Chop Wood, Carry Water 9/20
Hi, all, and happy Friday!
Geez. Yesterday was wild, huh?
I’m sure you all heard about North Carolina GOP gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson’s rather stunning—in a bad way—news drop. If you didn’t, read about it here; I won’t quote from the article because nearly everything in it is too awful to repeat. We knew Robinson was toxic and unqualified to hold office, but the new information is just…jawdropping. Ironically, this morning was the deadline for him to drop out of the race for North Carolina’s Executive office; he chose not to.
Of course he did. If there’s one thing MAGA Republicans are NOT known for it’s their ability to feel shame. They simply can’t do it. Self-reflection? Nope. Personal responsibility? A foreign concept.
But I digress. Because there’s more! Olivia Nuzzi, a top politics writer for New York magazine, has, according to the Guardian, “taken leave at the publication after it emerged that she allegedly had a personal relationship with Robert F Kennedy Jr.” while reporting on the presidential election. Is RFK Jr. admitting to it? Nope. He’s denying it completely, even though he has a long history of having extramarital affairs. He’s also been on the receiving end of multiple sexual assault allegations. But again, it’s “not his fault.” No shame.
Over in the House, on Wednesday, Mike Johnson brought his six-month Continuing Resolution—with the SAVE Act attached—up for a vote. It failed, spectacularly. Fourteen Republicans crossed the aisle to vote with Democrats against it, although their reasons for doing so varied widely. The result, however, remained the same: Mike Johnson had, once again, been humiliated on the House floor, all in an effort to try to please a maniacal puppeteer who can’t possibly get what he wants.
What happens next? According to Johnson, Trump “understands” that the SAVE Act won’t pass this session. Everything, according to him, will be fine. “We’ll have a Plan B, we’re having thoughtful conversations developing that. I’m sure it will come together over the weekend.”
Thoughtful conversations. Great! After all, a shutdown is only 11 days away. Sigh.
What will happen in the end? Johnson will get it together and present a “clean” Continuing Resolution—a short one that goes only into December, no “poison pills” attached. The government won’t shut down—not because Republicans care about Americans, or governing, but because they’ve made a political calculation. They know a shutdown would be disastrous for them. So they’ll get the CR passed, last-minute, in a slapdash fashion. And life will go on.
But imagine what the House could have gotten done if it hadn’t, once again, had to squander time, resources, and energy executing a fruitless stunt for Donald Trump.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: It is absolutely imperative that we not just win the presidency and hold the Senate in November, but flip the House by commanding margins as well. This ineptitude must not be rewarded—and it won’t be, if we have anything to do with it. Let’s all ask ourselves what we’re doing to help that cause, and then do a bit more of it!
Speaking of which, it’s time for our Friday fire-up! If you’re new here, Fridays are the day we post what election-related activities we’re up to in the comments. If you’re doing something to help us win a House race let us know! If you’re doing something for Team Harris-Walz, or to help hold the Senate, or to help win a school board race, or a state legislative race, or anything else, please let us know! If you’re registering voters, doing voter protection, writing letters, making calls, knocking doors, holding a postcard party, or simply writing a check let us know!
Me, I’m going to a “State Fair” held by the wonderful Hang Out Do Good. If you’re in L.A. please come—it’s tomorrow! There will be games, a dunk tank, postcarding, food and more! They’ll be fundraising in support of seven California races that could determine what party controls the House. I’ve been to these fairs before and they are INCREDIBLE. These folks pull out all the stops!
Info is here. Tell your friends!
And no matter what you’re doing this weekend—even if it’s nothing!—please know that I am so proud of your hard work. It’s because of you—your patriotism, your courage, and your tenacity—that we’ll win. Thanks for that.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I understand that a bipartisan group of Congressmembers have gotten enough signatures on a discharge petition to bring the Social Security Fairness Act up for a vote. Good. This is a no-brainer of a bill that would simply close loopholes that deny Social Security payments to retirees who receive certain government pensions or other types of retirement benefits. Will the Congressmember vote yes? I want them to. Thanks.
[If GOP add:]
One more thing: I want to make sure the SAVE Act won’t be coming back up for a vote—because I strongly oppose it. Please tell the Congressmember I want the House to pass a clean Continuing Resolution that goes to mid-December. No SAVE Act, no poison pills, no games. Republicans work for us, not Donald Trump. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
If you’re frustrated with Mainstream Media’s failure to accurately cover Trump and the MAGA movement, the
has a new post you might want to read.
At the bottom of it they’ve attached their pro-democracy guidelines with an open letter for you to sign on to. This letter has already been signed by thousands of Americans. They will be regularly sending your signatures to the leadership of all major news organizations. Please sign and share!
Stand Up For Springfield!
I’m so thrilled about this: Red, Wine and Blue is co-hosting a “Unite For Springfield” event on Sunday, September 22, 3PM PT / 6PM ET!
From them:
Americans are joining together to support the people of Springfield and call for leaders with the courage to ensure all families can thrive.
Join Springfield parents, students, teachers, business owners, and faith leaders who have been impacted by national politicians threatening the safety of their families and the community they love. We’ll also learn what we can all do to help spread the truth, support Springfield families, and get out the vote.
Every dollar raised will go to the Haitian Community Help and Support Center and other local Springfield community nonprofits.
Get Smart! 📚
Join the Center for Common Ground and National Women's Political Caucus of Virginia this Sunday, September 22 at 4 pm PT/ 7 pm ET for "Project 2025: Voters Suppression on Steroids."
This event will not only shed light on how Project 2025 seeks to make elections and voting less democratic, but also equip you with the knowledge to understand and combat this threat, ensuring greater government control over election outcomes and voting rights restoration.
Guest speakers will be:
Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan
Monica Brown of the Cobb County Democracy Center, Georgia
Jocelyn Nolley of Team Unity North Carolina, President, Black Political Caucus
Spread the Word! 📣
The One Dem Minute Film Festival is excited to announce that their 2024 Films are now available, and they invite you to become "Digital Warriors" by sharing them far and wide! There are 40 pro-democracy videos -- all 3 minutes or less -- on topics that matter to voters, such as reproductive rights, climate change, and the dangers of a second Trump presidency. At least one of them features a CWCW subscriber!
You can contact them at one.dem.minute@gmail.com if you have any questions, need assistance, or would like to brand any of the films for a specific organization, initiative or campaign.
Give 💰!
On Monday Senate Circle will host Senators Jon Tester and Sherrod Brown for a Zoom fundraiser! These races can determine if the will of the people on reproductive freedom is implemented in the Courts and Congress, or if it will be thwarted by an extremist Republican Senate majority -- a majority which, because of the way Senate seats are allocated, actually only represents a minority of us.
As you know, the political landscape this year shifts under candidates' feet on a weekly basis. The false statements made by J.D. Vance regarding Haitians eating pets in Springfield is just such an example. Mind you, along with Sen. Brown, Sen. Vance is the elected representative for the citizens of Springfield!
Please join us Monday and support these candidates as generously as you can. Your support comes not a moment too soon for these critical Senate races. There will be time for audience questions in the second half.
Please use this link to sign up and donate.
Win Races—Make Calls! 🗳
Every Saturday between now and Election Day, join Progressives & Grassroots for Harris-Walz and special guests to call battleground state voters to mobilize supporters. Each week we will hear from leaders in the Progressive and Grassroots communities who will remind us of the power of working together in our fight for a brighter future.
Note, when you sign up you will see multiple dates to choose from. You can sign up for just one or two phone banking shifts at first. Then, you can return to this link to sign up for more! They will have different guests each week.
Win Races—Write Postcards to fight voter suppression!
Reclaim Our Vote is writing to Black voters in NC, as well as GA, VA, SC, AL, FL, and TX who may not be contacted by either party. 500k more cards need to go to NC alone. Messages encourage early votingIN PERSON which is key in this election! Info is shared on where to vote and who to call if issues arise. These postcards are specifically geared towards overcoming voter suppression–they’re GREAT! Sign up here.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PKSKKF to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
I’ve just learned through NPR that a group of lawmakers in Congress wants to put millions of dollars toward organizations that pair military veterans with pets. They hope to reduce alarming rates of suicide among veterans.
Texas Congressman Morgan Luttrell is the author of the bill—it’s called the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act. It would designate $10 million a year for five years to the Department of Veterans Affairs, which would then award grants to nonprofits who work to provide service dogs to eligible veterans.
It is estimated that upwards of 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, and more than 450,000 service members have been diagnosed with at least one traumatic brain injury over the past two decades. As a result, these veterans suffer from alarmingly high rates of depression, anxiety, joblessness, homelessness, and substance use disorders. Far too often, they resort to taking their own lives, with nearly 20 veterans dying by suicide each day. This is horrific and unacceptable.
Today, there are tens of thousands of service dogs across the United States assisting veterans with a wide-range of disabilities and ailments. The bipartisan, bicameral Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act directs the Secretary of the Veterans Affairs to establish a grant program at the Veterans Health Administration to award funds, on a competitive basis, to accredited nonprofit organizations that provide highly trained service dogs to eligible Veterans free of charge.
Evidence is growing that service dogs can help veterans with PTSD readjust to civilian life. Let’s help the magic happen! Please co-sponsor this bill and help to pass it quickly! Thanks!
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Working through my stack of 200 GOTV postcards to PA voters scheduled to be mailed 10/26.
Made another round of donations to specific candidates for Congress, the US Senate, NC state races, and the NC, Nebraska, and Wisconsin Dem parties.
I wrote my 100 Moms Rising postcards to Arizona yesterday. I have now written 800 postcards and mailed about half of them. Waiting till mid-October to mail the rest.