On Wednesday last, the Cook Political Report moved North Carolina from “Lean Republican” to “Toss-up.”[1] There’s a couple of obvious reasons for this, and perhaps one reason that doesn’t get sufficient attention.
Just joined this great newsletter. I am in NC and went Canvassing yesterday- 15 homes. I am a transplant from DC- 4 years in. Canvassing was more challenging than I thought but the Harris campaign is well organized to support the entire Democratic ticket here in Mecklenburg Cty . I must say I was unprepared emotionally for a lot of the negatives I received but soldiered on. Will continue to Election Day and volunteer wherever I am needed. We heard a lot of “we don’t like either one and she is antisemitic”- I am black and my Canvassing partner is white. Difficult to hear but we were gracious and cordial. Canvassing is protected by the first Amendment . Going back next week - if you have pointers or suggestions for anything to read ahead of time I would appreciate it. BTW we had an excellent training session at the home of our host and the app “MiniVan” had excellent scripts. We had excellent scripts in the app for prep and training videos but nothing prepares you for that first negative. After we finished our 15 homes I went back to my car and the unexpected tears started to fall. This is going to be harder than I thought and we need everyone to help. Going to read Heather Cox Richardson’s “Democracy Awakening” again.
Hello MK - 3 weeks of canvassing- still say it ain’t for the weak!! Yesterday was the first time I was thrown off someone’s porch! Not physically just a lot of yelling! Still- I am not deterred!!! I have Fannie Lou Hamer and Reverend Jim Reeb who are walking with me in spirit. Two voting rights champions from long ago.
Needed your wonderful comment! Honestly it is hard coming face to face with peoples hate and prejudice. I usually pray and meditate before I go out and make sure I bring good energy to each door. I think about John Lewis a lot - that image on the Edmund Pettus Bridge- don’t know how Congressman Lewis did it. Appreciate you reminding me of his strength.
Thanks for the intel from NC. I’ve got a Republican brother there- so I don’t talk politics with him, but like to know what’s going on. I was appalled by Mark Robinson- hadn’t ever heard of him before this year. Yikes! 😱
I am supporting (financially) Mo Green, Rachel Hunt, Jeff Jackson etc. Everyone down ballot. Asking friends and 7S Sisters for support in NC. Biden lost NC by 77,000 votes so I am paying particular attention to the numbers in all 100 counties in NC. Anderson Clayton (youngest Democratic State Chair at 26) has a good ground game and there is a young man who has been phenomenal on all UNC campuses this year especially Chapel Hill. Understanding how democracy works is shockingly lacking here. Shockingly!!! Common feedback “I don’t like either candidate but my husband is a Republican….”- so I am working on my talking points ( Social Security, Medicare, jobs etc.). By the way NC unbelievably just expanded the Affordable Healthcare Act just last year); 10 states have still not opted for expansion. Doing a lot of reading to go back out next weekend.
I’m a NE OH (it makes a difference💙) transplant to NC. We moved here five years ago when my husband retired. I am able to work remotely with my 14-yr union job and travel back and forth about 6 times per year (a week in the office at a time). I’m going to pull the plug next August 1st, 2025. What keeps me working is the $1k+ hit I’m going to be taking from the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Act against my Social Security benefits. Really pisses me off. I watch the legislation get read twice and die in the Finance Committee 🫤 so the remedy for this is not coming anytime soon. The bulk of my career was in SS but my 14-yr state pension (which is a good $400 less than my SS) will make me lose a little over $1k of my SS each month.
YES! And I’m registered and here for it! A couple things, in case you don’t know yet or posted this too late, Jay is a new Daddy-Mommy of a little, 8+ lb. girl. He looked ecstatic and she was just a cutie pie. The tuther thing, Scott Dworkin’s Substack today was all about not calling the media mainstream any longer, but corporate media instead. I’m all over that as well.
Besides that god-awful Muck Robinson, there’s also Michelle Morrow, the education fright straight from Hell. Of course, I’m voting BLUE but a want to give a shout out for my favorite candidate on the ticket, Jeff Jackson for AG. He put in the miles to earn the votes to represent his new Charlotte district only to be done out of it by more legislative(you know what Tiedrich would call it)Tom foolery so he then decided he would run for Josh Stein’s old seat. Jeff is a good guy who did manage to get a few things done in that dysfunctional House of Representatives and he keeps a lot of us engaged via all sorts of social media, Substack and was even interviewed on Comedy Central I believe. I met him on his 100 county swing when he got to Henderson County. Great guy and definitely worth our vote.
So glad Big Joe made the decision he did. It had to have been terribly difficult but the wall had been written on. The older and far better man stepped aside and completely unscrewed DonOld’s head. He doesn’t know whether to grab it or his ass first. It’s almost comical. That’s not to say we can let up though? Kamala and Tim aren’t. They have both energy(they haven’t been in campaign mode for over a year)and the momentum now so it’s pedal to the medal for them and all of us to get the job done and them in the White House. It’s Not Just For Men Anymore!
Just joined this great newsletter. I am in NC and went Canvassing yesterday- 15 homes. I am a transplant from DC- 4 years in. Canvassing was more challenging than I thought but the Harris campaign is well organized to support the entire Democratic ticket here in Mecklenburg Cty . I must say I was unprepared emotionally for a lot of the negatives I received but soldiered on. Will continue to Election Day and volunteer wherever I am needed. We heard a lot of “we don’t like either one and she is antisemitic”- I am black and my Canvassing partner is white. Difficult to hear but we were gracious and cordial. Canvassing is protected by the first Amendment . Going back next week - if you have pointers or suggestions for anything to read ahead of time I would appreciate it. BTW we had an excellent training session at the home of our host and the app “MiniVan” had excellent scripts. We had excellent scripts in the app for prep and training videos but nothing prepares you for that first negative. After we finished our 15 homes I went back to my car and the unexpected tears started to fall. This is going to be harder than I thought and we need everyone to help. Going to read Heather Cox Richardson’s “Democracy Awakening” again.
Keep it up Pam! You are doing a difficult, but necessary job. I’m going to check out Mini van. Wishing you all the best in your endeavors.
Hello MK - 3 weeks of canvassing- still say it ain’t for the weak!! Yesterday was the first time I was thrown off someone’s porch! Not physically just a lot of yelling! Still- I am not deterred!!! I have Fannie Lou Hamer and Reverend Jim Reeb who are walking with me in spirit. Two voting rights champions from long ago.
You are a warrior Pam! Keep getting into “good trouble”- John Lewis would be proud of you!
Needed your wonderful comment! Honestly it is hard coming face to face with peoples hate and prejudice. I usually pray and meditate before I go out and make sure I bring good energy to each door. I think about John Lewis a lot - that image on the Edmund Pettus Bridge- don’t know how Congressman Lewis did it. Appreciate you reminding me of his strength.
Thanks for the intel from NC. I’ve got a Republican brother there- so I don’t talk politics with him, but like to know what’s going on. I was appalled by Mark Robinson- hadn’t ever heard of him before this year. Yikes! 😱
I am supporting (financially) Mo Green, Rachel Hunt, Jeff Jackson etc. Everyone down ballot. Asking friends and 7S Sisters for support in NC. Biden lost NC by 77,000 votes so I am paying particular attention to the numbers in all 100 counties in NC. Anderson Clayton (youngest Democratic State Chair at 26) has a good ground game and there is a young man who has been phenomenal on all UNC campuses this year especially Chapel Hill. Understanding how democracy works is shockingly lacking here. Shockingly!!! Common feedback “I don’t like either candidate but my husband is a Republican….”- so I am working on my talking points ( Social Security, Medicare, jobs etc.). By the way NC unbelievably just expanded the Affordable Healthcare Act just last year); 10 states have still not opted for expansion. Doing a lot of reading to go back out next weekend.
I’m a NE OH (it makes a difference💙) transplant to NC. We moved here five years ago when my husband retired. I am able to work remotely with my 14-yr union job and travel back and forth about 6 times per year (a week in the office at a time). I’m going to pull the plug next August 1st, 2025. What keeps me working is the $1k+ hit I’m going to be taking from the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Act against my Social Security benefits. Really pisses me off. I watch the legislation get read twice and die in the Finance Committee 🫤 so the remedy for this is not coming anytime soon. The bulk of my career was in SS but my 14-yr state pension (which is a good $400 less than my SS) will make me lose a little over $1k of my SS each month.
Ballots go out Sept 6, Early voting Oct. 17 y’all - Yikes!!!!
Yikes, indeed!
YES! And I’m registered and here for it! A couple things, in case you don’t know yet or posted this too late, Jay is a new Daddy-Mommy of a little, 8+ lb. girl. He looked ecstatic and she was just a cutie pie. The tuther thing, Scott Dworkin’s Substack today was all about not calling the media mainstream any longer, but corporate media instead. I’m all over that as well.
Besides that god-awful Muck Robinson, there’s also Michelle Morrow, the education fright straight from Hell. Of course, I’m voting BLUE but a want to give a shout out for my favorite candidate on the ticket, Jeff Jackson for AG. He put in the miles to earn the votes to represent his new Charlotte district only to be done out of it by more legislative(you know what Tiedrich would call it)Tom foolery so he then decided he would run for Josh Stein’s old seat. Jeff is a good guy who did manage to get a few things done in that dysfunctional House of Representatives and he keeps a lot of us engaged via all sorts of social media, Substack and was even interviewed on Comedy Central I believe. I met him on his 100 county swing when he got to Henderson County. Great guy and definitely worth our vote.
So glad Big Joe made the decision he did. It had to have been terribly difficult but the wall had been written on. The older and far better man stepped aside and completely unscrewed DonOld’s head. He doesn’t know whether to grab it or his ass first. It’s almost comical. That’s not to say we can let up though? Kamala and Tim aren’t. They have both energy(they haven’t been in campaign mode for over a year)and the momentum now so it’s pedal to the medal for them and all of us to get the job done and them in the White House. It’s Not Just For Men Anymore!
Thanks! Good notes. 👍🏻