Several elections around the country were held yesterday, and the news was pretty awful for the GOP in two races in particular, signaling trouble ahead for Republicans in 2024.
Although certainly not a major metropolis by any stretch, Lincoln, NE, Capitol of deeply red Nebraska, re-elected its Democrat mayor a few weeks ago. Her opponent ran a divisive campaign, touting the current MAGA line, and lost. Lincoln has always been a bit more left leaning because the University is there, but still a nice little blue dot in a sea of red.
Independent voters (thinkers from all persuasions/ parties) are core to protecting democracy. Before Trump, I would vote for who I believed was the best candidate, regardless of party. Now, I only vote Democratic. It was very weird, in fact, to check the "party line" box on my ballot after 35 years of voting "best person."
My mom is the same(she's 77), her dad always taught her to vote for the best person and it might be either party. Now I don't know if she'll ever vote Republican again for the rest of her life.
I used to be a Republican, even ran for local office as one. I did not change, but they did. The "Christian" right took them over years ago, and I could not go there any longer. Now, I normally just vote the Dem party line because they are not trying to control people's lives.
More good news I live in a small, very conservative city south of Portland - Canby OR. There was an election yesterday for 3 positions on the school board; 2 were incumbents and one new. All 3 of these people ran together as one block. I called them the Unholy Trinity as they are the book banners and are trying to force their brand of Christianity on the rest of us. Well, preliminary election results are in (not the final ones) but it appears that all 3 got crushed. Even in a small conservative community such as this the people stood up and said "NO". I can't stop smiling. The 3 who won these positions are still conservative (compared to me) but much more moderate, inclusive and open minded.
With all the draconian laws being passed recently in FL, I was wondering if the moderate’s and fair minded Republicans in the state were finally going to say “enough is enough.”
I sincerely hope you’re correct! I’ve lived here for over 60 years and have been horrified by DeSantis and the hate-filled folks who keep voting for him and you know who.
I've lived in Florida all my life. I am horrified by the number of people who fully support DeSantis. I don't understand how groups such as Moms For Liberty have gained so much influence all over the country. It seems there should be a backlash from PFLAG.
Make your own backlash! Go to all the school board meetings, and drown out the noise these so-called "Moms" are spewing. That's where it starts. Go to your county meetings, city council, etc. Make sure they know you and others are watching, and that you won't allow them to enact the crap going on.
A ray of hope. Especially from Florida. Thank you to the citizens of Jacksonville and Colorado Springs.
As Jay said, those that have understandably been demoralized by the christofascists taking over their states, please take this as the hopeful sign it is. Vote Blue. Every. Single. Time. The rest of the country thanks you.
I'm especially hopeful with the Colorado Springs case. Since the city is the headquarters for so many evangelical organizations (not just Focus on the Family), this election of a non-GOP mayor makes me think evangelicals who actually follow Jesus' teachings may be waking up to the negativity and deceptions they've been captured by.
One thing about this that pisses me off is the lackluster turnout by Democrats in FL. I don't care how uninspired or disheartened they feel. This time in our history is an all hands on deck moment. Time to get off their asses and vote. Seriously, it's not that hard. Instead of them bitching on social media, they need to do that one small thing, at least. We lucked out down there, but we cannot count on that to get us through 24 unscathed. We must run the table in every state. Democrats who don't vote should just switch to the Republican party because that's who they're helping.
It’s understandable to be angry. But finger pointing never results in greater turnout. We have to figure out why so many people feel so disenfranchised and disconnected that they did not turn out. And we have to work to win them back over to participatory democracy.
The problem here is that far too many Democrats run on little more than "we aren't as bad as the Republicans" - and get away with it. They don't deserve our vote, but have no incentive to change, because us voters really have no alternative. The end result is depressed turnout.
What we really need is many more AOCs, Jamaal Bowmans, Omar Ilhans, Bernie Sanders. People who actually inspire voters.
I live in Florida and although I will always vote, it’s VERY understandable. People, especially minorities and the more vulnerable, have been intimidated by DeSantis. My polling place is a small, rural, mostly white retirement community center in a Republican stronghold county. Even there, the presence of DeSantis Election Police was uncomfortable and a bit unnerving. Many people I know, who belong to minorities didn’t vote despite their strong opposition to DeSantis and his policies. Even though they are citizens and longtime Floridians, the fear and intimidation runs deep. Minorities in Red counties, don’t usually even call police when they should, because they’ve never been treated fairly and are afraid of the authorities. Dictators like DeSantis know this and use their powers to keep them afraid.
Ah, tipping points- you love to see it. The sadistically superimposed facies of the GOP are slipping...
I went through my teenaged and post-college years in Colorado Springs- back then (when dinosaurs walked the earth) we saw the genesis of Poke Us In The Fanny, and the rise of some militias, but that was also balanced by a thriving artist community and progressive-minded folks. We watched it morph further into a bastion of extremism. So thrilled with the result of the mayoral contest!
Colorado Springs is my home town. I had to move because the growth there, and in the state at large, is astronomical and the cost of living is one of the highest in the country. The chokehold the GOP has had on this city has been awful despite being surrounded by Blue Denver and, even closer, quirky Manitou Springs. So tight...that to this DAY, recreational marijuana has not been approved for within the city limits...losing 10's of millions in additional tax revenue for the city. This made absolutely no sense to me. It's a GREAT DAY!!
A bit off topic, but don't count on those tax revenues from recreational marijuana. Enough cities have tried it, and it turns out if you try to raise significant revenues, the illegal trade continues to thrive and legal dispensaries shut down because they can't compete. I'm all for legal recreational marijuana, but the promise of significant revenue is a mirage.
The illegal trade has been around for a very long time, granted, but additional tax revenue is better than none, especially when it's a given from a tourist "attraction". Recreational weed is available in Pueblo, Manitou, and Denver. Seems pretty dumb to not also have it within the city limits when there are medical dispensaries as frequently placed as Starbucks.
One further truth that you cannot count on being right about everything (see below) that you done THOUGHT you was right about! I merely DROVE through Colorado Springs once. Outside of the charming, old city, I saw so many identical-looking houses. Piles of look-a-likes. I think they are called "subdivisions." I thought: These must be very dehumanized persons and the worst place I could ever think of living! Now I feel like: Well, maybe I was wrong about it? As Chuck Berry pointed out, you never can tell. Many military residents, as I recall (?). "And in traditionally conservative Colorado Springs, Colorado, a political newcomer and immigrant from West Africa, Yemi Mobolade, who ran as an unaffiliated candidate, trounced the GOP challenger to become that city’s new mayor elect."
The Springs and El Paso County have always been redder than red, until a few years ago. This was the home base of Bill Armstrong, who knocked off Sen. Floyd Haskell in 1978 (I still have my People for Haskell campaign button) and helped cement GOP control of the legislature until the early 2000's. Growing up and being a member of the Colorado Democratic Party executive committee, we passed on many elections as we knew we couldn't win down there. Currently, the GOP in the city and county are mired in a civil war, with traditional conservatives fighting for control with the MAGAts (the latter now controls the county party).
The Dems have made inroads in El Paso County, with 3 of 9 state representatives and 1 of 5 state senators being Dems, and 3 of those 4 being POC. This was unheard of 25 years ago.
The Springs also has become a dumping ground for has-been rethuglican statewide candidates. The outgoing mayor, John Suthers, was AG, but couldn't ween himself off the public trough and ran for Mayor. The GOP candidate this year was Wayne Williams, the former secretary of state who lost reelection in 2018. His wife is a county Commissioner. People are waking up all over Colorado. While I don't see El Paso County turning blue, it will become a lighter shade of red in the near future.
Although certainly not a major metropolis by any stretch, Lincoln, NE, Capitol of deeply red Nebraska, re-elected its Democrat mayor a few weeks ago. Her opponent ran a divisive campaign, touting the current MAGA line, and lost. Lincoln has always been a bit more left leaning because the University is there, but still a nice little blue dot in a sea of red.
You bet if it had gone the other way the media would be all over it! It’s important and thank you for mentioning it!
Independent voters (thinkers from all persuasions/ parties) are core to protecting democracy. Before Trump, I would vote for who I believed was the best candidate, regardless of party. Now, I only vote Democratic. It was very weird, in fact, to check the "party line" box on my ballot after 35 years of voting "best person."
The GOP is doing a good job of losing voters like you for all time.
My mom is the same(she's 77), her dad always taught her to vote for the best person and it might be either party. Now I don't know if she'll ever vote Republican again for the rest of her life.
I used to be a Republican, even ran for local office as one. I did not change, but they did. The "Christian" right took them over years ago, and I could not go there any longer. Now, I normally just vote the Dem party line because they are not trying to control people's lives.
More good news I live in a small, very conservative city south of Portland - Canby OR. There was an election yesterday for 3 positions on the school board; 2 were incumbents and one new. All 3 of these people ran together as one block. I called them the Unholy Trinity as they are the book banners and are trying to force their brand of Christianity on the rest of us. Well, preliminary election results are in (not the final ones) but it appears that all 3 got crushed. Even in a small conservative community such as this the people stood up and said "NO". I can't stop smiling. The 3 who won these positions are still conservative (compared to me) but much more moderate, inclusive and open minded.
That’s a great story. Thanks for sharing. I’m watching the farce of the GOP senate walkout in Portland with great interest.
This brings me hope 💗
And wins in PA!
The state legislature, back in Dem hands!
Yes!!!!!
With all the draconian laws being passed recently in FL, I was wondering if the moderate’s and fair minded Republicans in the state were finally going to say “enough is enough.”
I sincerely hope you’re correct! I’ve lived here for over 60 years and have been horrified by DeSantis and the hate-filled folks who keep voting for him and you know who.
I've lived in Florida all my life. I am horrified by the number of people who fully support DeSantis. I don't understand how groups such as Moms For Liberty have gained so much influence all over the country. It seems there should be a backlash from PFLAG.
Make your own backlash! Go to all the school board meetings, and drown out the noise these so-called "Moms" are spewing. That's where it starts. Go to your county meetings, city council, etc. Make sure they know you and others are watching, and that you won't allow them to enact the crap going on.
A ray of hope. Especially from Florida. Thank you to the citizens of Jacksonville and Colorado Springs.
As Jay said, those that have understandably been demoralized by the christofascists taking over their states, please take this as the hopeful sign it is. Vote Blue. Every. Single. Time. The rest of the country thanks you.
I'm especially hopeful with the Colorado Springs case. Since the city is the headquarters for so many evangelical organizations (not just Focus on the Family), this election of a non-GOP mayor makes me think evangelicals who actually follow Jesus' teachings may be waking up to the negativity and deceptions they've been captured by.
Wouldn't that be pleasant?
Excellent point. Your lips to God’s ears!
Tester and Brown both have really high approval ratings in their states. Assuming we hold their seats, replace Sinema with Gallego, and maybe unseat Cruz, we hold our majority. Mike Lux published a really hopeful memo about this last week--it's very, very worth the read. https://www.mikeluxmedia.com/single-post/memo-democrats-could-win-a-trifecta-in-2024?utm_campaign=7f8eefc0-4d64-41b3-809a-37bab8c02dea&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=db578fb8-fde0-4033-9d8f-c102e69b05fb
I see a path. I think we lose in WV, but that MT and OH are winnable.
God, I almost hope we lose there. I just can't with Manchin anymore. I'd *almost* rather have a Republican.
One thing about this that pisses me off is the lackluster turnout by Democrats in FL. I don't care how uninspired or disheartened they feel. This time in our history is an all hands on deck moment. Time to get off their asses and vote. Seriously, it's not that hard. Instead of them bitching on social media, they need to do that one small thing, at least. We lucked out down there, but we cannot count on that to get us through 24 unscathed. We must run the table in every state. Democrats who don't vote should just switch to the Republican party because that's who they're helping.
It’s understandable to be angry. But finger pointing never results in greater turnout. We have to figure out why so many people feel so disenfranchised and disconnected that they did not turn out. And we have to work to win them back over to participatory democracy.
The problem here is that far too many Democrats run on little more than "we aren't as bad as the Republicans" - and get away with it. They don't deserve our vote, but have no incentive to change, because us voters really have no alternative. The end result is depressed turnout.
What we really need is many more AOCs, Jamaal Bowmans, Omar Ilhans, Bernie Sanders. People who actually inspire voters.
I’ve been scolded. Reprimanded. Yelled at. By my parents and many other people in my lifetime.
In a few rare cases, the tactics worked. Overwhelming, they failed to generate any change in my behavior. Often, I obstinately chose not to change.
No, I do not have oppositional defiant disorder. I’m fiercely immune to the influence of others.
I live in Florida and although I will always vote, it’s VERY understandable. People, especially minorities and the more vulnerable, have been intimidated by DeSantis. My polling place is a small, rural, mostly white retirement community center in a Republican stronghold county. Even there, the presence of DeSantis Election Police was uncomfortable and a bit unnerving. Many people I know, who belong to minorities didn’t vote despite their strong opposition to DeSantis and his policies. Even though they are citizens and longtime Floridians, the fear and intimidation runs deep. Minorities in Red counties, don’t usually even call police when they should, because they’ve never been treated fairly and are afraid of the authorities. Dictators like DeSantis know this and use their powers to keep them afraid.
This is appalling and heartbreaking. Republicans are just plain evil.
Good !
& I will smile again when Trump is a registered sex offender in Palm Beach County
Unfortunately civil cases don’t require registering as a sex offender in Florida…but they should!
Shucks ! and the should. Thanks
Cheers to this news! And here’s hoping the extremists “extreme” themselves out of office before they can pass laws to embed themselves there forever.
Ah, tipping points- you love to see it. The sadistically superimposed facies of the GOP are slipping...
I went through my teenaged and post-college years in Colorado Springs- back then (when dinosaurs walked the earth) we saw the genesis of Poke Us In The Fanny, and the rise of some militias, but that was also balanced by a thriving artist community and progressive-minded folks. We watched it morph further into a bastion of extremism. So thrilled with the result of the mayoral contest!
Colorado Springs is my home town. I had to move because the growth there, and in the state at large, is astronomical and the cost of living is one of the highest in the country. The chokehold the GOP has had on this city has been awful despite being surrounded by Blue Denver and, even closer, quirky Manitou Springs. So tight...that to this DAY, recreational marijuana has not been approved for within the city limits...losing 10's of millions in additional tax revenue for the city. This made absolutely no sense to me. It's a GREAT DAY!!
A bit off topic, but don't count on those tax revenues from recreational marijuana. Enough cities have tried it, and it turns out if you try to raise significant revenues, the illegal trade continues to thrive and legal dispensaries shut down because they can't compete. I'm all for legal recreational marijuana, but the promise of significant revenue is a mirage.
The illegal trade has been around for a very long time, granted, but additional tax revenue is better than none, especially when it's a given from a tourist "attraction". Recreational weed is available in Pueblo, Manitou, and Denver. Seems pretty dumb to not also have it within the city limits when there are medical dispensaries as frequently placed as Starbucks.
What's to not love in this post??? Great news all around and raising my hopes for a positive Joe Biden/Dem 2024!
One further truth that you cannot count on being right about everything (see below) that you done THOUGHT you was right about! I merely DROVE through Colorado Springs once. Outside of the charming, old city, I saw so many identical-looking houses. Piles of look-a-likes. I think they are called "subdivisions." I thought: These must be very dehumanized persons and the worst place I could ever think of living! Now I feel like: Well, maybe I was wrong about it? As Chuck Berry pointed out, you never can tell. Many military residents, as I recall (?). "And in traditionally conservative Colorado Springs, Colorado, a political newcomer and immigrant from West Africa, Yemi Mobolade, who ran as an unaffiliated candidate, trounced the GOP challenger to become that city’s new mayor elect."
Good news expertly summarized Jay. There is reason to hope!
The Springs and El Paso County have always been redder than red, until a few years ago. This was the home base of Bill Armstrong, who knocked off Sen. Floyd Haskell in 1978 (I still have my People for Haskell campaign button) and helped cement GOP control of the legislature until the early 2000's. Growing up and being a member of the Colorado Democratic Party executive committee, we passed on many elections as we knew we couldn't win down there. Currently, the GOP in the city and county are mired in a civil war, with traditional conservatives fighting for control with the MAGAts (the latter now controls the county party).
The Dems have made inroads in El Paso County, with 3 of 9 state representatives and 1 of 5 state senators being Dems, and 3 of those 4 being POC. This was unheard of 25 years ago.
The Springs also has become a dumping ground for has-been rethuglican statewide candidates. The outgoing mayor, John Suthers, was AG, but couldn't ween himself off the public trough and ran for Mayor. The GOP candidate this year was Wayne Williams, the former secretary of state who lost reelection in 2018. His wife is a county Commissioner. People are waking up all over Colorado. While I don't see El Paso County turning blue, it will become a lighter shade of red in the near future.