Hi, all, and happy Friday! A couple of weeks ago, in the middle of the day, my husband sent me a text with a link to a breaking news alert. The alert announced that Cornell West would be running for president on a third party ticket. My heart plummeted.
It’s not ironic that Jill Stein is running West’s campaign. Remember, she was also at that dinner in Russia with Michael Flynn. She’s either a useful idiot or a Russian asset. They are at it again. And yes, every time we see “no labels” described as “moderate” write a LTE or leave a comment.
Everyone said 2022 would be a bloodbath and we defied expectations. We'll find a way to do so again in 2024. The good news is (1) we're worrying about this now so have time to message against spoiler candidates, (2) we are WAY more organized than 2016 and (3) the Republicans are WAY more unpopular than they were in 2016. Spoiler candidate or not it's going to take everything we have to win again.
This is a good example of why we cannot trust the term "moderate Republican" as applied to a politician.
Larry Hogan (chair of No Labels) was held up for years as a sign that Trump was an aberration. Well, we can see that this was yet another lie.
As with Youngkin, the lesson has to be relearned every year post-Trump. There are NO moderate Republicans. Not all endorse overthrowing our Constitutional order, but that's a rock-bottom bar.
As flawed as Democrats are, they are the only option until the GOP lose sufficient races that they stop trying to suppress voting, bodily autonomy, sexual orientation, education, etc.
When the country has contained extremism, the focus can turn to new parties or restructuring existing parties.
Until then, a ton of change can be effected on the local level where races are often uncontested or won by a few hundred votes.
Jun 23, 2023·edited Jun 23, 2023Liked by Jessica Craven
Not only do third party candidates take votes from one candidate or the other, but they also divert resources and attention that could be better utilized by the candidate who's adversely affected.
If people believe that a split ticket is a good thing, they should look at how well that's working in Congress. The disingenuousness of the genealogy of the No Labels party is something that needs to be spotlighted again and again.
I like the Serenity Prayer, and your use of it here, but we can't just accept the unacceptable. We have to fight the good fight to the end, but be prepared for possible defeat.
And the Serenity Prayer literally says just that. Without the "courage the change the things I should" it's quite useless. And I couldn't agree more that we have to fight the good fight. I hoped to communicate that--sorry if I didn't.
I love Marion Nestle! When my older daughter (now 25) was in middle school, I tried to reform her school's cafeteria. I organized a bunch of parents and read a lot of books and blogs, including those by Nestle. We failed miserably but it gave me a taste for organizing and activism. Have a good weekend! Happy Pride!
I shared the first section on Facebook, adding this:
"We who want to protect our democracy have our work cut out for us. Please, friends, stay informed and do whatever you can to participate in postcard writing campaigns or by knocking on doors, or in armchair activism of all sorts, and contribute to the candidates of your choice (directly to each, if you can). Part of the reason the Democrats don't have a loud bullhorn is that we are outspent by many millions (billions?) of dollars, so every amount we can spare is crucial in this effort. There is no way to reach the brainwashed MAGATs, but we can try to persuade Independents, moderate Republicans (if there are any left), and young people to vote and to help get out the blue vote in local and state races and in the critical 2024 national election.
Our democracy is at stake. Fight for it, please. Whatever you do, vote blue."
Thanks for raising the alarm from Third Party and no label campaigns and that we look at who is funding and behind this. I have three words of concern to add, though without evidence “Russia Russia Russia”. They will benefit and have sown chaos in the past.
A reminder: Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican , groomed William Howard Taft to be his successor as President. Unhappy with Taft’s presidency, TR ran for president in 1912 as a Progressive . In doing so he split the Republican vote, paving the way for Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win the presidency.
A little esoteric quote from Winston Churchill 'you create your own universe as you go along' and Prentice mulford 'every thought of yours is a real thing_a force
For anyone interested, I have a petition about Democrats not voting for a 3rd party caniddate that now has over 100 signatures. You can find it and sign or promote it at https://chng.it/zpfgDY9g
It’s not ironic that Jill Stein is running West’s campaign. Remember, she was also at that dinner in Russia with Michael Flynn. She’s either a useful idiot or a Russian asset. They are at it again. And yes, every time we see “no labels” described as “moderate” write a LTE or leave a comment.
Absolutely!
Everyone said 2022 would be a bloodbath and we defied expectations. We'll find a way to do so again in 2024. The good news is (1) we're worrying about this now so have time to message against spoiler candidates, (2) we are WAY more organized than 2016 and (3) the Republicans are WAY more unpopular than they were in 2016. Spoiler candidate or not it's going to take everything we have to win again.
Yes! Exactly! We can and will handle whatever comes.
This is a good example of why we cannot trust the term "moderate Republican" as applied to a politician.
Larry Hogan (chair of No Labels) was held up for years as a sign that Trump was an aberration. Well, we can see that this was yet another lie.
As with Youngkin, the lesson has to be relearned every year post-Trump. There are NO moderate Republicans. Not all endorse overthrowing our Constitutional order, but that's a rock-bottom bar.
As flawed as Democrats are, they are the only option until the GOP lose sufficient races that they stop trying to suppress voting, bodily autonomy, sexual orientation, education, etc.
When the country has contained extremism, the focus can turn to new parties or restructuring existing parties.
Until then, a ton of change can be effected on the local level where races are often uncontested or won by a few hundred votes.
Yeah, I have to agree. I am solidly in the "Never GOP" camp at this point.
Not only do third party candidates take votes from one candidate or the other, but they also divert resources and attention that could be better utilized by the candidate who's adversely affected.
If people believe that a split ticket is a good thing, they should look at how well that's working in Congress. The disingenuousness of the genealogy of the No Labels party is something that needs to be spotlighted again and again.
I like the Serenity Prayer, and your use of it here, but we can't just accept the unacceptable. We have to fight the good fight to the end, but be prepared for possible defeat.
And the Serenity Prayer literally says just that. Without the "courage the change the things I should" it's quite useless. And I couldn't agree more that we have to fight the good fight. I hoped to communicate that--sorry if I didn't.
"I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept." ~Angela Davis
Perfect! That's what I meant!
😉
I love Marion Nestle! When my older daughter (now 25) was in middle school, I tried to reform her school's cafeteria. I organized a bunch of parents and read a lot of books and blogs, including those by Nestle. We failed miserably but it gave me a taste for organizing and activism. Have a good weekend! Happy Pride!
You too!
Thank you, Jess.
I shared the first section on Facebook, adding this:
"We who want to protect our democracy have our work cut out for us. Please, friends, stay informed and do whatever you can to participate in postcard writing campaigns or by knocking on doors, or in armchair activism of all sorts, and contribute to the candidates of your choice (directly to each, if you can). Part of the reason the Democrats don't have a loud bullhorn is that we are outspent by many millions (billions?) of dollars, so every amount we can spare is crucial in this effort. There is no way to reach the brainwashed MAGATs, but we can try to persuade Independents, moderate Republicans (if there are any left), and young people to vote and to help get out the blue vote in local and state races and in the critical 2024 national election.
Our democracy is at stake. Fight for it, please. Whatever you do, vote blue."
Beautiful.
Thanks for raising the alarm from Third Party and no label campaigns and that we look at who is funding and behind this. I have three words of concern to add, though without evidence “Russia Russia Russia”. They will benefit and have sown chaos in the past.
Absolutely.
A reminder: Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican , groomed William Howard Taft to be his successor as President. Unhappy with Taft’s presidency, TR ran for president in 1912 as a Progressive . In doing so he split the Republican vote, paving the way for Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win the presidency.
Right.
I’m not religious in the sense I do not adhere to one religious ideology; I prefer to collect from all our human religions. I appreciate this post
🥰
A little esoteric quote from Winston Churchill 'you create your own universe as you go along' and Prentice mulford 'every thought of yours is a real thing_a force
I made a huge mistake voting for Nader in 2000. Never again! Not with this system that we’ve got.
Yeah we've all had to learn the hard way!
Thanks Jess!
Always.
For anyone interested, I have a petition about Democrats not voting for a 3rd party caniddate that now has over 100 signatures. You can find it and sign or promote it at https://chng.it/zpfgDY9g