Last week, before the vice presidential debate, I was asked by a number of friends whether I would be tuning in. The answer was an emphatic no. It wasn’t because I thought Tim Walz would do a bad job. It wasn’t because I had a sense of foreboding after Biden’s campaign-ending debate. It’s because as … Continue reading Why This Red State Democrat Couldn’t Watch the Vice Presidential Debate
To be a woman is to be interrupted. In boardrooms and family rooms and courtrooms, women's actual voices are often cut short – their thoughts and ideas demonstrated to be less important than what their male counterpart has to say. We learn it from infancy, really. Watching our mothers interrupted. Watching how they respond to … Continue reading Interrupted Women, Interrupting: Excuse Us, We’re Speaking
It was such a mild and beautiful afternoon that not many people were home to answer the door. But that didn’t stop my friend from running through his turf. He had been out knocking doors for a local Democratic nominee in a quiet, tree-lined suburban St. Louis community – one that’s so well known for being … Continue reading Bearing Witness: Democrats Holding Space and Opening Doors
Information silos, local news, and how we break through. Her name was Vivian, and she was the only Democrat in her entire county. At least, that’s what she believed until her local Democratic state senate nominee told Vivian that there had to be at least 299 more Democrats. After all, the nominee had gotten 300 votes from … Continue reading Messages Need Messengers. Democrats’ Messaging Problem, and How We Fix It.
During a break in her debate preparation this week, Kamala Harris visited a Penzey’s spice shop in Pittsburg. She’s a cook. Penzey’s prides itself on making the world a better place and calling out Republican extremism. It made sense. And on its own it would have been a heartwarming visit, likely featuring chit chat about Thanksgiving and recipe swapping. … Continue reading The Pressure, the Exhaustion: Red State Republican Strategy
I’ve never watched the documentary The Brainwashing of My Dad. It hits just a little too close to home. My dad grew up on a farm in Ohio, but never talked about it. Handsome, with a winning smile, he was an excellent salesman and a self-made man in a time before the internet – no small … Continue reading My Dad, the Dittohead: Rush Limbaugh Stole Our Fathers
You probably remember it from high school: Unless acted upon by an outside force, an object in motion stays in motion, and an object at rest stays at rest. It’s the first law of physics, but it could just as easily be considered the first law of politics. If you’ve worked on a political campaign, you … Continue reading The Physics of Politics: the First Law of Motion
“Someone needs to stand up for these women.” I had asked this Tennessee state legislative nominee why she decided to run for office in her red, rural district. She was humble, but her organizing chops were obvious. “I just volunteered because nobody else was running,” she said. “And I want to wake up the women of Tennessee.” … Continue reading The Heroes Living Next Door: Down Ballot Democrats
“Honestly, you wouldn’t believe it – I’m in a super rural district, and the energy I’m seeing right now from Democrats here? It’s … wow.” So said a Democratic Ohio statehouse nominee that I spoke with on the phone yesterday. She was telling me about her race as she waited for a friend to pick … Continue reading The Power of Being Seen: Red State Democrats Are Having a Moment
Friends, I had something totally different written for today. But then Vice President Harris chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate… And I just couldn’t contain myself. Over the last few weeks, as America has gotten to know Governor Walz, he’s impressed everyone with his easy style and his folksy dad humor. We’ve … Continue reading Walz Is From Nebraska: This Small Town Girl Approves
Small Deeds Done 