy.
MarkVonLewis Since: Jun, 2010
#170714: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:14:11 PM

Well, my indifference is kinda done. Whomever runs against him next election I'm voting for. Even if it's (shudder) Hillary.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#170715: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:14:41 PM

Notice how that 40% approval number is more or less flat. He's got a pretty stable floor to work with.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#170716: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:15:56 PM

I'm seriously considering going back to Canada for college. I'm waiting to see a) what happens here and b)what my options are in terms of schools to begin with.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
higherbrainpattern Since: Apr, 2012
#170717: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:17:13 PM

Trump is living in a bubble. According to Jake Tapper on twitter:

sources: WH policy director Stephen Miller told govt employees Sat. that the public is behind the Exec Order, ignore hysterical voices on TV.

ViperMagnum357 Since: Mar, 2012
#170718: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:17:45 PM

[up][up][up]Anyone who was going to have second thoughts, an ethical realization, or an existential crisis has already done so. Trump has done almost exactly what he said he was going to do, and those who are left will literally follow him to the grave.

RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#170719: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:19:50 PM

That may depend on how viscerally the consequences of his actions are felt by the common hick. Even some ignorant jackass in Bumsquat, Missouri is going to start asking questions once he realizes his healthcare, job, and clean water is gone.

Problem then is when they go to Fox and Breitbart for answers, and are told to just "blame the Democrats!"

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
CenturyEye Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign? from I don't know where the Yith sent me this time... Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign?
#170720: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:20:21 PM

The child writing a letter to Trump may have been this: Bana Alabed: Syrian tweeting girl pens letter to Trump (Partly quoted)

"You must do something for the children of Syria because they are like your children and deserve peace like you," she wrote...Dear Donald Trump,
My name is Bana Alabed and I am a seven years old Syrian girl from Aleppo.
I lived in Syria my whole life before I left from besieged East Aleppo on December last year. I am part of the Syrian children who suffered from the Syrian war.
But right now, I am having a peace in my new home of Turkey. In Aleppo, I was in school but soon it was destroyed because of the bombing.
Some of my friends died...

I know you will be the president of America, so can you please save the children and people of Syria? You must do something for the children of Syria because they are like your children and deserve peace like you.
If you promise me you will do something for the children of Syria, I am already your new friend.
I am looking forward to what you will do for the children of Syria.

Look with century eyes... With our backs to the arch And the wreck of our kind We will stare straight ahead For the rest of our lives
Pseudopartition Screaming Into The Void from The Cretaeceous Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
Screaming Into The Void
#170721: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:22:20 PM

A twitter thread on why it's all distraction, but important.

I haven't actually seen anyone say that "it's just a distraction, don't worry about it," but instead "they are going to try and keep everyone's attention in one place, try to counteract that, and don't let anything get away unnoticed." note 

CenturyEye Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign? from I don't know where the Yith sent me this time... Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign?
#170722: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:22:36 PM

And on studying in Canada... Our token good neighbor at once beneficent and devious: Canadian tech firms ask Ottawa to give immediate visas after U.S. ban

"Canadian tech companies understand the power of inclusion and diversity of thought, and that talent and skill know no borders," said the letter, signed by more than 200 industry players...

Last year, Canada benefited from the raucous U.S. election campaign, with new Canadian work permits for highly skilled workers from the United States soaring nearly 54 percent in the first eight months of the year...

One Ontario-based software developer, Sortable, ran an ad campaign targeting tech workers that extolled Canada’s calm political climate. In November, Canada introduced new visa measures that would allow tech firms to quickly recruit foreign talent, including fast approvals and 30-day work permits...

"If Canada can quickly implement the global skills visa for tech talent … we can reinforce our country as the place to attract the best talent..."

The U.S. tech industry, a major employer of foreign workers, hit back on Saturday at the sudden executive order on immigration, with some leaders calling it immoral and un-American...

"Policies such as (Trump’s) put everybody in the business community on edge because all global firms have a multicultural work force.‎ But it’s also an opportunity,” Jim Balsillie, former co-CEO of Black Berry Ltd, said in the Globe and Mail newspaper on Saturday.
C'est la brain drain. Least we can say we gave our neighbors something for their trouble.

edited 29th Jan '17 12:27:43 PM by CenturyEye

Look with century eyes... With our backs to the arch And the wreck of our kind We will stare straight ahead For the rest of our lives
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#170723: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:27:33 PM

I've heard some academics throw around plans to massively expand the Canadian population (a goal of like 100 million, from a current 35 million, by 2100) by encouraging Americans to get the hell out of dodge. The idea is that American immigrants, mixed in with others from around the world, would lessen xenophobic populism. Some of them also say that they need to encourage said Americans to settle outside of Ontario/Quebec/BC, to balance out the countries population.

Probably pie in the sky but...

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#170724: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:29:23 PM

Just wait for climate change. When the Gulf has become too hot to be habitable, Canada will be one of the last places to thrive. There is a reason why Vladimir Putin said that climate change will benefit Russia.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Victin Since: Dec, 2011
#170725: Jan 29th 2017 at 12:30:11 PM

@Link: Recently a Canadian friend gave me college recommendations; if you wanted, I could show them to you, or something.


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