2020 election

Election Connection: 30 Weeks: What Can You Do Before November 3rd?

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Three recommendations:

1. Dan Pfeiffer‘s new book, Untrumping America: A Plan for Making America a Democracy Again

2. David Plouffe‘s two new books, one for adults, and one for children: A Citizen’s Guide for Beating Donald Trump and Ripples of Hope: Your Guide to Electing a New President

3. David Plouffe’s Podcast: Campaign HQ with David Plouffe

Links go to publishers, but books can be bought at any indpendent bookseller or online book retailer. Podcasts links to Player.FM but can be found wherever you get your podcasts.

Election Connection: 31 Weeks

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I must apologize for not posting last week.

With all of the COVID-19 reading and researching, organizing and posting, the election (barely) slipped my mind. That is a good lesson to all of us, that every day it is important to make sure that our 2020 Election goes forward despite this Administration’s incompetence in so many areas, and the ongoing pandemic that has consumed all of our lives. Models look like we will be in our homes with businesses and schools shut down for most of the spring, and even when we’re out and about a little bit this summer, we must be prepared for the next cycle of physical distancing. These cycles will continue until there is a vaccine and/or widespread testing for antibodies to know who’s immune and can go back out into the world.

With that in mind, I wanted to share with you two Election Connection items:

The first is a new podcast from Joe Biden. I know that Senator Sanders has not dropped out of the race, but I believe that his path forward is too narrow. In my mind, Vice President Biden is the presumptive Democratic nominee for President. His new podcast is Here’s the Deal w/Joe Biden, and it is his way of connecting with the voters and the American people while he is also at his own home.

The second is a relatively new tool in the fight against Republican voter suppression spearheaded by attorney, Marc E. Elias, who you may remember from Bush v. Gore in 2000. He represented VP Al Gore. The group is Democracy Docket, and its mission is highlight and bring attention to the ways that voting is restricted across the country.

Election Connection: 34 Weeks: Get Mitch (or die trying)

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Okay, maybe not literally die, but while Mitch McConnell controls the Senate, people are literally dying. From immigrants at the border to mass shooting victims in schools, Mitch McConnell has done nothing for the American people. Right now, we are in the middle of a serious pandemic, and while other countries are in quarantine, our government tells us to go to work and hope for the best; they have it all under control.

Well, they do NOT have it all under control.

In order to pass laws that stem gun violence through gun control, that provide for the poor in this country, that offer medical attention before you need the ICU and ER, they need to pass in the Senate. The House of Representatives has passed over 200 bills ranging in topics from background checks to election security, from combatting the climate crisis to women’s reproductive rights, and the Senate. led by Mitch McConnell has done nothing. He hasn’t even brought these bills to the floor for an up or down vote.

It’s appalling, and quite frankly it’s un-American.

One way is to get rid of McConnell. Donate to his opponent for the Kentucky Senate: Amy McGrath.

Another way, as Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai’i says, “Pick a Senate race.” Pick a Senate race where the Republican is vulnerable, donate, volunteer, and get rid of McConnell’s majority.

Get Mitch or Die Trying is the link to help him on his way to retirement. Your donation is split evenly between candidates. Learn more at the link.

Click link to GET MITCH.

Election Connection: 35 Weeks: Super Tuesday/Unify or Die

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With only five Democratic candidates left in the race for the nomination, today’s Super Tuesday voting is as important as ever. One thousand, three hundred, forty-four (1344) delegates are up for grabs, and despite what pundits and naysayers declare, all but one candidate has a chance to lead the field. We’ll know later tonight who that person is!

States voting today include:

Alabama           Arkansas                   California

Colorado          American Samoa (caucus)

Maine               Massachusetts         Minnesota

North Carolina                                    Oklahoma

Tennessee       Texas                           Utah

Vermont           Virginia


Want to help the eventual nominee? Unify, and donate by voicing the photo and giving what you can. Our nominee will need everyone’s help in the general election!

Election Connection: 37 Weeks: The FEC

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I first became more aware of the FEC, the Federal Election Commission when its Chair, Ellen Weintraub tweeted corrections to President Trump’s pronouncements several months ago. I have since followed her on Twitter, and trust in her unbiased opinions about fair election and campaign finance rules.

The FEC is an independent regulatory agency that enforces campaign finance law and it is a good organization to follow and learn what it’s all about. It’s important to know what the regulations are in regards to campaigns and finance so that when we see discrepencies or anomolies, we can speak out. And we all should. We all should also be able to give the correct information in answer to questions as well as simply know where to search for the answers we do not know yet.

While both Ms. Weintraub and Caroline C. Hunter both serve on the commission, Ms. Weintraub was replaced by Ms. Hunter as Chair in January.

Election Connection: 38 Weeks: Voter Registration Deadlines (General Election)

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Voter Registration Deadlines (by date)

For more specific information, visit Vote Save America and check out your state for both the primary and general election. Thanks Crooked Media!
States with Early Voting have an *
First Time voters require ID in states that have +
ID required for states that have #

Continue reading

Election Connection 39 Weeks: Iowa Caucuses and Beyond

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I was waiting for the results of the Iowa Caucuses before I published this week’s Election Connection, but it looks like we’re still waiting. I’ll add the results when they are public, but in the meantime, check out your favorite candidates speeches from last night or check out their websites and/or Twitters.

I also want to be clear about this post going forward. Candidates will continue to be listed in alphabetical order. Beginning with Super Tuesday, I will add delegate counts and I will put a line through any candidates who drop out along the way.

Next, once we have a candidate nominated, we will need to UNIFY OR DIE. Click the link for more information and/or to monetarily support the eventual candidate.

On a personal note, I support Senator Elizabeth Warren. She’s my candidate. Read her policy proposals, and check out her record. That said, I will vote blue no matter who.

Joe Biden, Twitter

Bernie Sanders, Twitter

Michael Bennet, Twitter

Michael Bloomberg, Twitter

Pete Buttigeig, Twitter

Tulsi Gabbard, Twitter

Amy Klobucher, Twitter

Deval Patrick, Twitter

Tom Steyer, Twitter

Elizabeth Warren, Twitter

Andrew Yang, Twitter

Election Connection: 40 Weeks: Democratic Primaries

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Beginning next Monday is the first of nineteen voting days to choose the Democratic candidate for President. Voting will take place in fifty-seven primaries and caucuses from the fifty states and seven territories. What follows is all of the primary/caucus dates. Find your state, make sure you’re registered, and vote for the candidate you feel passionate about. Be part of the process; make your voice heard. Then after the Democratic National Convention in July, unify behind the candidate (more on that in later weeks) and return the country to the rule of law and common decency.

Before you review the primary schedule, visit Vote Save America. They have tips on how you can help the candidates, stop gerrymandering, volunteer, donate to the eventual nominee, check your voter registration, and other resources to make your vote count. Check them out.

February 3

Iowa (caucus) 41 delegates

February 11

New Hampshire 24 delegates

February 22

Nevada (caucus) 36 delegates

February 29

South Carolina 54 delegates

March 3 (Super Tuesday) 1344 total delegates

Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, American Samoa (caucus),

Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennesee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia

March 10 365 total delegates

Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota (firehouse caucus), Washington

Democrats Abroad voting period ends

March 14

Northern Mariana Islands (caucus) 6 delegates

March 17 577 total delegates

Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Ohio

March 24

Georgia 105 delegates

March 29

Puerto Rico 51 delegates

April 4 107 total delegates

Alaska, Hawaii, Louisianna, Wyoming

April 7

Wisconsin 84 delegates

April 28 663 total delegates

Connecticutt, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island

May 2 46 total delegates

Guam (caucus), Kansas

May 5

Indiana 82 delegates

May 12 57 total delegates

Nebraska, West Virginia

May 19 115 total delegates

Kentucky, Oregon

June 2 215 total delegates

District of Columbia, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota

June 6

United States Virgin Islands (caucus) 7 delegates

July 13-16

Democratic National Convention, Milwaukee, Wisconsin