Comments on: Fighting For Governors' Offices http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/ Reality-based political commentary Sat, 02 May 2026 07:43:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Paula http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110196 Paula Thu, 09 Nov 2017 01:16:27 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110196 There is a good diary on DKOS right now written by DKOS' Community Outreach guy. When the Donna Brazile story broke he posted a diary saying he'd talk about it all but not until after the election. So he posted his response today. His focus was not on all the 2016 Bernie/Hillary sturm and drang, but on what he thought were Brazile's legitimate concerns about the DNC and what is being done to respond to them. He writes: <i>Having read through a large portion of her book, the biggest concerns that I take away from it is this: * The party allowed for apathy and complacency to seep into party organizations. * The party put less effort in strengthening state parties, causing infrastructure to become poor. * The party didn’t keep membership informed, even officers, in a proper way that allowed for changes to be made to improve our opportunities. * We bought far too heavily into media/tv, and not enough into active field efforts and candidate recruitment.</i> I certainly would agree. (Not to take away from Brazile but I think lots of folks have had these concerns for a long time.) He then writes: <i>Changes that are already coming: * In Virginia, rather than TV, the DNC committed to more than $1.5M in field programs. This is something that state parties have asked for, funding for get out the vote programs over TV programming. While one election isn’t a pattern, let’s just say these results certainly help sell this. *100% of the money the DNC invested in Virginia went to organizers and technology tools for them. No TV. We engaged in hiring minority hiring practices to put more members of a community talking to their own communities. *The party passed proposals saying we no longer accept lobbyist and corporate money from companies opposed to our issues. Changes we still need and are proposed: *The creation of a debate commission within the party. The setting of presidential debates shouldn’t be just discretion of the chair; it should go through a transparent process. This is a proposal that is coming. *Creation of new committees designed to help modernize the party with our new grassroots efforts. *Continued growth of the 50th state strategy and a commitment to states. *Superdelegate reforms which are being proposed. *Reform of the budget process. *Changes to our caucus process allowing more people to participate. The party has no power at all to make changes in some areas; especially on laws and voter ID programs in states around the country. Only state legislatures can do that. But, we should support those changes as part of our efforts to win over state legislatures.</i> There's more. People are commenting and he's responding as I write this. But the takeaway for me is that Tom Perez and Keith Ellison are getting the job done at the DNC, and that they are very aware of the need to rebuild state party infrastructures, etc. ( I particularly like that they didn't blow $ on TV in Virginia. I'm sure there was plenty of ads being done by the campaigns and other groups -- much better to have spent the dough on ground games/GOTV. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/8/1713985/-Where-is-the-DNC-Now-As-Promised-let-s-talk#comment_68292804 There is a good diary on DKOS right now written by DKOS' Community Outreach guy. When the Donna Brazile story broke he posted a diary saying he'd talk about it all but not until after the election. So he posted his response today. His focus was not on all the 2016 Bernie/Hillary sturm and drang, but on what he thought were Brazile's legitimate concerns about the DNC and what is being done to respond to them. He writes:

Having read through a large portion of her book, the biggest concerns that I take away from it is this:

* The party allowed for apathy and complacency to seep into party organizations.

* The party put less effort in strengthening state parties, causing infrastructure to become poor.

* The party didn’t keep membership informed, even officers, in a proper way that allowed for changes to be made to improve our opportunities.

* We bought far too heavily into media/tv, and not enough into active field efforts and candidate recruitment.

I certainly would agree. (Not to take away from Brazile but I think lots of folks have had these concerns for a long time.)

He then writes:
Changes that are already coming:

* In Virginia, rather than TV, the DNC committed to more than $1.5M in field programs. This is something that state parties have asked for, funding for get out the vote programs over TV programming. While one election isn’t a pattern, let’s just say these results certainly help sell this.

*100% of the money the DNC invested in Virginia went to organizers and technology tools for them. No TV. We engaged in hiring minority hiring practices to put more members of a community talking to their own communities.

*The party passed proposals saying we no longer accept lobbyist and corporate money from companies opposed to our issues.

Changes we still need and are proposed:

*The creation of a debate commission within the party. The setting of presidential debates shouldn’t be just discretion of the chair; it should go through a transparent process. This is a proposal that is coming.

*Creation of new committees designed to help modernize the party with our new grassroots efforts.

*Continued growth of the 50th state strategy and a commitment to states.

*Superdelegate reforms which are being proposed.

*Reform of the budget process.

*Changes to our caucus process allowing more people to participate.

The party has no power at all to make changes in some areas; especially on laws and voter ID programs in states around the country. Only state legislatures can do that. But, we should support those changes as part of our efforts to win over state legislatures.

There's more. People are commenting and he's responding as I write this.
But the takeaway for me is that Tom Perez and Keith Ellison are getting the job done at the DNC, and that they are very aware of the need to rebuild state party infrastructures, etc. (

I particularly like that they didn't blow $ on TV in Virginia. I'm sure there was plenty of ads being done by the campaigns and other groups -- much better to have spent the dough on ground games/GOTV.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/8/1713985/-Where-is-the-DNC-Now-As-Promised-let-s-talk#comment_68292804

]]> By: John M http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110195 John M Wed, 08 Nov 2017 23:20:49 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110195 [31] Don Harris Here's the actual final vote count breakdown: City Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms and City Councilwoman Mary Norwood will proceed to the runoff, having earned 26 percent and 21 percent of the vote, respectively. Former City Councilwoman Cathy Woolard received 17 percent of the vote, followed by former city manager Peter Aman with 11 percent and former Georgia State Senator Vincent Fort with 10 percent. [31] Don Harris

Here's the actual final vote count breakdown:

City Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms and City Councilwoman Mary Norwood will proceed to the runoff, having earned 26 percent and 21 percent of the vote, respectively.

Former City Councilwoman Cathy Woolard received 17 percent of the vote, followed by former city manager Peter Aman with 11 percent and former Georgia State Senator Vincent Fort with 10 percent.

]]> By: Paula http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110193 Paula Wed, 08 Nov 2017 22:37:09 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110193 [32} C.R. Stucki: :-) [32} C.R. Stucki: :-)

]]> By: Paula http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110192 Paula Wed, 08 Nov 2017 22:36:27 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110192 Alabama is the next big election and I suspect a lot of activist energy is about to be unleashed there. I think Doug Jones is about to be a very lucky Dem in an uphill race. He's going to get donations from all over, and more. On one side, we have the "deep redness" of the state; on the other side we have the deep disgustingness of Roy Moore. Will Trump's unpopularity help Moore lose? Will Dem/Resistance energy help Jones win? Alabama is the next big election and I suspect a lot of activist energy is about to be unleashed there. I think Doug Jones is about to be a very lucky Dem in an uphill race. He's going to get donations from all over, and more. On one side, we have the "deep redness" of the state; on the other side we have the deep disgustingness of Roy Moore. Will Trump's unpopularity help Moore lose? Will Dem/Resistance energy help Jones win?

]]> By: C. R. Stucki http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110191 C. R. Stucki Wed, 08 Nov 2017 22:28:45 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110191 Paula [16] I wouldn't know about any other 'Sihk' mayors, but I know I'm damn 'sihk and tired' of the guy in the White House! Paula [16]

I wouldn't know about any other 'Sihk' mayors, but I know I'm damn 'sihk and tired' of the guy in the White House!

]]> By: Balthasar http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110189 Balthasar Wed, 08 Nov 2017 20:09:10 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110189 Since polling is an oft-discussed topic in these parts, may I suggest a column on world polling <i>vis a vis</i> Trump? Here's a conversation starter: <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-one-year-world-perspective_us_5a029dc4e4b06ff32c9456ac?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009" rel="nofollow">It Only Took Trump One Year To Trash America’s Global Reputation </a> Since polling is an oft-discussed topic in these parts, may I suggest a column on world polling vis a vis Trump?

Here's a conversation starter:

It Only Took Trump One Year To Trash America’s Global Reputation

]]> By: Balthasar http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110188 Balthasar Wed, 08 Nov 2017 19:32:17 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110188 While we were having our first really good political night in a year, the Far Left and the Right were busily looking for turds to throw in our punchbowl: <a href="https://wonkette.com/625490/tucker-carlson-and-glenn-greenwald-prove-horsehoe-theory-with-hot-new-video-two-guys-one-horseshoe" rel="nofollow">Tucker Carlson And Glenn Greenwald Prove Horseshoe Theory With Hot New Video ‘Two Guys, One Horseshoe’</a> Being a centrist means never having to say that you're with one of these guys. While we were having our first really good political night in a year, the Far Left and the Right were busily looking for turds to throw in our punchbowl:

Tucker Carlson And Glenn Greenwald Prove Horseshoe Theory With Hot New Video ‘Two Guys, One Horseshoe’

Being a centrist means never having to say that you're with one of these guys.

]]> By: Balthasar http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110187 Balthasar Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:36:25 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110187 <i>Running in circles will not lead to the finish line. The only finish that you can achieve by running in circles is collapsing from exhaustion.</i> Ah yes. The long-honored tradition of the Caucus Race. Running in circles will not lead to the finish line. The only finish that you can achieve by running in circles is collapsing from exhaustion.

Ah yes. The long-honored tradition of the Caucus Race.

]]> By: John M http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110186 John M Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:03:50 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110186 {18} Don Harris Looks like Vincent Fort, the small contribution candidate in the Atlanta mayoral race, only managed to pull in 11 percent of the vote. {18} Don Harris

Looks like Vincent Fort, the small contribution candidate in the Atlanta mayoral race, only managed to pull in 11 percent of the vote.

]]> By: John M http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110185 John M Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:57:44 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110185 [23] C. R. Stucki Alaska [23] C. R. Stucki

Alaska

]]> By: John M http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110184 John M Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:56:31 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110184 Looks like Republicans will have to do some more tweaking to their tax cut plan. According to most current estimates, it will add 1.7 trillion dollars to the deficit, over the 1.5 trillion dollar limit. Unless they can get it back down from 1.7 to 1.5, it will trigger the 60 vote requirement in the Senate for passage. Looks like Republicans will have to do some more tweaking to their tax cut plan. According to most current estimates, it will add 1.7 trillion dollars to the deficit, over the 1.5 trillion dollar limit. Unless they can get it back down from 1.7 to 1.5, it will trigger the 60 vote requirement in the Senate for passage.

]]> By: C. R. Stucki http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110183 C. R. Stucki Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:55:07 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110183 Oops, make that read "already" Oops, make that read "already"

]]> By: C. R. Stucki http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110182 C. R. Stucki Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:54:21 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110182 John M Whoda ever thunk there was anything anywhere on the 'left' coast that the Dems did not ready control??? John M

Whoda ever thunk there was anything anywhere on the 'left' coast that the Dems did not ready control???

]]> By: John M http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110181 John M Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:50:40 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110181 In the end, it looks like the Virginia race wasn't even all that close. Democrats are even within striking distance of taking over the Virginia House of Delegates, with about 8 races left to be counted, they already picked up 14 seats, taking a 66 seat Republican majority down to a 52 seat one so far. Also, Democrats won full control of the government of Washington state with their takeover of the state Senate. In the end, it looks like the Virginia race wasn't even all that close. Democrats are even within striking distance of taking over the Virginia House of Delegates, with about 8 races left to be counted, they already picked up 14 seats, taking a 66 seat Republican majority down to a 52 seat one so far.

Also, Democrats won full control of the government of Washington state with their takeover of the state Senate.

]]> By: C. R. Stucki http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110178 C. R. Stucki Wed, 08 Nov 2017 16:16:55 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110178 It would appear the Russki hackers have switched their allegiance. Devious bastards, right? It would appear the Russki hackers have switched their allegiance. Devious bastards, right?

]]> By: Balthasar http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110173 Balthasar Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:59:37 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110173 Maine's Medicaid expansion passed. Looks like a very good night for Dems! Fox has gone back to loops of Trump strutting. Maine's Medicaid expansion passed.

Looks like a very good night for Dems!

Fox has gone back to loops of Trump strutting.

]]> By: Paula http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110167 Paula Wed, 08 Nov 2017 03:41:17 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110167 First Sihk Major of Hoboken NJ, Rhavi Bhalla (and lots of other places I'll bet. Have their been Sihk Mayors elsewhere?) First Sihk Major of Hoboken NJ, Rhavi Bhalla (and lots of other places I'll bet. Have their been Sihk Mayors elsewhere?)

]]> By: Paula http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110166 Paula Wed, 08 Nov 2017 03:04:57 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110166 Re: Georgia, Blake Aued tweets: Dems Deborah Gonzalez and Jonathan Wallace pull off shocking upsets in right-leaning Athens House races: http://flagpole.com/news/in-the-loop/democrats-score-shocking-wins-in-athens-state-house-elections … #gapol Re: Georgia, Blake Aued tweets: Dems Deborah Gonzalez and Jonathan Wallace pull off shocking upsets in right-leaning Athens House races: http://flagpole.com/news/in-the-loop/democrats-score-shocking-wins-in-athens-state-house-elections … #gapol

]]> By: Paula http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110165 Paula Wed, 08 Nov 2017 03:03:06 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110165 Philadelphia DA a Resistance win: Defense/Civil Rights attorney Larry Krasner. Philadelphia DA a Resistance win: Defense/Civil Rights attorney Larry Krasner.

]]> By: Paula http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110164 Paula Wed, 08 Nov 2017 03:01:41 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110164 Also significant re: Northam: his "F" rating by NRA. Also significant re: Northam: his "F" rating by NRA.

]]> By: Paula http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110163 Paula Wed, 08 Nov 2017 03:00:21 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110163 Significant win: Virginia's Lt. Gov-elect Justin Fairfax is the second African-American elected statewide since Civil War. Charlotte, NC: Vi Lyles is first female African-American Mayor! Significant win: Virginia's Lt. Gov-elect Justin Fairfax is the second African-American elected statewide since Civil War.

Charlotte, NC: Vi Lyles is first female African-American Mayor!

]]> By: Paula http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110162 Paula Wed, 08 Nov 2017 02:47:16 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110162 Looking like a big night for Dems nationwide. Significant win: first Transgender Rep in VA beats openly anti-LBGTQ Republican. Dems win entire ticket in Virginia. Be still my heart! NJ, as expected, but yay! Virginia is big -- really big -- because Trump put his weight behind Gillespie; Bannon was out there crowing and Gillespie went full-bore bigot. For the Resistance this win is hugely important psychologically - we needed this. Looking like a big night for Dems nationwide. Significant win: first Transgender Rep in VA beats openly anti-LBGTQ Republican. Dems win entire ticket in Virginia. Be still my heart!

NJ, as expected, but yay!

Virginia is big -- really big -- because Trump put his weight behind Gillespie; Bannon was out there crowing and Gillespie went full-bore bigot. For the Resistance this win is hugely important psychologically - we needed this.

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110160 Chris Weigant Wed, 08 Nov 2017 01:56:13 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110160 With about 1/6th reporting, Maine seems to be going for Medicaid expansion. Still early, though. -CW With about 1/6th reporting, Maine seems to be going for Medicaid expansion. Still early, though.

-CW

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110159 Chris Weigant Wed, 08 Nov 2017 01:37:40 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110159 Still waiting on Maine's Medicaid expansion, which also looks close... -CW Still waiting on Maine's Medicaid expansion, which also looks close...

-CW

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110158 Chris Weigant Wed, 08 Nov 2017 01:23:46 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110158 And CNN calls it for Northam! Woo hoo! :-) -CW And CNN calls it for Northam!

Woo hoo!

:-)

-CW

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110157 Chris Weigant Wed, 08 Nov 2017 01:22:44 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110157 Northam lead expands to 80K votes 52% Northam 47% Gillespie -CW Northam lead expands to 80K votes

52% Northam
47% Gillespie

-CW

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110156 Chris Weigant Wed, 08 Nov 2017 01:08:30 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110156 CNN called the NJ race, like 5 minutes after the polls closed, for the Dem. No real surprise there, though. -CW CNN called the NJ race, like 5 minutes after the polls closed, for the Dem.

No real surprise there, though.

-CW

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110155 Chris Weigant Wed, 08 Nov 2017 01:06:26 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110155 Northam lead seems to be holding at around 30K votes... But it all comes down to which counties have reported and which haven't... -CW Northam lead seems to be holding at around 30K votes...

But it all comes down to which counties have reported and which haven't...

-CW

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110154 Chris Weigant Wed, 08 Nov 2017 00:50:46 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110154 Lead is shifting back and forth -- looks like it's going to be a late night. -CW Lead is shifting back and forth -- looks like it's going to be a late night.

-CW

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110153 Chris Weigant Wed, 08 Nov 2017 00:47:20 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110153 Northam takes the lead, with 25% in... -CW Northam takes the lead, with 25% in...

-CW

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110152 Chris Weigant Wed, 08 Nov 2017 00:32:50 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110152 On to the results... VA looks neck-and-neck so far, but everyone knew it was going to be close... -CW On to the results...

VA looks neck-and-neck so far, but everyone knew it was going to be close...

-CW

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2017/11/07/fighting-for-governors-offices/#comment-110151 Chris Weigant Wed, 08 Nov 2017 00:32:06 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=14718#comment-110151 Before I get to election results watching, I have some sad news to pass along. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/new-zealand-prime-minister-jacinda-arderns-cat-paddles-dead-in-accident-20171107-gzgw7b.html Requiescat In Pace, First Cat of New Zealand "Paddles" -CW Before I get to election results watching, I have some sad news to pass along.

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/new-zealand-prime-minister-jacinda-arderns-cat-paddles-dead-in-accident-20171107-gzgw7b.html

Requiescat In Pace, First Cat of New Zealand "Paddles"

-CW

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