What are you doing for the 2006 elections?

[LoZoccolo]

It's fun to complain and come up with conspiracy theories, but we've been given a chance to actually disempower the Republicans by voting them out in the 2006 elections. When I was involved in the 2004 elections, I was struck by how many different things there were to be done to help us win (such as signing up for a trip to another state to help walk precincts and get out the vote there). There's plenty of talk and anger here; I wanna know what people are actually doing.

In Illinois, especially around Chicago, there is a group that's around to pretty much get sent to do other things to help Democrats get elected, and that's Illinois Dem Net:

http://www.illinoisdemnet.org

It would be great if someone out there watching could import this concept into their state and help their fellow Democrats direct their energy in constructive ways.

_{NOTE: I'm almost counting on this thread sinking like a rock because as I say, "DUers are seldom doers". Does this make you mad? Embarass me by proving me wrong. It would actually make me feel better.}

[rhino47]

1. Doing anything I can to unseat Ricky boy and Phil English.

Thats what I am doing.In fact my republican husband has already signed up to work for the casey campaign.He loathes Ricky (or as he calls him the Jesus whore).I am selling items on ebay to raise money for our local dems.I just started two weeks ago and have only raised 465.00 but hey its a start.

[acmejack]

2. Your Chicago guys aren't doers? Bummer!

Thats because they're depressed over Christine (rightly so). I kind of like her from last time when she nearly beat old Henry, I was watching her from the DFA.

But that aside, we kick butt down here! We just took a seat away from the GOP in the State lege, it cost them $86 a vote in a losing effort! We are about to replace Lamar Smith with a great Texan John Courage, JohnCoby and his merry gang are looking to boot Hot Tub Tommy, oh you'll see some surprises from red red Texas!

[LoZoccolo]

7. I don't think I was saying that.

I was giving that as an example of how people could get involved.

[acmejack]

10. I couldn't help myself.

I know exactly the point you are making it is far too easy to be an armchair commando. We have to be tireless, we're working against people who are convinced they're doing their thing for God.

[mdmc]

3. I intend to post threads at DU blaming Ralph Nader for GOP wins.

Of course I will be doing the same old petitions, and gotv for local dems. DU'ers are all do'ers. Why do you have such a low opinion of your fellow DU'ers?

If the Dems can get a candidate to run against Sue Kelly (NYSCD19). We have great announced candidates, a strong party, and grassroots, plus a weak GOP to run against. Even with all this, it will be hard, if not impossible, to win.
We would win hands down if Richard Brodsky left his race for NYSAG and ran against Kelly. I like John Hall best out of the current talent pool.

http://www.take19.org/

[LoZoccolo]

6. This is why I "have such a low opinion" of my fellow DUers.

Because I've posted these threads before and they've sunk.

Also, people propose very irrational things, like the guy who said he was going to leave the Democrats if there was no Alito filibuster (he's since been back here). Did he realize that people voting third-party rather than the Dems contributed to the situation to begin with? Did he spell out any way that this action was going to lead to anything positive? Of course not. If people were actually engaged in real things, they would speak in terms of how what they're doing will get them what they want. The show-off factor would minimized.

Oh, by the way, this same person didn't seem to think he had an obligation to participate in democracy other than voting, as he posted on another board:

"Under our system, that is where my responsibility ends. If I choose to involve myself more than that, I go above and beyond my responsibility."

Extremism, irrationality, and lack of participation all work together in my opinion.

[mdmc]

12. die and pay taxes

every else is "beyond our responsibility". That is why activist as SO important! It is a rare trait to work for our collective future interest!:kick:

[LoZoccolo]

9. "If the Dems can get a candidate to run against Sue Kelly..."

This is actually an example of what I was talking about. You are one of the Dems; it is your job to help a candidate run against Sue Kelly. It won't happen, though, I imagine, if you're counting on this being done in the 2006 primary because usually the deadline to get someone on the ballot is way back in December. You'll have to think of what to do next time.

[mdmc]

11. Richard Brodsky can still run against Kelly

He will win by many points, perhaps even double digits. He refuses to back out of his race for NYSAG. If he beats Andrew Cuomo, he will most likely beat Jeanne Perro and become the next NYSAG.

Like I said, I really like John Hall against Sue Kelly. I'll help whoever wins the nomination, but, without viability, we will lose NYSCD19 again.

So we have candidates, grassroots, a strong local Dem party, the state ticket is lead by two huge WINNERS (Hillary Clinton and Eliot Spitzer), DNC Chair Dean and his brother have strong roots in the area, AND a super weak GOP.

There is no reason that we should lose, except that we can't pull it all together. It is very frustrating.

[elizm]

4. Raise voting machine/theft awareness...

Because unless we deal with that issue all other efforts are futile.

[LoZoccolo]

5. OK, so you make people aware, then what?

That's a real issue, but all people are doing is complaining about it. Someone on here demands that it end "NOW" and has yet to steer people to how to do so. My whole point is that people here generally don't seem to be engaged in tangible activities that would have a real impact.

[elizm]

8. I agree completely...

We are trying to fight it on the state level here and it seems to be the only way to go right now. Does everyone know what kinds of machines their precint will use? In one state...I think Pennsylvania, they've even sued the state. I'm not sure how successful efforts at the state levels wiil be... But doing nothing is not an option either. At least with awareness by the public we can hope to get it changed eventually. How many times can they claim that exit polls were flawed and get away with it?

[JNelson6563]

13. I'm doing much

and I'm hoping lots of other DUers are too.

:kick: