Chop Wood, Carry Water 10/2
Hi, all, and happy Wednesday!
Welp. Another debate behind us. Here are my takeaways:
Vance is slick. He’s smart, an excellent liar, and whomever programmed his “compassion” interface did a decent job—although I imagine it took a lot of battery life to keep it going. It’s understandable, albeit disheartening, that pundits leapt to the conclusion that he “won” the debate.
But undecided voters watching the debate felt differently. They loved Tim Walz—apparently his already high approval ratings skyrocketed during the event—and, while some stopped hating Vance quite as vehemently as they had, few seemed to believe anything he said. As for his evasive reply at the end? His unwillingness to say that Trump lost the election? It was BAD. Very, very bad. Not just in an objective way, but for electoral purposes. Swing voters detest election deniers. Vance basically slapped a sticker on his chest that said “I ❤️ January 6” on national TV. It will be used against him relentlessly between now and November 5—in fact it already is (see below).
But this wasn’t the only disqualifying thing Vance said. He denied the science of climate change; this should be disqualifying. He said we had a peaceful transition of power in January of 2021; this should be disqualifying. He chided the moderators for fact checking him when he once again lied about Haitian immigrants; both the rejection of truth and the continued scapegoating of immigrants should be disqualifying. He appeared ignorant of the fact that a Vice President doesn’t have the power to issue executive orders or create policy—should be disqualifying. He said—with a straight face—that Trump “worked in a bipartisan fashion with Congress to save the ACA.” This is a jawdropping lie.
He said he didn’t support a national abortion ban when he’s on tape saying exactly that, then said women should “trust him.” Disqualifying.
Vance is a scary character, there’s no doubt. And we will likely have to fight him again in the future. For now, however, he’s a Vice Presidential candidate who skated by in his debate—only because CBS refused to fact check him live. It was a failure on their part, but we don’t have to fail similarly. We can and should talk loudly and clearly about the lies he told. They matter.
Meanwhile, YOU continue to inspire me. Every day I receive emails from you telling me what you’re up to, and it’s amazing. Everyone is working SO hard. Know that I see you. Know that I appreciate your efforts.
And know that I believe they’ll pay off.
So let’s keep at it!
Call Your Senators (find yours here) and your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I understand that a number of Senators who represent the states impacted by Hurricane Helene have requested an immediate vote on disaster relief legislation. I support this; frankly we all should. Speaker Johnson himself said this morning that it will cost more than $35 billion to recover from Helene. The money in the stopgap bill won’t cover it, and these states need funding now.
Also? We have to act more aggressively on climate. The science is clear—we will see more and more of these catastrophic events and the cost—in human lives and in literal dollars—is simply going to be unsustainable. Congress needs to get serious about getting us off of fossil fuels. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
The U.S. is considering investing more in clean energy projects in India, a multifaceted geopolitical, economic, and climate “win-win-win.”
Tell the U.S. DFC to accelerate their investments in Indian clean energy projects!
Read more about it here (this sounds boring and in the weeds but it’s actually really hopeful and important) then send the letter here.
[H/T
]Get Smart! 📚
On Thursday, October 10th at 1pm ET/10am PT, the Cancel Comstock Coalition is partnering with the Progressive Caucus Action Fund for a virtual briefing on one of this country’s oldest zombie laws, a Victorian-era “anti-obscenity” law that extremists claim they can use to ban abortion nationwide without a single vote in Congress.
Have you heard about the Comstock Act? Do you have questions? We have the answers!
A panel featuring special guest Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT), author of the Stop Comstock Act, and experts in law, policy, and public health will discuss Comstock’s potential impact on our health and rights, attempts by anti-abortion extremists to “resurrect” it, and how we are building momentum to get rid of this archaic law.
Spread the Word! 📣
THIS is the ad we all need to be sharing today. Hands down the most important moment of the night.
Give 💰!
There is a lot at stake in Nevada this election. The States Project is in Nevada to build a veto-proof supermajority that will give state lawmakers the governing power they need to override Governor Lombardo and pass needed laws including caps on prescription drug prices, free school meals, and housing protections for renters. To achieve this goal we will need to hold every seat in both chambers, plus flip just one more seat in the Senate. This could also prevent the Governor from submitting a set of fake electors for Trump (as happened in 2020).
The three Giving Circles working for The States Project in Nevada are hosting a virtual fundraising event on Sunday, October 6 at 5:00 p.m. PST. I will be speaking along with Nevada State lawmakers and on-the-ground volunteers working in Las Vegas to build support for their campaigns.
RSVP Now! Nevada Zoom RSVP form
Win Races—be a “Voting Captain” in NC! 🗳
Hey NORTH CAROLINA! Turnout Nation is looking for young people, ideally from a community college or four year college in North Carolina, but won't turn people away who aren't enrolled!
Turnout Nation is a non-profit, non-partisan zero-budget organization that helps volunteer "Voting Captains" help ten friends to vote. It really works.
They are looking for Organizers who can recruit ten Captains. In most cases these Organizers and Captains will be in the same college, but the Captains should be from North Carolina and pick friends from back home from their high school.
It's not a ton of time, less than 30 minutes a day, but requires daily check-ins. Applications and questions to Maria@TurnoutNation.org.
Win Races—Volunteer to help Flip NC!
Here are a few ways you can help, from our friends at All in for NC!
Come canvass with us in Mecklenburg County. Over 100 people have already committed, and 30 have come already. Sign up here: Mecklenburg out of state canvass sign up (for anyone not local)
Call Mecklenburg Democrats to volunteer on Sunday AINC Mecklenburg volunteer recruitment calling or Wednesday SBA Mecklenburg volunteer recruitment calling nights
Join our brand-new Thursday night phone bank for Bryan Cohn in one of the tightest state house races – the Democrat only lost it by 732 votes last time: Call for Bryan Cohn for state House.
Win Races—Make Calls with Healthcare Practitioners
Vot-ER has helped tens of thousands of people to register to vote — and now, they need our help to make sure every eligible voter can cast their ballot.
Vot-ER’s nonpartisan phone banks run through Election Day. Through these phone banks, you can reach invisible voters who likely will not hear from campaigns. You’ll help people vote, whether by mail, early, or on election day.
New to phone banking? Vot-ER provides training, a fun community space for calls, and some Halloween costume appearances as well. All calls will be made through Vot-ER’s technology, so you just need your laptop.
Vot-ER phone banking is strictly nonpartisan — helping people vote while giving them the agency to decide who to vote for in the 80,000 races that are on the ballot this fall.
RSVP here, and thank you!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your Senators] [H/T] [Text SIGN PXLFAL to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
Ensuring that all students are hunger-free and ready to learn is very important to me. On September 18th, the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition heard from the Food Research & Action Center about the important role the federal child nutrition programs play in supporting student nutrition, health and learning. I urge you to cosponsor the following legislation that would strengthen and expand these important programs.
- Universal School Meals Programs Act (S.1568)
- School Hunger Elimination Act (S.4525)
- Nutrition Red Tape Reduction Act (S.4523)
Thank you in advance for prioritizing the well-being of our nation’s children and supporting legislation that reduces hunger and food insecurity for students.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
I'm gonna have to disagree with you on one thing, Jess. I think the moderators did an excellent and fair job. They did fact-check Vance a couple of times despite CBS's announcement that they wouldn't do so. They also asked pointed questions of both candidates, and elicited answers that were helpful (even Vance's non-answers were helpful to see how smarmy he is). I doubt the debate moved any voters one way or the other, but anyone who thinks Vance is harmless needs to think again.
I got really worried in the debate when Vance kept blaming immigrants. Housing market, grocery costs, crime... it was textbook fear mongering. It was maddening to hear it.