Just to prove I have a heart that isn’t completely made of stone, this was just a nice story:
When Katie Webster began seeking help in her volunteer efforts to canvas for Democrat Nate McMurray in last year’s election for the NY-27 congressional seat, she sent out messages to everyone and anyone she thought could help.
One of those messages was to fellow Clarence resident Steven Harvey, whom Webster had never met in person, though the two shared a mutual friend, Adam.
“Steve very politely turned me down,” Webster says as she tries to control her laughter.
While Harvey told Webster he admired her work, he was in the process of building a business and couldn’t envision himself committing the time necessary to be of any real help.
Harvey’s sentiment soon changed.
Open thread.
Baud
And its dated yesterday!
j/k
schrodingers_cat
@Baud:
This Shaheen Baug protest warmed my cranky heart
Baud
Sounds Biden-esque. I’m not sure how I should feel.
@schrodingers_cat:
Nice.
Gin & Tonic
In bygone days, this was called “being Slashdotted” but I don’t think Internet lexicon has caught up with the popularity of B-J.
Mo MacArbie
Bus stop, red seat
He’s there, I greet
“Please sign my petition”
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@Baud: I did like that Biden’s response was basically “sure, I’d consider a Republican of conscience for [x]… if I can find one!”
IMHO, from a rhetorical and image perspective, Biden’s doing the best job at threading the needle in a way that is gentle and non-threatening to the hurt feelings and challenged identities of right-leaning Independents and never-Trumper Republicans, while not actually moderating his liberal, mainstream Democratic policies or positions.
I know we scoff at this, but it will matter if we want to win big in purple and red states. And if we do that, then we can enact even more progressive policies than otherwise. Counter-intuitively, in 2020, the path to the most radical policy outcomes may be through adoption of a political image and rhetoric that is less threatening to conservatives.
My point is that these snowflakes need their feelings to be catered to. They may accept a friendly smile and respectful handshake. They want to be listened to. They want to be told that they matter, and their concerns are important.
Shameful advise to win over pitiful, pitiable people, but that’s politics.
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@Mo MacArbie: Love it – what a vivid slice of life in 12 words.
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@Formerly disgruntled in Oregon: Buttigieg is also good at the non-threatening to sheltered crackers thing.
But I prefer Biden for reasons, especially his strong, longstanding relationships with the AA communities that are the base of the Democratic Party.
Mo MacArbie
@Formerly disgruntled in Oregon: Thanks, but it wasn’t without some larceny
(Fixed your link. ~ WG)
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@Mo MacArbie: Link is broken, but I’m very interested to check it out!
Mo MacArbie
Rats. Better?
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@Mo MacArbie: Yes – got it.
I’m no newbie to 60s rock, but was not familiar with The Hollies. Nice sound!
Thank you, and Happy New Year! :)
brantl
@Mo MacArbie: Damn, I’m old, I knew what song it was, just from the rhythm of the words
Mo MacArbie
@Formerly disgruntled in Oregon: Happy new year to you as well. If you liked that, listen to the guy singing harmony and think where else you may have heard him…
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@Mo MacArbie: Had to look it up – and now I hear it. I thought there was something familiar about that vocal harmony.
Cheers!
Citizen Alan
@Formerly disgruntled in Oregon:
Supposedly sensible conservatives referred to Michelle Obama as Stokely Carmichael in a dress. It is absurd to think that they will refrain from viewing Mayor Pete as if he had come straight from the Folsom street fair
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@Citizen Alan: I don’t know… Pete’s skin is whiter than Michelle’s. That’s been known to make a difference for some folks here in AmeriKKKa.
ETA – granted, that’s not your point. You are right that many of these folks will absolutely be threatened by Pete’s sexual orientation.
WaterGirl
@Mo MacArbie: All those years ago, this was one of my favorite songs
Who sang harmony?
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@WaterGirl: Graham Nash – I didn’t know he was part of the British invasion. I always assumed he was a California kid like David Crosby. [Edited]
WaterGirl
@Formerly disgruntled in Oregon: I didn’t know that, either. I thought of Graham Nash but then I googled and they only mention someone named Graham but with a different last name. Thanks
edit; I’m a sucker for good harmony.
debbie
@WaterGirl:If you like harmonies, listen to the first Crosby, Stills, and Nash (yes, him again). The lads were in their prime then, and the harmonies are really very beautiful.
WaterGirl
@debbie: Our house, is a very very very fine house…
Love that album! I also loved Simon & Garfunkel when they were together. Such beautiful harmony.
Starfish
@Formerly disgruntled in Oregon:
More people need to be this honest about what they mean by electability because this is exactly what they mean, but they are far too polite about it.
Dog Mom
@Baud: NY 27 is red and rural – large and gerrymandered. Our previous congressman, the criminal Chris Collins was indicted but still elected by the tiniest of margins and it was disappointing. Nate McMurray worked very hard meeting voters/citizens convincing many to get involved and many more to consider a democrat – sometimes for the first time in their lives. So yes he will ‘work across the aisle’ – to convince who he can to provide solutions for us. Unlike Biden, Nate McMurray has a pretty clear view of the current opposition – the corruption, the dirty tricks and the unfortunate ‘hold’ over some in the district. (Disclosure: I volunteered on the campaign and will do so for the special election.)