Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

“Joe Biden deserved better than he got from some folks in his own party.”

Jack be nimble, jack be quick, hurry up and indict this prick.

Incompetence, fear, or corruption? why not all three?

I really should read my own blog.

The Giant Orange Man Baby is having a bad day.

Innocent people don’t delay justice.

If you are still in the gop, you are either an extremist yourself, or in bed with those who are.

Our job is not to persuade republicans but to defeat them.

JFC, are there no editors left at that goddamn rag?

Not so fun when the rabbit gets the gun, is it?

Sadly, media malpractice has become standard practice.

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

A democracy can’t function when people can’t distinguish facts from lies.

Of course you can have champagne before noon. That’s why orange juice was invented.

If you still can’t see these things even now, maybe politics isn’t your forte and you should stop writing about it.

GOP baffled that ‘we don’t care if you die’ is not a winning slogan.

It’s a new day. Light all those Biden polls of young people on fire and throw away the ashes.

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

“What are Republicans afraid of?” Everything.

Everybody saw this coming.

Glad to see john eastman going through some things.

Schmidt just says fuck it, opens a tea shop.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

You are here: Home / Political Fundraising / Q & A with Four Directions

Q & A with Four Directions

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FOUR DIRECTIONS is the only national organization that focuses on turning out the Native American vote cycle after cycle – a very loyal voting block that casts its ballots overwhelmingly for Democratic candidates.

Because they are one of the primary groups we are looking to support this year, we asked them to participate in a Q & A with us on Balloon Juice.

Joining us today from FOUR DIRECTIONS are Oliver (O.J.) Semans, Co-Executive Director, and Lewis Cohen, Finance Director.

Billboard that is referred to in this discussion

We asked FOUR DIRECTIONS to tell us more about their organization:

Our get-out-the-vote method centers on hiring First Americans in the particular state we are focusing on, who will work on mobilizing both registered and unregistered Natives. At any given time during the course of a political cycle, we can have anywhere from several hundred to over a thousand people working for us, either full-time or part-time, focusing on GOTV issues.

We do this by concentrating on these areas: voter registration, door knocking, canvassing, emails and texts, one-on-one interaction, helping Natives vote by mail, furnishing transportation to and from the polls for early and Election Day voting, and spreading the gospel of how important and consequential each and every vote really is.

As an example, the Navajo Nation in Arizona turned out in November for the Biden/Harris ticket by a margin of 95.7%, a feat which was pointed out appreciatively by former Labor Secretary Robert Reich on Twitter days after the November election.

The organization was founded in 2003 by current co-Executive Director O. J. Semans, who is Rosebud Sioux. We focus on selecting target states for a given electoral cycle and registering Native Americans en masse to take part in the next election.

Four Directions (ballot access for Native people)

Goal Thermometer

In 2020, our target states were Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

In the 2020 election cycle, we raised and spent in excess of $1.8 million. With access to more capital this year than planned for, we would undertake identifying, researching, and preparing for potential litigation to ensure equal access to the ballot box for Native Americans in the four targeted states.

In 2020, our target states were Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin – all states that showed a record Native American turnout at the ballot box in November and which were won by Joe Biden.

We also turned out over 73% of voting age registered Native Americans in Georgia for the January 5th special Senate run-off elections – the highest percentage of any demographic group.

FOUR DIRECTIONS has strong and enduring working relationships with tribal leaders and elders from around the country, including the four target states in the 2021/2022 cycle.

In 2022, our initial target states are Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and Wisconsin.

Arizona
We will continue to work with Tribal members and Chapter Houses of the Navajo Nation. as well as the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona that represents 21 Tribal Nations in that state.

Georgia
We will continue to work with the Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe.  We will also continue to identify and work with Tribal Members residing in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area.

Nevada
We have worked with the Intertribal Council of Nevada, which includes all 27 Tribes in the state.

We will also continue to work with the Las Vegas Indian Center  and the University of Las Vegas Native American Student Association.

Wisconsin
We will continue to work with the Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes (MAST), which has membership of all Tribes in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and one of the Tribes in Iowa.

Based on our efforts in the 2020 pandemic influenced cycle, we believe we can register 100 Native American voters (averaged across all programs) per $10,000 increment of program specific funding. We are currently using billboards in Arizona and Georgia to highlight the tidal wave of voter suppression that is sweeping the nation.

www.FourDirectionsVote.com

Four Directions, Inc. (a 501(c)(4) organization) has conducted extraordinarily successful Native voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, voter protection programs, and improved Native voter access through litigation and persuasion with local and state government officials in Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina, Montana, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota over the past 17 years. We have been able to leverage partnerships with Tribes, Universities, top Law Firms, and Civil Rights groups such as ACLU, the Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights Under Law, and the Native American Rights Fund.

What can we, at Balloon Juice, do to help – with early donations right now, in 2021?

We asked FOUR DIRECTIONS to tell us what they could do with additional funding from Balloon Juice.

Their strategy would normally be to go through the process of identifying, researching, and preparing for potential litigation to ensure equal access to the ballot box for Native Americans in their four targeted states.

With additional funding from Balloon Juice, they could start earlier, register more people to vote, and expand to other states.

There are two things we can do.

First, with a successful “match” campaign this month … Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania could be added as target states for 2022.

They have asked us to participate in the match campaign, with a goal of $10,000 in contributions from Balloon Juice.  Our $10,000 would turn into 20,000 with the match in effect, and $15,000 would turn into $30,000.

Details on the match campaign:

FOUR DIRECTIONS currently has a unique opportunity on their hands, and we can be part of that.  A frequent contributor from the Seattle area generously offered to match all contributions received through May 31 – dollar for dollar – up to a total of $50,000.  If they are able to hit that number by that date, the $100,000 in contributions will be enough to cover a sizable amount of the hiring and training in the four target states for the remainder of this year – leaving them the flexibility to potentially initiate GOTV operations in several other states, such as Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

 

Second, early investments from us between now and the end of December 2021 will help set things in motion for the four initial 2022 target states, which in turn sets the stage for the possibility of expanding to additional states as the election gets closer.

Details for the remainder of 2021:

For the next seven and a half months of 2021, in order to get recruitment and training programs underway at the level needed for voter registration and GOTV in 2022, they need to raise $600,000 ($150,000 per targeted state). Early investments in a particular political cycle allow for more expanded ambition closer to the election. It would make a significant positive difference if that funding was available to them much earlier, as organizers like Stacey Abrams, with Fair Fight in Georgia, have consistently demonstrated.

Oliver (O.J.) and Lewis will be here with us for at least an hour.  Ask them anything!  And please chime in with your questions in the comments!

Update: I just added an open thread for anyone who wants to talk about the news of the day or anything else.

 

Reader Interactions

170Comments

  3. 3.

    OJ Semans Sr

    This is OJ Semans Sr, along with my wife Barb we are the Co-Executive Directors of Four Directions which is headquartered on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota. I am honored and humbled to be a part of this.

  4. 4.

    Baud

    Thank you guys for not sitting on your couch posting comments on a blog all day.  You’ve made a real difference.

  8. 8.

    MazeDancer

    Very excited about your efforts in Georgia. 100,000 people is a lot of votes.

    Do you see any unique challenges in GA? (Especially ones we can help fund.)

    Will you be working with any of the established GA voter groups?

  9. 9.

    Auntie Anne

    May I please ask what could be a silly question?  How do you decide which states to target?

    And btw, I am in awe of what your organization accomplishes!

  10. 10.

    Steve in the ATL

    I’m glad to see that you are active in Georgia. We will need all the help we can get to re-elect Warnock. It’s been a long time since we had one, much less two, senators we weren’t ashamed of.  Thanks for your help with this!

  14. 14.

    MomSense

    Now I’m wondering how we can check on voting accessibility in our states.  I’m going to go check out Maine’s SoS site.

  15. 15.

    Omnes Omnibus

    Thank you for what you are doing.  Wisconsin can use all the help it can get.

  16. 16.

    la caterina

    I’m from North Carolina.  Why isn’t that a state you’re focusing on? I’d like to hear more about how you select the states where you concentrate your work.

  19. 19.

    OJ Semans Sr

    Just to let you know, I was taught English by my family, whose 1st language was Lakota, so if I get a word wrong, or mis-phrase it or use it in the wrong contexts and/or make it up, I am apologizing ahead of time and ask for your forgiveness?

  20. 20.

    Barbara

    I receive probably more than 20 emails daily from individual campaigns and a variety of other GOTV and Democratic organizations. I wonder what your perspective is on the utility and purpose of funding different kinds of organizations, whether you are happy some of those organizations are out there, and so on?

  22. 22.

    There go two miscreants

    I don’t have any questions at this time, but I do appreciate your being here for an AMA! I’m already on your email list and have received a few phone calls as well (I’m sorry I wasn’t here at the time). I just hit the thermometer for a monthly donation (which will show up eventually).

  31. 31.

    E.

    Hello and thank you for this incredible work. I live in an area where our local federal and state politicians are doing everything they can to take water and fish from the tribes (Klamath Basin, N. California). I think Native American people are way too outnumbered here to make a dent in the elections but I am just wondering if part of your mission is to hit everybody who asks for help or to remain focused on your target states. I guess it is probably like this everywhere, but man, the racism directed at Indian people here is really striking. You can say, out loud, in mixed company, things about Indian people you could never ever say about any other minority.

  32. 32.

    debbie

    Is there anything that can be done to overturn the voter suppression legislation in practically every non-blue state?

  34. 34.

    Lewis Cohen at Four Directions

    We have a May 31st deadline coming up for a macthing contributor in the Seattle area who will match all contributions received through that date – up to $50k, which we are not yet near yet. Any help with that — greatly appreciated!

  36. 36.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @Auntie Anne: We actually look at the data, as an example we craunched the 2016 Presidential data and saw that in 7 States the Native population exceeded or equaled the voter percentages the Presidential candidates won by and had the Native vote showed up the results could have been different

  38. 38.

    Lewis Cohen at Four Directions

    @debbie: Just this – make sure we register more folks to vote who will negate the voter suppression efforts currently underway nationwide. They can stop some people from voting but they can’t stop everyone. It;s very simple – hence, our mission.

  39. 39.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @Barbara: I am happy whenever I see organizations working on turning out the vote, but I truly believe it was the grassroots organizations that made 2020 & 2021 elections outcomes

  40. 40.

    SiubhanDuinne

    As a long-time resident of Georgia, I’m extremely pleased that you have targeted this state for 2022. We’re encouraged by what we accomplished here during the most recent cycle.

    Thank you for all you do at Four Directions, and thank you especially for spending valuable time with us tonight.

    P.S.  I’m copying and keeping your traditional greeting. It’s beautiful in both languages!

    Hau. (Hi) Cante waste nape ciyuzapelo. (We greet you with a good heart.) This is our traditional greetings?

  41. 41.

    Steve in the ATL

    @OJ Semans Sr: we were told there would be no math tonight…

    How large an impact do you foresee the new voter suppression laws on Native American voters?

  43. 43.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @Steve in the ATL: of individuals who identified themselves as Native American Indians, we had a 73 percent voter turnout. Working with Stacy and her sister Jeannie will enable us to do more, making sure we are not covering the same areas

  44. 44.

    Redshift

    I don’t have any questions, but thank you for your great work and great results. I’m happy to contribute as often as I am able to.

  48. 48.

    MazeDancer

    @OJ Semans Sr:

    We have a memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation with Fair Fight (Stacy Abrams) and Fair Count (Jeannie Abrams McLean – Stacy’s sister.

    Excellent news!

    And did not know that Stacey Abrams’ sister was in the game, too

  50. 50.

    Auntie Anne

    @OJ Semans Sr: Interesting!  It’s a very targeted approach, which I admire.  Thank you for what you do – and of course, I hit the donate button!

  51. 51.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @E.: Thank you for bring that up, we work with Tribes all over the United States and focus on there issues not just voting. as an example

    On June 25th, 2021, at 9 am (EST) at the Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, the Descendants of Buffalo Soldiers will formally present their Proclamation in support of the reintroduction of the Remove The Stain Act. The legislation is currently in the United States House of Representatives, sponsored by Congressman Kaiali’i Kahele of Hawaii and in the United States Senate, sponsored by United States Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Jeff Merkley of Oregon.

  52. 52.

    John Cole

    Two things- I would like to do this as a zoom.

    Second, maybe I have missed this, but why focus on those four states, what about the plains states in the midwest.

  55. 55.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @debbie: If you look at any map in any state you will see blue dots mixed in with the RED, that’s Indian Country:) We have done negotiations and litigation to fight voter suppression for Tribes in these RED states

  57. 57.

    WaterGirl

    @John Cole:  Agree about the zoom.  I had let them know that we could do a follow-up zoom if people were interested.  Figured we would be able to judge the level of interest/excitement from the post tonight.

  58. 58.

    Tenar Arha

    @OJ Semans Sr: Do you use a slightly different strategy to get out the vote during a non-presidential election year? or for that matter a special election where you don’t even have 2 years?

  65. 65.

    Steve in the ATL

    Are there barriers to voting unique to tribal areas, or are they time/transportation/access to ID that plague low income voters everywhere?

  66. 66.

    WaterGirl

    @Baud:   Appreciate that you have my back.  :-)

    Some people prefer zooms and some would rather communicate through their keyboards.  I figured we would start with a post and see if there was interest in a follow-up zoom.

  67. 67.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @John Cole: Unfortunately we can only take on projects we can afford. In 2020 with donations we were able to keep every South Dakota State legislators in the House and Senate re-elected otherwise the majority of the Dem candidates lost.

  69. 69.

    MazeDancer

    @OJ Semans Sr:

    On June 25th, 2021, at 9 am (EST) at the Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, the Descendants of Buffalo Soldiers will formally present their Proclamation in support of the reintroduction of the Remove The Stain Act.

    That’s a big deal as our President would say, but more colorfully. Hadn’t heard. So just tweeted about it.

  70. 70.

    John S.

    @OJ Semans Sr: Did you see any opportunity to affect the outcome here in Florida?

    We have a sizable Seminole and Miccosukee population here, and our elections are always on a razor edge.

  73. 73.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @Steve in the ATL: Voter suppression have not really changed with the exception they find new reasons to enact laws, to accomplish what they have always done. Indian Country is not the only ones affected, but because of poverty, transportation, distance we are hurt the hardest.

  74. 74.

    something fabulous

    Also adding my thanks for your efforts generally and for showing up to speak with us in particular! Pretty cash-strapped at the moment, but happy to throw a small amount towards getting your match– it IS motivating!

    Thanks!

  76. 76.

    PJ

    I don’t have a question, but I just wanted to thank you for what you’ve done and what you’re doing!

  78. 78.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @John S.: Not by being there in person, but we bring Native National issues to the attention of all Tribes. We also did the very first every to Native American Presidential forum which President Biden and Vice President Harris attending, it brought Native into the fold in the fight for equality at the ballot box

  79. 79.

    MazeDancer

    @OJ Semans Sr:

    Unfortunately we can only take on projects we can afford.

    We have to work harder on that here at BJ.

    The Native Vote is reliably Democratic. Brings out new voters. And can be the margin of victory in many states.

    Feels like an exceptional value for the donation.

  81. 81.

    OJ Semans Sr

    On the Buffalo Soldier event, it is also a unification of people of color to unite for the 2022 elections

    This event is historic and is the first time the Descendants of the Wounded Knee Massacre & Buffalo Soldiers have formally united in working together on humanitarian issues since the founding of the Buffalo Soldiers in 1866 (155 years) and since the Battle of the Little Big Horn, June 25th, 1876 (145 years) and the Wounded Knee Massacre December 29th, 1890 (131 years) and although both were former combatants, they have always respected each other’s dedication to their people and as warriors.

  82. 82.

    OJ Semans Sr

    I want to thank WaterGirl for giving us this opportunity, to talk about the Native Vote, we are the minority of the minorities but we come from Nations within the Nation

  86. 86.

    J R in WV

    @Lewis Cohen at Four Directions:

    May 19, 2021 at 7:58 pm

    @OJ Semans Sr: That is going to be a very special event!

    I just wanted to thank you all for your foundation of the Four Directions Group, and the work your organization does to get out the vote for Blue America!

    I get regular receipt emails from ActBlue for my monthly donations to 4-directions, and I have boosted that amount tonight.

    Best of Luck for all involved gong forward!! Now I gotta get dinner outta the oven.

  89. 89.

    Woodrow/asim

    Thanks to the Four Directions folx for taking time from your hard work to come here!

    If people wanted to assist in ways other than financially, do you have recommendations/directions?

  90. 90.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @MazeDancer: You are right, Native vote on issues and Dems have addressed the issues, also when we work on Reservation such as the Navajo Nation, we hire all Tribal Members so your donations not only help empower the people at the end of the day you put food on their table

  92. 92.

    MazeDancer

    @Lewis Cohen at Four Directions:

    Sounds good. Donors like to see big bang return on their investment.

    The fact that Mr. Biden won by slim margins in some states with big untapped Native Voters is reason enough to give you early money.

    Georgia, for example, could produce great results. (Knock wood.)

    And as Mr. Semans says:

    …not only help empower the people at the end of the day you put food on their table

    Elect Dems, feed people…what could be better than that?

  93. 93.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @Woodrow/asim: Thats a tough question, since COVID we have not asked to other help because of our concern the pandemic has in Indian Country, we have referred individuals to the Tribes, but they do not do getting out the vote.

  94. 94.

    chris

    As a native American in NC I am so proud of the work you are doing! My tribe has been disappointing in how many of us supported TFG but I am hopeful that competence will turn the tide next election cycle. Happy to donate to your important work!

  96. 96.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @J R in WV: Thank you, I can assure you, no other organization can do what we do in Indian Country, the numbers we turnout at the polls and messaging has been proven in any state or Reservation we operated on

  97. 97.

    TheflipPsyd

    Don’t have any questions but wanted to offer a sincere thank you for all your work. The past four years and the last fifteen months in particular have made it so difficult to maintain consistent hope for the future of this country. It is so easy to become pessimistic about individuals being able to combat the powerful. Your work shows that when individuals work together, change can happen.  Thank you

  99. 99.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @chris: Thank you, we were actually on the ground on the Lumbee Reservation during your hurricane. Unfortunately lack of funding tied our hands and the fact that some candidates showed up and some didn’t

  100. 100.

    WaterGirl

    There was an interesting question from Tenar Arha at #57 that I would love to see the answer to:

    Do you use a slightly different strategy to get out the vote during a non-presidential election year? or for that matter a special election where you don’t even have 2 years?

  101. 101.

    Lewis Cohen at Four Directions

    @TheflipPsyd: Thank you for saying that. Change is a process that has one speed – slow. However, we are making inroads every cycle and we must make sure not to rest on our laurels because the tasks ahead in 2021/2022 are great. Hence, the need for funding, and the urgency for us to hit our match number. Thank you for whatever you can do to help!

  103. 103.

    Wapiti

    Thanks for the work you all do, and for giving us this time for questions. Thank you also to WaterGirl and DougJ for setting this up on this end.

  104. 104.

    Lewis Cohen at Four Directions

    @Tenar Arha: We work harder turning out the vote in an off, non-presidential year becuase people are less inclined to vote. Our challenge is to make sure they know each vote is important and each vote matters – even if it’s a midterm year like this one. .

  106. 106.

    WaterGirl

    And another one from John S at #69:

    Did you see any opportunity to affect the outcome here in Florida?

    We have a sizable Seminole and Miccosukee population here, and our elections are always on a razor edge.

    *Comments come at you fast, impressive that you have gotten to most of them so far!  I thought I would call out the two I didn’t notice an answer to.

  107. 107.

    Avalie

    Late to the party as usual, but so happy to see two of my favorite groups coming together!!  I’ve been a Four Directions supporter for a while and was so happy to see your accomplishments in 2020!  As a Cherokee nation member, it’s good to see the effect we can have when efforts are coordinated.  Thanks for all you have done and all you are doing!

    Starting a recurring donation for the next election cycle.

  112. 112.

    Another Scott

    Thanks for all you are doing, and thanks for stopping by to tell us about it.  Nothing is better than people in the community talking with neighbors about the importance of participating in the political process and what it means for everyone.

    Donated.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  115. 115.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @Avalie: Wopila (thank you) I can honestly say when I hear the President and Vice President talk about America and how they include Tribes, I feel good knowing we made that difference 

  117. 117.

    Omnes Omnibus

    In Wisconsin, are you targeting specific people? If so, I assume Johnson is near the top of the list, but I wondered if Tom Tiffany would be getting any special attention?

  119. 119.

    SiubhanDuinne

    During the course of this hour it’s been fun, and gratifying, to watch the donation thermometer creep upward. And because it always lags a bit behind, I expect BJers have contributed more tonight than currently shows up. We have a good track record around these parts :-)

    Thank you again, OJ and Lewis, for spending time with us, and sharing your hopes and goals and plans. I hope we can do a Zoom with you.

  124. 124.

    debbie

    @Another Scott:

    Nothing is better than people in the community talking with neighbors about the importance of participating in the political process and what it means for everyone.

    Seconded, and donated. Have I said how much I hate PayPal?

  128. 128.

    Lewis Cohen at Four Directions

    Activism is great, and it comes in many forms. I love the Ballon Juice community because people stand up here and are counted, not just sit on the couch and say how lousy things are. I always tell folks to get involved in whatever way you can, and you folks at BJ do just that. Thank you for everything!!

  129. 129.

    OJ Semans Sr

    Pila maya pelo (Thank you), Mitakuye Oyasin (We are all related) I enjoyed sharing with you Four Directions plans and accomplishments.

    Good night:)

  137. 137.

    Sandia Blanca

    Was not previously familiar with Four Directions, but have enjoyed learning about them tonight. Happy to be able to donate. Thanks to John Cole and Watergirl for this event.

  138. 138.

    MazeDancer

    @WaterGirl:

    Great event! Big idea, executed well.

    Total win-win. They get money, we learn stuff.

    Feels like every dollar we can funnel in their direction can result in extra votes.

      make sure we register more folks to vote who will negate the voter suppression efforts currently underway nationwide. They can stop some people from voting but they can’t stop everyone. It;s very simple – hence, our mission.

    Most uplifting attitude.

  145. 145.

    mousebumples

    @WaterGirl: I think it was great! With my family-related schedule, I couldn’t get here until it was over, but I still enjoyed reading through the comments. Thanks to you for arranging this, and for pointing out some questions that might have been missed. :)

  146. 146.

    WaterGirl

    @mousebumples: I know what it’s like for me when I’m doing the technical site threads or the I Got the Shot! threads – trying to catch everything but sometimes you miss something.  :-)

  147. 147.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @WaterGirl:

    Many thanks to you (and DougJ, I think?) for setting this up. OJ and Lewis were great, and it was a real treat to have them here for an hour-plus. I was glad to make a small donation to Four Directions, and will probably go to a monthly schedule before long.

    You know, I’ve always enjoyed being part of the Balloon Juice community. Increasingly, I am realising that I’m also damned proud of BJ and what we do here.

  148. 148.

    Tenar Arha

    @WaterGirl: My thanks to Lewis & OJ! (& you). I really liked the asynchronous nature of this, mostly bc I was running late & yet I got to participate. It’s nice to know my donation does so much, & is being matched too.

    ETA thanks to DougJ too

  150. 150.

    WaterGirl

    Sounds like there is some interest in a zoom with FOUR DIRECTIONS, so we’ll plan on that sometime next week.  Stay tuned.

  152. 152.

    S. Cerevisiae

    Late again, but it was great to hear about all the good work they are doing to get out the vote on and off the Rez.

    Miigwech (thank you) from a Minnesota Ojibwe.

  154. 154.

    WaterGirl

    @SiubhanDuinne: Yeah, DougJ and I will be tag teaming this stuff.

    I took the lead on FOUR DIRECTIONS because DougJ was really busy with work, but he will start to have more time very soon, so we’ll be working tag team to bring more groups like this to BJ.

    I think we’re thinking, for this year at least, that the focus can be on boots on the ground organizations that are more targeted.  Groups like this and Fair Fight and the Maricopa County Democratic Party in AZ or the Wisconsin Dems.

    I really want to try to get someone to join us from Powered by People – in my dreams it will be Beto!

  155. 155.

    WaterGirl

    @MazeDancer: I think we’re thinking that it might be best timing-wise to have the zoom while the match money is on the table, and that ends on 5/31.  That’s why we’re thinking next week.

    Tell me more about why you’re thinking after the Buffalo Soldier event – because you’d like to hear about it first-hand?

  157. 157.

    Auntie Anne

    @WaterGirl: This was really interesting.  I loved hearing what they do – and my takeaway is that Four Directions gives us a really big bang for a small amount of $$.  I would rather direct my donations to organizations like them, rather than the “big name” races.

  158. 158.

    WaterGirl

    @Auntie Anne: Yeah, some of those big name races in 2020 were heartbreaking.   All that money!  That’s kind of why we’re leaning in this direction, for now at least.

    The Native vote and the Asian-American vote made a big difference in the Georgia runoff.    And the black vote, of course! Imagine helping more people have the power of the vote instead of trying to win over some “economically anxious” person with a TV ad, to get them to leave the dark side and come over to this side.

    Advertising still matters, but I don’t think that’s the name of the game anymore.  Not on our side, at least.  My two cents.

  160. 160.

    stinger

    Sorry I missed the conversation while it was active, but good to read the information and all the comments and responses. Donated!

  161. 161.

    Wolvesvalley

    I missed the conversation, too, but I am glad of the opportunity to contribute.

    Are we going to keep the contribution thermometer active so late-responding jackals can keep giving?

  163. 163.

    Leslie

    I’m glad people mentioned the thermometer; my ADHD brain skimmed right past it to read the rest of the post. Sorry I missed the live discussion, but I just donated.

  164. 164.

    frosty

    Another late arrival, donating now. Thanks for setting this up, I read through all the comments and I like the approach to donating that WaterGirl described.

  165. 165.

    MazeDancer

    @WaterGirl: Think Buffalo Soldier event sounds like something that excites 4D, so they would light up when discussing.

    That we have asked all the usual questions, so might be repetitive so soon.

    But understand the matching moment. So, trade-offs.

  166. 166.

    WaterGirl

    @MazeDancer:  There will be some overlap, but I suspect the zoom participants will not necessarily be the same folks who participated in the thread.

    Some people love the zooms; others not so much.  A few people expressed concern that the blog might focus more on zooms and less on posts – in the same way that Cole personally went toward posting more on Twitter and less on the blog.

    Just trying to cover all the bases and meet people where they are.   As Biden and Psaki would say!  :-)

  167. 167.

    sab

    Donated late and not through the thermomter. Luddite here, so I only donate directly but $50 bucks to 4 Directions came from BJ donor.

  169. 169.

    Tenar Arha

    @WaterGirl: I just looked at the donations thermometer. & now I’m all “This was a great idea!”

    $8000! (with about 11days left in the month) I’m like ?

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